CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 24, 2023 Conference Room 303 - Shoreline City Hall
5:45 p.m. 17500 Midvale Avenue North
PRESENT: Mayor Keith Scully, Deputy Mayor Betsy Robertson, and Councilmembers John Ramsdell, Doris McConnell, Eben Pobee and Chris Roberts
ABSENT: Councilmember Laura Mork
STAFF: Bristol Ellington, City Manager
John Norris, Assistant City Manager
Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, Community Services Manager
Constance Perenyi, Neighborhoods Coordinator
Nickolas Borer, Parks, Fleet and Facilities Manager
GUESTS: Trinitee King, Director, Shoreline Farmers Market
Laura Buzard, Chair of Communications & Outreach, Shoreline Farmers Market
JP Sauerlender, Executive Director, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation
Rissa Sanchez, Board Member, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation
Chip Kennaugh, Board Member, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation
At 5:48 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Deputy Mayor Betsy Robertson. All Councilmembers were present except for Mayor Scully who joined the meeting at 5:50 p.m. and Councilmember McConnell who joined at 6:06 p.m. and Councilmember Mork, who was absent.
Shoreline Farmer’s Market
Trinitee King, Director of Shoreline Farmer's Market (SFM) and Laura Buzard, the Market’s Chair of Communications & Outreach presented an overview and updates on the Shoreline Farmer’s Market. They shared that SFM operates 20 Saturday markets per year and two Harvest markets each fall to support an equitable food system and increase food accessibility. Additionally, SFM offers opportunities and programs to promote small businesses, support families, and advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. The market opens on June 3rd.
One highlight Ms. King brought attention to is that SFM matches dollars spent from customers utilizing SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Senior FMNP benefits. She said the State offers reimbursements to organizations through the SNAP Market Match program, but the reimbursement was recently capped at $25 per transaction. SFM will continue to provide benefitted customers with an unlimited match on their transactions and will pay out of pocket for costs over the reimbursement threshold.
Ms. Buzard noted that SFM became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which increased their funding opportunities and potential to grow. She said SFM staff are working on identifying grants to apply for funding and exploring several other avenues of fundraising. The Board will come together in September to put together their three-to-five-year plan.
A Councilmember asked what the relationship is between King County and SFM. Ms. King stated that King County donated space at the 192nd park and ride site on an annual basis for the market to operate. Although it was noted that the market may not be able to occupy the space indefinitely, Ms. King stated that in the long term, SFM aims to have a permanent market space.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation
JP Sauerlender, Executive Director, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Foundation (KBGF), described the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden as a pocket arboretum of 2,000 species over four acres of land. He shared some of the history of the garden and brought attention to three state champion trees living on the grounds. The garden is owned by the City of Shoreline and KBGF operates the garden, maintains the nursery and offers workshops, events, and educational programs.
Mr. Sauerlender gave updates on KBGF's growth and services. He highlighted that the Garden’s membership increased to 351 members, which was an increase of 150 people from two years ago. Garden staff are working on several maintenance projects such as building up the soil to reduce irrigation needs in the summer. Mr. Sauerlender stated KBGF will host eight weeks of camps which will provide fun interactions with the Garden for kids in the community. And the Garden’s nursery program is continuing with propagation of plant materials collected by the Kruckebergs.
Mr. Sauerlender brought up a discussion on funding opportunities for renovating or replacing the KBGF's aging infrastructure, including the workshop space and offices. A Councilmember suggested exploring donations for needed materials. It was asked what percentage of KBGF’s budget is funded through grants and Mr. Sauerlender answered that little to no funds come from grants due to staffing issues. He said he is open to pursuing grant opportunities, but KBGF faces challenges in applying to them. It was noted that construction for the boardwalk and improving accessibility at the Garden is funded by Shoreline Proposition 1 and Mr. Sauerlender explained that the work is expected to take two to six months starting in September, with completion by the summer of 2024.
Mr. Sauerlender emphasized a need for marketing the Garden and expanding the use of the space. He suggested the possibility of hosting workshops and field trips. Deputy Mayor Robertson added that the City’s green landscaping programs could be hosted at the garden. Mr. Sauerlender commented that field trips are the best opportunity to access diverse populations and he would like to see increased support for the program.
At 6:49 p.m., Mayor Scully declared the meeting adjourned.
/s/ Kendyl Hardy, Deputy City Clerk