CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, May 6, 2019 Council Chambers - Shoreline City Hall
7:00 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor McConnell, Councilmembers McGlashan, Scully, Chang, Robertson, 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) Proclaiming May as National Bike Month
Mayor Hall read a proclamation declaring May as National Bike Month. Kathy Plant, a Shoreline resident who participated in the creation of Shoreline’s first Bicycle Rodeo and remains active with this event, was on hand to accept the proclamation. Ms. Plant thanked the City and Councilmembers for creating an environment in which people of all ages can bike safely in the City.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
Ellen Southard, the Salmon-Safe Puget Sound Manager, presented the City Council with a plaque recognizing Shoreline as a Salmon-Safe certified city. She commended the City for leading by example and shared information on the value of Shoreline’s systematic commitment to the health of the Puget Sound.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember McGlashan stated that Deputy Mayor McConnell and he attended the SeaShore Transportation Forum meeting where they were apprised on Community Transit’s new Swift route and heard an update on the planning to support the future Light Rail Stations.
Deputy Mayor McConnell said she attended a leadership team meeting for the Council of Neighborhoods and reported how much they appreciate Council attendance. She listed the upcoming community garage sales and encouraged residents to attend.
Mayor Hall said that he, Debbie Tarry, and Sara Lane were invited to join Kenmore’s City Council to talk about Shoreline’s 10-Year Financial Sustainability Plan. He also reported that he met with stakeholders in the North Corridor for an update on Sound Transit’s plans for expanding the Light Rail to Everett.
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 and seconded by Councilmember Chang and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 18, 2019
Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 25, 2019
Approving Minutes of Workshop Dinner Meeting of April 22, 2019
(b) Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement for Federal Land and Water Conservation Funding Through the State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office for $448,000 for the Hidden Lake Dam Removal Project
(c) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the Transportation Improvement Board to obligate $500,000 for the Complete Streets Work Program
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Adopting Resolution No. 434 - Adopting the 2020-2025 Transportation Improvement Plan
Nytasha Walters, Transportation Services Manager, presented the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for adoption. She reviewed the updates and listed an additional Council-proposed TIP update which would add NE 200th Street sidewalk improvements as a separate unfunded project. She shared additional details on the ranking of NE 200th Street sidewalk in the 2018 Sidewalk Prioritization Plan and said staff recommends adoption of Resolution No. 434 without adding the project to the TIP.
Councilmember Scully moved to adopt Resolution No. 434 as proposed by Staff. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor McConnell.
Councilmember Scully said he is aware of the public comment submitted regarding this Resolution and is confident that the current TIP as proposed by staff reflects the Council’s priorities.
Councilmember Roberts moved to amend the TIP by adding Northeast 200th Street Sidewalk Improvements as an unfunded project in the 2020-2025 TIP. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Chang.
Councilmember Roberts said the Aldercrest Campus is the only school in Shoreline that does not have a sidewalk in front of it. He elaborated that the City of Lake Forest Park recently added a pedestrian flashing light in the area to improve safety and he thinks Shoreline needs to add a sidewalk as an unfunded project in the TIP and then work toward funding it through a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant. He said it does not change the existing prioritization but gives recognition that there is an alternative process for some sidewalk funding.
When asked if putting this on the unfunded list would change the priorities or increase the chances for securing funding for the project, Ms. Tarry clarified that the City has the ability to apply for funding through SRTS even for projects not on the TIP. Ms. Walters added that the City typically would look for funding for the high priority projects first.
Mayor Hall and Councilmembers Scully and McGlashan voiced opposition of the amendment. Councilmember Scully said an intentional sidewalk ranking system is in place. The more priorities are changed, the more political the decision-making becomes, and this should be avoided. Councilmember McGlashan agreed that Council should continue to work from the existing sidewalk prioritization list. Mayor Hall said he thinks it is fine for the Council to consider adding projects that were not originally included in the Sidewalk Prioritization Plan, but more importantly that the Plan be reviewed and updated every five to 10 years with schools being looked at all together. He said unless a project goes through the complete process of evaluation while applying all the criteria it is hard for him to want to elevate any one unique project.
Councilmember Roberts said there are only two high priority projects adjacent to schools identified on the sidewalk prioritization map, and he thinks calling out 200th Street would be invaluable for the community. Ms. Walters showed a graphic displaying the additional high priority projects in the vicinity.
The motion to amend the main motion by adding Northeast 200th Street Sidewalk Improvements as an unfunded project to the 2020-2025 TIP failed 2-5, with Councilmembers Chang and Roberts voting in favor.
Councilmember Roberts asked how the City’s priority criteria are connected to requirements for SRTS project qualification. Ms. Walters explained that generally SRTS projects are evaluated based on connectivity and safety, as well as other criteria. She said that if there are circumstance associated with a location that would make it more competitive to the grant request, the City would not preclude taking it into consideration. She added that if no high-priority project met the qualifications for a specific funding source, the City would look elsewhere on the prioritized list to determine a suitable project. Councilmember Roberts confirmed that the sidewalk prioritization matrix is a guideline, but if there are circumstances or opportunities present that would support funding of an alternative project, the City would take advantage of it.
When asked to identify the opportunities for school communities to advocate for locations they feel would benefit from SRTS, Ms. Walters said Schools can make a case for these projects by contacting the City or by applying directly.
The main motion was approved unanimously, 7-0.
9. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing Ordinance No. 856 – Amending the Shoreline Master Program Pursuant to the Periodic Review Required by the Shoreline Management Act
Miranda Redinger, Senior Planner, delivered the staff report. She was joined by Rachael Markle, Planning and Community Development Director. Ms. Redinger reviewed the background and review requirements of the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). She said the Planning Commission discussed the SMP at three meetings and held a joint public Hearing with Ecology in April 2019 prior to making a unanimous recommendation for Council. She identified the locations and regulations of the Shoreline Management Act and listed the proposed revisions and described them as either required or recommended by the State or recommended by the City. She displayed a map of the included areas and shared the City recommended Comprehensive Plan changes. She recognized the work of the Planning Commission and listed the public and stakeholder outreach efforts and reminded Council of the next steps prior to potential adoption on June 17, 2019.
It was asked why the only shoreline homes identified were only those on Appletree Lane. Ms. Redinger explained that these homes are the only ones within the 200’ ordinary high-water mark from the shoreline because the train tracks cover that area for most of Shoreline.
It was asked if an existing property within 200’ of the ordinary high-water mark would be allowed to make substantial renovations or rebuild. Ms. Redinger replied that they could, since it would be defined as a nonconforming lot allowance. She said the houses on Appletree Lane are grandfathered in for various reasons. Ms. Markle added that you cannot go any closer to the high-water mark. Ms. Redinger explained that repairing bulkheads is categorically exempt from the Shoreline Municipal Code requirements unless it is in the water. .
Councilmember Roberts pointed out a duplication of language and asked staff to look into if it is an error or needs clarification.
Mayor Hall thanked staff for the outreach performed to ensure the community understands this project. He said since the required and recommended changes from Ecology were submitted after the Planning Commission’s recommendation, Council would need to amend the Ordinance when it returns to a meeting as an Action item.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:56 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk