Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2025

The Shoreline City Council met on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included two proclamations, approval of a consent calendar, action on federal legislative priorities, discussions on a tree fund ordinance and the Surface Water Master Plan, an executive session, and votes on settlement and litigation matters.

Proclamations

• Mayor Roberts proclaimed September 12–21, 2025 as Welcoming Week in Shoreline, encouraging community belonging.
• Mayor Roberts proclaimed the month of September 2025 as Safe Shoreline and National Preparedness Month, urging residents to implement emergency preparedness.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous vote (7-0). Items included:
  • Approval of minutes from July 14 and July 28, 2025 meetings.
  • Approval of expenses and payroll as of August 29, 2025 totaling $12,830,691.19.
  • Authorization for contracts: BEA Environmental ($140,000 for pollution prevention inspections), ILA #2564-64980 (Respite in Community Settings), ILA #2564-64981 (Recreational Opportunities), Osborn Consulting (up to $301,392 for Boeing Creek Basin Retrofit Study), Herrera, Inc. (up to $474,798 for Citywide Stream Characterization and Habitat Study), and Center for Human Services ($130,000 for mental health therapist services).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathleen Russell, representing Save Shoreline Trees, expressed strong support for Ordinance No. 1039, calling it "terrific news for Shoreline's tree canopy." She noted the ordinance allows the city to initiate agreements with non-city entities (e.g., school district, Seattle City Light) to plant trees on their property and urged council to support it. No other public comments were made.

Discussion Items

2025-2026 Federal Legislative Priorities

• Presenters: Jim Hammond (Intergovernmental/CMO Program Manager) and Jake Johnston (Federal Consultant) presented the proposed priorities focused on capital projects: Trail Along the Rail, Ballinger Creek, 175th Corridor, and RAISE grant funding.
• Discussion: Councilmember Scully expressed concern about the 175th Street project due to its high cost and lengthy funding process; Hammond noted the project is fully funded if the federal grant is retained. Councilmember Pobee suggested adding a policy to protect already-allocated federal funding; Johnston noted ongoing efforts in Congress to extend funding obligations in case of federal delays, and that some issues are addressed through the judicial process. Councilmember Scully asked about bipartisan support for a medium-sized city set-aside; Johnston replied that support exists for growing cities like Shoreline but highlighted challenges in broader political alignment, emphasizing the initiative is not partisan.
• Vote: Motion to approve the 2025-2026 Federal Legislative Priorities passed unanimously (7-0).

Ordinance No. 1039 – Tree Fund Amendments

• Presenters: Katrina Steinley (Senior Management Analyst) and Kevin Hickenbottom (Urban Forestry Supervisor) proposed three changes: (1) allow Tree Fund to plant trees on public property managed by the city but not city-owned; (2) allow use of eligible fund sources (excluding state-restricted fees) to support the urban forestry program broadly; (3) clarify language on permissible fund uses.
• Council comments: Councilmembers generally expressed support. Councilmember Robertson suggested exploring use of funds for environmental stewardship beyond tree planting; Hickenbottom said that would be possible as long as tree health is the goal. Councilmember Scully asked about funding for sidewalk improvements related to tree roots; Hickenbottom indicated it could be used to support tree health during such projects. Councilmember Ademasu noted the importance of planting in heat islands. A clarifying amendment recommended by staff (adding "mitigation fees" to the list of funding sources) received council consensus.
• Next steps: Ordinance scheduled to return for potential action on September 22, 2025, and will likely be placed on the consent calendar.

Resolution No. 549 – 2025-2030 Surface Water Master Plan

• Presenter: John Featherstone (Surface Water and Wastewater Systems Manager) presented the final plan. Key elements:
  • Public engagement resulted in four guiding principles: protect streams, fight climate change, make Shoreline greener, restore waterways.
  • Council previously chose Service Level Option 4 (the highest practical level) based on community support and staff recommendation.
  • Rate increases approved: 12.5% for 2025, then 8.5% annually through 2030. The Equivalent Service Unit (ESU) billing model will be implemented in 2027.
  • Implementation has already begun: two studies (Boeing Creek Basin Retrofit and Stream Characterization) are underway; a new street sweeper is being procured; the Soak It Up program was expanded and has a waiting list; water quality monitoring expansion starts this fall.
  • Over 30 performance measures will be tracked, including stream health (benthic macroinvertebrate index), greenification, permit compliance, street sweeping effectiveness, flood reduction, and hard surface runoff management.
• Council comments: Councilmembers expressed strong support. Councilmember Scully encouraged using local businesses (e.g., Go Natives Nursery) for native plant procurement. Deputy Mayor Mork requested annual reporting of performance metrics. Councilmember Ademasu praised the plan's focus on infiltration and suggested more community education on aquifer-stream connections. Mayor Roberts noted no objections to placing the resolution on consent for adoption on October 13, 2025.
• Note: Mr. Featherstone announced this was his last presentation as a city staffer; his last day is September 15, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously (7-0).
• 2025-2026 Federal Legislative Priorities – Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Executive Session: Council recessed for 15 minutes at 8:16 PM under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss litigation. Staff attendees included City Manager Bristol Ellington, Assistant City Manager John Norris, and City Attorney Margaret King.
• Post-Executive Session Actions (both approved 7-0):
  • Motion by Councilmember Betsy Robertson: Approved the CR2A Settlement Agreement, including payment of $760,000 to Philippi Presbyterian Church of Seattle for permanent and temporary easements necessary for the city's 148th Non-Motorized Bridge Project. Authorized the City Manager and City Attorney to execute documentation.
  • Motion by Councilmember Keith Scully: Authorized the City Attorney to file an appeal of McCormick, et al. v. Paramount of Washington, LLC, et al. (Snohomish Superior Court Case No. 25-2-04362-31) and to pursue all administrative remedies related to the uses of the Alon property in Woodway and Snohomish County, including any necessary appeals.
• Meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM.