Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting Summary - May 5, 2025
Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2025
The Shoreline City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included three proclamations, approval of a consent calendar, a public hearing and action on purchasing a property for park development, and a discussion on the 2024 Climate Action Plan year-in-review. Councilmembers John Ramsdell and Betsy Robertson were excused, leaving five members present.
Proclamations
- Mayor Roberts proclaimed May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, National Bike Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month. Guests from Shoreline Community College's WAVE program accepted the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month proclamation. Armie Beth Tan Bada (Filipinos American Student and Allies Club) and Macy Noelani Akemi Glory (Hawaii and Polynesian Culture Club) spoke about their clubs and invited the community to an AANHPI celebration at Shorewood High School on May 16.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar was approved unanimously (5-0). Items included:
- Approval of April 14, 2025 regular meeting minutes.
- Adoption of Ordinance No. 1030 amending the 2025-2026 biennial budget and 2024-to-2025 carryovers.
- Adoption of Ordinance No. 1034 amending limited tax general obligation bond anticipation notes.
- Authorizing snow response equipment purchase for up to $284,000.
- Affirmation of property rights acquisition for Wastewater Lift Station No. 13 at $170,000.
- Authorizing a $588,422 contract with Resicon for the Energize Shoreline program.
- Adoption of Resolution No. 540 placing a renewed countywide Medic One/EMS levy on the ballot for 2026-2031.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment (non-agenda items):
- Larry Moore (Shoreline) expressed strong dissatisfaction with the new tree regulations, calling them unreasonable and stating the city is "gouging" property owners with fees up to $3,000.
- Kathleen Russell (Shoreline, representing Save Shoreline Trees) argued tree protections will not increase canopy, citing over 4,511 significant trees removed since 2019, and urged prioritizing tree planting.
- Matthew DeAngelis (Shoreline) supported climate action efforts, especially transit, bike lanes, density, and businesses to reduce car dependence, and praised the Lime scooter/bike share program.
- Public Hearing on Property Acquisition (14925 Aurora Ave N):
- Lance Young (Shoreline, Westminster neighborhood) advocated for the park purchase, noting previous failed developments and potential to reduce crime, and commended staff for negotiating a price below the prior offer.
- Kyle McQueen (Seattle, adjacent business owner) supported the purchase, suggesting a pump track and public-private partnership to activate the area and improve safety.
- Larry Moore (Shoreline) supported the park but questioned whether staffing would be increased to maintain new parks.
Action Items
- Purchase of Real Property at 14925 Aurora Avenue N:
- Nathan Daum (Economic Development Program Manager) and Mary Reidy (Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director) presented the proposal. The 1.35-acre parcel was identified in the PROSA Plan as a priority for park space, especially a pump track. The purchase price is $4.4 million (appraised), with an estimated $50,000 in transaction costs. Funding would primarily come from park impact fees, with hopes to backfill with a $1 million RCO grant and potential King County Parks levy funds. A public-private partnership with the adjacent ski shop (Seattle Ski and Snowboard) is being explored to adjust lot lines and create a café/outdoor seating. Development timeline is 3-4 years.
- Councilmember Scully supported the purchase, emphasized addressing crime through activation, and encouraged public-private partnerships. He asked about development timeline.
- Councilmember Ademasu noted a 45% increase in youth gun violence and said the park could engage youth and deter crime.
- Deputy Mayor Mork clarified that the city's focus is on owning park land, not the private portion.
- Motion by Councilmember Pobee, seconded by Councilmember Ademasu, passed 5-0 to approve the acquisition and authorize the City Manager to complete the purchase.
Study Items
- Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2024 Year In Review:
- Paige Scheid (Environmental Sustainability Program Manager) presented the annual review. The CAP aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050, focusing on five areas: transportation, buildings/energy, zero waste, ecosystems, and community resilience. Of 90 actions, 67 have been started or completed. Key 2024 highlights: Energize Shoreline program launch, Lime scooter/bike share (200 scooters, 50 bikes), light rail opening, and a new sustainability specialist position. The climate action team meets bi-monthly.
- Targets and indicators were discussed. Examples: natural gas usage decreased 23% (2019-2024), energy consumption down 13% (approaching 15% goal), residential waste generation down 0.3 lbs/person/day.
- Councilmember Scully asked about food service business compliance with zero waste rules, multifamily composting challenges, and e-bike incentives. He noted diversion rates are declining and urged enforcement.
- Councilmember Ademasu questioned the frequency of tree canopy assessment (currently every 5 years) and suggested annual tracking; she also asked for better tree removal and planting data and noted drought conditions (5 inches below normal).
- Councilmember Pobee asked about federal funding for urban forestry; Mary Reidy confirmed a $1 million River Network grant is still active but must be spent by September 2025 due to uncertainty.
- Councilmember Scully (on behalf of Deputy Mayor Mork) raised concerns about low composting participation in single-family homes and minimal use of green bins; staff cited education, regional differences, and confusion. He suggested pressuring service providers to accept more materials.
- Councilmember Scully also asked about special item recycling (textiles, styrofoam) and whether the city tracks them; staff said they are tracked as special items but volume is small.
- No vote was taken; the discussion was for informational purposes.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously (5-0).
- Purchase of 14925 Aurora Avenue N approved unanimously (5-0) for $4.4 million plus $50,000 in costs; City Manager authorized to complete the purchase; funding to come from park impact fees with potential grants.
- Climate Action Plan 2024 Year In Review was received and discussed; no formal action taken.
- Meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call to order the city Shoreline City Council meeting for Monday, May 20, May 5th, 2025 to order. Will you please join me in the flag salute? Close allegiance to the flag, the United States of America, to the Republic for which it stands. One nation underground, indivisible with liberty, and justice for all. Thank you. Will the clerk please conduct the role? Mayor Roberts. Here. Deputy Mayor More. Present. Councilmember Ramsdale. Councilmember Robertson. Councilmember Otomasu. Present. Councilmember Pobe. Councilmember Scully. Present. Do you want to motion, Mr. Oh, yes, please. Yeah, I move to go ahead. Oh, I move to excuse Councilmember Robertson as well as Councilmember Ramsdale. Second then. There's a motion and a second to excuse Councilmember Robertson and Ramsdale for personal reasons. Is there any discussion? Seeing no objection, the motion passes unanimously. First, I'd like to recognize that today is missing murdered in Indigenous Women's Day. I'd also like to proclaim the month of May on behalf of the Shoreline City Council as National Bike Month, and I encourage residents to bike for recreation and transportation. And I'd also like to proclaim the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month and emphasize the importance of identifying and treating mental illness. I also am happy to proclaim today, and we have some guests here from Shoreline Community Colleges WAVE program to accept the proclamation of Asian Pacific Islander Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. And we have, as I said, we have two guests from Shoreline Community Colleges here. We have Army Beth Tan Badu and Mary Mace. Glory who are here today. I'm sorry for butchering your names. If you'd like to come up and accept the proclamation. Whereas in 1992, Congress designated May as Asia, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to celebrate the and honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. And whereas Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are made up of people from many diverse cultures with unique heritages, representing a broad range of experiences experiences and perspectives. And whereas Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make up about 15% of Shoreline, 23% of King County, and 10% of Washington State, and are the second largest and fastest growing population group in Washington state. And whereas we recognize the xenophobia, harassment, violence, and racism that these communities have faced throughout history, which intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today. And whereas May provides more opportunities to learn about the valuable impacts and current work these communities are engaged in and how and how to support those efforts. Now therefore, I, Christopher Roberts, Mayor of the City of Shoreline, on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, do you hereby recognize May 2025 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the City of Shoreline and encourage all to celebrate and learn more, not only in May, but throughout the year. And it is an honor to be able to stand here today and accept this certification and bring in the month that celebrates the different cultures that are included in AA NHPI Heritage Month. My name is Army Beth Bada, and I am the Filipinos American Student and Allies Club President at Shoreline Community College. Our mission is to promote and celebrate Filipino culture through social events, cultural workshops, and community service. Through our events, we welcome students from all backgrounds to join us about learning, experiencing the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines. Aloha ko Omesi Ko Inoa. Hello, everyone. My name is Macy Glory, and I'm the president of the Hawaii and Philip and the Polynesian Culture Club at Shoreline Community College. We aim to not only share culture through food events and workshops, but also help create a familiar environment to those of us who have came to Washington from the Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian Islands. We welcome anyone who is open and willing to learn about our island homes and want to share the spirit of Aloha.
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