Shoreline City Manager’s Update for the week of 12/30/2013

By Debbie Tarry, Shoreline City Manager

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. Here is this week’s update.

January 6, 2014 Council Meeting

• Swearing in of New (re-elected) Councilmembers: This is the first order of business and Judge Eadie will be present. Swearing in will go in Position No. order.
• Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor: Last week I included the Council Rules regarding the process for the election. This item will follow the flag salute and roll call by the City Clerk.
• Adoption of Ordinance No. 682 – Transition Area Setback for Commercial Zone Development Across from Single Family Zones: Council requested staff to bring forward an ordinance to reset the set-back to 15 feet for these transition zones. Staff is recommending that Council adopt a 15-foot set-back for these transition zones, except for those located on a principal arterial or across from public open space. For those located on a principal arterial, staff recommends a zero-foot setback. A map of the affected parcels is included with the staff report. Linden Avenue would have a 15-foot set-back if this recommendation is adopted by the Council.
• Discussion and Update of 185th Light Rail Station Design Dialogue: Staff will update Council on the outcomes from the design dialogue workshops held in November.

Point Wells Update – EIS Process Starting in January

Snohomish County will start the environmental review process for the proposed development at Point Wells in January 2014. The review will look at the development’s impacts and determine how to address them. The City of Shoreline will host a series of workshops beginning Wednesday, Jan. 15, to ensure that the community has an opportunity to provide input in the review process and identify capital investments that will make for a safer transportation corridor. We are mailing postcards to approximately 14,000 households to inform residents about the workshop. More information is available on our news page.

Utilities Update

I have invited Ronald Wastewater District and Shoreline Water District to participate in the City’s Utility Unification and Efficiency Study which will begin in late January.

Finance Update

A couple of weeks ago my update included information regarding an increase in streetlight costs. Staff has continued to work with Seattle City Light to get an accurate inventory and billing and we have some good news. They have finalized their reconciliations and even though the streetlight count has increased from 2,566 to 2,946 (an additional 380 streetlights), the actual monthly bill is significantly lower due primarily to the LED conversion. Based on 2014 rates, our monthly bill will be approximately $32,700 (a decrease of $5,863 from our last monthly bills received). Our annual expenditures will be around $392,400 which is only $10,000 more than what was budgeted for 2014. To add to that good news, the City will be getting a credit in 2014 for the LED conversions that were paid at Sodium Vapor rates. The credit, as of December 31, 2013 is $231,402.93 and will be applied to the 2014 billing. This means that, in 2014, we will have approximately $220,000 in savings from the streetlights budget.

This and That

• The Department of Treasury has authorized the extension of use of federal seizure drug funds beyond the normal two years. These funds are being earmarked for the Police facility at City Hall.
• In 2013 the Police Department held 27 community meetings to discuss crime prevention and neighborhood concerns. This was a dramatic increase in the 2 held in 2011 and 12 held in 2012.
• Hopelink sent a thank you to the City’s Teen Program for their donation. The program donated 83 pounds of food in November.
• City Hall, Spartan Recreation Center, and Shoreline Pool will be closed January 1.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!