Showing posts sorted by date for query ronald bog. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query ronald bog. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Bog Watcher: Blue heron at Ronald Bog

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Blue heron at Ronald Bog, photographed by Bog Watcher and Otter Whisperer Martin DeGrazia.




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Rally for the Trees this Friday and Saturday in Shoreline

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Trees on Dayton that would be removed
Photo by Jamie Holter
Residents of Shoreline are asking the City to amend its plans to remove more than 133 significant trees on Dayton Avenue North, N 155th St and N 160th St that are in the way of development.

The trees are slated for removal to make way for a redesigned, environmentally friendly Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) building that will also house the Department of Ecology, and for Right-of-Way (ROW) improvements by the City on the affected streets.

The ROW improvements include eight-foot-wide sidewalks, a five-foot amenity strip (for utilities and signage) and curbs. 

Representatives of the City and WSDOT attended a community meeting January 28 to discuss their plans.

The Save Shoreline Trees group reiterated that sidewalks can meander around trees and be composed of asphalt or gravel, both more environmentally friendly to tree roots than concrete. These materials are also ADA accessible, as is a three-foot rather than an eight-foot sidewalk.

Ronald Bog Park and Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in Shoreline have ADA-accessible gravel paths.

The City has received more than 300 emails, letters and postcards stating community concern for the trees. Some mentioned the irony of redesigning an environmentally friendly LEED building by the State, but an environmentally unfriendly removal of trees by the City. 

Because of public comment, the City has asked WSDOT to redo its designs and provide another arborist report for street improvements. Both the City and the State own land (and trees) in the affected areas.

To keep visibility on the trees, rallies will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 at 4pm. and Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 12 noon, along Dayton Avenue North, between N 155th St and N 160th St. 

Students at area middle schools and high schools have been invited to attend. Participants will hold signs alerting the public to the imminent removal of the 70- to 100-year-old trees: Douglas fir, Western white pines, and Western red cedars.

“Once these trees are gone, they are gone forever.” 

Email for more information



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Ronald Bog in January

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Photographed from N 175th. Note the rustic shelter background left
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


You will recall that Ronald Bog is undergoing extensive remodeling to plant trees and plants and create a healthy wetland.

Here's a slightly different angle, looking toward Meridian
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


It's a Sound Transit mitigation process in return for building the Lynnwood Link through the wetlands on 1st NE between the fire station on 155th and Aegis Living on 1st NE.

We published an extensive article on the plans for the Bog in September. (What's happening with Ronald Bog? Blame it on Mr. Bean). At that time the ground was being scraped and chunks of concrete were still being dug out of the ground.

Four months later, it's a dramatic difference.



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Meridian Park Neighborhood Assn to hear about Ronald Bog Tuesday

Tuesday, January 21, 2020



Meridian Park Neighborhood Update 1/21/20 on Ronald Bog Changes

Everyone is invited to attend the presentation and Q/A about the new construction, plantings, and reconfiguration of Ronald Bog Park.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 in Room 301 at Shoreline City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133. Free parking in city garage. 7 - 8:30pm.

Light refreshments will be served.



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Photos: Mr. Otter finishes his meal - nom, nom nom

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Really chomping down, eyes closed, concentrating...

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Taking a breath, making sure the human hasn't moved, ready to finish up the last bits...

Photo by Martin DeGrazia


The tailfin is the worst, keeps getting stuck on the roof of my mouth, but going to finish everything on my plate....

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Just going to get the last bit down...

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

..a little water will help wash down the last bits and clean off my face and paws


Photos at Ronald Bog - Martin DeGrazia and the resident otter.




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Photo: Otter with mouth full

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Photo by Martin DeGrazia


This Ronald Bog otter is not even concerned about the proximity of the photographer - he just keeps munching on the fish he caught.

He either thinks the photog is a friend or figures he can take him in a fair fight, but he's calm, relaxed and chowing down on his fish.

Fresh water otters are apparently in every stream and body of water in the area, but they are normally very elusive and only people who live at water's edge ever get to see them.




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Photo: The otter's dinner

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Photo by Martin DeGrazia

This is a Ronald Bog otter, calming enjoying his / her dinner in spite of the camera held by Otter Whisperer Martin DeGrazia.

The otters and cormorants at Echo Lake appreciate the state of Washington for stocking the lake with trout but they don't stock Ronald Bog. 

However, there's enough fish to keep the otters happy.



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Wild creatures among us: Otters

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Otter at Ronald Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia
By Diane Hettrick

A man I knew who worked in a building on Echo Lake told me a story years ago about being in the building at 5am and seeing animals he didn't recognize leaping and playing in the water. 

We took the story to the Echo Lake neighborhood association and after a lot of research, identified the creatures he saw as freshwater otters.

Then, people who lived around the lake started telling otter stories. It's apparently one of those things you know about if you live there. 

My favorite story was the young man who was fishing off one of the docks. He was catching a lot of fish and thought it would be a great idea to keep them in a basket and put the basket under water.

When he was done, he pulled up the basket - and it was empty. The otters were probably delighted with the bonanza.

A rare photo of an otter out of water
running along the shores of Ronald Bog
Adult males are 4 feet in length and weigh 20-28 pounds
Photo by Martin De Grazia
I have heard many other otter stories since. 

Martin De Grazia lives on Ronald Bog and sees otters there regularly. 

They are very elusive and I have few local photos, so I am pleased that he was able to get a number of photos and share them.

Otters live in burrows with underwater entrances or hidden dens near the water. They spend most of their time in the water, hunting for fish, and other water creatures, such as crayfish. 

They are a particular boon to Echo Lake, which has the dubious distinction of being home to a species of invasive crayfish.

Otter at Ronald Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia
Otters are opportunistic, though, and will follow any good food source. 

George Piano of Lake Forest Park told a story about coming home to find an otter fishing in his koi pond. She ran off, but not before getting a few of his prize koi. 

A few days later, she was back, this time using his pond to teach her pup how to fish.

George's home in Lake Forest Park has a steep ravine behind his property, which drops down to McAleer Creek.

Otters playing in the waters of Twin Ponds
Photo by Debbie Arthur

I think it's safe to assume that every body of water and every stream in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park has otters. This week, I received a photo taken by Debbie Arthur of otters in Twin Ponds. Kevin Urie reports they are in Boeing Creek.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife says that "In late fall, the pups leave to establish their own territories. During this time, wandering youngsters are seen far from water, traveling on land between lakes, ponds, and from one stream drainage to another."

Otters at Ronald Bog
Photo by Martin De Grazia
This is a partial explanation for the stories about otters being seen traveling across the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden in the Richmond Beach neighborhood. 

Since there are no streams or bodies of water nearby, I am still curious about where they are coming from.

It's also interesting to think that, aside from the occasional fish pond, the otters are finding enough fish in the lakes, bogs, ponds, and streams, to sustain life and breed.

-----
This article was originally published January 11, 2016. Since then, Martin De Grazia has become the Otter Whisperer, apparently part of the otter clan. The otters stare at him but they don't hide and he is getting some amazing photos from Ronald Bog.




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Photo: Otter at Ronald Bog

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Photo by Martin De Grazia

Otters are shy and elusive. They frolic at dawn and live in burrows with underwater entrances. Seeing them is a rare thing.

Except for Martin De Grazia. He has spent so much time photographing wildlife at Ronald Bog that the otters have apparently accepted him as one of their own.

It's the only explanation for the dozen photos that De Grazia just got of the Bog otters.

--Diane Hettrick




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Ten years of the Shoreline Area News

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Graphic by Whitney Potter


Ten years ago the U.S. had just plunged into a deep economic recession. Businesses, jobs, investments, were being cut back or lost. Newspapers were vulnerable because they are so expensive to run. The Seattle Times laid off staff and sold a six story building.

The local Enterprise chain, run from the Everett Herald, decided that they didn't really need King county and announced that the north King county edition would cease publication at the end of October. Shoreline and Lake Forest Park would again be left without local coverage.

Shoreline resident and political journalist Evan Smith worked for the Enterprise. He was distraught that the edition would close a week before a pivotal Shoreline City Council election.

Around the same time, the owner of the Ronald Bog Blog left Shoreline, informing his partner Sonya Reasor and me that we were now in charge. I had very recently been given access to the Blog because I was contributing so much content.

I had a private email list, left over from my six year stint as a PTA legislative rep. When my term of office was over, I continued sending information to local people: political "info-pinions" during political season and community events during the rest of the year.

Constantly, I heard people say that nothing happened here, and there was nothing to do. Yet I knew what vibrant, rich communities we had. People who weren't involved just didn't know about the opportunities.

Sonya, Evan, and I met to work out the details of starting a new, online publication that would cover only local news for Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. Evan would be the political writer, Sonya would provide technical expertise as well as content, and I would provide content. I thought we would all share in posting articles.

Evan and I had visions of dollar signs, but Sonya was clear from the beginning that she wasn't interested in money and would not be involved long-term. She set us up on a Google platform, created the leafy masthead, posted some wonderful articles and photos, and moved to West Seattle.

Evan happily covered the election and years of local politics.

And I discovered just how much work it was to lay out articles on a slightly buggy platform, let alone pull in enough content to publish. Taking ads would be whole new levels of work.

I am not a journalist. I am not a businessperson. I am a volunteer and a networker and a communicator with a strong social services bent.

When we started the Shoreline Area News there were a hundred local blogs around Puget Sound. Almost all of them are gone - most within the first year. The Seattle Times recruited our "hyper-local publications" to partner with them. My group of a dozen had two that are still very successful - the B-Town blog in Burien has multiple editions and covers south King county. The My Neighborhood News group run by Teresa Wippel has three editions in south Snohomish county.

Teresa and I have a strong alliance which I appreciate greatly. She has a successful business model, has employees, and pays her writers and photographers.

I pay in "fame and fortune" and am more grateful than I can say for all the people who contribute to the SAN.

There's a lot of technical work behind the scenes. Sonya continued to support me even after she moved but we were both relieved when Carl Dinse stepped in. I had actually gone looking for Carl because I heard he had a photo of Edmount Island on fire. (That's the island in the middle of Lake Ballinger. It's peat and occasionally burns for a few months at a time). When I found him and the photo, he said he had a weather station in Shoreline and would I be interested in weather reports?

Carl is a tech professional and donates large amounts of time on a weekly basis keeping the SAN running. He also contributes occasional photos, and of course, his wonderful hyperlocal weather reports. He has added a weather station in Richmond Beach and is close to opening one in Lake Forest Park.

Another person who has been with me almost from the beginning is Steve Robinson. Steve is a police chief. Right now he has come out of retirement to run the Bellevue College police department while they are between chiefs. I knew him as a PTA volunteer, an 8 year Shoreline School Board member, and a former board member of the Shoreline Schools Foundation. I didn't know he was a photographer until he offered to take photos for me.

I have a crew of wonderful photographers, some of whom are turning into reporters! The current crew includes, besides Steve, Wayne Pridemore, Mike Remarcke, Lee Lageschulte, Marc Weinberg, Jerry Pickard, and all the people who have sent in photos of what they see, like Seattle Poppy.

Jan Hansen keeps an eye on Puget Sound, researches vessels, and is the major contributor to the Scene on the Sound feature. Gloria Z Nagler takes incredible animal and insect photos and captions them with humorous text that make them come alive.

When Frank Workman left town, he gifted me with Rob Oxford, who covers Shorecrest football and the world at large. Frank still contributes, thanks to the reach of the internet. Thanks to the coaches and parents who send in sports information. Clark Norton's wrestling reports are so interesting that he has developed his own following.

Many people over the years have spent time doing major reporting in the SAN and then moved on to other things - like paying jobs! I'm afraid to start naming people because I know I would leave someone out - but I have to name Pam Cross, who is currently covering Shoreline City Council meetings.

I am so fortunate to have Whitney Potter and his wonderful, punny cartoons. He has won at least two art awards in the past couple of years and I'm proud to have him associated with the SAN.

Donna Hawkey is now writing articles and covering some events. Christine Southwick has been writing her charming and informative For the Birds column for years. Aarene Storms doesn't write her book reviews just for the SAN but has allowed us to publish them.

I've had several gardeners write for the SAN. When one moves on, another steps up. Victoria Gilleland's "In the Garden Now" features her own garden in Lake Forest Park with her beautiful flower photos.

Doug Gochanour wrote theatre reviews for a long time. I still haven't been able to replace him.

If I haven't mentioned your name, please don't feel slighted. I appreciate you all more than I can say. I appreciate the people who send in tips and photos of accidents and protests and cute kids (but get the parent's permission!)

My wish list includes restaurant reviews - amateurs welcome - someone to cover LFP council meetings the way that Pam does for Shoreline. Also theatre reviews - not critics but someone to talk about the productions. We have a lot of local theatre so there's room for more than one.

Someone to cover the school board - they speak a jargon and acronym filled language there so it can't be just anyone. I really miss Marianne Stephens!

And right now I'd really appreciate someone who can find a free program to distribute the email digest.

If you do not know, we publish on the web, then the same content goes to Facebook, Twitter, and the email digest which you can subscribe to. I would appreciate it if you would tell your friends and neighbors about the SAN and if your organizations can make sure your members know about our publications.

So here's to the years to come!

Diane Hettrick
Editor@ShorelineAreaNews.com


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Notes from Shoreline council meeting October 7, 2019: Fircrest and Point Wells

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Shoreline City Hall and Council Chamber
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Shoreline City Council Meeting 
October 7, 2019
Notes by Pam Cross

Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00pm
All councilmembers were present.

Report of the City Manager Debbie Tarry

Last Saturday, there was an enthusiastic group at Monster Mash Dash 5K. Thanks to our sponsors and everyone who attended.

Volunteers are needed for Shoreline’s first Emergency Weather Shelter. Volunteers over 18 years old are needed to be on call for a certain number of nights from Nov 1st to Mar 30th. Training provided. For information email staff@nuhsa.org or call 206-550-5626

Oct 12 from 10:00am - 2:00pm Celebrate Arbor Day by volunteering to help plant and maintain trees and shrubs in Darnell Park. No experience necessary. More information available online.

Public Reminders

Oct 9 There is a public hearing held by the Hearing Examiner, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the council chamber regarding Sound Transit’s petition to vacate portions of 7th Ave NE and 185th right of way

Oct 17 The planning commission will hold a hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment (IronsBC rezone). We have instructed staff to follow up with the planning commission to confirm that the hearing will need to be continued to a date in November that will accommodate attendance by the IronsBC.

Council Reports

Deputy Mayor McConnell attended the Seashore Transportation Forum meeting. There was a report from Metro regarding the additional 65,000 annual service hours they put in last month while working on expansion routes, overcrowding and increased reliability.

There was a powerpoint presentation on the Pioneer Square Platform in preparation for the turning area for light rail.

Also there was a presentation regarding Initiative 976 which Shoreline Council already rejected. This is Tim Eyman’s initiative to bring back the $30 car tabs. It’s important for voters to recognize the impact this will have passed. We are one of the 60 cities that will see a big loss of money for road maintenance. There will be a loss of $1.9B revenue over 6 years in this area. Whatever road maintenance you thought we weren’t doing, we will be doing even less if this initiative passes.

Councilmember Scully. There is a late change in the Regional Homelessness Authority. The original plan had an organization something like a corporation: a board at the top that was comprised of elected officials, and then others who set policies. But another step has been inserted. The top level (elected officials) has little authority, the next level, comprised of a panel of experts, makes most of the operations decisions and steers the money. Councilmember Scully is not happy with this because he doesn’t feel comfortable turning decision making and money allocation over to a non governmental entity that is not accountable to voters. He will continue to follow this.

Councilmember Chang met with Katya Fels Smyth who is director of the Full Frames Initiative. It looks into how we can help a homeless person in a more complete way, rather than just offering housing or just providing drug treatment because choices offered may be untenable. This approach is something we need to implement as we move forward with Community Court.

Mayor Hall noted that they had the last meeting of the Governor’s OrcaTask Force. Draft recommendations were finalized for the second year of the work to try to protect the orcas, and it will be available for public review and comment in about a week. All recommendations were adopted unanimously which was a challenge with 40 people on the Task Force.

Council had a dinner meeting with the school board before this meeting and they talked about various issues of mutual concern, including how our community and our schools are changing.

Public Comment

Item 8a is Public Hearing and comments regarding it will be heard later.

Janet Way, Shoreline, mentioned that Seattle City Council wants to get rid of SEPA but she offers thanks to Shoreline for using this tool, the state environmental act, for issues like Point Wells (Item 8a) on agenda.

Joseph Irons, Shoreline, owner of IronsBC spoke regarding the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The notice of the public hearing was given to them late which put a two week delay in the process and he hoped they wouldn’t be penalized for this. However he did just learn that the hearing date will be changed (see comments by Debbie Tarry, City Manager).

Alley Johnson, Shoreline, is a student at Einstein. IronsBC came to the school and made a presentation that said you can pursue your dream and that anything is possible.

Venitia Irons, Shoreline, daughter of Joseph and Melissa. There are a number of people opposed to their amendment so they brought a lot of people with them tonight to show that there are a lot of people who support them and the amendment.

Neil Kappen, Edmonds, does business in Shoreline. He supports IronsBC and the quality of their small business. He talked about their contributions to the City of Shoreline.

Jack Malek, Shoreline, serves on the Planning Commission. Today he is here representing his own interests and his own thoughts on this issue.

He provided a North City sub area plan 2001 to Council. It appears that some commercial extends south of 172nd Street (the location of the IronsBC properties). The planned pedestrian city plan goes north from 175th. The city has grown since then, and it’s a lovely area. He is not a proponent for spot zoning but thinks it’s worth considering this segment on a broader scale, on a bigger plan. To go back and study it.

Cheryl Anderson, Shoreline. Things are happening that we have no control over such as Sound Transit and related rezones, building and remodeling schools, and tearing up Ronald Bog. She does not know the Irons personally, but sees their community contributions at various City events.

Melissa Irons, Shoreline, asks Council to review the facts of the case and the support they have garnered, that has been, in her opinion, overshadowed by emotions and objections by a few vocal neighbors. She asks Council to create a solution for their property that supports harmony for small business and residential neighborhoods.

The agenda was approved unanimously.
The Consent Calendar was adopted, without discussion, unanimously.

Action Item 8(a) Public Hearing and Adoption of Ordinance No. 868 – Establishing a Citywide Moratorium on the Filing, Acceptance, Processing, and/or Approval of Applications for Master Plan Development Permits and Applications for Essential Public Facility Special Use Permits

Staff report presented by Rachael Markle, Planning and Community Development Director

The Department of Social and Health Services is currently developing a Fircrest Master Development Plan permit application that includes expansion of existing uses and that may include new uses and the siting of a behavioral health facility which is considered an *Essential Public Facility (EPF). The Development Code identifies both the Special Use Permit and the Master Development Plan permit as processes to be used for the siting of EPFs.

*RCW 36.70A.200

(1) Essential public facilities include those facilities that are typically difficult to site, such as airports, state education facilities and state or regional transportation facilities as defined in RCW 47.06.140, regional transit authority facilities as defined in RCW 81.112.020, state and local correctional facilities, solid waste handling facilities, and inpatient facilities including substance abuse facilities, mental health facilities, group homes, and secure community transition facilities as defined in RCW 71.09.020.

(5) No local comprehensive plan or development regulation may preclude the siting of essential public facilities.

This was last discussed at the September 16, 2019 Council meeting.

Why is staff recommending a moratorium?
  1. The City’s Master Development Plan permit decision criteria may be outdated
  2. The Master Development Plan permit criteria may not be adequate for siting an “Essential Public Facility”
  3. The Master Development Plan permit process may not be the best method to conduct multi-agency planning
  4. New uses from the State Legislature not yet defined and regulated locally
  5. City’s process for siting an Essential Public Facility is unclear
  6. Clear and robust decision criteria as a guide for the Hearing Examiner
This Moratorium will provide the City Council time to review these regulations and policies.
No questions from Council.

Public Hearing is opened
Public Comment

Janet Way, Shoreline, lives just a few blocks from Fircrest. She is an advisory board member for Friends of Fircrest and is well acquainted with the history. She has been an advocate for preserving Fircrest because of the unique needs of the residents.

Janet Way attended a meeting in Olympia where they talked about the draft Master Plan for Fircrest. She said they thought it was a pretty good plan. It showed development all over the grounds and all appropriate for current Fircrest residents. Fircrest should not be broken up.

Reverend Kristin Ellison Oslin, Pastor at Fircrest Chapel. Lives nearby in Lake Forest Park and grew up in Shoreline.

Friends of Fircrest have a statement where they have advocated for the betterment and enrichment of lives challenged with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We want to support the City of Shoreline as well as Fircrest. The Fircrest Master Plan has been an ongoing project since the 90’s. The current one comes principally from the. Governor’s office. We understand that possible addition of the Behavioral Health Facility may be a cause for some review - but 6 months? Washington State is 47th in the nation for care of people with mental crises. 3 or 4 months will be better.

Michael Abate, North Seattle, just one block from Shoreline. He is the representative of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). We have this conversation every few years. We haven’t endorsed the State’s Master Plan for Fircrest, we do not want to limit options of the State to serve the residents. The land should be used to help people and not be limited by the City of Shoreline or private interests.

Rod Palmquist, Seattle, is the organizing director of the Organization of Washington Federation of State Employees, the largest public employee union in Washington. We do not support the limitation of options for land use at Fircrest.

The Public Hearing is closed.

Discussion

There was a move and second to adopt the ordinance as stated.

The last plan we heard included a behavioral health facility without any description of what that is. We need to know what, exactly, is a “behavioral health facility” This is new to us. Who will live there? What services will be provided? And where in our City would we want it to be located. We need clear guidelines before we can consider. We should have the option of deciding where in Shoreline we want this and also we need to know how the community feels about it.

The State should have talked to us about it. The State legislature didn’t know about it either. There are multiple state agencies working on multiple things. We need to partner and work out any difference, if they exist, rather than be told “here’s what’s going to happen” without any input. Sometimes small changes can better integrate changes into the community. The State took a right turn from where our staffs were discussing the possibilities for the property. All of sudden, there is a new map. At this point we can’t trust our partners to know what the plans are going to be and how much is left for the City’s role

This is not a vote against behavioral health or anti mental health. But Shoreline should be able to use its usual process.

It is frustrating that the State agencies are not on the same page. A year ago we were approached by the State to use part of the land for affordable housing, and just a few months ago the plan showed Fircrest meeting all of its needs without including a lot of the land. Then, with a couple of days notice, we are given this new map that shows Fircrest using all of the property. Like it or not, the State gives local government use authority. That means Shoreline has the legal right, and the responsibility, to zone our city in a way that locates uses in places we have deemed appropriate for those uses.

This most recent map that occupies the whole site with new uses thwarts a budget proviso adopted by the state legislature and signed by the governor that calls for the allocation of some of that land to be available for open space and affordable housing.

Yes, we have a mental health crisis, and it’s embarrassing how Washington State is doing. But we also have an affordable housing crisis. But we need local government to have authority over it.

Two state agencies (DNR and DSHS) still meet with us separately - they won’t all sit down together. We need to know what everyone wants out of this site. We need to all sit down together. It is 85 acres and that is plenty of land to meet everyone’s needs.

Is a moratorium the right way to go? With multiple agencies, that may be the best option. This is a large part of our community and we have to be part of the decision making. While it appears they quietly have moved in a behavioral health facility, we are not getting feedback that we need.

Will another idea come back in a year or two? The staff report uses the work “may” frequently. This “may be outdated”, “may be inadequate”. A moratorium may become a way to stop a project that we don’t like. Could it be a bad precedent?

Vote in favor of citywide moratorium:
Passed by a vote of 5 to 2, with Councilmember Roberts and Mayor Hall dissenting.


Action Item 8(b)Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Settlement and Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Shoreline and Town of Woodway
Margaret King, City Attorney, presented the staff report

The Council discussed the draft Settlement and Interlocal Agreement, regarding Point Wells, at its September 23, 2019 meeting.

The proposed Settlement and Interlocal Agreement provides for clarification of SEPA responsibilities for the two cities and clarification related to Shoreline’s and Woodway’s roles in the provision of sewer services. Woodway is opposed to making changes to the agreement regarding the access road which would give any third parties an implied or perceived right to require that Woodway approve an access road. Woodway is also opposed to any change related to their traffic level of service

Staff Recommends Council authorize entering into interlocal agreement
Motion and second to authorize

Discussion

We’ve done a good job. Refined and retooled and improved upon. There is overwhelming support from the community. It will never be exactly perfect and it’s time to move on to the next stage.

What about the purchasing of property by Woodway for the access road? Isn’t that the responsibility of the developer? Yes, Woodway wanted to confirm they will not be condemning or acquiring property on behalf of the developer.

If Snohomish County rules to develop this property, then neither Woodway nor Shoreline will have their interests protected so the best approach is to do everything we can do to help provide annexation into a city to protect our interests.

Vote to authorize interlocal agreement
Agreed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm




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Notes from Shoreline City Council meeting Sept 9, 2019

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Shoreline City Hall and Council Chamber
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Shoreline City Council Meeting 
September 9, 2019
Notes by Pam Cross


Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 7:00pm

All councilmembers were present.

Report of the City Manager Debbie Tarry

Sept 13 - 22 Welcoming Week, Building a Community of Neighbors, begins with a racial history display in the City Hall lobby on Monday Sept 16. This display details the policies and practices that have impacted Shoreline’s racial history and will be available Sept 16 - 20 during business hours. There will be a number of other events throughout the week.

Sept 14 is the first Tween Night of the year. Hours are 6:30 to 10:30pm at the Richmond Highlands Rec and is open for free to kids from grades 5 and 6. Parents must check kids in and out at the door. More information available online.

Park volunteer work parties are Saturdays and Sunday in September. This month work parties will be held at Brugger’s Bog, Twin Ponds, and Hamlin parks. Additional details including times and meeting locations available online.

Public Reminders

The PRCS/Tree Board will hold a retreat on Saturday Sept 14th from 8:30 to 1:00pm in the Council Chamber.

Council Reports 

Councilmember McGlashan and Deputy Mayor McConnell attended the SeaShore transportation forum meeting and heard a presentation on the 5-year capital improvement plan. There’s a surprising amount of work that goes on to support the maritime activity. Pier 5 in West Seattle is being prepped for deep berth ships. Pier 46 near the Colman ferry dock will be divided into a cruise ship terminal and small ship terminal for non-international cargo ships.

The Sound Transit Executive Board has approved $3.7M to the ST board for the preliminary design of our 148th pedestrian bridge.

Councilmember Scully went to the Continuum of Care Board (formerly All Home) meeting (homelessness). The Regional Action Plan has now been released. Right now it is just Seattle and King County but going forward, it creates a new executive board with the intent of bringing order out of the chaos of existing services. They voted on the list of priority projects for Federal funding. There is about $47M of federal funding that is available for local programs that provide homelessness relief efforts. One of the responsibilities of the board is to submit a ranked list of the order in which we think projects should be funded to the Federal Government.

It is still heavily oriented to programs that serve Downtown Seattle. One of his goals is to see that we get regional federal funding for across the county not just Seattle’s Pioneer Square District.

He is pleased that at least one Shoreline project is Tier 1 priority (will be funded). There are a fair amount of non-Seattle projects also in Tier 1. But it is still heavily weighted towards Seattle, and he wants to make sure that isn’t the tradition going forward.

Shoreline wants to continue to provide local programs in conjunction with our non-profit partners and also in conjunction with all the other government agencies in a way that will make sure that all services are located throughout the region.

It is being funded by Seattle and King County. Suburban cities are not being asked to contribute at this point. We don’t want to pay in because we already pay King County taxes.

Councilmember Roberts attended the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) legislative committee meeting. They are planning to forward to the DC board several priorities, including support for our Comprehensive City Transportation Bill, supporting efforts to fully fund the public works trust fund, supporting the creation of tax increment financing option for cities, preservation of city fiscal health, and support funding for medication assisted treatment services in city and regional jails. Also included are support for new resources and policies for increasing affordable housing, and funding for watershed based approaches addressing fish blocking culverts.

Changes that were considered but not included were support of just-cause eviction and changes to the landlord and tenant act.

Mayor Hall took the time to thank all Councilmembers for spending time on these committees and working for the Shoreline Community beyond just attending Council meetings.

The Mayor and Councilmember Roberts attended the groundbreaking for the new ST Lynnwood Link.

Today was the second to last meeting of the Orca Task Force trying to help save the whales and salmon in Puget Sound. Habitat loss and conversion of forests and shoreline armoring (bulkheads) are still a significant issues that are continuing to damage Puget Sound. Compared to several jurisdictions we’re seeing Shoreline City projects are actually improving stormwater and improving habitat.

Public Comment

Pat Anunsen is concerned because the Court of Appeals ruled that Ronald Wastewater has no “right” to service customers in the Point Wells area. Ronald WW has requested a Supreme Court review and Anunsen has several questions for Council.

Robert Doran, from ROIC San Diego, reiterated that as respects #441 (Action item 8b), it is ROIC’s position that approving the Agreement would be premature. ROIC is working with Merlone Geier to resolve their concerns. Although progress has been made. there are still numerous issues to be settled before the Agreement is solidified.

Gail Steele spoke of concerns about AirBNB locations. For safety, neighbors need to know who lives in the neighborhood so Neighborhood Watch knows who belongs. Currently Shoreline has no codes for AirBNB - room rental codes apply. Seattle has codes and regulations specifically for AirBNB. Shoreline needs to establish a means to identify a property as an AirBNB as well as establish taxes, rules and regulations.

Ginny Scantlebury spoke about homelessness. The current failure of government to solve homelessness is why she doesn’t think we need to add yet another layer of government. The regional approach is costly, there are only one or two out of seven members of the steering committee to represent the 38 suburban cities that could potentially belong to this. Other Washington cities have done good work without adding more money. Housing is not the answer. Need help for drug and mental issues.

George Whiteside was unsure if this was the correct venue for his concerns. His children attend Cascade K-8 Community School that is in its 4th year of construction. Kids are actually in a construction zone. Drilling is taking place a floor above the kids' heads and metal shards are falling onto desks. He wants something to be done.

Councilmembers felt he was at wrong meeting because schools are a separate jurisdiction. He should speak at a School District meeting but he left before they could mention it to him. He will be contacted with this information. However, Councilmembers acknowledged that the City does the permitting and has a responsibility to all residents.

(for the complete comments, view the video of the Council meeting online)

The agenda was approved unanimously.

The Consent Calendar was adopted, without discussion, unanimously.

Action Items

8(a) Public Hearing and Discussion of the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Funding Plan

Mayor Hall opened the Public Hearing.

Staff report by Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, Grants Administrator

The City financially supports Human Services delivery by non-profit agencies using General Fund and Community Development Block Grant Funding (CDBG funds). Each year, the Council must hold a public hearing on the proposed use of CDBG funds and act to adopt an allocation plan. For 2020, $322,565 CDBG funds is estimated. The Interlocal Agreement with King County for administration of our grants calls for major housing repair (0% loans for roofing and other projects that keep people in their homes), a housing stability project for renters, and capital projects for planning and administration. This provides continued support to the Sound Generations Minor Home Repair Program and support of a housing preservation project at King County Housing Authority’s Westminster Manor (upgrading electrical).

No pubic comment.

Hearing is closed.

Discussion

What amounts are involved in the Major Home Repair and Housing Stability Major home repair? The maximum loan is $25,000 for a 4-6 year term. When the house is sold, the money comes back to the City to replenish the fund. This takes an average of 5 years.

Housing stability loans are much smaller amounts, for example a few hundred dollars used for paying a utility bill. The total for Shoreline is about $16,000.

Is there a backlog of requests we cannot fulfill? Yes, for Housing Stability there is always a backlog.

This will come back before Council on September 23rd.

8(b) Adoption of Resolution No. 441: Approving the Shoreline Place Development Agreement Between the City of Shoreline and Merlone Geier Partners

Rachael Markle, Planning and Community Development Director provided the staff report.

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 441 with the Planning Commission’s recommended development agreement and modifications. Adoption of Resolution No. 441, as proposed, will authorize the City Manager to execute the modified Shoreline Place Development Agreement with Merlone Geier Partners.

A quick review of the key components of the Agreement followed. During the August 5th Council meeting, members of the City Council articulated potential changes to the proposed Development Agreement. Staff and the applicant subsequently met and negotiated additional changes to the Planning Commission’s recommended Development Agreement.

Motion and Second to adopt Resolution No 441 with the Planning Commission’s recommended development Agreement and modifications.

Discussion

What are the remaining unresolved issues mentioned during public comment?

Jamas Gwilliam, Vice President of Development, Merlone Geier Partners replied:

Two items still waiting for additional information. Merlone Geier and staff agree that issues have been addressed that are in the Development Agreement but other issues are private property decisions that don’t belong in the Agreement. The actual items are primarily site issues more related to CCNRS "covenants, conditions, and restrictions.” These are confidential issues and not applicable in this regard.

The major amendment process is unclear (adding parcels is a major amendment). Margaret King, Shoreline City Attorney, says it is clarifying you don’t have to start at zero. A major amendment opens the Agreement up again, but it is an application for an amendment - not for a new Development Agreement. The amendment will be considered as additive to what has already been negotiated in the previous Agreement. Making additional parcels a major amendment lets further Councils have a say in how this project develops over time.

The amount of retail space is expressed on today’s slide as a percentage instead of square feet. Does this change anything? No, it doesn’t change the number of retail square feet that is in the Agreement itself. This slide is not part of the Agreement.

Articulation features (Building articulation refers to the many street frontage design elements, both horizontal and vertical, that help create a streetscape of interest), seem to have changed from 35’ to 80’, but then later it repeats 35’. Both numbers should be the same. Need to strike 35’ and insert 80’.

City codes may need changes to eliminate some of the changes requested by Council.The project already met the minimums required by code. If those are not satisfactory, we need to increase those code requirements.

It’s regrettable that impact fees are being negotiated on such a large project because they could do a lot of good for the community. We are giving up $1.4M in park impact fees, for example. The cumulative credit column for the impact fees needs to be updated.

Major residential projects will have a huge impact on our schools. Perhaps that should be addressed in future Development Agreements.

The School District has an avenue to address increased number of new students because the State pays on a per student basis. The School District can put forward a capital building project as well as propose that we charge school impact fees. So it doesn’t need to be in this Agreement.

This Agreement might not be perfect and it might be incomplete, but it’s time to move forward instead of trying to get to a perfect Agreement. This is just part of the ongoing process and staff will be involved at every step forward. There are multiple permit applications to follow. 

Motion and second to modify the amendment per the planning commission recommendations passes unanimously.

Motion and second to correct impact fees table cumulative column passes unanimously.

Motion and second to correct final document to strike 35’ and insert 80’ passes unanimously.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and all Councilmembers individually thanked all parties for the hard work that went into this project.

Motion and Second to Adoption of Resolution No 441 as amended passes unanimously.

This whole process has been too labor intensive, so by addressing changes in the code this onerous process can be eliminated. Developers of future projects will know what is expected of them, and we will eliminate the need for a Development Agreement for every future project.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm



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Letter to the Editor: Thanks for the Ronald Bog article

Sunday, September 8, 2019

To the Editor:

Wow! Great article and dive into the very long background of the bog and its current state of transition and revival. I had heard about the plans for making a park that incorporates the wetlands that have been trying to return via flooding, but your article helped me better understand the scope of the work. And what a treasure trove of junk... an archeological dig into the stuff of decades past.

Thanks for fleshing out the simple story of the construction and the ponies in their hardhats. Now I and my fellow passers-by know so much more about what's going on behind the chain link fences. Another example of why community newsletters are important and how we benefit from your efforts to keep doing it!

Anne Guthrie
Shoreline



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What's happening with Ronald Bog Park? Blame it on Mr. Bean

Friday, September 6, 2019

Lush, green Ronald Bog park has been scraped
Photo by Steven H. Robinson



By Diane Hettrick

If you are one of the thousands of people who have driven by Ronald Bog in recent weeks, you may have been shocked at the appearance.

The whole north end of the Bog, at N 175th and Meridian, appears to be in site preparation for a major construction zone. Even the ponies are wearing hard hats.

Even the ponies are wearing hard hats
Photo by AT

What you are looking at, though, is a major wetland restoration of Ronald Bog Park. Sound Transit is creating wetlands at the north and east ends of the park and doing major clean up along the east side. It's a mitigation site for impacts to the unnamed, and mostly unnoticed wetlands which are primarily south of the Shoreline fire station on N 155th, running along the east side of the freeway.

The work at Ronald Bog is complicated by its history of human use.
The photo was probably taken closer to 1920 than 1930
Historically Ronald Bog was marshy peat formed by decaying plant matter, fed by small streams, and full of cranberries which were harvested by the native tribes that moved through the area and by early settlers.

Duwamish people from the permanent settlements beside Lake Washington, Lake Union and Salmon Bay, and other tribes visiting from Snohomish county, came to the bog to harvest the cranberries and other edible plants that grew there. (Shoreline Historical Museum)

1936 aerial view
The faint red lines show the current lot boundaries.
Photo courtesy King county

Over time bogs may build up so much peat that they dry out because they get elevated above the water table. Property owners, such as Paul Weller, might have diverted the streams. For whatever reason, in the 1936 aerial photo, the bog is dry.

Paul Weller acquired the property in 1936 and began peat mining. In the aerial photo you can clearly see the straight lines where the peat has been harvested. A succession of companies continued to remove the peat up into the early 1960s.

George Webster sits on his tractor in the middle of this photo.
The streets are slightly above his head and the lake is to the left
Photo courtesy Shoreline Historical Museum

In 1949 George Webster acquired the north end of the bog, established the Plant Food Company, and continued the mining of the northern half of the bog. A different company mined the south end.

As they removed the peat, they got closer to the water table and the Bog started to fill with water again. A small feeder stream, unnamed, flows in a pipe under Meridian and into the northwest corner of the Bog. The daylighted North Branch of Thornton Creek still runs north-south on the east side of the Bog.

A resident named John, who was a child in the 1950s, remembers a barge in the middle of what was now a lake, still digging peat from the site.

In 1964 the peat mining was discontinued, and Darwin Bean acquired much of the bog property for his business, Marshall Tippey Landscaping. He began filling the north and east shores of the pond with the intention of building a small tract of homes there.

According to John, "The old dump was also to the south and it was the old school dump with old cars from the 30s, and lots of what now would be antiques. Lots for young kids (pre teen) to explore. There wasn’t any ecology then and when the freeway was built they buried the dump, the ponds, and streams much to our dismay."

So the whole area was basically a dump. Darwin Bean was finding fill material wherever he could and certainly would have welcomed debris from the I-5 construction right next to the Bog.

In 1965 a vigorous coalition of citizens, politicians, and press successfully lobbied the King county council to acquire the land and turn it into a park, which it did in 1970.

Now, Sound Transit has accepted the challenge of turning the park built on a dump back into a healthy wetland.

The concrete is being piled up for removal
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

The land they are working on is full of chunks of concrete and sections of twisted pipe and whatever else Darwin Bean could find to fill up the pit left by peat removal.

On the land at the north end of the Bog, Sound Transit contractors are digging deep and removing concrete, pipe, and other debris.

The contractor reports that in addition to the concrete and metal, they removed a toilet, kitchen sink, automobile license plates from the 1950s, bricks, and asphalt chunks. They have excavated five feet and in some areas, as deep as nine feet in order to remove debris and build the wetlands.

Sandbags and a turbidity curtain protect the lake
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline


They are also working a few feet into the lake to remove the fill and debris. Temporary best management practices, such as sand bags and a turbidity curtain, are in place during the work to keep from disturbing the rest of the lake.

When they have finished excavating, they will backfill the land with compost and topsoil. Then they will create two separate wetland areas. The central area of the park will be kept clear so residents still have access to an improved trail system and a view of the lake.

Rotary picnic shelter
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Rotary shelter is in good shape and will be refurbished and remain in place. Shoreline Parks Director Eric Friedli wants to create some seating areas in the new park with possibly a picnic table under the shelter.

Trees had to be removed from the site in order to create the wetlands -- many because their roots were entwined in concrete and pipe and growing on the fill material.


The new wetlands will not be open to the public but will be designed so that people can see into them. They will help absorb and store floodwater in wet years – another way to help prevent flooding at the intersection of Meridian and N 175th.

The dotted green area on the map will be wetlands which will be boggy or completely under water, depending on the season and rainfall.

The darker green is the buffer area. It will protect the wetland and can also serve to absorb water in wet years.

2010 was a very wet year.
This is along Meridian
Photo by Janet Way

Taller trees will be planted in the northwest wetland, except where the view is being protected. A variety of native species of trees, shrubs and other types of plants will be planted in the wetland and the buffer.

Sound Transit hopes to reintroduce native plants which were there historically, such as Bog laurel and LavenderLabrador tea. LavenderLabrador tea is mentioned in several of the historical records as being native to the site but it has since died out.

The site will be monitored for over 10 years, to make sure the native plants thrive and that invasive plants, such as reed canarygrass and knotweeds, are removed and the wetlands are healthy.

Dick Decker and volunteers worked in the park for several years
removing invasive plants and planting several hundred native plants
Photo courtesy Dick Decker 2010

Work done over the years by volunteers to restore native plants was primarily in the far northwest section of the site and has not been impacted. (See 2011 article). However, the area is very overgrown now.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The popular arboretum remains intact and the large sculpture, The Kiss, has already been moved to a new position on an elevated area. The trail will be raised and leveled with gravel to ADA standards. It will be expanded around the sculpture to reach the Rotary shelter by the lake.

Interpretative signs will be added throughout the area.

The work is expected to be complete by this winter, although some planting may be done in the spring. Sound Transit will continue to monitor the site for up to 10 years.

If you want to do more research or want more specific information on the history of Ronald Bog, check in with the Shoreline Historical Museum at N 185th and Linden, where they have the references, maps, aerial photos, etc. and information on bog use back to Native Americans.

Thanks to John Gallagher, Karin Ertl, and Rebecca McAndrew of Sound Transit, Vicki Stiles of the Shoreline Historical Museum, and Shoreline Parks Director Eric Friedli for material in this article.



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Mulched trees will be used for local Sound Transit projects

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Crews were busy grinding up the debris from the trees that were removed for the 185th Station. A day later the construction crew came in and put up fencing which blocks the view of the site. This is early preparation for the actual construction.

As for the mulched trees, Sound Transit says that it is planning to use the "Hog Fuel wood chips” for job wide erosion control and for the Ronald Bog site development.

The plan is that once we have used the amount we need for the project, we will have a community event where we give away wood chips.



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Ronald Bog Park wetland mitigation to begin in July

Tuesday, June 18, 2019



As promised, Sound Transit will soon begin work to restore the wetlands at Ronald Bog Park and plant trees.

Ronald Bog Park will be closed as early as July 1st for Sound Transit to begin construction of wetland mitigation. Sound Transit is using an area of Ronald Bog Park for a wetland mitigation site to replace wetlands affected by light rail construction.

Enhancements to the park, including trail improvements, will be made as part of the project.

Ronald Bog Park will be closed to the public and wetland buffer areas will be fenced off indefinitely for wetland creation. 

The sculpture has already been moved to a new location in the park. (See previous article).

The work includes tree removal and excavation to create new low areas, then planting of trees, shrubs and groundcover plants.

Sound Transit will build a new ADA-accessible Trail featuring interpretive signs to enhance the enjoyment of the park.

They will also install fencing, signs, benches, bollards and habitat structures.

The work will take 18-20 weeks and is expected to be complete by next fall.

Work hours will be from 7am to 5pm.

Ronald Bog Park is located on N 175th St between I-5 and Meridian Ave N. -  2301 N 175th St, Shoreline 98133.


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Wear Orange: Shoreline and LFP declare Friday as National Gun Violence Awareness Day

Friday, June 7, 2019

Present for the photo were: local gun violence prevention advocates wearing orange, Mayor Hall, Deputy Mayor McConnell, Shoreline City Council members Chang and Roberts, and State Rep Davis of the 32nd LD.



Shoreline and Lake Forest Park city councils proclaimed Friday, June 7, 2019 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day as part of a nationwide effort.

On Thursday morning Mayor Will Hall of Shoreline and the Shoreline City Council proclaimed Friday, June 7th, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the company of volunteers with the Washington Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

He joined Mayor Jeff Johnson of Lake Forest Park and the Lake Forest Park City Council who issued a similar proclamation during their Council meeting on May 23rd.

Following National Gun Violence Awareness Day, nearly 750 Wear Orange events will take place across the country on June 8th and 9th during Wear Orange weekend. More than 1,000 influencers, brands, mayors, partner organizations and buildings and landmarks in nearly all 50 states and D.C. will participate in the Wear Orange campaign. Learn more about Wear Orange here.

School Board member Heather Fralick
and Shoreline City Council member
Chris Roberts at Orange the Overpass

Volunteers from the Shoreline local group of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America hosted an “Orange the Overpass” event at the I-5 overpass at NE 185th St in Shoreline from 3:00 to 6:00pm on Friday evening.

On Saturday morning, June 8, there will be a “Clean Up the Underpass” event starting at 10:00am at Ronald Bog Park, N 175th and Meridian. Go to wearorange.org and put in zip code 98155 for further details.

On Sunday, June 9, volunteers from the Shoreline local group will join volunteers with the Washington chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, to host a Wear Orange rally and a walk over the I-90 bridge in Seattle to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence and elevate gun violence prevention efforts nationwide. 

Gun violence prevention groups from across the Puget Sound region are supporting partners of this Wear Orange event.

Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor after she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing in President Obama’s second inaugural parade in 2013. Orange honors the 100 lives cut short and the hundreds more wounded by gun violence every day — and demands action.



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