CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

SUMMARY MINUTES OF WORKSHOP MEETING

Monday, October 18, 1999

6:30 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 6:30 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 with the exception of Councilmembers Gustafson, Lee and Ransom, who arrived shortly thereafter.

3. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT AND FUTURE AGENDAS

Robert Deis, City Manager, provided an update of the ongoing negotiations between the King County Sheriff’s Office and the suburban cities that contract for police services. He said negotiators have come to an impasse over two major issues: 1) the unwillingness of the County to include a provision committing police employees to serve in a city for a minimum of 24 months; and 2) compensation for arson investigation services. The County wants to bill cities for arson investigation services under a separate contract; the cities assert that the services should be included in the police contract and that the Sheriff’s Office should subcontract with another County department to provide the services if necessary.

Councilmember Gustafson arrived at 6:35 p.m. and Councilmember Ransom at 6:36 p.m.

Mr. Deis said the County is seeking a five-year contract for the police services. The contract cities may propose an 18-month term during which the County would need to resolve the outstanding issues.

In response to Councilmember Hansen, Mr. Deis confirmed that the King County Fire Marshal is not the only agency capable of performing arson investigations. However, he questioned whether smaller cities have the volume of cases necessary to develop sufficient expertise. Councilmember Hansen suggested that staff research who provides these services in the four cities immediately north of Shoreline.

Mayor Jepsen said the police services contract should be a key discussion item at the meeting between King County Executive Sims and City Councilmembers and staff on October 29.

Councilmember Ransom said the City put a heavy emphasis on community policing during the negotiations for its first police services contract with the County. This requires officers to become familiar with the community.

Next, Mr. Deis presented his recommendation that Council cancel its workshop meeting on Monday, November 1. There was Council consensus to do so.

Councilmember Lee arrived at 6:52 p.m.

Mr. Deis went on to discuss options for Council workshops regarding the 2000 City budget. There was consensus among Councilmembers in favor of holding budget workshops on November 15, during a portion of the November 22 meeting and, if necessary, on November 29. Mr. Deis clarified that staff will schedule the hearing on the property tax levy on November 22, and the budget hearing on December 6, with budget adoption on December 13.

Deputy Mayor Montgomery suggested that Council begin its November 22nd Budget Workshop/Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

4. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Lee said she has been asked to serve on the National League of Cities (NLC) Nominating Committee.

Councilmember Ransom noted his reappointment to the NLC Human Development Services Committee.

Reporting on the most recent meeting of the Human Services Roundtable, Councilmem-ber Gustafson distributed materials about preventing homelessness.

Councilmember Hansen mentioned that he and Councilmember King attended the most recent meeting of the Suburban Cities Association (SCA).

Councilmember King noted the continued postponement of the next meeting of the Regional Water Quality Committee and the ongoing delay of County Council consideration of the Regional Wastewater Services Plan.

Mayor Jepsen noted efforts to arrange meetings between City representatives, State Representative Mary Margaret Haugen and other State legislators to discuss funding for Aurora Avenue. He noted the October 29th meeting with County Executive Sims.

Councilmember King mentioned that the year 2000 will be the 125th anniversary of the YMCA.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT: None

6. WORKSHOP ITEMS

(a) Preferred Option for the Shoreline Swimming Pool Master Plan

Wendy Barry, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director, reviewed the staff report, which outlines the history of the operation and current condition of the Shoreline Pool, the public involvement process for the master plan, and the deliberations of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Advisory Committee. She described the preferred option (#2), which extends the life of the HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boiler and pool filtering systems by 20 years; replaces the roofing; improves and replaces deteriorated fixtures; upgrades interior finishes; enlarges the women’s dressing room and lobby; and adds work and storage space.

Ms. Barry noted that the PRCS Committee actually preferred Option #3, which would make the pool a family aquatic center, but it supported Option #2 because it recognized the funding constraints. She added that the PRCS Committee also recommends that the City develop a long-range plan for a family aquatic facility that would better reflect the future needs of the community. This would include determination of an appropriate location for such a facility. The Committee based its recommendation on the fact that Shoreline is a community made up largely of families. Since the pool was constructed as a swim facility at a school site, it is not conducive to family programming due to the limited amount of shallow water.

Ms. Barry concluded that the budget for this project is $1,007,000. The estimated cost of the preferred option is $1,231,000, leaving a shortfall of $224,000. She explained that, unlike the Paramount Park project, phasing is not recommended for the pool project. It will take approximately four to six months to complete the renovation. She asked for consensus to bring the preferred option to the School Board and then return with all three park master plans currently under review.

Mayor Jepsen invited public comment.

(1) Nancy Rust, 18747 Ridgefield Road NW, commented on the inadequacy of the women’s locker room. Noting her previous suggestion of trading locker rooms with the men, who have a much larger space, she asked for immediate relief.

(2) Ros Bird, 16061 37th Ave. NE, Lake Forest Park, said the pool is a great City asset. Children need a place to learn to swim and swimming is a life-long sport. She suggested a partnership between the City and the South Snohomish County YMCA, which is looking for a pool site.

(3) Charlotte Haynes, 836 NE 194th St., said the women’s dressing room is "abominable." She said the remodeling should consider Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements because the current facility is difficult for swimmers who are physically challenged. She also asked that parking be addressed.

(4) Barbara Braydon, 17816 Burke Pl. N, was also concerned about parking at the pool.

(5) Pat Cliff, 17730 15th NE Box 123, commented that she could not turn the faucets in the women’s locker room on or off and that the water is running all the time, creating dangerous puddles.

(6) Myra Lester, 1837 N. 200th, St., supported previous speakers about the importance of adding parking and expanding the women’s locker room.

Mayor Jepsen assured the audience that any improvements constructed will meet ADA requirements.

Mr. Deis added that the award of the bid for the parking improvements will be on next week’s agenda.

Councilmember Gustafson was assured that the School District has been made aware of the proposed improvements.

Councilmember King reiterated the crowded conditions in the women’s locker room and was assured that the plumbing will be updated. She noted that the individuals who opposed cutting the trees to provide parking did not live on 1st Avenue or suffer from the traffic problems. She suggested the School District might be asked to contribute to the improvements.

Councilmember Ransom commented on his understanding that the School District agreed before the transfer of the parks from the County to giving the City the entire footprint of the pool. He felt the City should pursue this offer. Mayor Jepsen did not remember such a promise and Councilmember Gustafson said he had been close to pool operations and had not heard about this either.

Councilmember Ransom clarified there were discussions with a former Superintendent of Schools and certain board members.

Councilmember Hansen commented there was much discussion about taking the pool but he did not recall the details.

Councilmember Ransom asked if the enhancements in Option #3 can be added on at a later time if Option #2 is pursued now. Ms. Barry said Option #3 could be pursued as a separate package.

Responding to Councilmember Lee’s question about the life of the pool as it is right now, Ms. Barry said without improvements the City would be faced with emergency breakdowns of various systems. $90,000 worth of repairs have already been done on an emergency basis. This money has come from the King County allocation that was part of the exchange. She reiterated that the pool is 32 years old and that certain items are nearing the end of their expected life span.

Councilmember Lee commented on the citizens committee that assessed the pool and concluded that it should last another 15 to 20 years. Councilmember Ransom recalled the figure as 10 years. Mr. Deis explained that the citizen review was done on a very high level and not to the detail of the current study.

Councilmember Lee said she would like to see a toddler’s pool. She regretted that nothing in Option #2 would really allow small children to use the pool. She also expressed surprise at the different conclusions of the two studies.

Councilmember Gustafson said that anything related to creation of pool space is very expensive.

Responding to Councilmember Lee’s question about a ballpark figure for building a family aquatic center on a new site, Ms. Barry said it could cost up to $6 million. Councilmember Hansen commented that the City of Edmonds is doing a pool project and could not reduce costs below $8 million.

Deputy Mayor Montgomery agreed with a speaker that learning to swim is a very important activity for children. She commented that the number of citizens participating in the public process seems to indicate that the pool is not a high priority. Ms. Barry asserted that citizens generally respond only to very controversial issues.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Montgomery, Mr. Deis said the $224,000 will not make a big difference in the overall Capital Improvement budget if Initiative 695 does not pass. However, each of the three park master plans will need enhanced levels of funding, and Council will have to prioritize spending.

Responding to Councilmember Gustafson, Ms. Barry said Option #2 envisions a different configuration of work space and will provide for a first aid station.

Responding again to Councilmember Gustafson, Ms. Barry said the plan will make the pool ADA compliant. Mayor Jepsen commented that the viewing balcony will not be accessible. Ms. Barry answered that individuals who wish to view competitive events or lessons and cannot access the balcony will be allowed on the deck and thereby receive a comparable viewing experience.

Councilmember Gustafson asked about a timeline, and Ms. Barry said staff is considering when to do the work--whether to disrupt the public during the summer or the swim teams during the school year, which is the time of lowest public usage. Staff is talking with the School District about this.

Councilmember Gustafson favored Option #2 to make the pool a quality facility. He noted his original opposition to taking over the pool but felt in the long run perhaps the City made the right decision. He emphasized the importance of partnering with the School District because he felt this is the right site for a family aquatic center. He said Option #3 will make a great addition to the community and favored including this in a bond issue to put before the public. He also supported looking at a YMCA partnership. He commented on an original School District plan to teach all students to swim and supported looking into this again.

Responding to Deputy Mayor Montgomery, Councilmember Gustafson said the School District pays an hourly rental fee for its use of the pool from August through February. Mr. Deis added that the fee schedule is a topic for the memorandum of understanding that staff and the School District are negotiating.

Supporting Option #2, Mayor Jepsen said if the upgrade keeps the pool operating for 20 years, $50,000 per year will provide a substantial community amenity. He commented that a grander vision for the pool will have to compete with other community needs. He summarized Council consensus to take Option #2 to the School Board and mention the shortfall in the budget. After that, all three of the park master plans and funding options will be considered further.

Mr. Deis noted that the Capital Improvement Plan could be a topic for a third budget workshop because that is where there is the biggest change in numbers.

7. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENT: None

8. ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Jepsen declared the meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

 

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Sharon Mattioli, CMC
City Clerk