CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
SUMMARY MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING
Monday, October 23, 2000
6:00 p.m.
Shoreline Conference Center
Highlander Room
PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Hansen, Councilmembers Grossman, Gustafson, Lee and Ransom
ABSENT: Councilmember Montgomery
STAFF: Robert Deis, City Manager; Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager; Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager
GUESTS: State Representative Carolyn Edmonds; King County Councilmember Maggi Fimia
The meeting convened at 6:20 p.m.
Mayor Jepsen began the meeting by providing background on Council discussion of the transit-oriented development (TOD) project at the Shoreline Park and Ride (SPR). He explained that he invited County Councilmember Maggi Fimia to the dinner meeting after an earlier discussion with her. He said the City invited State Representative Carolyn Edmonds to represent the State.
County Councilmember Fimia said she developed a budget proviso calling for a steering committee process for the SPR TOD because the City, County and State share responsibility for the project. She advocated primary involvement of elected officials with support from staff. She said her office needs to have a role in the project if there are going to be County funds associated with it. She asked who will finalize the project master plan. She asserted the need for a project advocate on the County Council.
Councilmember Lee asked why the County Council would not support the project. County Councilmember Fimia commented that the project will involve "a thousand details" and that these details must be presented to the County Council.
City Manager Robert Deis explained that the State owns the property, that the County operates it and that it is important to include the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) "at the table."
Councilmember Lee asserted her understanding that the County was also being kept involved.
County Councilmember Fimia said County Executive Ron Sims was involved in the project but the County Council was not. She said her office had been "closed out of the loop." She asserted her perception that the Puget Sound Learning Center (PSLC) was not being courted sufficiently and that WSDOT was not involved.
Mr. Deis said staff has informed Maureen Sullivan, WSDOT Seattle/North King County Area Administrator, of every step in the process. He explained the role of the City to involve all of the stakeholders. He said City staff were to develop the details of the project with all of the stakeholders and present draft proposals to City Council for final decisions.
County Councilmember Fimia asserted that the project has been too staff driven. She expressed discomfort with this approach.
Councilmember Gustafson said he is comfortable with the level of staff involvement. He said he objected to County Councilmember Fimia's proposal that a steering committee direct the project.
County Councilmember Fimia said she had not intended the steering committee to make day-to-day decisions. Rather, she anticipated that the committee would meet every two to three months. She said she does not envision the County or the City taking the lead in the project at this time.
Deputy Mayor Hansen said City Council has directed the level and approach of staff involvement. He asserted that PSLC staff have been kept informed about the project.
Councilmember Lee identified economic development as a key aspect of the project. She questioned County Councilmember Fimia about the deliverables of the steering committee.
Councilmember Grossman acknowledged that staff will oversee day-to-day project development. He asserted the need to involve all of the partners in the project.
Mr. Deis said the question is not whether all elected officials and the WSDOT should be involved in the project but the roles that they should play. Noting the magnitude and complexity of the project, he asserted the need for one project manager and for a methodical process. He said the budget proviso that County Councilmember Fimia proposed assigns direction and control of the project to the steering committee.
County Councilmember Fimia said it is not fair for her to be involved at the same level as other stakeholders.
Mayor Jepsen identified the differences in the forms of government as a key issue. He said project approval requires full support of the elected officials at the County and State levels. He noted that the City Council is not a full-time body, and he explained that Council depends on information from City staff to develop its policies. He stressed the importance of clear direction to staff. He asserted the responsibility of staff to check in with elected officials. He suggested a system to facilitate the close communication among staff of all agencies.
Mr. Deis said it is the responsibility of City staff to keep County Councilmember Fimia and her staff completely informed.
County Councilmember Fimia expressed concern about the leverage she would have with the project in such a system. She said she does not want to learn about problems "after the fact."
Councilmember Grossman said the City is proposing to keep County Councilmember Fimia's staff constantly informed. He asserted that problems would be identified immediately in such a system.
County Councilmember Fimia proposed that City Council schedule quarterly updates including her, the County Executive and the State. Mayor Jepsen supported this proposal. County Councilmember Fimia commented that Jim Metz would represent her. She said she would feel satisfied with all other elected officials in the City Council briefings.
Councilmember Lee identified inclusiveness as one of the City Council's values.
Mayor Jepsen recommended that staff meet to develop a timeline for briefings. He requested that County Councilmember Fimia not propose any additional budget provisos. He said he was shocked when he first learned of the proviso regarding the SPR TOD.
County Councilmember Fimia went on to address the proposal for Interstate 5 access ramps for the Shoreline Transfer Station. She said she does not want any construction without an analysis of the alternatives.
Mayor Jepsen asked if the project would need to be delayed another year to perform such analysis.
Mr. Deis asked if the County performed an analysis of alternatives in 1994.
Councilmember Lee asked how the City can feel assured that the funds will be available to move the project forward. She requested assurance that the analysis can be performed promptly.
Councilmember Gustafson commented that all seven City Councilmembers support construction of the Interstate access ramps.
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
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Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager