CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 Held Remotely via Zoom
6:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Scully, and Councilmembers Chang, McConnell, McGlashan, and Robertson
ABSENT: Mayor Hall and Councilmember Roberts
STAFF: Jim Hammond, Intergovernmental Programs Manager; Colleen Kelly, Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Director; John Norris, Assistant City Manager; Pollie McCloskey, Executive Assistant; and Eric Bratton, Communications Program Manager
GUESTS: Mark Ellerbrook, Division Director for Housing, Homelessness & Community Development at King County; Melanie Neufeld, Director of Lake City Partners; and Kevin Maguire, Program Director at Lake City Partners
At 6:30 p.m., Jim Hammond opened the North King County Enhanced Shelter Community Meeting and acknowledged there was a quorum of Shoreline City Councilmembers in virtual attendance for the purpose of observing the conversation. He introduced the meeting panelists from the City of Shoreline, King County, and Lake City Partners who would then explain the need for a shelter, present the plans for the proposed Enhanced Shelter at 16357 Aurora Avenue, and listen to attendees’ concerns and answer their questions about the project. He noted that the meeting recording and a complete summary of the questions and answers would be posted to the City’s website after the fact and sent directly to all Councilmembers.
Councilmembers listened to 15 meeting attendees voice their concerns and ask the panelists questions related to the proposed shelter project. Councilmembers also had access to read through another 306 written questions and comments that were submitted by attendees during the meeting using the Zoom application’s Q&A feature.
Attendees asked about the need for a shelter, especially a low-barrier one, the decision to locate the shelter in Shoreline at the site being proposed, and what the City’s one-time and ongoing financial obligations would be. Many questions were asked about who will be allowed to stay at the shelter, what room accommodations and support services will be offered to its residents, and what the experience of Lake City Partners is and how the facility will be run and operated by them. Attendees expressed concern over the behavior of residents experiencing drug and alcohol addiction or mental health issues and the risk it poses to the neighborhood. It was asked if there would be a formal process to report any issues occurring in the surrounding community and if there would be an increased need for emergency services.
Attendees inquired if any studies have been conducted to identify any impacts to the neighboring residents and businesses, how the City has communicated with stakeholders about the proposal to-date, and about opportunities for the community to support the shelter and its guests through volunteering and/or donations. Questions were asked about oversight of the shelter operation, what performance measures would indicate success, and what action the City would take if the program was not successful.
Panelists answered many of these questions live during the meeting and Mr. Hammond reiterated all the questions submitted would be answered in a document that would be posted to the City’s website. Council did not discuss anything they heard or read at this community meeting and did not take any action.
At 9:33 p.m. the meeting was over.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk