CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING

Monday, April 1, 2002

6:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

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

ABSENT: Councilmember Chang

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 Councilmembers Montgomery and Ransom, who arrived later in the meeting, and Councilmember Chang.

Upon motion by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Grossman and unanimously carried, Councilmember Chang was excused.

AGENDA INTERRUPTION

Mayor Jepsen addressed Thursday’s accident on 15^th Avenue NE that took the life of Tia Townsend, a Shoreline youngster. He stated how difficult such a tragedy is for everyone. He said the City is developing an immediate action plan for the intersection of 15^th Avenue NE and NE 170^th Street and a long-term strategy. He expressed Council consensus to suspend the rules to allow untimed public comment on this topic at this point in the meeting.

Steve Burkett, City Manager, referred to a memo describing the accident and noting that approximately 130 residents were at the intersection Saturday to honor Tia and to ask for safety improvements at the intersection. He explained that 15^th Avenue NE is a busy four-lane street and that speeding has been a problem there. The City has been planning and making improvements along 15^th Avenue NE since incorporation. A traffic signal at NE 165^th Street and a pedestrian-activated signal at NE 172^nd Street have already been installed. Grants have been received to do further improvements. Mr. Burkett listed several short-term actions that will be taken, including the placement of two radar trailers near the intersection, stepping up of traffic enforcement, and installation of a lighted overhead crosswalk banner with directional lighting for nighttime visibility.

Mr. Burkett concluded that on April 22, Council will consider a contract with an engineering firm to evaluate, recommend and design safety improvements along the entire 15^th Avenue NE corridor. He concluded that unfortunately there is no way to prevent all accidents. Fatalities can occur even at signalized intersections. He said it is very important to do long-term planning in a deliberative way based on good traffic engineering analysis and to emphasize the education of both drivers and pedestrians.

Councilmember Ransom arrived at 6:50 p.m.

Mr. Burkett introduced the new Public Works Director, Paul Haines.

Mayor Jepsen called for public comment.

(a) Doug Hamilton, Shoreline, an organizer of the rally mentioned by Mr. Burkett, said he has seen the problems and accidents at this intersection for ten years. He commented that many parents caution their school children not to use that intersection. He noted the speeds along 15^th Avenue NE and the four-lane configuration that can lead drivers to believe that cars are stopped for turns rather than for pedestrians crossing in the crosswalk. As a temporary solution, he suggested narrowing 15^th Avenue NE at this point to three lanes, with a center turn lane. He concluded that people will rally every Saturday until "something happens."

(b) Lester Goldstein, Seattle, spoke for the organization "Feet First," a Puget Sound pedestrian advocacy group. He submitted a letter offering to assist the City Council in forming a pedestrian advisory committee to help the City prioritize projects and conduct community outreach related to pedestrian safety.

(c) Carrie Schwendt, Shoreline, commented on her experiences as a pedestrian and runner in this area. She said the intersection needs a traffic light.

(d) Walt Hagen, Shoreline, offered the City a video on pedestrian safety in crosswalks prepared by George Daher. He suggested it be played on Channel 21. Council directed him to submit it to the City Clerk.

(e) Joe Sanders, Shoreline, also commented on his experiences trying to cross the intersection at 15^th Avenue NE and NE 170^th Street. He felt that the lighted overhead sign won’t be of much help.

(f) Shawn Paul, Shoreline, also spoke as a user of the crosswalk in question. He said he never feels safe there. He noted that on the east side a telephone pole obstructs visibility. He supported a traffic signal at that intersection.

Mayor Jepsen said a pedestrian-activated light should be looked at, but a traffic light cannot be installed quickly. He said Council is interested in learning more about Feet First and said a pedestrian advisory board should be considered. He hoped the community can come together around the issue of pedestrian safety.

Councilmember Gustafson said it will be important to work with the schools and educate students about pedestrian safety.

Councilmember Ransom noted that the Shoreline School Board has been aware of this area as a continuing problem. He felt the North City Subarea Plan should begin at NE 170^th Street rather than NE 172^nd Street in terms of traffic control. He related the situation at this intersection to that at N 170^th Street and Aurora Avenue. He felt traffic signals are needed at both intersections for pedestrian safety.

Mayor Jepsen said the Council will be meeting later in the month to discuss budget priorities. One of the considerations may be enhanced traffic enforcement, in addition to physical improvements. He thanked the speakers for expressing their concerns.

2. (a) Proclamation of Sexual Assault Awareness Week

Mayor Jepsen read a proclamation of "Sexual Assault Awareness Week." Carrie Koelle, of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, assisted in presenting awards to members of the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Youth Council, to the YMCA for its "Just Us Girls" program, and to Kellogg Middle School for its MASH (Minimizing All School Harassment) program.

(b) Legislative Update by Senator Fairley

Mr. Burkett commented on the legislation proposed by the City of Seattle that clarifies the issue of streetlight utilities. He thanked State Senator Darlene Fairley for her assistance on this, as did Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager. Ms Nichols added that Shoreline’s legislative delegation is very good about trying to find out how the City of Shoreline feels about proposed legislation.

Senator Fairley said the past session was "ugly and intense." She commented on several bills considered this year. She described the process by which the streetlight utility bill was passed. She said the bill allowing King County to levy a utility tax will return next year. She noted that some funding was made available to help the smaller counties. She also explained the process by which $8 million was allocated for cities that have lost more than ten percent of their sales tax equalization funding. Shoreline will receive $148,000.

Senator Fairley said human services did as well as could be expected. She noted that nursing homes were kept whole, and Crista Nursing Home retained all of its funding. The Shoreline Historical Museum also received funding for much-needed electrical work.

Describing the transportation budget, Senator Fairley said the Senate had the votes to pass a State revenue package, but the House did not agree. Now the proposal will go to the voters. If voters approve it, the Aurora Corridor will get an additional $10 million; but polling at this point indicates it will not pass.

Senator Fairley turned to the issue of gambling. She said she opposes any expansion of gambling, or basing budget projections on gambling. However, she did vote for adding another lottery game ("the Big Game"). She said gambling interests will be back because the House supported more gambling to increase State revenues. The Senate is anti-gambling at this point. She also pointed out that bowling alleys are lobbying for electronic pulltabs.

Senator Fairley warned there may be a possible billion dollar deficit next year, and it is very tempting to increase revenues by expanding gambling. She also noted an effort to take siting decisions about gambling establishments away from the cities.

Councilmember Montgomery arrived at 7:40 p.m.

Senator Fairley concluded that the bright spots in this legislative session were saving nursing home funding and passing the "anti-bullying bill." She said next year will be another difficult budget year. As an aside, she noted that now she consistently takes the position that if crime bills contain unfunded mandates, she will not support them. She said she is trying to sensitize legislators to the issue of unfunded mandates.

Councilmember Hansen mentioned that certain bills were proposed to reform the initiative process. Senator Fairley said the bill requiring a fiscal note along with every initiative was passed, but she did not know whether this will be signed by Governor Gary Locke. She added that the Governor will be signing the budget this week. She explained why he may veto certain parts of the budget, which might include "the city money."

Councilmember Hansen commented that he agrees with Senator Fairley’s stand on gambling. He said as gambling opportunities will probably increase elsewhere as they increase in Washington. He said the pressure to expand gambling may eventually cause "the well to go dry." Councilmember Hansen thanked Senator Fairley for her representation of Shoreline’s interests.

Councilmember Gustafson asked about traffic safety education funding. Senator Fairley said some funding was included in the budget for low-income students.

Mayor Jepsen thanked Senator Fairley for being "a real ally for Shoreline" and reiterated the importance of her help with the street utility bill, the potential $10 million for the Aurora Corridor Project, and funding for nursing homes and the Shoreline Historical Museum.

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND FUTURE AGENDAS

Mr. Burkett referred to a memo regarding the issue of whether the Shoreline Merchants Association (SMA) should be allowed to make a presentation before the Council. He said staff has contacted the SMA for information about the composition of its board of directors and whether meeting minutes are available. One outstanding question is whether positions on the Aurora Corridor Project are voted on by the board of directors, the entire membership of the SMA, or some other subcommittee.

Mr. Burkett mentioned Council questions about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) public hearing process. He said the draft EIS should be ready for publication in mid-April. By mid-June, Council should be in a position to make a decision about the preferred alternative. He mentioned that the issue of a SMA presentation could be resolved by: 1) allowing the SMA to make a presentation at a dinner meeting; 2) conducting a facilitated meeting with small group discussions of presentations by all sides of the issue; 3) allowing a 15-minute presentation at a Council meeting (as well as the opportunity for proponents to make a presentation of the same length); or 4) having the Council conduct a public hearing or community forum for the EIS process. He noted the current plan is to have the Planning Commission conduct a hearing, although it will not make recommendations. He concluded that this information has been shared with the SMA, along with the request for information about its composition and decision-making process.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, Ian Sievers, City Attorney, said it would be better to have any additional public process after the issuance of the draft EIS so that the input could be part of a full State Environmental Policy Act hearing. He said there is no problem if the Council chooses to hear additional comments on either side at any time, provided it takes no action. Mr. Burkett added that staff recommends that Councilmembers be observers and listeners in any of the options.

Councilmember Montgomery concurred with Councilmember Hansen’s comment of last week: that Council has heard hundreds of hours of testimony and knows what the issues are. She felt the process should move forward as planned.

Councilmember Ransom recalled that it was his suggestion last week that the SMA be allowed 15 minutes to make a presentation before the Council. He pointed out that Council’s rules allow two Councilmembers to add an item to the agenda. He said he made his suggestion to allow the SMA an opportunity to make a presentation that would be part of a televised Council meeting. He noted that no other group has been allowed more than 15 minutes.

Mayor Jepsen said representatives of the SMA are expected to speak tonight and provide the requested information.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Hansen and Deputy Mayor Grossman reported on meetings they had attended.

Mayor Jepsen reported that the BrightWater EIS process is beginning, with the draft EIS to be available in October. He said now he is concerned about conveyance issues since the outfall conveyance alignments for the two sites go east/west through Shoreline. He recommended that Shoreline ensure proper notification of affected business owners along 205^th Street and representatives on the Council of Neighborhoods.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Dennis Lee, Shoreline, President of Concerned Citizens of Shoreline, felt the process for the Aurora Corridor Project has been flawed. He based this conclusion on the resistance from so many business owners. He said the SMA is attempting to be proactive with a legitimate complaint.

(b) Gretchen Atkinson, Shoreline, said as a business owner she objected to the SMA saying that it represents all the merchants in Shoreline and that the Council is not listening to business concerns. She supported the Aurora Corridor Project as proposed and said once the plan is accomplished, the businesses along the corridor will profit.

(c) Suzanne Dally, Seattle, expressed a complaint about a trailer parked on property (14550 Whitman Avenue N) in back of her Aurora Avenue business. She said the property has garbage problems and an infestation of rats. She said the code compliance officer was called but nothing has happened. She mentioned other code violations concerning junk cars. She concluded that the people who own the property are very non-cooperative.

(d) Myron Phillips, Edmonds, spoke for the SMA. He outlined the group’s initiative called "Safety Now," which calls for crosswalks and pedestrian-activated traffic lights, increased street lighting, and reduction of speed limits (35 miles/hour on Aurora Avenue). He told the Council that the SMA is a legitimate and registered corporation with official by-laws. There are 13 board members, and actions are taken by a majority vote of the board. The SMA represents the businesses along Aurora Avenue from 145^th Street to 205^th Street. The board meets every Thursday, and minutes are produced. He asked why the Mayor wants to see these minutes .

(e) Daniel Mann, Shoreline, responded to a previous speaker. He said the SMA does not claim to speak for all the merchants in Shoreline, but it does speak for 50-100 merchants along Aurora Avenue. He wondered why the Mayor does not know who they are, since staff has attended many meetings with them and should be able to provide this information. He suggested Councilmembers should drive down Aurora Avenue and spend some time talking with long-time merchants and owners of family businesses. He said those individuals would be happy to tell Council who the SMA is and what it represents.

Mayor Jepsen said the City has done its best to involve all stakeholders in the Aurora Corridor process. He said he wants to know about the SMA because it appears that the position related to pedestrian-activated signals has changed since the group called itself the Aurora Improvement Council (AIC). He wondered about the process for making shifts in policy. He said the Public Disclosure Commission web site lists information about the board members of the AIC, but these are not the same individuals who submitted testimony to the City on the Central Subarea Plan.

Councilmember Montgomery said the accident this weekend shows the importance of attending to pedestrian safety issues, and the City’s plan for Aurora Avenue will address such accidents. She said the City must move forward more aggressively to address safety issues.

Deputy Mayor Grossman said he has a concern about setting aside time for a special interest group without allowing those on the other side to have a similar opportunity. He said the EIS process invites and encourages input and provides "a level playing field."

6. WORKSHOP ITEMS

(a) Economic Development Quarterly Update

Mr. Burkett introduced the topic, noting that an economic development program is one of Council’s goal. He noted that Shoreline has a limited commercial base and its primary commercial corridor (Aurora Avenue) only represents about three percent of the City’s assessed value. Shoreline’s retail sales tax base per capita is in the bottom third or fourth of cities in King County.

Jan Briggs, Economic Development Coordinator, reviewed the staff report, which presents a summary of the market research report done by consultant Ed Starkie. The report shows uncaptured consumer spending in Shoreline and a below average amount of office space.

Ms. Briggs noted four areas to be considered for economic development: 1) Westminster/ Aurora Square; 2) Shoreline Park and Ride Transit Oriented Development (TOD); 3) Central Shoreline Subarea; and 4) North City. She emphasized that the proposal for Aurora Square is not one for development or rezoning, that this is a feasibility study to determine whether the City should start focusing resources to encourage redevelopment at the site. The two development concepts in the report represent between $160 and $180 million dollars in redevelopment and are modeled after University Village. Redevelopment is shown on the parking lots, and replacement parking is funded. Although the study showed there is the market and consumer spending for this aggressive level of redevelopment, it has been determined that perhaps a scaled back approach is more feasible, one that does not use up all the surface parking. She pointed out "it may be a little early in the economy to expect something to happen." She also noted it is important to hear Sears’ ideas about long-term strategies.

She went on to discuss contacts with a factory outlet mall developer. She noted that Councilmember Ransom made the initial contact with the President of Factory Outlets Consultants, who expressed enthusiasm by what he heard from staff about the Aurora Square site. She cautioned that there may be costs associated with pursuing this alternative.

Turning to the TOD site, Ms. Briggs noted that ownership of this site has been an obstacle to progress in development. She said it now appears that restrictions the Washington Department of Transportation thought existed because federal highway funds were used to buy the site may not be obstacles, and that the State may be able to transfer the property to Metro, as long as it remains a Park and Ride.

With regard to the Central Shoreline Subarea Plan, Ms. Briggs described the charrette process that occurred in March and noted that a preliminary draft of the Central Shoreline Subarea Plan will come to Council next week for its joint meeting with the Planning Commission on April 15.

Ms. Briggs concluded that Council heard information about the North City Business District Improvements Plan during the Capital Improvement Program update. She also mentioned a fifth economic development strategy: to update the permit review process to make it more predictable and timely. She said a consultant will assist the Planning and Development Services Department in this project.

Councilmember Hansen commented that any project at the Aurora Square site will have to include a multi-story parking garage. Making efficient use of any properties will require a concentrated way of providing parking. This will have to be included in the City’s budget at some point.

Councilmember Ransom said he had aggressively pursued the President of Factory Outlets Consultants and talked to him about "going up" rather than needing 20 acres for a site with 400 employees. He said the developer could draw from over 100 businesses, including Nike Shoes and the Gap. For Shoreline, the idea would be to build on four or five acres, going two or three floors up and having half the usual number of employees, which the president indicated he was willing to consider and had done once before.

Responding to Mayor Jepsen, Mr. Burkett said the outcome of the conference call was that the president would come to check out the site and do some additional analysis for $15,000 (which could be reimbursed if the project were developed). Mr. Burkett said staff is not ready to recommend this course of action. The key is working with Sears at this point.

Mayor Jepsen said he would pass on to staff contacts for alternative funding sources, including the Enterprise Foundation.

Councilmember Ransom raised the issue of the need for additional office space, particularly smaller offices for medical and dental practices.

Responding to Councilmember Ransom’s question about pursuing the outlet mall, Mayor Jepsen commented that he did not wish to pay someone to visit and view the site.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, Ms. Briggs said the Starkie Report has the type of demographic and market information retailers are looking for to make an assessment about Shoreline. At this point, the discussion of redevelopment has been with property managers but not developers. Staff will now contact major developers to share the data to try to interest them in further discussions.

(b) New City Hall Plan Process

Mr. Burkett emphasized that affordability is a major issue in the city hall discussion, given the state of the economy and the City’s declining revenue projections. He said the City must be sure it can afford "what we build when we build it." He pointed out that one funding source could be the almost $700,000/year spent in occupancy costs. The City would have to borrow to build a city hall, but this money would provide a revenue stream for debt service on the loan.

Eric Swansen, Senior Management Analyst, outlined the process for the design and construction of a new city hall, including the sequence of the major steps to be taken, the outcomes for each step, and the various decision points. He said some tasks are shown in sequential order on the schematic, but they really can be done at the same time. He said site selection will be based on criteria such as whether facilities are to be centralized or decentralized and proximity to transit. He advised that the City should keep more than one site under consideration at any given time in order to have the best chance of getting a fair price.

Councilmember Ransom said Council has already determined an appropriate site, and tonight it appears "we are starting all over again." He felt the Cromwell Park site is the only realistic site location for a city hall in the long-term. He said the discussion was to have an interim city hall in the meantime.

Mr. Swansen commented on work done previously, noting the first study projected needs out 30 years. It is now apparent that the City cannot afford that plan because of new revenue projections. He assured Council that the City knows more after each phase of study.

Mayor Jepsen added that the owner was reluctant to sell the site Councilmember Ransom was referring to and that Council must now move on.

Councilmember Hansen commented that he could think of seven or eight sites considered earlier and that there may now be new sites to add to the list. He said he would never say that the choice was limited to one site. He said Cromwell Park represents "real potential," but he expressed reluctance to say for certain that the City would select it. He advised that the City must work through the process, and, if nothing happens, it may have to repeat the process. He said Council must decide how many square feet are needed for a city hall, where it will fit, and how much it will cost. Until then everything is speculation.

Deputy Mayor Grossman said the needs analysis must be revisited because of changes in the revenue picture and the changes in "what the City is moving toward." Even the issue of using "existing" product versus "new" product needs to be reconsidered. He supported pursuing parallel tracks and multiple opportunities. He said the City’s need for office space might provide an opportunity to partner with a developer who wants to do mixed use. He wanted the process to be organized so it moves forward so the City can begin to build equity.

Councilmember Montgomery said the Council has an obligation to be good stewards of the City’s resources. She felt it was irresponsible to mention specific sites because it will influence the asking price.

Councilember Ransom said square footage has been studied in the past, and the projected future need was 100,000 square feet. Mr. Swansen said the projection of the Bassetti Report did not take into account the City’s ability to pay. It projected a structure that is not affordable, but the information in the report can be modified. The space can be revised based on new staff projections.

Councilmember Ransom said the previous City Manager wanted everything at one site. If the uses are dispersed at several sites, the City can grow on an interim basis, with the goal of a consolidated campus sometime in the future. He mentioned the possibility of acquiring the King County property adjacent to Cromwell Park.

Councilmember Gustafson concurred with Councilmember Montgomery that affordability is key.

Mayor Jepsen concurred with Deputy Mayor Grossman, noting that in addition to deciding on affordability, Council must also consider programs. He also mentioned that at any point in the process up to construction, the Council must be able to do a "gut check" and have the ability to continually consider feasibility and even change its mind.

Mr. Burkett reemphasized that for the next ten years, the revenue picture is not very bright. But on the other hand, the City won’t be in a position to expand services or the number of employees, which will reduce the size of the building needed.

Councilmember Hansen said if the decision were based on the current economic environment, he would not pursue this project at all. But, as an optimist, he believed that this revenue problem will pass, that there will be better times ahead, and he hoped the project will be ready to go before those better times begin to make the project more expensive.

7. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Bill Meyer, Shoreline, explained the background on a recent accident when a youngster was struck by a car on 3^rd Avenue NW. He said the area needs a sidewalk from Einstein Middle School to Richmond Beach Road. The safety of students going to schools must be an important priority, as it was when the City first incorporated. He said the City should be researching pedestrian safety and doing something now to correct the dangers all over the City.

Mayor Jepsen agreed that sidewalks are important, but said the two accidents are not similar.

Councilmember Hansen agreed with the speaker that 3^rd Avenue NW is a very dangerous situation. He added that there is a successful after-school teen program at Calvin Presbyterian Church that draws pedestrians. He also pointed out that there are many other places in the City that need to be fixed. He said the City has limited funds, so projects will have to be prioritized in the short-term.

Councilmember Gustafson agreed that 3^rd Avenue NW should be a high priority. He thought a pedestrian task force might help the City set priorities.

Mr. Burkett concluded that residents supported levy funding to address sidewalk improvements near schools in the recent citizen survey.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, Mr. Burkett said the City has data about traffic, pedestrian generators and accident locations to help prioritize these projects.

8. ADJOURNMENT

At 9:58 p.m., Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned.

_____________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk