CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 23, 2019 Conference Room 303 - Shoreline City Hall
5:45 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor McConnell, Councilmembers Chang, McGlashan, Robertson, and Scully
ABSENT: Councilmember Roberts
STAFF: Debbie Tarry, City Manager; John Norris, Assistant City Manager; Colleen Kelly, Community Services Manager; and Allison Taylor, Deputy City Clerk
GUESTS: Compass Housing: Teena Ellison, Director of Housing Services; Corrinne McKisson, Ronald Commons Programs Manager; Shree Vigil, Shoreline Veterans Center Program Manager
Hopelink: Lauren Thomas, Chief Executive Officer; Meghan Altimore, VP Community Services; Abdullah Siddiqui, Shoreline Center Manager; Barbara El-Naby, Boardmember; Angela Birney, Boardmember - Chair
Ronald United Methodist Church: Kelly Dahlman-Oeth, Pastor RUMC; Sandra Reynolds, church member and volunteer
At 5:45 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Hall.
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, welcomed the Ronald Commons Partners and expressed appreciation for the benefits the housing has brought to the Shoreline community.
Deputy Mayor McConnell arrived at 5:56 p.m.
Meghan Altimore, Hopelink’s Vice President of Community Services, reviewed the history of the Ronald Commons project, from the inception at the Housing Development Consortium in 2012 through construction completion in 2017. She described the process as a collaboration that encouraged active participation from all partners and said Hopelink and Compass function as shared owners.
Lauren Thomas, Hopelink’s Chief Executive Officer, gave an overview of Hopelink’s mission and explained the vision for a community free of poverty. She described the services they offer to bring stability and help equip community members to exit poverty and shared results of their efforts.
Pastor Kelly Dahlman-Oeth, Ronald United Methodist Church (RUMC), said that the church’s mission is to be a global church with a local mission of radical love. He shared an update on the ways in which the church serves the community, describing various events and activities. It was expressed that many people who need services and could give good feedback on the support available in Shoreline are intimidated by City Hall and Pastor Kelly encouraged the Council to come to the regular free community dinners hosted on Thursday nights as an opportunity for good conversation on the topic.
Teena Ellison, Compass Housing’s Director of Housing Services, outlined their history and efforts as an affordable housing service provider. She described the population of Ronald Commons, including information on the support and services provided by case management and community building. She listed the improvements made as a result of the Community Development Block Grant funding from the City. Ms. Ellison encouraged the Council to visit Ronald Commons to meet the grateful residents and staff and asked the Council to communicate to residents that there is less of a security risk with supervised housing than with a housing choice voucher program.
Pastor Kelly explained that the snowstorm in February 2019 raised awareness for the need for an emergency winter shelter and shared the partnerships in place to establish one before next winter. He said that since the snowstorm the church, with support from volunteers from several congregations, has hosted up to ten people overnight every night, and that there is always more interest than availability. He said that in addition to providing shelter, they have assisted those in need to navigate health and human services systems and secure assistance in a variety of other ways. He added that working with the guests as they navigate the support systems has given his team a good perspective on the challenges of accessing resources.
It was suggested that siting a Community Court in the City would be of great value. Angela Birney, Hopelink Boardmember and Redmond City Council member, said that her experience with Redmond’s Community Court has been beneficial, adding that the associated social support services offered in tandem with the Court are of great value to the participants. Mayor Hall said Community Court is a proven long-term savings for cities.
Mayor Hall thanked the Ronald Commons Partners for the implementation and running of a successful enterprise and said that the City is learning from the model and hopes to use some of the lessons learned as it continues with the 198th Street Affordable Housing project partnership. He asked for feedback of lessons learned two years into the management of Ronald Commons. The importance of good, regular communication by all stakeholders, internal and external, was emphasized. Councilmember Chang said she is hopeful that the wrap around services offered in conjunction with the 198th Street Affordable Housing development offer ample support to the population that will be housed there.
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Board’s efforts to centralize support services regionally was discussed. Ms. Ellison said that financial support from the CoC makes it possible to provide more housing units to the neediest members of the community and elaborated on the community and security Compass Housing Alliance’s management provides for its residents and neighbors. Ms. Altimore stated that in Hopelink’s perspective, with regionalization of services needs to come the recognition that the distinct priorities of each community must be respected.
Barbara El-Naby, Hopelink Board member, shared details on the support she received from Hopelink. She said that an added benefit is that the positive impact Hopelink makes on families often leads the recipients into social services careers.
Ms. Tarry described Shoreline’s work on partnerships for shelters, and Colleen Kelly, Director of Community Services, explained that because of Shoreline’s geographic location, it is sometimes difficult to leverage resources. Mayor Hall added that the City is right-sized to be able to respond to opportunities for improvement as they arise.
When asked what next steps to combat homelessness the Councilmembers have identified, and what feedback the Council has heard from residents, Mayor Hall recognized the continued funding crisis. Ms. Ellison shared the comparison that the cost is equal to provide a year of permanent housing, three months in prison, or three days in the emergency room, and reiterated the benefits of early intervention and support. Councilmember Scully said that he hears that the City is not doing enough, and that residents are interested in offering more services in Shoreline. Deputy Mayor McConnell agreed, adding that the number of homeless students is distressing.
Mayor Hall and the Councilmembers expressed gratitude for the ongoing work being done by the Ronald Commons Partners. At 6:47 p.m. the meeting adjourned.
/s/Allison Taylor, Deputy City Clerk
CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 23, 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.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided reports and updates on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Chang said that at the recent King County Regional Transit Committee Meeting, the Equity Cabinet provided recommendations for equitable design of mobility frameworks and allocation of services.
Mayor Hall said that last Thursday there was a symposium held to discuss the City’s RADAR program and recognition was given to those who helped secure funding to expand the program beyond Shoreline and across King County.
Mayor Hall thanked the representatives from Compass Housing Alliance, Hopelink, and Ronald United Methodist Church who joined the Council at tonight’s dinner meeting to share information on the Ronald Commons Project and the efforts involved to provide health and social services to the community members in need.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Gretchen Atkinson, President of the Board of Commissioners for Ronald Wastewater District (RWD), said she was speaking at the direction of the Board. She reviewed the timeline for, and collaboration with the City on, the assumption of RWD. She said the assumption is not saving money and that RWD is currently updating its Comprehensive Plan. She asked the Council to reconsider the March 1, 2020 assumption date and extend it for at least two more years.
Wes Brandon, Ronald Wastewater Commissioner and Shoreline resident, said delaying the assumption of RWD would make it possible for the Board to complete the ten year plan and wrap up several other projects and interlocal agreements before the assumption. He added that once the active lawsuit is decided, full assumption could take place without any other effort on the legal side, but the Board would hate to lose the leverage they have gained in the current legal proceedings.
Laura Mork, Ronald Wastewater Commissioner and Shoreline resident, commented that it is her hope that the City will make decisions that recognize that ratepayers paid, and continue to pay, for the Point Wells sewer system.
Geneva, a Lake Forest Park youth resident, thanked the City for introducing the Skip the Straw Pledge, and said she would like the City to do even more. She said she hopes people and businesses participate. She added that she opposes the idea of banning straws since they are needed by some people.
Tom Mailhot, Shoreline resident and board member of Sno-King Environmental Protection Coalition, spoke regarding the proposed agreement with the Town of Woodway. He thanked the Council for entering the mediation process with Woodway, which he said resulted in an agreement that unites the cities in a coordinated approach to future development of Point Wells. He encouraged the Council to review the comment letter received from Tom McCormick and cited suggested examples for improvements to the agreement.
Alex Tsimerman said fascism makes life miserable and expressed his discontent with the government.
Fran Lilliness, Shoreline resident, recommended restoring the former road that went from Point Wells through Woodway, or building a new one, to help alleviate the traffic on Richmond Beach Road when Point Wells is developed.
Laethan Wene, Shoreline resident, invited the Council and City staff to the Northwest Center’s Golden Hearts Luncheon and shared details on the event.
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, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 9, 2019
(b) Approving Expenses and Payroll as of August 31, 2019 in the Amount of $1,911,390.35
|
*Payroll and Benefits: |
||||||
|
Payroll Period |
Payment Date |
EFT Numbers (EF) |
Payroll Checks (PR) |
Benefit Checks (AP) |
Amount Paid |
|
|
8/11/19-8/24/19 |
8/30/2019 |
86798-87068 |
16628-16670 |
75901-75906 |
$921,773.06 |
|
|
$921,773.06 |
||||||
|
*Wire Transfers: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Wire Transfer Number |
|
Amount Paid |
|||
|
8/26/2019 |
1149 |
$12,146.48 |
||||
|
$12,146.48 |
||||||
|
*Accounts Payable Claims: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Check Number (Begin) |
Check Number (End) |
Amount Paid |
|||
|
8/28/2019 |
75692 |
75692 |
($450.00) |
|||
|
8/29/2019 |
75837 |
75864 |
$816,788.52 |
|||
|
8/29/2019 |
75865 |
75872 |
$21,946.20 |
|||
|
8/29/2019 |
75873 |
75894 |
$129,969.03 |
|||
|
8/29/2019 |
75895 |
75900 |
$610.75 |
|||
|
8/31/2019 |
75907 |
75912 |
$8,606.31 |
|||
|
$977,470.81 |
||||||
(c) Adopting the Community Development Block Grant Funding and Contingency Plan for 2020
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing an Interlocal Agreement between the Town of Woodway and City of Shoreline Regarding Point Wells
Margaret King, City Attorney, delivered the staff presentation. Ms. King shared background on the overlapping interest in Point Wells, the redevelopment of the area and the associated transportation impacts, and the provision of utility services. She described the mediation process that began in January 2019, which resulted in the negotiated settlement and proposed interlocal agreement. Ms. King made clear that it addresses issues related to annexation, development standards, traffic Levels of Service (LOS), and sewer Lift Station 13.
Ms. King explained that the Interlocal Agreement creates a joint working group who will make recommendations to the elected officials in both cities to help create a consistent development at Point Wells. She continued that the Agreement includes specific requirements that must be included in any recommendation and then she listed examples. She added that both Woodway and Shoreline are given the opportunity to provide input to each other on any proposed development.
Ms. King said that once Woodway and Shoreline adopt these recommendations each jurisdiction agrees to keep them in place for two years, and subsequent amendments would need to follow a notification and input process between the cities.
Ms. King listed the agreed-upon annexation conditions and provisions as stated in the Interlocal Agreement and said that the Agreement states if Woodway decides not to annex Point Wells, Shoreline can start the process of attempting annexation. She listed the potential next steps for the City Council in the process, which could include action as soon as October 7, 2019.
When asked for a description of the annexation barriers, Ms. King responded that Snohomish County has not recognized the Point Wells area in Snohomish County’s Comprehensive Plan as a potential area of annexation, and the process of getting it identified as such has been difficult.
Councilmember Chang asked for more details regarding the language pertaining to the access road in Woodway and expressed concern that the Agreement language seems to negate itself bringing up the question if a second road is even required. Ms. King replied that the Agreement contains negotiated terms and language with the goal of confirming to Shoreline that Woodway recognizes that a second road is a requisite. Mayor Hall added that the intent is to protect Woodway’s authority to make roadway design decisions. Councilmember McGlashan agreed that the statement was confusing.
Councilmember Chang referenced the traffic study requirement and asked to what point on Richmond Beach Road the requirement for mitigation would extend and if the V/C ratio is subject to change. Ms. King said she believes the mitigation would be determined based on the development’s impacts and specified the goal is that the annexing city would recognize the impacts on the other city as part of the mitigation evaluation.
Councilmember McGlashan congratulated Woodway and Shoreline for coming together to create this Agreement. He referenced the public comment from Tom McCormick, which suggests clarification to the language pertaining to the Woodway access road. He said his stance is that if Woodway is comfortable with the language, he is too. Ms. King reminded the Council that they have the right to propose changes to the Agreement, which staff would then work on incorporating.
Councilmember McGlashan asked if staff would be addressing Mr. McCormick’s suggestion to revise Section I.D and Section III.C to name Shoreline as the SEPA lead agency for impacts within the City, and Woodway as the SEPA lead agency for impacts within the Town. Ms. King said she will draft suggested language that she feels will be legally supportable.
In addressing Mr. McCormick’s recommendation to include Woodway’s LOS A to prevent the provision from being one-sided, Ms. King said it was important to Woodway to have control over its LOS.
Councilmember Robertson reflected on the process to get up to speed on the work that has been done with Point Wells. She said the Settlement and Interlocal Agreement gives her hope that should the area be developed; the result would be something that works for both communities. She asked if there will be additional mediation before it is finalized. Ms. King replied that she would recommend that time be provided to craft language based on Council’s feedback.
Councilmember Scully said it is good to see Shoreline and Woodway on the same team, and the Agreement is important because it sets some of the details out in writing and clarifies the priority components for both parties. He asked for staff’s response to Mr. McCormick’s comments, and said his concerns about the Woodway access road are troubling to him as well. Deputy Mayor McConnell said that she shares the same concerns with this section of the Agreement and needs additional information on the choice of language. She said the Richmond Beach community needs to feel comfortable and she trusts Mr. McCormick’s suggestions. She supports a Level of Service adjustment but wants to make sure there is a strong commitment to an access road. Mayor Hall said his understanding is that the road is required, and the subsequent language is to point out that even though a road is required, approval of the road is not guaranteed. He emphasized that Shoreline would not have agreed to a settlement that did not mandate an access road. He said he is confident Woodway understands this intent but that the language of the Agreement could be improved. Ms. King reiterated that Woodway has indicated that they are supportive of an access road, but they did not want to commit to anything specific prior to reviewing any application.
Ms. King confirmed that the Agreement states that Shoreline agrees to support Woodway’s annexation of the area, and Woodway agrees to recognize Shoreline’s LOS on Richmond Beach Drive. Shoreline is also agreeing to not reduce the LOS on that segment of Richmond Beach Drive.
Councilmember Chang reminded everyone that this Agreement between Shoreline and Woodway does not include the developer or Snohomish County, which controls the development. She addressed the public comment from Mr. McCormick and Mr. Mailhot and asked why the SEPA lead agency would not be defined at this point in the process. Ms. King said that was a negotiated provision and that the legal counsel for the City and the Town discussed the pros and cons of identifying a lead agency without an application before either entity, and that it was agreed to instead focus on the issues of concern. She said the jurisdictions agreed to continue the discussion when it was time to enter into a SEPA lead agency agreement. Ms. King suggested moving the SEPA lead agency agreement provision into Section I, pointing out that it is a provision for both parties. Councilmember Chang said she would feel more comfortable with that clarification and Deputy Mayor McConnell said unless this was clear she would not support it. Ms. King said she would review and revise the SEPA language in the section before it returns to Council. Mayor Hall agreed that the spirit of the Agreement is to appropriately share or divide the responsibilities of the lead agency.
Mayor Hall said it comes down to the fact that Woodway, RWD, and Shoreline have very similar interests in protecting the community. He said that despite the City’s best efforts to look for a way that Shoreline could annex Point Wells, Snohomish County has opposed the City’s attempts at annexation. He said the goal of the Settlement and Interlocal Agreement is to come to an agreement with Woodway, so if they annex the area there is an agreed upon scale and limitations to the project that are acceptable to the Shoreline community.
Mayor Hall directed staff to work on refinements to the Agreement. The Councilmembers agreed it could return to Council on October 7, 2019 for action, should the process and timing of communication with Woodway work, but recognized that should they need more time, they would postpone decision making.
Deputy Mayor McConnell said she does not want the process to be rushed, and said she wants clarity on the specifics of the access road and wants to see the LOS in Woodway pushed out a little. She stated Woodway is getting a lot of concessions from Shoreline and the City needs to be firm in addressing the traffic issues. Councilmember McGlashan said if after staff talks to Woodway they feel they are not going to be able to complete the negotiations in time for the 7th, he is open to moving it later in the month.
Councilmember Roberts observed that a second access road might have the effect of pushing some of the traffic further east. He said the Council’s focus on impact has always been towards Richmond Beach Drive. He said that while it is outside the scope of the Agreement, the City needs to look at other roads to see if they need further protection.
Mayor Hall said he appreciates the work of the City staff, community watchdog organizations, and the communication between the City and the Town of Woodway.
(b) Discussing Ordinance No. 867 – Amending Section 8.12.395 of the Shoreline Municipal Code to Include E-cigarettes (Vaping) as Prohibited Activities
John Norris, Assistant City Manager, delivered the staff presentation. Mr. Norris stated that this Ordinance would prohibit the use of vaping devices in City Parks. He reviewed the Healthy City Strategy adopted by the City in 2011 and said one of the goals of the strategy was to limit or outlaw the use of tobacco in City Parks. He said this was achieved in 2012 and included smokeless tobacco and smoking. He explained that e-cigarettes are not tobacco, but nicotine, so currently not prohibited by the Municipal Code. Mr. Norris said that like tobacco smoke, secondhand nicotine inhalation has an adverse effect on health. He said that as the popularity of e-cigarettes have grown, particularly among youth, and the dangers of e-cigarette use continue to be identified, the City has recognized a need for the amendment. He explained that proposed Ordinance No. 867 would add a prohibition of the use of electronic or vaporized smoking. Mr. Norris offered that current enforcement is focused on education and peer-to-peer enforcement and said if adopted, the signage would be modified appropriately. He said the proposed Ordinance is scheduled to return to Council on October 7, 2019.
Councilmember McGlashan asked if all City facilities would have signage revisions and Mr. Norris said the specifics of the updates would be determined by the Parks Department. Deputy Mayor McConnell suggested if signage is updated, the signs themselves be made larger and more visible.
Mayor Hall said he supports the Ordinance.
Councilmember Roberts asked how many cities have taken this step and Mr. Norris said he did not know and offered to research the answer.
Councilmember Scully said that since vaping has secondhand impacts, he supports the Ordinance.
Councilmembers agreed that Ordinance No. 867 should return as a Consent item.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation– RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
At 8:25 p.m., Mayor Hall recessed into Executive Session for a period of 20 minutes as authorized by RCW 42.30.110(l)(i) to discuss with legal counsel matters relating to agency enforcement actions or litigation. He stated that the Council is not expected to take final action following the Executive Session. Staff attending the Executive Session included Debbie Tarry, City Manager; John Norris, Assistant City Manager; Margaret King, City Attorney; and Randy Witt, Public Works Director. At 8:45 p.m. the Mayor emerged to extend the session for a period of 10 minutes. At 8:56 p.m. the Mayor emerged to extend the session again for a period of 15 minutes. The Executive Session ended at 9:08 p.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:08 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk