CITY
OF
SHORELINE CITY
COUNCIL
PRESENT: Mayor
Hansen, Councilmembers Chang, Fimia, Grace, Gustafson, and Ransom
ABSENT:
Deputy Mayor Jepsen
1.
CALL TO
ORDER
The
meeting was called to order at
2.
FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Hansen led the flag
salute. Upon roll call by the City
Clerk, all Councilmembers were present, with the
exception of Deputy Mayor Jepsen.
Upon motion by Councilmember
Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Grace and unanimously carried, Deputy Mayor
Jepsen was excused.
(a)
Proclamation of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Month
Mayor Hansen read the
proclamation declaring July as Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Month and
emphasized the role that parks facilities, recreation programs, and cultural
services play in the lives of Shoreline residents.
Michael Banaag, a self-defense instructor for the Parks, Recreation
and Cultural Services Department, and his students accepted the proclamation on
behalf of the agencies and groups that contribute to the quality of life in
Shoreline.
(b)
Report by Representative Ruth Kagi
Representative Kagi recapped the 2005 state legislative session, saying
that it was the most productive she has seen during her seven years in the
legislature. She highlighted the
significant measures passed by the 2005 Legislature, including funding for early
childhood education, sentencing reform for non-violent drug offenders, changes
relating to the substance abuse treatment system, child welfare, taxes, and the
transportation budget. Other
legislative measures aimed at being more responsive to local government include
a one-year extension for updates to the Growth Management Act, and increases in
court filing fees to fund court costs, indigent defense, and parent
representation. She noted that the
Aurora Corridor Project and Interurban Trail project would receive additional
funding as a result of the transportation package.
Responding to Councilmember
Grace, Rep. Kagi said the drug treatment bill would be
funded using existing Department of Corrections revenues.
Councilmember Fimia expressed regret about the closing of the North
Rehabilitation Facility (NRF), noting the many benefits it provided the
community. She asked Representative
Kagi to urge the legislature to consider reinstating
the facility when it discusses Fircrest.
Councilmember Ransom
wondered if the new estate tax law would withstand court appeal since the last
estate tax law was ruled unconstitutional.
Rep. Kagi said the old law was ruled unconstitutional since it
was based on the federal estate tax, which was abolished. The new law provides separate legal
authority for a state estate tax.
She said there would probably be legal challenges but the new law is on
“solid legal ground.”
Councilmember Ransom
understood that the transportation package did not include funding for
maintenance of major highways such as Interstate 5. Rep. Kagi said
she would research the allocation and provide that information at a later time.
Councilmember Ransom said
some studies indicate that many children overcome developmental deficiencies by
age nine without programs such as Head Start, so there is a question of whether
the funding is really needed.
Rep. Kagi said there is a large amount of evidence that shows the
long-term benefit of quality child care for children, especially those in
low-income families.
Councilmember Chang felt
there should be a strong partnership between the City and State regarding
development of the Fircrest property, since many
Shoreline residents are affected by it.
He wished to see a quicker process for determining what will be done with
the site.
Rep. Kagi noted that the master planning process has been delayed
because of uncertainty about the property, but Governor Gregoire has established a task force to look at the future
needs of the developmentally disabled community.
Councilmembers complimented Rep. Kagi for her representation of Shoreline and her support of
key legislative measures.
9.
ACTION ITEMS: PUBLIC HEARING
(a)
Public hearing to consider citizens comments on the proposed 2006-2011
Capital Improvement Plan and the proposed 2006-2011 Transportation Improvement
Plan (continued from June 20, 2005) and continued discussion of the Capital
Improvement Plan
At
(a) LaNita Wacker, Shoreline, noted
that the Council unanimously voted to allocate $2 million for acquisition of the
South Woods property, but the City Manager has changed this allocation to $1
million and defined an area of three acres. She said the Council never discussed
“three acres,” as advocates have always supported acquisition of the entire
parcel. She said “cutting the urban
forest will kill it,” so the City should return the allocation to $2 million and
vote for $4 million in bonds to be used as matching funds for grants. She asked for a unanimous Council vote
on preserving the entire urban forest and urged Council to direct staff to find
the funding to achieve it.
(b) Mark
Deutsch, Shoreline, commented favorably on the Comprehensive Plan process,
noting that the surface water master planning led to many improvements in
infrastructure, stream protection, and flooding. He said the higher cost of some
capital projects is partly due to the bid climate and partly due to delays
caused by the differences the Council is trying to work through. He felt that surpluses in the capital
budget should not be used to pay for long-term operating costs. He felt that long-term operating costs
could be addressed by economic development, bonds, or reduced services. He felt gambling revenues should be
dedicated to capital needs since this revenue source is very uncertain. He concluded that he looks forward to
the completion of the Aurora Corridor Project and North City Improvements.
(c) Peter
Henry, Shoreline, displayed a petition with 500 names of people who support the
preservation of the South Woods property.
He spoke of the many environmental and social benefits this property
would provide and thanked the Council for voting to allocate $2 million toward
its acquisition. He said it “looks
funny” when staff goes against Council direction and decreases the amount to $1
million. He asked for a written
response from each Councilmember addressing the following: 1) whether they feel it is appropriate
for staff to disregard Council direction; 2) whether they contacted staff
subsequent to the original Council vote and discussed reducing the recommended
amount of money; 3) whether they feel it is appropriate for individual Council
members to discuss with staff reducing the recommended amount once the Council
has taken a position.
(d) Terry
Clayton,
(e) Mamie Bolender, Lake Forest Park,
explained the many benefits of preserving the South Woods property, including
clean air, serenity, reduced flooding/erosion, and environmental education. She said the property can remain a viable
forest habitat if the entire parcel is preserved. Although she is happy the City applied
for a Conservation Futures grant, she is disappointed that the City may be
considering only three acres. She
said the entire parcel would provide the Briarcrest
neighborhood with a community park and an adjacent forested area where children
can walk and play among the old growth trees. She felt a park would be a well-used
resource in this heavily populated area.
(f)
Wanita Martin, Shoreline, spoke of the many
physical and emotional benefits she receives as a result of living across the
street from
(g)
Richard Tinsley, Shoreline, agree with previous speakers and felt the
City should act on the South Woods acquisition sooner rather than later. He said appraisals suggest the property
value has been steadily increasing since 2002. He said only acquiring three acres would
“destroy the forest,” and that the City does not want just a “tiny park.” He noted that developments with
increased impervious surface would degrade the watershed, and he stressed the
importance of nature to emotional well-being and health. He urged the Council to find a way
to save the entire parcel for public use.
Staff and Councilmembers requested a copy of Mr. Henry’s
petition.
Councilmember Ransom
expressed concern about the high appraisal for the South Woods property. He felt the City should get its own
appraisal.
The
City Clerk noted that the hearing was continued on
3.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Ms.
Mattioli commented that it has been an honor and pleasure to work with staff,
Council, and the citizens over the past ten years.
Councilmember Ransom noted
that if the City can get a lower land appraisal it would at least have a chance
to negotiate a lower price.
Mr.
Olander felt that $450,000-$470,000 per acre might be a fair estimate for the
South Woods property, which would total close to $7 million for the entire
parcel. He based this estimate on
the recent appraisal for the Seattle Public Utility property.
Councilmember Ransom felt
the City should move quickly since delays would likely increase the price. He noted price increases for other
properties within the past two years.
Responding to Councilmember
Chang, Mr. Deal said the City could also apply for grants from the Interagency
Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC), but it would have to wait until next
year due to the budget cycle.
Councilmember Chang asked
how the “three acres” was determined.
Mr.
Olander, said the Council indicated a target figure of
$2 million in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), but did not specify any
particular acreage. The staff
recommendation was $1 million and perhaps three acres for at least the portion
that would be the active neighborhood park. This is the amount staff felt it could
justify in the six-year plan, but the overall Council designation is a high
priority within the 20 year period.
He clarified that Council is free to change or modify the recommendation,
since it is the decision-making authority.
4.
REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: none
5.
PUBLIC COMMENT
(a)
Bronston Kenney, Shoreline, said
cottage housing has been a contentious issue in Shoreline, and with one
exception, neighbors find all cottage housing developments “objectionable and
unwelcome.” He said the moratorium
was not used to adequately reexamine the issue, and two primary questions were
not addressed: “What specific
problems do cottages solve and is this a unique or best solution?” “Should not
the cottages be abandoned simply because they are overwhelmingly opposed by the
primary stakeholders, Shoreline’s citizens?” He asserted the City has not been honest
and that another extension of the moratorium would be “further evidence of a
pattern of duplicity and arrogance.” He asked that a vote for eliminating
cottage housing be put on the Council agenda.
(b)
LaNita Wacker, Shoreline, expressed her thanks to Ms. Mattioli for
her years of dedicated public service.
She said she supports cottage housing in Shoreline because it provides
options for many different people.
She clarified that the petitions from the South Woods Preservation Group
(SWPG) include 459 signatures representing 238 Shoreline residents and 48
(c)
Vicki Westberg, Shoreline, commented favorably on the 2005
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Festival.
She said some people have stated that the South Woods property should be
sold to a developer because “forests are dangerous.” She considered this to be flawed
rationale, and that people’s concerns should be put in the proper perspective.
(d)
Keith McGlashen, Shoreline, congratulated the Council and the City
for being rated the #1 neighborhood in the
(e)
6.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Upon motion by Councilmember
Gustafson, seconded by Councilmember Grace and unanimously carried, the agenda
was approved.
Mr.
Olander provided a technical correction to the legal description on page 68 of
the Council packet related to the telecommunications lease.
7.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Upon
motion by Councilmember Ransom, seconded by Councilmember Grace and unanimously
carried, the following consent calendar items were
approved:
Minutes of Special Meeting of
Minutes of Dinner Meeting of
Minutes of Regular Meeting of
Approval of expenses and payroll as of
in the amount of
$3,530,571.22
Ordinance No. 383 extending the franchises
under
which
water within the City of
Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute
a
Telecommunication Facilities Lease Agreement
and
Memorandum of Lease with Cingular
Wireless
Resolution No. 233 authorizing application for
funding
assistance for a Land and Water Conservation
Project
to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor
Recreation
(IAC) as provided in Chapter 79A.15 RCW,
Acquisition of habitat conservation and outdoor
recreation lands
8.
ACTION ITEMS: OTHER ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS AND
MOTIONS
(a)
Motion to authorize the City staff to participate in negotiations with
agreement for the provision of municipal court
services, and to extend the date to finalize the agreement to
Councilmember Grace moved to
authorize staff to participate in negotiations with King County for a long-term
extension and amendment to the interlocal agreement
for the provision of municipal court services and to extend the date to finalize
the agreement to December 31, 2005.
Councilmember Gustafson seconded the motion.
Councilmember Ransom
expressed concern that this action represents a “buy-in to a long-term contract
with the county.” He commented on
the deteriorating level of service at the court over the past ten years and
described personal experiences in which he had to wait an unreasonable amount of
time for routine transactions. He
said the poor service levels is evidence of the need to consider either forming
a municipal court or contracting with neighboring jurisdictions such as Lake
Forest Park. He advised that
only a two-year extension be granted to give the City time to consider its
options.
Ms.
Modrzejewski noted that the County has recently enhanced its service capacity by
adding more staff and clerks. She
said City staff has had preliminary discussions with
Mr.
Olander concurred, noting that the City could simultaneously do a feasibility
and financial analysis to determine what it would take to establish a municipal
court.
Councilmember Ransom
reiterated that participating in joint negotiations with several other parties
creates a feeling of obligation to sign when an agreement is reached.
Ms.
Modrzejewski said
Councilmember Fimia moved to amend the motion to include this wording at
the end: “and also to provide the
Council and the public with basic alternatives analysis by November 30 to
analyze the level of service, costs, and customer service of three options: 1) continuing with King County; 2)
developing an independent municipal court system; and 3) contracting with other
municipalities for a court system.
Councilmember Ransom seconded the amendment.
Councilmember Fimia felt this motion would allow staff to provide an
analysis of alternatives while also communicating to the County that the City is
considering all options. She said
this would ensure that the County negotiates in good faith. Councilmember Ransom concurred.
Councilmember Grace pointed
out that the analysis would have to be brought back much sooner than November in
order to avoid a gap in court services.
A vote was taken on the
amendment, which carried 5-1, with Mayor Hansen dissenting.
Councilmember Gustafson
wished to ensure that all options are considered in the analysis.
A vote was taken on the
motion as amended, which carried 6-0.
9.
NEW BUSINESS
(a)
Annual Police Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report for
2004
Police
Chief
Continuing,
Chief Burtt went on to describe the increase in Part 1 crimes in 2004 and
outlined the strategies for reversing this trend. Part 1 crimes of particular concern to
Shoreline include automobile theft and burglary. He emphasized the need to identify
high-impact offenders and described the difficulties involved in prosecuting
auto theft. He noted that the
Mayor
Hansen called for public comment.
(a) Keith
McGlashan, Shoreline, said that if crime statistics
are considered on a percentage basis, rape has increased 120%, burglaries are up
38%, vehicle theft is up 15%, and arson has increased 62%. He pointed out that traffic complaints
increased 512% from 2003 to 2004, yet traffic citations are down 63%. He felt the department should have
the necessary resources in police and traffic patrols in order to change this
trend.
MEETING
EXTENSION
At
Chief
Burtt responded to Mr. McGlashen’s comments about the
increase in rapes, burglaries, arson, and traffic complaints. He noted that part of the increase in
arson and burglaries is attributable to high impact offenders.
Mr.
Olander noted the decrease in vehicle prowls due to the department’s efforts to
educate the public about protecting their property.
Councilmember
Chang wondered if the increase in domestic violence is evidence that the failure
that public education is not working.
He emphasized community policing, crime task forces, and other creative
ways to reduce crime without spending additional money. He requested that Chief Burtt return on
August 15 for further discussion and presentation of statistics for the first
half of 2005.
Chief
Burtt said the department has been working very hard at getting victims of
domestic violence to report it so the City can provide them with the necessary
resources. He commented on the factors that
influence domestic violence and said the department is trying its best to ensure
that victims have every possible resource.
Mr.
Olander added that the City has had good success with its domestic violence
advocate in encouraging people to file cases in court.
Councilmember
Gustafson commented on the thoroughness of the report. He noted the improvement in response
times and that more people (73%) feel safe at night (as opposed to 66% in
2003). He emphasized the need to
rehearse the hazard mitigation plan and appreciated the new initiative related
to senior citizens. He noted
that some people are still hesitant about informing their neighbors about their
vacation plans for fear of becoming crime victims.
Chief
Burtt said it is to the home owner’s benefit to inform neighbors because it
reduces the likelihood of burglary.
He said “the more people know you’re gone within your own community, the
better.”
Councilmember
Gustafson felt the City could better utilize its television resources to educate
the community on crime issues.
Mayor
Hansen noted that some people advocate for prosecuting auto theft in the lower
courts where it is considered more seriously.
Chief
Burtt said the City of
Mr.
Olander said staff would like to give the prosecutor’s office time to see how
effective their new enforcement program will be.
Councilmember
Grace felt the City should consider an action plan for reducing Part 1 crimes
back down to 2002 levels as part of the 2006 budget debate. He pointed out that
MEETING
EXTENSION
At
Councilmember
Ransom noted the dramatic increases in auto theft and burglary since 2000. He pointed out that the City greatly
reduced crime in 1996-1997 by “busting” 185 drug houses, but crime has increased
in enormous proportions since then.
He noted the increase in complaints about drug use in the schools and the
relationship of drug use to burglary and other crimes. He said the statistics are
“unacceptable,” noting that Part 1 crimes have increased 41% since 2000, yet
misdemeanor crimes have only increased 12%. He also felt the comparison cities used
in the report did not give an accurate picture, since neighboring jurisdictions
have lower crime levels. He agreed
that the police chief should report on 2005 statistics on August 15.
Chief
Burtt said crime statistics through May 2005 should be available, noting that
both Part 1 and Part 2 crime rates are generally lower than 2004.
Mr.
Olander pointed out the difficulty of making direct comparisons to other cities
because each has its own unique circumstances.
Councilmember
Fimia said she is glad to see some statistics going in
the right direction, but it is disappointing to see such a variance between the
staff report and the actual crime statistics report. She felt the staff report was too
subjective and did not adequately address the major issues. She also noted that Councilmember Chang
needs to be provided with reports ahead of time. She advised that until there is any real
analysis of the reasons crime rates are increasing, the Council will not be able
to allocate resources effectively.
She also wished to have an additional police report on August 15 in
preparation for the budget discussions.
MEETING
EXTENSION
At
There
was continued discussion of the potential reasons for the increase in certain
crime categories. Councilmember
Fimia emphasized the need to identify the City’s
particular weaknesses since each jurisdiction is unique.
Chief
Burtt felt that increases in property crimes drive the increases in Part 1 crimes. He said
the problem of crime involves many socio-economic factors that are often
difficult to comprehend.
10.
ADJOURNMENT
At
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