CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
SUMMARY MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, May 7, 2007 - 6:30 PM
Shoreline Conference Center
Mt. Rainier Room
PRESENT: Mayor Ransom, Deputy Mayor Fimia, Councilmember Gustafson, Councilmember Hansen, Councilmember McGlashan, Councilmember Ryu, and Councilmember Way.
ABSENT: None.
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At 6:39 p.m., the meeting was called to order by Mayor Ransom, who presided.
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Mayor Ransom led the flag salute. Upon roll call by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present with the exception of Deputy Mayor Fimia, who arrived shortly thereafter.
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Mayor Ransom invited Ray Allshouse, Building Official, Marcus Kragness, Shoreline Fire Chief, and Mark Bunje, Shoreline Fire Marshal, forward to accept the proclamation. Mayor Ransom read the proclamation declaring "Building Safety Week" in the City of Shoreline.
Mr. Allshouse, Chief Kragness, and Fire Marshal Bunje thanked the Council for this recognition and commented on the importance of building safety and inspection and on the positive relationship between the City and Fire department.
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Mayor Ransom read the proclamation declaring the week of May 7, 2007 as "Hip Hop Week" in the City of Shoreline. He presented the proclamation to Sigrid Batara, Teen Program Coordinator, and Chris Maurera and Zack Millan, Teen Program participants. Ms. Batara thanked the Mayor for the recognition and explained the origins and styles of hip hop. Mr. Maurera and Mr. Millan then provided a brief hip hop demonstration.
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Robert Olander, City Manager, provided updates and reports on a number of events and issues. The Annual Spring Clean Sweep Event attracted 1,160 vehicles as well as coverage by King 5 News. The City of Shoreline received the Well City Award in recognition of its Wellness program from the Association of Washington Cities. Mr. Olander recognized outgoing members of the Council of Neighborhoods and the celebration of the Briarcrest 10th anniversary event. Celebrate Shoreline will be held Saturday, August 18. The Planning & Development Services department will hold a community workshop on May 10 regarding Strategic Points for the City Center project. Last week, Aurora Corridor Phase 1 was declared substantially complete, with only minor items remaining; a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for June 16 at 12:30 p.m. Mr. Olander also noted that City staff will be preparing a response to the docketing of a Snohomish County comprehensive plan amendment regarding Point Wells. He concluded his report with reminders of upcoming meetings.
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(a) Dale Wright, Shoreline, wished to dispel two myths relating to the Aurora Corridor Phase 1 Project. He said earlier reports indicated the cost of the first phase to be $42 million, then $39 million, but his own cost analysis shows the actual costs to be $31.7 million (minus the Interurban Trail bridges). He arrived at this cost using financial information provided in October 2006. He said City staff reported the cost to be $33.3 million, but this figure included design work for Phase 2, so it should be deducted. He also pointed out that Phase 1 is 1.2 miles long, so in terms of the cost-per-mile, the actual cost for the first mile is $26.4 million.
(b) Steve Dunn, Shoreline, Capital Campaign Chair for the YMCA, urged the Council to consider, within the next month, the YMCA’s request for financial assistance for the new YMCA facility at Echo Lake. He noted that the request for $1 million (to be paid over the next 20 years) is equivalent to 1/19th of the total project. He pointed out that the average contribution by other cities to the YMCA has been about $2 million. He noted that the YMCA will create 300 new jobs (200 of these with full benefits) and provide funding and services to thousands of kids annually.
(c) Wendy DiPeso, Shoreline, provided comments regarding the 15th Avenue NE Traffic Study. She said a 4-lane configuration on 15th Avenue will increase traffic capacity and help reduce cut-through traffic in the neighborhoods. She said it would also increase opportunities for commuters to visit businesses. She also supported a speed limit reduction from 35 to 30 miles per hour.
(d) Chris Eggen, Shoreline, commented on the Aurora Corridor project, noting that as an engineer he looks at function, not beauty. He noted that the first 1.2 miles was supposed to be the "easy" segment, but it has not turned out to be true. He said the first thing that might move us toward a larger right-of-way is transit lanes, and the second thing 2nd thing is controlling runoff. He said the design could be flexible so that vulnerable businesses would not have to move off Aurora Avenue, such as Key Bank and Aurora Rents. He also supported reduced amenity zones in order to avoid negatively impacting businesses.
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Fimia, seconded by Councilmember Ryu and carried 6-0 (Councilmember Gustafson stepped away from the Council table momentarily) Item 7(a) was taken next, and an Executive Session was added to the end of the agenda.
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(a) Ordinance No. 470 amending Appointments of Youth Members to the Parks Board; and Appointment of Six Regular Members to the Shoreline Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board |
Mayor Ransom noted that he and Councilmembers Gustafson and Way interviewed all the candidates and arrived at consensus on who should be recommended to the Board. He briefly commented on the backgrounds of the recommended applicants.
Councilmember Hansen moved to adopt Ordinance No. 470, amending appointments of youth members to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board. Councilmember Ryu seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.
Dick Deal, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, noted that Ordinance No. 470 creates two-year terms for both youth positions, rather than having staggered positions. Otherwise, the City would have to recruit every year for a youth position.
Councilmember Way moved to appoint the following individuals to the PRCS Board: Patty Hale, Londa Jacques, Kevin McAuliffe, Shari Tracey, Joe Neiford, Olivia Jacobs (youth term), Carl Saltzberg (youth term). Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion.
Councilmember Way commented that the subcommittee was extremely impressed with the qualifications of all the applicants and it was a very difficult selection process. She urged all the applicants to stay engaged in City issues and to take advantage of opportunities to provide input into the various City projects and processes. She noted there is the possibility of creating additional committees. She concluded by saying she appreciates the service of Dwight Stevens and Margaret Boyce.
Mayor Ransom pointed out that the Council extended the PRCS Board member terms to three, four-year terms in order to allow the Council an opportunity to reappoint incumbents. He said the incumbents worked extensively on the parks bond projects, and the Council didn’t necessarily want to lose their experience due to term limits.
Deputy Mayor Fimia noted that applicants not selected for the PRCS Board could also involve themselves in adopt-a-park programs and also help with maintaining/monitoring the Interurban Trail.
Mayor Ransom hoped that the expertise of one candidate, who has been published in over 150 horticultural journals, could be utilized in some future capacity with Kruckeberg Garden.
A vote was taken on the motion, which carried 6-0, and Patty Hale, Londa Jacques, Kevin McAuliffe, Shari Tracey, Joe Neiford, Olivia Jacobs, and Carl Saltzberg were appointed to the PRCS Board.
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Dick
Deal, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, introduced Maureen
Colaizzi, Parks Planner, and Dave Buchan, Capital Projects Manager, who
provided an update on the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park Project. Joining
staff at the Council table were Cara Ganders, of the University of Washington, and Diane Brewster, Chris Snyder, and Chuck Lennox, of Hewitt Architects.
Ms. Ganders provided a report on the UW students’ project to remove
invasives and replant native species. For a number of months UW
Students majoring in Urban Ecology, led by their professors, have been
designing and implementing a program for removal of Scotch Broom, Blackberry
and other invasive plant materials in Saltwater Park and then replanting with
Dune Grass and other native plant materials suitable to the sandy, dry
conditions in the park. A one-acre section of the park has been
replanted. It is hoped that this program will create a model for a
long-term program of volunteer efforts to control vegetation in the park.
The following groups were recognized for thir efforts on the vegetation
management project: The City of Shoreline; Richmond Beach Neighborhood;
Shorewood High School Honors Society; Mars Hill Church- Shoreline; Richmond
Beach UCC Church; Forest Concepts; Kern Ewing, Jim Fridley, Warren Gold and
Rodney Pond; and MsK Nursery at Kruckeberg Garden.
Ms. Brewster outlined elements of the Vegetation Management Plan (VMP)
that she is preparing for Saltwater Park. When complete, the Plan will
serve to guide volunteer efforts in the long-term vegetation management at Saltwater Park. She explained that the plan is long-term (10-20 year) plan
intended to restore the nearshore riparian habitat. She
said she explored plans used in other cities and tailored the proposed VMP
specifically to Saltwater Park. She discussed landscape zones,
vegetation treatment, management and maintenance plan implementation, and
long-term monitoring.
Mr. Snyder, lead architect, then presented the Design Development
drawings for Phase 1 projects at Saltwater Park, including the Park entrance,
road, steep slope stairs, habitat restoration, bridge access, wash down
area, overlook parking, and mid-level terrace. He shared drawings,
illustrations, cross-sections and perspective sketches to help communicate the
design intent for each of the individual projects in the Phase 1 package.
He also shared the cost estimates for each of the project elements.
Mr. Lennox, the interpretive specialist with the Hewitt Team, then
discussed options for Interpretive Programming at Saltwater Park. He shared photos of interpretive efforts in other locales and outlined
possibilities for Saltwater Park. He displayed a historical photo of
Saltwater Park and discussed options for interpretive signage at the
park. He emphasized the importance of way-finding and orientation
signage, which helps create meaning. He also emphasized the need to
define the audiences and "tell the stories" of the park in an
interesting and organized way.
Rich 7:40 p.m. standing by water table (ask him when he came back in)
Ms. Colaizzi noted that different groups of UW students will be rotating in and volunteering for the City on an annual basis. Kern Ewing, Warren Gold, and the VMP will provide the guide to lead the next set of students and next steps.
Mr. Buchan concluded the presentation by thanking the UW and the Hewitt design team. He especially recognized the contributions of Kern Ewing, who is coordinating the vegetation management effort.
Mr. Buchan said staff would like to return to Council in the next couple months to continue with the final design in anticipation of bidding in September and starting construction in January 2008.
Mr. Olander thanked all those involved in the project and characterized the effort as a refinement of ideas that have been presented to the Council before.
Mayor Ransom called for public comment. There was no one in the audience wishing to provide public comment on this agenda item.
Referring to slide 29 of the
design drawings, Councilmember Ryu, asked if separating egress/ingress of the
road and widening the footprint will have an adverse impact on slope
stability. She also asked if there were plans to address groundwater,
noting that she remembers seeing a stream or water feature there years ago.
Mr. Buchan responded that the conceptual designs are all possible within the
existing grades and elevations. He noted that separating the ingress and
egress achieves a view corridor down to the beach. Mr. Buchan said the
design team is exploring ways to improve the water feature by widening the
channel and graveling the pond area.
Councilmember Way noted that there is a creek near the egress zone that
should be delineated, as well as another creek on the other side of the
path. She urged staff to seek grant funding to protect the creek and
its buffers, since it is Tier 1 salmon habitat. She also suggested
that the design consider a place for picking up and dropping off
passengers. She asked if staff is working with the Historical Museum on the signage piece, and if pervious pavement is
being considered as a construction material.
Staff responded that they are working with the Historical Museum on signage,
and pervious pavement is being considered for the pedestrian portions of the
layout.
Mr. Olander added that the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board
is also looking at the technical aspects of the design.
Responding to Councilmember McGlashan, staff clarified that the Innis Arden Reserves are not in immediate proximity to Saltwater Park and the area in which the UW students are working.
Responding to Deputy Mayor Fimia regarding the updating of the Vegetation Management Plan, Ms. Brewster clarified that the plan is very adaptive and can be amended as often as necessary. Deputy Mayor Fimia noted that resources for creek restoration, or sidewalks to and from the park, should be considered a higher priority than providing views from vehicles. She asked for the cost estimates to bifurcate the ingress-egress road. She asked if the public has expressed a need for parking, to which staff responded affirmatively, especially at the mid-level of the park. Deputy Mayor Fimia expressed the need for bicycle facilities, especially as the City transitions to a "walkable community," and suggested that an active environmental group could partner with the UW or PRCS Board regarding art and signage.
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(b) Update on Council Goal No. 6: Create an Environmentally Sustainable Community |
Joe Tovar, Planning and
Development Services Director, joined by Juniper Garver-Hume,
Planner, introduced this item and explained that an interdepartmental
Sustainability Team has been created in order to help facilitate Council Goal
#6. He pointed out that there are six major components of the work plan:
1. Develop an Environmental Sustainability Strategy
2. Complete Urban Forestry Assessment
3. Develop Options for a Green Street Demonstration
Project
4. Update the Stormwater Management Plan
5. Adopt advanced stormwater standards for the second
phase of the Aurora Project
6. Implement the Mayor’s Climate Protection
Agreement
He explained the proposed timeline and schedule for acquiring the strategies
consultant, noting that eight firms submitted RFQs (request for
qualifications), and the preferred consultant is expected to be selected by May
15, with a contract following at the end of the month. He said the intent
is to work with the consultant through the summer, check in with Council as
necessary, and present a final draft strategy for adoption later this
fall. He added that staff is preparing a resolution for Council
consideration that expresses the City’s interest in being designated a
"Cascade Agenda City," which will be one of the first work
products of the interdepartmental team.
Mr. Olander pointed out that the hardest aspect of this goal is deciding what not to do, because there are dozens of strategies areas of concentration. He stressed the need to concentrate on the six elements of the goal, which themselves include many sub-elements. He noted that the Strategy will help the City develop long-range goals and also inform how the City performs its own operations.
Mayor Ransom called for public comment.
(a) Chris Eggen, Shoreline, appreciated the presentation and the information shared by staff, but felt there could be more emphasis on information relating to carbon load and renewable energy sources. He noted that other potential partners include Sustainable Shoreline and the Shoreline Solar Project. He announced that the Shoreline Solar Fair will be held July 20-21 at Meridian Park Elementary, which will provide another opportunity for the public to get involved in sustainability issues.
(b) Boni Biery, Shoreline, said that Sustainable Shoreline Education Association is sponsoring the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habitat Project for the City of Shoreline. The goal is to have Shoreline qualify as a certified community, which requires partnerships with citizens, organizations, and small businesses to certify an additional 300 single-family homes, an additional 100 multi-family homes, 5 schools, 10 businesses, and completion of some community projects. She asked that the Council consider adopting a resolution supporting this effort as part of its sustainability goals.
Councilmember Ryu expressed
support for the interdepartmental effort. She also commented on
the serious environmental problem that polystyrene foam creates in
our landfills and asked that the City consider alternatives, which might
include recycling, that address this issue.
Mr. Olander noted that the Waste Management contract will be up for renewal in
March of 2008, and staff is in discussions with them about this issue. He
said staff would develop some policy options for Council consideration.
Councilmember Way expressed support for staff’s approach to Council
Goal #6. She pointed out that construction debris is a huge portion
of the total waste; she wondered if the City could keep this material out of
the waste stream or if it could be addressed through
recycling. She asked about the different types of materials
recycled at the Clean Sweep Event. She asked how the City
will establish criteria for the progress assessment, and whether other
non-profit organizations might be able to help in some categories.
Mr. Olander stated that the City must work with its regional partners, namely King County, in terms of an overall master plan for waste and recycling. He said
a more detailed report on the Clean Sweep Recycling Event will be provided
at a later time. He also noted that staff will figure out the different
partners and meaningful strategies and return to Council with recommendations.
Mr. Tovar added that most of the organizations that responded in
the RFQ process are familiar with many indicators, so perhaps
staff can develop a list, in cooperation with the selected consultant,
to arrive at the meaningful measures.
Councilmember McGlashan expressed
support for the proposal but had some concerns about Green Streets.
He wanted to ensure that there is a public process for Green Streets, and that
they’re not just forced on a neighborhood. He felt the public should
be involved earlier in the process.
Mr. Olander clarified that as the concept of Green Streets is refined
and defined, it will be critical to determine which neighborhood
blocks are willing to participate. He said it will
likely be a public/private partnership, because Green Streets cannot be
restricted solely to the public side of it. He added that there could be
a variety of design tools that are not overly expensive and that
don’t require much maintenance. He pointed out that it’s
mostly retrofitting old development, not new development, which will
help us clean up the environment.
Deputy Mayor Fimia said she would like to see the RFQ in order to understand the scope of work and to justify the $100,000 for this item. She suggested that the Council give direction on a cost-benefit analysis in order to get the best value for the money. She also suggested that doing smaller, basic projects might be better than spending a lot of money on one fancy project that doesn't do much.
Deputy Mayor Fimia noted that
Sightline Institute is an excellent source for these types
of indicators. She also recommended that its founder, Alan Durning,
could speak as a City-sponsored guest at the Energy Fair.
Ms. Garver-Hume acknowledged that Sightline Institute is on staff’s
list, and Mr. Tovar commented that Mr. Durning would be an appropriate guest
for the 2010 Speaker Series.
Deputy Mayor Fimia also requested a report that includes a list of resources,
agencies, and grant sources. She also emphasized that the decision-making
process in the region affects what Shoreline is able to achieve in terms of
sustainability. She pointed out that the expected growth
of vehicle trips in the region is not sustainable.
Mayor Ransom noted that his main concern is that the City doesn't take too ambitious an approach. He suggested selecting a few small projects and doing them well. Mr. Olander concurred, noting that the Sustainability Committee is in the process of setting priorities.
RECESS
At 9:02 p.m., a sudden power outage prompted the Mayor to call a recess.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:15 p.m., Mayor Ransom announced that the Council would recess into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss personnel and litigation issues, and remaining agenda items 6(c) and 6(d) would be moved to a future Council meeting. At 9:42 p.m., the executive session concluded and the Council meeting reconvened.
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At 9:42 p.m. Mayor Ransom declared the meeting adjourned.
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Scott Passey, CMC
City Clerk