CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

Monday, April 8, 2002

7:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

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

ABSENT: Councilmember Hansen

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 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 Councilmember Hansen.

Upon motion by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Grossman and carried 5 - 0, Councilmember Hansen was excused.

(a) Legislative Update by Rep. Kagi

State Representative Ruth Kagi reported that budget and transportation issues were the main focus of the 2002 legislative session. She distributed a graph showing the problem faced by the Legislature this year: a 24 percent increase in "caseload" demand and a 76 percent revenue loss ($1.2 billion). She described the legislature’s solution to this problem: budget reductions, withdrawal from reserves, "securitizing" some of the tobacco settlement, and a small amount of new revenue. She said the legislature did not want to increase general taxes in a time of economic downturn, or cut services to people who are more in need of them in a recession.

Councilmember Montgomery arrived at 7:45 p.m.

Representative Kagi said the goal was to keep the budget stable until an economic turn-around occurs. She pointed out that, contrary to popular perception, the return on every dollar of the tobacco settlement money is 85 to 90 cents. The legislature felt that using this money was a reasonable approach to avoid cutting services. Representative Kagi described significant cuts in higher education, at State agencies, in the mental health budget, and in pharmaceutical reimbursements.

Continuing, Representative Kagi noted that Governor Locke did not veto the cities’ backfill money, but for Shoreline this was only five percent of the original amount promised. She said local government finance was a topic at the session, but cities and counties are going to have to agree on an approach in order to receive legislative assistance. Although there is sympathy about their financial plight, the lack of consensus impedes the effort at finding a solution at the legislature. She offered to act as a facilitator to try to help cities and counties reach agreement.

On other topics, Representative Kagi said there was some good news: 1) prevention programs were not cut; 2) Initiatives 738 and 722 were fully funded; and 3) funding for nursing homes was not reduced. Gambling as a source of revenue will continue to be an issue. She said she would not support proposals to eliminate local government power to site gambling uses. She also described a major policy bill related to drug sentencing reform, which will put money into drug treatment and rehabilitation for offenders rather than sentencing them to prison.

Turning to transportation, Representative Kagi said although she voted for it, the transportation bill did not pass and will be going to the voters in the fall. It contains $10 million for the Aurora Corridor Project. She said she has invited Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary MacDonald to Shoreline to discuss the project and clarify DOT policies. A meeting will occur some time in May.

Representative Kagi commended Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager, for her assistance. She concluded that she will be sharing an office in the Shoreline Center with King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds.

Mayor Jepsen thanked Representative Kagi for her representation of Shoreline. He noted that the Suburban Cities Association is attempting to revive efforts to developer mutual agreement on city and county financing.

Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, Representative Kagi said she hoped the transportation package will pass. One of the major factors in its success will be the price of gasoline at the time of the election. She concluded that the implications for business are very frightening if the package does not pass.

Councilmember Ransom was concerned that this year’s budget solution goes to one-time monies. He wondered how future deficits will be covered. He said different gambling possibilities seem to be the only revenue generators that have been put forward. He wondered what other new revenues are being considered.

Representative Kagi explained that a Revenue Task Force has been established to make recommendations about modifications to the current revenue structure. It is looking at the whole range of possible revenue options. She hoped the recommendations will "set the table" for a major discussion of local government and State revenues.

Councilmember Ransom suggested that to garner voter support, State offices must be more customer friendly and accessible. He mentioned problems in getting return phone calls or getting in to see a particular person. Representative Kagi said Secretary MacDonald has worked on customer service at the DOT. She suggested that her office can act as an ombudsman in dealing with unresponsive State offices.

Councilmember Ransom suggested doing productivity and efficiency studies to identify budget savings. He said these typically save 15 to 30 percent in government costs. He described the program conducted in King County several years ago. He felt at least ten percent could be saved by determining efficiencies and training staff in them.

Representative Kagi pointed out that many existing contracts for consulting services are being canceled to save money and management staff is being let go. She felt it is hard to ask State agencies to improve management when management is being cut. Agencies must have the resources to pursue efficiency studies.

Councilmember Ransom responded that such productivity studies only get paid on the basis of the money saved. Representative Kagi agreed to look into this.

Deputy Mayor Grossman thanked Representative Kagi for her support of moving funding from incarceration to treatment and local control on gambling issues. He said she is an outstanding advocate for the Shoreline community.

3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER

City Manager Steve Burkett updated Council on the code enforcement issue raised by Mrs. Dally last week. He commented on upcoming actions to improve safety on 15th Avenue NE, and noted a gathering of individuals at the site of the last week’s pedestrian accident.

4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None

5. PUBLIC COMMENT:

(a) Les Nelson, Shoreline, asked for information about how to pursue a code amendment regarding commercial building next to single family residences.

(b) Ken Cottingham, Shoreline, reported that the improvement on Aurora Avenue at 165th Street has an unmarked pedestrian crosswalk. The bus pullout has been removed there, so that the bus must now stop in the lane of traffic. He said Council should review these plans again. He also said Seattle City Light will put street lights on existing utility poles for under $10 per month for each light. He proposed that Shoreline ask for about 100 more fixtures to enhance safety on Aurora Avenue.

Mayor Jepsen responded to Mr. Nelson that anyone can fill out a form asking for a code amendment at any time. It will be considered at the time the Planning Commission goes through its normal review and amendment process. Mr. Burkett added that if Council wishes a proposal to come forward outside the normal cycle, it can direct staff to draft an amendment. Mayor Jepsen added that Councilmember Hansen has expressed an interest in pursuing an amending on this issue and a motion may be forthcoming. He suggested the Nelsons wait for this rather than spending time writing an amendment themselves.

Mayor Jepsen explained that the State is doing temporary demonstration projects on Aurora Avenue at 165th and 170th Streets. The City has agreed to the projects in order to see if it can learn anything from them. Mr. Burkett added that the State has said that it will be providing some type of notice to those impacted by the project.

Councilmember Chang supported Mr. Cottingham’s suggestion to install another 100 streetlights to make Aurora Avenue safer. He did not want to wait to do this until the Aurora Project moves forward. Mayor Jepsen expressed his view that putting in additional lighting should be done as part of the overall project.

Councilmember Ransom expressed concern about the road alignment of the demonstration project, which is being moved to the west into where the sidewalk is planned. He said the demonstration project will create a different road alignment by six to ten feet from what the City is planning there. He did not want to have to change what the State builds.

Mayor Jepsen said this was why the Council was originally concerned about whether to support the project. However, the State argued the changes are only temporary.

Mr. Burkett noted that these very concerns were expressed in the previous meeting with Secretary Macdonald. He added that staff will be evaluating street lighting throughout the community, including Aurora Avenue, and then coming back to Council for direction.

6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Councilmember Gustafson moved to approve the agenda, moving items 8(a) and 8(b) to the consent calendar. Councilmember Montgomery seconded the motion. To accommodate Councilmember Ransom, Councilmember Gustafson withdrew his motion, and Councilmember Montgomery her second. Councilmember Gustafson then moved to approve the agenda, moving item 8(b) to the consent calendar. Councilmember Montgomery seconded this motion, which carried unanimously, and the agenda was approved as amended.

7. CONSENT CALENDAR

Councilmember Montgomery moved to approve the consent calendar as amended. Deputy Mayor Grossman seconded the motion, which carried 5-0 (Councilmember Gustafson had stepped down momentarily), and the following items were approved:

Minutes of the Joint Workshop of March 18, 2002
Minutes of the Dinner Meeting of March 25, 2002

Approval of expenses and payroll as of March 22, 2002 in the amount of $ 528,706.66

Ordinance No. 302 adopting revised purchasing procedures for the procurement of goods and services and amending Chapter 2.60 of the Shoreline Municipal Code

Motion to approve the revised emergency funding allocations for both human services and cultural services programs as listed on page 35 of the Council packet; and to instruct the City Manager to implement amendments to current contracts to reflect these additional emergency funds; and to approve the revised Community Development Block Grant projects as listed in Attachment B on page 46 of the Council packet

Motion to approve the human services allocation process as outlined in the Council packet, including the estimated amount of funding to be available, and to direct the City Manager to certify with King County the City’s intent to use CDBG funds in the amounts and categories estimated

8. ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS

(a) Ordinance No. 304 amending Ordinance No. 298 by increasing the appropriation for the General Fund, City Street Fund, Development Services Fund, and Surface Water Management Fund for completion of operating projects and contracts; increasing the appropriation for the General Capital Fund to complete capital projects; and decreasing the appropriations in the Roads Capital and Surface Water Capital Funds as a result of changed project schedules

Mr. Burkett pointed out this ordinance both adopts some changes to the Capital Budget for 2002 and approves some carry-over funding from the 2001 budget. He noted the Council reviewed the 2002 Capital Budget in February and identified three projects to focus on: 1) Aurora Corridor; 2) Interurban Trail; and 3) North City. He said the ordinance for the Interurban Trail project adopts $225,000 for design of the three sections of the trail that are currently funded (South, South Central, and North). The City anticipates that construction of the trail will begin next year after the completion of the design. Regarding North City, Mr. Burkett reiterated that Council will be asked to approve the contract for the North City design in two weeks. The City is ahead of schedule on this project.

Finally, regarding the Aurora Corridor Project, Mr. Burkett said the Department of Transportation has committed to completing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The City has already signed it and the State has committed to signing it this week. Then it will be moved on to the federal Department of Highway Administration next week. They have committed to review and approval by April 22. At this point, there will be a 30-day review process for the DEIS, including a public hearing. Then Council should be able to determine the preferred alternative this summer.

Councilmember Gustafson moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 304. Deputy Mayor Grossman seconded the motion.

Councilmember Ransom asked for clarification about the Interurban Trail project. He asked if the total $5 million (excluding the $3 million for the bridge across Aurora Avenue) is still intended to cover construction of the entire trail project. He noted Mr. Burkett had referred to three sections, with no mention of the center section. He understood the central section has not been designed. His concern was whether there will be money to build this section.

Mr. Burkett said the center section has never been funded. The development of the Central Shoreline Subarea plan will influence how the trail is designed. The draft subarea plan will be discussed by Council next week. The budget for the entire trail has always been $8 million.

Mayor Jepsen said one of the challenges in understanding the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is that tonight Council is only reviewing changes to the 2002 CIP. Council will have to wait until it considers the 2003 budget to see the six-year picture in the 2003 – 2008 CIP. He said that at this point Council must adopt this ordinance to move forward.

Councilmember Ransom was concerned that it may end up costing $1 or $2 million more to construct the central section. Mr. Burkett reiterated that the City has allocated $8 million for the entire project. This amount includes some unknown funding in the category of "grants to be received." If for some reason, the City does not receive the grants, Council will need to make a decision about using other City funds.

Councilmember Gustafson added that there is some uncertainty about final costs, since the exact configuration of the central part of the trail is not yet designed, but the idea is to stay within the budget that has been established.

A vote was taken on the motion, which carried 6 – 0 and Ordinance No. 304 passed. It amends Ordinance No. 298 by increasing the appropriation for the General Fund, City Street Fund, Development Services Fund, and Surface Water Management Fund for completion of operating projects and contracts; increasing the appropriation for the General Capital Fund to complete capital projects; and decreasing the appropriations in the Roads Capital and Surface Water Capital Funds as a result of changed project schedules.

9. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Ken Cottingham, Shoreline, said that he expects several other people to attend the meeting at 9:00 p.m. to make further comments. He asked Council to declare a five minute recess after he concludes, to wait for those speakers.

Mr. Cottingham made five points about pedestrian safety:

Councilmember Gustafson was very concerned about taking the bus stop away in the very area where individuals boarding the bus may be disabled. Councilmembers Montgomery and Ransom were also concerned about this.

Councilmember Ransom asked if lowering the speed limit on Aurora Avenue is an option before the Aurora Corridor Project is completed. He said if this can be done now, he would like to do it. Mayor Jepsen responded that the State continues to reject this option at this point. He said this can be discussed in the upcoming meeting with Secretary MacDonald.

Council took no action on Mr. Cottingham’s request to wait for additional speakers.

10. ADJOURNMENT

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

 

___________________________
Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk