CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF RE GULAR MEETING

Monday, June 26, 2000

7:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

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

ABSENT: None

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by Mayor Jepsen, who presided.

2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

Mayor Jepsen led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember Gustafson, who arrived shortly thereafter.

3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER

Public Works Director Bill Conner discussed recent publications of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) related to Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act and the West Coast salmon species listed as threatened. He said the information that NMFS has issued is much more general than staff had anticipated. He explained that NMFS wants local jurisdictions to prepare plans for protecting threatened salmon species and to submit them for NMFS approval. He noted that NMFS listed the Tri-County proposal (of King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties) as one of several examples of a local proposal. He said the City must decide whether to participate in the Tri-County proposal or to prepare and submit its own proposal.

Continuing, Mr. Conner said NMFS has indicated that its approval of a local proposal will provide the jurisdiction with protection against third-party lawsuits. He noted that the protection is much more extensive than staff had anticipated.

Finally, Mr. Conner said NMFS has indicated that it expects compliance with the 4(d) rule within six months after its publication in the federal register. NMFS anticipates publication by the end of June.

4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

(a) Annual Report from the Council of Neighborhoods

Dick Nicholson, Immediate Past Chair of the Council of Neighborhoods, reviewed the group’s mission and objectives. He went on to discuss the accomplishments and activities of the Council of Neighborhoods during the past year.

Chair Feikema discussed the goals of the Council of Neighborhoods for the coming year, including:

Chair Feikema expressed her appreciation for the focus of the City on neighborhoods.

Mayor Jepsen supported the proposal to tour Mini-Grant projects.

Councilmember Grossman thanked Chair Feikema and Immediate Past Chair Nicholson for their ongoing commitment to the Council of Neighborhoods.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Gretchen Atkinson, President, North City Business Association, thanked the City Council for the North City Design Charrette. In response to questions about the return the City will achieve on the money it is investing in North City, she prepared estimates, with the assistance of Finance Director Debbie Tarry, of potential City tax revenue increases. She said participants in the design charrette identified the potential for 1,592 residential units in new, mixed-use developments in North City during the next five years. She provided estimates of resulting increases in sales tax and utility tax revenues. She suggested that the City waive real estate taxes for a period of time as an incentive to builders to construct large, mixed-use developments in North City.

(b) Bill Bear, 2541 NE 165th Street, said the Aurora Corridor Project may reduce east-west traffic and increase divisions between parts of Shoreline. He expressed concern about the potential addition of 1,592 residential units east of I-5. He commented that residents on the east side of Shoreline feel a strong need to protect their interests (e.g., the independence of the Shoreline Water District). He attributed this sentiment to the divisions between the east and west sides and to the lack of representation and concern for the issues of eastside residents. He said an interlocal agreement with the Water District, like the one the City has with the Fire District, would address the City’s responsibility to provide water services without necessitating direct City management.

(c) Barbara Goebel, 14556 28th Avenue NE, described an annual Fourth of July parade in the Briarcrest Neighborhood in which children, dressed in patriotic costumes, walk to the Pinehurst Terrace Nursing Home to entertain residents. She said the neighborhood will have to cancel the parade, a 22-year tradition, because of new parade permit fees.

Mayor Jepsen said he participated in the first two days of the North City Design Charrette. He expressed enthusiasm about the sub-area plan as a catalyst for change driven by North City property owners, residents and businesses. Councilmember Lee agreed. Mr. Deis said staff will review the results of the charrette and develop a report for the consideration of the Planning Commission and Council in early fall.

In response to Mayor Jepsen, Mr. Deis said staff is studying a City policy on fee waivers.

Councilmember Grossman said the parade that Ms. Goebel described highlights the need for such a policy. He asserted that the City supports such events.

In response to Councilmember Montgomery, Mr. Deis said staff will address the question of fee waivers as a policy issue at a future Council workshop.

Councilmember Gustafson suggested the use of Neighborhood Mini-Grant funds to pay the permit fees associated with community events such as the Fourth of July parade in Briarcrest.

6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Deputy Mayor Hansen moved to approve the agenda. Councilmember Montgomery seconded the motion. Deputy Mayor Hansen moved to add "Parade Waiver" as agenda item 9(b). Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion, which carried 7-0. A vote was taken on the motion to approve the agenda, as amended, which carried 7-0.

7. CONSENT CALENDAR

Councilmember Ransom asked that Council pull the minutes of the dinner meeting of May 22, 2000. Then he moved to approve the consent calendar, as amended. Deputy Mayor Hansen seconded the motion, which carried 7-0, and the following items were approved:

Minutes of Regular Meeting of May 8, 2000
Minutes of Workshop of May 15, 2000
Minutes of Regular Meeting of May 22, 2000
Minutes of Workshop of June 5, 2000
Minutes of Dinner Meeting of June 12, 2000

Approval of expenses and payroll as of June 16, 2000 in the amount of $1,243,057.21

Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with CH2MHill for additional analysis on water service alternatives in an amount not to exceed $49,000

Resolution No. 168 authorizing application for funding assistance for a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (IAC) as provided in Chapter 79A.15 RCW, acquisition of habitat conservation and outdoor recreation lands

8. ACTION ITEMS: PUBLIC HEARINGS

(a) Public hearing to consider citizens’ comments regarding Ordinance No. 237 adopting a 65-day moratorium on franchising and right-of-way permits for telecommunications and cable television providers, and proposed Ordinance No. 240 extending this moratorium until August 11, 2000

Kristoff Bauer, Assistant to the City Manager, noted Council consideration last week of a proposed ordinance establishing new regulations for siting telecommunication utilities within public rights-of-way. He explained that the extension of the moratorium is necessary to provide time for the Planning Commission to review the proposed ordinance.

Mayor Jepsen declared the public hearing open. Seeing no one wishing to address Council on Ordinance No. 237 or Ordinance No. 240, Councilmember Lee moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.

Ordinance No. 240 adopting a thirty day extension to a moratorium on acceptance and processing of new franchise applications for service providers of telecommunications and cable television services within the City of Shoreline

Councilmember Montgomery moved that Council adopt Ordinance No. 240. Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.

9. ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS

(a) Motion to approve the NE 185th Street Rechannelization Project to add a center left-turn lane and bicycle lanes to NE 185th Street between Stone Avenue N and 1st Avenue NE, and to make the recommended improvements to 155th Street

Mr. Conner reviewed the staff report and explained the proposal to rechannelize NE 185th Street to improve vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian safety along the corridor. He noted changes staff made to the proposal in response to concerns Council raised when considering the project last fall. These concerns included: 1) the transition across Aurora Avenue; 2) traffic congestion along 185th Street—specifically at Meridian Ave.; 3) parking at Shoreline Covenant Church; 4) and congestion at the QFC Store and police station. He emphasized that while the proposal addresses safety issues, it will not resolve all operational problems on 185th Street.

Continuing, Mr. Conner described the proposal to reduce conflicting turn movement on 155th Street. He noted that the changes will affect the Chevron station at Aurora Avenue by precluding eastbound turns onto 155th Street. He said Chevron management is concerned about negative impacts on its business. He stressed that the proposed changes will make the street much safer. In conclusion, he said restriping on 155th Street has reduced accidents there by half.

Mayor Jepsen called for public comment.

(a) Yolanda Byeman, represented Chevron Corporation, 14711 NE 29th Place, Bellevue. She estimated that the proposed change will reduce business at the Chevron station by 15 percent. She said City staff has acknowledged Chevron concerns by redesigning the raised traffic island on 155th Street to make it a painted island. This will allow Chevron tanker trucks to access the station.

(b) Richard Johnsen, 16730 Meridian Avenue N, said the problems on 185th Street stem from decisions King County made in the 1970s. He explained that the County originally planned two lanes of traffic and two parking lanes, but that it did not stripe the road to differentiate between the parking and traffic lanes. He commented on the cost of the project, and he suggested that the City simply stripe and sign 185th Street to delineate lanes for parking and traffic.

(c) Dale Wright, 18546 Burke Avenue N, represented the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association. He supported the City proposal. He explained that the reconfiguration will reduce accidents, that it is relatively inexpensive, that it will have few impacts on adjacent properties and that it will be safer for bicyclists. He concurred that reconfiguration cannot resolve the congestion problems in the area and that addressing such problems would be costly and time consuming. He suggested consideration of the concerns of the Shoreline Covenant Church in the context of parking and convenience on Sunday versus ongoing use of the street.

Councilmember Lee moved to approve the NE 185th Street Rechannelization Project to add a center left-turn lane and bicycle lanes to NE 185th Street between Stone Avenue N and 1st Avenue NE, and to make the recommended improvements to 155th Street. Deputy Mayor Hansen seconded the motion.

Councilmember Ransom supported the 185th Street proposal east of Stone Avenue, but he raised concerns about congestion on 185th Street west of Stone Avenue and about congestion and lack of access to the Safeway parking lot on 155th Street. He suggested a second driveway into Safeway from 155th Street.

Mr. Conner said Inca Engineers suggested the proposed solution for 155th Street. He explained that the pork-chop island and curb extension on 155th Street at the intersection will force traffic into one lane eastbound on 155th Street for the first 25 feet. He said the second lane is added as a dedicated right turn into the Safeway parking lot. He noted that the City will stripe the roadway to delineate a 25-foot turn lane in and a 15-foot turn lane out.

Responding to Councilmember Lee, Mr. Deis explained the advantages of eliminating options on 155th Street of drivers turning off Aurora Avenue. He said the changes will force drivers to decide whether they are driving east or turning into Safeway.

Councilmember Lee was concerned about access to the Chevron station because it cannot be accessed legally from Aurora Avenue N.

Councilmember Grossman supported both proposals. He appreciated the effort to replace some of the parking for the church on a side street.

Responding to Councilmember Grossman's question, Mr. Deis confirmed the change to a painted island from a raised island to accommodate Chevron trucks. He noted that the City would have to preclude left turns out of Safeway to allow a left turn from Chevron onto 155th Street in order to address safety issues. He said staff eliminated the left turn from Chevron because many more drivers want to make the left turn from Safeway. He added that many gas stations in highly-urbanized areas have restricted accesses.

Councilmembers Lee and Montgomery commented on the transition from two lanes to one lane on 185th Street west of Aurora Avenue at Stone Avenue. Mr. Conner said the most important thing is to allow drivers enough time to make the necessary adjustments. He said the bus stop near Stone Avenue cannot be moved. He said the proposal includes enough distance to prevent backups onto Aurora Avenue.

Councilmember Montgomery supported the left-turn lane at Meridian Avenue. She asked about narrowing the sidewalk to allow for a right-turn lane to southbound Meridian Avenue. Mr. Conner said it is not feasible to remove the bike lane and narrow the sidewalk. He explained that sychronization of the lights and installation of a turn signal should facilitate traffic flow. He said the real solution—buying more right-of-away—can be undertaken but not in this project.

Councilmember Gustafson supported the proposed changes to 185th Street.

Deputy Mayor Hansen expressed skepticism that the proposed changes will resolve the problems on 185th Street. He said the middle turn lane will facilitate traffic flow. He expressed concern about the safety of the bicycle lanes. He said he otherwise supports the project. He supported the improvements to 155th Street. He asserted that ongoing problems on 185th Street will result in more cut-through traffic in neighborhoods.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Conner said there is slightly more traffic using 155th Street than 185th Street. He noted that the City no longer receives complaints about problems on 155th Street. He confirmed that the rechannelization of 155th Street included the addition of bicycle lanes.

Councilmember Ransom advocated that the City relocate the bus stop on eastbound 185th Street immediately east of Midvale Avenue further east. Mr. Conner agreed that this would ease traffic congestion. He reiterated that it is not possible to move the bus stop.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Conner confirmed that the proposed bicycle lanes on 185th Street would end just east of Aurora Avenue. He said the bike route on Richmond Beach Road begins west of 8th Avenue NW. He explained the intent to detour bicycles around dangerous traffic on the hill west of Aurora Avenue on Richmond Beach Road.

Mayor Jepsen reiterated the changes to the 155th Street improvements depicted in Attachment A: instead of the C curb and raised island, it is painted.

A vote was taken on the motion to approve the NE 185th Street Rechannelization Project to add a center left-turn lane and bicycle lanes to NE 185th Street between Stone Avenue N and 1st Avenue NE, and to make the recommended improvements to 155th Street. The motion carried 7-0.

(b) Parade Waiver

Deputy Mayor Hansen moved that all permit fees regarding the Briarcrest Neighborhood Fourth of July Parade on 28th NE be waived for 2000 and for future years until such time as a specific fee waiver policy is adopted by the City of Shoreline and as long as the parade is conducted in the same location and manner as in prior years. Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion.

In response to Councilmember Lee, Ms. Goebel commented that the parade was not subject to permit fees in previous years.

In response to Councilmember Lee, Mr. Deis said the permit fee for the parade did not result from a recently adopted ordinance. He noted that staff is working to develop a uniform policy for fee waivers for Council consideration. He indicated that he will research the circumstances of the parade permit fee.

Councilmember Gustafson expressed support for the motion, and he stressed the need for a uniform policy.

Deputy Mayor Hansen asserted that the motion is necessary for Council to meet its responsibility to assist Shoreline citizens.

A vote was taken on the motion, which carried 7-0.

10. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Richard Johnsen, 16730 Meridian Avenue N, commented that he supports City efforts to improve safety on 185th Street and 155th Street. He mentioned a lack of attention to the original County design of 185th Street. He noted the lack of discussion of his suggestion that the City stripe and sign 185th Street to delineate lanes for parking and traffic. He proposed that bicyclists share the lanes delineated for parking. He asked if City staff canvassed people residing on 185th Street about the impact of the elimination of parking on 185th Street.

(b) Dale Wright, 18546 Burke Avenue N, expressed his appreciation for the Council philosophy of soliciting and responding to public input.

(c) Bill Bear, 2541 NE 165th Street, noted his understanding that the North City neighborhood was largely not involved in the North City Design Charrette. He reiterated his concern about the potential number of additional residential units in the area. He stressed the need to consider other aspects of increased density besides potential increases in tax revenues.

Deputy Mayor Hansen said he had taken Mr. Johnsen’s comments earlier in the meeting into consideration. He asserted that a center turn lane will address the safety problems on 185th Street better than parking lanes.

Mayor Jepsen asserted his preference for implementing City solutions over implementing the designs the County proposed originally. Councilmember Lee noted the value of leveraging advances in traffic safety.

Mayor Jepsen stressed that he is concerned with much more than potential tax revenues in considering North City redevelopment. Mr. Deis said the North City Neighborhood Association has been, and will continue to be, extensively involved in the North City sub-area planning process.

Deputy Mayor Hansen commented that North City businesses and residents, not the City, proposed and campaigned for the North City sub-area planning process.

11. ADJOURNMENT

At 9:38 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.

 

 

__________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk