CITY
OF
SHORELINE
CITY COUNCIL
PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Grossman, Councilmembers Gustafson,
Hansen and Ransom
ABSENT: Councilmember Chang
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The
meeting was called to order at
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
Councilmember Chang. Mayor Jepsen stated
that he had spoken with Councilmember Chang, who had reaffirmed that he would
not participate in today’s Councilmember selection process.
Councilmember Ransom moved
to excuse Councilmember Chang. Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion, which failed 2-3, with
Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Grossman and Councilmember Gustafson dissenting.
RECESS
After Mayor Jepsen reviewed the schedule for today’s
interviews, he recessed the meeting at
At
Each applicant provided an opening statement. Then each Councilmember asked the following
questions, although the order changed from one applicant to the next:
Councilmember
Hansen:
What are the two primary forms of city government
provided for in state law?
What is the primary duty of a city councilmember?
Councilmember
Ransom:
Cities across the state are dealing with tighter
budgets. How could the City of
What experience do you have in budgeting and
management controls?
Mayor Jepsen:
What City services are you most interested in and
what is your vision of those services in the next five years?
If appointed to the position, how would you keep the
City moving in a positive and productive direction?
Deputy Mayor
Grossman:
Housing needs are changing in the City of
Councilmember
Gustafson:
What is your vision for the City of
What qualifications do you bring that set you apart
from other candidates?
Follow-up
questions:
Councilmember Hansen: What is the difference between a
representative democracy and a true democracy, and which is Shoreline’s form of
government?
Councilmember Gustafson: Will you run for this position in 2006?
Councilmember Ransom: Does the City have a budget crisis? Why or why
not? How would you evaluate the
Council’s communication with the public and could it be improved?
Michael Pollowitz made opening remarks and responded
to interview questions. He provided
background on his family and professional experience and explained his role as
executive director of Parkview Services, a King County-based non-profit
organization supporting people with developmental disabilities. He noted that he is not aligned with any
current Councilmembers nor is he affiliated with any
recognized community groups. Therefore,
he approaches the Council position from a position of neutrality. He felt he could work compassionately and
effectively on all issues before the Council and the City.
While he was not aware of the two forms of city government,
he felt the primary duties of a Councilperson are to represent the interests of
Shoreline residents, honor participatory democracy, and cherish diversity. He felt that Shoreline’s government is a
representative democracy, although it can be difficult for voters to determine
whether candidates, in fact, represent the interests of the people. He felt that representative government works
best because of the limited time and obligations people have. He said Councilmembers
should not feel obligated to vote a particular way simply because someone makes
a suggestion or recommendation.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Pollowitz
said that he approaches budgeting from a “zero-sum” perspective in that every
tax dollar must be justified. He described
his budget experience in a large organization and emphasized the importance of
getting value for the money and evaluating one’s effectiveness. He recognized the range of both fixed and
variable expenses that large organizations have. He said responsible budgeting involves due
diligence by Council and staff to try to balance the City’s needs with
value. He said good staff and good
information should be relied upon to create responsible budgets.
Responding to Mayor Jepsen, he said his interests include
finding ways to bring a sense of collaboration and consensus back to the
City. He felt the Council may be
spending more time addressing breakdowns in communication than on more
important issues. He noted that some citizens feel their
input is not valued. He stressed the
importance of keeping one’s perspective and maintaining a good sense of humor.
He discussed the demographic changes in the City and
the need to explore housing alternatives based upon reliable and accurate
information. He emphasized the
importance of leveraging state and federal funds through partnerships, as well
as creating incentives for developers while simultaneously bringing value to
the community.
His long-term vision for Shoreline included
completion of projects such as the Aurora Corridor and City Hall. He felt the City should be a
business-friendly “destination” that is safe, livable, and gives residents
pride in their community.
He said his experience working with the
developmentally disabled population gives him a unique perspective since it
involves empowerment of a disenfranchised group. He felt he could make a positive contribution
to the Council, despite his tremendous learning curve. He was not sure whether he would run for
office in 2006 if appointed.
He felt the Council could improve its efforts to
communicate with the public, noting that Council has the responsibility to
ensure an effective process.
Characterizing current communication as “one-way dialogue,” he suggested
that a more dynamic and interactive process be adopted.
Noting his limited knowledge of the City’s budget,
he felt he could not comment on whether the City is in a budget crisis.
Mr. Pollowitz stated that although his limited
knowledge of City issues puts him at a disadvantage, his strong points
compensate for any deficiencies. He
concluded by relating a personal anecdote to illustrate the fact that there are
many dedicated people in Shoreline who are willing put their energies into
making Shoreline a better place to live.
RECESS
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Ms. Mackey provided opening comments regarding her
background, education, and expertise in various areas. She emphasized her experience as a business
owner/operator and her skills in budgeting and business management. She said her home and family are her most
important priorities. She described
herself as one who can listen to all sides, set priorities, and make
decisions. She expressed her deep
concern for the people of the community and for Shoreline’s future.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, she noted that
cities have an important responsibility to set budget priorities because
resources are limited. She felt that
homeowners alone cannot support all that is needed in the community. Therefore, economic development is essential
to increasing the City’s revenue base.
She felt that attracting new businesses to Shoreline will help generate
the revenues that will help improve the overall quality of life for Shoreline
residents. She said her experience in
family and business budgets has taught her what it takes to be prosperous and
successful.
Responding to Mayor Jepsen, she said she is most
interested in essential City services such as police, fire protection, and
infrastructure. She said in the next
five years she would like to see the Aurora Corridor project partially
completed. She said the Council can move
in a positive and productive direction by getting out into the community to
ascertain needs. She felt the Council
does a good job in communicating with the public with the many tools at its
disposal.
Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, she agreed that
there needs to be more housing alternatives due to changing demographics. She emphasized the importance of providing
essential services to an increasingly diverse population. She expressed hope that changes can be made
to attract young families and maintain enrollment in Shoreline schools.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, she hoped that
the Aurora Corridor project and the Interurban Trail project will be completed
in the next 10-15 years. She said
creating a “hub” or city center along the corridor would enhance Shoreline and
create a “sense of place.” She hoped
that more business opportunities and spaces would be available in the
future. She said her in-depth knowledge
of City issues, business expertise, vision, and strong network set her apart as
a qualified candidate.
Responding to Councilmember Hansen, she explained
that Shoreline has a Council-Manager form of government, in which the Council
is responsible to the citizens, and the Manager is responsible to Council. She said the Council relies on the Manager
and City staff for advice and expertise, but that Council has the decision-making
authority. She said a councilperson’s
primary duties include approving a budget, setting priorities, and working with
the City Manager and the public. She
characterized the Shoreline as a representative democracy. She said Council’s role is to represent all
Shoreline citizens and not just do what a few people ask.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, she said she
would run for office in 2006 if appointed.
She said she understands the commitment in time and energy and she would
be willing to serve the community for the long term.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, she felt that
Council is doing a good job in communicating with the public. She explained that many communication modes
are available, including e-mail, the City website, the Government Access
Channel, publications, letters, and telephone.
She said the Council could consider working in smaller groups and even
one-on-one at times in order to prevent misinformation. She also suggested that the City could do a
better job with education. Responding to
Councilmember Ransom’s second question, she did not feel the City has a budget
crisis since it does have adequate funds and reserves. She felt that Shoreline is in excellent
financial condition for having incorporated so recently.
Ms. Mackey provided closing remarks, noting that
government’s primary purpose is to provide services that citizens cannot
provide themselves, such as public safety (police, fire) and
infrastructure. She reiterated her own
business experience and expressed her desire to enhance the City through
economic development. She said
developers are just waiting for something to happen in Shoreline that will
encourage them to act. She said the
Aurora Corridor and other endeavors can help provide that encouragement. She concluded by saying that she can help
provide the leadership necessary to make things happen and to make Shoreline a
better place to live, work, and play.
RECESS
At
Mr. Blake noted that as a long-time resident of
Shoreline, he has been actively involved in community work, including the
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board, Bond Advisory Committee, and as
a volunteer for athletic sports. He said
he applied for the vacant position because of his commitment to the community
and his desire to give something back.
Responding to Mayor Jepsen, Mr. Blake said he is
interested in upgrading Shoreline parks and ball fields. He added that Shoreline must build resources
and revenues through logical and correct development, such as the
Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, he said
although lots sizes have been reduced by half as a result of the Growth
Management Act, he generally agrees with the policy. He suggested rezoning
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, Mr. Blake
said that in ten years he would like to see the Interurban Trail and the
Responding to Councilmember Hansen, he
differentiated between a Mayor-Council and a Council-Manager (Shoreline) form
of city government. He said the
Council-Manager form has part-time Councilmembers who
direct staff to find solutions that fit the City’s needs. He described the primary duties of a
Councilmember as: 1) becoming aware of the issues; 2) interacting with
community members and getting a sense of what they want; 3) combining community
sentiment with one’s own background and opinion; and 4) voting based on input
given by staff, the community, and other Councilmembers. He viewed City staff as people who are there
to provide assistance and information to the Council. He discussed the difference between
representative democracy and true democracy and noted that Shoreline has a
representative democracy.
Responding to Councilmember
Ransom, he said that the City could generate more revenue through partnerships
(grants/matching funds) and economic growth. He described the workings of his own small
business, admitting that he has never worked on large budgets or in a large
bureaucracy. He described the various
modes of communication with the Council and felt he has always been able to
easily contact Councilmembers on any issue. He did not believe the City has budget crisis
due to its balanced budget and reserve fund.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, he said he
would run for election in 2006 only if he feels he has something more to
give. He said it would be clear whether
the voters were happy with his performance.
He said the question of running for office in 2006 is very open.
RECESS
At
Mr. Grace stated that he believes he shares the
Council’s vision for Shoreline. He said
he moved to Shoreline 17 years ago primarily because of the excellent schools
and residential character of the community.
He said his interests include preserving the character of neighborhoods,
finding ways to reduce the tax burden on residential property owners, and
increasing economic activity and financial stability in order to provide the
best services and facilities for citizens.
He said his business leadership and experience in dispute resolution and
consensus-building can help the City achieve its goals and move forward. He said his expertise in managing assets,
budgets, and large numbers of staff can also benefit the Council. He said his commitment in working for a
public agency not only relates to financial considerations but also to customer
service. He felt it important that the
City provide excellent customer service to the electorate and taxpayers.
Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, he said the
City should look for opportunities to developing multi-family housing without
interfering with the residential character of single family neighborhoods. He felt that several areas of underutilized
property along the Aurora Corridor and elsewhere could be developed for this
purpose. He said the City should work with
developers to find solutions that will address the needs of an increasingly
diverse population.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, he said he
would like to see a well-developed Aurora Corridor and vibrant commercial
district in the next ten years. He felt
the corridor should be designed to attract more businesses and more
consumers. He felt that new facilities
should include features that accommodate the changing population. He said the future Shoreline should be
recognized as a city with excellent schools and services, as well as an
excellent place to live. He said his
professional, managerial, and school board experience can help the City achieve
consensus in the decision-making process.
He said his ability to work with everyone on the Council towards
decisions that represent the best interest of Shoreline set him apart from
others.
Responding to Councilmember Hansen, he explained the
difference between the Council-Manager and Mayor-Council forms of government,
noting that the City Manager and professional staff takes direction from the
Council and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City. He felt the primary duty of a Councilperson
is to develop policies and make decisions that benefit the City. He characterized Shoreline as a
representative democracy wherein Councilmembers are
elected by the citizens.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, he said that a
comprehensive, long-term plan for economic development is the only way to have
increased financial stability. He
described his experience in developing annual budgets and labor contracts for
the Port of Seattle. He said he manages
budgets on a day-to-day basis with his team of supervisors and foremen. He noted that his philosophy is to spend
wisely and efficiently.
Responding to Mayor Jepsen, he said his main
interests include infrastructure, needs based on demographic changes, and
parks/recreational resources. He said he
would keep the City moving in a positive direction by getting to know other Councilmembers’ values, reaching consensus, and building
relationships within the Council. He
felt that the Council’s process for getting community input should be
continually emphasized. He felt that
moving forward comes from Council unity around decisions and then effectively
expressing that unity to the community.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, he cited the
City’s balanced budget and savings account as evidence that the City does not
currently have a budget crisis. He felt
the Council properly scrutinizes the financial condition of the City regularly. He also felt that the City’s communication
efforts have been successful, describing them as timely and informative. He noted that the process allows many
opportunities for the public to provide input,
although it should be adaptive to the situation (some issues are broad while
others have a more narrow focus).
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, he said he is
not definite whether he would run for election in 2006.
Mr. Grace closed his remarks by reiterating that he
shares Council’s vision for the City and could work effectively with the entire
Council. He restated his management
experience in the public sector as well as his experience as an elected
official. He stressed his respect for
professional staff, his collaborative work style, and the input-driven
decision-making process.
RECESS
At 12:04 p.m. Mayor Jepsen declared a recess. At 12:45 p.m. Connie King was interviewed.
Ms. King said she applied for the position to give
the Council an alternative in case there were too few applications
received. She said she was delighted to
see that so many qualified people are willing to assume leadership. She said although she has not followed the
City’s business in detail, the policy issues have changed little since she
served on the City Council.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, she said she
would like to see more development projects in the next ten years, including
the Aurora Corridor, City Hall, and at Aurora Square. She said her vision for Shoreline includes a
stronger human services element. She
explained that her history with the City sets her apart from others.
Responding to Councilmember Hansen, she
differentiated between the Mayor-Council and Council-Manager forms of city
government, noting that Shoreline chose the latter in order to have an
inclusive, supportive Council. She said
the primary duty of a councilmember is to make policy. She characterized Shoreline as a
representative democracy because people elect their representatives.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, she noted that
Shoreline is already saving money in an impressive way when other cities have
either over-budgeted or not planned for a slowdown in business. She said Shoreline’s good financial condition
can be improved by attracting additional businesses to the City. She explained her past budget experience with
the City and as a member of the METRO Council.
She explained her preference to allow the City Manager to handle
management control.
Responding to Mayor Jepsen, she said her interests
include human services and transportation.
She explained that Shoreline is at a disadvantage in the area of bus
service compared with other cities. She
said she would keep the City moving in positive direction through discipline
and adherence to the City’s established goals.
Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, she discussed
housing costs and the need for alternative housing in the future, particularly
for the growing aged population. She
discussed the possibility of exploring low-income housing options as well as
building multi-story buildings. She said
some people objected to multi-story buildings when she first ran for City
Council, but people now recognize it as a viable solution to limited space.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, she felt the
City does not have a budget crisis and the Council does not have a
communication problem. She listed the
many communication methods that people can use to contact their
representatives.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, she said her
intent today is not to run for election in 2006, although that could change.
She closed by commenting favorably on the pool of
qualified applicants.
RECESS
At 1:10 p.m. Mayor Jepsen declared a recess. At 1:30 p.m. Dom Amor was interviewed.
Mr. Amor provided
background on his personal and family life and details on his experience in
business development, marketing, and government relations. He said part of his job entails finding
opportunities for businesses to save money and improve operations. He said one of the primary reasons he moved
to Shoreline is because of its family-friendly living environment. He said he shares a concern and vision for
what the City should be – a community of citizens dedicated to the common
benefit through stable growth, economic development, sound education, and
social/political involvement.
Responding to Councilmember Hansen, he said that
Shoreline’s City Council structure provides more opportunities for teamwork and
collaboration than in a Mayor-Council structure, which tends to be less
productive. He said the duty of a councilperson
is to represent the citizens and businesses and oversee responsibilities of the
budget. He said the Council should work
closely with City staff, which is a major source of information and which
carries out Council direction. He
characterized Shoreline as a representative democracy in which the people’s
will is expressed through an elected representative. He said an absolute democracy is one in which
the people, not representatives, run the government.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, he said the best
way to generate more revenue is to attract outside dollars by establishing
sound economic growth and enhancing existing infrastructure. He said revenues will grow in Shoreline by
enhancing transportation systems, business corridors, and the school
district. He said although his budget
experience is limited, some of his strongest qualifications include management,
communication, and leadership ability.
Responding to Mayor Jepsen,
he said his short-term interests include management of open spaces and
development of recreational facilities.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a correlation between
government and education. He said he
could keep the City moving in a positive direction by providing leadership and
maintaining communication among citizens.
He suggested that the City should hold more open forums and establish a
more intimate relationship with groups, neighborhoods, and businesses.
Responding to Deputy Mayor Grossman, he said the
Growth Management Act is one of the most important considerations Shoreline is
facing. He said he would scrutinize how
open spaces and housing is developed in the City.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, he said he
views Shoreline much the same way he views the enhancement of his own property. He explained that he wants to ensure the City
has value and is structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. He said the correct direction to take is a
matter of enhancing the structural, economic, and moral values of the
City. He said while he does not
personally know the other candidates, his best quality is his ability to bring
people together through effective communication and leadership.
Responding to Councilmember Ransom, he said while he
agrees with the three-minute rule for speakers at Council meetings, the public
comment period could be extended to allow more people to speak. That said, he felt
the Council’s rules of procedure are adequate.
He said while he has not looked at the City budget in detail, he did not
feel the City is in a budget crisis.
Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, he said the
decision to run for election in 2006 would be weighed against several factors,
including success in office, the best interests of Shoreline, and his situation
at the time of the decision.
Mr. Amor thanked the
Council for the opportunity to interview and considering him for the position.
RECESS
At 1:45 p.m. Mayor Jepsen recessed the meeting until
2:00 p.m.
4. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Jepsen asked Special Counsel and Interim City
Attorney Steven diJulio to outline what the Council
can discuss in executive session. Mr. diJulio described the Open Public Meetings Act and said
that section 42.30.110(h) allows the Council to evaluate the qualifications of
candidates for elective office in executive session but that no votes or straw
polls can be taken and the final action must occur in open session. After brief discussion, Council decided to
recess into executive session.
Councilmember
Gustafson moved to recess into executive session for 30 minutes to evaluate the
qualifications of candidates for appointment to elective office under RCW
42.30.110(h). Councilmember Hansen
seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.
At 2:10 p.m. Mayor Jepsen stated the Council would
recess into executive session for 30 minutes to evaluate the qualifications for
candidates for elective office.
At 2:40 p.m. the executive session concluded and the
special meeting reconvened.
Mr. diJulio
explained that the appointment process would involve calling for nominations
supported by a second. Then there would
be a roll call vote on each candidate.
Councilmember
Hansen nominated Larry Blake.
Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion.
Councilmember
Gustafson nominated Paul Grace.
Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion.
Deputy Mayor
Grossman nominated Dom Amor.
Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion.
Upon motion by
Councilmember Hansen, seconded by Councilmember Gustafson and unanimously
carried, the nominations were closed.
Councilmembers commented on the field of
qualified candidates and the difficulty of choosing just one. The Council agreed that all six finalists
were well-qualified.
Councilmember Hansen said his first choice for the
position is Larry Blake. Councilmember
Ransom concurred, noting Mr. Blake’s years of community service. He noted that Paul Grace was his second
choice.
Councilmember Gustafson said his first choice is Mr.
Grace, noting his experience in dispute resolution. He indicated that Ms. Mackey was his second
choice.
Deputy Mayor Grossman said Mr. Amor
was his first choice because of the fresh perspective he could bring to the
Council.
Mayor Jepsen ranked
candidates by his order of preference: 1) Paul Grace; 2) Bonnie Mackey; and 3)
Dom Amor.
The City Clerk
made a roll call vote. The results were:
Larry Blake 2
votes (Hansen and Ransom)
Paul Grace 2
votes (Gustafson and Jepsen)
Dom Amor 1
vote (Grossman)
The City Clerk
did a second roll call vote. The results
were:
Larry Blake 2
votes (Hansen and Ransom)
Paul Grace 3
votes (Grossman, Gustafson and Jepsen)
Councilmember
Hansen moved to declare Paul Grace unanimously selected to fill the unexpired
term of Councilmember Linda Montgomery (Position #3). Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously 5-0.
5. ADJOURNMENT
At
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