CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, January 25, 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 City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
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 congratulated Councilmember McConnell for her appointment to the National League of Cities (NLC) Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee, and Councilmember Roberts for his appointment to the NLC Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee.
Deputy Mayor Scully attended the WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council Meeting and said the salmon recovery community is taking a hard look at what big-scale changes can be made and he shared mitigation ideas under consideration.
Councilmember McConnell shared information on recent developments discussed at the NLC Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting and commented on the benefits of having five members on the committee from Washington State.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jackie Kurle, Shoreline resident, said that she supports the cause for ending homelessness but wants to make sure there are adequate safety measures in place to support the Enhanced Shelter and the surrounding community.
Whitney Murray, spoke in opposition regarding the planned use of chip seal, instead of pavement, to repair streets near the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park and shared comments from the neighborhood as well as information on the negative aspects of chip sealing.
Jennifer Anderson, speaking on behalf of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish County, asked Council to delay action on the Fire Sprinkler Mandate and shared additional information for consideration.
Shaun Leiser, Shoreline resident, spoke in opposition of the chip sealing project scheduled for the Richmond Beach neighborhood and shared his observations on defects in previous road repair in the area and the negative aspects of chip sealing.
Christiano Steele, Shoreline resident, spoke to his experiences as a grocery store employee, urged Council to bring forward an ordinance requiring hazard pay for essential workers, and shared information how other jurisdictions are addressing the issue.
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 McGlashan and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:
(a) Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 4, 2021
(b) Approval of Expenses and Payroll as of January 8, 2021 in the Amount of $3,772,293.21
|
*Payroll and Benefits: |
||||||
|
Payroll Period |
Payment Date |
EFT Numbers (EF) |
Payroll Checks (PR) |
Benefit Checks (AP) |
Amount Paid |
|
|
12/13/20-12/26/20 |
12/31/2020 |
94865-95056 |
17188-17194 |
81479-81483 |
$882,482.90 |
|
|
$882,482.90 |
||||||
|
*Wire Transfers: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Wire Transfer Number |
|
Amount Paid |
|||
|
1/4/2021 |
1171 |
$15,088.16 |
||||
|
$15,088.16 |
||||||
|
*Accounts Payable Claims: |
||||||
|
Expense Register Dated |
Check Number (Begin) |
Check Number (End) |
Amount Paid |
|||
|
12/29/2020 |
81381 |
81407 |
$720,582.68 |
|||
|
12/29/2020 |
81408 |
81413 |
$34,825.26 |
|||
|
12/29/2020 |
81414 |
81428 |
$21,848.61 |
|||
|
1/6/2021 |
81429 |
81442 |
$287,233.74 |
|||
|
1/6/2021 |
81443 |
81464 |
$1,126,142.10 |
|||
|
1/6/2021 |
81465 |
81478 |
$684,089.76 |
|||
|
$2,874,722.15 |
||||||
(c) Adoption of Ordinance No. 914 - Amending Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 15.05 Construction and Building Code
(d) Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Interlocal Agreement for Governmental Jurisdictions within the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed
(e) Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Grant Agreement with King County Best Starts for Kids Youth Development for $112,113 for Youth Outreach Leadership and Opportunities
(f) Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract with the Center for Human Services in the Amount of $104,400 for the Youth Outreach Leadership and Opportunities Program
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Action on Ordinance No. 910 - Amending Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 8.12 to Expressly Prohibit Waterfowl Feeding in City Park Facilities
John Featherstone, Surface Water Utility Manager, explained that Ordinance No. 910 is designed to address a surface water quality issue and Christine Lovelace, Surface Water Program Specialist, delivered the staff presentation. Ms. Lovelace reviewed the negative impacts that human feeding of waterfowl, and the resulting increased fecal waste, has on water quality and to human and animal health. Ms. Lovelace said prohibiting waterfowl feeding in City Park facilities would lead to cleaner and healthier parks, reduce swimming beach closures, improve water quality, reduce potential for negative bird and human encounters, and improve bird health. She displayed the proposed Municipal Code amendment language, emphasized the commitment to using education and outreach as the primary tool to discourage waterfowl feeding, and shared specifics on the planned strategies. She stated that staff proposes that education and outreach be the only repercussion used during the first year of the Code’s life. She said the Ordinance is consistent with other rules in place to promote cleaner, safer, and healthier parks and would help to establish norms and engage violators in conversation. She described the ways the City would handle repeat offenders and said enforcement would not be considered until a fourth encounter had occurred.
Councilmember Robertson moved to adopt Ordinance No. 910, amending Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 8.12 to expressly prohibit waterfowl feeding in City Park facilities. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McConnell.
Councilmember Robertson said this Ordinance will benefit parkgoers, wildlife, and water quality. Deputy Mayor Scully expressed appreciation for the planned education and outreach program but said he will not support the Ordinance because of his concerns that enforcement could create an opportunity for inequitable conflict. Councilmember Chang said she understands the need for the Ordinance and said since it has been endorsed by the Parks Board and there has been no comment from the public on the topic, she will support it.
The motion passed, 6-1, with Deputy Mayor Scully dissenting.
(b) Action on 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 of Ordinance No. 918 and summarized the park improvements and acquisitions that the Bond Measure would fund. He said staff has begun work on drafting language for the Voters’ Pamphlet to support the proposed ballot measure. He shared the proposed ballot measure title and language and outlined the next steps should it move forward, stating that staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance.
Councilmember Robertson moved to adopt 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. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Scully.
Councilmember Robertson observed that if this Ordinance passes, those in support of the ballot measure have busy months ahead to educate the community on the benefits it would provide.
Councilmember Roberts expressed appreciation for the concern to equity that is apparent in the proposed park improvements and acquisitions, reiterated his concerns about meeting the validation requirements at the April election, and shared historical statistics on voter turnout.
Councilmember Chang recognized the economic impact of a bond measure during a pandemic and pointed out that collection on this replacement bond will not start until 2022 and said supporting park improvements is a way of providing for better days.
Councilmember McConnell said the community values parks, and while the timing is difficult, the fact that it will replace a retiring bond makes it financially manageable for taxpayers. She spoke to the importance of parks and encouraged the community to vote.
Mayor Hall expressed his support for the Ordinance and listed other ways in which the City secures funding for parks. He added that this bond measure would help fill the gap and provide some needed improvements. He highlighted that this ballot measure is a much smaller ask than the measure that included a Community and Aquatics Center and brings outstanding value for the community, and he reiterated the importance of expressing one’s stance by voting.
The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
9. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussion on the King County Climate Action Toolkit
Autumn Salamack, Environmental Services Coordinator, delivered the staff presentation. She explained that the King County Climate Action Toolkit was developed with support from the King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) and that the City participated in the development process. Ms. Salamack welcomed Rachael Brombaugh, King County Director of Climate and Energy Initiatives, to introduce the Toolkit.
Ms. Brombaugh said the Climate Action Toolkit is designed to help cities develop climate action plans that meet their unique characteristics and reflect their priorities. She listed the goals of the Toolkit as: identifying resources on measuring emissions, providing actions and strategies to meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals, and supporting community engagement, implementation, and reporting. She said it was developed by utilizing research from leading organizations, input and guidance from the K4C and King County staff, and stakeholder contributions; and she listed the predominant themes identified from workshops and public input.
Ms. Brombaugh gave an overview of the Toolkit contents and explained how they could be used to identify, prioritize, and manage the design of a Climate Action Plan. She shared a portion of a training video that explains how to use the tool and its customizable features and explained that the Toolkit has been transmitted to the King County Council and the first committee hearing is upcoming. She said the Toolkit has been made available for use and that outreach and trainings for cities and partners is ongoing.
Ms. Salamack reported that the City is currently working to update its GHG emissions inventory and intends to use the Toolkit while updating the 2013 Climate Action Plan in 2021-2022. She shared ways in which the toolkit will support these efforts and described plans for stakeholder and community engagement.
There was general discussion on the variety of the actions in the Toolkit and appreciation was expressed for the identifiable, approachable actionable items.
Mayor Hall said he looks forward to seeing the results of the City’s use of the Toolkit and the actions that come forward as the Climate Action Plan is updated.
(b) Discussion on Ordinance No. 919 - Amending Title 2 of the Shoreline Municipal Code to Create a New Chapter 2.70, Compensation and Salary Commission, to Establish a Salary Commission for Elected Officials
Don Moritz, Human Resources and Organizational Development Director, delivered the staff presentation. He explained that Ordinance No. 919 would create an independent salary commission as a mechanism to periodically review and determine Councilmember salaries. Mr. Moritz said Council salaries have been adjusted twice since they were set in 1995, and at the 2020 Strategic Planning Workshop the Council discussed the potential for creating a salary commission and asked for additional information on the subject. He said best practices recommend regular salary structure reviews to stay competitive and attract the highest quality talent and that while Shoreline has a well established structure for staff salary review, the same is not in place for elected official compensation. He explained that State law provides two mechanisms for setting or adjusting elected official salaries, either by action of City Council through ordinance or by establishment of an independent salary commission authorized to determine elected official salaries, and that historically the Shoreline City Councilmember salaries have been set through ordinance.
Mr. Moritz said tonight’s discussion would focus on the potential use of a salary commission for salary review. He shared survey data for the local jurisdictions used for market comparisons when conduction salary surveys and stated that the majority of jurisdictions surveyed have salary commissions. Mr. Moritz described the State mandated requirements for salary commissions and listed the discretionary elements. He said Ordinance No. 919 has been prepared based on the typical structure found in other comparable cities that utilize salary commissions and that staff recommends adoption of Ordinance No. 919 when it returns to Council for action.
The majority of the Councilmembers expressed support for the establishment of a salary commission.
Councilmember Roberts said it is better to have a citizen commission decide salaries and establishing a commission would provide regularity to salary review and effective dates. He suggested that explicitly stating that there would be a review of comparison cities in the ordinance may have some unintended effects, by potentially devaluing the worth of an elected officials’ time and said he would work with staff on potential amendments to that language.
Deputy Mayor Scully said it is fair that Councilmembers get paid, since it helps them afford to take time out of their lives to represent the community, but said it makes him uncomfortable to even start the process of what might result in a pay raise due to the current economic situation, so he would prefer to delay moving forward. Councilmember McGlashan asked about the timeline for a salary review, and Mr. Moritz replied that the staff recommendation is not to convene the commission until 2022 but establishing a salary commission could be done earlier.
Councilmember Robertson said she appreciates the fact that that action would not happen until 2022. Councilmember McConnell reflected that this has been discussed for many years and she is glad to see it moving forward and establishing a salary commission takes the politics out of it. Mayor Hall agreed, said that as long as Council is setting the Council salaries, there is the risk that some future Council might do something out of step with what the community would expect, and handing it off to a commission takes the elected officials out of the loop.
It was agreed that Ordinance No. 919 would return as an Action item.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:34 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk