CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF DINNER MEETING

Monday, March 22, 1999

6:00 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Highlander Room

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

ABSENT: Councilmember King

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

The meeting convened at 6:28 p.m. All Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember Lee, who arrived shortly thereafter.

There was discussion of the revised Council Rules of Procedure and the reason behind the change, i.e., to ensure that the public and the Council has sufficient time to discuss those items scheduled on the agenda.

Mayor Jepsen raised the issue of Council’s summer break.

Councilmember Gustafson explained that he brought up the issue to determine what is best for Councilmembers, the community and City staff. He pointed out that the School District takes off most of July and that Celebrate Shoreline is held late in August. He suggested taking off the first three weeks of July, or, alternatively, the last Monday in July and the first two weeks of August. He asked whether the new schedule should take effect in the year 2000 in case some people have already set their summer calendars.

Deputy Mayor Montgomery wondered whether there are staff considerations that should be reflected in the calendar, to which Robert Deis, City Manager, responded that staff can work around Council’s needs.

Mayor Jepsen mentioned the fact that the end of August is an awkward time for a break because Celebrate Shoreline occurs at that time. He suggested taking off the first two weeks of August.

Councilmember Gustafson reiterated his proposal for taking off the last week of July and the first two weeks of August, leaving the fifth Monday in August (August 30) open as an additional meeting date.

There was Council consensus to break for the first and second Monday in August.

Joyce Nichols, Community and Government Relations Manager, provided an update on various items of legislation, including utility rights-of-way, building land and gambling.

Mayor Jepsen discussed the lack of affordability in new housing developments.

Ms. Nichols noted that the Buildable Lands Bill has the potential to affect 46 cities.

Mr. Deis suggested that the Association of Washington Cities should do what it did with regard to the utility taxes, i.e., bring all the affected suburban cities together with Seattle to discuss the issue.

Ms. Nichols reviewed the gambling legislation, noting that one bill could reduce bingo revenues. Another would reduce tax rates on card rooms. The other gambling bill still under consideration requires the Gambling Commission to hold public hearings on mini-casinos and other gambling licenses.

Continuing, Ms. Nichols discussed the transportation budget and the fact that no Shoreline projects were included. She pointed out the inequity between the amount of taxes collected in King County and the amount of funding going to King County projects. She concluded by updating the Council on the Endangered Species Bill.

Deputy Mayor Montgomery asked Councilmember Ransom about the staff research he had requested concerning pocket parks.

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

________________________________
Larry Bauman
Assistant City Manager