CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, January 11, 2021 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 Deputy City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
(a) Proclaiming Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Mayor Hall recognized the importance of remembering Dr. King’s work toward social justice and equality through nonviolence and shared information on the City’s efforts to identify and eliminate racism. He urged all people to keep to peaceful expressions of their positions.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided an update on COVID-19 and reported on various City meetings, projects and events.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Hall stated that the Council has adopted the 2021 Legislative Agenda and the City has representation in Olympia working to move it forward in this Legislative Session.
Mayor Hall appointed Councilmembers Roberts, Robertson, and Chang to serve on the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Services/Tree Board Application Review Committee.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jackie Kurle, Shoreline resident, suggested areas of focus for the Enhanced Shelter. Additionally, she stressed that sidewalk projects are paramount for safety.
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 Chang and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approving Minutes of Regular Meeting of December 14, 2020
(b) Approving Expenses and Payroll as of December 24, 2020 in the Amount of $3,999,844.78
|
*Payroll and Benefits: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payroll Period |
Payment Date |
EFT Numbers (EF) |
Payroll Checks (PR) |
Benefit Checks (AP) |
Amount Paid |
|
|
11/15/20-11/28/20 |
12/4/2020 |
94461-94662 |
17168-17177 |
81267-81272 |
$705,009.04 |
|
|
11/29/20-12/12/20 |
12/18/2020 |
94663-94864 |
17178-17187 |
81329-81334 |
$713,530.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1,418,539.37 |
|
*Accounts Payable Claims: |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
Expense Register Dated |
Check Number (Begin) |
Check Number (End) |
Amount Paid |
|
|
|
|
11/30/2020 |
81166 |
81180 |
$135,009.24 |
|
|
|
|
11/30/2020 |
81181 |
81181 |
$20,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
11/30/2020 |
81182 |
81189 |
$76,425.10 |
|
|
|
|
12/2/2020 |
81190 |
81198 |
$27,237.44 |
|
|
|
|
12/7/2020 |
81199 |
81205 |
$54,176.13 |
|
|
|
|
12/9/2020 |
80966 |
80966 |
($4,279.27) |
|
|
|
|
12/9/2020 |
81206 |
81220 |
$322,689.38 |
|
|
|
|
12/9/2020 |
81221 |
81241 |
$325,209.50 |
|
|
|
|
12/9/2020 |
81242 |
81266 |
$23,061.28 |
|
|
|
|
12/15/2020 |
81273 |
81283 |
$92,444.95 |
|
|
|
|
12/15/2020 |
81284 |
81305 |
$140,523.73 |
|
|
|
|
12/15/2020 |
81306 |
81327 |
$1,182,865.22 |
|
|
|
|
12/20/2020 |
81328 |
81328 |
$57,861.14 |
|
|
|
|
12/22/2020 |
81335 |
81362 |
$115,627.80 |
|
|
|
|
12/22/2020 |
81363 |
81380 |
$12,453.77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$2,581,305.41 |
(c) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Interlocal Agreement with King County for Provision of District Court Services
(d) Adopting Ordinance No. 916 - Extension of Interim Regulations to Allow for Additional Extensions of Application and Permit Deadlines Beyond Those Provided for in the Shoreline Municipal Code Due to COVID-19 Impacts
(e) Adopting Ordinance No. 917 - Extension of Interim Regulations for Outdoor Seating
(f) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract #9787 with WSP USA, Inc., in the Amount of $664,972
(g) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with the King County Flood Control District Awarding Grant Funds for the Pump Station 26 Improvements Project
(h) Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contract #9697 Surface Water Quality and NPDES Professional Services with Aspect Consulting, LLC, in the Amount of $300,806
8. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussing Ordinance No. 910 - Amending Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 8.12 to Expressly Prohibit Waterfowl Feeding
John Featherstone, Surface Water Utility Manager, introduced Christie Lovelace, Surface Water Program Specialist, who delivered the staff presentation. Ms. Lovelace said human feeding of waterfowl leads to an increased volume of waterfowl waste on the beach and described the water quality impacts of waterfowl feces. She described the process in place to monitor water quality of lakes and ponds in Shoreline and reviewed recent beach closures due to fecal pollution. Ms. Lovelace stated that the foods commonly fed to waterfowl are not healthy for them, and that interactions between birds and humans can become negative. She said the Ordinance would act as the backbone to the education and outreach strategies to be used to discourage feeding in parks, and she displayed an example of the proposed educational materials. She outlined the work with the City Attorney’s Office to draft the proposed code amendment language and enforcement strategy, and emphasized that citations would be rare and only in the event of repeat offences.
Ms. Lovelace said the Parks, Recreation, Cultural Services/Tree Board unanimously supports the Ordinance and described the opportunities made available for interested parties to provide public comment. She said the majority of the public comment received was in support of the proposed Ordinance and the financial impact of $2,300 would be covered by the existing Surface Water Utility budget. Ms. Lovelace said this Ordinance helps address the Council goal of stewardship of the natural environment and said pending Council approval, the Ordinance is scheduled to return as a Consent Item.
Mayor Hall and Councilmembers McGlashan, Roberts, Robertson, and McConnell expressed support for Ordinance No. 910.
Councilmember McGlashan reflected on the negative impact of waterfowl feces in recreation areas and asked what outreach would be made to the private properties at Echo Lake. Ms. Lovelace said the Echo Lake residents are very concerned about water quality, so she is hopeful they will support the Ordinance, but agreed the City should devise strategies to reach those residents with private water access. She said the best conversations happen in person and described the engagement processes currently utilized.
When questioned about why the Ordinance applies specifically to waterfowl, Ms. Lovelace said from the Surface Water perspective, it boils down to protecting water quality, but recognized that there are advantages to thinking about it more broadly.
Councilmember Chang stated that while she understands the reasoning for the Ordinance, she is having a hard time with it, since feeding waterfowl has traditionally been a family activity. She wondered if it would be enough to start the messaging with just signage and education.
Deputy Mayor Scully said he recognizes the problem with feeding waterfowl and supports positive messaging and asked if there have been problems with informal enforcement. Ms. Lovelace said the value of the Ordinance would be that it would give staff the ground to stand on in conversations about problematic behaviors. Deputy Mayor Scully he is hesitant to expand the scope of enforcement authority, and interactions around rule enforcement should not be intimidating. He concluded that he is unwilling to create new penalties without a demonstrated case that without them, it would be impossible to effect the needed change.
Councilmember Roberts asked how much difference the Ordinance will make in terms of expanding bird populations without the support of other jurisdictions. Ms. Lovelace said the largest issue is that waterfowl are waiting on the beach to be fed, and if the feeding is stopped, it will discourage the birds from engaging in interactions with humans and reduce defecation on beaches. She clarified that beach closures are very localized to areas where there is more fecal matter and tend to be in areas where people are recreating.
Councilmember Robertson said she appreciates the education first approach. She recognized the negative effect waterfowl feces has on the environment and the recreation areas and Councilmember McConnell shared her experiences of how waterfowl can become a nuisance when fed regularly.
Mayor Hall said the intent is to set norms for the behavior that is expected in the City, not to creates uncomfortable interactions with those charged with enforcement. He reflected that he has not heard about intimidating enforcement for similar laws.
It was agreed that Ordinance No. 910 would return as an Action Item.
(b) Discussing Ordinance No. 918 - Authorizing the Placement of a Ballot Measure on the April 2021 Special Election Ballot to Authorize a Property Tax Bond Measure for Priority Park Improvements and Park Land Acquisition
John Norris, Assistant City Manager, delivered the staff presentation. Mr. Norris reviewed the background and prior discussions relating to the potential Ballot Measure, which stemmed from Council direction to develop a bond measure proposal to fund park improvements and park land acquisition. He listed the bond measure components as priority park improvements, priority park amenities, park land acquisition, and improvement to acquired property and described the financial impacts to residents. Mr. Norris displayed the proposed ballot title, stating that it had been approved by the City Attorney and reviewed by the City’s Bond Counsel.
Mr. Norris stated that King County Elections does not automatically create a Voters’ Pamphlet for Special Elections, so staff seeks direction on whether the Council would like to consider one and reviewed the associated costs and requirements, including the need for Pro/Con Committees to write statements for the Pamphlet. He outlined the next steps, dependent on the Council’s direction, and said staff recommends adoption of Ordinance No. 918, and inclusion in the Voters’ Pamphlet. Sara Lane, Administrative Services Director, confirmed that the timing of issuing the debt would be, at the earliest, January 2022, regardless of whether it is placed on the April, or November, ballot.
Deputy Mayor Scully said he fully supports placing a bond measure on the ballot and spoke to the value of the Pro and Con statements. Councilmembers Robertson, McConnell, Chang, and McGlashan expressed support for placement on the April 2021 Ballot. Councilmember Robertson commented that by April voters will be anxious to get outside and enjoy the City’s parks, which may help voter turnout. She observed that the budgeting done for the identified projects is a few years old, and the more the work is delayed, the more expensive it will become.
Councilmember Roberts said he does not think the City will meet validation requirements in April and shared his research. He encouraged the Council to consider placement on the November ballot. Councilmember McConnell said she although she is concerned about meeting validation requirements, she will support placement on the April ballot and reflected on the value residents place on parks. Mayor Hall said he would be fine with either date. There was general discussion on the challenges of meeting validation requirements in April and November, and Deputy Mayor Scully said if the decision is to not move forward in April, he would suggest waiting until the validation requirements are reset.
The Council expressed general support for moving forward for Action on Ordinance No. 918 on January 25, 2021 with inclusion of a Voters’ Pamphlet. It was reiterated that amendments could be made as to the timing of placement on the ballot.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation and Potential Litigation – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
At 8:08 p.m., Mayor Hall recessed into 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 litigation and potential litigation. He stated that the Council is not expected to take any final action following the Executive Session. Staff attending the Executive Session included Debbie Tarry, City Manager; John Norris, Assistant City Manager; and Margaret King, City Attorney.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:38 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
_____________________________
Allison Taylor, Deputy City Clerk