CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, July 10, 2006 Shoreline Conference Center
6:00 p.m. Highlander Room
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Fimia and Councilmembers Gustafson, McGlashan, Ryu, and Way
ABSENT: Mayor Ransom and Councilmember Hansen
STAFF: Bob Olander, City Manager; Julie Modrzejewski, Assistant City Manager; Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director; Ian Sievers, City Attorney; Paul Haines, Public Works Director; and Rika Cecil, Environmental Coordinator
TOPICS: • Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 Interlocal Agreement
• King Conservation District Assessment
Deputy Mayor Fimia convened the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Councilmember Gustafson introduced the topics of tonight’s meeting -- the modifications to the WRIA-8 Interlocal Agreement (ILA), and the King Conservation District (KCD) assessment.
Councilmember Gustafson explained that WRIA-8 is composed of 29 jurisdictions and was formed in response to the listing of the Chinook salmon as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The focus of the group is shifting from “planning” to “implementation” to carry out the projects listed in the plan. Under the agreement, King County has acted as the service provider for WRIA-8 projects and planning, but under the new agreement, a non-profit organization could now carry out the projects in the plan (e.g. Trout Unlimited).
Ms. Cecil pointed out that “active” membership status in WRIA-8 would cost the City $16,340 annually over a nine-year period.
It was explained that the WRIA-8 Forum will meet July 20 to vote on changes to the ILA, and then it will return in the fall so each jurisdiction can ratify the agreement in final form.
Councilmember Gustafson and Ms. Cecil presented a table and funding level options for the WRIA-8 Forum. Deputy Mayor Fimia and Councilmember Way asked several questions about the proposed projects and previous year’s projects and budgets. Councilmember Gustafson said he would provide that information.
Councilmember Gustafson said he believes the new governance structure and assessment schedule are good and give the City of Shoreline an appropriate voice. He responded to Deputy Mayor Fimia that he would find out the amount of overhead King County is charging jurisdictions.
Regarding KCD’s assessment, the amount has increased from $5 per parcel to $10 per parcel. Councilmember Gustafson and Ms. Cecil explained KCD’s current and proposed assessment amount and three scenarios on how the funds would be disbursed:
Current ($5/parcel): $3 to salmon recovery projects through WRIA-8
$1 to local governments
$1 to KCD
Proposed ($10/parcel): $6 to salmon recovery projects through WRIA-8
$2 to local governments
$2 to KCD
KCD proposed a different split for the $10/parcel proposition:
Proposed ($10/parcel): $3 to salmon recovery projects through WRIA-8
$3 to local governments
$3 to KCD
$1 to a new competitive grant program
Councilmember Gustafson and Ms. Cecil explained that the new proposal for the 3:3:3:1 split came as a surprise to the members of WRIA-8 because when the new $10/parcel assessment was proposed and lobbied through the state legislature, it was with the understanding that the 6:2:2 ratio would be applied.
A discussion ensued among the Councilmembers and staff about the advantages and disadvantages of the two funding ratios and the positions taken by various jurisdictions.
Councilmember Gustafson said he supports the 6:2:2 ratio because it would be the most effective in getting the WRIA-8 projects accomplished sooner.
Councilmember Way said she has worked with KCD in the past, and they provide good services and practical projects to help farmers.
Deputy Mayor Fimia asked if there was any explanation by the KCD on the merits of its proposal. Councilmember Gustafson and Ms. Cecil explained that they had requested that information, but the KCD Board was not scheduled to meet again before the July 14 deadline for comments on the proposal. Also, WRIA-8 Chair Don Davidson, a Bellevue City Councilmember, has a draft letter to the KCD Board asking for changes in the proposed split and was seeking a sign-on by other cities.
The Council agreed to review items in their packets about the assessment and the Davidson letter and let Councilmember Gustafson know by Wednesday, July 12 whether they support the Mayor signing the Davidson letter and/or their positions on the KCD assessment ratios.
On a different topic, Councilmember Ryu handed out the latest draft of the proposed changes in the SeaShore agreement. She asked Councilmembers to read the proposal and provide feedback.
Deputy Mayor Fimia declared the meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
__________________________________________________________
Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director