CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING

Monday, April 23, 2001

6:00 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Highlander Room

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

ABSENT: None

STAFF: Larry Bauman, Interim City Manager; Kristoff T. Bauer, Interim Assistant City Manager

The meeting convened at 6:10 p.m. with Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Hansen and Councilmembers Gustafson and Lee present.

Councilmembers discussed recent travel.

Councilmember Montgomery arrived at 6:15 p.m.

Larry Bauman, Interim City Manager, reviewed recent staff steps to resolve the Paramount Park Neighborhood Group, Inc. appeal of the Paramount School Park Improvements Project.

In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Mr. Bauman summarized the recent King County Superior Court ruling regarding the Crawford appeal of the Aegis Assisted Living project.

Councilmember Grossman arrived at 6:22 p.m.

Mr. Bauman discussed the status of the Shoreview Preservation Committee appeal of the Shoreview Park Improvements Project. He reviewed alternatives available in the event the Hearing Examiner upholds the appeal. In the event the Hearing Examiner denies the appeal, he asked how many Councilmembers could attend a groundbreaking at Shoreview Park on Friday, April 27. Several Councilmembers indicated their availability, and staff and Council designated a tentative time of 4 p.m.

Mayor Jepsen advised that he will not be able to attend the April 25 King County Brightwater Treatment Facility workshop.

Councilmember Ransom arrived at 6:35 p.m.

Mr. Bauman distributed the results of a February 2001 survey of city councilmember salaries. The survey included the comparable jurisdictions the City uses in staff salary surveys. Councilmembers discussed the comparison of Shoreline City Council salaries with those in other jurisdictions.

Councilmember Ransom suggested the creation of a citizen commission to advise on Council compensation. He discussed the King County process for setting salaries. He noted several cities not included in the survey. He advocated an increase in Council salaries and the addition of medical benefits.

Mayor Jepsen advocated either an increase in salaries to the median of those of the comparable jurisdictions or the addition of benefits, but not both.

Councilmember Grossman advocated a decrease in salaries and the addition of benefits consistent with those in the current City benefits package.

Deputy Mayor Hansen suggested that Councilmembers have the choice of an increase in salary or additional benefits.

Staff clarified that any increase in Councilmembers' salaries would not take effect until the beginning of the next elected term.

Councilmember Lee supported the addition of benefits for each Councilmember, not including family members. She agreed to a decrease in salaries if necessary to offset the addition of benefits.

Councilmember Gustafson supported some increase in Council salaries. He also supported a combination of a small increase in Council salaries with the addition of benefits for Councilmembers only (i.e., not including family members).

Councilmember Ransom asserted that higher salaries and/or additional benefits would attract more high-quality candidates for future Council positions.

Mr. Bauman committed to research: 1) the possibility of creating a new benefit option of $350 to cover the Councilmember and increasing Councilmembers' salaries to $900 per month; and 2) the alternative of Councilmembers receiving the full City employee benefit package of $550 for the entire family but no additional salary.

Deputy Mayor Hansen discussed the City of Lynnwood policy of limiting council-member expense reimbursements to a flat $3,000 per year.

Councilmembers discussed the expense of medical insurance coverage.

Mr. Bauman committed to research the potential for annual rate increases.

On another subject, Councilmember Gustafson expressed his gratitude for the monthly update that staff prepares for Council.

Councilmembers went on to discuss the progress of work on the Interurban Trail.

At 7:20 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.

 

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Kristoff Bauer, Interim Assistant City Manager