CITY OF SHORELINE

 

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

 

Monday, February 7, 2022                                                                 Held Remotely via Zoom

7:00 pm.

 

PRESENT:      Mayor Scully, Deputy Mayor Robertson, Councilmembers McConnell, Mork, Roberts, Pobee, and Ramsdell

 

ABSENT:       None

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER

 

At 7:00 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Scully who presided.

 

2.         ROLL CALL

 

Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.

 

(a)   Proclamation of Black History Month

 

Mayor Scully announced the proclamation of Black History Month.

 

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 COVID-19 and reported on various City meetings, projects, and events.

 

5.         COUNCIL REPORTS

 

Councilmember Pobee reported his attendance at the King County SeaShore Transportation Forum where he said they reviewed the King County Pilot Program, the Regional Transportation Plan, and their progress on tackling challenges and addressing future needs.

 

Councilmember Mork said she attended the King County Regional Water Quality Committee where they discussed the workplan for the year and moving the rate portion to accommodate the region’s growth.

 

6.         PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Ofelia De Bernal, Shoreline resident, said she is concerned with the number of trees that will be removed for the construction of the sidewalk on 5th Ave NE and asked Council to consider her request to revise the design and save more trees.

 

Jonelle Kemmerling, Shoreline resident, recounted comments from the public opposing the 20th Ave NW sidewalk design and said residents do not feel heard because the design was not revised to include their request. She advocated for a narrower sidewalk design with bike lanes to retain the atmosphere of the community.

 

Susanne Tsoming read comments on behalf of Kathy K., a Shoreline resident, stating that an 8-ft sidewalk would better fit the character of the neighborhood and be wide enough for multiple users. She added that residents do not want to share the sidewalk with cyclists, do not want trees to be removed, and want speeding to stop on 20th Ave.

 

Rebecca Jones, Seattle resident, expressed concern with the number of healthy trees proposed to be removed and cited the Development Code stating that exceptions can be made to the size of a sidewalk to protect significant trees and asked Council to reconsider the design for the 5th Ave NE sidewalk to save the trees.

 

Barbara Johnstone, Shoreline resident, spoke about the loss of mature trees with the planned sidewalk projects and noted that their removal would change the character of the neighborhood. She quoted the Development Code that would allow for a sidewalk design that would accommodate trees and asked Council to have staff revise the designs.

 

Mike Parker, Shoreline resident, shared concern over the 20th Ave NW sidewalk design saying that a sidewalk shared by pedestrians and cyclists is not safe and guidelines need to be established and complied with to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

 

Bill Turner, Shoreline resident, spoke about the funding for sidewalks in Shoreline and explained possible benefits of narrower sidewalks and asked Council to consider alternative designs to the presented sidewalk projects.

 

Nancy Morris, Shoreline resident, said she has major concerns over the proposed sidewalk designs and highlighted the effect of community feedback. She emphasized the importance of protecting trees to combat climate change and asked Council to take action to support that effort.

 

Kathleen Russell, Shoreline resident, spoke about discovering 23 significant trees are proposed to be removed on 5th Ave NE for the sidewalk project and, on behalf of Save Shoreline Trees, asking City staff for revisions to the project and other sidewalk projects. She said the exchange has made no difference and she hopes Council’s discussion will make a change. 

 

Carla Carroll, Shoreline resident, expressed support for the sidewalk projects and said citizens should have full transparency regarding the budget and with the possibility of leftover funds that may be used for additional sidewalks. She asks for a full picture for the remainder of the funds.

 

Lee Keim, Shoreline resident, stated her support for the sidewalk projects but opposition to the number of trees to be removed and asked Council to look for other alternatives for sidewalks that will accommodate existing trees.

 

Janet Way, Shoreline resident, said Shoreline needs alternative sidewalk designs and referenced sidewalk options that she previously sent to Council to show how sidewalks have been constructed to protect trees. She requested that Council have staff look at each project uniquely to maximize the number of trees that can be saved.

 

Robin McClelland, Shoreline resident, told Council that she doesn’t agree with the proposed 10-ft sidewalk on 20th Ave NW nor with cyclist being on the sidewalk and ask that Council also review the Sidewalk Prioritization Plan and reconsider the proposed designs to accommodate the mobility needs of people in Shoreline.

 

Alex Stein, Shoreline resident, spoke about his experience growing up in Shoreline and asked for exposition on rumors about Councilmembers.

 

7.         CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Robertson and seconded by Councilmember Pobee and unanimously carried, 7-0, the following Consent Calendar items were approved:

 

(a)   Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 10, 2022

Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 24, 2022

 

(b)  Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Blueline Group, LLC in the Amount of $476,950 for Construction Management and Inspection of the 5th Avenue NE (NE 175th – NE 182nd) Sidewalk Project

 

(c)   Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Interagency Agreement with the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board Accepting a Grant in the amount of $5,000,000 for the N/NE 145th (SR 523) – Interstate 5 Interchange Project

 

8.         STUDY ITEMS

 

(a)   Discussion and Update on the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program and 2018 Voter Approved New Sidewalk Program

 

Tricia Juhnke, City Engineer, gave a background on the Sidewalk Programs and discussed the re-scoring of the sidewalk prioritization process with updated data for the Pedestrian System Plan so staff may reevaluate project priorities and look for opportunities to add additional routes. She commented that the ADA Transition Plan is progressing slowly as the estimated cost of the plan exceeds $180 million but priority for repairs lies in areas with significant displacement and no curb ramps. She said there is a challenge to achieve ADA compliance and protect trees because trees cause damage to curbs and roadways but staff are utilizing arborist to save as many trees as possible.

Laura Reiter, Engineer II for Capital Projects, gave an update on the Voter Approved Sidewalk Program and the implementation plan for all sidewalk projects. She further explained the details of the projects and discussed the program’s cost projections. She said the total program cost for the initial 12 sidewalks is $53.5 Million and sales tax revenue is projected at $57.5 Million and while the $11.6 million initial Bond will fund projects through 2023, staff estimate two more bonds will be needed to complete the program. She noted that staff have revamped their community outreach for the Sidewalk Program.

Councilmembers asked staff about the decision to construct a 10-ft sidewalk on 20th Avenue, and the flexibility of using funding from Sound Transit for sidewalks. Ms. Reiter responded saying the 10-ft sidewalk is their best way to accommodate different users while making the smallest footprint of any of the different options; and Ms. Juhnke added that the Sound Transit funding must be used within the 185th Station Area.

 

Councilmembers emphasized the importance of listening to the opinions of the public early in the process and acknowledged the difficulty of balancing the community’s desires with the goal of making Shoreline walkable, safe, and accessible to all, while providing opportunities to reduce impacts to climate change through the preservation of trees. Ms. Reiter reiterated that staff are in the early design phases of the projects and public comments would be considered and implemented into project designs where appropriate to stay compliant with ADA guidelines and the Master Plan and assured that there would be time for design changes based on community feedback although, impacts to trees are likely with any alternative.

 

Councilmembers provided several recommendations to increase safety and effectiveness for the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program and for revisiting criteria for the Prioritization Matrix.

 

A Councilmember noted that other State’s offer a Point-of-Sale Program, which requires homeowners selling their homes to make sidewalk repairs in order for the sale to be complete. City Manager, Debbie Tarry, confirmed that maintenance of sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner but admitted that, even before Shoreline became a City, this has not been strongly enforced. She said staff would be looking into the information on the Point-of-Sale Program.

 

(b)   Discussion of Proposed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Business Recovery Funding Allocation Update

 

Economic Development Program Manager, Nathan Daum introduced Selam Habte, the City’s Consultant from Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, to provide an update on their outreach and engagement with businesses in the community. Ms. Habte explained that their team contacted businesses of various industries and found that many are struggling in several areas, such as finding skilled employees, drastic increases in supply and operation costs, a growing homeless population contributing to safety concerns, and COVID-19 exposures. She also noted most immigrant business owners lack access to support services. She shared results from a few surveys detailing state-wide statistics related to economy and listed various tactics to support business recovery.

 

Mr. Daum recommended Council support progress into Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Plan which would establish the equivalent of a full-time Business Advisor for businesses through Small Business Development Centers of Washington and said moving forward with this recommendation, staff would explore more options to support businesses with remaining funds.

 

Council asked about staff’s consideration for arts and entertainment businesses and clarification on the contrast between the Community Navigators and Business Advisors to which Mr. Daum replied by explaining their team’s priority to aid recipients of Shoreline’s Small Business Support Grant and their coordination with the City’s Arts Administrator to increase diversity in their business engagement. He continued saying that the Business Advisory’s chief focus would be on business resources and assistance but there will be a cross dialogue with the Community Navigators to make connections between the needs of the community and businesses. Mr. Daum finished the discussion by describing the gift card program and the allocation of about $44,000 to be used as incentives for job applicants.

 

9.         EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Potential Litigation – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) and Property Acquisition – RCW 42.30.110(1)(b)

 

At 9:05 p.m., Mayor Scully recessed into an Executive Session for a period of 40 minutes as authorized by RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) and RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) to consider the selection of a site for acquisition by lease or purchase and to discuss with legal counsel matters relating to potential litigation. He stated Council is not expected to take action following the Executive Session. Staff attending the Executive Session included Debbie Tarry, City Manager; John Norris, Assistant City Manager; Nathan Daum, Economic Development Manager, and Margaret King, City Attorney.

 

Mayor Scully emerged at 9:50 to extend the Executive Session until 10 p.m.

The Executive Session ended at 10:00 p.m.

 

10.       ADJOURNMENT

 

At 10:00 p.m., Mayor Scully declared the meeting adjourned.

 

 /s/ Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk