CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 18, 2006 Shoreline Conference Center
PRESENT: Mayor Ransom, Deputy Mayor Fimia, Councilmembers Gustafson, McGlashan, Hansen, Ryu, and Way
ABSENT: NONE
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:36 p.m. by Mayor Ransom, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Ransom led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Bob Olander, City Manager, stated that every year the Public Works department takes on one Team Building Project each year. He introduced Paul Haines, Public Works Director, to provide details on this year’s project.
Paul Haines, Public Works Director, stated that his department did an outreach project involved clearing ivy and blackberries along Fremont between 160th and 163rd Streets and installing a 365-foot concrete walkway. He thanked Bob and Ingrid Barta from the Highland Terrace (HT) Neighborhood Association for assisting with the project. He also thanked Herb and Gloria Bryce for their time.
Councilmember Way commented that this is great community unity-building exercise. She added that Boeing Creek runs underneath this site, so it is a good use of pervious concrete. She said she looks forward to seeing the plants grow.
Mr. Olander continued his report and pointed out that the City’s crime statistics from January through August of 2006 have decreased compared to the same period in 2005. He said the resources that the Council allocated towards the police services have had a direct affect on the reduction in crime. He reported the following statistics:
· Part I crimes are down 10%
· Residential burglaries are down 14%
· Commercial burglaries are down 40%
· Traffic accidents are down 19%
· Auto theft is down 2%
· All other thefts are down 39%
Councilmember Hansen said he viewed some national statistics which reflected that all of these categories were going up considerably.
Mr. Olander stated that the Teen Program at the Highline Recreation Center opened the fall quarter on September 8th with approximately 81 participants. He added that the Parks Department arranged for wireless internet access in the facility. He announced several upcoming meetings and events, noting that applications for the Comprehensive Strategy Citizen Advisory Committee are available on the City’s website or from the City Clerk’s Office and are due September 29th.
Councilmember Hansen noted that there is an Echo Lake Neighborhood Council meeting on September 19th concerning a possible stop light on Aurora Avenue and 195th Street.
Mr. Haines said there are neighborhood traffic meetings starting; the first meeting is in the Shoreline Center and will address all traffic related concerns in a city-wide action plan.
Councilmember Way announced that the public should attend the workshops by the Puget Sound Alliance for shorelines on September 18, 19, 21, and 26.
Mayor Ransom inquired about the zoning complaint investigation.
Mr. Olander responded that he hasn’t received the staff report yet. The report is administrative in nature and the staff is responsible for investigating and ensuring compliance with the Shoreline Municipal Code. If a party wishes to appeal, it will go to the hearing examiner, then to the King County Superior Court. If anyone in the public has any further information about this complaint, he said, they should route their comments to Joe Tovar, Planning and Development Services Director, or Rachel Markle, Assistant Planning and Development Services Director. He concluded that the final determination rests with Mr. Tovar.
Deputy Mayor Fimia said she received an e-mail that made allegations that Councilmembers were trying to influence code enforcement. She asked City Manager Olander whether he was being influenced by the Council and asked for his response in writing.
Mr. Olander stated that neither he nor any staff member has been pressured, coerced or influenced by any Councilmember regarding this issue and would prepare a written statement for the Council.
4. COMMUNITY PRESENTATION
a) Shoreline Chamber of Commerce
Judy Smith, Vice President/President-elect of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, gave a presentation to the Council regarding the Chamber and its programs. She introduced Gary Batch, Chairman of the Dollars for Scholars program. She requested City funding in order to establish a convention/conference bureau in the City. She discussed the Chamber’s activities and its board members and highlighted the numerous strategic alliances the Chamber maintained. Each alliance, she outlined;
· Represents an existing interest and an ongoing activity of the Chamber
· Offers the Chamber an expanded partnership in programs and action plans they are achieving and allows them to utilize human resources for more effective results.
· Brings the Chamber to the forefront of business planning and activity in the Puget Sound Corridor
· Contributes the Chamber’s resources into program action plans to achieve mutual goals.
· Provides additional membership benefits
She said that the economic development committee encourages businesses to participate in partnerships to grow and develop and work with Shoreline Community College on its Small Business Incubator and Manufacturing Center of Excellence programs. She highlighted that the Chamber believes their investment in the Business Incubator Program will lead to the sustainment and growth of current businesses, as well as the development of new businesses in Shoreline. Additionally, the program will increase the efficiency of the dissolution process if a firm fails. The Chamber, she announced, started 2006 with a nominal budget and needs $50,000 from the City for their budget next year. She reviewed the budget, including the short and long-range plan, and concluded by introducing Mr. Batch.
Gary Batch, Chairman for Dollars for Scholars Program, thanked the City Council for the opportunity to present. He said Dollars for Scholars is separate, but owned by the Chamber and is a 501C(3) non-profit organization. He said the Chamber of Commerce has a scholarship program to provide assistance to families with college students. The Chamber sponsors an annual auction to raise funds for the scholarship program each year. The auction this year will be held October 28th. However, he said there is a need for more funding. He discussed graduation statistics and the goal of giving two-year scholarships to every graduating Shoreline high school senior who qualifies. He explained that UPROMISE is a Manufacturer’s Rebate Program which allows retailers to donate a percentage of their purchases to the Dollar’s for Scholars fund. He solicited the endorsement of the Council, Shoreline School District, Shoreline Community College, and all civic and religious groups in the City to assist in promoting this program. He urged Shoreline residents to shop in Shoreline.
Ms. Smith highlighted the Chamber’s Governmental Relations Committee that is chaired by Mayor Ransom and closed the presentation.
Councilmember Ryu asked how a resident could participate in Project 2018 and whether or not the UPROMISE program was reviewed by an attorney. Mr. Batch responded that Attorney Keith McClelland reviewed the program and ensured it was legal.
Deputy Mayor Fimia suggested the Council follow up and discuss at a future meeting the aspects of an endorsement for the Dollars for Scholars UPPROMISE program and the allocation of funding for the Chamber.
Mayor Ransom commented that prior to this meeting the possible allocation amount was $25,000. This is the first time it has been communicated that the amount has changed to $50,000, he said. He asked if this reflects matching funds from the Chamber.
Mr. Batch said this is over a two-year span. He said the initial $25,000 is to get the program up and running; the second $25,000 is to keep it operating.
Councilmember Gustafson expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Dollars for Scholars Program. He clarified that the graduation statistics Mr. Batch referred to were nationwide, because two out of every three Shoreline seniors attend college.
Mr. Batch responded to Councilmember Hansen and said there are no administrative costs involved with the UPROMISE program.
Councilmember Way congratulated the group for their presentation and goals. She commented that she is proud to be associated with the Chamber and looks forward to working with Mr. Batch.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Bob Barta, Shoreline, speaking on behalf of the Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association, thanked the Council for the quality of life in the City. He said the Council of Neighborhoods helped initiate the Fremont Place Trail. He pointed out that the trail connects the Interurban Trail and the Boeing Creek trials by Shoreline Community College. The Public Works Department donated their time to clean up this overgrown, unsafe area that was a haven for the homeless. He invited the Councilmembers and the public to see it and appreciate the work done.
(b) Catherine Rickert, Shoreline, said she lives on NW 199th Street and she shares concern about the safety of her neighborhood. She said there is a disregard concerning traffic safety and speeding. She added that the “purple garage” doesn’t fit in the neighborhood. She said the City has been investigating these issues for two years and she looks forward to a resolution.
(c) Bronston Kenney, Shoreline, on behalf of Sustainable Shoreline, said developers are given an unfair advantage in Shoreline. He felt that citizens don’t have equal standing with developers. He recommended that the one public hearing for land use items be brought to the Council. This will result in the perception of fairness and accountability, he stated.
(d) Tom Corbett, Shoreline, said he is looking forward to the report from the Planning Department concerning the code enforcement issue brought up in last week’s Council meeting.
(e) Amy Boone, Shoreline, stated she is a pediatric and women’s health care nurse practitioner at the King County/Seattle Health Department. She highlighted that there is a King County proposal to close the Bothell and the Northgate clinics. She informed the Council that a number of King County and Shoreline residents are served in the Bothell clinic. She contended that there are a considerable number of people north of Seattle who need health services who will suffer and she isn’t sure where they will go. She announced that there will be a rally at the Northgate Clinic on September 30th and she urged concerned residents to support their efforts to keep both clinics open.
(f) Chris Covert-Bowlds, Seattle, speaking as a family physician at the Northgate clinic, noted that Executive Ron Sims’ budget proposal will be issued on October 16 and the decision on the clinic closures is to be made November 21. He said he drafted a letter in opposition of the closures and asked the Council and the residents for their endorsement. He invited the public to speak at the rally on September 30. He added that House Bill 4410 is a new bill in Olympia that will dedicate State funds to local clinics.
Deputy Mayor Fimia said she would be honored to speak at the rally, adding that she is a former nurse and former King County Councilmember.
Councilmember Way thanked Dr. Covert-Bowlds and his staff. She said she used to use the services at the Northgate Clinic in the past and was shocked to hear that King County wants to close it. She said she will try to attend the rally and asked Mr. Olander the practicality of creating a resolution opposing the closures.
Mr. Olander responded that the Council was briefed on this issue and authorized the staff to draft a letter to be signed by Mayor Ransom to King County Councilmember Ferguson, Executive Sims, and the King County Council. He said the letter is currently being drafted and will be sent to them.
Councilmember Ryu noted that over 20% of the population of Shoreline students qualify for school lunch assistance and are low income. She said she would like a copy of House Bill 4410.
(g) Pat Murray, Shoreline, said last week the Mayor told the public that he wasn’t prepared for the trip to Boryeong. He recommended that the trip be postponed because there will be more time to prepare and winter is not the best time to visit Korea. He said the Mayor should take the time to learn a few phrases. He said the City should “put its best foot forward” and there is nothing wrong with soliciting funds from local businesses in the community. He expressed support for Mr. Kenney’s comments, as it is not fair to the residents for developers to have priority. He also said the public hearing should be held in the Council meetings.
(h) Beth O’Neill, Shoreline, said she commented on the zoning violations at the home of Lila Smith at last week’s Council meeting. She said she was warned by someone prior to tonight’s meeting not to discuss anything political. She said she is compelled to speak in response to what Deputy Mayor Fimia said earlier, noting that she didn’t make any statements to the effect that Councilmembers use their positions to influence the process. She said she would like to see the e-mail that claims she said these things. She noted Councilmember Ryu’s advice to her last week to refrain from using words such as “lies” because it could become the basis of a libel suit. She said the e-mail Deputy Mayor Fimia referred to, which is not a public record yet, would have had to come directly from her (Ms. O’Neill) in order to be true.
(i) Judy Simon, Shoreline, pointed out that she is the author of the e-mail in question. She said she would like to discuss it later. She said she also looks forward to the Council effectively enforcing zoning regulations in the City.
Mr. Olander summarized the public comments. He urged all concerned citizens to contact the Planning and Development Services Director for factual information on zoning code regulations.
Councilmember Hansen concurred with the comments of Catherine Rickert concerning vehicles speeding up and down the street. He said he doesn’t use 199th Avenue any longer because it is an unsafe road.
Councilmember Way inquired about the proper process for changing the code per Mr. Kenney’s suggestion.
Mr. Olander said he can prepare a staff report for the Council concerning this.
Councilmember Gustafson asked if the comments Mr. Kenney expressed was his personal position or that of Sustainable Shoreline.
Mayor Ransom responded that the chairman for Sustainable Shoreline affirmed that it is the position of Sustainable Shoreline.
Councilmember Ryu said she is frustrated with the process for quasi-judicial decisions. She highlighted that some of the information that gets discussed in the Planning Commission public hearings doesn’t make it into the Council reading packet. She said she prefers that the Council hold the hearings on quasi-judicial land use proposals.
Mr. Olander pointed out that all zoning should comply with the Comprehensive Plan. He felt that it didn’t matter where the requisite public hearing was held, as long as it is done comprehensively. He concluded that he would prepare a memorandum about the one requisite hearing for the Council.
Mayor Ransom felt there have been many times in the past that the public hasn’t had adequate public hearings on controversial issues.
At 8:11 p.m., Mayor Ransom calls for a five minute break. At 8:20 p.m., Mayor Ransom reconvenes the meeting.
6. STUDY ITEMS
(a) 2007 Budget and City Long-Term Projection Update
Mr. Olander said this was an introduction to the 2007 Budget process with the intent to provide the Council with updated figures and projections.
Debbie Tarry, Finance Director presented the proposed calendar for budget review, noting that Council is expected to adopt the budget on November 27. She highlighted the financial policies that guide the budget decisions in Shoreline. She reviewed the major occurrences which have influenced the budget since her presentation at the Council Retreat in April 2006, noting that current expenditures are $280,000 higher than the revenues in the 2007 Preliminary Operating Budget. She said in April staff predicted the budget gap would be $60,000; currently it is $280,000. Specific items that have changed since April include:
· Gambling taxes are down because of less patronage ($451,000)
· Utility contract payments are stable, i.e. Seattle City Light (SCL) ($150,000)
· Utility taxes, natural gas up from April projection and there is a proposed 9.9% rate increase
· June Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Seattle-Tacoma – 4.2%
· Jail Activity has stabilized, but at higher usage rates
· State retirement contribution rate increase established by the State Legislature – 98.5% increase from 2006 to 2007
· Health Benefits - Approximate 8.8% increase from 2006 to 2007
· Human Service funding slight increase to account for anticipated reduction in CDBG grants
Continuing, Ms. Tarry noted the outside contributors that are affecting the City’s budget. She said the City is experiencing limited revenue growth because property taxes are limited to 1% plus new construction; sales tax is growing at a rate lower than the growth rate of inflation; gambling taxes are declining; and the revenue from court fines are nonexistent because District Court costs are so high. She added that expenditure growth has gone up based on inflation, increased jail usage, increases in utility rates, and higher rates in retirement contribution rates for the City.
Councilmember Way asked for the definition of “fine” revenue.
Ms. Tarry responded that it is revenue derived from law enforcement fines, mostly traffic citations.
In response to an inquiry from Councilmember Hansen, Ms. Tarry said that staff estimates the property tax revenue increase will be 1.9%, with .9% of the revenue coming from new construction.
Councilmember Way inquired about the 5.6% increase in the law enforcement contract from the 2006 budget.
Ms. Tarry confirmed the increase and said 2006 is the last year of a three-year grant the City has been receiving, so law enforcement costs will go up in 2007.
Concerning the property growth rate, Ms. Tarry stated that the projected property tax rate was $1.14 per $1,000 assessed valuation in 2007, a drop of 29% since incorporation. She also noted that the sales tax revenues are also not keeping up with the inflation rate.
Deputy Mayor Fimia asked how Shoreline compares with other similarly sized cities.
Ms. Tarry responded that there are varying levels of sales tax rates throughout the State. However, even though our sales tax revenue may be lower, it is steadier.
Deputy Mayor Fimia questioned if there were correlations to the economy and comparisons to other cities done by the county or state.
Ms. Tarry replied that usually a sales tax comparison is created on a per capita basis.
Deputy Mayor Fimia asked what is causing the reduction in sales tax revenue and whether or not it is caused by forces beyond our control.
Ms. Tarry responded that an abundance of the sales tax revenue comes from the sale of consumer goods in the City. Therefore, our revenue is more consistent. Fluctuating sales tax returns occur in cities like Kent and Renton because they have warehousing and other types of industries that affect their sales.
Mr. Olander said retail sales tax on construction also adds to the frequent fluctuations in sales tax revenues.
Councilmember Way wondered why the inflation rate in the presentation seemed to be flat.
Mr. Olander said it represents the general market value which doesn’t take into account several aspects of the economy. He said it is mostly based on consumer goods and groceries.
Councilmember Hansen added that college tuition, housing sales, and gasoline sales do not affect the sales tax base. He also pointed out that soft drinks and prepared food items are not subject to sales tax either.
Mr. Olander highlighted that if inflation is taken out of the equation the sales growth is negative. He explained that when there are increased costs without steady revenue growth, the City gets put in a negative-growth situation.
Councilmember Way reflected that the cost of steel was a factor for the completion of the Interurban Bridge. She wondered if there is a way to measure this to determine the real impact on the average citizen and the budget. She commented that it might be helpful to see this on paper.
Councilmember Gustafson suggested Ms. Tarry continue with her presentation and Councilmembers could ask questions at the end.
Ms. Tarry continued her presentation and noted that overall general fund expenditures will increase by 1.3% from 2006 to 2007. One of the areas that will experience significant increases is personnel expenditures, she said. Health benefits and retirement costs for City employees will increase in 2007. There are also some employees who will qualify for increases in their pay range, and a market adjustment will be included in 2007 for all employees. She added that there is a 46% increase in jail costs for 2007. She pointed out that the gambling tax rate is scheduled to revert back to 10% on April 1st and those funds will go towards capital funds. Overall, she said the 2007 operating budget expenditure per capita is $252 per person. She stated that supplemental requests from departments include facilities and parks maintenance, Hansen (software package) upgrade and implementation, a street sweeper, a natural resource management strategy, and a town center development plan.
Councilmember Ryu said she would like to put the new ongoing maintenance costs for all the new projects as placeholders. She noted the loss of $500,000 and basic services need to be addressed.
Ms. Tarry responded that those have to be in the 2007 budget. She continued by outlining that the City’s general reserves are at $9.5 million, or 35% of the operating reserves. She said general fund money is being utilized for the street fund. For example, in 2006, 47% of the cost of street fund work is financed by the gas tax and right-of-way fees received; the remaining 53% was supported by general fund revenues.
Mr. Olander said the City has had to absorb the street fund costs over the years because the vehicle license fees and the gas tax revenues are not keeping pace with them.
Ms. Tarry discussed the natural gas utility tax rate fee increases which will come in at the end of September. She said there are going to be some significant street light rate increases which will cost the City about $120,000 per year.
Councilmember Way questioned how much the average rate payer would have to pay to cover the increase.
Mr. Olander responded that the street lights are paid out of the general fund. Previously street lights were paid by the residents directly and now the City assumes the cost to pay for them.
Ms. Tarry added that in the past the district gradually raised their rates, however, this will be a significant increase.
Councilmember Hansen pointed out that SCL rates have been significantly below any competing entities. However, he said it may be a good idea to consider utilizing Puget Power or another utility in the future if electrical rates continue to increase.
Continuing, Ms. Tarry said that the district court reconciliation will occur later this year. She said there will be a budget gap for 2007 of approximately $280,000 and the City needs to consider alternative revenue sources in the future to provide the same level of service.
Mr. Olander stated that they have not been authorizing any departmental budgetary increases except those that are necessary. Instead, there has been some “belt tightening” and now the City is facing some difficult decisions. He said in the next two years the City will need to reduce services or look at revenue increases.
Councilmember Hansen inquired whether these expenditure numbers included the $1 million going into the capital fund.
Ms. Tarry responded that it includes the gambling tax funds over the 7% and the money that the City has been putting aside for long term repair and replacement and the street overlay program. She said it is closer to $700,000.
Councilmember Hansen said he agreed with the City Manager’s assessment and said it is getting harder to balance the budget. He suggested slowing down the contributions to the capital fund. He noted that he will only support the budget if it is even or positive.
Mr. Olander said slowing down the contributions into the capital fund limits the Council’s ability to meet increasing community demands.
Ms. Tarry concluded that the City is in good financial status. However, there are challenges, she said. She added that the budget will be balanced and meet the Council goals, yet expenditures are growing faster than revenues.
Mayor Ransom asked for an estimate of the funds the City would derive from SCL and the property tax revenues.
Ms. Tarry responded that the SCL revenue would be approximately $850,000 to $1 million. With voter approval, the revenue from raising the property taxes would be $550,000 to $750,000.
Councilmember Gustafson expressed an interest in partnerships and asked if the City was still partnering with the Shoreline School District for vehicle maintenance.
Ms. Tarry replied that the City doesn’t have a partnership for vehicle maintenance; however, the City does jointly purchase gas with them through an agreement.
Councilmember Gustafson said one of the areas the City should look at for cost savings is in vehicle, parks, and grounds maintenance.
Mr. Olander added that a large portion of the City’s general grounds maintenance is contracted out.
Mayor Ransom opened this item to public comment.
a) Pat Murray, Shoreline, explained that SCL started using LED lights as traffic lights to save money. He said the way to save money is by exploring new technologies. He suggested picking “low-hanging fruit” out of the budget. He reminded the Council that just because something is allocated in the budget doesn’t mean the funds must be spent.
Mr. Olander responded that the City is in the process of converting all traffic signals to LED; however, they are not available for street lights yet. He noted that funds that are not spent are reallocated, or get placed back into the general fund for the following year.
Councilmember Ryu inquired if the City has the ability to collect a utility contract payment, and if this was something that the Council could authorize. Ms. Tarry responded that it could be done.
Deputy Mayor Fimia suggested the addition of a street crimes unit officer to the police department.
Mr. Olander noted that for 2006, there was one position that was shifted from the street crimes unit to the traffic enforcement unit.
Deputy Mayor Fimia suggested a more aggressive stance by taking additional revenues to target prevention. She said the City should utilize funds to reduce long term expenditures. There should also be some risk management done to save money in the future, she reasoned. She wondered about the possibility of increasing revenues, and why there is not any substantial sales tax growth in Shoreline. She questioned if there was a strategy for increasing the sales in the City. She also wanted a cumulative report on the impact a utility tax and/or a property tax would have on the residents so the City can determine how much the public would be willing to spend.
Councilmember Way supported Deputy Mayor Fimia’s ideas and said it would be helpful to have a cumulative impacts report done by the City staff. She added that it would be a good idea to form a citizen advisory committee on tax increases. She supported the one-time expenditure on street sweeping and to clean up pollutants with new technology.
Mr. Olander responded that staff is currently evaluating the use of a regenerative air sweeper, which does have environmental benefits and some cost savings. He said the public needs to become extensively involved if the City considers reducing maintenance levels. The City would have to demonstrate where their taxes are being spent now and to establish a budget advisory group if this was to occur.
Councilmember McGlashan asked how the street sweeper will affect the budget and City personnel. Mr. Olander responded that it will be reviewed with the budget detail in future weeks.
(b) 2007 – 2008 City Council Goals/Workplan
Mr. Olander explained the process on how the Council arrived at the current Goals/Workplan. He noted that the Council suggestions were incorporated into the Workplan and are listed in detail for their review. He pointed out that the plan is ambitious and suggested there be a status report done at the next Council Retreat to measure whether the Council is on schedule. He read each Council Goal.
Councilmember Way said the Council Goals are a wonderful plan and they are ambitious. She added that it “takes guts” to come forward with goals like this and she is pleased to be able to move forward with it. She commented that the Strategic Plan containing the critical success factors is somewhat difficult to follow.
Mr. Olander said some of the goals can go under different critical success factors. He said the important thing is that they are balanced and fit into a reasonable relationship.
Councilmember Way suggested adding the word “affordable” on page 33 before the word “higher densit” and the word “residential.” She also suggested determining a more complex definition for “Green Streets.” She wanted to have a performance measure which determined how much the Council is working with partners to achieve a Mayor’s Climate Protection agreement.
Mr. Olander responded that the document represents a small “snapshot” of some of the performance measures at a high level. The more detailed measures are in the budget, he clarified. If the Council is creating good partnerships, then the quantifiable goals will be seen. He also agreed with Councilmember Way that the term “Green Streets” needs a better definition.
Councilmember Way mentioned a 9/15 article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that discussed the natural drainage system which is at the Seattle Expo. She said she would like a performance measure which noted how many citizens participate. She also discussed having a critical success factor that measures how many older houses are preserved in the City.
Deputy Mayor Fimia said she greatly appreciated the response from the City Manager and staff concerning the recommendations from the Council. She said she is encouraged by the additional performance measures that will provide meaning to the public for being able to track the critical success factors. She summarized that generally everything looked good. She recommended that on page 32, “new” transit ridership should be broken down into all modes of transportation and fully reviewed.
Mr. Olander reiterated that it was a high-level summary and several of the projects on the list will be brought back at a later date. This way, he explained, there will be revisions at the next Council retreat.
Councilmember Gustafson thanked the City staff for their work. He highlighted page 23 and stated that there are places in the City where there are new sidewalks with pools of standing water on them, particularly on 8th Avenue NE. He said a drainage plan needs to be considered. He also said that on page 23, Goal #10, he would like to see “Adopt-a-Park”, “Adopt-a-Trail”, and “Adopt-a-Road” programs introduced in the City. He also encouraged the City Manager to move ahead with lighting on the tennis courts as outlined on page 24. He felt doing the work on Hamlin Field and the tennis courts all in one package would save money. He said he would even be willing to delay the project for a year in order to do them all at once. He felt the City should do one dog park and evaluate the results before creating a second one. He expressed support for the Ridgecrest Plan and agreed with starting the Economic Development Committee Strategic Plan. He thought the timeline for Goal #1, the Twin Ponds soccer fields and baseball/softball field improvements should be reversed. He thought the field turf could be done, but there is some benefit in coordinating with the Shoreline School District regarding field turf purchases. He suggested the baseball/softball field improvements be done before the soccer fields. He also suggested the City coordinate with Lake Forest Park and the City of Seattle on the Interurban Trail connectors. He suggested that there be meetings between the cities to identify local connectors and funding sources.
Mayor Ransom felt that the plan was very aggressive and doesn’t want to add anything more to it.
Mayor Ransom opened this item to public comment. There was no one wishing to provide public comment.
Councilmember Gustafson said he attended the Regional Water Quality meeting on September 13th and there was a presentation about the Brightwater Conveyance Update. At the meeting, he said he asked if a decision was made about how to remove the dirt from Point Wells; he was informed that a contract was already executed to remove it by barging.
Mr. Olander highlighted that that was the recommendation from the City staff and they are working to get the correct permits.
Councilmember Ryu added that the Richmond Beach Community Association also requested them to barge the dirt.
Councilmember Hansen noted that they were planning on trucking the dirt previously; in return, they were going to give the City quite a bit of mitigation. He asked if any mitigation will be given for the barging option.
Mr. Olander responded that he doesn’t think there will be. He clarified that in discussions, the mitigation for utilizing trucks was $5.5 million, so the City could use the funds for road repair and traffic control. However, for the barge option, there are other requirements, such as having a dedicated pump station in the City, traffic control, car pool timing, and paying $750,000 in development costs.
Councilmember Hansen asked if there was an exit portal on Point Wells.
Mr. Olander responded that there was one there and he will update the Richmond Beach Community Association and the Council as the project progresses.
8. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:58 p.m., Mayor Ransom declared the meeting adjourned.
/S/ Scott Passey, City Clerk