CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

Monday, March 25, 2002

7:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Councilmembers Chang, Gustafson, Hansen, Montgomery and Ransom

ABSENT: Deputy Mayor Grossman

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by Mayor Jepsen, who presided.

2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the exception of Councilmember Montgomery, who arrived shortly thereafter, and Deputy Mayor Grossman.

Councilmember Gustafson moved to excuse Deputy Mayor Grossman. Council-member Hansen seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, and Deputy Mayor Grossman was excused.

Councilmember Montgomery arrived at 7:40 p.m.

(a) Proclamation of Kings High School Boys Basketball Week

Mayor Jepsen presented the proclamation to Coach Marv Morris and the Kings High School boys basketball team. Coach Morris and three members of the team spoke about their season.

(b) Presentation to Outgoing Library Board Members

Mayor Jepsen discussed the participation of Michael Derrick and Evelyn Phillips on the Shoreline Library Board. He expressed Council appreciation for their support of Shoreline libraries. He presented a plaque to Ms. Phillips. (Mr. Derrick did not attend the meeting.)

Ms. Phillips noted that 76.5 percent of Shoreline voters supported the King County Library System operating levy in the recent election.

3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER

City Manager Steve Burkett noted the distribution of the printed 2002 Adopted City Budget. He said consultant Tetra Tech/KMC expects to provide the Inventory and Characterization of Stream and Wetland Resources mid-April. He said staff anticipates the completion of Shoreview Park at the end of April.

Continuing, Mr. Burkett reported that staff is evaluating the Development Code to determine the need for notification requirements regarding projects with impacts similar to the expansion of Safeway at Aurora Avenue N at N 155th Street.

Mr. Burkett noted that staff began negotiations last week with Ronald Wastewater District regarding a franchise agreement. He said the timeframe of the eventual merger of the District with the City is "the real issue for discussion."

4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Randy Ferrell, Lynnwood, spoke as a board member of the Shoreline Merchants Association (SMA). He noted three particular SMA objections to the Aurora Corridor Project: 1) the Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) included only one Aurora Avenue business owner (in addition to Terry Green, who represented the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce), instead of five; 2) staff told the CATF that the State Department of Transportation (DOT) would not allow a two-way center turn lane even though DOT documents stipulate that Class Four highways, such as Aurora Avenue, typically include "existing or planned non-restrictive medians;" and 3) the plan that City consultant CH2MHill presented to the task force included eight-foot sidewalks, but City staff pointed out that City Ordinance No. 31 requires 12-foot sidewalks.

(b) Myron Phillips, Edmonds, spoke as Co-Chair of the SMA. He discussed a SMA-proposed initiative titled "Safety Now," which would include: three or four additional pedestrian safety crossings on Aurora Avenue similar to those being installed at N 165th Street and N 170th Street; streetlights on existing utility poles along the southern mile of Aurora Avenue N in Shoreline; and lowering the speed limit on Aurora Avenue N from 40 to 35 miles per hour.

(c) Daniel Mann, Shoreline, requested an opportunity for the SMA to discuss some of its proposals with Council. He advocated the reconciliation of the Aurora Corridor Project with the concerns of business owners. He said business owners support an improved, enhanced Aurora Avenue, including safety improvements. He explained that the SMA plan would: require no condemnation of private property; retain the two-way left-turn lane but incorporate pedestrian safety islands; and save taxpayers approximately $50 million.

Mayor Jepsen clarified that the pedestrian crossings at N 165th Street and N 170th Street are part of a State DOT demonstration project to study potential safety improvements. He said the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which the City is now preparing, will help Council and the community determine the preferred alignment of the Aurora Corridor.

Continuing, Mayor Jepsen expressed his support for streetlighting on Aurora Avenue N and for the reduction of the speed limit to 35 miles per hour. He said he remembered that Aurora Avenue businesses expressed concern in the past about reducing the speed limit to 35 miles her hour. He requested that the SMA provide information to Council about who the group is and documentation of its policies and decision-making.

Councilmember Montgomery supported Mayor Jepsen's request.

Councilmember Ransom said Council has discussed lowering the speed limit on Aurora Avenue to 35 miles per hour. He said staff advised that City redevelopment of Aurora Avenue needed to progress to a certain stage before the State DOT would allow the City to lower the speed limit to 35 miles per hour.

Continuing, Councilmember Ransom mentioned Council discussion with U.S. Congressional representatives during the recent National League of Cities conference and his recent conversations with State legislators representing Shoreline. He said the SMA has talked with State Senators Dan McDonald and Paull Shin. He asserted that all of the legislators have expressed concerns about the Aurora Corridor Project.

Councilmember Ransom moved that Council provide the SMA with 15 minutes to officially present its position on the Aurora Corridor. He said Council should respect and listen to SMA opinions. He noted that Council can then say to legislators that it received a presentation from the SMA and took it into account in Council decision-making. He pointed out that Council rules of procedure allow any two Councilmembers to place an item on a Council meeting agenda.

Councilmember Chang seconded the motion. He noted the difficulty of discussing one's livelihood within the two or five minutes allowed during the public comment periods at Council meetings. He expressed confusion at the failure of Council and staff to reach out to the SMA in an effort to negotiate a compromise. He said he has spoken with almost every merchant along Aurora Avenue between 145th Street and 165th Street, and all of them support the beautification and improved safety of the Aurora Corridor.

Councilmember Ransom commented that the controversy concerning the Aurora Corridor Project could make it less competitive for federal and State funding. He pointed out that it is hard enough to win approval amongst competing good projects, and if one is controversial, that one tends to be passed over for less controversial good projects.

Mayor Jepsen reiterated his request for information about who the SMA represents, about its policies and how it makes decisions. He asked staff to provide information about how a SMA presentation fits in the context of the draft EIS and the public hearing process. (He explained that he does not want the City to violate the rules of the State Environmental Policy Act [SEPA] or the National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA].) Third, he said Council should determine if another group, representing others with a different perspective than the SMA, wants to speak about the Aurora Corridor Project and provide it with an opportunity to make a presentation to Council as well. He advocated that staff prepare a recommendation, addressing these three requests, for Council consideration at its next meeting. Councilmember Ransom did not object to this.

Councilmembers Montgomery and Gustafson supported Mayor Jepsen's three requests.

Councilmember Hansen said he has heard and considered opposition to the Aurora Corridor Project many times. He expressed his willingness to hear the SMA presentation, but he questioned what the SMA will present in 15 minutes to change the results of hundreds of hours of research. He supported all sides having equal access and ability to provide input. He questioned whether special consideration of SMA positions will accomplish anything.

Mayor Jepsen summarized Council support for staff preparation of a recommendation on how to approach the SMA request. He said Council will consider the recommendation at its April 1 meeting.

Councilmember Ransom withdrew his motion and Councilmember Chang his second.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Burkett said staff will present the results of the Central Shoreline Design Charrette to a joint meeting of Council and the Planning Commission April 15.

6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Councilmember Gustafson moved to approve the agenda. Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, and the agenda was approved.

7. CONSENT CALENDAR

Councilmember Hansen moved to approve the consent calendar. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 6-0, and the following items were approved:

Minutes of Workshop Meeting of February 19, 2002
Minutes of Dinner Meeting of February 25, 2002
Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 25, 2002
Minutes of Workshop Meeting of March 4, 2002

Approval of payroll and expenses as of March 15, 2002 in the amount of $1,316,784.80

Resolution No. 185 Amending the §401 Qualified Retirement Plan for the City Manager

Motion to approve the King County 2001 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan

8. ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS

(a) Appointment of Planning Commission and Library Board Members

Councilmember Ransom said six people applied for the two open positions on the Shoreline Library Board. He reported that he and Councilmember Gustafson, the ad hoc committee that reviewed the applications, interviewed five applicants and that one applicant withdrew. He said he and Councilmember Gustafson supported the applications of Joe Phillips and Amy Mayfield. He discussed Mr. Phillips' 30-year-long involvement with the Richmond Beach Library, his past role as president and his active support of the construction of the new library in the Richmond Beach Community Park. He described Ms. Mayfield, who has a B.S. in Environmental Science and works as a fundraiser and library researcher for the Girl Scouts of America in King County. He noted that she lives in the Highlands, which has not previously been represented on the Library Board.

Councilmember Ransom moved that Council appoint Joe Phillips and Amy Mayfield to the Shoreline Library Board, each with four-year terms expiring on March 31, 2006. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.

Mayor Jepsen said 19 people applied for the four open positions on the Shoreline Planning Commission. He, Deputy Mayor Grossman and Councilmember Montgomery served on the ad hoc committee that reviewed the applications and interviewed applicants.

Councilmember Montgomery identified and briefly discussed each of the ad hoc committee nominees: Sidney Kuboi, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and who works as an engineer for the Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command; William MacCully, who worked as Director of Transit Development for Community Transit and who served as President of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce; Rocky Piro, who holds a PhD in Urban Design and Planning and who works as an urban planner for the Puget Sound Regional Council; and Donald Sands, who works as a real estate developer and attorney.

Councilmember Montgomery moved that Council appoint Sidney Kuboi, William MacCully, Rocky Piro and Donald Sands to the Shoreline Planning Commission, each with four-year terms expiring on March 31, 2006. Mayor Jepsen seconded the motion.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Councilmember Montgomery said the ad hoc committee discussed geographic distribution and gender representation in its consideration of applications to the Planning Commission.

A vote was taken on the motion, which carried 6-0.

(b) Ordinance No. 301 amending the Development Code Chapter 20.40 Zoning and Use provisions to permit the use of a recreation vehicle for temporary lodging subject to supplemental index criteria

Tim Stewart, Planning and Development Services Director, reviewed the staff report.

Councilmember Ransom moved that Council approve Ordinance No. 301, including Option (c), amending the Development Code to permit the use of a recreational vehicle (RV) for temporary lodging in all zones subject to supplemental index criteria. Option (c) limits RV occupancy to one per lot plus an additional RV for every additional 10,000 square feet of lot above the minimum lot size for a particular zone. Councilmember Montgomery seconded the motion.

Councilmember Ransom commented that the meaning of Option (b) (page 63 of the Council packet) is unclear. For example, he said all of the parking spaces at a school facility may be required for parking during the school week but remain empty during the weekend. He commented that Option (c) (page 63 of the Council packet) is clearer given the designation of square footage.

Noting Councilmember Ransom's past concern about limitations on RV occupancies at churches, Mayor Jepsen questioned Councilmember Ransom's support of Option (c). Councilmember Ransom indicated his opinion that Option (c) sufficiently addresses the needs of churches.

Councilmember Gustafson supported Option (c). He said the last condition ("I. Any deviation from time limits, number of occupancies per year, and number of recreational vehicles allowed may be proposed through a Temporary Use Permit, 20.40.540") covers any unanticipated situation.

A vote was taken on the motion to approve Ordinance No. 301, including Option (c), amending the Development Code to permit the use of a recreational vehicle (RV) for temporary lodging in all zones subject to supplemental index criteria. The motion carried 6-0, and Ordinance No. 301 passed.

(c) Consideration of the proposal submitted by the Rotary Club of Shoreline and the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary Club to change the name of Ronald Bog Park to "ROTARY PARK at Ronald Bog"

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Director Wendy Barry reviewed the staff report. She noted provisions of the Park and Facility Naming Policy that Council adopted February 11, 2002. She discussed the contributions of the Rotary Clubs to Ronald Bog Park. She reviewed the deliberations of the PRCS Advisory Committee regarding the request of the Rotary Clubs to change the name of the park. She presented the committee recommendation not to change the name of the park but to install a kiosk and memorial plaque to reflect the story of the park and the Rotary Club contributions.

Mayor Jepsen invited public comment.

(1) Wayne Cottingham, Shoreline, spoke on behalf of the Rotary Club proposal. He said the PRCS Advisory Committee voted against the Rotary Clubs' resolution to change the name of Ronald Bog Park before Council approved the Park and Facility Naming Policy. He described the staff assessment of the financial impact of renaming the park as false and misleading. He said the assessment may have influenced the PRCS Advisory Committee decision. He discussed his opposition to the alternative recommended by the PRCS Advisory Committee. He objected to the PRCS Advisory Committee interpretation of the Park and Facility Naming Policy. He requested that Council table consideration of the name change proposal until its last meeting in September.

Councilmember Gustafson moved to postpone action on this item for six months (September 23, 2002). Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion.

Councilmember Gustafson referred to provision 2.h in the Park and Facility Naming Policy: "There should be a lapse of at least six months between the receipt of the name proposal and the final recommendation for its adoption." He advocated that Council adhere to the policy it adopted in February.

In response to Councilmember Ransom, Councilmember Gustafson supported PRCS Advisory Committee reconsideration of the Rotary Clubs' proposal. He asserted the validity of some of the points that Mr. Cottingham raised. Referring to provision 2.g in the Park and Facility Naming Policy, he requested clarification of "quantifying in some detail, the contribution." He asserted the need to resolve the ambiguity in the policy regarding extraordinary contributions. He acknowledged that the recommendation to Council may not change, but he reiterated the need for a six-month lapse given policy provision 2.h.

Councilmember Ransom expressed concern that the PRCS Advisory Committee decision regarding the proposal preceded Council approval of the Park and Facility Naming Policy.

A vote was taken on the motion to postpone action on this item for six months. The motion carried 6-0.

(d) Pym Property Purchase

Ms. Barry reviewed the staff report. She displayed and discussed photographs of the subject property.

Councilmember Gustafson moved that Council authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement for the proposed 2.62 acres of open space for $17,500 plus closing costs. Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion.

Councilmember Hansen said "this is just too good an opportunity to pass up."

Councilmember Ransom attributed the $53,000 King County assessment for the property to the special legal status that Council approved in June 2000. Noting the value of surrounding properties, he asserted that the subject property is worth more than $1 million. He said the property will make a wonderful park. He highly recommended Council approval of the purchase.

A vote was taken on the motion to execute a purchase agreement for the proposed 2.62 acres of open space for $17,500 plus closing costs. The motion carried 6-0.

9. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT: None

10. ADJOURNMENT

At 9:40 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.

 

_____________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk