CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Monday, April 9, 2001
7:30 p.m.
Shoreline Conference Center
Mt. Rainier Room
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Hansen, Councilmembers Grossman, Gustafson, Montgomery and Ransom
ABSENT: Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Lee
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Deputy Mayor Hansen, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exceptions of Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Lee.
Upon motion by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Montgomery and unanimously carried, Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Lee were excused.
(a) Proclamation of "Volunteer Week"
Eric Swansen, Senior Management Analyst, reminded Council of the Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on April 19 at 7:30 a.m. at the Shoreline Center. He noted that 173 volunteers donated over 5,300 hours of service to the City in 2000. Deputy Mayor Hansen proclaimed the week of April 15 "Volunteer Week" in Shoreline.
3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER
Interim Assistant City Manager Kristoff Bauer updated Council on the Citywide transition to Waste Management as Shoreline’s solid waste service provider. He noted some customer service issues and described Waste Management’s efforts to address them. He said a mailer is going out with information that people have been requesting about rates and service options.
4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Janet Way, 940 NE 147th Street, informed the Council that the Paramount Park Neighborhood Group is submitting two grants to do further wetland and creek habitat restoration near Paramount Park.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Montgomery moved approval of the agenda. Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, and the agenda was approved.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Ransom moved to approve the consent calendar. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 5-0, and the following items were approved:
Minutes of Workshop of March 5, 2001
Minutes of Special Meeting of March 16, 2001
Minutes of Special Meeting of March 19, 2001
Approval of expenses and payroll as of March 16, 2001 in the amount of $1,037,118.66 and as of March 30, 2001 in the amount of $1,108,748.61
Motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a lease with M.L. Davies Investment Company for office space in the Richmond Beach Shopping Center
Motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a settlement agreement with Rabanco (Allied Waste)
(a) Motion to appoint four new regular members and one alternate member to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee
Councilmember Ransom explained that he and Councilmember Gustafson acted as a Council subcommittee. They interviewed seven of the eleven applicants for the vacancies on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee. He said all four of the incumbents whose terms expired applied for reappointment. Three of them are recommended for reappointment, as is the current alternate member. Councilmember Ransom provided information on the background and accomplishments of these individuals.
Councilmember Ransom moved to reappoint the following individuals to four year terms on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee: Carolyn Ballo, Herb Bryce, William Clements and Dwight Stevens; and to appoint Michael Broili for a two-year term as alternate. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion.
Councilmember Gustafson commented on the outstanding qualifications of all the candidates and on the difficulty of the decision. He noted that the selections represent geographic diversity and will serve the City well.
Councilmember Ransom commented that the recommendations were discussed with Mayor Jepsen, who concurs in the selection. He commented that the subcommittee received input from three other Councilmembers and from some of the Committee members. He concluded by thanking Janet Way for her service on the Committee.
A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously; and Carolyn Ballo, Herb Bryce, William Clements and Dwight Stevens were appointed to four-year terms and Michael Broili was appointed to the two-year alternate position on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee.
Deputy Mayor Hansen confirmed the appointments and congratulated the individuals, who were introduced from the audience.
(b) Motion to authorize the Mayor to execute an employment contract with Steven C. Burkett to serve as the City Manager
Councilmember Montgomery moved to authorize the Mayor to execute an employment contract with Steven C. Burkett to serve as the City Manager. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion.
Councilmember Ransom noted he had suggested some minor changes to the contract, but the Council as a whole did not feel they were necessary.
Councilmember Grossman added that Councilmembers have individually reviewed the contract several times as it was being drafted.
Deputy Mayor Hansen called for public comment.
(1) Herb Bryce, speaking as President of the Shoreline School Board, extended a welcome to the new City Manager and said the School Board looks forward to working with him.
A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously; and the Mayor was authorized to execute an employment contract with Steven C. Burkett as the new City Manager.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(a) Status Report on Landscape and Urban Design Elements for the Aurora Corridor Project
Anne Tonella-Howe, Aurora Corridor Project Manager, described the four planting and paving concepts for the Aurora Corridor contained in the Council packet on page 44: basic treatment, green treatment, urban treatment and enhanced treatment. She concluded with the staff recommendation to use either the green or enhanced treatment combined with the urban treatment in areas of high pedestrian use.
Next, Ms. Tonella-Howe referred to the tree matrix and identified those trees staff recommends to provide a progression of colors along the Corridor. Accent trees would be used behind the sidewalks in areas where space allows and at bus stops. In conclusion, Ms. Tonella-Howe explained how tree survival will be ensured and the infrastructure protected from tree roots.
Continuing, she outlined the steps in the Aurora Corridor project. She said the quest for funding is on going, although the first phase is fully funded. Surveying and mapping is completed, but the preliminary engineering has "slipped a little." She explained that a value engineering study is part of the preliminary engineering. It should start in June or July. The results of this study will confirm the design of the project or indicate the need for some re-design. She also pointed out the "critical interdependencies" in the project, meaning that if certain reviews and approvals do not occur as scheduled, the rest of the project schedule is affected. Environmental review could take between six months and a year. Approval of the environmental process is required before the appraisal negotiation process can begin.
Regarding utility undergrounding, Ms. Tonella-Howe said a kick-off meeting with all the utilities has occurred. Staff hopes to meet individually with these companies during the next three weeks. The utilities will be asked to generate designs of their preferred underground system or to identify areas where improvements are expected to already- undergrounded facilities.
Ms. Tonella-Howe said "it doesn’t make much sense to get too much into final design" until the value engineering study is completed and the environmental process has been approved. She concluded that an appraisal firm will be brought on board to help determine land values. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must approve the right-of-way plan before the City can start acquiring right-of-way for the project. Once the right-of-way is all purchased, WSDOT will obligate the funding for construction.
Deputy Mayor Hansen called for public comment.
(1) Janet Way, 940 NE 147th Street, recommended that staff carefully consider drainage. She said the Thornton Creek Watershed Management Committee views Aurora Avenue as a contributor to stormwater problems in Thornton Creek. She also commented that the selection of street trees did not include any native species.
Councilmember Grossman liked the approach of having shrubs and groundcover in the amenity zone, both for safety and aesthetics reasons. He supported a good value engineering study in order to ensure that we "get the most bang for our buck."
Responding to Councilmember Grossman, Ms. Tonella-Howe said a fairly detailed analysis of drainage issues is done in the environmental review. For this phase of the project, staff is looking at the Boeing Creek Basin.
Councilmember Grossman asked if there will be any opportunities for using the planting strip for biofiltration. Ms. Tonella-Howe responded that this could be a possibility, but it has not been closely explored. Instead, staff is looking at the potential of using other open space, particularly the green space in the Westminster Triangle.
Councilmember Grossman asked Ms. Tonella-Howe to comment on the use of native species, and Councilmember Gustafson asked for assurances that there will be no problems with tree roots in the future.
Ms. Tonella-Howe introduced Jim Howard, one of the project’s landscape consultants, who responded that certain native species would be appropriate as accent trees. He explained that the project will use state-of-the-art methodology regarding street trees in urban areas. He said native trees do not lend themselves to being street trees, but native species could be considered for shrubs and groundcover. He said that generally once the trees are established, they will live without irrigation. Drought-tolerant shrubs and groundcover could also be selected so that after two or three years, the irrigation system could be turned off.
Councilmember Montgomery said her priorities in tree selection are appropriate root systems and the colors produced.
Councilmember Ransom requested clarification of the continuous soil trench diagram on page 47 of the Council packet. He commented that 30-foot tall trees would seem to him to need a root system that penetrates deeper than 30 inches into the ground or one that spreads out more than indicated in the drawings. Mr. Howard said soil testing will be done of the subgrade soil to determine its ability to support root growth. The subgrade soil will provide additional soil volume to support the trees.
Councilmember Ransom also asked about visibility of businesses through the trees. Ms. Tonella-Howe said that the trees will be an average of 40 feet apart. There is a good chance that some properties will not have any trees in front of them. In addition, the trees will be limbed up to a height of 14 or 15 feet so that people can see under them. There is no intent to block signage. The City will work closely with businesses that have signing across building faces when considering tree placement.
Councilmember Ransom pointed out that it appears that maintenance costs are similar for the basic treatment and for the green treatment. He felt that maintaining the plantings would appreciably increase costs. He wanted to be sure enough money is allocated for adequate maintenance of the landscaping. He concluded that the selection of the upper end of the special paving in the urban treatment has a huge cost impact.
Mr. Howard agreed that special paving materials are expensive. He also agreed the operation and maintenance costs are fairly similar in all the treatments.
Larry Bauman, Interim City Manager, pointed out that the median cost is included in the cost estimates. This is the most intensely planted and the most expensive part of the design and it is included in all four options.
Councilmember Gustafson said he supports the staff recommendation to combine the green treatment and the urban treatment. He felt the City should be conservative, but the project should "look nice."
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, Ms. Tonella-Howe reiterated that to her knowledge none of this project drains into Thornton Creek. Councilmember Gustafson pointed out that this project will increase the pervious surface versus the impervious surface, which will enhance drainage by retaining more water naturally.
Deputy Mayor Hansen reported that Mayor Jepsen supported the staff recommendation, as he does. He concurred with Councilmember Montgomery that the priorities for tree selection should be coloration and root system. He suggested that staff consider connecting the irrigation systems to retained water rather than potable water.
Councilmember Ransom also supported the staff recommendation. He reiterated his concern about the special paving, which could cost an extra million dollars per mile. He wanted the paving to look nice and be porous, but not be chosen from the high-end materials.
Councilmember Montgomery felt the basic plan is too stark. She noted the importance of this project and said it should be something Shoreline can be proud of for years to come.
Councilmember Grossman pointed out that the value engineering study will deal with the treatment of urban borders as well as other aspects of the project and will look at a range of options.
Councilmember Gustafson reiterated the importance of having good figures on maintenance costs.
Deputy Mayor Hansen summarized Council support for the staff recommendation.
10. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Richard Johnsen, 16730 Meridian Ave. N., spoke on several topics, including the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee, the neighborhood clean-up of Meridian Park blackberries and undergrowth, and the Aurora Corridor.
(b) Brian Bodenbach, Woodinville, explained the function of pervious pavement in allowing the exchange of oxygen between the atmosphere and tree roots. He supported the enhanced treatment for the Aurora Corridor. He added that in his opinion part of the Thornton Creek watershed "pierces up" into the area around 145th Street. He concluded by commending Janet Way as a very knowledgeable advocate for the environment.
Deputy Mayor Hansen thanked Ms. Way for her service on the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee and for what her group is doing in the area around Paramount Park.
11. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:13 p.m., Deputy Mayor Hansen declared the meeting adjourned.
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Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk