CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF JOINT DINNER MEETING

Monday, April 26, 1999

6:30 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Highlander Room

Shoreline City Council

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; Anna Kolousek, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services

Shoreline Library Board

PRESENT: Chair Susie Johnson, Vice Chair Michael Derrick, and Board members Mary Jo Heller, Evelyn Phillips and Yoshiko Saheki

ABSENT: None

King County Library System

PRESENT: Bill Ptacek, Executive Director

The meeting convened at 6:20 p.m. All Councilmembers were present.

Board member Phillips commented that opponents to locating the new Richmond Beach Library in the Richmond Beach Community Park have threatened to sue over the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) of the site.

In response to Vice Chair Derrick, Anna Kolousek, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services, said the FEIS appeal process is not directly related to the building permit application. She explained that the City does not have a role regarding the FEIS; the City’s role is to review the building permit.

In response to Board member Saheki, Ms. Kolousek advised that the FEIS may be appealed to Superior Court.

King County Library System (KCLS) Executive Director Bill Ptacek arrived at 6:40 p.m.

Vice Chair Derrick asserted widespread support of the construction of the library in the park. He noted, though, that over 160 people signed a petition opposing the project.

Chair Johnson said it is not clear what those who signed the petition understood when they signed it.

Board member Heller mentioned that only one person spoke in opposition to the project at the second public hearing. She said this could mean that many previous questions about the project have been answered.

Mr. Ptacek reported that the KCLS Board of Trustees studied the FEIS and reviewed the issues it raised. He said the Board of Trustees understood the unavailability of additional funds to purchase another site. Upon review, the Board of Trustees voted to proceed. Mr. Ptacek expressed uncertainty about the action the County will take.

In response to Vice Chair Derrick, Mr. Ptacek said he was unsure whether someone could appeal the decision of the Board of Trustees. He asserted that the conclusions of the FEIS show no reason not to proceed with the construction of the library in the park.

In response to City Manager Robert Deis, Ms. Kolousek explained the building permit review process. She said the City and KCLS have already held a preapplication meeting. She noted the need for adjustments to the construction plans—KCLS created the plans prior to the implementation of the 1997 development code. Ms. Kolousek said the City will have 90 days to complete its review after KCLS completes its application.

In response to Mr. Deis, Ms. Kolousek said the building permit can only be appealed on technical grounds (e.g., structural safety, setback issues).

Mayor Jepsen expressed concern about the library design, which was completed six years ago. He said the parking lot is the first part of the facility that people will see. He asked if this can be redesigned. He noted the parking design at the Edmonds Library. Mr. Ptacek said there may not be sufficient money to fund the costs of constructing underground parking. He commented that KCLS has used the basic design of the new Richmond Beach Library at three other locations. However, he did not want to address detailed questions regarding design and referred Councilmembers’ design questions to the architect who would make a presentation during the regular meeting.

Councilmember Ransom asked if a vote of support by Council would help the KCLS Board of Trustees. Mr. Ptacek said a Council vote may not be useful given how far the project has progressed.

Mayor Jepsen mentioned the possibility that the City may have to appoint a hearing board or examiner as one reason Council should not take action in support of the project at this time. Councilmember Ransom disagreed that Council support of the project would represent a conflict.

Mr. Ptacek and Chair Johnson stressed the need to begin healing the divisiveness within the community regarding the new Richmond Beach Library.

Mr. Ptacek noted the outstanding question of when construction should begin: if KCLS begins this year, construction could extend into the rainy season; or KCLS could wait until 2000 to begin construction.

Mr. Deis suggested that Mayor Jepsen could send a letter to King County Councilmember Maggi Fimia requesting that the County Council reaffirm its decision to surplus its property for the new Richmond Beach Library.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

________________________________
Larry Bauman
Assistant City Manager