CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Monday, February 26, 2001
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 7:33 p.m. by Mayor Jepsen, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Wendy Barry, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, addressed three projects:
Councilmember Gustafson expressed his appreciation of the collaboration with community groups on the Richmond Highlands ball fields, with the School District on the Shoreline Center Activity Center and with the District and other entities on potential uses of Cedarbrook.
In response to Councilmember Ransom, Ms. Barry anticipated ground breaking for the skate park this fall. Interim City Manager Larry Bauman said Council will consider the contract for Paramount School Park improvements March 19.
Next, Mr. Bauman reviewed a memorandum from Finance Director Debbie Tarry regarding utility tax collections for year 2000. He explained that City staff has identified additional utility tax revenue of $332,890. He said the City consultant is continuing its utility tax audit.
Public Works Director Bill Conner provided an overview of City activities in response to the snowfall February 15 and 16.
Mr. Bauman proposed to cancel the March 12 Council meeting to accommodate Council participation in the National League of Cities conference and to change the March 19 Council workshop to a regular meeting, including a dinner meeting with the Shoreline Water District Commission. Council concurred with this proposal.
4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Ken Howe, 745 N 184th Street, discussed State legislation declaring Highway 99 a historic highway. He advocated City attention to a historic section of Highway 99 in Shoreline.
(b) Bill Bear, 2541 NE 165th Street, questioned the qualifications of the person the City has hired to address State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) issues and environmental research. He expressed concern about the potential use of Fircrest School for individuals deinstitutionalized from Western State. He distributed copies of the Briarcrest Neighborhood Association newsletter.
(c) Mark Hammrich, 1410 N 157th Street, questioned the City requirement that he obtain a building permit for the temporary carport he set up on his property.
Mr. Bauman said he will ask Community and Government Relations Manager Joyce Nichols to provide information to Council on the State legislation regarding Highway 99. He agreed that staff will follow up with Mr. Bear regarding his concerns.
Tim Stewart, Planning and Development Services, explained that the City building code identifies temporary carports as structures, for which owners must obtain building permits. He discussed the City code enforcement program, which begins with education and efforts to obtain voluntary compliance. He said the City has received a complaint about Mr. Hammerich's carport, and staff is seeking to resolve the issue.
Councilmember Gustafson said residents are often unaware that structures, such as storage sheds and carports, purchased at retail outlets are subject to the City building code. Mr. Bauman and Mr. Stewart suggested that the City work with stores to provide information to customers about such structures.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Montgomery moved to approve the agenda. Councilmember Lee seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, and the agenda was approved.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Montgomery moved approval of the consent calendar. Council-member Ransom seconded the motion, which carried 7-0, and the following items were approved:
Minutes of Dinner Meeting of February 12, 2001
Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 12, 2001
Approval of expenses and payroll as of February 15, 2001 in the amount of $1,756,354.92
Motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a temporary lease for Building 1144, Suite 106, in the Highland Plaza
Ordinance No. 265 adding a Utility Coordinator as a new classification to the City of Shoreline’s Classification and Compensation Plan
Ordinance No. 264 amending Ord. No. 254 (the 2001 budget) as amended, by increasing the appropriation from the General Fund balance to fund the reorganization of the Police Street Crimes Unit
8. ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
(a) Motion to authorize staff to proceed with design of Ronald Bog Subbasin Study Solution Package #1 with the following changes: addition of the ballfield/detention pond in Cromwell Park and deletion of filling the wet area north of Ronald Bog to provide continuous park space
City Engineer Chuck Purnell reviewed the staff report.
Mayor Jepsen invited public comment.
(1) Robert M. Smith, 17823 Ashworth Avenue N, participated on the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). He supported Basin Solution No. 1 as the best of the proposed alternatives. He advocated that the City address water quality at Ronald Bog in a subsequent project.
(2) Marcus Nelson, 2304 N 171st Street, resides along Corliss Avenue where the open stream channel has been proposed. He expressed safety and access concerns about the proposal to daylight the stream channel south of Ronald Bog.
(3) Lillie Lee, 2321 N 171st Street, opposed an open stream channel down Corliss Avenue.
(4) Rick Furman, 2320 N 171st Street, expressed concern that an open stream channel and standing water pose a threat to the safety of children and to public health.
(5) Norman Hall, 2138 N 171st Place, noted access, safety, health and aesthetic concerns about the proposal to daylight the stream channel south of Ronald Bog. He suggested the City open the stream north of 172nd Street and south of 171st Street and install a six-foot pipe underneath the street.
(6) Tim Crawford, 2326 N 155th Street, represented Twin Ponds Fish Friends. He said the City has not notified him about the proposed improvements even though the subject storm water crosses his property. He disputed the assertion that the recommended solution will result in no net increase in storm water flow. He said the proposed open stream channel will become fish habitat, raising issues for neighboring property owners. He questioned the role of Thornton Creek Alliance in the sub-basin study. He contrasted the City proposal to daylight the stream channel south of Ronald Bog with the City decision to permit the Aegis Assisted Living development near Twin Ponds Park.
(7) Ruth Hultengren, 2132 N 172nd Street, said City staff has been responsive to neighbors' comments and is trying to mitigate their concerns. She expressed support for the project as a potential enhancement of the neighborhood environment "if it's done right." She acknowledged the validity of neighbors' concerns.
Noting the focus of concerns on the proposal to daylight the stream channel south of Ronald Bog, Mayor Jepsen questioned this element of revised sub-basin solution number one.
Mr. Purnell explained that staff is in the planning stages. He said the proposed open channel south of Ronald Bog is the "best engineered solution" given the soil conditions and the volume of water the channel could store. He reiterated that replacement of storm water pipe south of Ronald Bog would be "difficult to permit" and cost approximately $.5 million more than the proposed open channel. He said staff currently envisions a 30-foot-wide channel, leaving room for landscaping, a road or other options. He explained that budgetary considerations precluded additional daylighting. He said Public Works would maintain the open channel south of the bog.
Councilmember Montgomery asked if staff could identify an existing open stream channel similar to the one proposed. Mr. Purnell mentioned the open channel approximately two blocks south.
Councilmember Ransom expressed concern about the dissatisfaction of residents neighboring the proposed stream channel. He asked if daylighting will raise more issues. Mr. Purnell reiterated the disadvantages of replacement of storm water pipe south of Ronald Bog.
Councilmember Gustafson asked staff to explain the difficulty of obtaining a permit for replacement of storm water pipe south of Ronald Bog. Mr. Purnell said Doug Hennick, Area Biologist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, participated on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and Mr. Hennick favored a basin solution that included environmental benefits.
Councilmember Grossman questioned the balance between storm water retention and environmental mitigation/reclamation in the Ronald Bog Drainage Study. Mr. Purnell said the open channel proposed as part of Basin Solution No. 1 is both part of the detention and part of the mitigation. He said staff must perform additional environmental analysis depending on the alternative Council chooses.
Councilmember Grossman asked about impacts to adjoining properties of daylighting a currently culverted system. Mr. Stewart said a change in the means of conveyance could create a regulatory change (e.g., properties adjoining an open channel used by fish could be subject to additional setback requirements). He explained that the Shoreline Development Code provides an exception to buffer requirements for intentionally-created streams. He acknowledged environmentalists' arguments that buffers should not be reduced.
Councilmember Gustafson commented that the stream classification currently underway by the City is "a key piece in the planning of this particular piece of property." He supported the construction of a new storm water system along NE Serpentine Place and the replacement pump. He asserted that stream classification and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) "are really going to come into play." He advocated clarification of the impacts of these issues on this project and the adjoining property owners.
In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Mr. Stewart said the City is currently conducting the biological analysis that represents the first step in a fair classification of streams. Study results should be available by the end of this year. He explained that stream classifications and watershed plans will follow. He agreed that stream classification will significantly affect the Ronald Bog Drainage Improvements Project.
Mayor Jepsen supported the staff recommendation with the following caveats: 1) in light of public comments in favor of replacing the storm water pipe south of Ronald Bog, staff should investigate the permitting, costs and flooding impacts of this option; 2) staff should investigate the design of an open stream channel south of Ronald Bog, the impacts on access and the issues of stream classification; and 3) staff should determine if the improvements north of Ronald Bog would be sufficient to prevent flooding in the vicinity of Ronald Bog (i.e., whether the City could do nothing south of Ronald Bog).
Councilmember Lee asked if other options would mitigate flooding and make opening the stream channel south of Ronald Bog unnecessary. Mr. Purnell said "the key to this project is having either an open channel or an enclosed system" south of Ronald Bog to provide drainage at a lower elevation.
In response to Mayor Jepsen, Mr. Purnell said staff inquired with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) about expanding and using the retention area north of 175th Street west of Interstate 5. WSDOT advised that regulations preclude further expansion of the area.
Councilmember Grossman said the Ronald Bog Drainage Improvements Project represents a precedent for how the City will balance environmental issues, community needs and existing homes. He asserted that Council supports daylighting, assuming that it does not adversely affect neighboring property owners. He commented that this position reflects the community at large.
Councilmember Gustafson supported Basin Solution No. 1 with the changes recommended by staff and the caveats identified by Mayor Jepsen.
In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Mr. Purnell described the ball field/detention pond proposed for Cromwell Park as a sand-based all-purpose soccer field surrounded by manicured lawn berms. He said it would include a drainage structure from which storm water would pond during times of high flow. He explained that this water would flow back into the Meridian Avenue drainage system.
In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Mr. Purnell confirmed that the enhanced wetlands proposed for Cromwell Park would be "a little bit larger" but look similar to those already there.
In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Purnell said permitting for the Ronald Bog Drainage Improvements Project will involve the City and State and federal agencies. He confirmed that the permitting difficulty for replacement of storm water pipe south of Ronald Bog lies with federal agencies.
In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Purnell said staff deleted the proposal to fill the wet area north of Ronald Bog in response to input from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee and to minimize the number of wetlands affected by the project.
Deputy Mayor Hansen asked if the City has performed a biological assessment of Ronald Bog. Mr. Purnell said staff has performed sufficient biological analysis to undertake the permitting process. Russ Gaston, consultant with Otak, confirmed the presence of fish species in Ronald Bog. He said the water quality testing that Otak performed did not determine whether Ronald Bog was "within the parameters of Coho salmon."
In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Purnell said staff participated in a January 25 meeting of the residents of the neighborhood south of Ronald Bog. Councilmember Ransom asked if investigation of the three options for improvements south of Ronald Bog will address the neighborhood residents' concerns. Mr. Purnell commented that concerns focused on the proposal to daylight the stream channel along Corliss Avenue.
Mayor Jepsen asserted Council support of modified Basin Solution No. 1 with the understanding that staff will investigate the following three options for improvements south of Ronald Bog: 1) replacement of storm water pipe; 2) daylighting the stream channel; and 3) doing nothing. Mr. Bauman said staff will report to Council on these options as part of its final design review.
(b) Ordinance No. 262, a reclassification of property located at 1315 N 185th Street and 18336 Stone Avenue N (File No. 2000-001800)
Mr. Stewart briefly reviewed the staff report. He mentioned that staff is working to address inconsistencies between the Comprehensive Plan and the current zoning ordinance for 864 parcels in Shoreline. He said the Planning Commission will consider this issue March 15.
Councilmember Ransom moved to adopt Ordinance No. 262, amending the City's zoning map to change the zoning of property located at 1315 N 185th Street and 18336 Stone Avenue N from R-6 to R-8. Deputy Mayor Hansen seconded the motion.
In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Stewart confirmed that the applicant is still seeking an R-12 designation for the property. He identified the following arguments for an R-12 designation: 1) R-12 is consistent with the zoning ordinance; and 2) the inclusion of two access points, one on 185th Street and one on Stone Avenue, justify the higher density. He said the argument for an R-8 designation is that R-12 would be too dense and inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood.
In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Stewart referred to the zoning map on page 68 of the Council packet to explain that other properties recently reclassified to R-8 are located on Stone Avenue approximately one block south of the subject property.
Councilmember Montgomery asserted the appropriateness of an R-12 designation for the site at 1315 N 185th Street. She said an R-12 designation seems in keeping with the neighborhood. She mentioned a site east of the subject property posted with a notice of proposed land-use action. She noted the proximity of bus lines and businesses. She expressed confusion at the dialogue of the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Lee mentioned the letters from citizens residing near the subject property. She said she could support an R-12 designation for the property at 1315 N 185th Street but not for the property at 18336 Stone Avenue N because of the homes to the south. She agreed with the comments of the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Grossman supported Councilmember Montgomery's comments. He asserted the purpose of the comprehensive planning process to determine locations for greater density. He said "all of the urban planning reasons" make 185th Street a logical place to locate high density. He acknowledged concerns about adjacent homes, but he stressed that nothing will happen with the subject property for another 60 years after redevelopment. He said "ratcheting back on a project like this" is inconsistent with the intention of the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Montgomery agreed.
Councilmember Ransom said residents of the neighborhood have frequently stated that an R-8 designation is reasonable for properties on the east side of Stone Avenue N. He advocated that Council follow the Planning Commission recommendation to reclassify the subject properties to R-8.
Councilmember Gustafson supported Councilmember Ransom's comments. He said he does not support a hurried effort to satisfy the housing target of the Growth Management Act (GMA). He advocated slow growth. He expressed support for the motion.
Deputy Mayor Hansen supported an R-8 designation for the subject properties. He explained that he does not want "to get out in front of the Planning Commission and the review of the Comprehensive Plan." He said a higher-density designation will commit the surrounding area to a higher density, and the City has not yet resolved the question of whether to do that.
A vote was taken on the motion to adopt Ordinance No. 262, amending the City's zoning map to change the zoning of property located at 1315 N 185th Street and 18336 Stone Avenue N from R-6 to R-8. The motion carried 5-2, with Councilmembers Grossman and Montgomery dissenting.
9. NEW BUSINESS
(a) Discussion of lease alternatives related to the City's West Side Police Storefront
Mr. Conner briefly reviewed the staff report.
Mayor Jepsen confirmed Council consensus in support of the recommendation to negotiate the lease for new space in the Richmond Beach Shopping Center for the West Side Police Neighborhood Center.
10. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Tim Crawford, 2326 N 155th Street, complimented Council for explaining the potential outcomes of the Ronald Bog Drainage Improvements Project to the residents neighboring the proposed stream channel. Asserting that replacement of storm water pipe south of Ronald Bog is illegal, he advocated City leadership in favor of daylighting the stream channel south of Ronald Bog.
MEETING EXTENSION
At 9:50 p.m., Deputy Mayor Hansen moved to extend the meeting until 11 p.m. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 6-1, with Councilmember Lee dissenting.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:51 p.m., Mayor Jepsen announced that Council would recess into executive session for one hour to address one item of personnel and one item of potential litigation.
At 10:55 p.m., the executive session concluded, and the regular meeting reconvened.
12. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:56 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.
______________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk