CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, August 17, 2020 Held Remotely via Zoom
7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor Scully, Councilmembers McConnell, McGlashan, 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. ROLL CALL
Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided a COVID-19 update and urged people to continue to follow the guidelines from the Public Health Department. She shared reports and information on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Hall said he issued a proclamation claiming September 2020 as National Recovery Month in Shoreline.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Hall thanked Eric Friedli, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Director, for his service and wished him the best on his upcoming retirement. Mr. Friedli commended the Council for the work they do for the Shoreline community and reflected on the high caliber of City staff that he had the pleasure of working with.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Speaking in opposition of the proposed Enhanced Shelter at 16357 Aurora Avenue N:
Vinay Venkatesh, Shoreline resident expressed opposition for the location of the proposed shelter due to safety concerns and commented on the lack of community outreach to date.
Mithuna Srinivasan, Shoreline resident, said she is concerned that the City is moving forward with siting the shelter with no public outreach. She asked that research be shared on how low-barrier facilities affect the communities they are in.
Guru TG, Shoreline resident, cited security and the close proximity of youth-based facilities in the area as his primary concerns. He suggested the funds be used to provide jobs to the people in need.
Gaurav Bansal, Shoreline resident, shared concern for the safety of children in the area.
Sudeeptha Jothiprakash, Shoreline resident, shared her research on the effects of low-barrier shelters on communities and said a low-barrier shelter is not a cure.
Joanne Godmintz, Shoreline resident, asked why the shelter is not being focused on women and children. She said there has been no discussion on specifics of the shelter and its impact to the neighborhood and resources.
Nancy Pfiel, Shoreline resident, expressed concern for the limited rules and requirements that would govern the residents’ actions and said unsafe activity increases in navigation center areas.
DJ Kong, Shoreline resident, said the safety of children is a concern and asked if Shoreline Place will be as appealing with a shelter nearby.
Offering comment on current racial issues and police accountability:
William Oliver, Shoreline resident, said it is time the Council and Police become accountable for their actions. He said the citizens will be policing the police and asked what the Council is doing to stop the use of AR-15 rifles by the police.
Corinna Sullivan, Shoreline resident, spoke to the City’s response to the racist violence involving the Jordan family. She called on the City Council to make review data and deliverables available. She spoke to her experiences of unequal police response during neighborhood racial incidents.
Rosa Rice-Pelepko, Shoreline resident, said the Council should support the Black youth who are organizing in support of their community and families, and spoke in favor of defunding the Shoreline Police Department. She also added it is important for low-barrier shelters to be offered to adults who are homeless.
Benjamin Hanowell, Shoreline resident, asked the City Council to hold the Police accountable to recent actions and cautioned City staff to be more careful with social media posts within the context of the events. The City needs to raise, not meet, the bar for an anti-racist community.
Courtney Ewing, Shoreline resident, said she recently met the mother of Aaron Olsvik, who was shot and killed by Shoreline Police. She shared concerns and questions about police gun use and the lack of body cameras and asked Council to take action to eliminate assault rifle use.
Stephanie Angelis, Lake Forest Park resident, thanked the Councilmembers who attended the recent Black Lives Matter event, and spoke in support of the Jordan family and police reform and defunding. She expressed her desire for the RADAR program to be expanded.
Kara Adams, Shoreline resident, spoke regarding police accountability. She thanked the Councilmembers who have supported the Black Lives Matter march and who have responded to the racial instances that have happened in her neighborhood, and asked that more information be communicated on how the Council plans to respond to this issue.
Mayor Hall thanked the members of the public who took time to offer comment. He spoke on behalf of the Council and said they are listening to the Black Lives Matter movement and to the voices at the rallies. He said the Council hears and agrees with the urgent plea to stamp out racism. He called on everyone to speak out against racism in any form, since a just society means that everyone needs to be actively anti-racist. He acknowledged that the Council is part of a system that was built on racial and economic injustice. He said that while many of the laws that were explicitly racist have been changed, racism continues in explicit and implicit ways. He emphasized that everyone should feel safe in Shoreline. He shared the work the Police and City staff are doing regarding the incidents and actions of the last few weeks. He stated that Council and community discussions about race have begun in order to gain an understanding about next steps.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Scully and seconded by Councilmember Robertson and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of July 13, 2020
(b) Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into Interagency Agreement SWMWRRED-2021-Shorel-00062 with the Washington State Department of Ecology to Receive a 2020-2021 Waste Reduction and Recycling Education Grant
(c) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Contract with BHC Consultants in an Amount Not to Exceed $661,901 for Final Design, Permitting, Bidding Support, and Construction Management of the Pump Station 26 Improvements Project
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Public hearing to receive citizens comments on Authorizing the City Manager to Accept Sound Transit’s Offer on and to Execute Modifications to Plat Restrictions (Dull’s Subdivision No. 2) that Affect City Owned Parcel PN 2111600046 (Ridgecrest Park Parking Lot); and First Amendment of Protective Covenants (Shoreline Park) that Affect City-Owned Parcel PN 7772400200
Juniper Nammi, Light Rail Project Manager, delivered the staff presentation. Ms. Nammi explained that Sound Transit had to buy properties in existing subdivisions along I-5 in order to build the light rail, and many of them have restrictions that are in conflict with the proposed light rail use. She said Sound Transit is seeking to remove these parcels, and partial parcels, from the subdivisions that have restrictive covenants. Sound Transit is required to offer payment based on the appraised property value impact of proposed changes to remaining property owners, and the City's two properties are the only parcel amendments remaining to accept Sound Transit’s offer.
She described Sound Transit's process to obtain the plat alterations and displayed information on the affected City properties and the compensation offered. Ms. Nammi said the staff recommends Council proceed with a public hearing and then authorize the City Manager to accept the offers from Sound Transit and execute the related agreements.
Mayor Hall opened the public hearing. Seeing no one wishing to testify, Mayor Hall closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Robertson moved to remove the plat restrictions as specified in the staff report. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Scully.
The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
9. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing Issues of Shared Interest with King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski
Mayor Hall welcomed King County Councilmember Dembowski. Councilmember Dembowski gave credit to Mayor Hall and the Councilmembers for their efforts in keeping things moving amidst the changes that have come with COVID-19. He said he appreciates the annual opportunity to meet with the Shoreline Council and shared highlights from the County, saying the year has been primarily focused on combating COVID-19. He spoke to the caliber of the Health Department and said he is pleased with both the coordinated public health response and the community’s adherence to the guidelines. He reiterated his gratitude for Shoreline hosting the Assessment Center/Recovery Center earlier in the pandemic and said the necessary repairs to restore the fields would start soon. He gave updates on transit services and ridership changes since the pandemic and said there will be long term changes to how and when transit is used. He said Metro estimates $2 Billion in lost sales tax revenue over the next ten years.
Councilmember Dembowski said the County has received about $282 Million in Federal CARES Act money and described the efforts to distribute the funding. He said the priorities in the budget work have been the public health response, housing support, food security, behavioral health support, and economic recovery. He said general County budget proposals that are Shoreline specific include contributing funding to the City’s summer camp program for low income youth, the Shoreline Veterans Association, and the Senior Center. He highlighted the fact that funding was secured for a Shoreline-centered Youth Homelessness Advocate.
Councilmember Dembowski commented on the potential low-barrier shelter being considered by the City. He said there is not a community in the County that has a better reputation for wanting to do its share to combat the crisis of homelessness. He understands the concerns of adjacent neighbors and said he would like to ask the City to work with the community and make the project work. He said that when people are housed and are receiving services, they are safer. The County is making efforts to de-intensify shelters and bring stability to the housing model, and he hopes Shoreline will continue to partner in this effort.
Councilmember Dembowski said he is excited about the County’s partnership to bring Conservation Futures (CFT) dollars to acquire a new park in the Echo Lake area, and he suggested the park be named in honor of Dwight Stevens.
Councilmember Chang said part of the reason there is so much public comment about the proposed Navigation Center is that there has been zero public outreach. She said Merlone Geier is extremely concerned about the project and the impacts it will have on their ability to secure leases. She said there should be a real public process, which should include the discussion on location and the clientele it would serve. Councilmember Dembowski said he agrees it has been an expedited process, and there could be an opportunity for some enhanced public dialog. He said it is his experience that people are more supportive of shelters and housing for women and children then they are for single men. It is his belief that a 60-bed facility is manageable, but community concerns are legitimate, and he is happy to attend meetings or take part in the outreach.
Councilmember Roberts asked what lessons the County has learned from other navigation centers. Councilmember Dembowski said he hopes that the County has learned what is successful and what is not, while reducing impacts on the surrounding community. He offered that since there is homelessness in Shoreline, the idea is to get people housing first and then offer support services. He said that the location should not be predetermined but instead considered carefully.
Deputy Mayor Scully said in his work on the All Home Board, he became aware that a facility is needed in the north end for people who are homeless, so they are not in our parks and on the Interurban Trail. He said the public’s fears are not always realities or predictions of what is going to happen, and he highlighted Ronald Common’s success. He said he does not want the proposed location to be the biggest focal point of the conversation, because he is not sure of another location in the City that it could go and he worries that if the Council puts the brakes on this opportunity, it is going to be ten years before there is a similar chance. But he does hope the conversation will focus on how the facility will be run. Councilmember Dembowski said there has been a significant reduction in youth homelessness reported by the School District since Ronald Commons opened.
Councilmember Robertson said while walking through the Park at Town Center early one morning she witnessed every bench had someone sleeping on it, which reminded her that homelessness is here. She asked why it is critical that the shelter be low- or no-barrier and if additional requirements could be established that would help address some of the concerns. Councilmember Dembowski said he thinks it is possible for the City to negotiate terms and observed that it has been a challenge to provide housing for the single adult male population.
Councilmember McConnell said she has heard concerns about the low-barrier aspect of the facility. She listed youth centered activities near the site and said she is concerned about safety, since the proposed facility does not seem to have a lot of restrictions and requirements. She spoke to the pride of ownership and sense of community shown in the adjacent neighborhood and said there must be a public process before Council makes the decision to proceed. Councilmember Dembowski said it is natural to be afraid when information is not available, and he would like to partner in the process of community education and discussion.
Mayor Hall agreed that the City must work with the community on this proposal to ensure everyone feels safe and secure. He stated that creating a shelter space in the north end is a priority, especially one for single adults. He said there are some pluses to the location being proposed, but he is open to hearing suggestions on a different location within the City that is more appropriate. While there is dialog with the community and conversation about possible alternate locations, he said it is his opinion that every single human being should have a safe space to sleep at night and he does not want to deny anyone that right. He pointed to the actions the City has taken to create housing, including affordable housing for low income families, but acknowledged single adult males who are homeless are a tough population to serve and this is where the rubber meets the road. No matter the location, he said he appreciates Councilmember Dembowski’s leadership in helping form the partnership with King County and the King County Housing Authority. Councilmember Dembowski replied that the intermediate to long term vision at the site of the shelter would be to create permanent supportive housing.
Councilmember McGlashan said the strong message he is hearing from the community is the need for public process and a concern for the lack of requirements associated with low barrier housing. He said it sounds like there will be a public process, as well as a chance for negotiation for some rules and regulations regarding the management of the facility.
Councilmember Chang asked for an update on the King County Charter Amendments. Councilmember Dembowski said every ten years the County convenes a review commission to look at the County’s Charter, which was recently completed. He listed the Charter amendments that will be on the November ballot, detailing several regarding law enforcement.
Mayor Hall clarified that, regarding the proposed Enhanced Shelter, Council has directed staff to move forward with public outreach and working with King County. He said it is not a done deal, but staff will need to work with King County staff in order to not lose the possibility.
Councilmember Dembowski thanked the Council for their partnership. He said he is aligned with Mayor Hall’s earlier comments against racism.
(b) Discussing Updates on Secure Scheduling
Christina Arcidy, Management Analyst; and Emily Rankin, City Manager’s Fellow; delivered the staff presentation. Ms. Arcidy said this is a follow up to the March 2017 discussion of Seattle’s Secure Scheduling Ordinance and described its elements. Ms. Rankin explained that the ordinance was enacted in recognition of the inconsistent nature of low wage service sector jobs and attempts to give employees a more predictable schedule and a steadier income. She gave an overview of some of the provisions and requirements of the ordinance.
Ms. Rankin said the baseline evaluation of the ordinance looked at both how it was implemented and if it has had any measurable impacts on employees and managers. She described the evaluation process, and shared results of the following year one evaluation. The only statistically noticeable difference in the first year was that most workers received two weeks’ notice of their schedules and predictability pay.
Ms. Rankin listed the policy considerations Shoreline would need to understand if the decision was made to pursue a secure scheduling ordinance for the City and said approximately 65 businesses in Shoreline would be impacted if the scope was similar to Seattle’s law. Ms. Rankin said staff does not recommend that Council pursue an ordinance modeled after Seattle’s at this time and shared the reasons why.
Deputy Mayor Scully said he disagrees with the staff recommendation because although enforcement is difficult, it would provide a backstop to a bad workplace. He said he does not think it will require significant staff resources and the goal of it is to make sure that no workplace in Shoreline is a terrible place to work.
Councilmember Chang asked how effective it would be to pursue this at the State level. Ms. Rankin said a bill has been introduced several times but does not have much movement yet. It was suggested that the City’s Intergovernmental Program Manager include this issue for consideration when the Council sets their next Legislative agenda. Mr. Norris described the impact on staff’s workplan the project would require, should Council wish to move forward. Mayor Hall suggested that if the Council decides to commission this as a project it would be prepped for discussion at the next Goal Setting Workshop.
Councilmember McGlashan said he does not see a need to pursue this at this time because the businesses that this would predominately affect are not currently doing business as usual due to COVID-19.
Councilmember Robertson said she appreciated the intent of a secure scheduling ordinance, and said it is important to protect workers. She was surprised to learn that it is not currently covered in State laws and said she would like to discuss adding this to the Council’s Legislative Agenda.
Councilmember McConnell said she supports the staff recommendation.
Mayor Hall said he does not see the cost benefit to this now, especially with the budget impacts as a result of COVID-19, therefore he supports the staff recommendation.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:36 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk