AG data breach report: 2021 sets new record for number of data breaches and ransomware attacks

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Attorney General Bob Ferguson released his sixth annual Data Breach Report today. 

In the last year, breached businesses and agencies sent 6.3 million notices to Washingtonians — by far the largest number of notifications sent to Washingtonians since the Attorney General’s Office began tracking this number. 

2018 set the previous record of 3.5 million breach notices sent to Washingtonians.

The report finds that the number of data breaches reported to the Attorney General’s Office also skyrocketed to 280, blowing past the previous record of 78 and last year’s total of 60. In other words, this year’s total represents a 500 percent increase over last year.

Additionally, the report identifies a tremendous spike in cyberattacks and ransomware incidents.

Ransomware — a type of cyberattack in which cybercriminals use malicious code to hold data hostage in hopes of receiving a ransom payment from the data holders — represents a growing and significant threat to consumers and businesses. The Attorney General’s Office recorded 150 ransomware incidents in 2021 — more than the previous five years combined.

The report includes recommendations to policymakers and best practices for the public to protect their data and minimize risks.

The public can access the Attorney General’s database of breaches here.

More information HERE



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Haitian-American baritone brings music of Rum and Rebellion to life in Shoreline performance Nov 19


Acclaimed Haitian-American baritone Jean Bernard Cerin makes his Seattle area debut as Classical Uncorked presents Rum and Rebellion at Black Coffee Northwest in Shoreline.

Experience the music behind the turbulent crossroads of politics, the rum industry, and the transatlantic slave trade in the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. 

Savor a selection of 18th century songs and tunes by Black British writer, abolitionist, and merchant Ignatius Sancho as well as Brazilian composer JosĂ© Mauricio Nuñes Garcia, grandson of sugar cane plantation slaves. 

The program also features works by Caribbean-born Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint Georges, Haitian composer Justin Elie, and pioneering American song collector Maud Cuney Hare.

Classical Uncorked believes that you don’t have to be Classically trained to enjoy Classical music. 

An artist-driven, audience-funded cooperative, it is dedicated to bringing music from historically excluded musicians and composers to audiences around the Seattle area. Our welcoming and unpretentious events will delight first-time and experienced concertgoers alike. So prepare to have fun, learn a few things, and drink something tasty. 

Rum and Rebellion presented by Classical Uncorked
Jean Bernard Cerin, baritone; Tekla Cunningham, violin; Henry Lebedinsky, piano

Friday, November 19, 2021, 7:30pm

VENUE. Black Coffee Northwest, 16743 Aurora Ave. N; Shoreline, WA 98133

TICKETS: $25, available at http://classicaluncorked.com. A limited number of reduced price tickets are available upon request.

COVID PROTOCOL: In accordance with King County regulations, face coverings and proof of vaccination required for entry.



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Double rainbow on Echo Lake

Saturday, November 6, 2021

 
Photo by Gregg Haughian

Getting scenic photos, it helps if your normal view is the scenic Echo Lake in Shoreline. Double rainbows are special, though.



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Case update November 4, 2021 - two day's worth for national and state and no data for King county

COVID Case updates 
November 3 and November 4 combined


United States 
  • Total cases  46,268,465 - 167,988 new   
  • Total deaths  749,876 -  3,171 new    

Washington state 
  • Total confirmed cases 650,302 -  3,560 new  
  • Total hospitalizations 40,831 -  194 new    
  • Statewide ICU occupancy by COVID-19 patients - 24.6% 
  • Total deaths 8,798 -  71 new  

Levels of Community Transmission:
based on the number of new cases per 100,000 residents in the past 7 days:

High: ≥ 100
Substantial: 50-99
Moderate: 10-49
Low: < 10

Sorry - the King county dashboard is not loading in. It has been an evening of technical difficulties. Tomorrow will be a better day.

The following numbers have not been updated.

King county 
  • Total confirmed cases 156,099 -  357 new   
  • Total hospitalizations 8,493 -   11 new  
  • Total deaths 2,028 -  6 new     
  • Level of community transmission HIGH 

Seattle 
  • Total confirmed cases 38,410  -  73 new   
  • Total hospitalizations 1,814  -   3 new 
  • Total deaths 504  -   0 new
  • Level of community transmission SUBSTANTIAL  

Shoreline  
  • Total confirmed cases 3,394 -  6 new  94
  • Total hospitalizations 243 -   0 new   
  • Total deaths 112 - 1 new
  • Level of community transmission: HIGH  

Lake Forest Park 
  • Total confirmed cases 557 - 0 new   
  • Total hospitalizations 22 -    0 new
  • Total deaths 5  - 0 new
  • Level of community transmission: SUBSTANTIAL


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Plant Trees with Us at Green Shoreline Day 2021 Saturday Nov 13

Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 9am to 12pm is Green Shoreline Day as the Green Shoreline Partnership plants the future forest of FOUR Shoreline parks, including Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, Paramount Open Space Park, North City Park, and Twin Ponds Park.


Forterra and its Green City Partnerships announce Green Shoreline 2021, when community volunteers come out to local parks to work alongside other volunteers and our Forest Stewards. Working together, volunteers help restore green spaces to their natural state and make the area more resilient to climate change.

All are welcome to attend and no experience is necessary! Sign up in advance to save your spot to plant with us. Help us to build healthy habitat and build a healthy community. 



Plant Trees with Us at Green Shoreline Day 2021

Give back to your community and help restore our parks through a morning of volunteering
  • November 13, 2021 from 9am to noon at theseShoreline Parks: 
    • North City Park
    • Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
    • South Twin Ponds 
    • Paramount Open Space
  • Anyone can join- no experience necessary! We will train you when you arrive.
  • We provide all tools—from shovels and loppers to gloves.
  • Activities can include planting young trees and plants to removing invasive and noxious weeds.

“Days like these serve as a reminder of the diligent efforts of our Restoration Stewards. Green Shoreline Day is a celebration of their avid work and my hope for the day is to further support their valiant efforts by recruiting more community based volunteers!”

-Joseph Callaghan, City of Shoreline Senior Parks Urban Forester

Green City Partnerships began sixteen years ago in 2004, when Forterra and the City of Seattle responded to a critical need to sustain and improve the health of forested parks and urban greenspaces in Seattle’s neighborhoods.

More than a decade and a half later, Green City Partnerships and its Green City Days bring together community members and city partners who are dedicated to Washington’s forested parks, natural areas and communities.

“Green City Days and tree planting are a great way to get outside, dig-in, and come together as a community to support the many benefits our forested parks and urban tree provide—from CO2 reduction to reducing urban heat zones and as a natural habitat for wildlife,” said Joanna Nelson de Flores, Forterra Restoration and Stewardship Managing Director.



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New Lake Forest Park councilmembers

New LFP Councilmembers Lebo, Furutani, Goldman

King County had counted 566,291 ballots by the end of day Friday, November 5, 2021. 

With only 36,000 ballots to count for all of King County, there will be little movement in Lake Forest Park elections. Daily updates will be issued until the election is certified on November 23, 2021.

Voter turnout across the county was 40.58%.

New councilmembers as of January 1, 2022:
  • Tracy Furutani
  • Jon Lebo
  • Larry Goldman
They will join Semra Riddle, Phillippa Kassover, Lorri Bodi, and Tom French

The current council serves until the end of 2021.

Prop 1 for parks and sidewalks was soundly defeated. The most common concern expressed was that it was a perpetual tax.

Funding sidewalks and parks is expected to be high on the list for the 2022 council.


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3,000 doses of Pfizer child vaccines scheduled for Shoreline Schools students

Photo courtesy UW Med
By Diane Hettrick

Shipments of Pfizer vaccines for children 5-11 have been sent to all states.

The initial supply is not sufficient for the demand but more is expected.

A generous share of Washington's allotment came to Shoreline through University of Washington Medicine. 

Presumably we were given a large amount because of the longstanding relationship among UW Med, Shoreline Fire, the School District, and Shoreline Community College to administer vaccines.

Everything here was already in place so vaccinations began immediately.

UW Med and Shoreline Fire have been conducting pop up clinics at Shoreline Community College for age 12 to adult. These clinics will continue until mid-December.

Shoreline Schools set up a schedule for Saturday and Sunday so that every elementary school in the district has a 1.5 hour window for vaccinations. Scheduling was done online.

All the appointments have been booked for the weekend. No walk-ins can be accommodated.

UW Med will be offering future appointments from their waitlist. To get on the waitlist for an appointment, call 844-520-9700. 

When an appointment is available, the UW will call you or text you. You can schedule on the phone or online (definitely recommended).

There are many people already on the waitlist so waiting is not advisable.



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Shoreline Police: Ransacked

Our business owners continue to be victimized by those who choose to take what doesn't belong to them.



On the morning of Sunday October 10, 2021 at 2:02am, our 9-1-1 communications center received notification of an audible burglar alarm at a convenience store in the 17500 block of Aurora Ave N in Shoreline.


Deputies arrived and saw the store had been ransacked. The business owner told deputies that there were several missing items from the cashier area.


The owner provided surveillance footage of the burglary. The male is seen grabbing various items near the register before leaving the store.


The suspect is a taller black male, wearing black leggings, black shorts, a black sweater, and a gray backpack.

If you can identify the suspect, please contact our 24-hour non-emergency number at 206-296-3311, and reference case #C21032077.

--King County Sheriff's Office



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Counselors available for Einstein students following the death of a classmate



Einstein Middle School
photo courtesy Shoreline Schools
On Friday, following the news of the murder of 13 years old Einstein 8th grader A.J. Brown, Einstein Middle School had counselors, staff and other support staff were available for students, staff and families. 

This support is available on an ongoing basis. 

Principal Nyla Fritz shared the news at the school and made space for discussions about how students were feeling. 

To parents, she said "If you believe your child needs additional support, please let us know.

"You may want to talk with your child about this tragic loss as well. The death of a friend and classmate may cause a variety of reactions from your child. Be watchful for any of the signs listed below or if you see other sudden or dramatic changes in your student’s attitude or behavior.
  • Persistent unhappiness, negativity, irritability, anger and rage
  • Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
  • Increased social isolation; poor communication
  • Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
  • Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomach aches
  • Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
  • A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
  • Talk of or efforts to run away from home
"Please do not hesitate to contact your child's counselor if you have any questions or concerns about your child's academic, social, emotional and/or mental wellbeing. We are here as a resource and support.

"Our hearts go out to A.J.’s mom and his entire family and everyone who is impacted by his death."

Friends of the family have set up a Go Fund Me page for A.J.'s mother, to help with expenses. Donations can be made here.

Federal Way police say that they are unaware of any connection A.J. had to Federal Way. They are in contact with the family and actively working the case. Anyone with any information is asked to call Federal Way Police at 253-835-2121.



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Support veterans' Buddy Poppy event with donations at Fred Meyer Friday and Saturday

Friday, November 5, 2021


VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 3348 will be at the Shoreline Fred Meyer at 185th and Aurora on Friday and Saturday, November 5th and 6th, 2021 from 9:30am to 5:00pm with Buddy Poppies and smaller American Flags. 

All of your donations for these items go toward veterans in need.

All of our VFW Post 3348 veterans, who will be there, are vaccinated. 

The VFW is authorized by the U.S. government to use the term “Buddy Poppy” to raise funds for it charitable programs. 

We typically allocate our own donations to local organizations such as the following:
  • The Veteran Homes in Orting and Port Orchard
  • Shoreline Veterans Center (Compass Housing Alliance)
  • Gold Star Memorials
  • USO Northwest (SeaTac)
  • Fisher House Puget Sound (serving the Seattle VA Hospital)

VFW volunteers have been offering Buddy Poppies since 1922. The poppies were inspired by the poem "In Flanders Field" about the dead of World War I.

        In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

--Colonel John McCrae

Every year, more than 13 million people donate for and wear a VFW Buddy Poppy to honor veterans. 

Since 1922, the VFW has offered “Buddy” Poppies in exchange for donations to raise funds for its charitable programs on behalf of needy and disabled veterans, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.

In keeping with its pledge “No one does more for veterans,” Buddy Poppy events are conducted exclusively by volunteers from VFW Posts.



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Steve Hanson appointed as interim President of Shoreline Community College

Steve Hanson, Interim President
Shoreline Community College
At an October 27, 2021, special meeting, the Shoreline Community College Board of Trustees identified the College’s next leader to serve in the Interim President appointment. 

Effective November 15, 2021, through June 30, 2022, Steve Hanson will serve as Interim President of Shoreline Community College, while the College completes a national search for the next permanent President.

"Our campus community heartily welcomes Mr. Hanson," said Phillip King, Acting President of Shoreline Community College. 
"Looking forward, Steve will be great as our interim president and the entire college is eager to work with him. Shoreline Community College is a place full of opportunities, both personally and professionally for our staff and students."

Interim President Hanson shared that “it is an honor and privilege to serve as Shoreline Community College’s interim president. I look forward to working in partnership with Shoreline’s remarkable faculty and staff as we continue our shared commitment to inclusive excellence in teaching and learning, student success, and community engagement.”
 
Interim President Hanson joins the College after a robust selection process which included a campus open forum and interviews with constituency leads and two Board of Trustee members. With over thirty years of administrative and teaching experience, including positions as President, Executive Vice President for Instruction, Dean, Division Chair, and Department Head, the College looks forward to welcoming Interim President Hanson to an executive leadership role.



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Red Sky Gallery begins gift show with reception honoring Wonderland on Saturday

 

Forget supply chain problems and do your holiday shopping locally. Red Sky Gallery in Lake Forest Park Town Center has unique art and jewelry for your gift-giving needs.

The opening reception is this Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 4 - 6pm. A silent auction will benefit Wonderland Children's Services - a Shoreline based organization that helps 0-3 aged children with developmental delays.

Wonderland recently opened Hope Rising, a clinic in Lynnwood specifically for children born with drug and alcohol issues. The clinic is unique in the country.

Red Sky is on the upper level of Town Center at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE in Lake Forest Park.




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Shoreline Public Schools Foundation is named as a recipient of Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant Award

Gesa Rep, Brandon Allison
SPSF ED, Cindy Pridemore
SSD Supt, Susana Reyes
Gesa Branch Manager, Lynnwood Gabe Navaja

Shoreline Public Schools Foundation is named as a recipient of Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant Award

The Foundation will fund Shorewood’s 2022 Write and Ready College Workshop with this award.

As one of 23 recipients in Washington state, the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation received $5000 in funding.

“Gesa recognizes and appreciates our local heroes who serve our communities across Washington state,” said Richard Waddle, Executive Vice President of Gesa Credit Union. “We’re thrilled to honor the invaluable work that the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation has done, and we thank them for their selfless efforts in serving our community.”

 

Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant Program provides grants to organizations that support local heroes including firefighters, law enforcement, teachers and veterans in the state of Washington.

“For being free to all students, this workshop is incredible. This workshop feels like a top-tier college process, AND it was easily accessible to all students. The effort that Ms. Stephens and everyone else involved put into this workshop totally showed and does not go unnoticed by the students. This is an EXCELLENT use of donations.” ~ Shorewood Student

The Shoreline Public Schools Foundation funds opportunities for educational success. Every school year, the Foundation supports learning opportunities for students. Our donors provide funds to support classroom teachers, school staff and District wide programming. These learning experiences help students make a greater connection to their learning, spark a passion, or meet a special need. For more Information visit www.shorelinefoundation.org



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Did you have comics or collectibles stolen recently? Seattle Police may have them


By Detective Patrick Michaud
Seattle Police

A large cache of collectibles are Far From Home, having been taken by thieves and recovered by Seattle police during an October investigation. Now detectives are trying to find their Origins and return them to their rightful owner.

Officers investigating a stolen box truck in October recovered multiple containers full of vintage comic books, Pop! figurines, and action figures. Detectives followed several leads in an attempt to track down the owner of the items, but came up short of their Endgame (returning them).

If you believe these items may be yours, or know someone who recently lost a number of similar items in a theft, please contact detectives with some proof of ownership so we can give these items a proper Homecoming. If you have any similar items in storage, but haven’t checked on them recently, please do so. If anything’s missing, please make a report.

If no one claims these items, we, by policy have to destroy them. Help save these comics and collectibles from an Apocalypse and contact detectives at SPDGIU@Seattle.gov and reference case number 2021-276209.


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Shoreline Council seeks volunteers for voters’ pamphlet pro and con committees for Shoreline Proposition 1: General Obligation Bonds Parks Improvements and Park Land Acquisition

Shoreline seeks volunteers to write statement on parks bond
At their November 1 meeting, the Shoreline City Council unanimously approved placing a bond measure for parks improvements and park land acquisition on the February 8, 2022, special election ballot. 

The measure includes money for park improvements and park land acquisitions.

Accompanying the February ballots will be the King County Voters’ Pamphlet. 

The pamphlet will include an explanatory statement from the City that states the effect of the bond measure if approved. 

In response will be statements in support and opposition to the ballot measure. State law requires the City Council to appoint two committees to draft the pro and con statements. The committees can have no more than three members each; however, the committees may seek advice from any person or persons. The committees will also have an opportunity to write a rebuttal statement to the other side’s statement.

Individuals interested in applying for one of the committee positions can fill out an online application. Applications are due by November 18 at 10:00 a.m. The City Council will review the applications and appoint the committee members at its November 22 business meeting.

To learn more about the requirements for the voter’s pamphlet and the duties of the pro and con committees, review the 2022 Jurisdiction Manual at King County Elections.



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13 year old Einstein student found shot to death in Federal Way

Photo courtesy Federal Way Police
According to the Federal Way Mirror

At about 7:30 a.m. Nov. 3 near the 37200 block of 20th Avenue South, Federal Way officers responded to the scene where a deceased person was found in a park.

The person was subsequently identified as an almost 14 year old male who attended Einstein Middle School in Shoreline.

The area where he was found is just south of Wild Waves theme park, about 35 miles from Shoreline.

Cause of death was a gunshot wound and police are investigating it as a homicide. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Federal Way Police at 253-835-2121.

Locally, a Go Fund Me page has been set up to help his mother with end of life expenses.



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Thursday's election numbers for LFP Council races and Prop 1

City of Lake Forest Park

Ballots Counted: 4,737

* Registered Voters: 10,364

  • Council position 3 - Jon Lebo has a substantial lead over Stephanie Angelis - 2739 to 1521 (1218)
  • Council position 5 - Tracy Furutani's lead has increased over Maddy Larson  2414 to 1861  (553)
  • Council position 7 - In what was looking like a dead heat yesterday, Larry Goldman is pulling away from Paul Sanford today - 2251 to 2026 (225)
  • Prop 1's chances have not improved today. The Yes vote is 1582 but the No vote is 3093 (1511) 2:1 no to yes.


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Notes from Shoreline Council meeting November 1, 2021

Pam Cross, reporter
Shoreline City Council Meeting
November 1, 2021

Notes by Pam Cross

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

Proclamation
I, Will Hall, Mayor of the City of Shoreline, on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, recognize that November is NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH and encourage all residents to learn more and to support the work of Native people and organizations.

Approval of the Agenda
Agenda adopted by unanimous consent.

Report of the City Manager’s Office, Debbie Tarry

COVID-19 UPDATE
There is encouraging news: case rates continue to slowly decline statewide. But we are still at a level of high transmission of COVID-19 infections. Shoreline has had a 13% increase in cases in the last week. So we must continue to take precautions.

Get vaccinated or Schedule a Booster Shot.


The Public Health Order is in effect for all of King County and applies to Spartan Recreational Center.
 

Access to the Interurban Pedestrian Bridges has been restored!

Contractors installed security fencing that isolates and protects the broken glass panels. Future repair work may involve full or limited closure of the bridges. Police continue to investigate the vandalism to the glass panels and ask that anyone who has information regarding the incident to call Shoreline police at 206-296-3311.


Through November 16, 2021 Virtual OPEN HOUSE: N 148th Street Non-motorized bridge


Council Reports


Councilmember Robertson shared that she was happy to be a part of the planning and execution of the Second Ever Ridgecrest Halloween Parade. This is a totally grassroots event provided as a COVID-SAFE alternative to Trick or Treating. She estimated there were at least 1,200 people that attended.

Councilmember Chang attended multiple meetings last week related to work for the Regional Transit Committee which oversees KingCo Metro.The committee is currently working on documents that control how Metro services are added, restructured and reduced.They are working on a number of amendments that all the members of the Sound Cities Association can agree on. She commended Shoreline staff Nytasha Walters, Transportation Services Manager, and Jim Hammond, Intergovernmental/CMO Program Manager, who have been putting in a significant amount of work with staff from all of the other cities in the Caucus to work on these amendments.

Public Comment

Jackie Kurle, Shoreline
I encourage continued oversight and maximum transparency to the public regarding activities surrounding the shelter both for the residents who benefit from the services as well as the community as a whole. We would appreciate regular updates.

Kathleen Russell, Shoreline, Tree Preservation Code Team
All of the trees in Shoreline contribute to the tree canopy: the neighborhood trees, the park trees, and the public street trees. We hope Shoreline will continue to be known for its trees. We have proposed several tree code amendments. On Oct 28 Senior Planner Steve Szafran made a presentation to the PRCS/Tree Board regarding the submitted code amendments. It took 6 months to get the response. On Nov 18 to we hope to have the opportunity at the Planning Commission meeting to respond to the city staff recommendations, including the many denials regarding these codes. During the code presentation to the PRCS/Tree Board, Chair Bill Franklin made interesting comments about trees and designing buildings around trees. I urge elected officials and members of the Planning Commission to listen to his comments. The meeting was video recorded but only the audio link is available on the City’s website. His comments begin at 1:40:07.

Nancy Morris, Shoreline
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) started this week in Glasgow, Scotland to address climate change. We know we will not stop climate change but we will only mitigate the worst. We can’t save everything. Actions speak louder than words.Developers need to design projects around existing mature trees. Let there be a mandate rather than a cavalier approach to removing trees to prevent use of code loopholes, or failure to even try to redesign projects to save existing mature trees. Other cities are way ahead of Shoreline in protecting our mature conifers.

Mary Ellen Stone, Shoreline
I want to reinforce the importance of trees. Also, people need to support the park bond.

Nancy Pfeil, Shoreline
In September we contacted the City for a phone number for somebody who has the authority over the . lot at 16347 Aurora, south of The Oaks Shelter. We received two names at Lake City Partners. A LCP staff member told us that they have no authority over the parking lot. We sent an email to another person at LCP but have not had a response. 6 weeks have passed. We just learned that the property was sold in June 2021 and is now owned by Catholic Community Services. I realize the County can sell to whomever they want, but we were very surprised that our community had not been advised of this transaction. It wasn’t even mentioned when we contacted the City for information in September 2021. It is my understanding that the MOA with the LCP, the County and Shoreline - what does the change of ownership do to this agreement and the few guardrails that were put in place? Last week we encountered a homeless person living on a neighbor’s property on Linden Ave N.

Approval of the Consent Calendar

The first item in the Consent Calendar is shown as a Workshop Dinner Meeting. It was a Regular Meeting.
  • Reply by Jessica Simulcik Smith: that was a typo. We caught it later and corrected it.
Consent Calendar approved unanimously 7-0

Action Item 8(a) Action on Ordinance No. 949 - Authorizing the Placement of a Ballot Measure on the February 2022 Special Election Ballot to Authorize a Property Tax Bond Measure for Park Improvements and Park Land Acquisition

Christina Arcidy, Management Analyst, made the presentation

On October 11, 2021, staff was directed by Council to develop the legislation to place a ballot measure on the February 2022 Special Election ballot to fund improvements to five neighborhood parks; investments in park amenities for three additional parks; and the acquisition and improvement of new park land. Council discussed the amount to be funded by the bond and, being in general agreement to get this on the ballot in February, brought this forward tonight as an Action Item.


PUBLIC COMMENT

As per Council Rules of Procedure 6.1.B, which states that for an Action Item that is before the City Council for the first time and is not part of the consent agenda, public comment for that item will follow the staff report but precede Council review.

Kathleen Russell, Shoreline, Tree Preservation Code Team
In 2018 the new sidewalk program was approved by voters. Unfortunately, citizens did not know the number of significant trees that would be removed for the new wider sidewalks. We now know that 23 significant trees will be removed along 5th Ave NE for 6’ wide sidewalks on either side of this narrow street. As more sidewalks are created, more trees will be removed. This bond includes wider sidewalks and more impervious surfaces. The staff should be instructed to advise the voters about the possible threat to mature trees that this bond will have.

DISCUSSION

Motion and second to approve Ordinance 949

I’m excited about having the measure brought to the voters. We need to get the word out. Hopefully, with School District measures on the ballot, we will get validation.

Ms. Russell brought up the question about designs and how the staff is going to communicate with the community. During our previous discussion of this, it was mentioned that a $38.5M bond would reduce projects in Hillwood, Richmond Highlands, and James Keough parks, as well as eliminate the public art portion of the bond. Is staff going to discuss the bond with the community and include those (now missing) elements, or just the $38.5M bond piece?
  • Reply: Right now the designs online are just conceptual designs. We have heard the concerns about trees. These conceptual designs give a general sense of where things would go but it doesn’t take into account what’s already there, or whether or not if’s even feasible to place a certain element in that location. If the bond is approved, there would be opportunity for further public comment on the design as we progress further along. There is a real desire to retain as many trees as possible. In some locations there may be some tree loss but there’s also opportunity to plant more trees. The goal is to minimize tree loss and take the opportunity to meander walkways in the parks unlike what you can do in frontage improvements.
Some specific elements that were in the design concept have been removed with the $38.5M bond. Are those elements going to be taken out of the written descriptions of what the bond might pay for?
  • Reply: No, we don’t need to take any pieces out. What staff is proposing right now is that we would be putting both the bond measure forward and, at a later date, restricting an additional $3.4M of the City General Fund to get to the full cost of the package which is $41.9M. So there is no need to take anything out of the description. All along the bond was never going to pay for everything. But now we know $3.4M is the amount needed from the City.
Can the current Council dictate to future Council how to expend its funds?
  • Reply Debbie Tarry: The current Council can direct the money but future Councils can change it. Certain parts of our general fund are designated for specific purposes and reflect the policy of the current Council. But a future Council could overrule that.
So there’s no guarantee that a future Council will take $3.4M and apply it to these particular park projects?
  • Reply Margaret King, City Attorney: The bond commits us to complete the project. But the cost estimates are just cost estimates. I think with these projects on the bond then future Councils are bound to complete those projects. Beyond that I would have to defer to our Bond Council - that’s why we have them. The money needs to be spent on the specific items.
So those items are described in the title and the ordinance itself. But the more general the description, the more flexibility the future Council has.
  • Reply Margaret King: I think that’s right to some extent. The money can’t be taken and spent on roads for example. It depends on the language in the bond that we would have to look at.
  • Reply Debbie Tarry: section 1 of the ordinance page 8a, 9, 10 does provide some flexibility for future Councils. If there’s not enough money, the new Council can decide priorities based on the project deemed by the Council as necessary and in the best interests of the city.
The projects we are committing to are the bullets on 8a,9, flexible in terms of improvements. But future Councils can change where and how those projects are developed? So, if it’s not in the list we’re not committed to it, regardless of any statements we’ve made, previous discussions, meetings and notes?
  • Reply: Yes on both points.
Bullet points from 8a, page 9
  • Section 1. Findings. The Council hereby finds that the best interests of the residents of the City require the City to construct, develop, equip, upgrade, acquire, and improve the parks and recreation facilities, including the acquisition of park land, as described in the PROS Plan, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Projects”). The Projects may include, depending on the location, the following:
  • Improvements to Brugger’s Bog, Hillwood, Richmond Highlands, Briarcrest Community (Hamlin East), and James Keough Parks, including constructing and/or improving playgrounds, splash-pads, multi-sports courts, walking trails, picnic shelters, off-leash dog areas, and accessible play areas for people of all physical abilities;
  • Constructing a new off-leash dog area and play area at Ridgecrest Park;
  • Improving the off-leash dog area and making field improvements at Shoreview Park;
  • Improving the education center and children’s garden at Kruckeberg Botanic Garden to make it more accessible to people of all abilities, among other improvements;
  • Installing public art throughout the City park system;
  • Acquiring land and/or making park improvements to expand Paramount Open Space, Brugger’s Bog, and Rotary Park, in addition to other park land acquisitions; and
  • Constructing, developing, equipping, upgrading, acquiring and improving other park and recreational facilities in the City park system.

Motion and second to Amend to increase the bond amount from $38.5M to $41.9M

This is an unnecessary sour note in discussion. I’ll vote for the parks bond whether the amendment passes or not. I don’t get why we are doing it for less than the full cost. I’ve never understood that. What we have promised we may not be able to deliver because all 7 of us are not going to be here to implement it in the future. I would like to remove that uncertainty. I would also like to keep free what is not a windfall, but is an unexpected amount of revenue we didn’t know we had. We have a lot of other things that we could fund with this extra money. Why are we doing it? We had a bond measure at $38.5 and it didn’t make it on the ballot. The buck stops here. Rather than saying the failure to get it on the ballot has cost us some money, and admitting that that mistake was made and here’s the additional cost, we’re saying it’s the same bond measure when, in fact, we’re going to take money from a different source and promising a future Council will also take money from a different source, and use it to backstop the additional cost. That doesn’t sit right with me ethically. I would like the freedom to use that money to take care of some of these other unmet needs. I”m encouraging us to vote to increase the amount to what it will actually cost, get it on the ballot, then work our hearts out to get it passed.

I agree completely. We should not be committing a future Council to spend this money. This is not in line with our good budgeting. We ought to be looking at proposals in the context of the total budget and looking at the different trade-offs of what the community wants, what we want, what the City Manager is recommending, all of these together in one place. The higher bond amount makes very little difference to the cost to the taxpayer living in a median income home.

Page 8a,12 of the Oct 11 staff report talks about the financial impact of increasing the bond from $38.5M to $41.9M. Fully funded by the higher bond increases cost from $107 to $117 annually for the median value home.

I’m a little concerned about doing that. We just put it out and missed, and now we’re putting it out again and we would be asking for more, so it feels a little like a bait & switch. Plus we’re going to have to worry about School District bonds and/or levies on the same ballot - also increasing property taxes.

I agree. We call it the same and it will be easier to pass. We should keep the amount of the bond consistent. It’s the same in the amount of the bond. I’m glad we have the extra funds to make up the difference.

I do not support the increase. I fear a negative campaign could latch onto that and make it look like something it really isn’t.

My hope and my goal is to get the bond passed. I’ve been struggling with this decision. I say no to the increase. I think it’s important to be able to say this is the same thing that you’ve supported in the past.

I do not support the amendment. We have ample reserves, money that we’ve already taken from the taxpayers, to cover any variation in these cost estimates. The likelihood that each project will cost exactly what is estimated in the measure is very low.

By going for a bond less that what we expect the projects to cost, we are promising less than we asked the voters to approve originally.

VOTE on amendment to increase bond amount
Fails 2-5
Supporting the amendment DM Scully and CM Roberts

VOTE to approve original Ordinance 949
Passes 7-0

Action Item 8(b) Action on Resolution No. 485 - Amending the Council Rules of Procedure


Jessica Simulcik Smith, City Clerk

On October 11, 2021, Council discussed a series of amendments to its Rules related to remote attendance at Council meetings and the procedure for placing items on meeting agendas. Following that discussion, Council requested that staff incorporate Council’s feedback into Proposed Resolution No. 485.

Councilmember Roberts has submitted 4 Amendments. Staff supports all of them.

If Rule 3.3 is adopted, this will shift the authority of 2 Councilmembers being able to schedule an item on a specific agenda, instead scheduling it on the Agenda Planner. CM Roberts added that the item must be scheduled within 60 days.


Rule #2 strikes all of Rule 5.13.B.6 that would have established the protocol for handling an unstable connection when a Councilmember is attending remotely.


Amendment #3 attempts to capture all types of meetings that a Councilmember would be able to attend remotely. CM Roberts added emergency meetings and closed session meetings.


Amendment #4 changes the notification deadline requirement. The rationale is not all meetings start at 7pm. 

DISCUSSION

Motion and second to approve Resolution 485

The discussion of changes to the Rules of Procedures has been ongoing. It appears that Council will be having hybrid meetings for some time. We need rules in place for when we go to hybrid. Additionally, hybrid meetings allow more participation because members of the public can participate remotely even when Council is back in session.

Motion and second to amend Resolution 485 with amendments 1-4.

Regarding #1 - if two Councilmembers are requesting, it must be scheduled within 60 days and also has to fit with City requirements. What if they request something that will require significant study, is 60 days enough time?
  • Reply from Debbie Tarry: Normally we wouldn’t be investing significant staff work without an understanding that the majority of the Council want us to pursue. We could bring something back to Council within 60 days, but there may still be additional work required before Council could take action. With the majority on board, the additional work can now be done. That has been our practice in most cases.
I had had a concern that, as written by staff, the amendment might place too much power in Councilmembers, but this is a great compromise and satisfies my hypothetical concern.

VOTE to add amendments 1-4
Passes 7-0

VOTE on Ordinance 485 as amended
Passes 7-0

Study Item 9(a) Discussion of Mid-Biennial Update and Preview of 2021-2022 Mid-Biennial Budget Amendment Ordinance No. 945, 2022 Property Tax Levy Ordinance No. 946, 2022 Fee Schedule Resolution No. 484, 2022 Impact Fee Schedules Ordinance No. 947; and 2021-2026 CIP Update (Capital Improvements Program

Sara Lane, Administrative Services Director, introduced the topic

Because the staff report was so detailed, tonight’s presentation will be brief. We will be presenting a high-level financial update, a high level 2021-2022 adjustments, followed by other policy issues and the next steps.

Rick Kirkwood, Budget and Tax Manager, completed the presentation

Financial Update
The General Fund revenue collection is estimated to exceed that planned for 2021. However, the strong performance from permits, sales and property taxes may be offset by potential below-budget performance of utility taxes and gas tax. Staff is closely monitoring the performance these sources.
General Fund expenditures are trailing the budget plan largely due to position vacancies, lower jail housing costs, and the favorable 2020 police services contract reconciliation credit.


Other Policy Issues

Salary and benefit considerations including 2022 Cost of Living Adjustment and recommended position title changes reflected in salary tables.

The City Manager is recommending supplemental requests that address emerging issues that meet organizational priorities that allow for effective delivery of public services and completion of Council goals. Many of these will avoid adversely impacting existing appropriations by providing funding for programs and result in accurately reflecting the anticipated expenditures in the City’s operating budget.

Next Steps
  1. November 8 - Public Hearings on the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget and Revenue sources. This will provide opportunities to comment on the budget update, including all proposed levies, taxes, fees and rates.)
  2. November 15 - Adoption of the 2021-2022 mid biennial budget modifications and 2022 property tax levies
DISCUSSION

That was a very long but important staff report. I have a couple of questions. It seemed like we were considering a large increase (8%) in impact fees. I’m concerned that we may be higher than other cities around us. If we increase, will we still be in the middle?
  • Reply: I can’t answer that question . We will add this to the Council question matrix and bring back a response.
There is a mention in the report of a wastewater utility 2022 rate study and it will be interesting to see what that brings up. Are we putting enough money into maintenance and repair given how old our system is? This needs to get consideration.
  • Reply Randy Witt: This is one of the items we’ll look at in the rate study.
I was surprised we would be thinking about increasing the wastewater utility by 4 full time employees . I would like some information whether moving from a contract position is going to help - there are offsetting costs by bringing some of these employees in-house. I’d like more detailed information there.
  • Reply: We have not added any staff at all for the public works side of managing the utility since the assumptions so we are pretty much using existing staff. We brought in David Evans and Associates and Scott Christianson who had been their district engineer, and asked him to continue his district engineer duties for the time being.
Do you think it’s a wash between having a consultant and on-staff?
  • Reply: I think the goal is to be more cost effective and to have a better handle on the system.
I was a little surprised that there was this amount of extra staff positions at a mid-year. More than I was expecting. Pretty significant staff growth. I thought in going to a two-year we would look at it more holistically.

I generally support converting extra help to FTE (full time employee) because it’s a better job because it offers job stability and extra benefits. But then it says we have utilized one-time funding for various projects to pay for extra help. But one time funding is always very specific. We need a person for a year, for example for a specific project (e.g. The Trail along the Rail). In theory that need goes away. But what often happens is what happened here: we get someone here for a one-year project and all of a sudden that’s grown into a staff position. So if this is a new one-time project need, I would like to see what that project is, and if there’s an ongoing need based on a new project, maybe we do need extra help. Just saying we’ve brought them on for a one-time project and therefore now we want to keep them is not enough for me. And I’m not inclined to support that increase unless we have a pretty significant case made for why the workload has grown significantly enough to need a whole other person based upon our ongoing projects and not these one-offs.

I thought it was amusing that we have a request for an IT specialist to go to full-time and Sara Lane, our Administrative Services Director could not get her video working. That was completely unintentional but very good advocacy (laughter). I have no problem supporting that.

The Teen Development Program - I’m always concerned when we support something, that at least on the surface, appears to be a school need. Because our School District has taxability, we shouldn’t be back-filling it out of City funds. I would want clarification whether this is a City or School District need.

This report reinforced my confidence on the fiscal management of the City. But one little question: demolition of the Jersey Building. Is there a rush?

  • Reply Sara Lane: Cost increases for demotion aren’t gong to come down quickly. The building is in very bad shape. We think we should take it down before it falls down. Scaffolding is holding up the side of the building that you can’t see (and we pay rent for the scaffolding). It will quickly become a nuisance.
Each seems reasonable by itself, but taken collectively it seems like a larger change at a mid-biennium point. 2024 will be facing deficit if don’t go with another request to the voters.

Brief discussion of the RADAR program. Council is committed to it.

This conversation will continue next week.

MEETING ADJOURNED



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Jobs: WSDOT - Traffic Technician, Compliance Engineer, Highway Maintenance Lead, Real Estate Services Manager

WSDOT Shoreline
has four new jobs advertised

Traffic Operations Technician (TT3, In-Training)

Support WSDOT’s mission by independently carrying out assignments which improve traffic safety. This is an in-training position that offers a career path and on-the-job training and allows the incumbent to progress upward through the Transportation Technician field. The Traffic Operations Technician will perform traffic studies including speed studies, ball banking, average daily traffic data (ADT) turning movement counts, peak hour counts, occupancy, pedestrian counts, travel times, and vehicle classifications.
Job description and application

Design Quality and Compliance Engineer - TE4 - two positions

These positions are responsible for the oversight, coordination, and training of the organization's design review and design documentation practices as well as oversight, coordination, and training of the organization's quality control and quality assurance practices.

Other responsibilities include supervising and mentoring direct reports to become effective members and future leaders at WSDOT and overseeing design projects led by outside entities.
Job description and application

Highway Maintenance Lead (HMW3)

Lead crews performing maintenance of a specific sub-section of highway, including leading a section-wide crew. This lead position performs regular highway, roadside, infrastructure, and right-of-way maintenance and repair tasks.
Job description and application

Real Estate Services Manager

The Real Estate Services Manager serves as the Northwest Region’s (NWR) subject matter expert for real estate and right of way issues, providing guidance and oversight to ensure region activities comply with both State and Federal laws and regulations, and WSDOT policies and procedures. This position will be responsible for managing all functions of the NWR Real Estate Services Office, including the acquisition of all necessary real properties, providing an estimate and schedule for property acquisition activities, and identifying and managing risks associated with acquisition activities.
Job description and application



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Wind related power outages Thursday

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Thursday at 6:15pm

Wind gusts of 30mph Thursday afternoon, November 4, 2021 dropped branches on power lines and knocked out power. 

At 6:15pm there were three outages. It's possible there were more earlier that have already been reconnected. There were verbal reports of outages in Hillwood which are not reflected on the map.

Strong winds are expected on Saturday with gusts possibly up to 45mph.



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Hunkered down for the winter - *swans* in the Skagit Valley

Swans settle into the empty fields of the Skagit Valley. Photo by Jan Hansen

Most people go to the Skagit Valley when the tulips are blooming - but Jan Hansen went to visit the swans.

Adult and young at The Skagit this week. Photo by Jan Hansen

They settle in large numbers in the muddy fields to spend the winter. There are huge fields of swans, old and young.

Birds in the Skagit Valley. Photo by Mike Remarcke

And just as a reminder, here's a photo that Mike Remarcke took in March of this year 2021.

*Correction* - not geese. Swans. It just seems so inelegant for stately, snobby swans to be wallowing in the mud. For my next number, I will misidentify flowers.  DKH

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