Mill Creek Garden Club 6th annual Garden Tour and Artisan Market July 23

Monday, June 20, 2022

A sneak peek at one of the gardens
After a two year Covid shutdown, Mill Creek Garden Club is back with its 6th Annual Mill Creek Garden Tour and Artisan Market 2022, scheduled for Saturday, July 23, 2022. 

Tour five amazing gardens with an artisan selling wares in each garden! The Five Featured gardens are open 11am – 4pm. 

Walk at your own pace; it’s a self-guided tour. Visit with the garden owners and Mill Creek Garden Club volunteers. Shop in the gardens too! It’s a winning combination! 

A Zen garden is on the tour
Plus, we think you will “Discover INSPIRATION to create the garden of your dreams.”

Advance Tickets: $20 for all; Day of Tour $25

TICKETS ON SALE NOW at Sky Nursery, 18528 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

Five gardens are on the tour

Also available at Town and Country Market in Mill Creek Town Center; Ace Hardware of Silver Lake, Everett; McAuliffe’s Valley Nursery, Snohomish; McDaniel’s Do It Center, Snohomish, and Molbak’s Garden + Home, Woodinville.

All proceeds benefit Garden Club’s “Giving through Gardening” grant program which in our 2019-20 year awarded $9,000 to community garden-related projects, including Farmer Frog, Mill Creek Community Food Bank, and the Community Care Garden, along with one of our local high schools.

Put on your comfortable shoes, bring your camera and with ticket in hand, we will greet you in the gardens!



Read more...

After community feedback on communications Woodway to begin Coffee with the Mayor sessions

Mike Quinn, Mayor of Woodway
The Town of Woodway recently held a two-hour question and answer session, open to all residents. One of the topics was Communications.

Mayor Mike Quinn reports that "We were asked whether we could expand our two-way communication methods, including implementation of a website-based question and answer forum."

"While this sounds like an easy thing to do, we do not have the staff resources to implement this type of method of communication. 
"Moreover, we also consulted with our  Town Attorney to see if there are any municipalities in the state that have such a Q/A forum on their website – to the best of his knowledge, there were none. He further cautioned us against this type of public forum. 
"Accordingly, if there is an issue that we think is of broad community concern, we address it in all of our current communication mediums – including the website, the Woodway Whisper, my monthly e-Newsletter and at Council meetings (which anyone can participate in now, online or by phone, from the comfort of their homes)."  

He announced that, beginning next month, he will start a monthly “Coffee with the Mayor” meeting. Woodway residents can join him to discuss any issue about which they are curious, have ideas, or have concerns.

The first meeting will be in person at Woodway Town Hall on July 9, 2022 at 9am.



Read more...

Flying squirrel

 
Photo by Jan Hansen

I have a photo collection of flying saucers but, thanks to Jan Hansen, this is my first flying squirrel. 

--Diane Hettrick



Read more...

Help with school supplies for next year

2020 Backpacks full of school supplies at THE WORKS 

Could your family use help with school supplies for next year? 

While the Back to School event will not be held this summer, students can still get help with school supplies! 

Each school will have donated supplies for students whose families are experiencing financial hardship, which will be distributed to families before school starts. Email your school’s Family Advocate to express interest in receiving supplies, and they will be in touch right before the school year starts. Family Advocate contact information.

If there is not a Family Advocate listed for your school, please contact the main office to express interest in school supplies for the fall.

If you would like to support efforts to provide school supplies for students, you can make a donation to the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation.



Read more...

Balloon extravaganza

 
Photo by Mike Remarcke

No signs to explain the reason for this spectacular balloon display on NE 179th near Lake Forest Park but I suspect that a high school graduate lives there.

--Diane Hettrick



Read more...

Echo Lake Work Party, Saturday, June 25th

Echo Lake Otter photo by Ann Michel

Echo Lake Work Party, Saturday, June 25, 2022, 10am- 1pm - Volunteers welcome!

Our Echo Lake Otter is very pleased with the work done so far to restore native plants along his shoreline. 

She says "Please come volunteer! Native plants help keep the lake water clean and give me nice places to live and relax on the shore."

Our next work party at Echo Lake Park is coming right up! Please join us on Saturday, June 25th, from 10:00am - 1:00pm. 

We'll be spreading cardboard and mulch to prepare the ground for new plants in the fall. Please click the link below to sign up. Snacks, drinks and tools and gloves all provided. Great option for Community Service hours for your students.

https://shoreline.greencitypartnerships.org/event/320/
Come join your neighbors and have fun in the dirt!

Email Ann Michel at agrmichel@gmail.com with any and all questions.

Echo Lake Park is at the north end of Echo Lake at N 200th and Ashworth Ave N.



Read more...

Gloria's Birds: She didn't consider herself OCD,

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

but Mama Mallard did prefer to have her ducks in a row...

(On Lake Washington last week. The ducklings had been alone, photog was worried, and then along Mama came!)

--Gloria Z. Nagler



Read more...

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: Father's Day

 

Father's Day - Sunday, June 19, 2022

Celebrate the important males in your life



Read more...

Shoreline celebrates Juneteenth with a new mural - dedication Sunday


Earlier this month, the Shoreline City Council declared June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth in the city of Shoreline. 

Juneteenth is the traditional day of celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. In 2021, the Washington State Legislature approved Juneteenth as a state holiday (see article). City Hall will be closed on Monday, June 20 in recognition of Juneteenth.

Artists Myron Curry and Vincent Keele

In partnership with ShoreLake Arts and other community members, the City worked with artists Myron Curry and Vincent Keele to add to the Juneteenth mural north of Shoreline City Hall on Midvale Ave North and 178th. 

Last year, Curry and Cynncear Easley created the first Juneteenth mural at that site. On Sunday, June 19 from 2:00 to 4:00pm, ShoreLake Arts is holding an informal event for people to drop-in and meet the artists.

Journalist Ida B. Wells
The portrait in the mural is of Ida B. Wells, a prominent journalist, educator, and an early civil-rights leader. 

Born into slavery during the Civil War, she went on to become a tireless advocate for the rights of African-Americans and women. In 2020, she was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize “for her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching."

The symbols on the mural are Adinkra. Adinkra symbols originated in West Africa but are understood across Africa. They are:


Taken together, these symbolize the building blocks of Solidarity.

Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and read General Orders, Number 3 informing the people of Texas that all slaves were free. 

President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in the Confederate States almost three years before. Juneteenth was quickly followed by the ratification of the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery. Juneteenth became a holiday in Texas in 1980 and is celebrated today for the ways in which it shows how far we have come as a nation in the past and how far we have to go in the present

Photos and graphics courtesy City of Shoreline



Read more...

Juneteenth is now an official state holiday

The Juneteenth flag flying at the Washington State Capitol. Gov. Jay Inslee, Rep. Melanie Morgan, Office of Equity Director Dr. Karen Johnson, Washington’s Lottery Director Marcus Glasper, BUILD leaders, and attendees at the historic first Juneteenth Celebration on the Capitol Campus.


This Sunday, June 19, 2022 will be the first Juneteenth to be celebrated as an official Washington state holiday. HB 1016, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Morgan, was approved by the Legislature last year to establish the holiday.

The observance marks the day when hundreds of thousands of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas were told of their freedom by federal troops in 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

On Thursday, a business resource group for state employees called Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity (BUILD) hosted a celebration of Juneteenth. The event included the first-ever Juneteenth flag-raising at the Capitol Campus.

"We shake up status quo by continuing to dismantle systemic racism,” said Rep. Melanie Morgan, who highlighted state efforts to advance equity and anti-racism. 
“Once again, the state of Washington is leading the way in being an anti-racist state. We are the only state in the nation with the Office of Equity, I was proud to take that vote. We shake things up by continuing to hold one another accountable."

At the celebration on Thursday. Gov.Jay Inslee said,

"Narratives used to justify slavery are still connected with narratives used to oppress Black Americans today. We see it in the forms of mass incarceration, discriminatory housing policies, and a lack of economic investment, creating inequities that have placed Black Americans significantly behind their white counterparts. Until we grapple with our history and its impact on the present, we cannot do the work to improve our future,"
 
The Seattle Medium chronicled Washington’s legislative efforts to enact this important holiday.



Read more...

My Garden: Bigleaf lupine


Bigleaf lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) is also known as Large-leaved lupine, Many-leaved lupine, Blue-pod lupine and Garden lupine. 

As a garden plant, the big leaf lupine is commonly used to attract bees and as a food source for hummingbirds and other pollinators. 

Clearly this lupine favors the Huskies.

Plants by Diane Cerretti and photos by Doug Cerretti.



Read more...

LFP council to discuss Speed Limit Reductions and Traffic Calming Methods at Tuesday meeting


The Lake Forest Park City Council Committee of the Whole (CoW) will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 6pm to discuss Speed Limit Reductions and Traffic Calming Methods.

The meeting is hybrid - both in person at City Hall 17425 Ballinger Way NE Lake Forest Park, WA 98155 and on Zoom 



Read more...

North Helpline needs volunteers

Photo courtesy North Helpline
North Helpline is looking to fill a few volunteer positions. 

Are you able to join our team?

The Positions:

Distribution Check-In and Registration

Register and check-in folks accessing our Lake City and Bitter Lake services sites during the distribution of food and hygiene items.
  • Wednesdays, 8:45-11:15am and 11:15-2:00pm
  • Thursdays, 3:45-7:00pm
  • Saturdays 8:45-12:15pm and 11:15-2:00pm
Apply: esther@northhelpline.org

Home Delivery Drivers

Deliver food boxes to community members.
  • Thursdays, 2-5pm
Home Delivery Box Packing

Pack food boxes to be delivered members of our community.
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-1:30pm
Learn More on our Website

Questions? volunteers@northhelpline.org



Read more...

Echo Lake Neighborhood to hear about Shoreline's Climate Action Plan (CAP) update



...and Echo Lake...

Surface Water Program Specialist Christie Lovelace and Surface Water Utility Manager John Featherstone will join us for a brief look at Echo Lake Surface water management issues and cattail removal from Echo Lake.

Cameron Reed, Environmental Services Program Manager, will address the Climate Action Plan Update. 

The city of Shoreline is updating Shoreline's Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP will outline key actions the City will take to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions and prepare our community for the impacts of climate change. 

The CAP will identify climate action strategies that also improve equity, increase community resilience and protect ecosystems in Shoreline.

The meeting is Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 7 - 9pm on Zoom. To receive a link to the meeting or be added to the email list, contact ELNA at ELNABoard@gmail.com



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Big cruise ship

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte
Cruise ships have resumed sailings from Seattle, in spite of continuing COVID-19. This multi-decked behemoth sailed by on Friday, June 17, 2022. 

Photo by Lee Lageschulte
You can get a better idea of the size when seen next to a ferry.





Read more...

Edmonds Arts Festival Sunday

Edmonds Arts Festival Sunday

The Edmonds Arts Festival continues on Father's Day Sunday, June 19, 2022 from 10am to 5pm in  Downtown Edmonds 700 Main Street, Edmonds, WA 98026

New this year, “Edmonds Plaza” - The Edmonds Plaza is a newly refocused venue at the Edmonds Arts Festival showcasing a variety of juried Edmonds’ arts and artisans who reside or exhibit in Edmonds. Here you can leisurely browse for art in the outdoor park-like setting. 

Take time to relax while listening to live music, savoring food and snacks, and enjoying the serene backdrop of the Salish Sea and Olympic mountains.



Read more...

Gloria's Birds: Common as they are, this is one of my first images of a European Starling

Saturday, June 18, 2022

 
Photo copyright Gloria Z. Nagler

We must not hang out in the same places:)

Our European Starlings are all descendants of between 60 and 100 starlings introduced into New York City's Central Park in 1890. European Starlings were first recorded not long after in Washington, in 1943.

They were brought here intentionally by some folks who wanted the U.S. to contain all of the birds mentioned by Shakespeare in his writing!

--Gloria Z. Nagler




Read more...

Secure your load

Photo courtesy Washington State Patrol


Washington State Patrol has been conducting emphasis patrols for vehicles with unsecured loads.

Here's one they recently stopped:

The pallets in were not secure.
The driver did not have a valid license.
And - he was on his phone.




Read more...

5th Ave lane shifts at NE 148th Street all week

As early as June 20, 2022, Sound Transit’s contractors will work on 5th Ave NE and NE 148th Street for utility work as part of the future link light rail.
  • Drivers can expect traffic delays.
  • Sidewalks will be closed for demo work. Pedestrian detour route will be in place. (see map).
  • Residents can expect vibration from compaction and fill work after utility installation is completed.
  • Bus stops will be impacted. For route updates check www.kingcounty.gov
  • When: Monday, June 20th, to Friday, June 24th from 7am to 5pm
  • Where: 5th Ave and NE 148th Street
  • Local access will be maintained


Read more...

Local Residents Named to Dean's List at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University
SPOKANE, WA (June 17, 2022) - The following local residents have earned placement on the Gonzaga University Dean's List for spring semester 2022. 

Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.84 grade-point average to be listed.

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME

Lake Forest Park, WA

Hannah Dang
Andrew Demers
Carson Duling
Tyler Montague
Garrison Pinkley
Lillian Visser

Seattle, WA

Gracyn Brunette
Sean Essad
Olivia Hammond
Anna Thomas

Shoreline, WA

Lauren Adams
Isabella Haupt
Morgan McCurdy
Korrina Murphy


Gonzaga University is a humanistic, private Catholic University providing a Jesuit education to more than 7,500 students. Situated along the Spokane River near downtown Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga is routinely recognized among the West's best comprehensive regional universities. Gonzaga offers over 75 fields of study, 24 master's degrees, four doctoral degrees in one college and six schools.



Read more...

Local Residents named to President's List at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University
SPOKANE, WA (June 17, 2022) - The following local residents have earned placement on the Gonzaga University President's List for spring semester 2022. 

Students must earn a 3.85 to 4.0 grade-point average to be listed.

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME

Lake Forest Park, WA

Drew Caley
Hannah Cote

Seattle, WA

Jonathan Hayes
Keegan Hilt
Anna Huycke
Peyton McKenny
Andrew Ray

Shoreline, WA

Jaden Batara
Linden Beemer
Hailey Belfie
Julia Brajcich
Haley Cavanaugh
Preston Ernst
Chloe Giles
Emily McDowell
Bella Mertel
Eleanor Reid
Maxine Andrea Reyes
Sophia Rice
Jessica Wymer

Gonzaga University is a humanistic, private Catholic University providing a Jesuit education to more than 7,500 students. Situated along the Spokane River near downtown Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga is routinely recognized among the West's best comprehensive regional universities. Gonzaga offers over 75 fields of study, 24 master's degrees, four doctoral degrees in one college and six schools.



Read more...

Guardians of the Flame: Special Olympics Torch Run brings local police departments together for a good cause

Runners pose in front of the City of Shoreline sign at N 205th

Story and photos by Steven H. Robinson

The Shoreline leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run had representatives from Lake Forest Park PD with Chief Mike Harden, plus one officer running and one following the runners in a car; Kenmore Police Department Chief Brandon Moen running; Shoreline Police Department Deputy Wyatt Hunt, who organized the run, and four other officers who ran with a patrol vehicle leading the runners.

Thumbs up - ready to go

The Torch was transferred from Edmonds Police Department at N 205th St on Aurora to the Shoreline contingent of officers. The torch was run to N 145th St by various officers and transferred to personnel from Seattle Police Department.

Running past Shoreline Place at N 160th

This event is sponsored by the Special Olympics of Washington and this year returned to a full run since the COVID-19 interrupted the ongoing multi-year event.



Read more...

Scene on the Sound: Canadian frigate HMCS Ottawa

Photo by Lee Wolfe

This morning I spotted this vessel cruising past Jefferson Head. She is the HMCS Ottawa.

Here are the basics from Wikipedia:

HMCS Ottawa is a Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate. Ottawa is the twelfth and final ship of the Halifax class that were built as part of the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project. She is the fourth vessel to carry the name HMCS Ottawa. The first three were named for the Ottawa River. 

This ship is the first named for Canada's national capital, the City of Ottawa. She is assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and is homeported at HMC Dockyard, CFB Esquimalt. 

Ottawa serves on MARPAC missions protecting Canada's sovereignty in the Pacific Ocean and enforcing Canadian laws in its territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone. 

Ottawa has also been deployed on missions throughout the Pacific and to the Indian Ocean; specifically the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea on anti-terrorism operations.

- Lee Wolfe



Read more...

Police incidents in Lake Forest Park for May 2022

Police incidents heatmap for May 2022. Each blue dot is an incident generated by dispatch or an officer. This map represents 893 incidents in May.

Type - Calls
  • Suspicious Circumstances 62
  • Welfare Check 22
  • Alarm 18
  • Theft 15
  • Parking 12
  • Traffic Accident 8
  • Disturbance 7
Notable Calls/Incidents:

Officers conducted a traffic stop at 1:30am on a vehicle with no brake lights, driving slowing through a neighborhood. The driver had no valid driver’s license, was dressed in all dark clothing with gloves, bandana, flashlight, backpack, large knives, and a realistic looking pistol that was later discovered to be an airsoft pistol. The driver was cited and released.

Downed mailboxes
A vehicle was discovered abandoned after striking several mailboxes. The vehicle was left blocking the roadway and a trail of vomit was observed on the ground leading away from the vehicle. Officers are investigating the incident as a hit and run.

Officers responded to a shoplift at Rite Aid. The suspect attempted to leave the area by Metro bus. Officers located the suspect and discovered he had multiple warrants for theft and criminal trespass. The suspect was booked into jail.

Four subjects were observed leaving Ross Stores with over $1000 in clothing. The suspects fled out of the city. Officers were later contacted by a Snohomish County Deputy who provided possible suspect information based on the vehicle license plate.

Officers were contacted in the police parking lot by a subject asking for directions. The subject then backed his vehicle into a parked police vehicle in the lot and left without stopping. Officers were able to re-contact driver and obtain the required information.

Officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle that showed up overnight in front of the caller’s residence. It was later confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Redmond. The vehicle was returned to the owner. Another stolen vehicle was located in the 14800 block of Bothell Way NE. The vehicle was impounded per the owner. Another subject located his own stolen work truck in LFP. Officers assisted with processing and the recovery.

Drug kit
An unoccupied home for sale was broken into overnight. Officers located drug paraphernalia along with obvious fingerprint and DNA evidence. King County AFIS responded to process the crime scene.

A transient subject was located sleeping behind the jersey barrier on Ballinger Way NE. The subject also attempted to start a small fire. Crisis services were offered and declined. 

A transient subject was discovered sleeping in Blue Heron Park. Subject refused all assistance and services, leaving on foot. 

Several transients were contacted near the 14500 Block of Bothell Way NE (Seattle border). All refused services. 

Officers also were dispatched to the same location for a female vomiting and in distress who had two small children with her. She refused any assistance and resources.

Officers contacted a female running down roadway shedding clothing, appeared under the influence and possibly in a manic state. Subject refused services and mobile crisis. Officers unable to reach criteria for an involuntary detention.

Officers assisted with a downed tree/power pole. During this call a severely injured wild animal had to be dispatched by officers.

Officers contacted a shoplift suspect who, while fleeing, threw a full bottle (of what was later discovered to be over 100 fentanyl pills). The subject was booked into jail for possession of stolen property and possession of narcotics with the intent to sell.



Read more...

I-5, SR 104 ramps to close overnight for light rail work all next week

There will be several overnight lane ramp closures on SR 104 and I-5 next week as Sound Transit contractor crews continue work on the Lynnwood Light Rail extension.

The ramps will close nightly from Monday, June 13 to morning of Friday, June 17, 2022. 

Please plan ahead for the following closures:
  • The northbound I-5 off-ramp to westbound SR 104, and the eastbound on-ramp from SR 104 to northbound I-5 will close nightly at 9pm and reopen at 5am Monday, June 20 through the morning of Friday, June 24.
  • The 236th Street on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close nightly at 11:59pm and reopen the following morning at 5am Monday, June 20 through the morning of Friday, June 24.
  • The HOV direct access ramps to connecting SR 104 and I-5 will close at 10pm nightly and reopen the following morning at 5am Monday, June 20 through the morning of Friday, June 24.



Read more...

Share your opinion on draft strategies for Shoreline's Climate Action Plan



The City of Shoreline is updating its Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP will outline key actions the City will take to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions and prepare our community for the impacts of climate change.

The CAP will identify climate action strategies that also improve equity, increase community resilience and protect ecosystems in Shoreline.

Your voice is important and will help us make sure that the actions we take to fight climate change benefit everyone in our community.

Share your Feedback!

Take the 5-minute survey to share your feedback on the draft strategies for the Climate Action Plan. The survey will be available only until Sunday June 19.

If you live or work in Shoreline, we want to hear from you!

Take the Climate Action Plan Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShorelineCAP



Read more...

Notes from Shoreline City Council meeting June 13, 2022

Friday, June 17, 2022

Reporter Pam Cross
Shoreline City Council 
Regular Meeting
June 13, 2022

Notes by Pam Cross

Tonight’s Regular meeting is conducted in a hybrid manner with both in-person and virtual options to attend and participate.

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

Flag Salute and Roll Call

All Councilmembers were present. CM Roberts, Mork, and McConnell attended remotely.

Proclamation
I, Keith Scully, Mayor of the City of Shoreline, on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2022 as JUNETEENTH in the City of Shoreline and encourage all people to celebrate and take action to achieve racial justice for all. Juneteenth is celebrated nationally as the end of chattel slavery.

Approval of the Agenda
Agenda approved by unanimous consent.

Report of the City Manager, Debbie Tarry

Artists Myron Curry and Vincent Keele have painted a new mural on the wall of the Shoreline Secure Storage property on Midvale and N 178th St to celebrate Juneteenth.


Vandalized Interurban Trail repairs
 

Last week to have your voice heard by taking the Climate Action Plan Survey


Watch the weather forecast before you leave for Saturday’s Walk.


Public Reminders
The Planning Commission will hold a hybrid (remote/in-person) meeting on Thursday, June 16, at 7pm in the Council Chamber to discuss the Economic Development Forecast

The PRCS/Tree Board will hold a remote meeting (via Zoom) on Thursday, June 23 at 7pm

Shoreline City Hall will be closed on Monday, June 20 in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday.
There will be no Council meeting on June 20. The next Council meeting will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022.

Council Reports
Deputy Mayor Robertson attended the North King County Coalition on Homelessness meeting. There was a preview of the upcoming budget for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). They are planning to provide more severe weather assistance with another potential for a hot period this summer. The other thing under consideration is having the North KingCo cities provide the money they currently spend on homelessness to the Authority for administration of the funds. Current commitments will be honored and the cities will provide guidance. More information will follow as this idea is developed.

Mayor Scully stated that on the Consent Calendar, Council will be appointing the new youth members for the Parks and Tree Board. He want to take a minute to thank David Lin, who served two years on the parks board and was a great contributor.

Public Comment
Each speaker allowed 3 minutes. Both in-person and remote attendees have an opportunity to speak. There were 10 written comments at the time this report was prepared.

Regarding 8(a) Discussion on Tenant Protection Regulations
Randy Bannecker, Seattle-King County Realtors
MariLyn Yim, Seattle, Shoreline property owner
Will Toaspern, Community Policy Specialist at Solid Ground (a homelessness resource)

The Oaks Enhanced Shelter
Jackie Kurle, Shoreline

20th Ave NW Sidewalk Design
Kathleen Russell, Shoreline

Proposed Apartment on Linden Ave N
Derek Blackwell, Shoreline

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

Study Item 8(a) Discussion on Tenant Protection Regulations

The staff report will be presented by Jim Hammond, Intergovernmental Program Manager.


This report will provide a broad overview of the current state of tenant protection at the state level and in communities around King County as a result of the end of tenant protections provided during the pandemic. This is a very early stage discussion that was requested by Council. It is not proposed legislation. And tonight’s discussion will not be complete because it is introductory for Council to discuss and determine whatever else might be desired.

Tenant advocates have proposed the following protections:Increased number of days notice for rent increases;
  • Cap on late fees;
  • Cap on move-in fees;
  • Right to a payment plan for up-front fees (deposit, first/last month’s rent);
  • Alteration of rent due date - important if paid monthly or on a fixed income because payments may not coincide with rent due date;
  • Barring discrimination due to immigrant status;
  • Barring requirement of a social security number (a background or credit check can be done using other information);
  • Barring some additional signatory requirements;
  • Banning abusive, deceptive, unfair practices;
  • Providing relocation assistance to low-income tenants in certain circumstances such as building condemned, owner sells or moves back into residence. Currently it is focusing on rent increased for low income renters;
  • Just cause eviction. State law does cover most of this but not all;
  • Rental registration and inspection in order to capture all rentals in a known jurisdiction;
  • Barring rent increases if property is in poor condition;
  • Right to live with family - cannot evict a dependent child;
  • Prohibiting criminal background checks.
These protections have been adopted in varying degrees by different local jurisdictions.

The City of Kenmore was brought up in public comment today. Kenmore is still considering several other protections. It is notable that in Kenmore, these are enforceable through a private right of action. That is, they are basically defenses to eviction that need to be brought by the tenant through legal action.


Again, this is intended to be an introduction to the topic organized around a model ordinance provided by tenant advocates. Other stakeholders, such as landlords, have not been contacted.

Does Council want us to study this further?

DISCUSSION

Unfortunately this subject didn’t make it on the agenda for the Council Retreat, when we, as a group, decide what the Work Plan is (actions and tasks that will be performed by staff).

Every time we have to add to the Work Plan it requires time and money for staff. So we do this very carefully and respectfully. We have to be mindful of our resources. Because there is so much here I feel uncomfortable adding this to our Work Plan for this year.

Yes, I would like us to spend more time. Ultimately I would like to see us answer some of these questions. I think the things that Kenmore has done align with my feelings on what is most important. And I also want us to have a robust stakeholder process. That will slow us down but we need to hear from both landlords and renters.

I agree both landlords and tenants should be listened to.

The ability to change the rent due date for people on a fixed income is important and should be looked at right away. These are all big questions. We need to provide some additional security for our renters, but not at the expense of single family housing and “mom and pop” landlords.

As an owner of rentals in Shoreline, I have learned the importance of feeling good about the renter. Although it’s not even in here, credit is the one saving grace for owners to fall back on to protect our investment. Not having that in there makes me very nervous. Seattle has seen a significant reduction in rental single family homes since they have implemented many of these things. Single family home rentals are more affordable than multi-family housing because they are older and smaller but meet the needs of people who really want to live in a home with some land around it and possibly a fenced yard. We need to prepare for unintended consequences if we implement some of these policy changes. We don’t want to take away the incentive for owners to offer these rentals.

Shoreline says we are an “all inclusive” city. We seek to do what is in the best interests of the majority. Some of these items are morally right and invest in a balanced and equitable city. Because these policies are not in place, some people can’t afford to live in Shoreline and move away. Some people who can actually afford to live here may never care for the city and won’t make any impact, volunteer, or even lift a finger when it comes to necessary things to be done with the city. We need to think this through. I think we need to move this ahead - even 2022 or 2024.

We don’t want “mom and pop” landlords selling and thereby reducing the inventory of affordable units here. But eviction moratoriums are over, and there has been a big spike in rents. I would like to discuss as part of Work Plan for 2022-2024.

This is a very complicated issue. I can see both sides having spent much of my life as a renter. What would come off the table in order to make time for this?
  • Reply: I’m just speaking theoretically. We want to know what Council thinks.
  • Reply Debbie Tarry: We wanted to know what the Council discussion would be tonight before talking about what would come off. We don’t have a Housing Office, as such, so we don’t have a specialist in this area. We would have to go back and see if there’s something else that could be put on hold. If there’s flexibility of when this would come back, then that would give us more leeway.
I’m of two minds on this. On the one hand, importantly, the proposals do make a lot of sense. I hope that these will be addressed by the State Legislature. Tenants in Shoreline or Edmonds deserve the same protections as Seattle. City lines are not as important because you go where housing is affordable for you, where you have access to public transportation to your job, and other resources. If you don’t have children so a particular school district isn’t important, where you want to live is much broader than just one jurisdiction. When I was moving from the University District, Shoreline was just another city to me. The protections are important for Shoreline tenants at this moment but what we should be looking at is a statewide standard.

The problem I have with Kenmore’s approach is that it depends on the private right of action - how will lower income tenants afford an attorney? And, since fines and penalties are relatively smaller amounts, how many attorneys are going to take a case, do the research, and spend the time to seek a $1,000 remedy? I think the city has to do the enforcement. To go out and say to the landlord: you are violating an ordinance and here is a civil infraction. The city is the one to enforce legislation. And I think this a big piece of the picture. If the state enacts the laws, then the state is the enforcement agency. It’s hard for a city to do, especially one the size of Shoreline.

How many units are we talking about that are “mom and pop” landlords? We don’t have the data - at least I haven’t seen it. Without the data we are relying on anecdotal evidence. We need the data so we can address the actual problems instead of just what we’ve heard. This is not simple. If we exclude “mom and pop’s,” and say they represent 75% of available units, that’s a lot of people we’re not protecting.

There is a housing shortage in Shoreline and Seattle. But if we could just wave a magic wand and start building more housing, it’s not going to solve all of these challenges. Rent increases are affected by the amount of housing stock we have. I’m happy Shoreline is encouraging new housing throughout the City.

The Washington State Landlord-Tenant Law is pretty robust. Many of the things we’re discussing here are already in state law in some form. For example, if the property is defective or dangerous you are allowed to withhold rent. So we would kind of re-define that to “poor condition” so we’d have to come up with a definition of poor condition and add a separate condition which is no rent increase. That doesn’t get us any better off. The state adopted “just cause.” It might not be perfect but will get worked out with stakeholders. 60 day to 120 notice for rent increase doesn’t get us where we want to be. Regarding a family member’s right to live with family: if you have a family member that is a problem they wouldn’t be allowed to live on their own because of this bad behavior so you backdoor them in by having them live with a family member. I agree conceptually with everything but I’m not sure these details move the needle enough for me to modify our Work Plan. Also, I would like to see the just revised (last year or the year before) State Law operate a bit and see if we really have the emergency that I think people perceive that there is.

What I’ve heard so far, is that three Councilmembers would like to see this move forward and four prefer to schedule for next year’s retreat, where we can see a more robust staff report and then have a more robust discussion.

I think we should start accumulating the data now for the future discussion.

The size of a rent increase should determine the number of required days notice.

Currently landlords don’t have the rights that tenants have, and some tenants take advantage of their knowledge of the system. It takes at least two months to evict someone who has stopped paying rent. Even if I collected the 1st, last and deposit, I’m still not going to break even. Owners of single family rentals don’t raise rent by large amounts because we want to keep good renters. The rent will increase to market rate when tenants move out and new ones move in. There are programs that help people get the money to move (Hopelink, for example). Let’s not think of landlords as the bad guys.

Study Item 8(b) 10 Year Financial Sustainability Plan Update: Strategy #7 – Levy Lid Lift Renewal

The staff report will be presented by Sara Lane, Administrative Services Director.

Shoreline’s 10 year Financial Sustainability Plan was adopted in 2014. With that we established a 10 Year Financial Sustainability Model that allows us to project revenues and expenditures out for 10 years. One of the seven strategies in the Model is a Levy Lid Lift (LLL).

In November 2001, Washington State voters passed Initiative 747. This limited the increase in the City of Shoreline’s levy by the lesser of one percent or the percentage increase in the implicit price deflator (IPD), unless voters have approved LLL by a majority vote (50% plus 1).

A LLL can last up to 6 years. The rate can increase every year. The current one is due to expire in December 2022.


Should Council place the 2016 Levy Lid Lift on the ballot?

To answer this question, the City Manager engaged the Financial Sustainability Advisory Committee-2022 (FSAC-22) in early 2022. FSAC-22 met six times between March 10 and May 19. The results are, in part: 
  • The City Council should place a measure on the November 2022 ballot for a LLL
  • The LLL should seek to maintain the current level of City services.
  • Committee members had differences of opinion on if the LLL should expand services to address emerging issues;
  • The committee did not come to an agreement on a recommended first year Levy Lid Lift rate.
The operating budget 10-year forecast projects potential budget gaps to occur beginning in 2024 with a cumulative size totaling $22.937 million over the 10-year forecast period. These potential budget gaps will not materialize, of course, as the City of Shoreline is required by law to pass a balanced budget. So this would require that we find other sources of revenue or fill with fund balance or most likely reduce expenditures which means reduction of services.

Four options are provided in the staff report. Option 2 is the staff recommendation.


Option 2 – Add Regional Mobile Crisis Response Program to Serve North King County Cities, Partial Funding of Support Services to Maintain Operational Programs and Increased Park Maintenance Staff in Conjunction with New Park Properties to Maintain Level of Service.

This option increases the City’s investment in the Regional Mobile Crisis Response Program to Serve North King County Cities (current RADAR Program) to allow for 24/7 coverage in Shoreline, would fund approximately half of the needed support services staff, and will add one full time employee to maintain park maintenance level of service as new park properties are developed. 

It would not provide funding to maintain service levels in other areas such as code enforcement and recreation and would only fund a portion of the identified support service needs. The new tax rate for 2023 would be set at $1.39766, close to the same rate that was established in the first year of the 2016 levy lid lift, and the lid for the ensuing years would be “lifted” each year by a percentage increase tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).


DISCUSSION

The current Levy Lid Lift will expire. So on the above slide, “no action” would remove the old Lid Lift, so that taxes actually decrease?
  • Reply: Correct. The current one will expire at the end of the year and they would recalculate the rate which results in a decrease in our rate down to $1.02.
What is the current levy rate so we can compare what people are paying now to what we might be asking them to pay in the first year of the new levy lid lift?
  • Reply: It is $1.13 and we will add a column to this chart to show that.
Why don’t we use fund balance instead of the yearly increases?
  • Reply: It’s not sustainable.
People want to see improved public safety such as RADAR.

It’s up the the Council to determine what programs will be enhanced, rather than to state in the levy what the funds are for. That would tie the hands of future councils.
  • Reply: we are working with bond council now to make sure that doesn’t happen but we needed some way to lay out how to get to a rate. We will be careful creating the wording.
  • Reply Debbie Tarry: This is kind of like what you might see with a City Manager recommendation but we recognize that the final decision is for Council to determine. It’s just to provide some context for conversation.
How uncomfortable are you with option 1? We’re going to have growth around light rail in the next few years and we will need staff in order to handle the increased needs.
  • Reply: My biggest concern is voter acceptance and there is also a slightly higher risk should assessed valuations decrease.
  • Reply Debbie Tarry: I agree. There is a comfort level around the same rate. It’s important to remember it’s not just the rate, it’s the valuation of housing. Even going from the current rate to $1.40 is an increase in property taxes. Our projections are conservative but fairly telling of what the future would look like and hopefully there would be more budget flexibility.
We are coming out of the last 6-year period which was different from any other. We have always passed these.

I prefer Option 1 for the additional revenue for various needs.

What about people who see these increases as a hardship?
  • Reply: Senior, low income, the disabled can be included in the resolution permitting them to apply for an exemption. In the past, this has not resulted in a big decrease in tax revenue.
Does population growth have any impact on this?
  • Reply: Population growth that comes along with development is included in the forecast at a low level with the expectation that costs increase along with the population growth.
This will come back as a choice between options 1 and 2 on June 27.

Meeting adjourned.

NOTE: Confused about how a Levy Lid Lift works? Go the the following link. It’s from Shoreline, it’s current, and it uses simplified examples.





Read more...

Finish the day with another spectacular sunset

 

Photo by Lee Lageschulte

We finish the day with another spectacular sunset. This is why people love living in Richmond Beach.

Or getting coffee and going to RB Saltwater Park to watch the sun set from the upper level parking lot


--Diane Hettrick




Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP