CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING

Monday, January 11, 1999

6:00 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Highlander Room

PRESENT: Mayor Jepsen, Deputy Mayor Montgomery, Councilmembers Gustafson, Hansen, King, Lee and Ransom

ABSENT: None

STAFF: Robert Deis, City Manager; Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager; and Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager

U.S. House of Representatives, 1^st District

Representative Jay Inslee; Legislative Aide Michael Mann

The meeting convened at 6:20 p.m. All Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember Hansen, who arrived shortly thereafter.

Mayor Jepsen welcomed the visitors, explaining that Council is having dinner meetings as an informal opportunity to meet with governmental partners. He said that one of Shoreline’s primary issues as a bedroom community is "surviving," i.e., having sufficient revenue to support the services expected by the community. As a result, economic development is a key issue. To achieve this, the City is focusing on the redesign of the Aurora Corridor.

Continuing, Mayor Jepsen said that Metro owns a large Park and Ride facility that is underutilized. Shoreline and Edmonds Community Colleges are pursuing a technology center and this Park and Ride is a potential site.

Responding to Representative Inslee’s question about whether the City is looking at federal funding for that project, Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager, said the City may eventually apply for TEA-21 funding.

Robert Deis, City Manager, added that worker training and other funds may also be available.

Mayor Jepsen pointed out that siting a technology center would be a benefit to the whole community. He also said that Aurora Avenue has recently been determined the most unsafe highway in the State of Washington because of traffic fatalities, and the City would like to receive federal funds to improve it.

Representative Inslee asked about the next step in making a decision on the technology center, and Mr. Deis responded that the Foundation Board is expected to pick a site in the next three or four months. Representative Inslee pointed out that the project would meet a number of City objectives.

Councilmember Hansen arrived at 6:30 p.m.

Councilmember Lee said the project is funded by a Sysco grant of $10 million and requires local matching funds. Representative Inslee suggested that he could assist in getting the project sites and looking for funding.

Councilmember Lee asked what the City can do to make itself competitive in applying for grant funding.

Mr. Deis pointed out that the City has worked closely with Metro to move this site up toward the top of the list of Park and Ride lots to be studied for development.

On another topic, Mayor Jepsen said the Interurban Trail project is moving forward at the same time as Aurora Corridor redevelopment. He pointed out the potential of linking this trail to the Burke Gilman trail system. The trail’s proximity to Aurora Avenue will also create opportunities for economic development.

Mr. Deis pointed out that the City recently negotiated an agreement with Seattle City Light for right-of-way for the Interurban Trail.

Michael Mann, Legislative Aide, noted that because he was formerly on the staff of Richard McIver in Seattle, he can help with the Transportation Improvement Board.

Mayor Jepsen said the City was disappointed about some of Sound Transit’s decisions regarding service to Shoreline and the north end of King County. He said the bus routes running east and west in Shoreline are inadequate. Even if the City cannot get light rail service, Shoreline is interested in at least obtaining regional express bus service. Mr. Deis added that the City is also seeking better bus service eastbound to the Bothell/Woodinville area.

Mayor Jepsen then brought up water quality issues and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). He said Shoreline must be informed and know how ESA will affect this region.

Mr. Deis added that redesigning Aurora Avenue with sidewalks and median strips may be impacted by additional costs due to ESA compliance. The horror stories heard from other cities indicate that even repairing streets may trigger ESA. He pointed out that Councilmember King is the Council’s expert on water quality issues.

Councilmember King said that due to the lack of clear federal direction, local efforts are being made to understand what may be needed to comply.

Ms. Nichols agreed that cities need to get guidance about the methodology to be used to determine whether local efforts are having the desired effects.

Representative Inslee responded that after the formal listing in March, he will work to get federal agencies together with local governments to clearly explain what will be required. He said that local governments might wish to consider putting the message out to their constituents that unless something is done, the salmon will become extinct.

Responding to Councilmember Gustafson’s question about his commitment to funding unfunded mandates, Representative Inslee said he is very committed on this issue. He expressed the opinion that the cost of preserving species should be borne by all the people who benefit. His goal is to spread out the costs of conserving salmon habitat to the entire nation. He added that Congress is expected to pass a National West Coast Salmon Initiative to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into this problem.

Concluding the discussion, Councilmember Hansen said the City would like to see capital improvements to the North City Post Office at 175^th Street and 15^th Avenue NE. Mr. Deis pointed out that some significant improvements are being made to the North City business area and a redeveloped post office could definitely play a role in these improvements.

Representative Inslee expressed his excitement about the projects discussed tonight and also encouraged the City to work with Mr. Mann. He concluded by thanking the City Council for the opportunity to meet.

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Larry Bauman
Assistant City Manager