CITY OF SHORELINE

 

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING

 

Monday, March 27, 2006                                                             Shoreline Conference Center

6:00 p.m.                                                                                                       Highlander Room

 

 

PRESENT:       Mayor Ransom, Deputy Mayor Fimia, and Councilmembers Gustafson, Hansen, McGlashan, Ryu, and Way

 

ABSENT:        none

 

STAFF:            Bob Olander, Interim City Manager; Julie Modrzejewski, Assistant City Manager; Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director; and Scott Passey, City Clerk

 

GUEST:           none

 

Mr. Olander convened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. with a discussion of the Shoreline Sister Cities Association (SSCA).  Mr. Olander posed the questions: 1) Is the Shoreline Sister Cities Association still active and viable?; and 2) What is the appropriate level of involvement between the City/staff and the SSCA? 

 

Councilmember Hansen arrived at 6:45 p.m.

 

There was general agreement that the SSCA serves a valuable purpose and the City should continue to support the SSCA.  It was noted that while the City supports SSCA activities and programs, the core leadership and initiative should come from the community. 

 

The Council then discussed the recent inactivity of the SSCA and what the City could do to help motivate and energize the organization.   There was also discussion of potential fundraising activities and visit/hosting activities.  Councilmember Ryu noted that a group of former Boryeong residents is meeting informally to see how relationships can be maintained, so there is still ongoing communication with Shoreline’s sister city.  It was noted that SSCA President Cheryl Lee wishes to step down from the Board due to time constrains, and no one has offered to lead the organization.

 

Councilmember Gustafson said the Council is still interested in supporting the SSCA, but two issues of concern include: 1) funding; and 2) responsibility for continuing the organization.  He suggested convening a meeting of the board members.

 

Responding to Council questions, Ms. Modrzejewski pointed out that the City budget includes $7,000 for sister cities activities.

 

Councilmembers discussed ways the City could publicize and support the SSCA.  Councilmembers raised the question of whether Councilmembers could serve on the SSCA Board.  It was suggested that Councilmembers could join the SSCA as individual members, but they should probably not serve as board members.

 

Councilmember Hansen noted that he is a member and explained that anyone can join the SSCA for a nominal membership fee.  He said the primary advocate for the SSCA was Cheryl Lee’s uncle, but there has been little activity since he passed away.

 

Mayor Ransom envisioned a system in which the SSCA would be funded by the City for the first couple years, after which it would be funded by private sources.  He felt that City funds should be used to send Councilmembers to Boryeong, noting that if cities are serious about sister city relations, they will do that.  He noted that the City of Federal Way cultivated a relationship with its sister city in a similar way.

 

The Council continued discussing ways to bolster the sister city program.  Councilmember Hansen noted that he may travel to Boryeong this fall. 

 

Responding to Council questions, Mr. Passey outlined the activities sponsored by the SSCA in 2005, which included a visit from Boryeong High School students in the spring and participation by visiting Korean artists in the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Festival.  He said that minimal staff time was expended for SSCA activities in 2005.

 

Mr. Olander stated that the City expenditure policy allows for Councilmember travel.  He suggested that if Councilmembers wish to go to Korea, it may be worthwhile to invite a port commissioner.

 

Ms. Modrzejewski pointed out that planning activities may be a method of reenergizing the SSCA.

 

Deputy Mayor Fimia noted that Bill Stafford, of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, is an excellent resource on these issues.  She said she would like the City focus on one area of trade exchange, such as marketing solar energy products to Korea.  In turn, Boryeong could market their mud soap products here.

 

Mayor Ransom summarized Council consensus to direct staff to arrange a future meeting of the active board members of the SSCA with the intent of identifying an action plan and new leadership.

 

Turning to a different topic, Mayor Ransom commented on the support by many cities of the Kyoto Accords, which recognizes global warming and its detrimental effects on populations.  He felt the City should propose a proclamation or some other means to recognize the serious nature of global warming.

 

Councilmember Way suggested talking more about it at the Council Retreat.  She felt the City should explore what it would entail to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

 

Mr. Olander said there are a number of practical steps the City can take to address this issue, such as exploring sustainable building practices and creating a more “walkable” community.  He shared his idea of neighborhood commercial centers throughout the City which could be accessible by walking or cycling.

 

Deputy Mayor Fimia pointed out that residents of the apartments adjacent to Top Foods have to go all the way out to 175th Street in order to access the grocery store rather than having a more direct walkway between the properties.  She used this as an example of how the City can use the Development Code to promote pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods.

 

Councilmember Hansen pointed out that there are a variety of opinions regarding the causes and extent of global warming.  He said information he has read seems to “debunk” the theory as it has been accepted by many people.

 

Councilmember Gustafson concurred, noting the need for further investigation of the theory.  He added that the earth has undergone a series of warming and cooling cycles throughout history.

 

Councilmember Ryu suggested that despite one’s opinion on global warming, the City can address issues such as flooding in a practical way.

 

Deputy Mayor Fimia noted that by 2030, even with the Sound Transit expansion, traffic congestion and travel time will quadruple.  She wondered how the City will be able to serve a low-density population that will not ultimately be served by transit.  She speculated that cities will be forced to build more roads.

 

There was consensus to discuss these and other issues in more depth at the Council Retreat.

 

Mayor Ransom declared the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

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Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director