CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING

Monday, May 7, 2001

6:30 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 6:34 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 Montgomery, who arrived later in the meeting.

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND FUTURE AGENDAS

Mayor Jepsen welcomed City Manager Steve Burkett.

Mr. Burkett requested that Council consider the "Capital Improvement Program Quarterly Update" as the first workshop item. Council later concurred.

Mr. Burkett mentioned that the West Police Neighborhood Center has moved three storefronts east and that the police department has hired a new officer for the neighborhood center.

Finally, Mr. Burkett distributed photographs of the April 27, 2001 groundbreaking of the Shoreview Park Improvements Project.

Mayor Jepsen thanked Larry Bauman for his service as Interim City Manager.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Ransom said the recent meeting of the King County Jail Advisory Committee concerned ongoing increases in jail populations. He said County staff proposes cuts in services and increases in fees to contract cities to address increasing costs. He suggested that the Suburban Cities Association meet to discuss priorities and alternatives.

Councilmember Lee said she attended the Asia Pacific Cities Summit, a meeting of business, government and education representatives from approximately 90 cities. She noted information and technology as the theme of the summit with a focus on improving communities through economic development and e-government. She suggested that Council review the City’s progress in these areas.

Councilmember Gustafson suggested consideration at a future Council workshop of developments with Water Resource Inventory Area 8 (WRIA 8) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of Puget Sound salmon species.

Mayor Jepsen reported that the King County Council will hold a public hearing May 14 regarding the Brightwater Facilities. He said the County Council intends to adopt an ordinance designating seven sites for consideration and establishing the siting criteria for use in the evaluation process. He noted that the criteria returned to the Siting Advisory Committee from the County Council had changed from that the Siting Advisory Committee had recommended. He suggested a Council letter to County Councilmember Maggi Fimia stating its support for the language originally recommended by the Siting Advisory Committee. Councilmembers Grossman, Ransom and Gustafson concurred.

Next, Mayor Jepsen noted his participation earlier in the day in a meeting of the north end mayors group. He said the group continues to discuss how to replace the Human Services Roundtable.

Councilmember Montgomery arrived at 6:48 p.m.

Finally, Mayor Jepsen said the County has issued the solid waste management plan. He mentioned issues of importance to Shoreline, including Interstate 5 access to the transfer station located at 1st Avenue NE. He noted that Kristoff Bauer, Assistant to the City Manager, will represent the City at a meeting about the plan requested by Renton City Councilmember Kathy Keolker-Wheeler.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT: None

6. WORKSHOP ITEMS

(c) Capital Improvement Program Quarterly Update

Public Works Director Bill Conner reviewed the staff report. He described the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project management process, including project milestones (study, pre-design, design, right-of-way [ROW], permits, construction and maintenance), process milestones (Council, public and environmental processes) and variable factors (e.g., contract process, construction and design market, agency input and emerging issues).

Mr. Conner went on to discuss previous staff commitments regarding nine priority CIP projects—Aurora Corridor; Interurban Trail; North City Sub-Area; Shoreview Park; Paramount Park; Shoreline Pool; Recreation Center; Ronald Bog Study and 3rd Avenue NW Drainage—and the current status of the projects.

Councilmember Ransom said some Councilmembers were concerned previously that staff was overly optimistic about project schedules. He asked whether staff is "comfortable" that the City will meet the revised project schedules. Mr. Conner said he is comfortable with the revised project schedules.

Mr. Burkett noted that Councilmembers have asserted the importance of the CIP during his meetings with them. He acknowledged the value of realistic project schedules—including best, most-likely and worst-case scenarios—and quarterly project updates to Council.

Noting that many of the CIP projects are controversial, Deputy Mayor Hansen said the City is doing well. He commented that problems are inevitable, especially with controversial projects. He stressed the importance of informing Council of such problems as they arise. Councilmembers Gustafson and Montgomery agreed.

In response to Councilmember Gustafson, Mr. Conner explained the construction schedule for the Shoreview Park Improvements Project. Regarding the nine priority CIP projects, he said the City has the staff and ability to accomplish the projects.

Councilmember Gustafson expressed concern with the statement in the staff report that "staff took longer than planned to obtain a building permit" (page 46) for the Shoreline Pool Improvement Project. Mr. Conner said he underestimated the amount of time necessary to obtain the permit.

Councilmember Gustafson asked about ROW negotiations with Seattle City Light (SCL) for the Interurban Trail Project. Mr. Conner anticipated that staff will achieve an agreement with SCL before May 29. Mr. Burkett discussed the difficulties of CIP projects involving other jurisdictions and strategies for addressing such difficulties.

Councilmember Ransom asserted the public’s need to see visible progress. He said the City is doing well, in comparison to the performance of King County in the Shoreline area before the City incorporated and compared with other jurisdictions. He commended staff for the progress it has made.

Mayor Jepsen acknowledged the variable factors outside City control in some of the CIP projects. He stated that the Shoreline Pool, Shoreview Park and Paramount Park projects are within City control. He asserted the need to recognize the delays in these projects and to learn from the delays. He expressed hope that staff will recognize that the Ronald Bog and 3rd Avenue NW drainage projects will involve other large agencies outside City control and anticipate how to proceed. He asked what the City is going to do to reach an agreement with SCL about the Interurban ROW and to address the Aurora Corridor Channelization Plan with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). He asserted that the City must be more aggressive and strategic. He advocated realism and progress.

Mr. Conner discussed five key steps necessary to reach the design phase of the Aurora Corridor Project:

He went on to review the timeline for final design, ROW acquisition and construction for the project (page 63 of the Council packet).

In response to Mayor Jepsen, Mr. Conner explained that the City will reach the final design phase of the Aurora Corridor Project (which will include the preparation of bid documents) via the Council-approved design contract.

Mayor Jepsen said he does not want the City to succumb to a time-consuming, bureaucratic process. He asserted that the City can do much better than to imitate other governments. He advocated that the City "replicate the private-sector attitude."

Councilmember Lee agreed. She stressed the need to insure that the City executes projects well and within budget.

Councilmember Grossman expressed concern about the difficulty of obtaining a building permit for the Shoreline Pool Improvement Project. He noted that Planning and Development Services Director Tim Stewart reported to Council last year about efforts to improve the permit review process, and he advocated that Council revisit those issues. He asserted the need to be well coordinated and responsive to public and private customers.

Deputy Mayor Hansen advocated that the City proceed with projects as quickly as possible, but he said it is even more important to "do things right." He asserted the need to understand that "outside forces" will sometimes alter expectations.

Noting the length of time necessary to build the Richmond Beach Library and the Little League field at Shoreview Park, Councilmember Ransom warned of potential delays in the Aurora Corridor Project. He said community groups are meeting with the WSDOT and the FHWA to try to appeal City plans. He advocated careful attention to the planning process. He asserted the likelihood of an appeal given the amount of interest in the project.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Conner anticipated that staff will begin the ROW acquisition process for the Aurora Corridor Project August 30. He reported that the City will not need to acquire and demolish any buildings in the first phase of the Aurora Corridor Project. He noted the need for façade work on several buildings, but he said this will not necessitate any business closures. He explained that the Channelization Plan, which the City has submitted to WSDOT for approval, establishes the outer limits of the project and indicates no need to acquire and demolish buildings.

In response to Deputy Mayor Hansen, Mr. Conner confirmed that progress toward the design phase of the Aurora Corridor Project is dependent upon WSDOT approval of the Channelization Plan.

(a) 2000 Fourth Quarter Financial Report

Finance Director Debra Tarry reviewed the staff report.

Ms. Tarry corrected an error in the first sentence of the last paragraph on page two of the Council packet: "The Surface Water Capital Fund had revenues of $1,284,589, which were $179,589 under over projected revenues. . . ."

Ms. Tarry said the 2000 General Fund ending fund balance exceeded earlier staff projections by approximately $1.4 million. She explained that staff will request that a little more than $590,000 of this amount be carried forward into 2001 to complete projects initiated, but not completed, in 2000.

In response to Councilmember Lee, Ms. Tarry explained that staff budgeted $75,000 in 1999 and in 2000 as an anticipated annual payment to SCL for street lighting. She said staff will establish these amounts as a reserved portion of the fund balance for future use.

Councilmember Ransom questioned the future outlook for the City budget. He asked about retail sales tax and sales tax equalization in particular. He noted that: 1) retail sales tax revenues are projected to be "somewhat less" than in the past; 2) State legislators have indicated the possible elimination of sales tax equalization revenue after the next biennium; 3) gambling tax revenues are likely to level off or decline; and 4) the State Republican party has endorsed a proposed ballot initiative to limit annual property tax increases to one percent.

Mr. Burkett acknowledged the sensitivity of many City revenues to economic and political forces. He said the consideration of the long-term financial outlook is an important staff responsibility.

Ms. Tarry said staff will likely estimate a more conservative growth rate for future retail sales tax revenues. (She mentioned that the City’s most recent collection, representing February sales tax revenues, is the first that represents a decline from revenues over the same period the previous year.) She explained that staff had projected that "I-695 backfill monies" would decrease over time.

Mayor Jepsen suggested the following discussion topics for the Council budget retreat this summer: the revenue growth that Council wants to anticipate; and what to do with the ending fund balance.

Deputy Mayor Hansen acknowledged the larger-than-projected 2000 General Fund ending fund balance. He asserted that even the 2000 Fourth Quarter Financial Report is conservative (e.g., he pointed out that staff excluded $500,000 in December sales tax revenues for accounting reasons). He commented that sales tax revenue continues to increase. Referring to current proposals before the State Legislature, he said the City should receive approximately $1.2 million from the State during the next two years. He pointed out that the City would receive an additional $460,000 under Governor Gary Locke’s proposed budget.

Continuing, Deputy Mayor Hansen said the City received approximately $1 million in local sales tax revenue and $4 million in sales tax equalization revenue in 1995. Projecting that the City will receive $5 million in local sales tax revenue this year, he commented that "the City could run out of the equalization formula" within one or two years. He favored this possibility, noting that the City would be much less dependent on the State and able to look forward to revenue growth for use on other projects. He pointed out that utility tax collections are larger than projected. Finally, he stated that he is "nothing but encouraged" by the report.

(b) Shoreline Park and Ride TOD Roles and Responsibilities

Planning Manager Kirk McKinley reviewed the staff report, including the draft attachments.

Mayor Jepsen recommended that Attachment A include a schedule. He said Attachment D could serve this need, except that it ends with June 29. Mr. McKinley said staff is working with the consultants to develop a schedule for Phase Two and Phase Three of the project. He mentioned difficulty obtaining a response from the State to be able to proceed to the second and third phases.

Mayor Jepsen suggested an addition to item 7 to state "and should be incorporated into King County Metro’s Six-Year Plan."

Continuing, Mayor Jepsen acknowledged County Councilmember Fimia’s strong support for Attachment F. He reiterated his ambivalence about it. He expressed confusion about the final paragraph of the letter, and he recommended deleting it in favor of the continuation of stakeholder meetings in conjunction with Shoreline City Council meetings. He also recommended the inclusion of the project schedule as an attachment to the letter.

Referring to Attachment F, Deputy Mayor Hansen favored the deletion of the final paragraph. He advocated that staff chair the meetings. He went on to suggest the revision of item 1 in Attachment C to read, "The project should be mixed use. Housing should could be a component of the project."

Councilmember Gustafson supported the revision of item 1 in Attachment C to read that "Housing should could be a component of the project." Regarding item 3, he said the examples listed reflect the issues that citizens raised at the public hearing concerning the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project. He favored the deletion of language in the last paragraph of Attachment F that requires rotation of responsibilities for facilitating stakeholder meetings.

In response to Mr. McKinley, there was Council consensus to delete the last paragraph of Attachment F.

Councilmember Ransom advocated the addition of County Executive Ron Sims as a signatory to Attachment F. He also recommended better representation in Attachment C of the intent of the project to increase the number of parking stalls and of the objective to include retail sales uses.

Mayor Jepsen asserted that mixed use and shared parking are goals of the project. He noted that these will necessitate compliance with parking requirements.

Councilmember Grossman said County Councilmember Fimia, WSDOT Area Administrator Maureen Sullivan and State Representative Carolyn Edmonds stated that, at a minimum, current parking capacity at the site should be maintained. He noted County and State efforts to identify funding to increase the parking capacity of the Shoreline Park and Ride.

Councilmember Ransom asserted the need for increased park and ride capacity as well as increased parking to serve new uses.

Councilmember Lee asserted that item 2 in Attachment C states the need for additional park and ride capacity. She said increased parking to serve new uses is a matter of course not a guiding principle, which Attachment C is meant to address. Councilmember Gustafson agreed.

Councilmember Grossman supported increased park and ride capacity; however, he expressed concern about requiring it at the Shoreline Park and Ride. He mentioned potential development of increased park and ride capacity at the Aurora Village Transit Center as an alternative.

In response to Councilmember Montgomery, Councilmember Ransom agreed that he favors the revision of the first sentence of item 2 in Attachment C to read "The park and ride function should remain be enhanced." Mayor Jepsen supported this revision. He said he opposes the required growth of the park and ride, given that the type and continuation of service by King County Metro is uncertain; whereas, "enhanced" could mean many things (e.g., more parking, better pedestrian access). Councilmembers Gustafson and Lee also supported the revision.

Councilmember Montgomery expressed concern about requiring additional park and ride capacity at the Shoreline Park and Ride given the uncertainty about future uses at the site.

Noting that the Shoreline Park and Ride was "overflowing" earlier in the day, Deputy Mayor Hansen supported the addition of more parking at the site. He asserted that item 2 in Attachment C adequately addresses this issue as written.

There was Council consensus to revise item 2 in Attachment C to read "The park and ride function should remain be enhanced."

Councilmember Grossman favored the retention of housing as an explicit goal of the project (Attachment C, item 1). He expressed concern about how to fund such housing (e.g., the feasibility of market-rate housing over structured parking), but he asserted its importance to "tie (the project) into the neighborhood."

Mayor Jepsen summarized that Attachment A is acceptable as written. He clarified that he and Councilmembers Grossman, Lee and Ransom favor the current wording of item 1 of Attachment C (i.e., "Housing should be a component of the project"). He reiterated Council consensus to revise item 2 to read "The park and ride function should remain be enhanced." He confirmed Council support to revise item 7 to add "and should be incorporated into King County Metro’s Six-Year Plan."

Continuing, Mayor Jepsen noted Council support to extend the schedule of Attachment D beyond June 29 and to eliminate the last paragraph of Attachment F. Mayor Jepsen confirmed Council consensus in support of adding the Office of the King County Executive as a signatory to Attachment F. He reiterated his suggestion to add a schedule to Attachment F.

7. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT: None

Councilmember Gustafson suggested an informal Council tour of the Shoreline Community Athletic Facility before the May 21 community reception for Mr. Burkett.

8. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:51 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.

 

___________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk