Shoreline City Manager report, week of January 26, 2015

Weekly Update for week of 1/26/15

From Debbie Tarry, Shoreline City Manager

January 26 Council Meeting

·         Regular Meeting

o   Authorized the City Manager to Obligate $555,957 of Surface Transportation Program Grant Funds for the Bicycle Implementation Plan Project: Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Local Agency Agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to obligate $555,957 of Surface Transportation Program (STP) grant funding for the Bicycle Implementation Plan Project. This funding source is through WSDOT and provides for 86% of eligible costs.

o   Authorized the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with EarthCorps to Provide Trail, Vegetation and Environmental Restoration Work for Shoreline Parks and Surface Water Facilities: Since 2009, the City of Shoreline has entered into an agreement with EarthCorps for trail, vegetation and environmental restoration work at Shoreline parks and surface water facilities. EarthCorps is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 with a mission to build a global community of leaders through local environmental service.

o   Authorized the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the 2014 Agreement with Osborn Consulting Inc. for the Design of the 2015 Stormwater Pipe Repair and Replacement Program Project: The Stormwater Pipe Repair and Replacement Program (SWPRRP) is an annual program to replace failing infrastructure identified in the asset inventory and condition assessment (Basin Plan) program. The 2015 program is expected to repair or replace failing pipes in approximately 40 locations (compared to 13 sites in 2014).

o   Discussed Ordinance No. 704, Amendments to Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 3.01 - Fee Schedule: Ordinance 704 corrects some errors and omissions in the fee schedule adopted with the 2015 budget on November 24, 2014. This ordinance is scheduled for adoption on February 9, 2015.

o   Discussed Affordable Housing as a Component of the Proposed Light Rail Development Regulations: As the Council moves toward adoption of a Subarea Plan and associated implementing regulations for the 185^th Street Station Subarea, there are a few recommendations for new regulatory programs. These new regulations implement existing Comprehensive Plan policies. One of the new programs is an affordable housing (different than low-income housing) program. This discussion was to allow for more in-depth review of the staff proposal in advance of the Council’s consideration of the entire adoption package for the 185^th Street Station Planned Action Ordinance.

o   Discussed Ordinance No. 694 - Property Tax Exemption Program: Ordinance 694 corrects inconsistencies and errors in Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 3.27 dealing with the City's Property Tax Exemption Program. This ordinance is scheduled for adoption on February 9, 2015.

February 2 Council Meeting

·         Dinner Meeting (5:45 p.m.)

o   185^th Planned Action Ordinance Adoption Process: Council will discuss the procedural process they intend to follow on February 23 as there will be this item and the selection of the preferred alternative for the 145^th Station to be studied in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Also staff will highlight the major points of the Planning Commission and identify if there are questions that Council has that staff should be prepared to address on February 9, when Council discusses the 185^th Light Rail Station Subarea Plan.

·         Regular Meeting

o   Proclamation of Black History Month: This proclamation recognizes the month of February as Black History Month, a time in which all Americans are encouraged to reflect on past successes and challenges of African Americans and look to the future to improve society so that we live up to the ideals of freedom, equality and justice.

o   Execute a Contract with Ralph Anderson and Associates for a Classification and Compensation Study: In early 2014, the City Council directed the City Manager to conduct a holistic review of the City’s compensation plan in 2015. A Request for Proposals (RFP) resulted in six proposals which were evaluated by a selection committee comprised of five employees and three managers. The evaluation ultimately resulted in a recommendation to contract with Ralph Andersen and Associates to conduct the compensation and classification study. Tonight's action would authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Ralph Andersen.

o   Discussion of the 2015-2017 Information Technology Strategic Plan: Technology is becoming more ingrained in core City services, and is utilized to support operational improvements. First and foremost, technology must be stable and reliable, with a support structure that provides acceptable and timely levels of support. Beyond that, advances in technology are changing the way that the City operates, as well as the manner in which the City’s residents expect to interact with government. It is therefore important that the City take both a long range and a tactical view regarding technology investments. A strategic technology plan for the City of Shoreline is crucial in order to align technical services, infrastructure, and citizen expectations to the operational needs of City government.

o   Discussion and Update of Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA) 8 Projects: Shoreline's marine near-shore is an important pathway for migrating juvenile salmon. When Chinook Salmon were listed as a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1999, Council authorized the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) to help create the WRIA 8 Forum of 27 local jurisdictions in King and Snohomish Counties. The goal of the Forum was to jointly fund the development and implementation of a Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan that would meet ESA requirements. Tonight's discussion provides an opportunity, prior to Council consideration of an updated ILA this fall, to review the City's interaction with WRIA 8 and to be provided with an update on the Salmon Recovery Council's current efforts, which will be presented by Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz, WRIA 8 Watershed Coordinator.

Light Rail

Here is a link to an article regarding a study that showed increased property valuation of properties up to nearly two miles away from major transit centers such as light rail. http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2015/01/what-does-living-close-to-transit-really-mean/384421/

The City Council will be discussing the 185^th Light Rail Station Subarea Plan and Planned Action Ordinance on February 9. The Council is scheduled to adopt the Planned Action Ordinance on February 23. The February 23 meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

The City Council will also be selecting the Preferred Alternative for the 145^th Light Rail Station to be studied in the Financial Environmental Impact Statement on February 23.

Aurora Village

Economic Development Manager Dan Eernissee, Police Chief Shawn Ledford, and Police Captain Scott Strathy will be following up with the property owners and property management team from First Western regarding issues relating to loitering and aggressive pursuit of site customers by some individuals at the Aurora Village center. The City wants to be responsive and helpful in making our commercial centers safe and inviting for customers and at the same time we have to make sure that our treatment of individuals is appropriate and aligns with legal authority.

Agenda Planner Items

·         **February 23 – The Regular Meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. .

This and That

·         We have issued the Request for Proposal for “Promoting Shoreline” that was included in the 2015 budget. The proposals are due February 5.

·         The November/December issue of CityVision Magazine recognizes the 16 city alliance to create the Human Services Funding Collaborative. Shoreline is one of those cities.

·         We received word this week that AT&T has decided to delay all site building projects, like the Twin Ponds Park cell tower lease, for the time being. They are in the process of purchasing Direct TV and are focusing on that financial transaction. The City’s 2015 budget included annual lease income of $38,000, which was targeted to help fund the future turf replacement.