Notes from Shoreline council meeting August 16, 2021

Friday, August 20, 2021

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council Meeting
August 16, 2021

Notes by Pam Cross

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

Approval of the Agenda
Agenda adopted by unanimous consent.

Report of the City Manager, Debbie Tarry

PROP 1 WILL NOT BE ON NOVEMBER BALLOT


COVID-19 UPDATE


As is clear in the above graph, new COVID-19 cases are still trending upwards due to the delta variant. Hospitalizations are also accelerating. The vast majority of these cases are among the unvaccinated.

Please protect our community by wearing masks indoors. If you are eligible and have not yet been vaccinated, we urge you to do so.

More information: shorelinewa.gov/covid

UPDATE:
Effective August 23, Governor Jay Inslee has brought back a statewide mask requirement and ordered all public, private and charter school employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a requirement of their employment. The mask mandate includes those vaccinated and unvaccinated. For crowded outdoor settings like concerts and farmers markets, masks are strongly recommended.

CELEBRATE SHORELINE ART PROJECT
Everyone in the community is invited to tell us what “A Welcoming Place for All” looks like in Shoreline. Create a drawing, photo, statement, video, or other type of art that reflects the theme. Submissions will be shared via our website and social media. They will also be used as part of our larger community campaign during our Welcoming Week in September. A coloring page is available to download at shorelinewa.gov/welcomingplace

HELP US FIGHT HUNGER
The can castle contest deadline has passed but food donations are welcome. Boxed and canned food to help stock the shelves at Hopelink can be dropped off at Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N through Friday, August 20 between 8am and 5pm. No glass containers please. 
shorelinewa.gov/summer2021 for additional information

SHORELINE WALKS
This week’s walk is around the Ridgecrest Neighborhood. Explore the neighborhood around Ridgecrest Elementary School, passing through the Ridgecrest business district, walking footpaths through 3 parks, and enjoying monster displays and a miniature fairyland. The walk has hills, two of which are rather steep, but short. shorelinewa.gov/shorelinewalks

ECHO LAKE FOOD TRUCK FROLIC
Enjoy food and live music!


Public Reminders
The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Aug 19 has been cancelled.
The City Council will be in recess until Monday, September 13.
In recognition of Labor Day, City facilities will be closed on Monday, September 6.

Council Reports
None

Public Comment
Because there were more than 10 speakers, each speaker was limited to 2 minutes.

Motion to extend the period for public comment from 30 minutes to allow all speakers to speak was passed by unanimous consent.

The following spoke in favor of banning fossil fuel for new commercial and multi-family construction (Item 8a on agenda):
  • Vicki Grayland, Kenmore
  • Lee Janzen, Shoreline
  • Melinda McBride, Shoreline
  • France Giddings, Shoreline
  • Meesun Cho, Shoreline
  • Lee Keim, Shoreline
  • Sally Yamasaki, Lake Forest Park
  • Deepa Sivarajan, Washington Policy Manager at Climate Solutions, Seattle resident
  • Nina Olivier, Built-Green Certification Program Coordinator, Seattle resident
  • Linda Khandro, College instructor in Earth and Space Science, Shoreline resident
  • Asha Viswanathan, Shoreline student
Speaking in opposition to banning fossil fuel for new commercial construction:
  • James O’Neill, Shoreline
  • Ginny Scantlebury, Shoreline
  • Ray Chew, Shoreline
  • Julien Loh, Puget Sound Energy, Local Government Affairs Manager, Seattle resident
  • Leanne Guier, Representing Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 32, Pacific resident

Martha Diesner, Shoreline
Resident of Echo Lake Waterfront Condominiums located next to proposed 198th housing project is concerned about maintaining trees on the site.

Jackie Kurle, Shoreline
Reiterated the need for ongoing, maximum visibility, and transparency in reporting of activities at the enhanced shelter on 193rd and Aurora.

Approval of the Consent Calendar
Consent Calendar approved unanimously

Study Item 8 (a) Discussion of Prohibition of Fossil Fuels in New Construction

Current policy in Washington State prohibits local governments from passing electrification ordinances for new residential construction. Given this prohibition, the City can only evaluate limitations on the use of fossil fuels for commercial construction and multi-family projects over three stories in height.

Autumn Salamack, Environmental Services Coordinator


The City’s 2019 community-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory showed a 1.3% increase in emissions compared to 2009. This trend is not on track to meet the City’s goals to reduce emissions.


Transportation related activities, primarily from individuals driving gas-powered cars, are responsible for 67% of emissions in 2019.

Fossil fuels used in the built environment were responsible for approximately 32% of emissions in 2019, with 28% from natural gas and 2% from heating oil. In Shoreline, buildings are largely heated by three fuel sources: electricity from Seattle City Light, natural gas from Puget Sound Energy, and heating oil from private companies. Electricity from Seattle City Light is considered carbon neutral and thus is the preferred energy source from both a carbon emissions reduction and public health perspective.


Ray Allshouse, Building Official

We are proposing following Seattle’s lead as shown in the above slide.

Seattle has the resources that we don’t, including a whole staff who basically work on energy code. This approach is necessary to meet carbon goals, it’s cost effective, and possible.

The 2018 WA State Energy Code was published February 2021. The Seattle Energy Code, which betters the State code, was adopted in March 2021. King County is considering adopting about 75% of the Seattle amendments this month. King County Code would only apply to the unincorporated areas of the County. They hope they will have that adopted next February. The cities determine their own codes.

These proposed amendments only apply to multifamily and nonresidential buildings. It has no impact on single family residential, townhomes or duplexes that are controlled by State law. This is currently being reviewed in the State Legislature.


Sooner or later we will have to adopt these regulations. We recommend doing it sooner.

DISCUSSION

Are you just looking for Council’s opinion on whether we want you to bring back an ordinance? Or if we have other questions on the model code?
  • Reply: The City Attorney needs to put an ordinance into formal format. You might not be interested in everything, so we’re looking for that type of instruction. Would you like us to bring the entire thing back, or just parts of it.
What are your recommendations? This is a really technical code. You kind of need the whole package in order to increase the energy efficiency of a building. Changing one thing affects other things.

Chapter 5 is entitled Existing Buildings. But we’ve been talking about new construction of multifamily and nonresidential buildings. What’s a “new” building; what’s an “old” building? At what point would we be looking at someone having to upgrade to all electric to meet these new requirements?
  • Reply: Fair question. We will prepare a response to that.
Is the new code working in Seattle? Is it raising the cost of construction? Do the systems even exist? It’s pretty complicated - it’s not just unplugging gas and plugging in electricity. There isn’t any data yet. We need to know if these systems exist and are already engineered.
  • Reply: Good question. Seattle code is only 5 months old, and a lot of the developers tried to get projects in under the old code. So I agree with your comments. We need to address these kinds of issues. And if King County didn’t adopt certain things, we need to find out why.
You discussed solar but stated affordable housing is exempt from that requirement. Are their times when solar doesn’t make sense?
  • Reply: Absolutely. That’s part of the puzzle that needs to be sorted out. I will make sure to address this.
I’m glad Shoreline is not debating the reality of climate change, but instead how aggressive we can be with our policy to address it.

I think of heating with gas versus cooking with gas as totally different things. Heating with gas is an environmental issue. We need to stop using fossil fuels to heat our homes. The rationale I’ve heard tonight for banning cooking with gas is that it’s indoor air pollution. You should stop heating with gas because you’re hurting all of us, but you should stop cooking with gas because you’re hurting yourself. I support the package but I do wonder if we can carve out cooking with natural gas.

I’m asking that you each out specifically to Master Builders Assn and other local folks in the building industry for information about the technical issues you presented. I think I understand what most of them are, but what I don’t know is whether some of them are so technically difficult or prohibitively expensive that if we adopt that thing, will it seriously undercut the pace of redevelopment in Shoreline. We don’t want to do that. Will we be shooting ourselves in the foot with some of these things?
  • Reply: We’ll find out.
I don’t want to significantly impair development. We might think it’s a good idea - we should do this or that. But we need to balance with what we’ve all been striving for future development in the corridors that we’ve identified for density.

I appreciate that we have educated staff that understands all of this very technical information and can recommend to us what will work.

Do you know off the top of your head, approximately the percentage, of recently built multifamily buildings currently using only electricity? My understanding is that most new construction is not using any natural gas in any way.
  • Reply: Use of natural gas is limited.
Some may have a natural gas hookup for a gas stove on the rooftop. But no natural gas in units or for heat?
  • Reply: Right. I suspect we’ll see more gas in the smaller apartment buildings.

How long do you anticipate outreach to stakeholders will take?
  • Reply: Couple of months
I think we should move forward following what the State is doing. It makes sense because buildings constructed now will still be here in 40-50 years and it’s costly to convert from one heat source to another.

I think as we develop our legislative priorities for next year, we should consider adding to our priority list more local control over the energy code, and also push for and encourage the State to provide real help for a fair transition for local workers who will be affected by this.

We must always remember natural gas is only a piece of the total picture of our carbon footprint.

I agree that this was a very technical presentation. I want to bring it back a little. Why is the State sitting on its hands and waiting for the cities to make decisions? 
  • Reply: That’s not true and I’m sorry if I’ve given that impression. The State is not standing still on this. Seattle is kind of the guinea pig on this. So all the ideas that seem to work, we’re going to see in the next State Energy Code.
Staff also mentions other jurisdictions, specifically Seattle, Bellingham, and King County. What about other cities and counties in Washington?
  • Reply: I will find out.
  • Reply Autumn Salamack: There are a lot of conversations taking place in other cities and counties.
What about a commercial building with a restaurant. Can commercial restaurants use gas?
  • Reply: Yes but just for cooking.
Townhomes are not included in this because they’re considered single family residences?
  • Reply: Yes. But I’m not seeing a lot of gas in new townhomes. I will bring back more specific information.
New good-sized apartment buildings in Shoreline are not offering gas forced-air heat, correct?
  • Reply: That’s right
Some have gas fireplaces. Are they offering gas cooking?
  • Reply: Not that I know of but I will find out.
I think the biggest culprit with gas will be the new 3,000sf homes with gas fireplaces, hot water heaters, cooking etcetera. If we’re not including townhomes, large apartment buildings are not the biggest culprit. It does make sense for commercial buildings, but what big commercial buildings are we going to get in Shoreline? We don’t have places for warehouses. What are we chasing here? If we want to lower our greenhouse gases, maybe we should stop building large apartment buildings that are going to bring lots of people living in them that are driving cars. That may help. Maybe that is why we’re seeing our greenhouse gasses increase because we’ve had these new apartment buildings. I’m really stuck here that we’re putting regulations on something that isn’t the biggest problem.

New information may change minds of the people who are building these single family homes. Many people are environmentally conscious.

Shoreline has been an active partner with K4C (King County-Cities Climate Collaboration) for nearly 10 years. We can’t meet our goals without shifting away from fossil fuels. This is a good step. We can tinker with some of the Seattle provisions but current State policy does not yet allow us to reach those townhouses and single family dwellings. We will need to do that over time. We can’t do everything at once. And the building community likes consistency so that they don’t have to learn a new code in every city. That’s why we have an International Building Code now.

This will come back to the Council with the whole package for additional discussion.

Study item 8 (b) Discussion of Ordinance No. 942 - Amending Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 15.20 Landmark Preservation

Julie Ainsworth-Taylor,  Assistant City Attorney.


Since the City’s incorporation in 1995, the King County Landmarks Commission has been serving as the Shoreline Landmarks Commission. Chapter 15.20 of the Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC) incorporates by reference Chapter 20.62 of the King County Code. This incorporation, which occurred in 2003, is based on the provisions as they were then constituted rather than as they have subsequently been amended. This results in inconsistency between the regulations the King County Landmarks Commission is operating under and the City’s.

Staff recommends amending Shoreline Municipal Code to align this chapter with the King County Code and to update provisions consistent with City practices. One of the primary amendments in this proposed Ordinance is to transfer appeal authority from the City Council to the City Hearing Examiner.


DISCUSSION

One of my concerns was that the Code specifically talks about buildings but doesn’t address landscapes or natural areas or other features beyond the building. Are there any plans to address that piece?
  • Reply: We would have to add to the designation criteria language that we pulled from King County to expand the types of things we’d like to see qualifying for landmark status.
I would like to work with you and staff to figure out something along those lines. Part of the problem in our earlier discussion was that the Chapel sits on a large parcel of land with no clear boundary.
  • Reply: thank you. I will pull something together for you to look at.
Thank you. I don’t want to hold this part up though.

I share that concern. There are some Shoreline residences that are really remarkable because of the building but also because they are in a mature landscape setting that was planted at the time the house was built. Someday some of these might be landmarked, and I would be sorry to see the building landmarked as a house but the land around it converted to a miniature golf course.

When we recently discussed the reconsideration of the landmarks, it was painful not having a legal background and not understanding what we were allowed to consider vs. what we should consider vs. how we feel about things. So bringing this to the Hearing Examiner, you will have someone who is versed in the law making the decision. Is there any reason we would want to keep that control or are these decisions supposed to be made only on legal grounds?
  • Reply: The basic purpose of having a Hearing Examiner conduct these hearings is to have a professionally trained individual make objective decisions that are supported by an adequate record and that are free from political influences. Using a Hearing Examiner system allows city councils that might otherwise conduct these hearings to better concentrate on policy-making.
Responding to the above question, as a lawyer I thought we did great in how we handled that appeal. I though the hearing was very well run. I don’t believe our ability to handle it should be a consideration, but I think it should be moved to the Hearing Examiner because I don’t think that’s what Council should be spending their time on.

I thought we did a fine job too, but what if we didn’t? I felt it was borderline political simply because it came to us. Part of the discussion centered on the disagreement of how much land should be included in the landmark status. Fortunately we were in sync. But if we hadn’t been, we might have ended up making the wrong decision. Keeping it at an independent Hearing Examiner would make me feel more comfortable that a correct decision will be made.

I commend staff for cleaning that up the code as proposed. Without that, it is really messy and tricky regardless of who the decision-making authority is. Moving the decision to a Hearing Examiner is consistent with what we’ve done in the past and with what other cities have been moving to for years.

Are we all ok with this coming back on Consent at our next meeting September 13? We can look at options for surrounding property later.
No objections.


MEETING ADJOURNED



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New dahlia named after local dahlia grower Martin Král

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Shoreline resident Martin Král, left, holds the dahlia named for him, while grower Peter Haslhofer prepares to baptize it with wine.

By Martin Král

Although I have been growing dahlias for 50 years, I never got into exhibiting them, preferring instead to photograph and research dahlia cultivation and history. All that was instrumental in my quest to write and document this, mostly as contributor to Dahlias of Today, the annual of the local Puget Sound Dahlia Assn. That's not the way to become famous in dahlia shows, I learned.

However, I also knew other growers abroad, specifically in my home country of Austria. The most prominent among them, Peter Haslhofer, lives in the Salzkammergut at the foot of the Alps. 

I got to know him through another friend back in 2008. We have corresponded and visited Peter several times, and I was very impressed with his thorough knowledge and energy in behalf of dahlias. He is singularly responsible for introducing more than 200 new varieties!

When we made a home visit in 2019, we also stopped by his production farm to see new varieties. After that, we met Peter at his garden plot next to the cemetery in Windischgarsten. 

In Austria it is a requirement at most cemeteries that the gravesites be well-maintained and regularly supplied with floral displays, hence his lot providently next to the cemetery entrance. 

So I was quite surprised when he pointed out this new dahlia introduction to us and proceeded to give me the honor of 'baptizing' that lovely bloom in my name. 

Since importing such plant material to this country has a number of sanitary restrictions, I had to wait until this spring for a package of tubers to be forwarded to me. Maybe the variety will make a successful show dahlia, but it's already a hit in my garden right now.



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Free comic book day at Arcane Comics - pandemic style

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

How do you allow people to browse the racks for free comic books and still maintain social distancing? How do you protect the children who will make up at least half of your browsers?

Easy. You put the racks outside in the parking lot!

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Arcane Comics in Parkwood Plaza 15202 Aurora Ave N Suite A, Shoreline, WA 98133 didn't want to miss the annual Free Comic Book Day so they simply moved the racks of free comics outside the store.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Masked shoppers browsed inside the store, as well. Comics / graphic novels have an increasingly wide audience and Arcane is happy to provide.



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Case updates August 17, 2021 - are your kids' other vaccines up to date?

DOH has updated the state’s childhood immunization rate data, which shows that many school-aged children missed recommended vaccines in 2020. The decreases in pre-teen vaccine rates are especially concerning. Read the full news release here.

Case updates August 17, 2021 - no updates on weekends; otherwise "new" numbers represent one day's results
 

United States 
  • Total cases  37,097,850 - 141,893 new
  • Total deaths 621,344 - 822 new

Washington state 
  • Total confirmed cases 471,028 - 2,678 new  
  • Probable (additional) cases 49,705 - 841 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 29,141 - 162 new 
  • Total deaths 6,297 - 28 new 

King county 
  • Total confirmed cases 121,230 -  583 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 7,069 - 12 new 
  • Total deaths 1,716 -  6 new

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 29,694  - 171 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 1,549  -  4 new 
  • Total deaths 435 -  2 new

Shoreline  
  • Total confirmed cases 2,740 - 21 new
  • Total hospitalizations 218 -   1 new
  • Total deaths 104 - 0 new

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 370 - 2 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 18 -    0 new
  • Total deaths 4  - 0 new


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ShoreLake Arts Gallery Presents: Hannah Mason and Kellie Kawahara-Niimi


Hannah Mason and Kellie Kawahara-Niimi

August 18 - October 2, 2021

ShoreLake Arts Gallery is exhibiting a selection of works by Mixed-Media Artist Kellie Kawahara-Niimi and Printmaker Hannah Mason. See these works and the creations of other local artists during gallery hours: Wednesday – Saturday, Noon to 5pm. Located in Town Center at Lake Forest Park. You can also view and purchase art in the online shop!

The ShoreLake Arts Gallery is not-for-profit and features changing art exhibits on the walls every 6 weeks, as well as jewelry, ceramics, glass and more by over 100 local artists.

Kellie Kawahara-Niimi
Artist Bio


Kellie Kawahara-Niimi (pronouns: they/theirs) is a non-binary asian-american artist based in Seattle, Washington. Kellie uses their artwork as a way to communicate kindness, comfort and compassion to the world. Each piece is made with vulnerability and authenticity, which makes Kellie’s work feel comforting and relatable. The paintings invite the viewer to find a space of quiet rest and respite in an ever-moving world. Kellie’s insatiable curiosity pushes their boundaries of creativity, allowing for explorations into various art forms, mediums, techniques and styles.

Kellie has shown in galleries across the Pacific Northwest. They are currently artist-in-rotation at Ford Gallery in Portland, Oregon. They studied Art History and Arts Management at University of San Francisco.

Artist Statement

Kellie Kawahara-Niimi’s art is quiet and meditative. The art is a reminder to take time to rest and recover. Their work is about finding a quiet space for reflection-- finding ways to bring ourselves back into our bodies and to rediscover our humanness. Their pieces offer respite and whimsical escapes. Kellie’s aim with their art is to be able to bring a sense of pleasure and delight through vibrant resin paintings. The works evoke sensations of playfulness and discovery. They are approachable, yet thought-provoking and insightful.

Kellie believes that being an artist is audacious. Each decision made in the creative process is a practice in courage to create something in a society that criticizes and devalues the arts. Their life's work is to create spaces that allow us to recognize that any artwork created is needed and necessary. Kellie’s hope is to allow color and whimsy to bring us strength and perseverance.

www.kellie.love
Instagram: @kellie.love.art

Hannah Mason
Artist Bio


I’m joyfully surprised every day the sun comes out in the Pacific Northwest and try to get out in it as often as possible to go hiking or snowboarding. I hold a BA in business and work in the field of non-profit marketing and communications, raising awareness of social issues and solutions for youth and families. Art was always my favorite subject in school and I've been painting and drawing all of my life but I discovered and taught myself printmaking in 2017 and I've been all about it ever since. I have an affinity for owls, Instagram, good food and good friends and I live in Shoreline with my wonderful husband and our energetic Boston Terrier.

Artist Statement

Carving is an act of destroying and subtracting to create something new. I draw inspiration from nature and humanity and seek to inspire that love and appreciation in others through my work. I fell in love with printmaking for its graphic quality of lines and patterns; the repetitive nature of printing yet the chaotic imperfections of texture and ink. Soft and strong, power and grace, I'm drawn to the paradox. A constant observer, I’m a critic and lover of humanity, preferring to withdraw and engage from a distance through art, reading and small circles of friends.

www.hannahmason.com
Instagram: @hannah_mason_art
Facebook: @hmasonart

Visit our website to view their art!

The ShoreLake Arts Gallery is a program of ShoreLake Arts and is located inside the Town Center in Lake Forest Park on the lower level. 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

ShoreLake Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate creativity and inspire our community through the arts. Established in 1989.



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Letter to the Editor: Urge the City to retain trees at the 198th Project site

To the Editor:

The City of Shoreline, King County and Catholic Housing Services are in a partnership to build an affordable housing project on three land parcels at 19806 Aurora Ave N, 19804 Aurora Ave N and 1116 N 198th St. The City owns the land and is entering a 99 year ground lease with Catholic Housing Services. A 100-unit apartment complex with supportive services will be constructed on these land parcels. The combined properties have two zoning codes, MB (mixed business) and R-48. 

There are 14 significant trees on the combined properties. All the trees, but two, are permitted to be removed. Four groups (1) Friends of Echo Lake, (2) Echo Lake Waterfront Condominium residents, (3) Echo Lake residents, and (4) Save Shoreline Trees are trying to prevent the potential loss of these tall mature conifers and native trees by submitting written comments to Applicant’s filed responses to its SEPA checklist, citing misinformation or incompleteness. 

All the groups are urging the City to take an active role in the development of this Project to retain more of the trees because of their role in fighting climate change, heat island effects and the potential loss of habitat for resident aquatic wildlife and birds. Public comments can be emailed to the City project manager, Elise Keim (elise.keim@shorelinewa.gov) or for more information, email Ann Michel of Friends of Echo Lake.

Susanne Tsoming
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: Why were 34+ trees cut down on N 160th this month?

To the Editor:

Why, when the City commissioned a Climate Resiliency Study and a strategy to be resilient in the climate crisis was to preserve existing conifers? When the large conifers remove tons of carbon dioxide from the air and deciduous replacement trees can't ever do as much?

Why, when the City committed to reduce greenhouse emissions and for every ton of cement produced for sidewalks nearly one ton of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere?

Why, when equity is a goal for the City and the canopy is inequitably distributed and becoming more so, were 8-foot wide sidewalks required necessitating more tree removal? Why, with the Shoreline's heat islands and accompanying health issues?

Why are 8-foot wide sidewalks better than 6-foot in an area where use will be limited since there is nothing along the WSDOT property that will draw walkers even with the development down toward Aurora--no beauty or interest or, for a long time, shade.

Why is there no transparent process for mediating the need to preserve Shoreline's natural environment for the health of us all with the needs for safe transportation and pathways. The city refused to accept WSDOT's proposal to save the trees on N 160th with new 6-foot wide sidewalks. City officials have said the reason for 8-foot wide sidewalks is that this is the "best practice" for persons with disabilities. Of course meet ADA requirements of 4 feet wide, but why does that 8-foot wide sidewalk preferred by the City "best practice" trump preserving the trees for residents?

Beyond N 160th -- Why was there no transparency about the width of sidewalks in the sidewalk initiative? Why has the sidewalk width for Single Family Residential now been changed from 5 to 6 feet without our knowledge?

Barbara Johnstone
Shoreline
Tree Preservation Code Team



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Jobs: Nursery Attendant at Shoreline United Methodist Church

Nursery Attendant Wanted

Shoreline United Methodist Church is recruiting for a Nursery Attendant to provide safe care in our church's Nursery for the young children of families who participate in Sunday morning worship and the various ministries/activities offered by the church. To engage with children in worshipful experiences and faith practices through play, stories, song, and prayer.

Hours are 10am to 12pm every Sunday, with possible additional for special services. We have a multi-racial congregation, with English as the primary language.

Qualifications: Experience caring for children under the age of five.
  • Successful completion of a National Background Check.
  • Certification in infant/child CPR (or willing to be certified)
  • Ability to sit on the floor, stand, walk, and run with ease, as needed to care for children.
  • Ability to lift 40 lbs.

Requirements: A desire and willingness to care for and engage in play and faith practices with young children and families
  • Acceptance and adherence to position description as presented by ministry leaders (available upon interview), to be reviewed regularly for any changing church needs or updated legal requirements -- Conduct work in compliance with the church's Safe Sanctuaries Policy

Job Type: Part-time Beginning Salary: $13.75 per hour

Interested candidates can leave a message at the church office: 206-363-3040 or email to info@shorelineumc.org

Shoreline United Methodist Church is located at 14511 25th Ave NE, Shoreline WA 98155.



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Seattle Opera, like other arts organizations, will require audiences to be vaccinated

McCaw Hall photo by Cynthia Sheridan
Mask up and grab your vaccination card—or negative COVID-19 test—before attending a Seattle Opera performance. 

Beginning on September 1, 2021 audience members will be required to be vaccinated for all indoor performances and public events in the 2021/22 season.
  
Seattle Opera joins the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The 5th Avenue Theatre, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre, Seattle Rep, Village Theatre and others in the new vaccination requirement.

When attending a Seattle Opera event, patrons will need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (or proof of a negative COVID-19 test for exempted persons) for all public events at McCaw Hall and the Opera Center. As previously announced, masks are required except for when eating or drinking in designated areas.
  
Children under 12 and people with a medical condition or closely held religious belief that prevents vaccination must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of the performance start time. A negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 12 hours of the performance start time is also acceptable.

Opera Center programs designed for youth will not require vaccination.



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Log Boom Park closed until June 2022

Log Boom Park is under construction. Photo courtesy City of Kenmore.

Construction has begun on the Log Boom Park Waterfront Access and Viewing Project.

The park will be closed for construction until June 2022. This month, Road Construction Northwest will complete clearing and grubbing activities which will include demolition of the existing east-west path that will be replaced, invasive species removal in the wetlands and shoreline buffer, removal of vegetation and trees in the location where the new sandy beach will be constructed. 

Of the original eight (8) trees that were identified for removal, only five (5) will be removed. The other three (3) will be protected during construction. Some of the felled trees will be reused as “habitat Logs” along the shoreline. 

This fall, the project will plant 111 new upland native plants including 30 large conifer trees, 17 large and 64 small deciduous trees, and over a thousand shrubs.

Reminder: The parking lot at Log Boom Park is also closed. Please respect our park neighbors (including businesses) and do not park on their private property.

Log Boom Park is located at 17415 61st Ave NE, in Kenmore at the head of Lake Washington.




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State Commission begins the process to redraw legislative and congressional districts in Washington

In 2010, all of Shoreline ended up in one
district but included a section of northwest
Seattle, Woodway, part of Edmonds, some
of Lynnwood, and a few blocks of
Mountlake Terrace. Map from Wikipedia
Every ten years, after the census, the Washington State Redistricting Committee redraws all the legislative and congressional maps. 

It's a challenging process and cities outside of Seattle lobby hard to end up in the same district, something which is not always possible. 

Another goal is to keep from having districts cross the mountains so people and representatives don't have to cross a mountain pass in winter to attend a district event.

With the 2020 Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary Files from the U.S. Census Bureau now in hand, the Washington State Redistricting Commission (WSRC) met on Monday, August 16, 2021 and agreed to a schedule of important dates and deadlines that will lead to the delivery of final legislative and congressional district maps by Monday, November 15.

“After having received the official data from the Census Bureau, we knew it would be important to settle on additional dates that will govern our processes so the public knows what they can expect from their redistricting commission as it moves towards the final deadline,” said Commission Chair Sarah Augustine. 
“Due to delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline is compressed in a way that leaves us less than three months to develop and publicize draft maps, receive public feedback, and agree on final maps.”

Important dates to note:
  • End of August – DrawYourWA mapping tool will be live with the official Census Bureau redistricting data and the state’s adjusted data based on relocation of persons in state custody to their last known address for purposes of redistricting. We will inform the public as soon as the data has been uploaded.
  • Tuesday, September 21 – Commissioners will each release their proposed state legislative district map.
  • Tuesday, September 28 – Commissioners will each release their proposed congressional district map.
  • Tuesday, October 5 (7 p.m.) – Statewide Virtual Public Outreach Meeting to receive feedback on state legislative map proposals.
  • Saturday, October 9 (10 a.m.) - Statewide Virtual Public Outreach Meeting to receive feedback on congressional map proposals.
  • Friday, October 22 – Deadline to ensure full consideration of third-party map submissions by the Commission.
  • Monday, November 15 (11:59 p.m.) – Deadline for Commission to submit final maps to the Legislature.

The PL 94-171 data, originally expected by April 1, 2021, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By law, Washington state uses the PL data to draft new legislative and congressional district maps that will apply to elections over the next decade. The law also directs the Redistricting Commission to relocate individuals in state custody to their last known address for purposes of redistricting.

Data experts are currently unpacking the data so that it can be uploaded to the mapping system that the commissioners will use to draft maps. The same data will be available for those who wish to use the DrawYourWA mapping tool to draft and send third-party map submissions for the commission’s consideration.

For the first time, the public can log on to a mapping tool found at www.redistricting.wa.gov and draft their own visions of what our legislative and congressional districts should look like,” Augustine said. “We look forward to seeing how the people of Washington think their districts should be drawn with the official data.”

Given the compressed timeline for drafting and negotiating legislative and congressional district maps, the commission suggests that those submitting third-party maps do so by October 22 so that commissioners have enough time to review and consider the submissions. Despite the suggested deadline, the public will be able to send their comments regarding the WSRC’s work right up to November 15 using one of many methods found at the “How to Participate” page on the WSRC website.

You can find more information about the Washington State Redistricting Commissionat our website. You can watch our meetings live and recorded on TVW or YouTube. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Sign up here to receive press releases and media advisories.



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Inslee announces educator vaccination requirement and statewide indoor mask mandate

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Inslee announces educator vaccination requirement at press conference
Photo courtesy Governor's office

Today, Governor Inslee announced vaccination requirements for educators and child care workers and expanded the mask requirement across the state.

Educator vaccine requirement

K -12 educators, school staff, coaches, bus drivers, school volunteers and others working in school facilities will have until October 18, 2021 to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment. 

The requirement includes public, private and charter schools, and comes as schools across the state prepare to return for the 2021–2022 school year amid rapidly increasing case and hospitalization numbers. This does not impact students, regardless of age.

“It has been a long pandemic, and our students and teachers have borne their own unique burdens throughout,” Inslee said. “This virus is increasingly impacting young people, and those under the age of 12 still can’t get the vaccine for themselves. We won’t gamble with the health of our children, our educators and school staff, nor the health of the communities they serve.”
“As our school buildings reopen this fall for in-person learning, vaccination of our school employees will be a key mitigation measure to protect the health and safety of our students, staff, and families,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. “Our ability to maintain continued in-person learning without major COVID-related disruptions will depend on low virus transmission within our schools. I appreciate the governor’s leadership in taking this important step in the fight against the spread of this virus.”

As with state employees and private healthcare workers, there will be no test out option. Unions may bargain with school districts to negotiate time off to receive the vaccine or recover from symptoms of the vaccine. Just like the state worker mandate, there are limited exceptions under law which employees may apply for, including legitimate medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs. Individuals who refuse to get vaccinated will be subject to dismissal.

Higher education and childcare/early learning

Inslee also announced a vaccine requirement for employees in Washington’s higher education institutions, as well as for most childcare and early learning providers who serve children from multiple households.

Education staff, faculty and contractors are required to be fully vaccinated by October 18, consistent with the state worker vaccination requirement timeline.

Childcare providers affected by the requirement include the following groups
  • Licensed, certified and contracted early learning and childcare programs
  • License-exempt early learning, childcare and youth-development programs
  • Contractors (coaches, volunteers, trainers, etc.)

Not included in this mandate are providers delivering FFN (family, friends and neighbors) care.

Statewide mask mandate

The governor also announced that the existing statewide mask mandate will be expanded to once again include vaccinated individuals in indoor settings effective Monday, August 23.

The expansion comes after Washington recently broke the previous record for COVID hospitalizations set in December. Every county in the state currently falls within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) substantial or high transmission, and each of the state’s 35 local health officers recently recommended all individuals wear masks indoors.

“In Washington we continue to see an increase of cases, hospitalizations,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health. “Vaccines are safe and effective, but they take time to work. As our vaccination efforts continue, we are asking the public to take additional protections to help slow the spread of COVID in communities. Wearing a mask helps to protect yourself and each other.”

The mask mandate will apply to most all public places across the state, including restaurants, grocery stores, malls and public-facing offices, regardless of vaccination status.

There will be limited exceptions when face coverings won’t be required, such as office spaces not easily accessible to the public where individuals are vaccinated, and when working alone indoors or in a vehicle with no public face-to-face interaction. Small, private indoor gatherings where all attendees are vaccinated are also exempt.

“We have seen over the last year how widespread masking also saves lives by reducing infection,” Inslee said. “I know this will frustrate some vaccinated folks who thought they wouldn’t have to do this anymore. There are not enough people vaccinated. The result is the explosive growth of a much more infectious strain, the Delta variant, and its increasingly concerns impacts on people of all ages.”

While not required, the Department of Health strongly recommends individuals also wear masks in crowded outdoor settings, such as outdoor concerts, fairs and farmers markets.



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In the Garden Now: Echinacea ‘Sombrero Orange Flamenco Cone Flower’

Echinacea ‘Sombrero Orange Flamenco Cone Flower’
Flower and photo by Victoria Gilleland

By Victoria Gilleland

This knockout perennial is one of summer’s brightest stars. The orange-red daisy like flowers are a must have for those who love hot colors! They bloom from early summer into fall. The more sun the more flowers!

Cone flowers make a great addition to mixed borders or cutting gardens. Here's a bonus: Birds love the dried flower heads so leave those spent flowers in place at the end of summer to feed our feathered friends. Every sunny garden should grow these stunning plants.

(Echinacea hybrida ‘Sombrero Flamenco Orange)



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Proof that it rained

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

For those of you who were born since the last time it rained - and those of you who slept through it  - this is what rain looks like.




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Case updates August 16, 2021 - Delta variant drives dramatic spike in cases

Delta variant from WebMD
Delta variant drives dramatic spike in cases, further exhausting hospital capacity across the state. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are accelerating across the state. 

Unvaccinated people are being hit hardest, and public health officials continue to urge everyone who has not gotten fully vaccinated to do so immediately. More information here.


Case updates August 16, 2021 - no updates on weekends; otherwise "new" numbers represent one day's results
 

United States 
  • Total cases  36,951,181 - 113,993 new
  • Total deaths 620,493 - 535 new

Washington state 
  • Total confirmed cases 468,350 - 1,947 new  
  • Probable (additional) cases 48,864 - 383 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 28,979 - 175 new 
  • Total deaths 6,269 - 21 new 

King county 
  • Total confirmed cases 120,647 -  258 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 7,057 - 30 new 
  • Total deaths 1,710 -  5 new

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 29,523  - 73 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 1,545  -  6 new 
  • Total deaths 433 -  1 new

Shoreline  
  • Total confirmed cases 2,719 - 3 new
  • Total hospitalizations 217 -   2 new
  • Total deaths 104 - 1 new

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 368 - 0 new 
  • Total hospitalizations 18 -    0 new
  • Total deaths 4  - 0 new



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Reminder: Food drive for Hopelink ends Friday at 5pm


The City of Shoreline would like to remind you that donations of canned and boxed food for Hopelink are being collected this week, August 16 - 20, 2021. 

Food can be dropped off at city hall Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
 
Food Donation Drop Off - Shoreline City Hall: 17500 Midvale Ave N
August 16 - 20, 8:00 am -5:00 pm

It doesn't have to be artfully arranged and you don't have to take a photo.






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Bale Breaker beer tasting at The Local 104

On Thursday August 26, 2021 The Local 104 will be joined by the great people who make Bale Breaker beer. 

We will have food specials created from produce off the farm situated at the brewery and flights of their fantastic beer. 

Come join us from 4pm to 7pm and say Hi!




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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Back by Popular Demand (already)

 


ShoreLake Arts just staged a three day Battle of the Bands at Pfingst Animal Acres Park in Lake Forest Park. Local bands performed for a cash prize and recording session. (see story here)



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Jobs: Shoreline Community College Career Navigator

Shoreline Community College is recruiting for the following position:
Career Navigator – Automotive

Date of first consideration: 9/7/21

Interested applicants may apply at www.shoreline.edu/hr for our full-time and part-time positions. It’s easy to search for open positions using the search bar and filtering tools.

Job description and application



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Shoreline’s Proposition 1 will not appear on November general election ballot

James Keough Park will have to wait. Photo from Google maps

On June 28, 2021 the Shoreline City Council voted to place Proposition 1, a bond measure to make park improvements and acquire and improve park land, on the November 2 general election ballot. Regrettably, City staff did not submit the required documentation to King County Elections by the required deadline of August 3, 2021. As a result, Proposition 1 will not appear on the November ballot.

Filing deadlines are set by State law and are clear in their intent. King County Elections notified the City that they are unable to make exceptions.

We appreciate how frustrating this is and deeply regret it. Many people have worked so hard to advance a park bond proposition to this point. As an organization, we pride ourselves on our professionalism and the hard work we do for this community. However, on this occasion, we missed the mark. We are committed to learning from our mistake to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. This is reflected in our organizational value of integrity – Act with honesty, openness, and accountability.

We anticipate that the City Council will discuss whether to place the bond measure on a future ballot in the next few months.

--City of Shoreline



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Shoreline Walks: Ridgecrest Neighborhood Walk this Saturday

Shoreline Walks photo by City of Shoreline


Ridgecrest Neighborhood Walk this Saturday

Join walk leader Donna on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 10:00am for a free walk around the Ridgecrest Neighborhood - including walking footpaths of three parks. 

The guided walk begins at the Ridgecrest Elementary School parking lot and is 3.5 miles long with a rating of moderate for some hills and trails.

The free group walk is part of the City of Shoreline’s “Shoreline Walks” community walking program helping Shoreline adults stay active, meet new people (or connect with old friends) and feel safer and more confident exploring our city by foot. 

No need to sign up, just show up at the meetup location. For more information on Shoreline Walks, please visit www.shorelinewa.gov/shorelinewalks or call Recreation Specialist, Marianne Johnson at 206-801-2638.

Saturday, August 21, 10:00am
Ridgecrest Neighborhood Walk


Explore the neighborhood around Ridgecrest Elementary School, passing through the Ridgecrest business district, walking footpaths through three parks, and enjoying monster displays and a miniature fairyland. The walk has hills, two of which are rather steep, but short. About 1/3 of the walk is along forested trails in parks.


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