CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 3, 2006 Shoreline Conference Center
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Fimia and Councilmembers Hansen, McGlashan, Ryu, and Way
ABSENT: Mayor Ransom and Councilmember Gustafson
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Deputy Mayor Fimia, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Deputy Mayor Fimia led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exceptions of Mayor Ransom, Councilmember Gustafson, and Councilmember Hansen. Councilmember Hansen arrived at 6:40 p.m.
Upon motion by Councilmember McGlashan, seconded by Councilmember Way and carried 4-0, Mayor Ransom and Councilmember Gustafson were excused.
Deputy Mayor Fimia announced that the proclamation would be presented following the City Manager’s report.
3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Bob Olander, City Manager, reported on the success of the volunteer project to remove invasive weeds at Echo Lake. He also reported on the success of the Shoreline Live Program, presented by the City’s specialized recreation group. Over 350 people were in attendance at this event. Mr. Olander noted the potential improvement to surface water capacity with the purchase of a new generator for water pumping. He concluded his report with an update of the Aurora Corridor Project.
(a) Proclamation of “ShoreLions’ Day”
Deputy Mayor Fimia invited members of the ShoreLions team and their supporters forward to receive the proclamation. She read the proclamation, which acknowledged the City-sponsored ShoreLions basketball team’s victory in the Special Olympics basketball championship on Sunday, March 5. Coach Christie Wicklander accepted the proclamation and thanked the City for supporting specialized recreation programs in the City.
4. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Way reported on the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Vision 2020 Awards Program and on the various projects that received recognition at this event.
Councilmember Ryu reported on the Asian-American Leadership Conference and on a forum sponsored by Seattle City Light (SCL) regarding electric rate restructuring. She pointed out that the City is paying a 6 percent rate, and the maximum rate allowed by the franchise agreement is 8 percent. She said the $9 million utility project for Aurora Corridor Phase 1 will be amortized over a 25-year period, so Shoreline ratepayers will bear the cost. She urged the community to contact SCL for additional information on future forums.
Mr. Olander noted that Finance Director Debbie Tarry has been on the Rate Advisory Committee in the past. He said the City is in discussions with SCL regarding potential rate increases, and he hopes to “get to the bottom” of the rate proposal.
Councilmember McGlashan reported on a fundraiser for Shoreline Public Schools which raised over $100,000.
Councilmember Hansen asked about the status of the lawsuit between SCL and the Suburban Cities Association (SCA).
Ian Sievers, City Attorney, reported that the SCA and City of Seattle prevailed on an initial summary judgment, but the item is now on appeal to the State Supreme Court.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Lawrence Dieffenbach, Shoreline, urged the City Council to write a letter to President Bush and Governor Gregoire asking for an investigation into reports of state-sponsored persecution and murder of Falun Dafa practitioners in China by the Chinese government. He described the crimes against Falun Dafa as a “horrifying campaign of torture and persecution” and said the Chinese government must be held accountable.
(b) Michelle Huang, Issaquah, concurred with the previous speaker and described the alleged crimes and atrocities against Falun Dafa practitioners. She pointed out that persecution of Falun Dafa has extended beyond China; practitioners are now facing persecution in many other areas of the world, including the United States. She said now is the time to call for an investigation because Chinese Prime Minister Hu Jin Tao will be meeting with President Bush this month.
(c) LaNita Wacker, Shoreline, noted that Saturday was the anniversary of the death of her husband, Judge Robert Wacker, who was “a loss to this community and an advocate for youth sports.” She outlined his background in coaching and said he always urged people to donate to the City for youth sports. She said anyone who voted for her husband as judge for the past 28 years should also vote in favor of the parks bond, because it is a vote in favor of parks and youth sports. She presented a check to Parks Director Dick Deal and urged everyone to support parks and recreation programs through their votes and contributions.
(d) Shari Winstead Tracey, Shoreline, reminded everyone to vote for the parks bond on May 16. She described how the bond proceeds would be used and said it is a well-balanced package of parks and open space projects and is a good value to the taxpayers. She said the bond is supported by soccer and little league groups, and the Parks Bond Committee is working hard raising money and disseminating the information with signs, flyers, and newsletters.
Councilmember Way pointed out that the City is already purchasing three acres of the South Woods property, so the bond would account for the remainder of the land and allow the City to acquire the entire parcel.
6. WORKSHOP ITEMS
(a) Comprehensive Housing Strategy Work Plan
Joe Tovar, Planning and Development Services Director, introduced Steve Cohn, Senior Planner, and explained that this proposal responds to the Council request for a comprehensive work plan to address housing needs in Shoreline. He provided a PowerPoint presentation and the context surrounding current housing needs, outlining the housing stock, demographics, and economic forces shaping the housing situation in Shoreline. He described Shoreline as a “first suburb,” which, like similar cities, is experiencing aging housing, an older population, smaller household size, and greater ethnic diversity. He noted that a high percentage of Shoreline’s land is zoned single-family (SF), and 75 percent of the housing stock is single-family housing. He discussed the goals and requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA), concluding that while the GMA provides direction, the Council retains some degree of discretion on housing policy. He outlined City policies and actions related to housing, such as the adopted Comprehensive Plan Housing Policies, Development Code density incentives for affordable housing, and other programs to assist homeowners to continue living in their homes. He then turned the presentation over to Mr. Cohn to describe the proposed Work Plan.
He explained the potential alternatives under each focus area, emphasizing that they are presented as a continuum to illustrate that each contain a range of options. He said the potential outcomes of the plan include Strategy, Comprehensive Plan policies, Development Code amendments, and potential projects and funding sources.
Mr. Cohn concluded his presentation by outlining the proposed Work Plan timeline, which commences in April 2006 with the Council Retreat and concludes with a Council public hearing and adoption in April 2007. The work plan timeline includes an inventory of existing conditions, check-in points with Council, formation of a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), and community meetings. Staff estimates that one Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employee working two months during the summer will be needed to gather the information described in the work plan. This cost is estimated to be $15,000. Approximately .25 - .3 FTE will be needed to work with the committee to develop the comprehensive housing strategy, which can be absorbed with current staffing levels.
Deputy Mayor Fimia called for public comment.
(a) Randy Hughes, Shoreline, noted that Comprehensive Plan Housing Goal H-12, cottage housing, appears to be back on the list. He pointed out that City staff should not offer cottage housing proposals because the public doesn’t want cottage housing in Shoreline.
Mr. Tovar clarified that a process is underway to remove Housing Goal H-12 from the Comprehensive Plan.
Deputy Mayor Fimia added that she asked staff to docket H-12 for removal from the Comprehensive Plan to make it consistent with Council’s most recent action on cottage housing. She noted that the Comprehensive Plan can only be amended once per year.
(b) Wendy DiPeso, Shoreline, representing Sustainable Shoreline, said it is important to consider not only the character of the community but also the influence of money on development. She urged the Council to support “smart” development that supports small businesses and residents and development that retains community character while still providing necessary services. She advocated for zero-impact design, green-build policies, and creative multi-use development in places such as the Aurora Corridor and Fircrest. She concluded that open space plays an integral role in the equation and the public needs to be involved in what should be a co-creative process.
Councilmember Ryu emphasized the need to assess existing conditions, find out the thoughts and needs of residents, and ensure the City advertises programs aimed at assisting the elderly and low-income residents. She suggested putting this information on Channel 21.
Mr. Cohn noted that the utility companies advertise their utility assistance programs.
Mr. Olander estimated that 800 Shoreline residents currently receive some kind of utility assistance.
Mr. Tovar noted that the proposed Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) is a more concentrated effort and one method of involving the public.
Councilmember Way favored citizen input earlier in the process, suggesting that a survey could be used to assess their needs and priorities. She expressed interest in exploring the issue of neighborhood character and possibly involving the Historical Museum in looking at historical character. She also felt a subcommittee should be formed early to consider the scope of work.
Mr. Tovar noted the two types of information that staff will explore: 1) empirical, which is easily measured; and 2) intangible, which involves issues such as character and sense of place. He noted that neighborhood character and values may differ from one neighborhood to another, so it might be advisable to include neighborhood organizations in the process.
Councilmember Way concurred with pursuing sustainable and green-build practices, as well as an element to address global warming. She emphasized the need to address the cumulative impacts of the housing strategy.
Mr. Olander said some of those items could move along a separate work plan in the near future.
Councilmember McGlashan agreed with the public comment concerning mixed-use development along Aurora Avenue and Fircrest. Referring to Housing Goal H-20, he pointed out that “affordable” housing really means subsidized housing, because someone, whether the City, the developer, or some other entity, must subsidize the cost. He wondered what types of incentives the City could offer, to which Mr. Cohn replied that many cities use density and height bonuses.
Councilmember Ryu expressed support for the Comprehensive Housing Strategy and wished to ensure that it is connected to the appropriate agencies.
Councilmember Hansen said he will be submitting some additional comments in writing. He concurred with Councilmember McGlashan and said some of the incentives and requirements amount to subsidized housing.
Deputy Mayor Fimia agreed that the public process should be early and frequent, and suggested that the City include a survey in its Currents publication. She suggested focusing on outcomes rather than specific data, adding that design review may be an element to include in the plan. She said good design will make future projects much easier to build. She also emphasized the type and location of various forms of housing, stressing the need for housing along transit corridors. She wondered if the plan could be finalized before the April Retreat.
Mr. Olander recommended waiting so the Council can look at the whole picture and set the priorities for staff.
Councilmember Way advised that a training session on GMA concurrency might be helpful for the Council. She said this is an important element that gets overlooked when projects are permitted.
Mr. Tovar reiterated that the Council has a lot of discretion, and while the issue of GMA concurrency can be complicated, it only becomes an issue after the plan is implemented.
Deputy Mayor Fimia suggested that staff provide a glossary of terms to enhance communication on this issue.
(b) Proposed Action Plan – Housing for Seniors with Limited Incomes
Deputy Mayor Fimia called for public comment, however, no one wished to address this item.
Rob Beem, Human Services Manager, said that last year a Council ad-hoc committee was created to investigate housing needs in Shoreline. The City also conducted a workshop in January 2006 with housing developers. Now, he said, this review is based on the combined results from the staff’s work with the developers and the City’s current policy and strategy. Additionally, City staff is proposing a short term action plan to address the needs of seniors in the community with limited incomes. He announced the four-steps in the plan:
1) Working on existing conditions and information
2) Educating homeowners on financial tools
3) Standing ready to partner with non-profit developers in the community
4) Establishing a fund to support housing development
He described the January 19th housing workshop which was paneled by housing developers, funders, and planners throughout the King County area. The panel of experts was asked to review the City’s data for their impressions of the City’s strategies and to get their advice on what other cities have implemented. He pointed out that in Shoreline, 1-in-5 households have an income of less than 50 percent of the King County median. He said that within the 1-in-5 group, seniors are overrepresented. He said 14 percent of all Shoreline households are seniors, and about 40 percent of the households that are below the King County median income are seniors. He noted that Shoreline has 50 transitional housing units and the King County Housing Authority supports about 820 housing units. The panelists felt the City should look at the high proportion of single family housing and single family housing rental units in Shoreline. He added since there is a significant portion of single family housing rentals in the City, the issue is determining who is renting the houses. He highlighted some of the things that were recommended by the panel:
1) Be aware that household sizes are declining.
2) Market is driving change, and we should understand the housing market
3) Match the housing strategy to the community values
4) Be open to development and redevelopment opportunities
Mr. Beem announced the four steps of the proposed action plan:
1) Identify current development opportunities including location and approximate cost, the availability and condition of existing multi-family housing stock, and the availability of land owned by state and local governments and non-profit organizations.
2) Implement strategies that will support seniors’ independent living.
3) Recruiting a developer to build a new facility using HUD section 202 and/or other government funds to allow rents affordable to older adults in this economic segment.
4) Establish a special fund to support the production or retention of affordable housing units.
Councilmember McGlashan asked if the City is funding any affordable housing units.
Mr. Beem said the City has made Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds available and have done some in the past. Additionally, some of the block grant funding has gone into the Veteran’s housing program, the Compass Center. Cities normally use CDBG and local funding for housing programs.
Councilmember McGlashan said he was surprised to see the number of subsidized
homes that exist in Shoreline. He commented that the median income in
Shoreline seems to be fairly high according to the report, in the 30 – 49
percent range, but for some reason it gets lower in the 50 – 79 percent
range. He asked if there was any reason why this happened.
Mr. Cohn speculated that it has to do with the predominance of seniors.
Councilmember Way wondered if Fircrest would be a place for future housing. She asked if there was an option being discussed about reconvening a Fircrest Master Plan process. She suggested the City look into it as an option. She also asked what a “special study area” was.
Mr. Beem said that Fircrest was not considered as a part of this specific strategy. He stated that one of the strategies for seniors is to look at what housing is in place now or is able to be developed through current zoning and regulations. He added that a broader comprehensive strategy is more appropriate to look at the viability of any changes and understanding them in the context of community priorities and values. These are two pieces of the overall approach, he outlined.
Councilmember Way inquired about the independent living aspect. She stated that her parents live in a retirement living community, and the seniors that reside there have many choices on activities and ways to connect with other residents in the town. Therefore, one option is for the City to look towards having a large retirement complex and the other is how to provide the same services to seniors who are not in one of the retirement homes.
Mr. Olander said the issue of “aging in place” is a major challenge the City needs to consider.
Councilmember Ryu asked if the City was saving the Federal or State government anything by helping seniors with their housing needs and how the City was educating senior residents who want to age in place. She also inquired if the City could become a clearinghouse for the educating of seniors on housing options.
Mr. Beem replied that the City does provide some funding to the Senior Center, which is operated by an independent non-profit, and they have a fairly broad range of services. He pointed out that item #2 in the action plan takes a look at the programs that help seniors remain in their own homes. The City would work with the Senior Center to identify a range of educational opportunities to help our seniors.
Deputy Mayor Fimia said it is a good idea to move forward. She noted that the “1-in-5” information should go into the City newsletter. She said the City should seek partnerships with Shoreline Community College as a part of the “Home Sharing Program.” She commented that at the Council Retreat she will be advocating spending money to partner with non-profits. She favored a housing trust fund. There are other housing needs the City should address, she said. For example, Redmond built a single family development for single mothers with young children.
Mr. Beem highlighted that the Vision House in Shoreline has asked for the City’s support in getting housing like that in the past. He said he has written letters in support of this effort.
Councilmember Way noted that the Vision House is having a fundraising brunch on April 22 for their program.
Councilmember Hansen stated that the Vision House has been pursuing this for some time. He said the major problem that they are dealing with is water permits and a water system developed in that area (Ballinger neighborhood). He said there is more development going on in that area than the water district can support. He agreed that it should be a great project, and he will find out more about the water capacity issue.
Deputy Mayor Fimia outlined that the youth in the community want jobs and the seniors need work done. Maybe there is a way to partner with another agency to fulfill both groups’ needs. She stated there should be some questions asked in the neighborhoods about where higher densities can be, or ask developers to build smaller houses with seniors having “first dibs” on them. This could be a survey question, she added.
Councilmember Hansen said the Council needs to make sure private areas are not left out of this plan. Aegis, he added, is a fantastic facility with 103 units for senior citizens. He said his mother and father-in-law are residing there. It is a fine facility and extremely attractive to seniors. He noted that the rent is from $1,400 to $4,000 per month depending on services.
Deputy Mayor Fimia inquired whether there was any objection to City staff moving forward with Option #1. Seeing none, there was Council consensus to direct City staff to implement the action plan as proposed (Option #1).
RECESS
At 8:54 p.m., Deputy Mayor Fimia called for a 5 minute recess. At 8:59 p.m. the meeting reconvened.
(c) Sidewalks – 2006 Priority Routes, Scope, and Process
Paul Haines, Public Works Director stated he has received positive calls and feedback on the sidewalk construction projects completed in 2006. He introduced Public Works Operations and Maintenance Manager, Jesus Sanchez, and Project Manager, Jon Jordan. This is not an easy task, he pointed out, since the 2006 and 2007 projects have very tight timetables. He discussed the scope for 2006 and 2007, noting that the staff has met with several entities to listen to concerns while keeping in mind the priorities from the Transportation Master Plan. He noted the following focused set of criteria for the 2006 projects:
· The projects must be built in 2006 with minimal delay
· The projects are significant service projects for the schools
· The projects can be designed and built at less cost than standard City sidewalks
He added that the final criterion is a technique to stretch the $900,000 to cover the most miles in the City. He said the sidewalks are going to look different, but they will be evaluated to ensure they are acceptable alternatives.
Mr. Sanchez said his focus is to use in-house skills rather than consultants for these projects. This minimizes administration costs, so the majority of funding goes directly into the projects themselves. He said using asphalt instead of concrete for pedestrian paths is one way of stretching project dollars. They are also trying different techniques to move people on foot in the safest, most efficient manner based on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
Mr. Jordan displayed slides of the walk route on 10th Avenue NE to Ridgecrest. He outlined that the Neighborhood Traffic Action Plan identified this as a high priority.
Mr. Sanchez said he and Mr. Haines met with the principal of Ridgecrest and she asked for more connectivity at the south end of the school. He pointed out that there was a person who was concerned with losing some space, but he reassured her that he would personally visit with her and make sure the design issues are worked on prior to putting the sidewalk in. He also told her that the City could not compromise on pedestrian safety for residents, but they would try to accommodate her needs. He displayed a typical cross-section of 10th Avenue and described the project. Continuing, he discussed 3rd Avenue NW, from Richmond Beach Road to 193rd Street NW to Einstein School, which is a high traffic volume, transit route. He said the principal of the school is excited because students cut through Hillwood Park to access the commercial area on Richmond Beach Road. Responding to Deputy Mayor Fimia, Mr. Sanchez said he would report back to the Council on cost estimates for this solution.
Mr. Jordan displayed slides of the cross section improvements. He noted that they are less expensive and there will be a “green” amenity zone at this location. Responding to Councilmember Way, he said residents are welcome to plant items in the amenity zone as long as they maintain them.
Mr. Sanchez added that they were planning to contact residents in the immediate area concerning this issue. He discussed Dayton Avenue to N. 172nd which is a walking route to Shorewood High School and St. Luke’s School and a transit route and a high traffic roadway. This project is supported by Principal Green of Shorewood High School, who would also like to see improvements further north of Linden Avenue as well as a pedestrian path connecting Park Avenue N. from the school to the Rec Center. This will connect to existing sidewalks and will be a part of the Dayton Wall Project.
Mr. Olander questioned if the sidewalks would eliminate off-street parking.
Mr. Jordan said there will be some impact but an input response process is being established.
Mr. Sanchez also added that there will still be parallel off-street parking when the project is completed.
Councilmember McGlashan clarified that there would be adequate distance for ADA accessibility.
Councilmember Way inquired how the bike route on 10th Avenue NE fits into this plan.
Mr. Cohn said there is still design work to do on 10th Avenue NE. If the road isn’t striped with a bike lane, then it is not the intent to create a bike lane. He said it is better to have vehicles parked on the street because they act as a traffic calming device. He said that the volume of vehicles and the speeds that they travel are the real issue in the City.
Councilmember Way asked how difficult would it be to stripe that street since it is a bike route.
Mr. Jordan said these roads are collector arterials because of the higher speeds and higher volume of cars on that road. He noted the arterials are not bike “friendly” and said residential neighborhoods are more suited for bicyclists. Conversely, 8th Avenue NE is well-suited for bicyclists because it has 5-foot wide bike lanes.
Mr. Cohn said the disadvantage for bike lanes is that cars cannot park on the street.
In response to Councilmember Way, Mr. Jordan said he will take a look at the width of 10th Avenue and determine if it can be used for a bike route as proposed in the TMP.
The discussion moved to the improvements on 8th Avenue NW, which includes walking paths, and safety/amenity zones.
Councilmember Way asked if there were any problems with people identifying their property in relation to the City right-of-way (ROW).
Mr. Sanchez explained that many people have “taken over” the ROW along 8th Avenue NW. He said while the “spirit of the law” is being followed, the City should try to balance residents’ desires with the City’s safety needs.
Responding to Councilmember Ryu, Mr. Sanchez affirmed that the City will not be spraying pesticides and herbicides on City ROW at the request of the Richmond Beach neighborhood.
Staff then described potential additive routes for 2006, including Fremont Avenue N. and N 195th Street. These two priority 1 routes are additive because of the estimated budget and schedule constraints and because of the lower speeds and volumes compared to the other routes. They may be added to the 2006 projects if funding and schedule allow.
Councilmember Way wondered if the projects could be designed to protect as many street trees as possible.
Mr. Sanchez said staff will look at meandering pathways and other options to protect street trees, but it must not compromise the goals related to safe and friendly streets.
Staff concluded the presentation by outlining the next steps, which include development of conceptual plans, bid documents, awarding the contract, public outreach, final design, and project construction. He emphasized the need for public input and outreach, adding that people can also provide comments and responses on the City Website.
Mr. Haines noted that staff now has to talk with every property owner and coordinate with the schools that will be providing summer school. He said the projects, which propose to spend $900,000 on pedestrian facilities this year, are simply an acceleration of the City’s Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
Councilmember Hansen complimented the Public Works staff, noting they have done a tremendous job of solving problems and creating solutions. He said the plan does not outline the proportion of asphalt to concrete, so he is not sure what portions will be asphalt and what portions will be concrete. He expressed concerns about the lifespan of asphalt, noting that concrete is much more durable. He said he would rather go slower and do a “first class job” with concrete rather than a quick, cheap job with asphalt.
Mr. Sanchez responded to Councilmember Hansen’s concerns, noting that the comparative costs between using asphalt and concrete may not be that different. He emphasized that staff will ensure that quality pathways are constructed. He noted that an extruded curb will give added protection to asphalt paths.
Mr. Haines acknowledged that asphalt is less durable that concrete. He noted that staff would need more time to construct concrete sidewalks.
Councilmember Hansen noted that concrete is a better long-term solution than asphalt. He commented that the asphalt path on 20th NW looks “cheesy.” He noted that Shoreline inherited some sidewalk problems because projects were constructed cheaply.
Mr. Jordan clarifies that the standard curb, gutter, and ramps in all the projects will be constructed of concrete.
Deputy Mayor Fimia called for public comment.
(a) Wendy DiPeso, Shoreline, representing Sustainable Shoreline, referred to the alternative pathway concepts on page 38 of the Council packet. She pointed out that some designs, such as the Widened Shoulder with Ditch or Swale, don’t necessarily protect pedestrians from traffic. She wondered about the possibility of overlaying a ditch or swale with some type of permeable surface, such as a boardwalk. This is better for the environment and it would protect pedestrians from moving vehicles.
MEETING EXTENSION
At 10:00 p.m., Councilmember Ryu moved to extend the meeting until 10:15 p.m. Councilmember Way seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.
Mr. Haines noted that amenity zones that are fed by street water can be linked to the bidding process. Porous pavement/asphalt can be added as an alternative bid element.
Councilmember McGlashan felt it would be more accurate to call the plan the “Safe Walking Path” program rather than “Sidewalk Plan.” He felt the plan was missing some needs, and he strongly agreed that ditches should be covered. He wondered if the plan included funding for sidewalks with existing utility poles, pointed out that wheelchairs cannot negotiate the sidewalk on Richmond Beach Road west of N 185th Street due to utility poles. He also wondered if the city could negotiate with property owners to put pathways on their property in order to retain street parking on Fremont Avenue and Dayton Avenue. He supported the concept of “doing it right the first time,” noting that the sidewalks King County installed in front of his business are crumbling. He also felt the City should consider more bicycle lanes in its projects.
Mr. Jordan said that staff considered “meandering pathways” to retain some existing street parking, but in some cases it would involve significant earthwork.
Mr. Haines said although concrete provides for a better structure, these projects should be viewed as interim or demonstration projects. He noted that the City will continue to require developers to build concrete sidewalks as a part of their projects, unless the City changes its policy.
Mr. Olander noted that the City endeavors to secure grant funds for permanent projects, such as concrete. He said it’s usually a 50 to 70-year process for concrete sidewalks.
Councilmember Ryu expressed support for the plan, noting her excitement at what she considers a very viable project. She said the City cannot wait 50 or 60 years for a permanent solution in many cases. She felt the proposal “puts money on the road” and emphasized the interim and demonstration nature of the projects. She pointed out that an extruded curb is cheaper to tear out, if and when that needs to happen. She said the plan is very workable and she will support it when the time comes.
Councilmember Way congratulated staff on what she considered to be a viable plan. Regarding pavement types, she urged the City to consider permeable pavement, because the state-of-the-art is moving in that direction. She commented on the many benefits that Sea Streets provide, and wondered if the various solutions could be combined to include bicycle lanes.
MEETING EXTENSION
At 10:15 p.m., Councilmember McGlashan moved to extend the meeting until 10:25 p.m. Councilmember Ryu seconded the motion, which carried 4-1, with Councilmember Hansen dissenting.
Responding to Councilmember Way, Mr. Jordan noted that the draft matrix on page 35 of the Council packet was incomplete as it related to ADA accessibility.
Councilmember Way said the color-coded maps were a bit confusing to read, as it was not entirely clear to her which streets were considered high-priority.
Mr. Sanchez said the key focus of the maps is connectivity to schools and the ease of installing the proposed solutions, as well as other criteria. He explained that a higher-priority project might take more time to plan, so it would not be constructed this year.
Mr. Haines emphasized that staff is requesting Council concurrence with the 2006 route priorities so it can begin the design and bidding process.
Mr. Olander added that Sea Streets cannot be included in the project list this year, and staff cannot necessarily promise pervious asphalt either. He emphasized the need for flexibility.
Councilmember Way asked how the Council can work with staff so it can make the right choices and decisions regarding materials and design.
Mr. Olander said that process will occur when staff returns to Council with the bids.
Mr. Haines said the bids will be complex documents, and the basis of the award may be a bit confusing, but that will be explained. Mr. Sanchez said while the bids will tell the City a lot about what kinds of projects are possible, staff is simply asking for concurrence on the routes first.
MEETING EXTENSION
At 10:25 p.m. Councilmember Ryu moved to extend the meeting until 10:35 p.m. Councilmember Way seconded the motion, which carried 3-2, with Councilmembers Hansen and McGlashan dissenting.
Councilmember Ryu wondered if the Fremont Avenue project could be substituted for the 10th Avenue NE project so that a Sea Street solution could be designed for 10th Avenue at a later time.
Mr. Haines strongly recommended that the Council approve the proposed list, since the cost and disruption would make 10th Avenue a very difficult Sea Street project.
Mr. Olander added that the City should be very careful in deciding where a Sea Street should go. He emphasized the need to be very selective, and staff is not comfortable with making 10th Avenue a Sea Street at this time.
Councilmember Way said she would be ‘thrilled” if they could be incorporated somewhere in the proposed plan, since the watershed has been “hammered.” She urged staff to explore pervious surface materials.
Mr. Olander affirmed that the proposed routes already have drainage.
Mr. Haines speculated that Aurora Avenue might be a good place to consider pervious pavement alternatives.
Councilmember Fimia said she is enthusiastic about the proposal, noting that it provides for safe walkways for children and other pedestrians. She pointed out that many children are currently in jeopardy as they walk in Shoreline. She said the proposed plan is flexible, fast, affordable, relatively durable, and the mix of materials and design will provide an effective pedestrian solution at key locations in the City. She noted that the overall project size in linear feet is just under 2 miles.
There was Council consensus to direct staff to move forward with the Sidewalks – 2006 Priority Routes, Scope, and Process.
7. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:32 p.m., Deputy Mayor Fimia declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/ Scott Passey, City Clerk, CMC