CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, June 7, 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 except for Councilmember Roberts, who arrived at 7:04 p.m.
3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was approved by unanimous consent.
4. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Debbie Tarry, City Manager, provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and reported on various City meetings, projects and events.
5. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember McGlashan reported that, at the SeaShore meeting, they heard an update on transportation related actions at the national level and finalized the joint letter to Sound Transit prioritizing the 522/523 Bus Rapid Transit. He suggested that the City emphasize the importance of station area parking garages to Sound Transit.
Deputy Mayor Scully said that, at the recent Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 Salmon Recovery Council, it was announced that the precipitous decline in Coho salmon traces back to a chemical reaction in automobile tire rubber.
Mayor Hall added that at the King County Cities Climate Collaboration work session they discussed the impacts of tire rubber and greenhouse gases and the strong commitment to continuing to address climate change. He said the Growth Management Planning Council is considering an update to the climate goals.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jackie Kurle, Shoreline resident, spoke regarding the Enhanced Shelter. She emphasized the importance of supporting ongoing community safety for issues associated with the Shelter.
Kathleen Russell, Shoreline resident, spoke on behalf of Save Shoreline Trees regarding tree protection plans at private development sites. She emphasized the challenges in monitoring and asked how the City plans to manage tree protection in these situations.
Jingjing Sun, Shoreline resident, spoke to raise awareness of the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China as well as local discrimination and harassment. She shared examples of the negative experiences of the practitioners and described her personal experience with harassment.
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 May 24, 2021
(b) Action on the Reprogramming of $71,885 in 2021 Community Development Block Grant Contingency Funding to the Compass Housing Leak Repair Project
(c) Authorize the City Manager to Enter into a Member Jurisdiction Grant Agreement with the King Conservation District in the Amount of $58,100 for the Green Shoreline Partnership
8. ACTION ITEMS
(a) Public Hearing and Discussion of Ordinance No. 935 - Extending Interim Regulations to Allow for Additional Extensions of Application Deadlines
Rachael Markle, Director of Planning and Community Development, delivered the staff presentation. Ms. Markle stated that these Interim Regulations were first adopted on July 27, 2020 and while Ordinance No. 916 will expire July 19, 2021, some statewide restrictions continue that impact the application process. She shared information on other COVID-19 related building and construction impacts and said the Master Builders Association has reaffirmed the current challenges for the industry. Ms. Markle stated that this proposed six-month extension may subsequently be extended by additional Council action.
Ms. Markle summarized that this Ordinance extends authorization of one additional, 180-day extension for permits that are ready to issue for a total possible extension period of 360 calendar days and that the same extension would apply to Right of Way permit applications.
Mayor Hall opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no members of the public wishing to provide testimony, he closed the Public Hearing.
Councilmembers McGlashan and Chang expressed support for Ordinance No. 935.
It was agreed that Ordinance No. 935 would return as a Consent Item.
(b) Public Hearing and Discussion of Ordinance No. 936 - Extending Interim Regulations for Outdoor Seating
Andrew Bauer, Planning Manager, delivered the staff presentation. Mr. Bauer said the interim regulations for outdoor seating were first adopted with Ordinance No. 895 on July 27, 2020, extended once, and will expire on July 11, 2021. He recognized that while statewide restrictions are being lifted, eating and drinking establishments continue to suffer. Mr. Bauer summarized that proposed Ordinance No. 936 would continue interim regulations that permit outdoor seating on private property for businesses with registration and no parking requirement; expedited permit review for seating in City right-of-way, and waiver of fees.
Mayor Hall opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no members of the public wishing to provide testimony, he closed the Public Hearing.
Mayor Hall and Councilmembers Roberts, Chang, McConnell, and Robertson expressed support for Ordinance No. 936.
Councilmember Roberts asked about the timetable considering permanent regulations. Mr. Bauer said it is on the Planning Commission’s radar to develop some form of permanent regulations to allow more flexibility for outdoor seating. Councilmember Robertson said she is also very interested in having a conversation about longer term/permanent changes for outdoor dining and commented on the success she has seen in parking spaces being used for this purpose.
Councilmember Chang asked why so few businesses had taken advantage of the interim regulations and if there were any options to encourage increased usage. Mr. Bauer said there was a significant amount of outreach done with local businesses and he shared possible reasons for the limited usage.
Councilmember McConnell said she would like to support the businesses with outdoor seating but is hesitant to prioritize consideration of permanent regulations until all safety issues are addressed. It was clarified that the interim regulations do not waive any building, life, safety or ADA regulations, nor any licensing requirements.
Mayor Hall encouraged residents to support local restaurants and observed that while restrictions are lifting, it is still important to remember that many are not yet fully vaccinated, and while outdoor dining is safer than indoor dining, he urged people to continue to take precautions to minimize the spread of the virus.
It was agreed that Ordinance No. 936 would return as a Consent Item.
9. STUDY ITEMS
(a) Discussion of the 2021 State Legislative Session with 32nd District Legislators
Jim Hammond, Intergovernmental Program Manager, delivered the staff presentation. Mr. Hammond welcomed Debora Munguia of Capitol Consulting, the City’s contract lobbyist for state issues, who joined him in the presentation. Mr. Hammond said the 2021 State Legislative Session was incredibly productive and shared some of the adjustments made due to the pandemic. He said the major business of this long session was to set the biennial budget for the State. Mr. Hammond gave an overview of the significant policy achievements in this session regarding fiscal flexibility, public safety, homelessness/housing stability, and the Fircrest Campus redevelopment.
Ms. Munguia complimented the work of the 32nd District Delegation, the City Council, and City staff, and said their efforts contributed to the legislative successes. She stated that the City-specific element of the housing stability policy work done was the Multi Family Tax Exemption Bill. She described the Bill and the Shoreline-specific amendment that provides for a pilot project for 20-year exemptions. Mr. Hammond emphasized that this pilot program will be a great learning opportunity, whether or not it is successful. Ms. Munguia said regarding City-specific capital budget items, funding was secured for parks restrooms, a public pavilion at Shoreline Park, a nursing facility at Fircrest, and expansion of the state public health laboratory in Shoreline. She said the transportation budget that was passed was a bare bones budget and recognized that the legislature has work to do towards a new transportation package. She listed the funding secured for city transportation-related projects.
Mr. Hammond welcomed the 32nd District Delegation, Senator Jesse Salomon and Representatives Cindy Ryu and Lauren Davis. Mr. Hammond explained that each had been asked to speak regarding their biggest personal achievements this session, the next ‘undone’ thing, and the biggest surprise.
Senator Salmon said this session was surprisingly productive with a lot of good Bills passing. He is most proud about the passage of Senate Bill 5226, which says that no longer can a person lose their driver’s license or be subjected to a criminal charge if unable to pay a ticket. He plans to continue work on Senate Bill 5134 regarding Police arbitration and described the problems with the current procedures the Bill would address. Senator Salomon said he remains concerned about public drug use and plans to address it in the future.
Representative Ryu said this session had an emphasis on an equitable and inclusive recovery, which focused on the aspects of COVID-19 response, economic recovery, racial equity and justice, and climate change. She summarized her ongoing work on House Bill 1128 concerning Housing Benefits Districts and the introduction of House Bill 1147 creating the Washington State Office of Resiliency. She reviewed the status of other efforts this session, which include work towards expanding the sales and use tax exemption for farm workers, the passage of a bill focused on contracting opportunities for Women and BIPOC owned businesses, and the significant steps taken with both the working families tax rebate and capital gains excise tax. Representative Ryu talked about the Community and Economic Development committee she chairs; shared information on the Public Broadband Act recently passed; and concluded with a status update on actions involving the Fircrest Campus.
Representative Davis said the extra funding from the Federal government made this a once in a lifetime session. She shared details on the investments in both K-12 and higher education, described the Fair Start for Kids Act, and outlined her work on substance abuse recovery services and treatment. She stated that in July 2022 a one-stop behavioral health phone number (988) goes into effect, through which callers will reach behavioral health call centers and have access to mobile crisis response teams and follow up care. She reviewed specifics of the Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL).
Councilmember Roberts thanked the Delegation for their continued support in securing funding in both the House and Senate budgets for the 148th Street non-motorized bridge project. Representative Ryu shared updates on the United States Transportation Committee activities, which prioritizes bike and pedestrian infrastructure, stating that she is hopeful there will be federal funding made available. Mayor Hall added that Shoreline’s 2020 Sustainability Report included reporting that shows the carbon footprint of new homes in the station areas is dramatically less than existing homes, and offered that in addition to the equity and mobility lens, there is an extraordinary environmental rationale for supporting the bridge. Senator Salomon added that the Multi Family Tax Exemption amendment for Shoreline was largely around getting housing development at affordable rates in the station areas.
The proposed mileage-based tax program was discussed. Councilmember Chang asked if there was discussion on the equitability of this proposal, since people have to drive farther to find less expensive housing. Senator Salomon shared his observations and concerns with the program and offered a fuel tax could be a better approach. Councilmember McGlashan said at a recent SeaShore meeting it was reported that the pay per mile program was dead, and Senator Salomon added it is still in the minds of important legislators.
Councilmember Chang asked what Mental Health teams might look like on the ground. Representative Davis explained that 988 would be a hub call center that employs mental health professionals who will address the vast majority of the calls, including scheduling appointments, making referrals, following up with callers, or sending a mobile crisis team to respond. She said statistics from similar programs indicated that when implemented, it becomes very rare that law enforcement needs to be involved in responses.
When asked for more information on the Police Arbitration issue, Senator Salomon said that he supports unions and collective bargaining, but the collective bargaining agreements around arbitration are problematic and need to be more regulated. He observed that making change in this area is a heavy lift that requires community driven support. He reflected on the huge positive changes made in police accountability this year but stated that it is not correct to pay for private justice for a public service.
Mayor Hall thanked the delegation for their support of Shoreline.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:34 p.m., Mayor Hall declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk