CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 17, 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.
(a) Proclamation of Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry
Mayor Hall read a proclamation declaring September 22, 2018 as the Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry. Recognizing the prevalence of food insecurity in Shoreline, he urged all citizens to support local food banks. Malory Gustave, Hopelink’s Associate Director of Housing and Case Management, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Hopelink and the Community, and thanked the City for the continued support and partnership. Mayor Hall mentioned the community gardens and commended the gardeners who provide fresh produce to those in need.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
John Norris, Acting City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Hall said he attended the Mayor’s Exchange in Walla Walla, Washington. The statewide high priority issues of homelessness and affordable housing were discussed. He also attended the Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors meeting. Two areas for growth noted by the Board were: cities have not been as successful as they would like to be in advocacy in Olympia; and the Board does not well-reflect the diversity of the State’s elected officials, nor do many elected officials represent the diversity of their communities. Plans were made for outreach to elected officials to narrow this gap. He said he also participated in the GMA Road Map to Washington’s Future Workshop and encouraged the Council to participate in the survey to provide input and assessment of the growth management planning framework.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember McGlashan, seconded by Councilmember Chang, and unanimously carried, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Workshop Dinner Meeting of August 6, 2018
(b) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Addendum to the Interlocal Agreement between King County and the City of Shoreline for the Transfer of Drainage Facilities and Property Interests
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing the 2018 Second Quarter Financial Report and a Preliminary View of the 2019-2020 Biennium Budget and the 2019-2024 Capital Improvement Plan
Sara Lane, Administrative Services Director; Rick Kirkwood, Budget Supervisor; and Tricia Juhnke, City Engineer, presented the staff report. Ms. Lane shared the purpose of the preliminary budget proposal preview, and said it is the first of many scheduled sessions. She stated that the proposed budget is designed to reflect Council’s priorities and the City’s organizational goals. She shared that the 2018 and the 2019-2020 general fund projections indicate a likelihood of ending below budget for all years, with reserves well-maintained. The regular FTE summary and salary and benefit considerations were explained in detail, and are on-track and well aligned.
Ms. Lane reported that the operating expenditure forecast reflects major changes for the cost of electricity due to usage and fee increases, and for landscape maintenance in order to accommodate a change in the prevailing wage calculation. From a cost and service delivery perspective, the City is proposing to bring the landscaping work in-house, which over time will save in ongoing costs. She reported the cost for jail services will remain constant with the 2017 level, and staff is projecting the Police contract will increase 4.3% in 2019 and 4% in 2020. One new police officer is also being proposed in 2020.
Ms. Lane shared that human services funding continues to be increased to reach Council’s goal of reaching 1% of ongoing general fund revenues. In 2019 the City will be at .84%, and in 2020 at .88%. She reviewed operating revenue forecasts and stated the City is showing increases in all sources. She noted that the yet to be implemented Business and Occupation Tax is forecasted as a baseline as discussed during adoption.
Ms. Lane reported that fee schedules generally increase by the June-to-June percentage change of the Consumer Price Index-Urban (CPI-U) and that proposed changes include: proration of the Business License Fee, and increases in the Special Recreation Fee, Impact Fees, and Vehicle Impound Fees. She said the 10-year Financial Sustainability update shows that the City is achieving the desired goal, with strategies being successfully implemented to eliminate gaps.
Ms. Lane noted the key issue with the Capital Improvement Plan is a decrease in the forecasted Real Estate Excise Tax (REET). She reviewed the significant changes to the 2018-2023 CIP are: a new Community and Aquatics Center; replacement of playground equipment; moving the Richmond Beach Fire Suppression Line project to a construction date outside of the CIP; reducing some Roads Capital projects due to reduction of REET; and adding additional sidewalk projects.
Ms. Lane shared the schedule for the 2019-2020 Budget and CIP review throughout the end of the year. She reminded Council that questions needing research would be added to the annual budget question matrix. Mayor Hall commended this system for tracking Q&A and asked that all updates to the matrix be clearly indicated.
Councilmember McGlashan asked what drove the projected 11% increase in liquor revenue, and what the Aurora Avenue retrofits are. Mr. Kirkwood explained that the liquor revenue percentages were set by MRSC and that he would research the impetus for this increase. Ms. Junke said the Aurora Avenue retrofits are to fix the medians to minimize landscaping needs.
Councilmember Chang asked why the addition of a Police Officer was delayed until 2020. Ms. Lane shared that the budget prohibited the addition in 2019, and said this concern will be added to the question matrix to research further. Mr. Kirkwood added that Guild negotiations were still in process, so without knowledge of COLA increases, the City was unable to make accurate projections. Councilmember Chang asked for the benefits of joining the Green City Partnerships, since many of the offered services are currently in place. Ms. Lane said this question would be added to the matrix.
Councilmember Roberts asked why Roads Capital funding was reduced when resources exist to support needed maintenance. He suggested keeping the funding at 100%.
Deputy Mayor Salomon expressed concern about the addition of FTEs while deficits are being pushed out further by raising taxes. He asked for details about the projected reduction in crime with the addition of one officer. He also asked why CPI for COLA was being increased from 90% to 100%. Ms. Lane explained that wage compression drove the change.
Councilmember Scully also expressed concern over FTE budgeting. He agreed with Deputy Mayor Salomon that the targeted ratio of officers per capita was an arbitrary measurement, and asked for an evaluation of performance and function from the Police Department. He stated that, while he supports in-house landscape maintenance, any extra-help designation sustains a permanent underclass status which should be avoided when possible. He asked for a robust operational justification for any extra-help roles created. He also asked why free public tools were not sufficient for the needed Geographic Information System (GIS) updates, and how the funding is structured for the Housing Coordinator position. Ms. Lane explained the position is a partnership position with King County, and the budgeted salary reflects the City’s portion.
Mayor Hall agreed with Deputy Mayor Salomon’s concern about the addition of ongoing costs while projecting deficits. He thanked Councilmember Roberts for questioning the need to continue the general fund subsidy for sidewalk improvement, since revenue is now generated specifically for this need. He asked staff to provide an assessment of the pros and cons of continuing to use the general fund for this subsidy.
Councilmember Roberts asked if there have been conversations around partnering with the School District for an additional Resource Officer. Acting City Manager Norris replied that a discussion with the School Superintendent and City Manager on this topic is scheduled for Council’s October 8th Dinner Meeting.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i).
At 7:41 p.m., Mayor Hall recessed into an Executive Session for a period of 30 minutes as authorized by RCW 42.30.110(l)(i) to discuss with legal counsel matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or litigation. At 8:11 p.m. the Mayor emerged to extend the Executive Session for 15 minutes, until 8:26 p.m. At 8:26 p.m. the Mayor emerged to extend the Executive Session for 10 minutes, until 8:36 p.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:37 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk