CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 2, 2018 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor 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 Mayor Hall who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Hall led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exception of Deputy Mayor Salomon.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
Deputy Mayor Salomon arrived at 7:01 p.m.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
There were no Council Reports provided.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ryan Schafer, Shoreline resident and King County Sexual Assault Resource Center Representative, thanked Council for the Sexual Assault Proclamation, and for supporting the Program. He spoke about their BE LOUD Campaign to empower people to speak up to address sexual assault.
Sara and Geneva Betnel, Shoreline residents, recalled sending a letter to Council asking them to ban plastic straws in Shoreline and thanked Council for considering the request. She then shared facts on how plastic straws negatively impact the environment.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember McGlashan and seconded by Councilmember Scully and unanimously carried, 6-0, (Deputy Salomon stepped away from the dais), the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 5, 2018, Regular Meeting of
February 26, 2018, and Special Meeting of February 26, 2018
(b) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment #2 to Contract #8919 with BHC Consultants, LLC for Plan Review Services in the Amount of $150,000
(c) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment #2 to Contract #8955 with CWA Consultants, P.S. for Plan Review Services in the Amount of $125,000
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Public Hearing and Discussing the 2019-2024 Transportation Improvement Plan
Natasha Sowers, Transportation Services Manager, and Tricia Juhnke, City Engineer, provided the staff presentation. Ms. Sowers reviewed why the City prepares the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP); presented sources that informed the TIP; and described documents included in the TIP. She stated funded projects total $136,717,418 and unfunded projects total $60,750,131. She displayed a map identifying all of the projects and said the total cost of the TIP is $197,467,549. She presented project changes from 2018 to 2019, TIP Priorities, and said sidewalk improvements are not included in this TIP, but will be in subsequent years. She noted corrections were made to the Westminster Project, and said it has been moved to Project #18. She reviewed projects being completed this year, and identified new unfunded projects.
Mayor Hall opened the Public Hearing, and seeing no one from the public wishing to speak, he closed the Hearing.
Councilmember Roberts inquired about the prioritization and funding status of the Light Rail Station access improvement projects identified in the draft TIP, and questioned why the Woonerf is listed due to Council’s previous discussion. Ms. Juhnke explained the City has about $2 Million per Station to spend on access improvements and that staff selected the particular segments because they are connective. She said prioritization of the segments will be further refined after this discussion and cost estimates will be revisited. Councilmember Roberts said he is concerned about prioritizing two access improvement segments on 1st Avenue NE above improvements to NE 148th Street which is directly across the street from the Station. Ms. Sowers explained that the Woonerf Project funding is for additional design to further conceptualize pedestrian and bicycle access improvements. Ms. Tarry added that Council directed staff to continue with the Woonerf Project design work, and said it is not a priority to construct the project.
Councilmember Scully said he recalls that Council agreed that the City would not fund the Woonerf Project, and he thinks it should be removed from the TIP.
Councilmember McGlashan inquired about Project #28 - Interurban Trail Crossing at SR104, and whether the State and the City of Edmonds will contribute to funding the project, and if the cost identified in the draft TIP is Shoreline’s portion for the life of the project. He then asked about Project #3 – Annual Road Surface Maintenance Program, and whether a road can receive a second Bituminous Surface Treatment. He also proposed that Council have a discussion about increasing grant matching funds. He questioned if the City is precluded from applying for grants if there is not enough money in the Grant Matching Fund. Ms. Sowers said the total cost of Project #28 is identified in the TIP, and the intention is for it to be a partnership with other jurisdictions and agencies. Ms. Tarry stated that the City would not be prohibited from submitting grant applications based on current grant matching funds. Ms. Juhnke added that a street can have another Bituminous Surface Treatment. Both Ms. Sowers and Ms. Juhnke agreed that if the City is successful with all its grant applications, more grant matching funds will be needed.
Councilmember Chang asked why funding is not allocated for Project #24 - Freemont Avenue, if it is eligible for Safe Routes to School funding, and if the City needs to acquire property to expand the road. Ms. Juhnke responded that Safe Routes to School funding is for K-8 schools, and that the City has not been successful in securing grant funding for the project, but will continue applying. She said the design phase will determine if the City needs to acquire property.
Mayor Hall recalled a traffic study reporting that, at the highest peak of traffic, 44% of vehicle trips on Meridian Avenue traveled all the way from 205th Street to 145th Street. He said Meridian is used as an overflow lane to Interstate 5, but only Shoreline residents are paying for the road’s wear and tear. He said because he only wants to spend money on roads that benefit the Shoreline community, he prefers to prioritize TIP investments on projects near the Light Rail Stations, and questioned if Project #17 - Meridian Avenue. N should be removed.
Deputy Mayor Salomon stated he shares Mayor Hall’s concerns, and that he would like to observe how the Richmond Beach Rechannelization is working before proceeding with others.
Councilmember Chang asked if a meter should be installed at 145th Street. Mayor Hall stated his preference to extend the lane and un-meter the onramp at 205th Street, but stated that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) does not have funding to put in another lane. Ms. Sowers said WSDOT is studying the proposal. Councilmember Scully expressed concern that a meter at 145th Street freeway on-ramp would only prolong delays and hurt Shoreline residents. He said if Council is going to take a position on this issue, it should be placed on the Agenda for discussion.
Councilmember McGlashan asked if Community Transit will use Meridian Avenue for the Swift Line to get people from South Snohomish County to the Light Rail Station, and if rechanneling the road would deter pass through traffic. He said he supports leaving Project #17 in the TIP. Ms. Sowers responded that they will inquire with Community Transit regarding the Swift Line and report back to Council.
Councilmember Scully asked for confirmation that Council has only authorized the funding for feasibility studies for Project #7 -148th Street N Non-motorized Bridge Project, and Project #8 -Trail Along the Rail, and that the rest of the funding will be from non-City sources. Ms. Sower responded this is correct.
Councilmember Roberts shared that Project #7 and #8 scored high in PSRC’s grant competition this year. He asked clarifying questions about Project #11 - N/NE 185th, and cautioned the City to be mindful about placing utilities underground because of the fees applied. He asked about the cost, and said he does not want to jeopardize funding for sidewalk repair on Meridian.
Councilmember Scully requested more information about Meridian Avenue based on the amount of funds allocated to it.
Councilmember Roberts asked if it would be prudent to delay the adoption of the TIP. Ms. Tarry replied that staff will address the questions presented by Council tonight, make the appropriate adjustments, and bring back the Plan for Council’s adoption at the end of April. She asked Council if the Woonerf Project should remain on the TIP. Mayor Hall, and Councilmembers McConnell and McGlashan expressed that they want to keep it on the project list, and Councilmember Scully expressed a desired to have it removed.
9. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing Ord. No. 818 - Repealing Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 9.05 Public
Disturbance Noise and Replacing it with a New Chapter 9.05 Noise Control
Brian Lee, Senior Planner, and Steven Quarterman, Landau Associates, provided the presentation. Mr. Lee shared that the existing Noise Code has remained unchanged for the past seventeen years, and said it is insufficient to address the changes that have occurred in the City. He reviewed staff’s recommended changes to the code include: inclusion of a purpose statement, additional definition of terms, description of how sounds are measure, list of exempted sounds, identifies variance and appeal process, and adds a decibel level threshold table. He displayed a decibel scale chart showing the measurement level of certain noises.
Councilmember Roberts asked about the definition of daytime versus nighttime hours, and said it might be confusing to the public. Julie Ainsworth-Taylor, Assistant City Attorney, explained that there is an overlay of 2 hours onto Saturday and Sunday mornings, where lower decibels are required from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Councilmembers asked that the language in this section of the Code be made clearer.
Councilmember Chang asked for clarification about the noise decibel level for heat pumps. Mr. Lee shared that sound levels for the outdoor unit range from 40 to 70 decibels. Mr. Quarterman added that noise levels decrease by 6 or 7 decibels as you double the distance.
Councilmember Roberts expressed concern about making daytime amplified voices a public noise nuisance and suggested an amendment to the language to include, it is a nuisance if it occurs at nighttime. Mr. Lee responded that the wording can be changed as suggested.
Mayor Hall requested that the Code be clear so that a person is not automatically in violation if they are not actually bothering someone, and that the Police will only respond when there is a complaint. Ms. Ainsworth-Taylor confirmed that a public nuisance arises when the noise is bothering someone, or effecting their peace and tranquility on their property. Deputy Mayor Salomon questioned if the word "particularly" creates bias enforcement.
Councilmember McGlashan commented that he is fine with the current language.
Mayor Hall stated that the proposed code creates a standard, quantifies noise levels, and said he wants to ensure that it arises to enforcement only when someone complains. Councilmember Chang asked who determines the decimal levels, and asked what decibel level Light Rail noise will generate. Mr. Lee responded that Washington State regulations identify Type I and II Meters for enforcement, and stated Light Rail noise generates between 43 to 57 decibels at 95 to 100 Ft.
Deputy Mayor Salomon questioned the sound decibel levels required by the Department of Ecology, and requested that the staff resubmit them for review.
(b) Discussing Federal Legislative Priorities
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, and Jake Johnston, The Johnston Group, provided the presentation. Ms. Tarry stated legislative meetings are scheduled for April 26, 2018, and include meetings with Senators Murry and Cantwell; Representatives Jayapal, Larsen, DelBene, and Kilmer; the D.C. Office of Governor Inslee; and the Federal Transit Agency.
Ms. Tarry presented the City’s Federal Legislative Priorities are as follows:
1. Support Federal Funding for Lynnwood Link Light Rail Expansion
2. Federal Program to Fund Infrastructure
3. Funding for 145th Corridor
4. Permanent TIGER Program (Transportation Investment Generating Economic
Recover)
5. 2018 Internet Sales Tax Bills
6. Continued Funding of CDBG
Ms. Tarry shared that other important issues include:
· Preserve tax-exempt municipal bonding authority
· Advance refunding bonds
· Restore full tax deduction for state/local taxes
· Refundable tax credit for Green Stormwater Infrastructure
· Oppose effort to deny federal funding to “sanctuary” cities
· Support Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Program
Deputy Mayor Salomon stated he was pleased that the funding for Lynnwood Link Light Rail Expansion was restored. Mr. Johnston explained Congress has now directed $400 Million of funding to projects that are going to enter into a full funding grant award this calendar year.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:39 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk