Shoreline City Council Meeting July 29, 2013

Devon Vose Rickabaugh
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Shoreline City Council Meeting
July 29, 2013

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

Ronald Sewer District

Assistant City Manager Debbie Tarry and Mark Relph Public Works Director discussed the Interlocal Operating Agreement with Ronald Wastewater (sewer) District. The Agreement outlines the unification process between the City and the District in October 2017. The City will acquire the sewer utility through an assumption, which means all assets, reserve funds, employees, equipment and any District debt will be assumed by the City and the Ronald Wastewater District will cease to exist as a separate government entity. Procedures for an orderly and predictable transition of the sewer utility from District to City ownership are outlined in the 2002 Agreement.

Shoreline residents incorporated in 1995 in large part to receive better, more efficient services for their tax dollars. One way for the City to provide more efficient services includes unifying water and sewer utilities with City operations to create one-stop shopping for City residents and businesses. One of the utilities considered for consolidation was the District. part, that it is appropriate that urban services be provided by cities. The Legislature further clarified that cities should be the primary providers of urban services to provide the best coordination of capital improvements to support growth.

The Ronald Wastewater District is a special purpose district providing only sewer service, whose service boundaries are identical to Shoreline’s boundaries with the exception of the exclusion of the Highlands and the addition of Point Wells. Special purpose districts have typically been used throughout the state as a means to provide service in rural or unincorporated areas where local governments (i.e. cities and towns) were either unwilling or unable to provide service.

On June 27, 2013, the Ronald Wastewater District filed a lawsuit against the City.District is asking the Court to set aside the District’s promises to negotiate a transition plan and to cooperate with assumption including commitments not to protest and to execute the final dissolution of the District. In addition the District is asking that the Court require a public vote as part of the assumption.

In a FAQ (frequently asked questions) on the Ronald Sewer District Web Site the District maintains:.although state law allows for assumption, a city that does not already operate a sewer utility must obtain voter approval before it starts providing sewer utility service for the first time. The City responded in the law suit that The City does not need a vote to assume the district.

Light Rail

Senior Transportation Planner Alicia McIntire and Transportation Services Manager Kirk Mckinley led the discussion of Light Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) with Sound Transit. Sound Transit is requesting Council input on the DEIS, alignment options and station locations. Sound Transit is currently in the process of planning and design of the Lynnwood Link light rail extension north of Northgate. The light rail line will travel along I-5 and include two stops in Shoreline. Light rail represents a significant change to transit service in Shoreline. The City has been extensively engaged in Sound Transit’s planning, environmental and public outreach processes to determine the alignment (elevated or at-grade) and station locations. Potential station locations in Shoreline include NE 145th Street, NE 155thStreet and NE 185th Street. The DEIS examines the impacts associated with transportation, land use, noise, visual and acquisitions. Review of the DEIS will include a sixty (60) day public comment period. Sound Transit is requesting Council input on the DEIS, alignment options and station locations.

Roosters banned

Despite pleading by rooster owners and supporters the council voted to ban roosters in the city with a 90 day grace period. Councilmember Salomon and Winstead dissented. Salomon said the council should try some tactics before “taking away people’s property rights.” Most council members sided with Doug Bower who complained the roosters in his neighborhood have crowed  for the last two years and Carol Mento who said “The roosters are driving me crazy”. Councilmember Eggen said “Roosters are going to crow. That’s what they do. I’m more sympathetic to those who are unable to sleep at night.”  Councilmember McConnell said roosters do not belong in the city and since police would have to patrol for rooster nuisance, tolerating roosters would be “too high maintenance for police.”