CITY OF SHORELINE

SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL

Summary Minutes of Dinner Meeting

Monday, November 9, 1998

6:00 p.m.

Shoreline Conference Center

Highlander Room

PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Montgomery, Councilmembers Gustafson, Hansen, King and Ransom

ABSENT: Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Lee

STAFF: Robert Deis, City Manager; Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager; Doug Mattoon, Public Works Director; Kristoff Bauer, Assistant to the City Manager

The meeting began at 6:15 p.m. with everyone present except Councilmembers Hansen and King, who arrived later in the meeting, and Mayor Jepsen and Councilmember Lee.

Responding to Councilmember Gustafson’s question about the format of tonight’s meeting, Robert Deis, City Manager, explained that the public hearing on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the Parks, Open Space and Recreation Services Plan will be held first, followed by the public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan.

Councilmember Ransom noted that he has requested an amendment regarding billboards to the Comprehensive Plan: either to allow billboards in the Aurora Corridor or to have the Aurora Corridor Pre-Design Committee review the issue.

Councilmember Gustafson asked if proposed changes will be reviewed on a yearly basis if both the Comprehensive Plan and the CIP are adopted tonight. He also asked if Plan H is what is being considered in the final plan.

Larry Bauman, Assistant City Manager, explained that Plan H was proposed by the Planning Commission. The final draft of the Comprehensive Plan is LU-1, which has far fewer impacts than Plan H. However, Plan H was reviewed in the Environmental Impact Statement.

Councilmember Gustafson asked if staff has prepared the City’s information systems for transition to the year 2000. Mr. Deis explained that the City has its own risks and that most of these relate to systems operated by other agencies upon which the City depends. He noted that some of the problems that arise will be the City’s responsibility and that some will be the responsibilities of other agencies.

Councilmember Gustafson asked about no-smoking policies regarding minors. Mr. Deis said the Shoreline Police Department is working with the school district to create an enforcement program.

Councilmember King arrived at 6:35 p.m.

Responding to Councilmember Gustafson’s question about the impact of the passage of Referendum 49 on the City, Mr. Deis explained that staff is creating a list of potential projects for the City to share with 32^nd District legislators. He noted that the City’s projects may not be as competitive as those of other jurisdictions.

Mr. Deis raised the issue of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). After the ballot levy failed in 1997, the cities and the County agreed to create a task force to consider alternative funding methods. The suburban cities are a majority on the task force, and the options developed by the task force are still dependent on property taxes. City representatives have requested the development of performance measures to track the performance of the EMS system. Some of the suburban cities want to delete the requirement that all cities of fifty thousand or more residents must approve the measure before it appears on the ballot. Mr. Deis asked if Council cared about the City’s veto power in this circumstance.

Councilmember Hansen arrived at 6:45 p.m.

Councilmember Ransom said he does not care about the veto, but he would like cities to have some collective power to reject a proposal.

Mr. Deis responded that a possible compromise, proposed by the City of Bellevue, is to require that at least two thirds of cities of 50,000 or more residents approve the measure.

Councilmember Gustafson agreed that a two-thirds requirement would be appropriate.

Councilmember Ransom said he is willing to accept a modification, but he still wants a vote.

Mr. Deis turned to the issue of public art. He explained that the installation of the bronze ponies at Ronald Bog Park was more expensive than expected. Now, the City has encountered a problem with the totem pole: upon inspection, it was found to be rotting internally. The cost to repair/restore the totem pole is very high. He said the pole could be placed on display at an indoor location at much less expense than at an outdoor location.

Deputy Mayor Montgomery said she could not imagine spending money on the totem pole given its condition.

Councilmember King suggested using volunteers to restore the totem pole. She suggested the Historical Museum as an alternative location.

Councilmember Gustafson felt the totem pole does not appear to be worth the expense. He suggested the new Richmond Beach Library might be a good location.

Mr. Deis expressed the Council consensus to look for an alternative home for the totem pole. He said staff will work with experts and potential custodians to determine an appropriate location.

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

_____________________________________
Larry Bauman
Assistant City Manager