SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

Monday, May 10, 2004 Shoreline Conference Center

7:30 p.m. Mt. Rainier Room

PRESENT: Mayor Hansen, Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia, Grace, Gustafson, and Ransom

ABSENT: none

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Hansen, who presided.

2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

Mayor Hansen led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.

(a) Recognition of Outgoing Planning Commissioners

Mayor Hansen presented plaques of appreciation to Marlin Gabbert and Brian Doennebrink for their service on the Planning Commission. He noted that Mr. Gabbert was appointed to the City’s first Planning Commission in 1995 and served during the creation of the City’s first Comprehensive Plan and development of the City’s own land use regulations. Mr. Doennebrink served one term, and under his leadership as Chair the Planning Commission held its first retreat and developed its first ground rules and public participation information.

Mr. Gabbert said it was an honor to serve on the Planning Commission for eight years and assist in the development of the City. Mr. Doennebrink said it was a privilege to serve the citizens of Shoreline and he enjoyed his experience and the synergy he found among the Commissioners and the common focus on finding solutions rather than emphasizing differences.

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Steve Burkett, City Manager, introduced the City’s new Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, Dick Deal, who has been serving as Interim Director for the past few months.

4. REPORT OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Mayor Hansen complimented staff on the opening of Trail of Cedars from Meridian Avenue, across the street from Evergreen School, to Twin Ponds Park. He said the opening included a very interesting nature tour of the park.

Councilmember Ransom noted that he is preparing for the National League of Cities Human Development Committee meeting in June.

Councilmember Chang reminded Council of the visit of the delegates from Shoreline’s sister city Boryeong starting on Wednesday.

Mayor Hansen said the City has helped the Arts Council acquire a showmobile and its purchase will be fully funded when it arrives in June. He congratulated everyone involved in fundraising.

Councilmember Grace commented on tonight’s dinner meeting with the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce. He said the Chamber, Council and staff had a very productive discussion and came up with many good ideas about mutual projects. He said it was a very positive evening and such meetings should occur on a regular basis.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

(a) Stan Terry, Shoreline, said consumers make choices about whether to patronize businesses along Aurora Avenue. He said he does not patronize Aurora businesses because he does not feel it is safe to be there. He said unrestricted access may not be safe and consumers will go elsewhere. He felt that the median in the Aurora plan will enhance safety for everyone.

(b) Samuel Davies and Peter Gregory, from Boy Scout Troop 317, said they were attending the meeting for their communications badge.

(c) Joanne Whitehead, Executive Director of ARC (Association of Retarded Citizens) of King County, said a sizeable number of people in the state connected with people with disabilities favor downsizing and consolidation of the large congregate care facilities. She provided background on her organization, which has been in operation for the past 70 years in the State of Washington. She explained that 30 percent of the State’s developmental disabilities budget goes to support the three percent of the population, those who live in institutions. There are thousands waiting for services who cannot get them because of the State’s history of using institutions. She said people have been moving out of institutions voluntarily for the past fifteen years. Ten states have already closed part or all of their large institutions. She distributed a FAQ sheet and information from the State of Maryland.

Councilmember Chang said he has spoken with many residents of Shoreline with disabilities, and there are a significant number. They require compassion from the community. It has been suggested that a Disabled Assistance Committee be formed to gather the names and addresses of those with disabilities in the event of an emergency. The committee could also consider ways to more effectively serve those with disabilities. He said he already knows individuals who would be willing to serve on such a committee.

Councilmember Fimia noted that the Aurora merchants are not asking for unrestricted access. They are asking whether there are additional access points on the median that can be made available to them. This would maximum the amount of access and minimize the impacts. She added that she had always believed that medians had to be raised, but two-way left turns are also considered a type of median (unrestricted medians).

Continuing, Councilmember Fimia asked if there could not be a compromise solution found for Fircrest. She suggested that the State might be able to open up the medical facilities to the community. Perhaps the most disabled could stay at Fircrest. She said the “3%/30%” statistic quoted by Ms. Whitehead has to change, but she thought there might be ways to use the facility in a broader sense.

Councilmember Fimia asked to have an update on Saturday’s Friends of Fircrest March at the end of the meeting.

6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Deputy Mayor Jepsen moved approval of the agenda. Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

7. CONSENT CALENDAR

Upon motion by Councilmember Ransom, seconded by Councilmember Gustafson and unanimously carried, the following consent calendar items were approved:

Minutes of Special Meeting of April 19, 2004

Minutes of Dinner Meeting of April 26, 2004

Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 26, 2004

Approval of payroll and expenses as of April 23,

2004 in the amount of $836,998.92

Resolution No. 216 ratifying an amendment to

the King County Countywide Planning Policies

Motion to approve Parkwood Neighborhood Association

Mini-grant of $5,000

Councilmember Fimia commented on changes in the permit requirements for the Friends of Fircrest March.

Mr. Burkett said the primary change is that initially the Friends estimated 300 people in the march and now they are saying 3,000. This initiates different requirements. Also, it now appears that part of NE 15th will need to be closed for part of the morning.

Bernard Seeger, Management Analyst, said the total bill for police services will be about $1,400, with $122 of additional staffing costs. However, a $5,000 bond is required, which will be refunded if not needed. The increased number of participants will require additional police officers.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Mr. Burkett said the City must work with the Friends of Fircrest in a reasonable way to allow the march to use the street.

Deputy Mayor Jepsen had a concern about the traffic counts being taken in the neighborhood. Mr. Burkett said staff would take this into consideration. The goal is to minimize the amount of time the street is closed, but the permission for the parade cannot be withheld.

Councilmember Fimia concluded by noting that although she will be marching in the parade, she was not involved in organizing it.

10. ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Jepsen, seconded by Councilmember Gustafson and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

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Sharon Mattioli, City Clerk