CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, March 22, 2004
Shoreline Conference Center
PRESENT: Mayor Hansen, Deputy Mayor Jepsen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia,
Grace, Gustafson, and Ransom
ABSENT: none
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The
meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Hansen, who presided.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor
Hansen led the flag salute. Upon roll call
by the City Clerk, all Councilmembers were present.
(a)
Proclamation
of “Family Support Day”
Mayor
Hansen presented the proclamation to representatives of the Center for Human
Services: Beratta Gomillion, Executive
Director; Matthew Fairfax, Board President; and Marcella Scott, Family Support
Center Coordinator. He also thanked Rom
Beem, Human Services Manager, for his work with this agency.
(b)
Recognition
of Outgoing Library Board Members and Library Board Report
Mayor
Hansen presented plaques of appreciation to Dale Stirling and Mary Jo Heller
and thanked them for their contributions to the community as members of the
Library Board.
Mr.
Stirling provided a Library Board report, outlining the key accomplishments and
milestones for the Board over the past four years and setting out recommended
goals for the incoming board members: raising the profile of the Library Board;
attending King County Library System meetings; and educating themselves about
everything related to libraries.
3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Steve Burkett, City Manager,
noted that three forums to solicit comments about the Council’s process for
gathering public input will be held on March 29, April 1, and April 10. The locations are the Conference Center, the
Bethel Lutheran Church, and the Richmond Highlands Recreation Center.
Councilmember
Grace encouraged citizens to attend the public forums and provide input.
Councilmember
Gustafson encouraged citizens to attend upcoming Brightwater meetings as
noticed in the mail.
4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: none
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
(a) Bob
Phelps, Shoreline, withdrew the assertion he made at last week’s meeting that
Shoreline is not adequately equipped with emergency shelters. He said he was recently informed that Shoreline
has a number of emergency shelters. He
said shelters are of particular interest to the Shoreline Auxiliary
Communication Service (Amateur Radio group), because the best way to provide
effective communication is to have pre-installed antennas on the structures.
(b) Jean
Christensen, Lynnwood, reiterated her concern from a prior Council meeting that
changes made to Ronald Place N. adversely impact her business. She said the City has not adequately
followed up on this problem. She also
described the ongoing problem of illegally parked cars at her business, which
presents a significant inconvenience for her.
She asked that someone from the police department enforce the parking
laws on Ronald Place.
(c) Don
Dally, Seattle, said while he is generally enthusiastic about the Aurora
Corridor project, the proposed design does not provide left-turn lanes at many
key locations. He said his property,
the Pepper Hill Center, would be totally cut off from left-turn access. He asked Council to reconsider providing
two-way left-turn lanes.
(d) Rocky
Piro, Shoreline, invited the Council to attend this week’s general assembly
event at the Puget Sound Regional Council.
He said the event would include electronic polling to help identify
issues related to Vision 2020, the multi-county policy on regional
transportation growth strategies.
6. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Councilmember Ransom moved
approval of the agenda. Councilmember
Grace seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon motion by Councilmember Ransom,
seconded by Councilmember Gustafson and unanimously carried, the following
consent calendar items were approved:
Minutes of Dinner
Meeting of February 9, 2004
Minutes of Dinner
Meeting of February 23, 2004
Minutes of Regular
Meeting of February 23, 2004
Approval of expenses
and payroll as of February 27,
2004 in the amount of
$2,053,714.72
Motion to authorize
execution of a contract in an
amount not to exceed
$9,650 plus Washington
State sales tax with
Cobra Construction Co. for
the demolition of the
Robinson Water Tower
Ordinance No. 349
amending Ord. No. 342 by
increasing the
appropriation for the General
Fund and Development
Services Fund for
completion of
operating projects and contracts;
increasing the appropriation
for the General
Capital Fund, the
Roads Capital Fund and the
Surface Water Capital
Funds to complete capital
projects
Motion to authorize
the City Manager to execute
the 2004-05 State of
Washington Department of
Ecology Coordinated
Prevention Grant
Agreement for $53,113
8. ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
(a)
Ordinance No. 347 approving a
Special Use Permit to intensify a nonconforming gambling use by adding
satellite off-track wagering at
16708
Aurora Avenue N. (Drift on Inn Casino)
Matt
Torpey, Planning and Development Services, explained the proposal to intensify
a nonconforming gambling use at the Drift on Inn Casino by adding satellite off
track wagering as a new use as conditioned by the Planning Commission. He described the site and the proposal to
install off-track wagering in the upstairs of the restaurant of the casino
Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. No exterior construction or building
expansion is involved. After describing
the public process, Mr. Torpey highlighted the special use criteria that
triggered the conditions on the proposal.
He noted that the project will be conditioned to require easements to
properties to the north to allow connection to the onsite storm drainage system
located at Club Hollywood, which is owned by the same party. Additionally, the applicant would be
required by conditions to bring the parking lot lighting and garbage collection
area up to Development Code standards.
The permit is also conditioned to provide that pedestrian and vehicular
traffic associated with the use will not be hazardous or conflict with existing
and anticipated traffic in the neighborhood.
The project will provide an additional 62 parking spaces, and “no
parking” signs will be installed on 167th Street N.
Mr. Torpey concluded that the
applicant will be required to fund a traffic and parking study to focus on
off-track racing hours. This will be
reviewed and staff will make a recommendation to the Planning Commission
regarding the operation of the casino during this racing season. The recommendation will be brought to the
Council to make a final determination as to the future of off-track wagering.
Councilmember Ransom moved to pass Ordinance No.
347. Councilmember Gustafson seconded
the motion.
Councilmember Ransom pointed
out that the Drift On Inn has more than adequate parking space. He noted that parking was not a problem at
Parker’s, which formerly had off-track wagering. He pointed out the City’s practice of asking for one parking
space for every 75 square feet of restaurant space and then requiring
additional parking for the same space when used for off-track wagering. He did not pursue his objection because the
applicant has already agreed to the parking requirement.
Mayor Hansen concurred,
adding that the City thoroughly reviewed this issue when Parker’s originally
had off-track racing, and it did not prove to be a problem.
A vote was taken on the motion, which carried
7-0, and Ordinance No. 347 was adopted.
(b)
Ordinance No. 348 approving a
preliminary long plat for ten lots and two private land tracts from two
contiguous lots located at 14515 Dayton
Avenue
N. and 422 N. 145th Street
Jeff Thomas, Planning and
Development Services, reviewed the staff report on this item. It involves approval to build nine
zero-lot-line townhomes with a private land tract for access on one lot and one
home with a private land tract for storm water infiltration and passive open
space. He also reviewed the public
process and noted that the only concerns were regarding the retention of
significant trees on the site when the right-of-way is expanded.
Councilmember Fimia moved to approve Ordinance
No. 348. Councilmember Ransom seconded
the motion.
Deputy Mayor Jepsen advised
that the City carefully examine the five-foot easement on the north side of the
north lot along unit 2B. He wished to
ensure that the building foundation does not intrude into the easement as the
project moves forward.
Mr. Thomas noted that the
lines represent the actual footprint of the unit, so the building itself would
be inside those lines.
Responding to Councilmember
Fimia, Mr. Thomas explained that the code requires that four out of 21
significant trees be retained on the subject property. He noted that most of the trees on the east
side of the property would likely be removed when the full 60-foot right-of-way
(ROW) is granted to the City and road improvements are made.
Councilmember Fimia was
concerned about the loss of most of the trees from the site. She wished to amend the language of the
recommendation to encourage retention of more significant trees on the site.
A discussion followed about
how to add this legislative intent to the recommendation. It was noted that the developer is required
to dedicate 60-foot ROW to the City, and the City’s responsibility is to ensure
the developer makes improvements consistent with the City’s standards for
street design. Mayor Hansen said
although he does not oppose the amendment, he questions putting restrictions on
the City in a document that is directed toward a developer.
Mr. Burkett noted that the
street would be designed to meet City standards, and then funded and
constructed by the developer. He said
City code requires that developers donate the ROW and make the street
improvements for such projects.
Responding to Councilmember
Fimia, Mr. Thomas explained that the street improvements are required only on
the west side of Dayton Avenue N, along the property frontage. Most of Dayton Avenue N is designed with a
60-foot ROW, and this is one of the few remaining properties that still have a
30-foot ROW.
After further discussion, Ian
Sievers, City Attorney, provided language to address Councilmember Fimia’s
concern that the City do all it could to preserve the remaining significant
trees.
Councilmember Fimia moved an amendment to
Ordinance No. 348 (Exhibit 1) to amend Recommendation #8 as follows: “Developer shall have a Right-of-Way Use
Permit reviewed and approved by the City of Shoreline that includes (a)
pedestrian sidewalk, (b) non-glare street lighting and (c) curb and gutters all
designed to City of Shoreline guidelines on the west side of Dayton Avenue
North adjacent to the project site. Design
for road improvements shall be approved by the City to preserve significant
trees where traffic safety is not compromised. The completion of this work shall be secured by a plat
performance financial guarantee.”
Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 7-0.
Responding to Councilmember
Chang, Mr. Burkett noted that the application meets the requirements for onsite
parking; however, parking on the street is not part of the requirements for
this development. He clarified that
additional parking will be created because the developer is dedicating the ROW
and constructing the street.
Mr. Thomas noted that the
Director approved a parking reduction of one space per unit based on code
criteria. He said any additional
parking would be achieved by on-street spaces created by the ROW dedication.
Deputy Mayor Jepsen expressed
support for the amendment, but wished to ensure that it would not create an
inability to meet expectations. He felt
that despite the amendment, several trees abutting Dayton Avenue N would need
to be removed to accommodate the ROW width.
Mayor Hansen felt the amendment would not provide any significant
protections.
A vote was taken on the motion to pass Ordinance
No. 348 as amended, which carried 7-0.
(c)
Appointment of five Planning
Commissioners for four-year terms ending March 31, 2008 and three Library Board
members for four-year terms
ending
March 31, 2008 and one unexpired term ending March 31, 2006
Mayor Hansen suggested that the Library Board appointments be considered first. Councilmember Ransom reported that the subcommittee, composed of himself and Councilmembers Grace and Gustafson, interviewed 9 of the 12 applicants and recommended the following individuals for four-year terms ending March 31, 2008:
· Mary Lynn Potter
· Edward Renouard
· Yoshiko Saheki
and
· Jamie Holter to complete an unexpired term ending March 31, 2006.
Councilmember Ransom moved appointment of
these individuals to the Library Board.
Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion, which carried 7-0. Mayor Hansen confirmed the appointments.
Councilmember Fimia explained that her subcommittee, composed of herself, Deputy Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Chang, interviewed 11 of the 23 applicants for the Planning Commission. She and Councilmember Chang recommended the following appointments to the Planning Commission:
· Will Hall
· Ginger Botham
· Phisuthikul Chakorn
· Christopher Eggen
· Robin McClelland
After noting that Planning Commission Chair Brian Doennebrink had withdrawn his name for reappointment, Deputy Mayor Jepsen recommended that the three incumbents (Robin McClelland, David Harris and Carol Doering) be reappointed. He pointed out that the Planning Commission is in the middle of an extensive review of the Comprehensive Plan, and he felt the continuity of this effort should be a deciding factor. He also recommended Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board member Michael Broili for his environmental background.
Mayor Hansen noted that Robin
McClelland’s name is on everyone’s list.
Councilmember Chang added that Will Hall was also on everyone’s list.
After emphasizing the
importance of maintaining continuity on the Planning Commission, Councilmember
Gustafson moved to reappoint all three current Commissioners. Deputy Mayor Jepsen seconded the motion.
Councilmember Ransom was
concerned that not accepting the subcommittee recommendation would set a bad
precedent. He stated that if the
Council is not going to accept the recommendation, then it should act as a
committee-of-the-whole to interview all the applicants before making any other
decision.
Mayor Hansen said even though
the subcommittee makes a recommendation, it’s the Council’s decision to accept
it. Noting that Planning Commission
terms expire at the end of March, he wondered what would happen if the
appointments were delayed.
Councilmember Fimia described
the subcommittee’s effort to try to reach a consensus.
Councilmember Grace suggested
that the subcommittee meet again and try to develop a unanimous recommendation.
Councilmember Gustafson spoke
in support of his motion, emphasizing the importance of continuity on the
Commission and the fact that the Council already knows the incumbents. He felt the subcommittee should consider
incumbents if the matter is remanded back.
Councilmember Chang pointed
out that five positions were advertised and he felt the majority recommendation
should be accepted. He said he is
willing to meet again as a subcommittee to try to reach a consensus. He said if incumbents are going to be
appointed automatically, then the current process is not necessary.
Councilmember Ransom noted
that some incumbents have not been reappointed in the past.
Deputy Mayor Jepsen expressed
support for the incumbents, noting that they are among the most qualified.
Mayor Hansen noted that
incumbents generally have an advantage, but they are not automatically
selected. He felt the Council could
serve as a committee-of-the-whole if the subcommittee could not reach a
unanimous recommendation.
Councilmember Fimia expressed
support for a committee-of-the-whole approach as long as the Council interviews
everyone. She commented on William
Hall’s strong environmental credentials.
After further discussion, Councilmember
Gustafson withdrew his motion and Deputy Mayor Jepsen his second.
Councilmember Grace moved to reappoint Robin
McClelland. Councilmember Ransom
seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Mayor Hansen confirmed Ms. McClelland’s appointment to a term
expiring March 31, 2008.
Deputy Mayor Jepsen asked if
the two other current commissioners could be reappointed on an interim basis
until this matter is resolved in order to ensure the commission has a
quorum. Mr. Sievers stated that the
ordinance creating the Planning Commission does not provide for interim
appointments.
Councilmember Fimia moved to appoint Will
Hall. Councilmember Chang seconded the
motion.
Councilmember Ransom noted
that Mr. Hall was acceptable to all members of the subcommittee, and his
appointment would better ensure a quorum of commissioners until the remaining
appointments are made.
Deputy Mayor Jepsen opposed
making any other appointments this evening, pending a decision on the
reappointment issue. A vote was taken
on the motion, which carried 5-2, with Mayor Hansen and Deputy Mayor Jepsen
dissenting. Mayor Hansen confirmed Mr.
Hall’s appointment to a term expiring March 31, 2008.
Mayor Hansen remanded to the
subcommittee the goal of coming to a consensus recommendation on the three
remaining vacancies. If no such
consensus is possible, the subcommittee was directed to return with a short
list of individuals to be interviewed by the Council as a committee-of-the-whole.
9. NEW BUSINESS
(a)
2003 Fourth Quarter Financial
Report
Steve Oleson, Budget Analyst,
provided an overview of the City’s year-end financial condition. His presentation included the following
points:
·
The City collected less
revenue than projected ($206,685) and spent less than projected ($8.7 million)
for all City funds.
·
Ending reserves finished
greater than projections and within minimum policy guidelines established by
the City Council.
·
General Fund revenues
finished greater than projected (4.4%), with a greater than expected ending
fund balance (actual $7.9 million, projected $6.1 million)
·
The Ending Fund Balance
combined with General Reserve Fund results in reserves equivalent to 33% of
2003 budgeted General Fund revenues.
·
Cellular and telephone utility
tax revenue increased $237,632, or 18%.
Past audits have generated higher ongoing revenues.
·
Gambling tax revenue
increased by 14.2%. Gambling revenue
accounts for 11.18% of General Fund Revenue.
Shoreline’s five mini-casinos generate 87% of all gambling revenue.
·
Criminal justice sales tax,
state revenue, and parks fee revenue all finished higher than projected.
·
General Fund expenditures
finished $703,000 (2.5%) below projections.
·
Reserves in the Development Services
Fund totaled $421,690 and exceed minimum policy. Building permit revenues finished slightly above projections at
$14,040 (0.8%). Permit activity
increased from 2002 by 8.5%. 2003
expenditures totaled $89,976, or 4.9% below projections.
·
Street Fund revenues finished
slightly above projections at $49,659 (1.8%).
2003 actual expenditures and carryover requests resulted in a total of
$3,454 above projections, but still below 2003 budget. Reserves totaled $589,098, or 19% of
budgeted revenues.
·
Surface Water Management Fund
revenues finished slightly above projections by $2,940 (0.1%). Total 2003 actual expenditures and carryover
requests result in a total that is 10.5% below projected 2003 expenditures.
·
2003 revenues in the General
Capital Fund exceeded projections by $130,130 (3.42%). Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) exceeded
projections by $201,457. Total 2003
actual expenditures and carryover requests result in a total that is $53,720
(2.2%) below projections.
·
Roads Capital Fund revenues
finished below projections at $1,083,753, or 20.8%. Total actual expenditures and carryover requests result in a
total that is $300,354 (3.4%) below projections.
·
Surface Water Capital Fund
revenues finished $384,005 (19.69%) below projections. Total 2003 expenditures and carryover
requests result in a total that is $137,850 (8.3%) below projections.
Mr. Oleson concluded that the challenges for 2004 include
whether the recession is over, whether REET revenue will continue to increase,
and what interest rates will be. He
stressed the importance of implementing long-range financial policies.
Councilmember Fimia asked
that reserve policies and amounts be discussed at the Council Retreat.
Councilmember Ransom pointed
out that the Council has deliberately put additional money in reserve for major
capital projects like City Hall. He
felt strongly that the City should have adequate funds in reserve, and not
necessarily a predetermined, percentage amount. He also requested that animal control contracting options, such
as with the City of Edmonds, be considered at the Council Retreat.
10. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:52 p.m., Mayor Hansen declared the meeting adjourned.
_________________________
Sharon Mattioli, City Clerk