CITY OF SHORELINE

CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

Monday, February 22, 1999

7:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Mt. Rainier Room

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

ABSENT: None

1. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Jepsen, who presided.

2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL

Mayor Jepsen led the flag salute. Upon roll by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.

3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER

Robert Deis, City Manager, asked Police Chief Sue Rahr to update the Council on a proposed police "tip line" which will encourage students and adults to report criminal and other activities. She explained how the tip line will be advertised.

Councilmember Ransom wished to ensure that the tip line would not replace having the officers known in the community and available to take cellular phone calls. Chief Rahr said the tip line will work well with other community outreach efforts. Councilmember Ransom asked for information on how much the cellular phones are being used for citizen contacts.

Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager, reported on the Buildable Lands Bill, SB 5914. She explained that the proposal would break the current 20-year cycle for housing targets under the Growth Management Act (GMA) into five-year increments. She listed the "measures" that could be required if a city fell short of its targets. The bill requires cities to demonstrate that land is zoned at densities "more likely than not" to be achieved by the market. All cities whose comprehensive plans are not in compliance would be subject to sanctions, including withholding of grants.

Continuing, Ms. Nichols explained that from the City’s perspective the bill has several flaws, including: 1) it could require amendment of Shoreline’s Comprehensive Plan; 2) no credit is given for current affordability or location of public services; 3) no consideration is given for existing infrastructure capacity or the ability to fund improvements to aging infrastructure; 4) penalties include withholding the very funds needed to repair/improve infrastructure to accommodate increased housing units; and 5) the bill does not address the fact that market forces drive development.

Responding to Councilmember Lee, Ms. Nichols read the list of the bill’s sponsors. She said that a unique combination of groups is supporting the bill, including realtors, the building industry, affordable housing groups and some major counties and cities.

Mayor Jepsen believed that the legislation has a lofty goal and he supported having five year targets for a 20-year plan. His concern was that the bill is moving forward without recognition of the impacts of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on the region.

Councilmember Ransom asked how the goals can be implemented when certain areas, such as The Highlands, are covered by covenants. He pointed out that the issue of covenants has never been addressed in State requirements for planning for affordable housing.

Councilmember Lee agreed with the intent of growth targets. She said there should be penalty clauses for noncompliance with GMA. Mayor Jepsen said the current system has "teeth" because funding can be withheld. Woodway exemplifies how the GMA Hearing Board can force a city to reconsider its planning actions.

Moving on, Ms. Nichols distributed a packet regarding priority issues for the 1999 legislative session and for discussion with legislators in Olympia. The issues included: 1) transportation funding issues; 2) the Puget Sound Learning Center; 3) SB 5914 as discussed previously; 4) utility and telecommunication issues, including the Rights-of-Way Management Bill; 5) water/sewer district assumption legislation; 6) gambling tax issues; 7) ESA; and 8) court funding improvement bills.

Mr. Deis emphasized that Shoreline opposes bills that would reduce gambling tax revenue to cities. He pointed out that bills are introduced every session to attempt to control these revenues, indicating that such taxes are not dependable funding sources.

On another topic, Doug Mattoon, Public Works Director, briefly explained the impacts of the ESA on Shoreline. He described the effort at the Tri-County level to respond to the listing of the Chinook Salmon as a threatened species, which will be official on March 15, 1999. This listing will prohibit the "take" of Chinook Salmon and degradation of its essential habitat. The Tri-County group is trying to ensure that cities can respond and carry on with day-to-day business until the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) develops the final ESA rules. He explained that NMFS will be drafting an interim 4(d) rule (named for the section and paragraph of the ESA where the rule is found). It is hoped that the 4(d) rule will allow the City to continue normal work as long as best management practices are followed in the process. The Tri-County group wants to influence the writing of the 4(d) rule, since NMFS has never written species protection rules for an urbanized area. Mr. Mattoon asked for Council concurrence to submit a letter to Bruce Laing, Tri-County ESA Coordinator, saying that Shoreline supports the Tri-County planning process and listing all the things being done in Shoreline to address habitat issues for Chinook Salmon.

Councilmember Hansen noted that Shoreline is not directly tied to a Chinook Salmon producing stream. Mr. Mattoon noted that the "near shore habitat," saltwater frontage, is critical Chinook habitat and actions in the City can affect that. Additionally, Coho Salmon and Cutthroat will be proposed for listing in the near future, which will have a definite direct impact on Shoreline.

Councilmember Hansen recommended that Shoreline become involved in a fish hatchery project, similar to the Deer Creek project in Edmonds. He felt private clubs and organizations would support such an effort.

Responding to Councilmember King, Mr. Mattoon said any project that requires a federal permit or accesses federal funding must go to a consultation with all federal agencies.

There was Council consensus to send the letter to Mr. Laing.

On another topic, Deputy Mayor Montgomery noted an upcoming hearing of the Sound Transit Board on Phase I projects. She noted that Shoreline based its support of the Sound Transit plan on promises to extend light rail to Northgate, to have a Richmond Beach commuter rail station and to receive express bus service. She pointed out that there is no representation on the Board for the northern-tier cities and that none of these promises are being kept.

Mayor Jepsen expressed his concern that the public will be disinclined to support Phase II if the initial promises are not kept. Mr. Deis agreed that if there are no tangible benefits from Phase I, it will be harder to garner community support for Phase II.

4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS

(a) Betsey Zeifman, 1732 NW 193^rd Street, spoke in support of siting the Richmond Beach Library in the park, noting the need for a larger library in Richmond Beach. She urged Shoreline to issue the permits necessary to move forward on the project.

(b) Ann Schulz, 2606 NW 196^thStreet, said the Richmond Beach Community Park was the heart of the community with first a school and then a community center. She described previous uses of the park and community center. She felt that the library is a good community use at this site.

Mr. Deis said the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Richmond Beach library should be published in March.

6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Upon motion by Councilmember Hansen, seconded by Councilmember King and unanimously carried, the agenda was approved.

7. CONSENT CALENDAR

Deputy Mayor Montgomery moved approval of the consent calendar. Council-member Lee seconded the motion, which carried 7-0, and the following items were approved:

Dinner Meeting minutes of January 25, 1999
Workshop minutes of February 1, 1999
Regular Meeting minutes of February 8, 1999

Approval of expenses and payroll as of February 10, 1999 in the amount of $ 770,989.32

Motion to approve amendments to Sections 4 and 8 of the City Manager’s Employment Agreement

8. OTHER ACTION ITEMS: ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS

(a) Ordinance No. 191, amending Ordinance No. 184, as amended, by increasing the revenue to the General Fund and appropriation from the Street Fund, authorizing expenditures for development of the Public Works Operations Programs, and the hiring of additional employees

Mr. Deis noted a typographical error in Ordinance No. 191, Section 8, where he said the "Capital Project Manager" should read "Project Engineer." He also noted that tonight is Mr. Mattoon’s last City Council meeting, and he commended him for his efforts as the first Public Works Director.

Mr. Mattoon noted that Council was briefed earlier in the year on the changes necessary in the Public Works Department to transition public works activities to more direct City control. This budget amendment of $502,000 will start this process. He noted that projected staff costs have increased slightly since the earlier report but that the Hamlin Park Shop Construction costs have decreased substantially. Now, rather than doing repairs to the shop, the recommendation is to have a consultant analyze the needs and do some cost estimates. The consultant will also tie this into the discussion of a future City Hall and coordination with the other special service districts in the City as to where to provide the services.

Deputy Mayor Montgomery moved passage of Ordinance No. 191. Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion.

Mayor Jepsen noted the difference between the $500,000 the City will receive from Seattle City Light in 1999 and the $434,289 of these funds that staff proposes to transfer to the Street Fund. He questioned where the balance will appear in the City budget. Mr. Deis said the balance will go to Fund Balance. He went on to explain that from now on City budget ordinances will include a section stating that the difference between revenues and expenditures will go into the Fund Balance. Mr. Deis advised that State law does not require this but that staff will include it for clarity.

Mayor Jepsen questioned the derivation of the $78,654 authorized under Section 8 of Ordinance No. 191 to hire a Project Engineer. Mr. Deis said each of the project budgets in the Capital Improvement Program that Council adopted included a component for project administration. He explained that Section 8 dedicates the sum of these project administration funds to hire a Project Engineer. He noted that only Council can authorize new staff positions.

A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously and Ordinance No. 191 was adopted.

(b) City Council support for King County Transportation Coalition List of projects to be funded under Referendum 49

Ms. Nichols explained that Referendum 49, approved in November, will allow the State of Washington to sell about $1.9 billion in bonds to fund transportation projects. It also dedicates more of the automobile license tab fees to pay for needed transportation projects. The combination provides about $2.4 billion over the next six years to fund highway/transportation improvements across the state. However, because no list of specific projects was identified, a coalition of groups in King County convened to lobby for a fair share of transportation dollars by agreeing on a single list of projects to be recommended for funding. The Aurora Corridor project is on the list for $10 million. Ms. Nichols asked that Council endorse a letter of support for the project list and direct staff to lobby for it.

Mr. Deis said the Aurora Corridor project is on the list due to the leadership showed by Ms. Nichols in advocating for Shoreline’s interests.

Deputy Mayor Montgomery moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support to the King County Transportation Coalition and to direct staff to contact 32^nd District Legislators to urge their support for projects on the coalition’s list. Councilmember Ransom seconded the motion.

Councilmember Lee raised the issue of congestion along I-5 between 145^th Street and 205^th Street. Deputy Mayor Montgomery agreed that traffic in that area is a "nightmare," but she said Shoreline probably needs the Aurora Corridor money more. Ms. Nichols added that this is not as a high a priority as some of the projects on I-405 and other parts of I-5. She said that the Aurora project will provide important regional linkages, which was one of the goals of the projects on the list.

A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously.

(c) Motion to adopt the Citizen Advisory Committee’s recommendation to allocate 1999 Human Services General Funds to the YMCA Klub Kellogg program in the amount of $10,000 and authorize the City Manager to enter into agreements to implement this project

Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager, explained the funding situation of Klub Kellogg, noting that the King County grant from Councilmember Fimia’s office only allocated $3,000 to Klub Kellogg. He outlined the Klub Kellogg budget in the Council packet. He concluded that the goal of the program is to provide after-school recreation and tutoring between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for middle school students with no parent at home after school.

Councilmember Gustafson moved to adopt the Citizen Advisory Committee’s recommendation to allocate 1999 Human Services General Funds to the YMCA Klub Kellogg program in the amount of $10,000 and authorize the City Manager to enter into agreements to implement this project. Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion.

Councilmember Gustafson emphasized his support of activities for youth in Shoreline. However, he wished to discuss further with the School Board the appropriateness of the City participating in funding programs for homework support and tutoring. He felt these programs are essential, but there must be some delineation as to which organizations should be responsible for which activities. He believed the School District should perhaps have more responsibility for this type of program. He also asked for a follow-up study after this year (indicating items such as the number of students involved and whether grades, disciplinary issues and attendance improved) in order to determine whether this is a viable program.

Mr. Deis noted that one item on the Council’s work plan is to define the City’s role in dealing with human services. He said it has been made clear to all recipients that funding in 1999 does not imply a long-term commitment.

Mayor Jepsen emphasized his hope that the City goes to a biennial competition for human services funding and to performance-based contracts with measurable outcomes.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Mongtomery, Mr. Bauman noted that the School District’s contribution is in-kind use of the facility.

A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously, and $10,000 in 1999 Human Services General Funds was allocated to the YMCA Klub Kellogg program and the City Manager was authorized to enter into agreements to implement this project.

9. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT: None

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:58 p.m., Mayor Jepsen announced that the Council would recess into executive session for 30 minutes to an hour to discuss one item of potential litigation. At 10:05 p.m., the executive session concluded and the regular session reconvened.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m.

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Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk