CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING

Monday, March 6, 2000

6:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Hansen, Councilmembers Grossman, Gustafson, Montgomery and Ransom

ABSENT: Councilmember Lee

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 6:36 p.m. by Deputy Mayor Hansen, who presided.

2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

Deputy Mayor Hansen led the flag salute. Upon roll by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the exceptions of Councilmember Grossman and Mayor Jepsen, who arrived later in the meeting, and Councilmember Lee.

Upon a motion by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Montgomery and unanimously carried, Councilmember Lee was excused (as was Mayor Jepsen, who arrived later in the meeting).

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND FUTURE AGENDAS

City Manager Robert Deis suggested that Council continue agenda item 8, "Executive Session," until the March 20 Council meeting. He noted the cancellation of the March 13 Council meeting.

Councilmember Grossman arrived at 6:39 p.m.

Mr. Deis discussed budget proposals currently under consideration in the State legislature. He said the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) replacement funding in the Senate proposal would result in a contribution to the City of $904,000 in 2000 and $1.8 million in 2001.

Mr. Deis went on to say that both the State Senate and the State House of Representatives have included the Aurora Corridor on a tentative list of projects for State transportation funding. He noted advocacy for the project by State Representative Carolyn Edmonds and City staff.

Next, Mr. Deis reviewed City efforts to participate in planning related to Pt. Wells. He noted one proposal to create a site-specific process under which Shoreline, Woodway and Snohomish County would work out an interlocal agreement for Pt. Wells. He said Snohomish County Tomorrow—the Snohomish County equivalent to the King County Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC)—has deleted language from countywide policies that would have included King County cities in planning processes related to potential annexation areas.

Wendy Barry, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, discussed plans for Celebrate Shoreline 2000. She mentioned a proposal to move the parade and festival to North City in 2001 during the reconstruction of Aurora Avenue.

Councilmember Ransom expressed reservations about moving the parade from Aurora Avenue.

Councilmember Gustafson commented that parking is more plentiful along Aurora Avenue. Deputy Mayor Hansen agreed. He went on to express support for the proposal provided that concerns, such as parking, could be resolved. There was Council consensus in support of engaging in discussions with the North City Business Association and neighborhood groups about the idea of moving the parade.

Next, Ms. Barry reviewed information from the Pizza Planning Night that Teen Program Supervisor Mary Reidy held to gather input from Shoreline youth on City teen programming.

In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Ms. Barry described the two incidences of encroachment at Twin Ponds Park: 1) the owner of an adjoining property had constructed a shed on park property; and 2) the owner of another adjoining property had deposited fencing and other debris on park property.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Gustafson attended a meeting of the King County Block Grant Consortium Joint Regional Committee. He said committee members submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in support of the letter of appeal that King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Paul Schell submitted concerning the unexpected reduction of the 1999 McKinney Grant.

Other Councilmembers mentioned recent activities and upcoming committee meetings.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Les Nelson, 15340 Stone Avenue N, provided a copy of a letter he wrote to Mr. Deis requesting that the City reconsider the transfer of the Chambers Cable franchise to AT&T. He described ongoing problems with cable television service.

(b) Clark Elster, 1720 NE 177^th Street, presented a "Proposal For Design Standards" on behalf of the Concerned Citizens For Shoreline. He asserted that neighborhoods should receive the same planning consideration applied in commercial projects.

(c) Dennis Lee, 14547 26^th Avenue NE, distributed a copy of the March issue of the Briarcrest Neighborhood News. He noted items in the newsletter, including: the third anniversary celebration of the Briarcrest Neighborhood Association; an informational meeting regarding the potential remodel and expansion of the North Rehabilitation Facility (NRF); neighborhood traffic concerns; neighborhood interest in sub-area planning; and water service delivery.

Mr. Deis agreed to follow up with staff regarding the cable television service problems that Mr. Nelson mentioned. He noted that federal laws tightly restrict possible City action.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, City Attorney Ian Sievers confirmed that AT&T must meet all of the requirements Chambers Cable was responsible for.

6. WORKSHOP ITEMS

(a) Presentation by King County Councilmember Maggi Fimia

King County Councilmember Maggi Fimia reviewed the materials included in the Council packet concerning King County Metro service reductions. She explained that passage of Initiative 695 eliminated MVET revenues which funded approximately one third of the $320 million annual Metro operating budget. She discussed service reductions implemented in February, and she reviewed the ordinance establishing a framework for additional service reductions now under consideration by the Regional Transit Committee (RTC).

Continuing, County Councilmember Fimia discussed the current allocation of transit services among the three subareas and potential allocations in the event of further service reductions.

County Councilmember Fimia reviewed an example of core services remaining after additional service reductions. She asserted the difficulty of growth management without an expansion of transit services and the even greater difficulty with a reduction of transit services. She noted a proposed moratorium on further development in unincorporated King County pending reassessment of land use and transportation capacity.

County Councilmember Fimia said the State Senate has included $35 million in its budget proposal to maintain Metro services through the current year. She explained that this would provide time for the County to propose a ballot measure for additional funding.

Councilmember Montgomery commented on the divisiveness among RTC members about the allocation of services among the three subareas. She noted that her support of the west subarea, as an elected official of Shoreline, conflicts with the position of the Suburban Cities Association (SCA), which appointed her to the RTC. She advocated a proposal to establish a base transit network with 300,000 service hours left over for discretionary allocation.

Councilmember Gustafson suggested the consolidation of Metro and Sound Transit to reduce administrative costs. County Councilmember Fimia commented that significant cooperation between the agencies already exists. She noted the involvement of three other transit agencies: Pierce County Transit, Community Transit and Everett Transit.

Councilmember Gustafson questioned the status of the moratorium. County Council-member Fimia said both the GMPC and the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) are assessing the regional impacts of the passage of I-695.

In response to Councilmember Gustafson, County Councilmember Fimia confirmed that, under I-695, voters would have to approve an increase in Metro bus fares.

In response to Councilmember Montgomery, County Councilmember Fimia confirmed that fare revenues more than justify the cost of collecting fares.

Councilmember Gustafson asked about proposals to open High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to single-occupancy vehicles during off-peak hours. County Council-member Fimia noted a University of Washington study showing that opening HOV lanes during off-peak hours would ease single-occupancy vehicle congestion in only one segment (Interstate 405 south of Highway 167) during one part of the day. She said opening HOV lanes to single-occupancy vehicles does not otherwise offset the cost of inhibiting transit and carpool traffic.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, County Councilmember Fimia explained that the County Council has asked the RTC to propose an allocation of bus service hours among the three subareas. She said changes to the RTC proposal by the County Council will require a supermajority. She noted significant support on the County Council for retaining service hours in the west subarea. She mentioned that sales tax revenues supporting the system are higher in the east subarea but that routes in east subarea are much less productive than those in the west subarea. She stressed her goal to meet citizens’ desire for a working regional system.

Mayor Jepsen arrived at 7:46 p.m.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, County Councilmember Fimia said the failure of a ballot measure for additional local transit funding would necessitate major service reductions. She mentioned the results of a recent year-long outside audit showing Metro to be one of the best-run transit systems in the country.

Councilmember Grossman expressed concern about the impact of higher fares on the working poor. County Councilmember Fimia mentioned a County program through which social service agencies can purchase tickets for bus service at 25 percent of their value for subsequent distribution. She noted the possible expansion of the program.

Deputy Mayor Hansen thanked County Councilmember Fimia for her report.

(b) Review of proposed Connie King Scholarship Fund for youth and family access to City recreation programs

Ms. Barry reviewed the staff report.

Councilmember Gustafson supported the proposal. He suggested that staff include a mailing address on the donation form in the brochure.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Ms. Barry said Connie King has offered to lead a fundraising campaign for large one-time donations to establish an endowment. Ms. Barry recommended that the City fund scholarships out of the existing City of Shoreline Recreation Scholarship Program in the meantime. Councilmember Montgomery recommended the designation of the funds already received to the endowment.

Councilmember Ransom supported the proposal.

Deputy Mayor Hansen confirmed Council consensus to proceed with the Connie King Scholarship Program as presented.

(c) Review of proposed "Shoreline Parks Legacy Fund" for park improvements

Ms. Barry reviewed the staff report.

Councilmembers Montgomery, Grossman and Ransom expressed support of the proposal.

Mayor Jepsen suggested that staff identify the costs of potential park improvements in the brochure for the Shoreline Parks Legacy Fund.

Deputy Mayor Hansen questioned the prohibition against advertising of for-profit enterprises. Mr. Deis noted the diversity of missions among for-profit enterprises. He said the City would have to permit advertising by all for-profit enterprises if it permitted it for any. He also mentioned the concern of City parks becoming "advertising billboards." He recommended that Council consider donations by for-profit enterprises on a case-by-case basis.

Councilmember Grossman commented that donations should be consistent with park master plans.

Deputy Mayor Hansen confirmed Council consensus to proceed with the Shoreline Parks Legacy Fund as presented.

7. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Kathy Halliburton, 18315 Wallingford Avenue N, suggested the implementation of a fare relief program for low-income riders in the event that Metro increases bus fares.

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

9. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:22 p.m., Deputy Mayor Hansen declared the meeting adjourned.

______________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk