CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, January 8, 2018 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Salomon, Councilmembers McGlashan, Scully, McConnell, Chang, and Roberts
ABSENT: None
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk.
(a) Oath of Office Ceremony for Newly Elected City Councilmembers, performed by Shoreline District Court Judge Douglas J. Smith
The Honorable Judge Douglas J. Smith, Shoreline District Court, performed the swearing in ceremony for the following Councilmembers:
•Council Position No. 1 Keith McGlashan
•Council Position No. 3 Will Hall
•Council Position No. 5 Susan Chang
•Council Position No. 7 Christopher Roberts
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Ms. Simulcik Smith led the flag salute and called the roll. All Councilmembers were present.
(a) Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Ms. Simulcik Smith summarized the rules and procedures for electing City Council Officers and opened the floor for nominations for Mayor. Councilmember Chang nominated Councilmember Roberts and Councilmember McGlashan nominated Councilmember Hall. As there were no other nominations, Ms. Simulcik Smith declared the nominations closed.
Councilmember Hall received 5 affirmative votes, and Ms. Simulcik Smith declared him elected Mayor for a period of two years ending December 31, 2019.
Mayor Hall opened the floor for nominations for Deputy Mayor. Councilmember Roberts nominated Councilmember Scully and Councilmember Scully nominated Councilmember Salomon. As there were no other nominations, Mayor Hall declared the nominations closed.
Councilmember Salomon received 4 affirmative votes, and Mayor Hall declared him elected Deputy Mayor for a period of two years ending December 31, 2019.
At 7:12 p.m. Mayor Hall called for a recess for seating adjustments, and called the meeting back to order at 7:17 p.m.
(b) Proclamation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Mayor Hall read a proclamation declaring January 15, 2018 as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the City of Shoreline. Jenny Suk and Alex Widman, Shoreline Youth Ambassadors, accepted the proclamation. Ms. Widman and Ms. Suk shared about Dr. King’s call to action to promote equality and justice for all, and to combat racism.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember McConnell reported attending the Seashore Transportation Meeting and shared that she and Lake Forest Park Councilmember Phillippa Kassover were nominated as Co-Chairs. She said Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) procedures for Federal grant funding for local government entities was discussed at the meeting.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Domenick Dellino, Shoreline resident, spoke in support of the Richmond Beach Road Rechannelization project and said it is for the safety of the Community. He questioned the tradeoff between the rechannelization and someone’s death because the road is not safe.
Sammie Fick, Shoreline resident, spoke in favor of the Richmond Beach Road Rechannelization project, and shared that she attended two meetings presented by the City and sees the need to make the road safer. She said the rechannelization will make the road slower and that is not a bad thing.
Tom Petersen, Richmond Beach Resident, spoke in support of the Richmond Beach Road Rechannelization project and shared that meetings have been occurring for the past 15 years to address Richmond Beach Road to make it safer.
Richard Shilling, Richmond Beach Resident, said he was surprised at the support he received when he went door to door asking folks to sign a petition to stop the Richmond Beach Road Rechannelization project. He urged Council to recognize that the people who elected them are opposed to the project and cancel it.
Donna Thomas, Shoreline resident, congratulated the incumbents and newly elected officials, and said she appreciates all the work they do. She said she supports both the Trail along the Rail and the Woonerf projects and urged Council to provide funding for them.
Margaret Willson, Shoreline resident, commented that there is a speeding problem on Richmond Beach Road and it can be solved by hiring a police officer to ticket speeders. She added that the salary of a new officer could be paid for by ticket revenue. She spoke in general about the unfairness of punishing everyone for the few who break the rules and asked the Council to not penalize Richmond Beach residents. She said she thinks the City is going to move forward with the rechannelization project, and therefore asked for it to be a pilot project to be reevaluated to see if it is working.
Ginny Scantlebury, Shoreline resident, asked if the petition opposing the Richmond Beach Road Rechannelization affects the Councilmembers’ opinion about the project. She said there are over 500 signatures, and she believes they could have gotten 1,000. She said, in March of 2011, the Neighborhood Traffic Action Plan (NTAP) Advisory Committee recommended keeping Richmond Beach Road a four lane road. She questioned why the City even had an advisory committee if their recommendations was going to be disregarded. She also requested the City provide notice to residents prior to planning projects.
Tom McCormick, Shoreline resident, spoke in favor of the Richmond Beach Road Rechannelization project and said the project goes back to 2005. He read from the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Master Plan policies and noted the policies support the rechannelization of the road down to three lanes to slow down traffic for safety. He said the downside is a marginal increase in drive time, that the bike lanes are a bi-product of the process, and noted Council’s authority to limit tanker traffic to certain hours. He said he trusts staff’s recommendations.
Mark Ryan, Shoreline resident, commented that he does not like the idea of the rechannelization but is willing to give it a try. He said he does not think a lot of bikers will use the bike lanes.
Evelyn Varney, Richmond Beach Resident, expressed concern with a road diet and getting first responders down the road. She shared that she has a special needs daughter, and emergency vehicles will be delayed getting to her and to people in adult family homes and the Rehab Center. She asked the Council to think of all the people that will be impacted and reconsider the project.
Andy Nelson, Richmond Beach Resident, commented that he disagrees that the Richmond Beach Road Rechannelization will make the street safer. He expects that delays will occur and side streets will be used as short cuts presenting safety hazards to the kids in the neighborhood. He shared why he thinks the increase in segments times are disingenuous.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember McGlashan and seconded by Councilmember Roberts and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 23, 2017, Regular Meeting of
October 30, 2017, Special Meeting of December 4, 2017, and Special Meeting of December 11, 2017
(b) Approving Expenses and Payroll as of December 22, 2017 in the Amount of
$4,617,504.17
|
*Payroll and Benefits: |
||||||
|
Payroll Period |
Payment Date |
EFT Numbers (EF) |
Payroll Checks (PR) |
Benefit Checks (AP) |
Amount Paid |
|
|
11/05/17-11/18/17 |
11/24/2017 |
75310-75550 |
15331-15349 |
68736-68743 |
$815,713.95 |
|
|
11/19/17-12/2/17 |
12/8/2017 |
75551-75777 |
15350-15366 |
68868-68873 |
$598,505.58 |
|
|
$1,414,219.53 |
||||||
|
*Wire Transfers: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Wire Transfer Number |
|
Amount Paid |
|||
|
11/28/2017 |
1128 |
$13,364.58 |
||||
|
$13,364.58 |
||||||
|
*Accounts Payable Claims: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Check Number (Begin) |
Check Number (End) |
Amount Paid |
|||
|
11/27/2017 |
64912 |
64912 |
($125.00) |
|||
|
11/27/2017 |
68677 |
68677 |
$125.00 |
|||
|
11/28/2017 |
68482 |
68482 |
($60.00) |
|||
|
11/28/2017 |
68678 |
68678 |
$120.00 |
|||
|
11/29/2017 |
68679 |
68705 |
$629,770.88 |
|||
|
11/29/2017 |
68706 |
68706 |
$3,642.01 |
|||
|
11/29/2017 |
68707 |
68720 |
$7,913.20 |
|||
|
12/1/2017 |
68721 |
68735 |
$123,250.40 |
|||
|
12/7/2017 |
68744 |
68757 |
$258,719.97 |
|||
|
12/7/2017 |
68758 |
68761 |
$1,433.39 |
|||
|
12/8/2017 |
68762 |
68778 |
$86,071.44 |
|||
|
12/13/2017 |
68779 |
68779 |
$130,000.00 |
|||
|
12/13/2017 |
67267 |
67267 |
($5,946.99) |
|||
|
12/14/2017 |
68780 |
68816 |
$451,222.68 |
|||
|
12/14/2017 |
68817 |
68825 |
$2,639.28 |
|||
|
12/14/2017 |
68826 |
68846 |
$24,933.27 |
|||
|
12/15/2017 |
68847 |
68867 |
$1,071,605.17 |
|||
|
12/19/2017 |
68874 |
68874 |
$10,170.85 |
|||
|
12/20/2017 |
68875 |
68876 |
$58,347.12 |
|||
|
12/21/2017 |
68877 |
68914 |
$208,516.66 |
|||
|
12/21/2017 |
68915 |
68924 |
$1,972.60 |
|||
|
12/21/2017 |
68925 |
68942 |
$58,284.99 |
|||
|
12/22/2017 |
68943 |
68968 |
$67,313.14 |
|||
|
$3,189,920.06 |
||||||
(c) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for 2018 with Sound
Generations - Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Senior Center in the Amount of $95,708
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing Ordinance No. 811 - Amending the City's Official Zoning Map From R-8 to R- 24 for Three Parcels of Land Located at 903, 909, and 915 North 167th Street
Steve Szafran, Senior Planner, reviewed the vicinity, zoning, and comprehensive plan maps identifying the location of the parcels for the potential rezone and the current zoning in the area. He shared that the Hearing Examiner determined that the application meets all the criteria for a rezone and recommended approval.
Mayor Hall reminded Councilmembers of the Appearance of Fairness Law regarding ex parte communications. Councilmember McGlashan disclosed that he has talked to people about their concern over the road in that area but not specifically about the rezone. Mayor Hall disclosed that he received an email from a resident expressing concern about the rezone process, and upon the advice of the City Attorney, he responded back to that person letting them know rezones are quasi-judicial, and ex parte communications are not allowed. He said he did not consider the content of the email, and his deliberations will not be affected. Councilmember Chang disclosed that while doorbelling for her election campaign she received questions about a development in the area and reviewed a zoning map with residents.
Councilmember Chang questioned whether R-18 was considered for the rezone, noting it would be a more appropriate transition to R-6. She also asked about the remaining square of R-8 on the map. Mr. Szafran responded that R-18 was considered, but R-24 was ultimately recommended because parcels south of the property were rezoned to R-24 in 2008. He said the R-8 property owner did not enter into this rezone, and it will remain R-8 unless the Council initiates a legislative rezone.
Councilmember Scully asked clarifying questions about the remaining square of R-8 and access to the property. Mr. Szafran responded that there is a driveway easement.
Councilmember McConnell expressed concern about R-24 and traffic issues, and asked what Council can do if they are not comfortable with R-24. She asked why R-24 is being recommended and what the area would look like when it is developed. Ms. Tarry responded that the Council could deny the rezone. Mr. Szafran explained that R-8, -18, and -24 Zones require onsite parking, and R-24 was evaluated based on the applicant’s request. He said he also looked to the Comprehensive Plan for guidance. He explained the development will have four more units on the lot that will be 35 feet in height, or 40 feet with a pitched roof.
Councilmember McGlashan spoke in favor of the rezone to R-24. He said the parcels to the south are redeveloped for R-24, the parcel to the west is a Community Park, and the height limit is three stories. He pointed out that there is also Mixed-Business (MB) and R-18 in the area. He said most of the public comment expressed concern about traffic and parking but the proposed units will have two-car garages. He said he supports the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation.
Deputy Mayor Salomon expressed concern that people purchased property knowing what the zoning was and now it is being changed. He explained that the Council has approved rezones in appropriate areas to accommodate new density and stated that increased density should not be just anywhere throughout the City. Councilmember Scully agreed and expressed concern that the lone R-8 parcel will not be effectively used in the future. He said he is inclined to vote against the rezone because this is not the type of up-zone he wants outside the City’s existing planning processes.
Councilmember Roberts explained that he raised the question about the R-8 parcel because the shape was odd. He said he is convinced R-24 is an appropriate rezone and noted it is identified in the Comprehensive Plan as such. He said the Council has the ability to address the R-8 parcel at a later date. He stated the application meets all the requirements for the rezone and he does not see any reason to deny it.
Mayor Hall shared that he appreciates the concerns raised about traffic and parking in the area and the Council will have to address them in the future. He said the application meets the Comprehensive Plan criteria and Council Goals. He explained that the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation is based on the record and a Councilmember would need to make a motion to deny the request and provide their rationale for the record.
Paul Cohen, Planning Manager, informed the Council that a written public comment, submitted November 15, 2017, was inadvertently omitted from the staff report but was submitted to Council earlier today.
(b) Discussing and Update on the 148th Non-motorized Bridge, the Trail Along the Rail Project, and the 3rd Avenue NE Woonerf
Nora Delay-Peng, Senior Transportation Planner, provided an update on the 148th Non-motorized Bridge, the Trail Along the Rail, and the 3rd Avenue NE Woonerf projects. She shared that the projects support City Council Goal 3, Shoreline Comprehensive Plan’s Transit-Oriented Communities, Guiding Principles for Light Rail Facilities Design, and the 145th Street Station Subarea Plan. She explained the Trail Along the Rail will be a 2.5 mile shared-used path with regional significance that connects to the 145th Street and 185th Street Stations as well as the 195th Avenue Street Pedestrian Bridge. She stated that a feasibility study was performed to assess the level of ease to construct the trail, and displayed a graph identifying locations where construction will be easy, moderate, or difficult and explained why. She presented different construction options, and recommended a phased approach with the first phase consisting of a ten block segment from 185th to 195th Street. She reviewed the 148th Street Preferred Alternative for the Pedestrian Bridge selected by Council and pointed out it will connect just north of the Light Rail Station. She said staff is focused on ensuring appropriate vertical height clearances and that there is enough space for a landing north of the Station. Next she reviewed the Woonerf Project and described “Woonerf” as a living street where pedestrians and cyclists are prioritized and cars are invited guests, much like Pike Place Market. She said the multi-purpose project is just north of the 145th Street Station and will extend to 3rd Avenue to connect 149th Street to 151st Street. She then reviewed the next steps in the process for all three projects.
Councilmember McGlashan expressed excitement about all three projects and asked if developers would pay for some of the Woonerf as part of frontage improvements. Ms. Daley-Peng replied affirmatively. Councilmember McGlashan questioned the two-way kiss-and-ride creating traffic jams during peak hours. He asked if 148th Street on the west side of I-5 is a public right-of-way and if the cost of purchasing property or an easement is included in the cost estimates. Ms. Daley-Peng responded that she is in the process of scheduling meetings to discuss the area and that purchasing costs are included in the estimate.
Deputy Mayor Salomon asked how the Woonerf improves the Station area, how the Bridge connects the Light Rail Station and the Woonerf, and the pros and cons the Woonerf will have on traffic. Ms. Tarry responded that the staff will send the drawings to Council.
Councilmember Roberts commented that the Woonerf being presented here has a different feel than Pike Place Market. He asked how much of the estimated cost is for right-of-way acquisitions versus design, and what the difference in cost would be if a regular street was constructed instead of the Woonerf. Ms. Daley-Peng responded that staff can run numbers for a traditional street, and explained that a Woonerf is helpful when a street is blocked off because it doubles or triples the space. Councilmember Roberts said he does not see this as a public gathering space but see it as a kiss-and-ride space. He asked what the City’s grant match for these projects would be and if they will take away from efforts to make 145th Street safer.
Councilmember Chang asked if the pedestrian access along 145th Street will go away with this being the replacement, and if property acquisition is required for the Trail Along the Rail. Mr. Witt replied that they are two separate projects and explained that the widening of the 145th Street Bridge will make the sidewalk go away but there will be a pedestrian bridge immediately adjacent to it. The 148th Non-Motorized Bridge will provide access to the Station from the west side of I-5. Ms. Daley-Peng confirmed some property acquisition will be needed for the Trail.
Councilmember Scully recalled that Council approved $500,000 to study the 148th Non-motorized Bridge and $250,000 to study the Trail Along the Rail, and is seeking out grant funding. Mr. Witt explained that the money was budgeted for design and that the Woonerf is an opportunity to bring all three projects together with transit oriented development. Councilmember Scully said he is happy with the Bridge and Trail, and agrees with Councilmember Roberts that the Woonerf would be heavily used as a drop off and pick up area. He asked if the design could be modified to accommodate its prominent use as a drop off area and not as a public gathering space. He said there are currently no funds in the Capital Improvement Plan to support the Woonerf, and that he would rather spend funds on other high priority projects in the City.
Mayor Hall shared that he likes the Woonerf ideas and wants to keep them moving forward but priority should be given to the Bridge and Trail. He said he is excited about seeing the additional work on the feasibility of the Bridge and having it all come together.
Deputy Mayor Salomon asked what the difference is between the moderate and difficult construction categories for the Trail Along the Rail. Ms. Daley-Peng responded that it is an aggregate of conditions, including typography, arterial crossing, and right-of-way purchases.
Councilmember McConnell shared that she thinks the area designated for the Woonerf space would really function as a kiss-and-ride.
Mr. Witt reminded Council that the Woonerf drop off area space is supplemental to the kiss-and-ride that Sound Transit is building next to the garage.
Councilmember Chang asked about the noise factor with the Woonerf being below the Interstate and next to Light Rail. Ms. Daley-Peng responded that a sound wall would be constructed and noted the Woonerf would be located some distance from the tracks.
(c) Discussing Ordinance No. 810 Granting a Non-Exclusive Franchise to Verizon Access Transmission Services to Construct, Operate, and Maintain a Telecommunications Fiber Optic System Within City Rights-of-Way, Excluding the Aurora Avenue N Corridor
Alex Herzog, Management Analyst, provided a review of the Verizon Franchise history and the Council’s request to preserve Aurora Avenue North. He explained that the conduit lease agreement was not enacted and therefore Ordinance No. 781 adopted by Council on August 14, 2017 is null and void. He said tonight’s discussion is for Council to consider adopting Ordinance No. 810 granting Verizon a citywide franchise with the exception of the Aurora Corridor, and it no longer ties the Franchise to a conduit lease agreement. He displayed a map depicting the Aurora Corridor and pointed out the limits of the agreement. He reviewed the next steps in the process and said adoption of the Ordinance No. 810 is schedule for January 22, 2018.
(d) Discussing Ordinance No. 812 - Amending the 2018 Budget and Salary Table to Include Appropriations and the Classification of B&O Tax Analyst Necessary to Implement the Business & Occupation Tax
Rick Kirkwood, Budget Supervisor, explained that Ordinance No. 812 amends the 2018 Budget to add a Business and Occupation (B&O) Tax Analyst Classification to the Salary Schedule, increases FTE Count by 1.0, revises expenditure appropriations for implementation totaling $445,000, and adjusts 2018 Budget Expenditures to $80,383,694.
Councilmember Chang asked what the position would entail after the first year of setting up the program. Mr. Kirkwood responded the first year consists of implementation and then the Analyst would be responsible for verifying accuracy of filings, and collecting taxes. He added that the City may need to contract with an outside company to perform audits.
Councilmember Roberts said Mr. Kirkwood’s description of the Tax Analyst duties sounded more like a clerk than an analyst and he thinks the position might be lower than the analyst range, but higher than a technician. Mr. Kirkwood responded that there will be a lot of clerical work but the positon also includes account maintenance and management, maintaining the data system, running reports, etc.
Councilmember Scully and McConnell expressed that they do not want to micromanage the classification of the position and slow the process down. Mayor Hall agreed and recommended that Council Roberts speak with staff regarding his concerns.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:16 p.m., Mayor Hall recessed into Executive Session for a period of 20 minutes as authorized by RCW 42.30.110(l)(b) to consider the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase, and said the Council is not expected to take final action. Staff attending the Executive Session included City Manager Debbie Tarry; Assistant City Manager John Norris; City Attorney Margaret King; Economic Development Manager Dan Eernissee; and Karen Wright, Contract Land Services (CLS). At 9:37 p.m. Mayor Hall emerged from the Executive Session to announce he was extending it to 9:55 p.m. The Executive Session ended at 9:55 p.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:56 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk