CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF JOINT DINNER MEETING

Monday, October 14, 2002

Shoreline Conference Center

6:00 p.m. Highlander Room

City Council

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

ABSENT: None

STAFF: Steve Burkett, City Manager; Bob Olander, Deputy City Manager; Julie Modrzejewski, Assistant City Manager; and Joyce Nichols, Communications and Government Relations Director

City of Seattle

PRESENT: Greg Nickels, Mayor; Rose Feliciano, Intergovernmental Relations; Nicole Schultz, Mayor’s Office; and Joe Bouffiou, Mayor’s Office

Mayor Jepsen convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m., welcoming Mayor Nickels and his staff. There were self-introductions around the table.

Mayor Nickels described activities during his first nine months in office, noting he would like to continue meeting with local suburban mayors and the mayors of Washington’s largest cities in order to develop positive working relationships. He said this year Seattle is struggling with a nine percent cut in its General Fund, which amounts to $60 million in budget reductions.

Steve Burkett, Shoreline City Manager, reviewed the City Council’s 2002-2003 Goals and Work Plan, noting that several items involve the City of Seattle through Seattle City Light (SCL). He mentioned the Aurora Corridor and Interurban Trail projects and the interface with SCL. He said one issue to be worked out is that of undergrounding utilities on Aurora Avenue. This was discussed at a Council dinner in September with Gary Zarker and other staff from SCL, and things are moving along well as a result of that meeting.

Mayor Nickels also discussed the importance of transportation solutions for our region. He said that recruiting Grace Crunican has helped focus Seattle’s transportation department. He said that to solve our transportation problems, all the players must be brought to the table, including the Washington Department of Transportation, Sound Transit, the Monorail staff (potentially) and city/county staff.

Mr. Burkett described the 1^st Avenue NE project and undergrounding requirements there, as well as redevelopment along Aurora Avenue from 175^th Street to 192^nd Street, as outlined in the Central Shoreline Subarea Plan. Both projects involve SCL right-of-way and it is critical that Shoreline and SCL work together on these projects. Mr. Burkett also mentioned the issue of street lights, noting Shoreline staff is working with SCL on this issue to allow SCL to build street lighting costs into its rate base.

Mayor Nickels asked for clarification of the scope of the North City project. He was told it is a $6 million project and that uses should compare favorably with the type of development occurring on Lake City Way at 125^th Street. Mixed uses will be encouraged.

Councilmember Chang asked about development of Aurora Avenue south of Shoreline. Mayor Nickels said that Seattle is seeking federal funds and is pushing for Regional Transportation Improvement District funding for express bus and Bus Rapid Ttransit.

Mayor Jepsen discussed the Interurban Trail project, which is to begin construction of the north and south segments in 2003. He reiterated that SCL has committed to working with Shoreline on the project.

Mayor Jepsen also asked for clarification of SCL rates for street lighting customers in Shoreline. Mayor Nickels had no information on this.

Turning to regional issues, Mayor Jepsen agreed that transportation is the biggest challenge. He questioned Sound Transit allocations and said the focus in the next round of negotiations should be on the West Subarea, which includes Shoreline and North Seattle.

Mayor Nickels commented that transportation funding is the "800-pound gorilla." He feared that Referendum 51 may not pass. He said the viaduct is a huge issue, since it carries one quarter of Seattle’s traffic. He shared the Councilmembers’ frustration with transit, but felt bus service to Shoreline will improve.

Turning to regional governance and finance issues, Mayor Nickels said that as King County faces its budget problems, it is overlooking the question of public health. He said Seattle is not in a position (due to funding reductions) to respond adequately to outbreaks of disease or other health concerns.

Mayor Jepsen said no one seems willing to tackle regional finance and governance. Going back to the last effort in 1998, he was disappointed that after reading the report, there was no agreement on at least a few areas to work on. He reported that some members of the City Council think Shoreline should have a policy that it is not going to backfill money for services cut by King County.

Mayor Nickels pointed out that some changes have occurred. The map has changed a lot since 1987 when he was first on the King County Council. Several areas have incorporated or been annexed. He said the Emergency Management System is a good example of regional cooperation, but there has been little success on other regional finance and governance issues.

Deputy Mayor Grossman brought up Seattle’s role in the SeaShore Forum, and there was a discussion of how the Forum is functioning.

Councilmember Chang concluded the discussion by emphasizing the importance of cooperation between Shoreline and Seattle in economic development and other areas in order to save money.

Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

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Joyce Nichols, Communications and Government Relations Director