Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - April 28, 2025

The Shoreline City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall. Mayor Chris Roberts presided. Councilmembers present: Keith Scully, Annette Ademasu, Eben Pobee, and Betsy Robertson. Deputy Mayor Laura Mork and Councilmember John Ramsdell were excused by unanimous vote. The agenda was amended to move Item 7(d) (MFTE contract) to Action Item 8(a), then approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the regular meeting minutes of March 31, 2025.
• Approved expenses and payroll as of April 18, 2025, in the amount of $6,154,664.10.
• Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment 1 of Professional Services Agreement #10589 with Osborn Consulting for $555,874 for 2026 Stormwater Pipe Repair and Small Drainage Projects.
• Authorized the City Manager to execute the 2026-2035 Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 Interlocal Agreement.
• The motion to approve the consent calendar as modified (excluding item 7(d)) passed 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laurence Moore (Richmond Beach resident) spoke about inadequate maintenance at Richmond Beach Community Park, citing a dead tree that fell on a park bench after delays and branches left for over two years. He expressed frustration that concerns are only addressed after public complaints.
• Andrew Hou (owner of Uplift Climbing in North City) supported affordable housing incentives but expressed concern that the Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program shifts tax burdens to small businesses. He noted his property tax is proportionally higher than neighboring apartment buildings receiving tax exemptions and urged the council to create tax benefits for small businesses and incentivize landlords to retain long-term tenants.
• Kathleen Russell (Safe Shoreline Trees Advisory Board) requested that tree protections in contracts apply to trees 6 inches DBH (Shoreline's definition of a significant tree) rather than the 12-inch threshold in the Osborn Consulting contract. She also asked for sustainable planning language to be added to the Strategic Plan to balance impervious surfaces with natural land.

Discussion Items

• Approval of Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) Contract (8a): The council considered a contract with North City Apartments Owner, LP for the Alta North City Apartments (17712 15th Avenue NE). Councilmember Ademasu requested this item be moved from the consent calendar for discussion. She asked about climate resiliency features (e.g., balconies) and clarified that the units are affordable to households at 70% or less of area median income (AMI), with rents fixed (e.g., $1,416 for a one-bedroom). Bethany Wolbrecht-Dunn, Community Services Manager, confirmed that MFTE units are spread throughout the building and receive equal amenities. Councilmember Ademasu expressed support. Councilmember Robertson noted that the MFTE program is the primary source of affordable units in Shoreline and voted in favor. The motion passed 5-0.
• Adoption of 2025-2029 Strategic Plan (8b): Anne Arias, Performance Management & Continuous Improvement Analyst, presented the final plan, which incorporates council feedback including enhanced value definitions, equity and inclusion language, and greater visibility for natural environment and parks. The plan replaces the prior council goals and work plan and will guide the city through 2029. Councilmember Pobee supported the plan, especially its equity lens, and asked about future improvement opportunities. Ms. Arias noted the annual strategic planning workshop, annual performance reporting, and budget cycles as opportunities for updates. Mayor Roberts noted that the plan extends the existing direction. The motion passed 5-0.
• Discussion of Ordinance No. 1034 – LTGO Bond Anticipation Note Extension (9a): Joe Brandstatter, Administrative Services Director, presented a proposal to extend a $16.6M bond anticipation note (BAN) for the Shoreline Self-Storage property for three years (to June 2028), with an interest rate increase from 2.75% to 4.95%. The extension supports ongoing evaluation of a potential future aquatics facility. Mr. Brandstatter noted that revenues from self-storage can cover the increased interest costs, but cautioned that market changes or structural issues could require drawing from the fund's cash balance (approximately $1.4 million). The general fund is not impacted. Councilmembers discussed the fund balance, potential partial paydown, and the future of the property. No action was taken; the item was placed on the consent agenda for May 5, 2025.
• Discussion of Ordinance No. 1033 – Eminent Domain for NW Innis Arden Way Culvert Replacement (9b): Lea Bonebrake, Capital Project Manager, explained that the project (Phase 2 of the Hidden Lake Dam removal) requires new temporary construction easements due to design changes and a one-year construction delay caused by fish window restrictions. Two of three property owners have signed new easements; negotiations continue with the third. The ordinance authorizes eminent domain as a backup to keep the project on schedule. Condemnation would require fair compensation based on appraisals. No action was taken; the item was placed on the May 12, 2025 consent agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar (items a, b, c, e) unanimously (5-0).
• Approved the MFTE contract with North City Apartments Owner, LP (5-0).
• Adopted the City of Shoreline 2025-2029 Strategic Plan (5-0).
• Placed Ordinance No. 1034 (LTGO BAN extension) on the May 5, 2025 consent agenda for final action.
• Placed Ordinance No. 1033 (Eminent domain for Innis Arden culvert) on the May 12, 2025 consent agenda for final action.