CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 11, 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: Debbie Tarry, Acting City Manager; Dick Deal, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director; Lynn Cheeney, Recreation Superintendent; Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director
GUESTS: YMCA of Greater Seattle: Courtney Whitaker, Executive Director; Pearl Noreen, Board member; Don Mallett, Board member; Steve Dunn, Board member; Stacy Segal, YMCA Foundation.
At 6:20 p.m., Mayor Ransom opened the meeting with introductions around the table.
Mr. Dunn opened the presentation on behalf of the YMCA with a discussion of the organizations’ fundraising efforts. The YMCA is trying to raising $68 million for its programs and projects. The YMCA Board is composed of 30 members; they alone raised $1 million. The Board also asked the Gates Foundation for $6 million. They received more than $7 million and a pledge from them to fund any child who wants to attend Camp Orkila.
Mr. Dunn provided a PowerPoint presentation which emphasized the following points about the need for a new facility:
Noting the partnership with Sherwood, Oregon, Ms. Noreen mentioned the great benefits of creating alliances between cities and the YMCA. The YMCA is a collaborative agency and works with others; not in competition with them. She said the YMCA would like to work with the City and its parks to enhance programs and opportunities for youth in the community.
Dr. Mallett pointed out that their current facility is 56-years old and covers only 7,200 square feet, with two modular units in back. The YMCA would like to build a 50,000 square-foot facility at Echo Lake, which will feature a full gym, a pool, cardio-vascular equipment, and meeting rooms. He said it should be similar to the new YMCA in Auburn, which is a very community-oriented, open facility. This board pledged more than $1 million over a five-year period for the building drive.
Ms. Whitaker reviewed the proposed site plan, which is slightly less than two acres. The facility will have two levels of underground parking built into the slope of the property. She anticipated that they will close on the property next week.
Ms. Whitaker pointed out that the developer has met all the conditions of the contract rezone with the City. The Inland Group is the developer of the property. Public access to the lake is granted and maintained as part of the agreement with the developer. The facility will also connect with the Interurban Trail.
Councilmember Way asked City staff how they viewed the collaboration between the YMCA and the City. Mr. Deal replied that people want good programs for their kids, but the question of which entity provides them is not as important as ensuring the programs are good. Based on the experience in other communities, it will be a good partnership. He stated that if we do this now, we’ll be doing more of it in the future.
Councilmember Way expressed a concern that we need to ensure safe pedestrian crossing of Aurora Avenue.
Councilmember Ryu asked if the YMCA Board had considered buying an existing building and refurbishing it. She also asked if the Board conducted any surveys or market analyses to determine how the community would be served by a new pool.
Ms. Whitaker said they have done these studies and focus groups to find out what people want. She concluded that people want more pool facilities and programs.
Councilmember Gustafson congratulated the Board for its tireless energy and work in getting this facility built. He commented favorably on the YMCA in Mountlake Terrace’s family pool. He asked if the proposed YMCA at Echo Lake will feature a climbing wall.
Ms. Whitaker said that a climbing wall is a goal, but they are currently looking for where to place it in the facility.
Councilmember Hansen asked why the proposed design does not include an automobile connection between the two garages.
Ms. Whitaker said the grade of the two levels doesn’t match, so they couldn’t make that connection.
Deputy Mayor Fimia asked if the facility would be serving low income residents.
Ms. Whitaker said the YMCA is committed to serving all people. About 42% of the children they serve are or will be receiving some type of subsidy; their goal is serving 50% in the new facility.
Deputy Mayor Fimia inquired if the YMCA is asking the City for a set amount of financial assistance. She also asked about potential funding sources from the state or county.
Ms. Whitaker replied that the YMCA will try to get verbal and other capital assistance from the City. There is a $1 million King County earmark for all four YMCA projects, and they will be requesting funds from the state as well.
Mr. Dunn said the City could put its funding into support for the low-income youth programs.
Mayor Ransom said he’s been here a long time and thinks this proposed site is a good one. In terms of financial assistance, perhaps the City could help out with permit costs. He commented that the City does not have much discretionary spending right now, and he’s not optimistic in the short term.
Responding to Councilmember McGlashan about whether agencies could do a payment plan, Ms. Whitaker answered affirmatively.
Councilmember Way asked City staff what types of assistance the City could provide.
Ms. Tarry said staff would like to check with the City Attorney regarding what the City can legally provide. She said we would also have to show the public benefit from any money we provide.
Councilmember Gustafson noted that Hang Time is a teen program that is already a joint City/YMCA effort that benefits teenagers. He described it as a good program and a precedent for City funding. The program averages 75-95 participants per day.
Councilmember Ryu asked if there are any plans to do another feeding program for families in need, or if there are any programs for non English-speaking kids.
Ms. Whitaker said the YMCA would like to expand the feeding program. Currently, the Bothell School District is looking into a non-native English speaking program, and the YMCA is looking into it as well.
Councilmember Way stressed the need to use “green” building techniques and provide environmental learning classes, if possible.
Ms. Whitaker noted that the YMCA of Greater Seattle said the development at Echo Lake will definitely be “green.”
Mr. Dunn expressed a desire to create a partnership with the City to help people in need.
At 7:25 p.m., the meeting adjourned.
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Joyce Nichols, Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director