CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 11, 2004 Shoreline Conference Center
PRESENT: Mayor Hansen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia, Grace, Gustafson, and Ransom
ABSENT: Deputy Mayor Jepsen
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 Deputy City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the exception of Deputy Mayor Jepsen.
Upon motion by Councilmember Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Grace and unanimously carried, Deputy Mayor Jepsen was excused.
(a) Proclamation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Mayor Hansen presented the proclamation to members of the Shoreline Junior Jaycees and recognized their efforts to bring awareness to breast cancer. Karen Hauger, president of the Junior Jaycees, accepted the proclamation and described a kickoff fundraising event to bring awareness to breast cancer research.
3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds presented Mayor Hansen with a check for $750,000 as a mitigation payment for the Brightwater wastewater treatment plant. She congratulated Deputy City Manager Bob Olander for his role in negotiating the agreement with King County.
Bob Olander, Deputy City Manager, described a proposal to use part of this mitigation funding to transform the Richmond Beach Pump Station into a community park, noting that part of the cost of improving the park would be defrayed by transferring ownership of some of the property to Shoreline. He noted that the Richmond Beach Community Council (RBCC) would be hosting open houses to get community input on this proposal.
Councilmember Ransom wished to ensure that staff involves the Parks Advisory Board on this proposal. Mr. Olander confirmed that staff has already met with the Parks Board at the site, as well as with the RBCC.
Responding to Councilmember Fimia, Mr. Olander affirmed that the $750,000 is not dedicated entirely to the park site, and could be used to mitigate the impacts to a number of areas. Councilmember Fimia wished to ensure that Council would provide the process for bringing spending proposals forward.
Mr. Olander then reported on the budget prioritization exercise undertaken by members of the public and community leaders on the City’s long-range financial plan. He said a report would be prepared and presented to Council detailing the results of the exercise.
He also commented on the Parents Night Out Program, jointly sponsored by the City of Shoreline and the YMCA, and the 2003 United Way award received by City employees for charitable contributions.
Sheila Austria, United Way, and Linda Avril, principal of the Shoreline Children’s Center, presented the United Way Outstanding Employee Campaign Award to Assistant City Manager Julie Modrzejewski. Mr. Olander commented on the new contribution campaign that City employees would undertake this season.
Councilmember Grace commented favorably on the Parents Night Out program. He wondered how successful the City was in getting a representative sample of the community at the long-range financial plan exercise.
Mr. Olander felt the gender distribution was good, but there could have been more age and racial diversity. He explained that those who participated in the City’s citizen survey last year selected this random group. He felt that making the selection process less random might compensate for any age or racial deficiencies in the future. Responding to Councilmember Ransom, Mr. Olander explained that the ETC Institute (the firm that conducted the citizen survey last year) conducted the random selection of participants.
4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: none
Mayor Hansen announced that members of the Shoreline City Council have been invited to the grand opening ceremony at Sam’s Club on November 11.
Councilmember Ransom requested that the Council discuss the process for filling the vacancy on the Planning Commission. There was Council consensus to add Planning Commission Selection Process, Item 9(b), to the agenda.
Councilmember Chang expressed concern that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has not adequately responded to Council’s request that a WSDOT representative discuss the Aurora Corridor project at a Council meeting. He felt the State has not acted in partnership with the City on what is a very important transportation project. He felt the Secretary of Transportation, a public servant, has the duty to respond when a majority of Council has specific questions about a project of this magnitude.
Councilmember Fimia concurred, noting that the Council should persist in getting a WSDOT representative to respond. On another topic, she commented on her attendance at the second long-range planning session. She expressed concern that the sessions were not publicly announced, that the City Council was not involved in developing the sessions, and that the process of selecting participants were not necessarily random. She felt the people who use City services were not represented in these sessions. She commented on the cost of hiring a facilitator, pointing out that staff could have conducted the exercise. She also felt participants were not given enough information to make informed decisions.
Mr. Olander said the prioritization exercise was simply one method of getting public input. He said such exercises, along with citizen surveys, public hearings, and town hall meetings, can all be utilized to determine public priorities. He said staff hopes to expand and improve the process of collecting public input.
Mayor Hansen noted that this exercise was a staff function, not a Council function. He said Council has directed staff to gather information on public input, and Council should allow staff to do its job. He felt the information derived from the sessions would be valuable in establishing the City’s long-term priorities.
Mr. Olander emphasized the need to maintain both the reality and appearance of neutrality when collecting public input. He said a facilitator was hired for these sessions so people would feel free to share their ideas and not perceive staff or Council as trying to influence the process.
Councilmember Ransom was also concerned that the Council was not informed about the program. He wondered when the Council could expect the results. Mr. Olander indicated that a report would be available in the next few weeks.
Councilmember Fimia felt the sessions should have included more information exchange, and that the City could have gotten the same results for much less money. She did not feel it was an objective process, and that the public was not able to weigh the costs and benefits because it did not get enough budget information.
Mayor Hansen noted that the sessions dealt with elements of service, not costs.
Councilmember Gustafson felt the Council should have a more in-depth discussion of the Council’s management role in relation to full-time, administrative staff. He expressed his opinion that the Council’s role is to approve the budget and establish general policies, and that he expects full-time staff to implement the policy. He felt the Council was starting to get into “micromanaging,” noting that most elected officials have full-time jobs and limited time to spend on the detailed work that staff should manage.
Councilmember Grace said although the participant selection process could be improved, the prioritization sessions reflect the direction the Council has given to staff about public input on long-range goals. He felt Council would be debilitated as a policy-making body if it gets too involved in the lower-level decisions. He emphasized the importance of good two-way communication and delegation to staff.
Mr. Olander suggested that issues of delegation and Council responsibility could be discussed at the upcoming Council retreat.
Councilmember Fimia said although there has been discussion, there has been no real consensus on exactly what form an enhanced process of public input would take. She said it is astounding that such meetings could take place without Council knowledge.
Mayor Hansen pointed out that Mr. Olander negotiated a favorable mitigation agreement with King County without significant Council involvement.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Joe Phillips, Shoreline, thanked the City for the opportunity to participate in the long-range planning exercise. On another topic, he urged the Council to do something about the dangerous traffic situation in Richmond Beach. He explained that drivers frequently speed on 8th Avenue NW and run stop signs in the vicinity of 10th Avenue NW and NE 200th Street. He noted that the entire area is a safety hazard for other drivers and pedestrians, especially school children. He submitted a petition signed by neighbors asking for a solution to the problem. He urged the Council to consider reducing the speed limit on 8th Avenue to 25 miles per hour.
(b) David Townsend, Shoreline, said he is appalled that the City is arguing in court that his daughter was responsible for her own death. He said documents state that his daughter was 100% innocent, and that her death could have been prevented if the City took action in 1999 when it had grant funding for traffic improvements. He said the City needs to start listening and working together as a team before someone else dies. He said he plans to move from Shoreline, vowing he will no longer shop in the City or do anything else to support its needs.
(c) Patty Crawford, Shoreline, stated that Seattle Public Utility has documented a migrating steelhead in Thornton Creek, contradicting the Mayor’s previous statement that no one could confirm the fish sighting. She said she attended David Townsend’s court proceedings and agrees that the City attorney’s arguments were appalling. She said the City has “thrown out” its own police report, which seems to indicate something is wrong with the City’s defense. She felt there is an increasing separation between east and west Shoreline, pointing out that there are no Councilmembers that live east of Aurora Avenue. She said people only started opposing cottage housing when a development was proposed in Richmond Beach. She said the City is destroying salmon habitat, that it is “callous and heartless,” and that Council is not doing its job if it does not question the reports of City staff.
(d) Tom Nasky, owner of property at 16053 Aurora Avenue N, said while he supports the Aurora Corridor project, he is very concerned about the location of u-turns proposed for N 160th Street. He noted the difficulty for southbound drivers leaving his business to access the left turn lane at N 160th Street in order to make u-turns. He said this presents a serious traffic hazard for other drivers and pedestrians. He urged the Council to modify the design, noting there would be accidents in this very congested area if u-turns are allowed at this intersection.
(e) Omum Onum Esonu, Lynnwood, representing the owner of European Motors on Aurora Avenue, concurred with the previous speaker’s comments. He said allowing a u-turn at this location would have disastrous consequences for vehicles and pedestrians. He felt it could be a potential liability issue for the City. He advised caution and urged the Council to consider another alternative to the current proposal. responding to Councilmember Ransom, he said he represents European Motors as a land use planner and zoning analyst with traffic study experience.
(f) Mark Deutsch, Shoreline, commented favorably on the Council’s intention to enhance opportunities for public participation. He supported the proposal to allow public comment on agenda items, and supported the overall objectives of Council Goal # 8 – Enhancing Public Participation in City Government. He said despite the shortcomings of the long-range planning sessions, staff took the initiative to encourage more citizen participation in the financial planning process. He said he welcomes more opportunities to participate as a citizen via hearings and town hall meetings, adding that the citizen academy is a particularly effective tool in educating citizens on City government.
Mayor Hansen requested information on what the City has done to address the traffic situation at 8th Avenue NW and NW 10th Street. He encouraged staff to communicate directly with Mr. Phillips on the problem.
Mr. Olander said he would report back to Council, noting that the police chief will also follow up with Mr. Phillips.
Councilmember Gustafson suggested that the area might qualify for the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program (NTSP).
Councilmember Chang confirmed the severity of the traffic problem, noting that the area is dark and vegetation obscures the stop signs. He suggested that a raised median with a stop sign in the middle might solve the problem. He agreed the City should consider reducing the speed limit on 8th Avenue NW to 25 mph.
Mayor Hansen agreed that the area might be a good candidate for the NTSP’s threefold strategy of education, engineering, and enforcement.
Councilmember Ransom suggested that Mr. Nasky could work with neighboring businesses so his employees and customers could safely access northbound Aurora Avenue. He then asked the City Attorney to clarify what was stated in court regarding Mr. Townsend’s lawsuit.
Ian Sievers, City Attorney, clarified that he was not at the court proceeding because the defense is being handled by the Association of Washington Cities risk pool. He said he could arrange for the attorney assigned to the case to explain his defense approach if Council wishes. Councilmember Ransom affirmed he would like that to be arranged. Mayor Hansen noted it would have to take place in an executive session.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Ransom moved approval of the Agenda, adding Planning Commission Selection Process as Item 9(b). Councilmember Fimia asked that Consent Item 7(c) be removed from the consent calendar and added as Action Item 8(c). Councilmember Chang seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, and the agenda was approved as amended.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Grace moved approval of the consent calendar. Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion, which carried unanimously, and the following consent calendar items were approved:
Minutes of Workshop Meeting of September 20, 2004
Minutes of Dinner Meeting of September 27, 2004
Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 27, 2004
Approval of expenses and payroll for the period ending
October 1, 2004 in the amount of $669,743.01
Resolution No. 225 approving ICMA Retirement
Corporation as administrator of the City’s 401(a)
Money Purchase Pension Plan and terminating
Nationwide Insurance Company as a 457 Plan
Provider
Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute
lease for Highland Plaza
8. ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
(a) Ordinance No. 363 vacating Ronald Place N.
approximately 421 feet north of N. 175th Street
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:32 p.m., Mayor Hansen declared the meeting adjourned.
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Scott Passey, Deputy City Clerk