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

Shoreline City Manager's Report weeke of 4-28-2014

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Week of 4/28/2014

Council Meetings
·         April 28 Meeting
o   Dinner Meeting: Joint meeting with the Parks/Tree Board.
o   Regular Meeting:
§  Recognition of Out-Going Park Board, Planning Commission, and Library Board Members. Mayor Winstead said a few words of appreciation for each of the out-going members and presented each a small token of appreciation.
§  Tree City USA Award: Last week we found out that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded the City its 2nd Tree City USA award. A representative from DNR announced the award and the grant mentioned in the “This & That” section at the end of this update.
§  Ordinance No. 685 Amending the 2014 Budget: This item was pulled from the April 14 Consent Agenda. Ordinance No. 685 includes both the “carry-over” of budgeted, but uncompleted, projects from 2013 to 2014 and recommended amendments to the 2014 budget. Council is scheduled to consider adoption of this ordinance on May 12.
§  Discussion of the Draft Urban Forest Strategic Plan: There have been several public Open Houses on this plan. Council reviewed the recommendations from the Tree Board on the plan. Adoption is scheduled for May 19.
§  Discussion of the 145th Route Development Plan, Scope and Funding Update
·         May 5:
o   No Dinner Meeting scheduled
o   Transportation Benefit District (6:45 p.m.): This is the regularly scheduled semi-annual meeting of the TBD Board. The agenda will include approval of November’s meeting minutes and the required annual report of the expenditure of funds in 2013.
o   Regular Meeting:
§  Adoption of Resolution No. 358: This resolution will authorize the City Manager to make a formal loan application to the Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) for funding to be used for the Stormwater Utility Pipe Repair and Replacement Program as budgeted in the City’s adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The City’s adopted CIP and Stormwater Master Plan anticipated the issuance of Revenue Bonds as part of the funding stream for the pipe replacement program, but a loan through the PWB program will have a lower interest rate. The PWB has a new requirement that elected officials need to adopt a resolution at the initial application phase stating that if the loan is funded, the elected body commits to budgeting funds for the repayment of the loan. Repayment will be made through Surface Water Utility fees.
§  Discussion of the Seattle City Light Franchise Agreement: This a new franchise agreement that staff has been negotiating for the last eighteen months. The current franchise agreement was extended through June 30, 2014. The proposed franchise will be for a 15 year period. The franchise is scheduled for Council approval on May 19.

Point Wells Update:
We submitted an article to be printed in the May issue of the Richmond Beach Community Newsletter to help lay out next steps in the Transportation Corridor Study process and to further explain why the City is unable to legally close the road to Point Wells based on prior legal precedent.

King County Transportation Benefit District Proposition No. 1 and Metro Cuts
A map shows the initial vote outcome by voting district for Proposition No. 1. The map shows that the 32nd District was not approving Proposition No. 1 (48% Yes/52% No). The proposition passed in almost all areas of Seattle, with the outlying areas of King County have a majority  “no” vote. Given that the proposition did not pass, Metro has released its preliminary proposed changes along with estimated timeline. A table shows the anticipated impacts for Shoreline routes. The eliminations/reductions, as currently proposed, are not as extensive as Metro’s original projections, due to improved sales tax collections.  Given that these projected service changes are preliminary, City staff will continue to monitor to make sure that Shoreline’s reductions are as painless as possible.

Police Update:
Police Contract: On April 18 I attended the Police Oversight Meeting (City Managers of King County Contract Cities). The King County labor negotiation staff provided an update on the negotiation status of the Deputy Contract. Both sides have agreed to go to interest arbitration, which was certified by the Public Employment Relations Commission. The issues subject to the arbitration include wages, special pays, health benefits, and a number of other items. The contract under negotiation will be retroactive to January 2013. The arbitration hearing is tentatively scheduled for September 2014, with a decision anticipated in January or February 2015.

The Sheriff’s Office also shared that they are in the process of converting the reporting of crime statistics from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR) system to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) with the goal of changing the reporting of crime information for contract cities by 2015. The NIBRS reporting system is more extensive as it reports much more detailed information, especially in cases with multiple crimes in a single incident. In essence we will be getting the full picture of the crimes that have been occurring.

City Wayfinding Design Guidelines
A Wayfinding Steering Committee (WSC) was created consisting of community volunteers, technical consultant (KPG), and City staff from Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services and Public Works Departments. Through several meetings the WSC identified destinations, bicycle routes, developed sign types, and specified sign locations to develop wayfinding design guidelines.

Calendar Items
·         April 30 – Tree Planting in Cromwell Park at 10 a.m.
·         May 2 – World Dance Party at Shoreline Community College, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
·         May 3 – Million Step Challenge Kick-Off, Paramount School Park, 9 a.m. (Councilmember Salomon participating in kick-off)
·         May 13 – Meeting with Mayor Winstead and Mayor Murray, 3 p.m.
·         May 19 – Retirement reception for Superintendent Sue Walker. The reception is from 4 to 6 p.m., Shorewood High School in the Commons. The official program will start at 5 p.m. There is no RSVP required.

This / That
o   Bellwether (formally Housing Resource Group) provided information regarding funding gaps that they have traditionally relied on public sources to fill. They are a major non-profit developer of work force housing in Seattle.
o   Recology/Cleanscapes is in the process of converting to “grey” dumpsters in the City.
o   Marci Wright, HR Director, will be retiring this Friday, May 2. She has served the City since 1997.
o   The Parks Department will be planting five or six trees in Cromwell Park at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, if you are interested in joining them for an Arbor Day tree planting!
o   This week we received word that the City is the recipient of another $10,000 grant award from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to create a phase 1 implementation plan of the Urban Forest Strategic Plan that was adopted. This will be helpful in formulating 2015 budget recommendations.

Links corrected 04-30-2014 7:58pm


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Shoreline City Manager's update

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Opening of the Sunset community garden

Update for the week of April 7, 2014
From Debbie Tarry, Shoreline City Manager


On Saturday, April 6, King County did some filming along the Interurban Trail in conjunction with the Shoreline Walks event. They are in the process of making short videos (2-3 minutes) regarding climate change and they want to highlight Shoreline’s walkability. We’ll be sure to put a link on our website and use it as marketing tool once the video is available – another way to promote Shoreline! 

Council Meetings
·      April 7:
o   Dinner Meeting (5:45 p.m.):  Chris Mefford of Community Attributes. Mr. Mefford’s presentation provided a broad-based perspective of the economic and demographic forces affecting the entire Puget Sound region. It is hoped that an understanding of the macro setting of our region will enable us to think more clearly on how Shoreline can take advantage of its unique location and strengths.
o   Business Meeting:
§  2015-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Public Hearing and Discussion - The six-year TIP includes transportation projects, such as road and bridge work as well as new or enhanced bicycle or pedestrian facilities. The City’s TIP is used to secure federal funding for transportation projects as part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).  No one spoke at the public hearing on this topic. The adoption of the 2015-2020 TIP is scheduled for April 28.
§  Transit Service Integration Plan Workplan (TSIP) - Through development of the TSIP, the City will identify policies addressing future transit needs throughout Shoreline once light rail service begins (2023) and as the city’s population and employment bases grow. The current workplan is to start the process in the fall of 2014 with a goal of completing the TSIP by the end of 2015. 
·      April 11/12, Council Annual Strategic Planning Session.  Information packets have been posted to the City’s website. The meeting on Friday will start at 9 a.m. with a light breakfast available starting at 8:30 a.m.
·      April 14
o   Dinner Meeting (5:45 p.m.):  I have been working with Michael Derrick, General Manager for RWD, on the agenda for this meeting. This as an opportunity for both elected bodies to start discussing a framework to plan for the transition of unifying Ronald Wastewater District operations with the City. 
o   Regular Meeting:
§  2013 Carryovers/2014 Budget Amendment: This item is the City’s annual reconciliation of projects/items budgeted in 2013 that were still in progress at the end of the year and therefore the remaining 2013 budget for those items needs to be “carried over” to the 2014 budget. This item will also include a few 2014 budget amendment items as a result of new grants, or priority operational needs.  The funding will be from grant sources or savings above those originally projected for 2013.  
§  2013 Year-End Report and 1st Quarter 2014: The City’s General Fund ended 2013 with revenues being 102% of those projected and expenditures being 95.8% of those projected. As a result the General Fund bottom line $2 million better than projected.
§  Appointment of Library Board Members: The Council sub-committee is recommending the appointment of Brooke Shirts, Robert Smith, and Eileen Wood-Lim (re-appointment).
§  Revision to Council Rules: This is a follow-up to Council’s discussion at the February 8 Council Workshop regarding updates to their Council Rules.
§  Amending the 2014 Salary Schedule: In 2010, the City did not refill the vacated staff Communication position due to budget constraints.  Instead the responsibilities were transferred to a Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office. This person has been doing communication work 100% of the time since then. Our Communication Assistant has also been part of this team, although not formally. I want to create a Communication Division through these two staff and identify them as such for our City. As a result, I am recommending a title change for the Management Analyst to Communication Program Coordinator. There is no proposed adjustment to the salary range. Although this is the case, since the title is a change to the City’s adopted salary schedule, the City Council must authorize the change. 
§  Point Wells Transportation Corridor Study (TCS) Update: Staff will provide an update to Council on the options that have been considered during the TCS process and the process going forward to develop a final recommendation on both the corridor improvements/mitigation and the off-corridor mitigation recommendations (i.e., sidewalks on connecting streets, connections for parks in the project area, etc.). 

Point Wells Update
This last week there were two opportunities for the community to provide feedback on the corridor mitigation options under consideration. On Tuesday approximately 55 residents attended TCS Workshop #5. This workshop was focused on Segment B. On Thursday, staff held an additional open house at Richmond Beach Library to provide another opportunity to get feedback on the Segment A options. There was good attendance for this workshop also. We have mailed reminder post cards to the multi-neighborhood area to encourage people to attend the final TCS workshop on April 16. This week staff will be working with BSRE’s traffic consultants to develop preferred alternative recommendations for Segment A, Segment B and off-corridor improvements. These will be shared at the April 16 workshop. 

Aurora Project
·      In a recent newsletter from the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County they highlighted the Aurora Corridor Improvements in Shoreline. Here’s an excerpt “…Developers, though, are discovering something new to appreciate about the city that borders Seattle to the north: profitable opportunities along Shoreline’s re-imagined, tree-lined version of Aurora with its publicly-funded and completed infrastructure improvements.”
·      Also, this is a picture of painted footsteps we have put along the Aurora construction zone to encourage safe pedestrian access and pathways.

The ceremonial opening of the Sunset community gardens
From left: Parks Board Vice-Chair Jesse Sycuro, Councilmember Chris Roberts,
Councilmember Will Hall, City Manager Debbie Tarry, Mayor Shari Winstead,
Councilmember Keith McGlashan

Sunset Park Community Garden Kick-Off
On Saturday Mayor Winstead and Councilmembers Hall, McGlashan and Roberts celebrated with over 30 gardeners the kick-off of the community garden at Sunset Park.  See photos on the City’s webpage. Hopelink has two plots that will be used for a Giving Garden. They are looking for volunteers to help maintain the Giving Garden over the growing season.

Grant Successes
·      This week we were notified that the King County members of the Transportation Policy Board reviewed and approved the recommendation from the King County Project Evaluation Committee on the twelve projects eligible to move forward from the King County area to compete in the PSRC Regional FHWA grant program competition. This is the list of the twelve projects selected to move forward and Shoreline’s application for design and environmental funding ($4.3 million) for SR 523 (N/NE 145th Street) Aurora Ave N to I-5 is one of those projects.
·      We received notice from the Washington State Department of Commerce that we were successful in receiving a grant of $42,060 for Watershed Protection and Restoration – Improving Land Use. 

Key Contacts
On Friday, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Scott MacColl and I met with Congressman McDermott’s staff - Olivia Robison (District Director) and Tera Beach (Deputy Director).  Scott and Jake Johnston (Federal Lobbyist) took them on a tour of Shoreline following our meeting.  We continued to thank them for the past success of partnering on Aurora and talked about the need for continued partnership to fund future infrastructure and housing needs in Shoreline as we move forward on the City’s vision of being a community connected through transit.

Calendar Items
·      April 8 – Urban Forest Strategic Plan Public Open House, Council Chambers, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
·      April 12 – Earth Day Every Day Event, Central Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sustainability
We are making some changes to the towel dispensers and foam soap containers in many of the City owned restrooms – including those at City Hall.  This is projected to reduce the use of paper towels by about 30%, will allow us to use paper towels that are 100% recycled paper and are unbleached, the foamy soap is easier on our pipes and will result in less clogs in our pipes and less future maintenance, and the self-contained foam soap bag inside the foam soap dispenser is almost 100% recyclable.

Photo caption added 04-10-2014 10:23pm


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Shoreline City Manager's Report

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Council Meetings

·         March 31:

·         Dinner Meeting: Council heard from local developers about the development climate here in Shoreline.  Here are some key outcomes from that meeting:

o   Tell the Shoreline story
  • To investors and developers (ease of permitting, Aurora frontage improvements, SEPA threshold, no impact fees, etc.)
  • To young families (schools, affordability, progressiveness, neighborhoods, etc.)
o   Enhance Shoreline
  • Make Aurora Square a destination (dining, entertainment, walkability, etc.)
  • Create jobs
  • Build on our progressiveness (green building, artists and trendsetters, etc.)
  • Intrigue developers/investors (utility consolidation, incentives, codes, national press, etc.)
·         Business Meeting:

o   Resolution No. 356 Supporting King County Transportation District Proposition No. 1 – Sales and Use Tax and Vehicle Fee for Transportation Improvements: Council adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 1 that will be on the April 22 ballot.

o   Discussion of Extra-Help Policies: Council discussed how the City uses extra-help employees and staff’s recommendation to use regular employees to do to provide ongoing services. This will be further examined during the 2015 budget process.

·         April 7:

o   Dinner Meeting: Chris Mefford of Community Attributes will provide a broad-based perspective of the economic and demographic forces affecting the entire Puget Sound region. It is hoped that an understanding of the macro setting of our region will enable us to think more clearly on how Shoreline can take advantage of its unique location and strengths.

o   Business Meeting:

§  2015-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Public Hearing and Discussion - The six-year TIP includes transportation projects, such as road and bridge work as well as new or enhanced bicycle or pedestrian facilities. In addition to local projects, the TIP should also identify projects and programs of regional significance for inclusion in the regional TIP. The City’s TIP is used to secure federal funding for transportation projects as part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).

§  Transit Service Integration Workplan (TSIP) - Through development of the TSIP, the City will identify policies addressing future transit needs throughout Shoreline once light rail service begins (2023) and as the city’s population and employment bases grow.

Council Annual Strategic Planning Meeting – April 11/12

The City Council will be holding their Annual Strategic Planning meeting at Shoreline City Hall, April 11-12.  As part of the annual planning meeting, Council will be taking a tour of Shoreline. The goal of the tour is for Council to see a variety of housing options, see some of the key economic development projects (CRA, Shoreline Community College) and some key sites of the future 185th light rail station.

Point Wells Update
  • Thursday, April 3, staff hosted an Open House at the Richmond Beach Library from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. to try to get additional feedback on design options for Richmond Beach Drive (Segment A). This was an additional outreach effort to get feedback from residents located in this area.
  • Monday, April 14. We have added a Point Wells Transportation Corridor Study update to the Council Business Meeting agenda. This will be an opportunity for staff to brief Council on the design options under consideration prior to the final TCS workshop scheduled for April 16.
Growing Transit Communities

The Council last discussed and provided PSRC with feedback on the draft Growing Transit Communities Strategy and the Regional Compact in May 2013. The Growing Transit Communities Partnership adopted the Growing Transit Communities Strategy and invited agencies such as Shoreline to be implementation partners by signing the Regional Compact in October 2013. By signing the Regional Compact, Shoreline would commit to working toward the implementation of the goals and strategies as approved by the Growing Transit Communities Partnership. This could be accomplished by updating local long range plans and strategies; utilizing the GTC strategies as we plan for the 185th and 145th light rail station subarea plans; and linking as appropriate GTC goals and strategies into City Council goals, action steps and city work plans. In addition to expressing local support of the regional effort and utilizing the tools and concepts developed by the GTC Partnership, by signing the Compact there may, now or in the future, be funding for implementation of GTC strategies linked to signing the Regional Compact.

Aurora and North City Light Pole Replacements

The City received a settlement for replacement of light poles in North City as a result of failing paint on the poles. We are expecting that the replacements may start in late April and be complete in May/June. Last week we received the final settlement check for replacement of defective pole in mile 1 of Aurora. This allowed us to dismiss our lawsuit. It also allowed a notice to proceed with the work under a contract we had negotiated. The agreement provides for replacement of the poles at no cost to the City along with $60,000 for a risk fund for future failures.

Home Improvement Event Update (March 26)

Last Wednesday night we had 25 appointments and about three drop-ins for our Home Improvement Workshop. Resident brought their home improvement ideas and plans to City staff to review and answer questions. Six consultant tables were also available for anyone to stop by and ask questions. Consultants included: an improvement loan credit union, Home Depot, a residential designer, a gardener from Kruckenberg Gardens, our Soak-it-Up mini-grant program, and energy audit service. We have the April 30 workshop halfway filled already.


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Shoreline City Manager's Report

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

By Debbie Tarry, Shoreline City Manager
Weekly Update for week of 3/17/2014

Council Meetings
·     March 17:
Business Meeting:   
§ Appointment of Planning Commissioners. The Council appointed the following - Donna Moss, Jack Malek, and Terri Strandberg.
§ Waive Council Rules and Reappoint the 2013 Council Subcommittee for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board Appointment. There is a vacancy as a result of the resignation of Kevin McAuliffe. Mayor Winstead and Councilmembers McConnell and Roberts served on the committee in 2013. Council waived their rules so the committee can review the applications received in 2013 to make a recommendation for appointment to fill the vacancy. Staff will schedule the appointment recommendation for action on March 24.
§ Ten Year Financial Sustainability Strategy Update: Staff updated the full Council on the recommended strategies from the Council sub-committee.
·     March 24:
Dinner Meeting: Council will hear information from the Directors of: the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council (Fred Wong), Shoreline Historical Museum (Vicki Stiles) and Shoreline Farmers Market Association (Brendan Lemkin). Staff will also provide information about Celebrate Shoreline.
Business Meeting: 
§ Annual Traffic Update: Staff will share with Council the process that our Traffic Division and Police Department have used to develop action plans to address higher accident locations within the City, a review of the effectiveness of past improvements and efforts to lower accident rates of key intersections and corridors, and opportunities for enforcement and/or engineering solutions to address high collision intersections or road segments.

Point Wells Update
·     Approximately 40 residents attended TCS Workshop #3 last Thursday night. This workshop was focused on reviewing several road cross-section options for Richmond Beach Drive. Participants were able to look at overlay maps with proposed width of road, bicycle lanes and amenity zones and provide comments on what they liked and didn’t like. Given the light turn-out staff will be working with the residents along Richmond Beach Drive to see if we can do a couple of house meetings to have more feedback from the residents along this stretch. We will also put the information on the website to solicit feedback. 
·     The next Traffic Corridor Study workshop is scheduled for March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. This will be Workshop #4 focused on Segment B – Richmond Beach Road and the areas east of 24th NW.

SPU Acquisition Update
On Monday, Mayor Winstead had a conference call with Seattle Mayor Murray to discuss the acquisition. Mayor Murray’s office will be scheduling a face-to-face in the near future. On Wednesday, March 19, Councilmember Hall will be meeting with Nick Harper, Seattle’s Intergovernmental Director, to discuss the importance of the SPU acquisition to Shoreline, along with other topics. I have a meeting scheduled with Ray Hoffman, SPU Executive Director, for Monday, March 24.

Financial Update
February 2014 Sales Tax, Real Estate Excise Tax, and Development Revenue Report. Total sales tax receipts for the month of February, which reflects activity from December 2013, are $54,186, or 8.2%, greater than projections and 2.4% ahead of the same period for last year. REET collections through February 2014 total $185,252 and are running ahead of projection by $14,217, or 8.3%, and ahead of 2013 collections by $58,812, or 46.4%. Permit revenue for the first two months of 2014 is 21% ahead of the targeted year-to-date projection and 16% ahead of the year-ago level. 
   
This and That
·     Seattle City Light sent the City a construction notification regarding work in the coming months that will occur at the Shoreline Substation. The work is to replace an old power transformer to increase system reliability. 
·     Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is hosting a Leprechaun Hunt during the entire month of March in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Clues are hidden around the Garden that lead children (and I guess adults too) to special treats. In addition participants are learning about Shamrocks and rainbows are encouraged to explore the trees and plants that they encounter during their hunt. The Garden staff tell us that between 50 and 80 people per day have brought their kids to the Garden to do the hunt!


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Shoreline City Manager's Report

Tuesday, December 17, 2013


Shoreline City Manager's Report Week of 12/16/2013
By Debbie Tarry

Follow-Up from December 9 Council Meeting

  • RWD Assumption Ordinance: Some residents have asked why the Council had to adopt the Ronald Wastewater Assumption ordinance on such short notice to the community and waive the number of regular readings of an ordinance before the Council. We have added an explanation to these questions to the Ronald Assumption page. I will be following up with Woodway Town Administrator Eric Faison over the next few weeks to discuss Woodway’s interest in being a utility service provider to their community.

Economic Development Update

  • Perhaps you’ve noticed some construction at the former Bada Sushi property (16301 Aurora Ave N). The leasing broker informed Shoreline’s Economic Development Manager Dan Eernissee that the owner has been patiently waiting for a strong tenant. After declining offers from tenants not meeting this objective, a restaurant is now under contract and finishing its feasibility study. Meanwhile, the construction going on is related to a settlement with former oil companies that are working to mitigate contaminated soil from when it was a fuel station.
  • Dan has also been working closely with Shoreline Community College personnel in support of the Shoreline Film Office. Recently he provided a letter in support of the Industry-ready space for the Film Office at the college for student enrichment and vocational training. The college is very excited about the partnership with the City on this endeavor.

Light Rail Update

  • School Board Study Session – December 9, 2013: Planning amd Community Development (P/CD) staff gave a presentation at the School Board’s December 9th study meeting. The presentation served as a general update regarding Sound Transit’s selection of a preferred alternative and on the status of City’s 185th Street Station Subarea Plan. Staff provided information to the School Board on the City and Community Partner’s Visioning Workshops, the City’s Design Dialogue Workshops, the schedule moving forward and next steps. Staff shared with the Board, that the City will be studying alternatives for the School District properties in the subarea that would increase development potential on the sites to accommodate transit supportive densities and uses. The School Board instructed District Staff to research hiring a consultant to assist them with updating long range facility plans based on the new opportunity presented by the light rail station and the City’s 185th Street Station Area Subarea Planning project.
  • Forterra Grant Opportunity: The City’s Planning and Community Development staff will work with Forterra, a non-profit specializing in conservation and community building, to prepare a grant application to the Washington State Department of Ecology and Commerce to fund Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (LCLIP) feasibility studies. The studies will focus on the 185th Street and 145th Street Station Areas. The grant request will be for approximately $40,000 and will look at investing in infrastructure to support redevelopment and more efficient land use in cities across the region reduces conversion pressure on areas that are critical to the integrity of Puget Sound watersheds. Conducting a feasibility study allows a city to decide if LCLIP is advantageous to pursue and does not carry obligations for any further action.

Utilities Update

  • On Friday oral arguments were heard at Superior Court regarding the City’s request for a preliminary injunction against Ronald Wastewater District to prevent the sale or transfer of District assets to the Town of Woodway or to any other utility district or authority. The Superior Court granted the City’s request for a preliminary injunction. The court also granted the City’s request for a 60 day continuance for the Partial Summary Judgment Hearing. This hearing originally scheduled for January 10, will be rescheduled for sometime in March, unless RWD Commissioners decide to drop the request for Partial Summary Judgment. The hearing on the entire suit brought by RWD is scheduled for September 2014. We will need to follow up with RWD Commissioners in early 2014 to determine if they intend to drop or continue the suit. If RWD were to pursue the suit both organizations would need to start spending ratepayer/taxpayer resources relatively early in 2014 to prepare legal arguments and defense.
  • The City has signed with EES Consulting to conduct a Utility Unification and Efficiency Study that will look at combining the City’s future water utility (currently SPU’s system in Shoreline), Ronald Wastewater, and the Shoreline Water District. I am hopeful that we will be able to work collaboratively with RWD staff on this study and that Shoreline Water District will  participate and provide relative information. I will also be following up with Lake Forest Park regarding their interest in partnering on overlapping interests with our study.

Police Update

Last week a guilty ruling of Murder II was handed down by a jury against Doreen Starrish, who killed her husband last year in the front yard of their Shoreline home. The case required significant teamwork between our major crime detectives.

Finance Update

This week staff brought to my attention significant increases in the City’s street light costs. It appears that this is a combination of rate increases for 2013-2014 by Seattle City Light (SCL) and an increase in the number of street lights that should be billed to the City of Shoreline. The street light inventory has been an issue with SCL and we have been trying to resolve it for several years. SCL has been implementing an asset management system and will be using this information to reconcile the Shoreline inventory. The rate increases are related to SCL’s review of their rate structure and BPA pass-through. The major rate increase appears to be related to 2013 adjustments, but was not identified until recently. The 2013 cost increases will be covered through budget savings. Overall the initial estimate for 2014 is that street light costs could be $95,000 more in 2014 than was anticipated in the adopted 2014 budget. This would bring our annual street light costs to $477,000 vs. the $382,000 included in the 2014 budget. I have asked staff to continue to review the information with SCL to identify the number of lights billed to the City in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the types of lights (Sodium Vapor vs. LED) and the applicable rate so that we can identify the changes related to inventory and rate adjustments and ensure that we have accurate billings from SCL. Staff will be providing a recommendation on the adjustment to the 2014 budget as part of the 2013 carry-over process this spring.

This and That

  • 2013 City Employee of the Year – Patti Radar, Finance Manager: We issued a press release last week announcing the Employee of the Year.
  • 2013 City Team of the Year – Home Improvement Team
  • The City sent a letter to Senator Patty Murray requesting her support for increased funding for the CDBG program and request to oppose any change in formula that would prevent our City from accessing the funds.
  • We also sent a letter to Representative Rick Larsen thanking him for introducing House Resolution 2944 regarding TIGER grants (transportation projects) and requesting that the population threshold be changed from populations less than 50,000 (which would exclude Shoreline) to populations less than 100,000.


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Shoreline City Manager's Report

Thursday, December 12, 2013


Shoreline City Manager's Report
By Debbie Tarry

Council Meeting – December 9 – Last regularly scheduled meeting for 2013!

Dinner Meeting (5:45 p.m.):  The second annual dinner between the City Council and Council of Neighborhoods (CON) was held before the Council meeting.

Public Hearings:  Two hearings were held to receive comments in favor of/opposition to the two Shoreline School District levies on the ballot in February 2014.  Council will consider adopting a resolution in support of the levies on January 6, 2014.

Ordinance No. 680 Authorizing Eminent Domain for Acquisition of 1300 N 175th (Grease Monkey): Passage of this ordinance allows the City to use eminent domain to acquire the property if staff cannot collaboratively negotiate an agreement with the property owner for the use of locating the Police Station at City Hall.  The City is required to both pay market value for the acquisition of the property and to pay to relocate the current business operating on the site.

Assumption Ordinance: Council adopted Ordinance No. 681 authorizing the assumption of the Ronald Wastewater District. Passing of the ordinance signals the City’s intention to officially assume the District under the terms of the 2002 interlocal operating agreement between the City and Ronald Wastewater. Council passed this ordinance.

Ordinance No. 677 Termination of Easements and Lease Agreements: Currently any termination or release of easement needs to be approved by the City Council on an easement by easement basis when the easement is no longer needed.  Adoption of Ordinance No. 677 allows the City Manager to release easements and leases administratively after 30 days prior notice to the City Council. 

Council Authorized the Mayor to Negotiate a Contract with Debbie Tarry for the Position of City Manager: I am very honored by the Council’s selection!

Historic Inventory Update

Over the past several months, a historic preservation consultant has been updating the City’s existing inventory of historic property. When staff formulated the scope of the project, they specifically included the Light Rail land use study areas to be able to inform the planning process including the SEPA documents that will be required for any zoning changes. If there are any properties found that qualify for designation as a Shoreline landmark, we need to know so that if it is potentially impacted by future development appropriate mitigation can be determined. The City is not legally required to landmark structures just because they are potentially eligible. 

The report and recommendations from the consultant will be reviewed by Shoreline Historic Museum and King County Historic Preservation Program staff before the report is finalized.

Addition of these properties to the inventory is then an administrative process that fulfills Historic Preservation goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan.

The property owners of the properties in the existing inventory or being considered for addition to the inventory were direct mailed last week to inform them of this project and inviting them to learn more by coming to a workshop on December 10 or by contacting Senior Planner Juniper Nammi at 

North City Flower Baskets

In looking to reduce park maintenance hours to compensate for the reduction in extra help hours in park maintenance, the City will transfer responsibility of taking care of the North City hanging flower baskets to North City businesses. Staff can save nearly 300 hours by not watering the flowers in North City. We don’t have flower baskets anywhere else in the City, but it seemed like the right thing to do when 15th was improved several years ago. The original plan was for the North City businesses to take over the responsibility or pay for the service, but this has never happened. Given the demands we have in right-of-way tree maintenance, staff recommended to transfer this responsibility to the North City businesses in 2014. The City will determine if there is someone willing to take responsibility for the watering. If not, then the City may not provide the hanging baskets for 2014. 

Finance Update

The November Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) collections report show collections through November 2013 total $1,463,647 and are running ahead of the original projection of $1,067,914 by $395,733, or 37.1%; ahead of the revised projection of $1,270,673 by $192,974, or 15.2%; and, ahead of 2012 collections by $291,623, or 24.9%. In November 2013, there were 6 more transactions with a value that was $0.3 million more than those for November 2012. Year-to-date there have been 136 more transactions with a value that is $58.3 million more than the year-ago level.

This and That

North Maintenance Facility (Brugger’s Bog) Update: Over the next year and a half, the City will be making improvements and getting the City’s new maintenance facility up and running. The City anticipates the facility being fully operational by the 2nd Quarter of 2015. Police and staff are already fueling vehicles at the site. 

Mayor Keith McGlashan, along with other elected officials in King County, signed a letter of support for the work being done by the Washington State Climate Legislative and Executive Workgroup to ensure the State achieves its adopted green house gas emissions reduction requirements.


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Kenmore names Robert G. Karlinsey as City Manager

Friday, February 24, 2012

Robert G. Karlinsey
City Manager, Kenmore
Photo courtesy City of
Gig Harbor
The Kenmore City Council has appointed Robert G. Karlinsey to the position of City Manager, following a nationwide recruitment process. Mr. Karlinsey succeeds Frederick Stouder, who will retire in April after serving as the City Manager since 2008.

Kenmore, a King County city with a population of approximately 21,000, is located on the north end of Lake Washington and is the home to Bastyr University, Kenmore Air and other notable businesses. 

The City incorporated in 1998, but the community of Kenmore was founded in the early 1900s. Kenmore City Hall was completed in 2010 and is a LEED Gold Certified building, joining Bastyr’s Student Village project as the Kenmore’s first LEED Certified projects. 

The City has also spearheaded over $50M in improvements to the State Route 522 Corridor within the City limits to improve pedestrian safety and provide more efficient transit and auto travel. The City’s 2011-2012 combined General Fund Operating and Capital budget is $28.8M.

“We are very pleased to take this important step as a City. Mr Karlinsey is well prepared to lead the implementation of the City Council’s priorities,” said Mayor David Baker. There were over 50 applicants for the position. The interview process included members of the community and department directors, in addition to the City Council. 
“The City Council and I want to express our deep appreciation for the tireless dedication of our City Manager, Fred Stouder, and all of our department heads and staff during the transition,” added Mayor Baker.

Robert Karlinsey is currently the City Administrator of Gig Harbor, Washington, where he has served since January 2007. He has over 17 years of local government experience. Mr. Karlinsey is a Western Washington native and holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Brigham Young University. Mr. Karlinsey will assume the duties on April 23, and will earn an annual salary of $141,500.



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Lake Forest Park - what do you want in a new City Administrator?

Monday, February 13, 2012

Here's your chance to share your ideas about what you want in a new City Administrator.

The City of lake Forest Park will be hiring a new City Administrator soon. The City has hired Prothman Company to do the search. In order to get community input on the qualities that the City needs in a new City Administrator, the City is hosting an input session at City Hall, 6pm on Wednesday, February 15. The public is encouraged to come.

February 15, 6:00 pm at City Hall, Lake Forest Conference Room
17425 Ballinger Way NE (northeast corner of Towne Centre) 98155

Facilitator: Bill Kolden, Prothman Company

Lake Forest Park has been operating with an interim City Administrator since the previous Administrator, David Cline, left to be the Administrator for the City of Tukwila in October 2011.



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Shoreline City Council Recap for April and May 2011

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

From the office of the Shoreline City Manager

As the weather slowly begins to warm, the City Council wants to encourage everyone to take advantage of the many different opportunities to enjoy music, arts and culture in the City’s parks this summer. Join us for concerts, beach walks, festivals, a parade and much more! Visit the City’s website  for event details.

Below is a recap of the Shoreline City Council’s work for the months of April and May:

Studied
  • 2011 Comprehensive Plan amendment docket
  • 2011-2012 Long Range Planning work schedule
  • Status update on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan
  • King County Metro’s draft ten-year strategic plan
  • 4th Quarter Financial Report for 2010
  • Shoreline urban tree canopy assessment and tree canopy ordinance scope of work
  • Update of Council Goal #7: Acquire Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) water system in Shoreline
  • Update on Shoreline Park at Town Center project
  • Surface Water Master Plan update
  • Proposed 2011-2012 Council Goals and workplan
  • Proposed amendments to the fee schedule (SMC 3.01.060) and use of Shoreline facilities policy

Presentations
  • Shoreline Police Department’s 2010 Police Services Report
  • Annual report of the Transportation Benefit District
  • Annual report of the Library Board

Public Hearing
  • Comments on Ordinance No. 601 granting a franchise to Comcast of Washington, LLC and Comcast of Washington IV, Inc. to operate a cable system in the public rights-of-way to provide cable services in the City of Shoreline for a seven year term

Action Taken
  • Approved Park, Recreation and Cultural Services board member appointments
  • Approved neighborhood mini-grant funding for Ballinger and North City Neighborhood Associations
  • Adopted the 2011 Comprehensive Plan Docket
  • Authorize City Manager to obligate $630,000 from the Washington Department of Ecology Stormwater Retrofit and Low Impact Development (LID) Grant Program for the North Fork of Thornton Creek Headwaters LID Stormwater retrofit project.
  • Approved the 2011-2012 Council Goals and workplan
  • Authorized City Manager to approve a services contract amendment with EES Consulting for SPU feasibility analysis.

For more information on the items outlined above and to obtain the most updated agenda for City Council meetings, go to this page. For information about the City of Shoreline in general, go here

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Shoreline's new City Manager: Julie Underwood

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Julie Underwood, new Shoreline City Manager
The Shoreline City Council voted unanimously to appoint Julie Underwood as the City’s new City Manager. Underwood’s appointment is the culmination of a 19 week search for a new City Manager after current City Manager Robert Olander announced his retirement in August, 2010.

Underwood is the current Assistant City Manager for Shoreline and has been in that position since 2002. Throughout her tenure at Shoreline, Underwood has been involved in all aspects of the City’s daily operations. Before coming to Shoreline, Underwood worked for the City of Rockville, Maryland as the Assistant to the City Manager and as a management assistant.

Underwood has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Politics from George Mason University. She has also received the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association. To receive the credential, an individual must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government and demonstrate a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.

Underwood has also served on the Washington City/County Management Association Board since 2007 and is a past president of the Shoreline Breakfast Rotary Club. Underwood is a resident of Shoreline where she lives with her husband and three sons, all of whom are active in the community.

The Council hired Prothman, an executive search firm with extensive experience assisting local governments in the Pacific Northwest, to assist in the City Manager search. Over 40 applicants from 15 states were considered for the position. Of those, 13 semifinalists were chosen by the City Council to be interviewed. Council then narrowed the list to three candidates to be interviewed by the full Council and the City’s Leadership Team, which is comprised of the different department directors at the City.

From those three finalists, the Council unanimously appointed Underwood. Underwood will start as City Manager on February 25.

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