Showing posts with label city council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label city council. Show all posts

Shoreline City Council workshop dinner meeting December 11, 2023 to discuss public comment rules

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Prior to its Regular Meeting December 11, 2023 the Shoreline City Council will hold a Workshop Dinner Meeting from 5:45 to 6:45pm in the Shoreline City Hall Conference Room 303.

Attend the Meeting via Zoom Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84583314568

Call into the Live Meeting: 253-215-8782 - Webinar ID: 845 8331 4568

They use a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed. The public is welcome to attend but there is no public comment. The public may, however, provide written comments.

They will discuss several Council Operations. Of particular note is the Potential Council Rule of Procedure Amendment.

In recent months, during the public comment portion of the meeting, Council received disruptive public comments from persons targeting certain racial groups of our community. While Council recognizes freedom of speech to be a cornerstone of our democracy and respects diverse opinions, a Council meeting is a limited public forum, meaning that Council has reserved this time for discussion of certain topics, namely those pertaining to the business of the City, and not for anyone to say anything that is on their mind.

Proposed by staff:

B. Any person making disruptive, impertinent, slanderous or threatening remarks while addressing the Council during public comment or public testimony shall be asked to leave the Council Chambers by the Presiding Officer and barred from further audience before the Council for that meeting. If the person is participating in the meeting remotely, the Presiding Officer shall ask the City Clerk to remove them from their permission to talk in the videoconferencing application. (Emphasis by staff)

If supported by Council, staff would bring forth a Resolution with the amendments Council is comfortable with for adoption at a future Council meeting in 2024.

--Pam Cross


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Shoreline City Councilmember Laura Mork awarded Certificate of Municipal Leadership

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Laura Mork, Shoreline City Council
Shoreline City Councilmember Laura Mork recently earned a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

AWC’s Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officials for accomplishing training in five core areas:
  1. Roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements
  2. Public sector resource management
  3. Community planning and development
  4. Effective local leadership
  5. Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Mork completed more than 30 hours of training to earn this distinction.

Mork was elected to City Council in 2021. Her term expires December 31, 2025. 

Prior to being elected to the City Council, Mork served on the Shoreline Planning Commission from 2013 to 2021. There she worked on many community issues, including affordable housing, spaces for neighborhood businesses, and new construction around our two light rail stations. 

Her contributions helped the City earn an award for its Deep Green Incentive Program for sustainable construction projects and obtain Salmon-Safe certification for City programs that promote habitat protection. 

She was also appointed to the Ronald Wastewater District Board in 2017 and elected to that position in 2019, where she served until the 2021 assumption by the City. Laura brings a wide range of experience to the City Council from her career as a chemical engineer, facilities manager, and as a professionally certified project manager.

Mork’s external committee assignments include the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration; the National League of Cities Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee; and the Sound Cities Association’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

AWC serves its members through advocacy, education, and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's 281 cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. 

AWC also provides training, data and publications, and programs such as the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, AWC Risk Management Service Agency, AWC Workers’ Comp Retro, AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium, and AWC GIS Consortium. 


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Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore city councils to hold joint dinner meeting

Friday, October 6, 2023

Shoreline City Hall courtesy City of Shoreline

Three city councils will meet over dinner on Monday, October 9, 2023 from 5:45 to 6:45pm at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline WA 98155 - Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and Kenmore

On the agenda:

Round-Robin City Updates
  • North King County Aquatics Center Study Update
  • Regional Crisis Response (RCR)/Connections Accomplishments
  • Early look at State Legislative Priorities

You may attend the meeting in person (bring your own dinner!), join via Zoom webinar, or listen to the meeting over the telephone.

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Over 70 Shoreline citizens petition the city council to save a giant sequoia from development

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

72.8” diameter Giant Sequoia

More than 70 concerned citizens emailed the Shoreline City Council regarding the importance of retaining trees 70” in diameter and greater in Shoreline.

Of current concern is a 72.8” diameter Giant Sequoia located at 18525 Firlands Way N, previously saved by Barbara Monks in 1978.

Many of the emails can be seen on the July 24, 2023 city council agenda under Item 8 Study Items.

As stated at the July 24th City Council meeting, the City of Shoreline will review the tree code in 2025.


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City Council and mayoral candidates in the August primary and November general election

Thursday, June 1, 2023

For candidates, the purpose of a primary election is to winnow the field to two people who will appear on the November general election ballot.

If there are only two candidates for a given position, that race will not be in the August primary election.

In Lake Forest Park, Jon Friesch has withdrawn from the contest for council position 4, leaving the race between Nigel Keiffer and Ellyn Saunders to be decided in the November election. Also in the November election, Tom French and Jeff R. Johnson for Mayor, and Lorri Bodi, unopposed for council position 2.

The only LFP council race on the primary will be the candidates vying for position 6, Paula Goode, Dustin Shaffer, and Stephanie Angelis. The top two in the primary will advance to the general election in November.

None of the Shoreline city council positions will be on the primary ballot. Keith Scully in position 2 is running unopposed. Rowan Hurt has withdrawn from position  6, leaving Betsy Robertson unopposed. Of the incumbents, only Doris McConnell has an opponent, Annette Ademasu. They will appear on the November ballot.

Shoreline and Lake Forest Park have different forms of government. The mayor of LFP is elected by the voters. The LFP mayor has the administrative authority to prepare and administer the budget, appoint a City Administrator, and appoint and dismiss department heads.

The mayor of Shoreline presides at Council meetings and represents the City at ceremonial functions and intergovernmental meetings. The Shoreline mayor is elected by the other council members following the general election.

--Diane Hettrick


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King County hosting online workshops for people interested in running for local offices, April 15 and April 24

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash
King County is hosting several online candidate workshops providing information about filing for office in King County including submitting local voter’s pamphlet information, voter lists and data management, campaign sign regulations, and basic public disclosure information from the Public Disclosure Commission. 

Workshops are on Saturday, April 15 from 11am to 1pm and Monday, April 24, 2023 from 3pm to 5pm.

Candidate registration with King County starts May 14 and ends May 19. Information about candidacy and running for office is available from the King County Elections Home Page. In addition, candidates must register with the Public Disclosure Commission. Link to key dates with the PDC.

City of Shoreline City Council Elections November 2023


Three (3) City Council positions are up for election/re-election in November 2023: Positions 2, 4, and 6. Candidates must follow the guidelines and registration dates as posted by King County (see above).

As the City's governing body, Shoreline's seven elected part-time City Councilmembers establish City policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, contract for services and grant franchises.

City Councilmembers serve staggered four-year terms; roughly half the Council is up for election every two years. All Councilmembers are "at-large" meaning that they serve the City as a whole as opposed to a specific district.

The mayor is a councilmember, elected by the council. The mayor sets the agenda for council meetings and represents the city on formal occasions.

City of Lake Forest Park Mayor and Council Elections November 2023


The Mayor and three (3) Lake Forest Park City Council positions are up for election/re-election in November 2023: Positions 2, 4, and 6. Candidates must follow the guidelines and registration dates as posted by King County (see above).

The Mayor and seven City Councilmembers are part-time, non-partisan elected officials who serve four-year terms. Municipal elections are held in November of odd-numbered years and terms are staggered so that no more than four positions are up for election every two years. All Councilmembers are elected "at-large," meaning they serve the City as a whole, as opposed to a specific district.

Unlike Shoreline, LFP has a Mayor/Council form of government.

The City Council is the legislative body of the City.  It enacts laws and regulations, establishes policy direction for the City, establishes tax and fee rates, adopts an annual budget, grants franchises, approves contracts for services, and payment of all City moneys.

The mayor is the executive branch of the city government, elected directly by the voters of Lake Forest Park for a four year term. The City of Lake Forest Park has a strong-mayor form of municipal government in which the mayor has the administrative authority to prepare and administer the budget, appoint a City Administrator, and appoint and dismiss department heads.


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Shoreline Council to meet with legislative representatives in Olympia

Saturday, February 11, 2023

The legislature is meeting in person for the
first time since the pandemic hit.
While the Shoreline City Council is in Olympia attending the conference of the Association of Washington Cities, they will meet with the 32nd District Delegation over dinner.

On February 15, 2023, the council will discuss the city's legislative priorities with Senator Salomon, and Representatives Ryu and Davis.



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Shoreline City Council to attend Association of Washington Cities conference February 15-16, 2023

Thursday, February 9, 2023

The Shoreline City Council will attend the Association of Washington Cities’ “City Action Days” conference on February 15-16, 2023.

The 2023 AWC City Action Days is being held in-person in Olympia, WA. The Conference starts Wednesday, February 15, 2023, and concludes Thursday, February 15, 2023. 

Held annually during the legislative session, City Action Days is AWC’s legislative conference to educate statewide decision makers about city priorities and to push the City’s agenda forward.



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Classifieds: Shoreline City Council Attendance - NUHSA 2022 Human Services Awards Program and Celebration

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Shoreline City Council Attendance at 
NUHSA 2022 Human Services Awards Program and Celebration
Date: 01/19/2023 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Ronald United Methodist Church
17839 Aurora Avenue North
Shoreline, Washington 98133


You are hereby notified that a quorum of Councilmembers will attend the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) 2022 Human Services Awards program and celebration on Thursday, January 19, 2023.

The annual NUHSA Awards recognizes individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in ensuring the health and well-being of our North King County residents.



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Shoreline City Councilmember Eben Pobee awarded with Certificate of Municipal Leadership

Friday, October 21, 2022

Eben Pobee, Shoreline City Council
Shoreline City Councilmember Eben Pobee recently earned a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

AWC’s Certificate of Municipal Leadership program recognizes city and town elected officials for accomplishing training in five core areas: 
  1. Roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements
  2. Public sector resource management
  3. Community planning and development
  4. Effective local leadership
  5. Diversity, equity, and inclusion

“Being a city leader in Washington is a complex job,” said AWC CEO Deanna Dawson. “Through our CML program we are providing our elected officials with the knowledge they need to effectively operate within the law, plan for the future, secure and manage funds, foster strong relationships, and work to build more equitable communities.”

Pobee completed more than 30 hours of training to earn this distinction.

Pobee was elected to City Council in 2021. His term expires December 31, 2025. In 2019, Governor Jay Inslee appointed Pobee to the Board of Trustees of Shoreline Community College, where he currently serves as Vice Chair. 

He also serves as the Chair of King County’s 4Culture Arts Advisory Committee. He works as a finance manager with EPOBS Suite, a cloud-based Financial Management Software company. Pobee is also co-founder and Artistic Director of JHP Legacy which provides a variety of cultural and arts programs.

Association of Washington Cities (AWC) serves its members through advocacy, education, and services. Founded in 1933, AWC is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's 281 cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. 

AWC also provides training, data and publications, and programs such as the AWC Employee Benefit Trust, AWC Risk Management Service Agency, AWC Workers’ Comp Retro, AWC Drug and Alcohol Consortium, and AWC GIS Consortium.


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Shoreline Council to meet with King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall Monday

Sunday, October 2, 2022

The Shoreline City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, October 3, 2022, from 5:45pm to 6:45pm with Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall.

The hybrid meeting will be held in Conference Room 440 at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N,  Shoreline WA 98133 and on Zoom


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Shoreline council to study waste reduction, resident satisfaction survey, and North King County crisis triage facility

Monday, September 26, 2022


There are three study items on the agenda for the Shoreline City Council on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 7pm.

The meeting is hybrid - in the Shoreline Council Chamber and on Zoom. The council chamber is part of City Hall at 17500 Midvale Ave N. The zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/95015006341

Full agenda and instructions for making public comment HERE



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Notes from Shoreline Council meeting September 19, 2022

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council 
Regular Meeting
September 19, 2022

Notes by Pam Cross

The Regular meeting was conducted in a hybrid manner with both in-person and virtual options to attend and participate.

General Public Comment

Letting dogs off-leash in parks that require leashes
  • Julie Jones, LFP, previously from Shoreline
Tree Retention
  • Kathleen Russell, Shoreline, Tree Preservation Code Team
  • Nancy Morris, Shoreline
  • Derek Blackwell, Shoreline

Action Item 8(a) Public Hearing and Discussion on the 2023 Community Development Block Grant Funding and Contingency Plan and the 2023-2023 Human Services Funding Plan and Authorization for the City Manager to Execute Contracts to Implement Approved Programs and Projects

Every other year the City reviews its human services funding allocation and develops a new two-year Funding Plan. The staff report was provided by Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, Community Services Manager and is available online.

Public Comment received

Public Hearing Comments (in person)

Support for King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC)
  • Lorna Holland, Kent
Support for Domestic Abuse Women's Network (DAWN)
  • Angela Mercado, Executive Director, Kent
Support for Hopelink
  • Cindy Donahue, Shoreline
Support for The Center for Human Services, Shoreline
  • Tanya Laskelle, Lynnwood
Support for North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA)
  • Heidi Shepherd, NUHSA Board President, Shoreline
Support for all citizens with disabilities
  • Laethan Wene, Shoreline
After a brief discussion Council agreed to have this come back on October 4 as a Consent Item.

Action Item 8(b). Public Hearing and Action on the Proposed Purchase of Real Property Located at N 192nd Street, Identified as King County Tax Parcel No. 728390- 0532, and Authorizing the City Manager to Take the Necessary Steps to Complete the Property Purchase

The staff report was provided by Nathan Daum, Economic Development Program Manager and is available online.

The City has the opportunity to acquire a half-acre parcel so as to expand the area of City public parks in an area of increasing density. This parcel, which is adjacent to the King County Metro Park n Ride on N 192nd Street and is identified as King County Tax Parcel No. 728390-0532, was identified by nearby community residents as an opportunity to preserve mature tree canopy and wildlife habitat and supported by low-income housing and supportive service providers planning or operating multifamily buildings nearby. The City Manager has entered into a fully-executed Purchase and Sale Agreement with the property owner at $2,000,000, subject to City Council approval.


Public Comments

None

Council Comments

The City applied to the King County Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) grant program for a 100% funding award and as such would require no matching funds from the City. This is a great opportunity to save trees and possibly add future trees. Little if any additional use is not expected.

VOTE

Passes unanimously.

Action Item 8(c) Action on the Proposed Purchase of Real Property Located at 14534 10th Avenue NE, Identified as King County Tax Parcel No. 663290-0820, and Authorizing the City Manager to Take the Necessary Steps to Complete the Property Purchase

The staff report was also provided by Nathan Daum, Economic Development Program Manager and is available online.

The City has the opportunity to acquire a 7,800 square-foot parcel, completing the PROS Plan’s two-parcel, approximately one-third-acre expansion of Paramount Open Space Park. This parcel, which is in the 145th Street Light Rail Station Subarea, together with the previously acquired parcel, would allow the preservation of existing trees, planting of new trees, expansion of wetlands, and improvements to streams.

The City applied to the King County Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) grant program for a 100% funding award and as such would require no matching funds from the City.




Public Comments

Pam Cross, Shoreline
Is use of purchased park properties limited to parks? Or could a future Council decide to develop or sell it?

Council Discussion

This is a parcel that provides excellent opportunity for restoration of a stream and conservation of this area. This is an environmental preservation move that I’m proud to support.

Does Shoreline have a provision, like the City of Seattle has, that once land is parkland, you have to maintain it as a park or replace it with something similar of the same acreage?
  • Reply: That would be a question for the parks, but for this particular acquisition we cannot sell or develop it. It will have a conservation identification, reported on the deed, so it will remain park space in perpetuity.
I think this would be something to look into.

If the CFT funding is not approved for this purchase, could the funds be used for someplace else?

We actually looked into this for a different case, and as I recollect, that is not an option. We would need to reapply because they make the determination of eligibility based on the specific location.

VOTE

Passes unanimously.

Action Item 8(d) Authorize the Mayor to Negotiate a Conditional Employment Agreement with the City Manager Finalist

During an Executive Session, Council decided on the finalist, Bristol Ellington.

VOTE

Passes 4-3.
Dissenting DM Robertson, CM McConnell, CM Mork 
(see previous article)


The staff report was presented by Sara Lane, Administrative Services Director and  Christine Hopkins, Budget Analyst.

It included multiple tables and attachments. See full report here

The presentation was for informational purposes and to provide the City Council with a preview of the 2023-2024 proposed preliminary budget. Staff anticipated that Council may provide additional budget direction to the City Manager as a result of this review.

No action was required by the City Council.

Council then retired to an Executive Session.

Following that, there was a motion and second to direct the City Manager to finalize and execute a Settlement Agreement and Release with Grease Monkey in relation to the City's cost reimbursement for soil contamination and remediation.

The Vote passed unanimously.

The meeting was then adjourned.



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A divided Shoreline City Council votes to offer the city manager position to Bristol Ellington

Monday, September 19, 2022

Bristol Ellington at the meet and greet
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
At the Shoreline City Council meeting on Monday, September 19, 2022, members voted 4-3 to authorize the mayor and deputy mayor to enter into negotiations to offer the City Manager position to Bristol Ellington.

Voting Yes were Chris Roberts, John Ramsdell, Keith Scully, and Eben Pobee.

Voting No were Doris McConnell, Betsy Robertson, and Laura Mork. 

These latter councilmembers stressed that they would fully support a new city manager and that all candidates were well qualified. Their support for another candidate was based on that person's experience being closely aligned with Shoreline's issues, that the person would be able to step into the position with very little learning curve, and that the person was already very familiar with Shoreline.

Neither candidate has previously been a city manager.


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Shoreline Council meeting Monday, September 19, 2022 - public hearing on block grant funding and action on property purchases

Sunday, September 18, 2022

The Shoreline City Council meets Monday, September 19, 2022 at 7pm in person and on Zoom.
Link to Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95015006341

ACTION ITEMS

Public Hearing and Discussion on the 2023 Community Development Block Grant Funding and Contingency Plan and the 2023-2024 Human Services Funding Plan


Action on the Proposed Purchase of Real Property Located at N 192nd Street, Identified as King County Tax Parcel No. 728390-0532, and Authorizing the City Manager to Take the Necessary Steps to Complete the Property Purchase


Action on the Proposed Purchase of Real Property Located at 14534 10th Avenue NE, Identified as King County Tax Parcel No. 663290-0820, and Authorizing the City Manager to Take the Necessary Steps to Complete the Property Purchase


Authorize the Mayor to Negotiate a Conditional Employment Agreement with the City Manager Finalist


STUDY ITEM

Discussion of the 2022 Second Quarter Financial Report and a Preliminary View of the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget and 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Plan



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Shoreline council regular meeting Monday 9-12-22

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

September 12, 2022 Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting
Date: 09/12/2022 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall

Please be advised that the Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting on Monday, September 12, 2022 will be held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed. You may attend the meeting in person, join via Zoom webinar, or listen to the meeting over the telephone. 

Council is providing opportunities for public comment in person, remotely, or by submitting written comment. In person public commenters must sign up in person prior to the start of Agenda Item 6, and remote public commenters must sign-up online by 6:30pm the night of the meeting.
Please see information listed below to access the meeting remotely:
Agenda Highlights:
  • Approval of Expenses and Payroll as of September 12, 2022 in the Amount of $11,784,588.82 (Administrative Services)
  • Adoption of Ordinance No. 969 - Amending Chapter 20.50 of the Shoreline Municipal Code to Add Regulations for Outdoor Seating and Repealing Interim Ordinance No. 965 (Planning and Community Development)
  • Adoption of Resolution No. 493 – Establishing a Fee for Outdoor Seating Permits (Planning & Community Development)
  • Approving the Multi-Family Tax Exemption Contract with ASO Investments, LLC for the Pinnacle One Project Located at 1719 N 185th Street (Recreation, Cultural and Community Services)
  • Approving the Multi-family Tax Exemption Contract with Home for Life, LLC for the Pinnacle Two Project Located at 2152 N 185th Street (Recreation, Cultural and Community Services)
  • Action on Ordinance No. 968 – Amending Chapters 20.30, 20.40, and 20.50 of the Shoreline Municipal Code to Modify Regulations for Development Within the MUR-70’ Zoning District (Planning and Community Development)
  • Discussion of the Final Draft Transportation Element (Public Works)
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Litigation – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)

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Shoreline Council to discuss final Draft Transportation Element

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

At the September 12, 2022 City Council meeting, staff will present Council with a final Draft Transportation Element (TE). 

This final draft includes analysis of potential future funding for transportation projects over the next 20 years and a financially constrained project list. This is an important step in the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update.

The TE is the regulatory portion of the TMP that will be adopted into the City’s Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan). A Public Hearing for Comp Plan amendments will be held on October 6, 2022.

Visit the City Council webpage to read staff reports, comment, or attend a Council meeting remotely.

The Notice of Public Hearing will soon be posted on the Comp Plan webpage. See Planning Commission Meetings webpage to see agendas (October 6 coming soon) and learn how to comment or attend a meeting remotely.

For information on the TE/TMP update, visit the project webpage.



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August 15, 2022 - Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - Revised Agenda

Thursday, August 11, 2022

August 15, 2022 - City Council Regular Meeting - Revised Agenda

Agenda Revision Highlight: 

Agenda Item 7(b) has been removed from the agenda - Authorize the City Manager to Obligate $367,428.55 in Washington State Department of Commerce Connection Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) Grant Funds for the 198th Street Affordable Housing Project for Infrastructure Improvements

Link to Revised Meeting Agenda
Agenda Planner

Meeting Video and Minutes Archive
About the City Council



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Agenda for August 1, 2022 Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - sustainability report discussion

Thursday, July 28, 2022


August 1, 2022 Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting
Date: 08/01/2022 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall
17500 Midvale Ave N
Shoreline, Washington 98133


Please be advised that the Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting on Monday, August 1, 2022 will be held in the Council Chamber using a hybrid format where both in-person and online attendance is allowed. You may attend the meeting in person, join via Zoom webinar, or listen to the meeting over the telephone. 

Council is providing opportunities for public comment in person, remotely, or by submitting written comment. In person public commenters must sign up in person prior to the start of Agenda Item 6, and remote public commenters must sign-up online by 6:30pm the night of the meeting.


Please see information listed below to access the meeting remotely:

Agenda Highlights:
  • Proclamation of National Night Out for Community (Community Services)
  • Authorize the City Manager to Enter Into a Grant Agreement with the Port of Seattle for $94,000 for Economic Development Projects (City Manager's Office)
  • Discussion of the 2021 Sustainability Report and Resolution No. 494 - Declaration of Climate Emergency (Recreation, Cultural, and Community Services)
  • EXECUTIVE SESSION: Potential Litigation and Property Acquisition – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)
Link to Full Meeting Agenda



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Notes from Shoreline council meeting July 18, 2022

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting
July 18, 2022
Notes by Pam Cross

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid manner with both in-person and virtual options to attend and participate.

Due to technical problems, the video link did not work properly but staff presentations were not affected.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Mayor Scully.

Flag Salute and Roll Call

Councilmember Mork attended remotely.
Councilmember McConnell was excused for personal reasons.

Approval of the Agenda
Agenda approved by unanimous consent.

Report of the City Manager, Debbie Tarry

July 12 through August 4
See full schedules at shorelinewa.gov/calendar

Tuesdays through August 2

Saturday July 23

Wednesday July 20

Public reminder


Council Reports

CM Mork attended the Regional Water Quality meeting. The Clean Water Guiding Principles were recommended to be updated.

Public Comment
Each speaker was allowed 2 minutes. Both in-person and remote attendees have an opportunity to speak. There were 9 written comments at the time of this meeting, the majority regarding 8(a) the Levy Lid Lift.

Building debris and refuse that was used years ago as fill needs so be removed from parks. There are very large pieces that require heavy equipment to remove.
Janet Way, Shoreline
Patricia Weber, Shoreline

Item 8(a) Levy Lid Lift
Mary Ellen Stone, Shoreline
Lisa Brock, Shoreline
Jeff Dairiki, Shoreline

Item 9(a) Transportation Master Plan
Kathleen Russell, Shoreline, on behalf of Save Shoreline Trees Advisory Board
Nancy Morris, Shoreline
Lee Kimes, Shoreline

Item 9(b) Westminster Park
Bill Franklin, Shoreline, Chair of PRCS/Tree Board
Andy Gregory, Shoreline
Nathan Hawkins, Shoreline

New apartments on Linden Ave N
Derek Blackwell, Shoreline

Wishing Debbie Tarry a happy and healthy retirement
Laethan Wene, Shoreline

Approval of the Consent Calendar.
The Consent Calendar was approved unanimously.

Action Item 8(a) Action on Resolution No. 492 – Providing for the Submission to the Qualified Electors of the City of Shoreline at an Election to be Held on November 8, 2022, a Proposition Authorizing the City to Increase its Regular Property Tax Levy Above the Limit Established in RCW 84.55.010 to Fund Public Safety and Community Services

Presented by Christina Arcidy, Management Analyst

The City Council directed staff to bring forward a Resolution to place a levy lid lift (LLL) replacement on the November 8 General Election ballot, which was discussed in detail at the June 13 Council meeting.




Many of the the City’s expenditures grow at a rate than higher than the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For example, Public Safety represents 34% of expenditures - the largest part of which is the cost of police services. The upcoming police expenditures will increase higher than the rate of inflation due to implementation of body-worn cameras, higher field costs, rising insurance costs, higher field costs and salary increases.

The King County Assessor’s office most recent figures estimate a 17% increase in Shoreline property values, instead of the 12% staff had used. And the current rate of inflation is estimated to be 10.14%. Council could reduce the LLL from $1.40 to $1.39. This would be the maximum rate that could be assessed, subject to annual levy increases up to the rate of inflation.

The replacement levy would go into effect on January 1, 2023, if passed by voters in the November 8 General Election.

From the staff report page 8a-3:

“In 2023, Shoreline residents will be impacted by the passage of the 2022 Parks Bond and increases to wastewater rates (which also includes increases in the King County Wastewater Treatment charges included in the wastewater rate) that Council will be discussing in late July.”

“The City’s current financial forecast projects potential budget gaps, where costs to maintain existing services will exceed revenue resources, to occur beginning in 2024 with a cumulative size totaling $37.050 million over the 10-year forecast period.”

DISCUSSION

Motion and second to approve main motion.

The staff report really spells it out and I appreciate the work that went into it. Without the LLL, we are limited by State law to a 1% increase. I think this should be addressed at the legislative level so we don’t have to continually ask the voters for increases in sales tax in order to provide the quality of services that our community expects.

Assessed value is one of the driving factors. What is the key factor to arriving at $1.39?
  • Reply: It’s both the assessed value and the consumer price index (CPI) going up. We were able to reduce by 1 cent and still be able to purchase the same goods and services that we outlined in a previous report.
We really don’t know what’s going to happen with property values and the CPI. But we do need to maintain our current level of services.
  • Reply: Correct, the rate can be adjusted as the other figures are updated. This is the maximum rate we are talking about.
Do we collect $15.2M now?
  • Reply: yes, at the current levy rate.
And the $1.39 rate will mean we will collect something like $5.2M more?
  • Reply: over the course of the 6 years, it will be about $15.2M surplus and that allows for no gaps in the 6 years of the levy.
  • Reply (Sara Lane): At $1.39 adjusted for the assessed valuation, we will be collecting $6.6M more in 2023 than in 2022.
So that gets us to about $21M annually instead of $15.3?
  • Reply (Sara Lane): Yes
Initially you have a surplus, so at the end you don’t have such a large deficit that you can’t overcome? Do we hold the surplus until the end?
  • Reply (Sara Lane): we try to balance the whole 6 years because we can’t accurately forecast the future. You could set a lower rate and anticipate that you would have a gap in the prior years and hold aside surpluses.
  • Reply (Debbie Tarry): When you come to the end of the 6 year period, you are collecting less revenue to pay for the expenses, then you have much bigger gap in revenue when the levy expires.
Are we making up a gap now?
  • Reply (Sara Lane): No. We had anticipated one because of the pandemic, but it did not materialize.
  • Reply: We have used past expenditures for different one-time essential projects or development as well as investments in technology and so forth. We don’t typically budget for these but we know that they will come up.
Where will the extra $6.6M that we’re going to collect (over 2022) go?
  • Reply (Sara Lane): Into fund balance and Council directs how it is used for one-time expenditures or reserved for future purposes.
Residents are faced with inflation, other bonds, increased valuations. There are things we would like to do but maybe can’t afford to right now. Is there a rate where we would have no reduction in current services and include RADAR?
  • Reply: That rate is $1.35.
Motion and second to adjust rate to $1.35.

This shows that we are responsive to the concerns of the community.

I like the higher rate - remember that we are setting the maximum. And this is a 6-year levy while our city is growing a lot and making some dramatic changes in some of our neighborhoods.

There is a deferral and exemptions of taxes program for “qualified” seniors and disabled through King County Assessor’s office. Assistance available through Senior Services.

VOTE to reduce rate to $1.35
Fails 5-1, with CM Mork supporting

Motion and second to adjust rate to $1.39
VOTE Passes unanimously 6-0

VOTE on main motion as amended to $1.39
Passes unanimously 6-0

Study item 9(a) Discussion of the Transportation Element and Transportation Master Plan Updates: Draft Project Prioritization

Presented by Nora Daley-Peng, Senior Transportation Planner

The City of Shoreline is currently updating its Transportation Element (TE) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP) to better serve the community’s current and future transportation needs. This is the seventh in a series of briefings to Council.

The TE/TMP supports all forms of travel – by foot, bicycle, skateboard, scooter, stroller, wheelchair, transit, motorcycle, automobile, etc. With the upcoming arrival of light rail transit, new and higher frequency bus service, new pedestrian/bicycle connections, and land use changes and growth, the TE and TMP updates provide an opportunity to further align transportation vision, goals, objectives, and policies with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Timeline, project milestones, achievements to date


There were 427 participants in our Outreach Series III. Survey results will be available soon on the project webpage shorelinewa.gov/tmp


Having clear, defined goals will help the city accomplish the transportation vision. We have developed a Prioritization Scorecard to measure the importance of potential projects, scoring them as high, medium, or low priority. Details of the Scorecard, list of projects and maps are available in the staff report.

DISCUSSION

Predetermined priority project on 145th, is there a timeline for this?
  • Reply (Natasha Walters): Could you be more specific on the location?
The West end by Westminster Triangle. What does predetermined mean?
  • Reply (Natasha Walters): We’re using a phased approach. This is a later phase - over 10 years from now. But you never know - you could get lucky!
How does this plan fit in with the Sidewalk Prioritization Plan and the general Transit Plan?
  • Reply: Since the City operates within a finite set of resources, it is important to develop a transparent, equitable, and data-driven process for prioritizing implementation of the transportation projects over the next 20 years. We came up with 175 projects. We had to look at overlapping priorities, or a layered look.
We had the Sidewalks ranked against each other. Now it feels like sidewalks projects are competing against crosswalk projects and transit projects etc. I don’t see how these projects work together.
  • Reply: The 2018 Sidewalk plan is about 75 miles of stand-alone sidewalk projects. What we are looking at in the TE and TMP is looking at the transportation network holistically. The sidewalks plan can be looked at as a prelude to the update of the TE and TMP.
The level of consideration, time and effort put into this really elevates Shoreline.

Is cost included as an element of the prioritization process?
  • Reply: We were not thinking of cost as an actual metric. We are doing a whole separate financial analysis of our expenses/revenues over the next 20 years and what we can afford.
Climate resiliency needs to be replaced with another term. Surface water is an effect of climate change but not something we can fix. The urban heat island is actually the only one that fits into climate resiliency. Getting people out of their cars is the best thing we can do for the environment. We don’t want climate to be our last priority, but a high priority.

End of discussion.

Study Item 9(b) Discussion of Potential Westminster Park Design Process

Sponsored by Councilmembers Ramsdell and Roberts
Sara Lane, administrative services director, introduced Nick Borer who is the new Parks Fleet and Facilities Manager.

The land purchased for Westminster Park had uninhabitable homes that have been demolished. The park has been cleared and graded as part of the demolition, and is being scheduled for periodic maintenance.

The request from Councilmembers Ramsdell and Roberts is for Council to reprioritize the order of projects in order to move the design and development of Westminster Park to 2022 or 2023 rather than the currently scheduled 2024 timeframe. This Westminster Triangle neighborhood does not have any developed parks and there are concerns about children playing in the streets so close to two arterials (145th and Westminster Way).

The Parks Bond that was passed by voters includes eight specific Park improvement/amenity projects as well as the following moving forward with design and permitting which includes Westminster.


If Council wishes to continue with the current plan, no change is necessary. If Council wants to reprioritize design and planning for Westminster Park, they should direct staff to amend the contract to delay one of the current Park Bond Improvement Projects and accelerate the Westminster Park design. In that event, staff recommends delaying Ridgecrest.

However, staff recommends that Council not change the current prioritization of Park Bond Projects.

DISCUSSION

I believe there are safety and equity concerns. Since 2017 Westminster has been mentioned in the PROS Plan stating the need for a park. As a result the property for the park was purchased. However, no improvements have been made to make it suitable as a play area. It has not been listed as a newly purchased park property that would make it eligible for park improvements in the bond. Why?
  • Reply (Sara Lane): We are considering it as part of that bond and it is programmed to begin in 2024. If the other projects move forward and we are able to get to it, it could be sooner.
Is there money available for design but not development?
  • Reply (Sara Lane): At this time we anticipate that there is money available for design. Our first priority is the listed eight projects that were part of the Bond measure. But there is $4.2M for newly acquired parks. That should be enough to design, and maybe begin some construction on some of the highest priority work. We won’t know until we’re done with the design of the eight priority parks. We won’t know until then if the $4.2M will still be available.
I would like these newly purchased properties to be usable to the public in some sort of way while we plan design.
  • Reply (Nick Borer): We have been in contact with a private company to try to sign a contract for them to do maintenance for at least the next three months to make it more accessible.
I am concerned about the safety issue. How can we make them usable by the public - not a formal design but access to the open space?
  • Reply (Nick Borer): That depends on the location and the current condition of the property. We have put a picnic table and a garbage can there.
  • Reply (Debbie Tarry): That is obviously something we need to continue to work on as we purchase park property.
We are purchasing property now because prices keep increasing and available park property is a limited resource. So we need to do it now, for our future, even if we are not able to develop it right now.

Not all parks have an active community advocating for improvements. If we are going to talk about equity, we need to apply the answer for one to apply to all, for the anticipated active use areas. It wouldn’t be fair to the other neighborhoods not to be given equal consideration.

I think we need to stick to the original schedule and not be reprioritizing any parks.

Tonight’s question is do we change the priority list? I’m not in favor of that. The bigger policy question is should we be doing this? Should we be buying properties when we don’t have funding in place to develop them yet? We’ve previously decided yes because we wanted to have land available and not spend all of our money on an exceedingly expensive piece of property when we could pick it up now for less. But the consequence of that is we have underdeveloped unutilized parks which are embarrassing to see. I’m comfortable with the pace we are working at so we have available land. And I’m very concerned about bumping Ridgecrest off their schedule. But we do need to make sure that previous decisions still make sense today.

Maybe going forward we can consider community contribution. Perhaps Westminster can use their neighborhood association volunteers to do some preliminary work.

There is no interest in bringing this back as an action item.
End of discussion.

Meeting adjourned



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