CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING

Monday, June 4, 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 6:37 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 exceptions of Councilmembers Gustafson and Lee, who arrived later in the meeting.

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND FUTURE AGENDAS

City Manager Steve Burkett reported that the annual street maintenance program (including street overlays and slurry sealing) will begin next week.

Next, Mr. Burkett said King County has given notice of its intent to cancel the jail contracts of the contracting cities. He explained that the contracting cities are working together to establish a negotiation process for a new agreement and to explore other alternatives. He noted that City annual jail service costs are approaching $1 million.

Councilmember Lee arrived at 6:40 p.m.

Continuing, Mr. Burkett mentioned his recent meetings with Maud Smith Daudon, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Seattle and with Seattle City Light (SCL) Superintendent Gary Zarker. He mentioned his upcoming meetings with representatives of the Aurora Improvement Council and Concerned Citizens of Shoreline to discuss their concerns about the Aurora Corridor Project.

Mr. Burkett suggested the City schedule the groundbreaking for the Paramount School Park Improvements Project June 11 at 4 p.m. Council concurred. Mr. Burkett noted Mayor Jepsen's inquiry about advancing the completion date of the skate board park portion of the project. He said the contractor could possibly complete the skate board park by August 17 (approximately three months before the scheduled completion of the entire project on November 21) for an additional cost of $30,000. He said staff recommends staying with the original schedule. Council concurred.

Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager, provided an update on the State legislature, which began a second special session earlier in the day. She said the legislature has not yet reached agreement on a State operating budget or a transportation package. Under State law, the legislature must adopt an operating budget by July 1.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Lee attended the meeting of the National League of Cities Information Technology and Communications Steering Committee May 31 and June 1 and 2. She said the committee focused on four topics: convergence—multiple services of multiple providers in single locales; universal access to technology; spectrum (e.g., interference of cellular phone services with emergency radio operations); and privacy issues. She noted the goal to prepare a booklet of information of creative approaches to e-government.

Deputy Mayor Hansen mentioned the problems with the regional 800-megahertz radio system after the earthquake in February. He went on to note his attendance at the June 1 opening of the new Richmond Beach Library and the June 2 meeting of the Filipino American Association of Shoreline. He also mentioned a traffic safety issue in the Briarcrest Neighborhood on 27^th Avenue NE.

Mayor Jepsen said the National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Steering Committee meeting June 8 and 9 will focus on transit-oriented development and rebuilding infrastructure. He mentioned the Shoreline Arts Festival June 23-24.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT: None

6. WORKSHOP ITEMS

(a) Discussion regarding the establishment of Financial Policies regarding Grant Applications

Health and Human Services Manager Rob Beem introduced Grant Specialist Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, who reviewed the staff report regarding the current and proposed grants policies.

In response to Councilmember Montgomery, Ms. Wolbrecht-Dunn confirmed that staff does not pursue grant funding not specifically identified in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) or operating budget without first obtaining Council approval.

Councilmember Ransom asserted that programs for senior citizens need more financial support. He advocated that the City consider supporting bus services for senior citizens. He also suggested that the City reevaluate its promotion of the Home Repair Program in order to maximize use of the program funding. Mr. Beem said current use of the Home Repair Program is quite extensive.

Councilmember Ransom asked about financial support for church food bank programs. Mr. Beem explained that staff can provide technical assistance to such programs to apply for grant funding but that staff has not sought grants on behalf of community organizations.

Councilmember Gustafson arrived at 7:16 p.m.

Councilmember Ransom noted the unavailability of dental services assistance programs. He advocated City efforts to identify and facilitate grant funding for these services in Shoreline. He expressed approval of the proposed policies.

Councilmember Grossman asked about the funding criterion titled "Sustainability of Activity." Ms. Wolbrecht-Dunn confirmed that staff will pursue one-time funding that supports existing Council goals. She explained that staff will seek Council input about short-term funding that entails new, long-term City service commitments.

Councilmember Lee expressed support for aggressive pursuit of grant funding and for the proposed grants policies.

Councilmember Gustafson stressed the importance of assessing the long-range costs and benefits of grant funding opportunities. He said he has often seen that the cost to process and administer a grant exceeds its value. He agreed that the City must be cautious about short-term funding that creates new City service commitments. He supported the proposed grants policies.

Mayor Jepsen also expressed support for the proposed grants policies and confirmed Council consensus to bring them back for approval at a future meeting.

(b) Status Report on Street Lighting Elements for the Aurora Corridor Project

Anne Tonella-Howe, Aurora Corridor Project Manager, reviewed the staff report. She discussed the existing lighting conditions on Aurora Avenue and each of the three proposed options.

Mr. Burkett explained that staff based its recommendation for Option 2 on: 1) the desire to stay within a standard lighting budget to conserve funds for improvements to other elements; and 2) focusing on pedestrian lighting as the means of creating a distinctive appearance for the Aurora Corridor.

Councilmember Montgomery expressed surprise at the construction cost of lighting per mile. She asserted the importance of lighting to the Aurora Corridor Project. She explained that she supports cost-conscious decision making. She commented that the "cobra" fixtures are unattractive. She advocated distinctive pedestrian lighting (e.g., to make drivers aware of the presence of pedestrians). Noting the potential for lighting to improve the aesthetics of the Aurora Corridor, she favored the best use of available funds.

Mayor Jepsen asserted the importance of the appearance of the pedestrian and roadway lighting. He advocated an attractive, uniform design approach to all of the street lighting elements (roadway and pedestrian lighting fixtures and standards, traffic light standards, etc.). He commented that Option 2 "makes sense" but that "it doesn't go far enough." He said the light fixtures may be all right, but he questioned the poles.

Councilmember Grossman asserted the need to determine first the desired aesthetics and then to determine the best option for achieving those aesthetics within the available budget. He agreed with Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Montgomery that lighting is a critical part of the appearance of the Aurora Corridor.

Mayor Jepsen asked if the City could use standard SCL lighting but substitute poles or fixtures. Ms. Tonella-Howe said the use of standard SCL lighting eliminates the need for the City to find space to store lighting materials. She went on to say that SCL representatives have expressed willingness to work with the City to allow substitutions of lighting elements.

Councilmember Grossman suggested a "just-in-time" supply arrangement with the manufacturer as an alternative to designating space and storing materials.

Mayor Jepsen asked about street identification signs at intersections (e.g., where the City will affix them and whether the City can affix them to any type of pole). He asserted the need to consider the aesthetics and function of the entire system.

In response to Councilmember Lee, Ms. Tonella-Howe said the cost estimates in the staff report include the replacement of existing poles and the addition of more lighting to raise the standard of lighting along the Aurora Corridor. Councilmember Lee expressed surprise at the construction cost of lighting per mile.

Councilmember Lee agreed with the comments of Mayor Jepsen and Councilmembers Grossman and Montgomery. She supported the consideration of lighting in other cities in the region and in European cities.

Deputy Mayor Hansen favored a distinctive treatment for street lighting for the Aurora Corridor Project. He noted the following issues: 1) the relationship of street lighting and street trees; 2) focusing street lighting to prevent it from escaping; and 3) the importance of energy-efficient lighting. He commented that the City must attend to other aspects of the appearance of the Aurora Corridor at the same time as street lighting (e.g., poles, power lines, guy wires).

Ms. Tonella-Howe said staff plans to space street trees approximately 40 feet apart and to locate street lighting to prevent interference from street trees. She said staff is aware of community concerns about light escaping into the environment. She mentioned the availability of light fixtures with "optics to direct light." She discussed advances in energy-efficient street light bulbs. She confirmed that one of the features of the Aurora Corridor Project is undergrounding utility lines.

Deputy Mayor Hansen favored the location of light poles in the Aurora Corridor median with light fixtures over both sides of Aurora Avenue.

Councilmember Gustafson supported Option 2. He expressed his willingness to support the choice of more attractive lighting poles or fixtures, provided they are not significantly more expensive than standard SCL lighting. He favored distinctive lighting for pedestrian crossings. He noted the need to tie in lighting for the Interurban Trail.

Councilmember Ransom supported Option 2. He asked how street lighting for the Aurora Corridor Project will "interface" with the Interurban Trail. Mr. Burkett said staff currently plans to include pedestrian-scale lighting on the Interurban Trail but only at intersections. Councilmember Ransom suggested the use on the Interurban Trail of the special lighting pictured on the right side of Attachment F.

Mayor Jepsen asked what lighting fixtures SCL uses in downtown Seattle. Ms. Tonella-Howe explained that the historic district, merchants association or other organization purchases and stocks the lighting fixtures and provides them to SCL, which provides maintenance. Mayor Jepsen asked staff to research the pedestrian lighting on 3^rd Avenue in Seattle.

Finally, Mayor Jepsen questioned the designations on Attachment A on page 14 of the Council packet (e.g., "Commercial/Transit Center," "Civic Hub," "Entertainment Center"). He commented that Council has not made such designations, and he cautioned staff about using such labels. Ms. Tonella-Howe said the labels came from the Comprehensive Plan. She acknowledged that the Comprehensive Plan is subject to change, and she agreed not to use the labels.

Mayor Jepsen stated Council support for distinctive lighting for the Aurora Corridor Project, within budget constraints. He acknowledged different opinions among Councilmembers: support for Option 2; and support for a distinctive lighting system that includes complementary roadway and pedestrian lighting. He advocated further consideration of the costs of the options to enable Council to compare and discuss the options in the future.

Mr. Burkett said staff will assess the whole system of features, including roadway and pedestrian lighting, street furniture (e.g., benches), traffic signal equipment and street signs, prepare a couple of options, refine the cost estimates and return to Council for further discussion.

Mayor Jepsen reiterated the need to consider the integration of lighting for the Aurora Corridor Project and the Interurban Trail Project.

(c) Review of Proposal for Regional Road Maintenance Endangered Species Act Program Guidelines

Public Works Director Bill Conner introduced Surface Water Coordinator Edward Mulhern, who reviewed the staff report.

Councilmember Montgomery asked if the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is likely to approve the Regional Road Maintenance Endangered Species Act (ESA) Program Guidelines (Regional Guidelines). Mr. Mulhern said a NMFS official has indicated that the agency plans to publish the guidelines in the Federal Register during June. In addition, the United States Fish and Wildlife Department is proposing the use of the guidelines as a nationwide model.

Councilmember Montgomery asked if the City should anticipate the potential disapproval of the Regional Guidelines. Mr. Mulhern recommended, in the event NMFS disapproves the Regional Guidelines, that the City adopt them as operational guidelines. He noted that several counties and the State Department of Transportation support the proposal.

Councilmember Gustafson asked if City road maintenance procedures will need to be as restrictive if the inventory of Shoreline streams determines the absence of threatened fish species. Mr. Mulhern said the City will still have an obligation, under the Clean Water Act and the ESA, to perform road maintenance in ways that prevent sediments and pollutants from entering streams. Councilmember Gustafson commented that a stream inventory will provide more clarity about environmental sensitivity.

Councilmember Gustafson said NMFS previously praised the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) plan but now recommends that other jurisdictions not adopt it. Mr. Conner agreed that NMFS previously identified the ODOT plan as a model. He said NMFS has since acknowledged that this was a mistake and that other jurisdictions should create their own plans. Mr. Mulhern said NMFS seeks guidelines that "provide more robust presentation of outcomes."

Councilmember Gustafson expressed frustration with the "unfunded mandates" of federal legislation and the confusing signals from federal agencies.

Mayor Jepsen asserted Council consensus in support of the staff recommendation to adopt the proposed Regional Guidelines as an operational manual for City road maintenance work and to submit the guidelines to NMFS.

7. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT: None

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:30 p.m., Mayor Jepsen announced that Council would recess into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss one item of real estate.

At 9:00 p.m., the executive session concluded, and the workshop reconvened.

9. ADJOURNMENT

At 9:00 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.

________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk