Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - June 23, 2025

The Shoreline City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chamber. Deputy Mayor Laura Mork presided. Councilmembers John Ramsdell, Keith Scully, Annette Ademasu, and Eben Pobee were present. Mayor Chris Roberts and Councilmember Betsy Robertson were excused (motion carried 5-0). The meeting included a public hearing on an interim tree regulation extension and a study session on the draft 2025-2029 Economic Development Strategy.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the Workshop Dinner Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2025.
• Approved Expenses and Payroll as of June 11, 2025, in the amount of $6,680,125.07.
• Adopted Resolution No. 547, repealing and replacing Resolution No. 424, assigning the City Manager responsibility for ADA Coordinator designation and grievance procedures.
• Authorized the City Manager to purchase a street sweeper approved in the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget for $496,726.50.
• Vote: Motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comment:

• Lance Young (Shoreline) highlighted a watering issue for plantings in public spaces (11,000 sq ft area) and requested a permanent solution from the city.
• Janet Way (Shoreline Preservation Society) urged that the history of sites like Firlands Way and Fircrest be preserved and highlighted in the draft Economic Development Strategy.

Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 1036 (Exceptional Trees):

• David Guilland (Shoreline) noted the tree subject to the ordinance is less than 100 years old (based on aerial photos), not several hundred.
• Kathleen Russell (Shoreline, Tree Preservation Code Team) requested the ordinance expand to protect 60-inch DBH and greater trees in all residential zones during the code update.
• Jenelle Kemmerling (Shoreline) supported extending the ordinance, citing over 4,500 trees cut since 2019, and asked about the street tree inventory.
• Boni Biery (Shoreline) emphasized ecological and societal benefits of large trees (e.g., the largest 1% account for up to 50% of above-ground carbon storage).
• Matthew DeAngelis (Shoreline) questioned the narrow focus on one tree and urged careful consideration during the tree code update.
• Janet Way (Shoreline Preservation Society) reiterated the historical and community value of the tree and suggested a mini-park.
• Lance Young (Shoreline) stressed the long-term value of large trees and urged permanent protections.

Discussion Items

Action Item – Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 1036 (Extension of Interim Tree Regulations):

• Andrew Bauer, Planning and Community Development Director, presented staff recommendation to extend the interim regulations (prohibiting removal of trees 60 inches DBH or greater in TC3 and TC4 zones) for an additional six months while the tree code is updated.
• Council discussion:
  • Councilmember Scully supported extension but raised fairness concerns; suggested exploring citywide expansion.
  • Councilmember Ramsdell agreed, noting the six-month extension would allow staff to assess the number of such trees citywide.
  • City Attorney Margaret King clarified the council can only extend the current ordinance; expanding scope requires a separate process.
  • Councilmember Pobee expressed concern about repeated six-month extensions and urged a permanent solution.
  • Councilmember Scully requested staff explore options to apply regulations citywide and asked that the ordinance return as an Action Item on July 14 (not on consent) for a vote on extension.
• Next step: Ordinance 1036 will return for council action on July 14, 2025.

Study Item – Discussion of Draft 2025-2029 Economic Development Strategy:

• Nate Daum, Economic Development Manager, presented the five-year functional plan based on the Comprehensive Plan, community input, and strategic plan. Key themes: creative economy, jobs/housing balance, placemaking, tourism, small business support.
• Council feedback:
  • Councilmember Pobee praised alignment with city plans, emphasized making Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) more affordable, and requested public art be tied to economic development.
  • Councilmember Ademasu asked to de-emphasize AI as a growth industry due to data center carbon output, and suggested adding medical/healthcare and zero-waste industries.
  • Councilmember Scully called for more focus on small business and realistic job targets (disliked the 10,000-job target imposed by the region).
  • Councilmember Ramsdell asked about MFTE adjustments (to reflect Shoreline’s actual AMI) and supported public-private partnerships for parks.
  • Deputy Mayor Mork inquired about incentivizing commercial landlords to share tenant improvement costs and emphasized small business.
• Staff will revise the strategy based on feedback and bring it back for council consideration (likely not on consent).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously (5-0).
• Public hearing on Ordinance No. 1036 held; extension of interim tree regulations for TC3 and TC4 zones will be voted on as an Action Item at the July 14 meeting.
• Council directed staff to explore options for expanding tree protections citywide and to continue the tree code update with community engagement.
• Council provided detailed feedback on the draft Economic Development Strategy; staff will incorporate changes and return for adoption at a future meeting.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.