OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - September 22, 2025

City Council — Monday, September 22, 2025
BodyShoreline, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, September 22, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 41:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Good evening.

0:07

I call to order the Shoreline City Council regular meeting for Monday, September 22nd, 2025.

0:14

Will you please join me in the flag salute?

0:22

And to the Republic for which it stands undervisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:31

Thank you.

0:31

Will the clerk please call the roll?

0:33

Mayor Roberts.

0:34

Here.

0:34

Deputy Mayor Mark.

0:35

Present.

0:36

Councilmember Ramsdale.

0:37

Present.

0:38

Councilmember Scully?

0:39

Present.

0:39

Councilmember Automasu.

0:40

Present.

0:41

Councilmember Povey.

0:42

Here.

0:42

Councilmember Robertson.

0:44

Do we have a motion?

0:45

Yes.

0:46

I move to excuse Councilmember Robertson for personal reasons.

0:50

Second that.

0:50

There's a motion and a second to excuse Councilmember Robertson for personal reasons.

0:55

Is there any objection?

0:56

Seeing no objection, that uh motion is adopted by unanimous consent.

1:01

The next item is approval of tonight's agenda.

1:04

If there is no objections or comments, the agenda is also adopted by unanimous consent.

1:11

Next on the agenda is the report of the city manager, Mr.

1:14

Ellington.

1:16

Good evening.

1:17

I have a very brief um report tonight.

1:23

Um our first, our current artist and resident, Gigi Silverman will be hosting their last open studio hours this Friday, September 26th from 12 to 3 and then 4 to 6 p.m.

1:37

Additionally, their final art exhibition will be this Sunday, September 28th from 2 to 4 p.m.

1:44

Learn more by visiting ShorelineWa.gov forward slash art.

1:48

We have one upcoming Shoreline Walks event this weekend.

1:52

Join us on Saturday, September 27th at 10 a.m.

1:55

for the Richmond Highlands Palatine Loop Walk.

1:59

Learn more about Shoreline Walks and see other upcoming events at Shoreline WA.gov forward slash shoreline walks.

2:07

And finally, just a couple of public reminders to share.

2:10

The planning commission will meet Thursday, October 2nd in the council chamber at 7 p.m.

2:15

The next council meeting will be on Monday, September 29th at 7 p.m.

2:19

The Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Tree Boards next meeting is Thursday, September 25th at 7 p.m.

2:26

And for more information about these upcoming meetings, please visit Shoreline WA.gov forward slash calendar.

2:32

And that concludes the city manager's report.

2:35

Thank you.

2:36

Are there any council reports this evening?

2:38

Councilmember Automason.

2:41

Thank you, Mayor.

2:43

I pulled out a lot of invasive ivy volunteering at Southwoods Park.

2:48

It's a great way to get to know your neighbors.

2:51

Attended the Waira 8 salmon restoration meeting.

2:55

Here are some highlights.

2:56

It's salmon season.

2:58

Please go out to our streams and see migrating salmon.

3:02

So far this year, returns of Chinook are higher than average, thanks to all the habitat restoration funding and actions over the last 19 years.

3:12

I encourage our city to sign on to a letter supporting Patty Murray's legislation for floodplain enhancement and recovery act.

3:22

And I have a few wildlife sightings in Shoreline from our very own Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.

3:29

I saw five minky whales for about 20 minutes there.

3:33

And at Lions Creek next door to us in Lake Forest Park.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters██████████████████████████26%
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████24%
Public Works████████████████████20%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - September 22, 2025

The Shoreline City Council met on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Mayor Chris Roberts presided, with all councilmembers present except Councilmember Betsy Robertson (excused). The meeting included approval of the consent calendar, discussion of the Park Facilities ADA Transition Plan, and discussion of a Public Works Department reorganization.

Consent Calendar

  • Adoption of Ordinance No. 1039 – Amending Shoreline Municipal Code to broaden the scope of public tree management.
  • Authorization for Change Order with FORMA Construction – A $912,683.85 change order for Park Bond Projects.
  • The consent calendar was approved 6-0 on a motion by Deputy Mayor Laura Mork, seconded by Councilmember Eben Pobee.

Discussion Items

Discussion of Resolution No. 522 – Park Facilities ADA Transition Plan

  • Randy Witt, Interim Engineer, and Lauri Strauss of design2 Last, Inc. presented the draft plan. Edits since the previous meeting included a social equity component in prioritization, a 70-year funding strategy requiring just over $300,000 per biennium (under 10% of General Capital Annual Contributions), and clarified public input processes.
  • Councilmember John Ramsdell expressed support and requested staff explore a quicker timeline if additional funding becomes available. Mayor Roberts and Deputy Mayor Mork emphasized embedding ADA improvements into planned projects to minimize future disruption.
  • Mary Reidy, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Director, noted that many ADA improvements are small and can be integrated into ongoing park developments, with flexibility from grants or other funding.
  • Council agreed to place the ADA Transition Plan on the consent calendar for the October 6, 2025 meeting.

Discussion of Ordinance No. 1044 – Public Works Department Reorganization and Salary Table Amendments

  • Tricia Juhnke, Public Works Director, introduced the reorganization, which restructures three divisions into Engineering Services, Maintenance Services, and a new Planning and Operations Division. Key changes include creating a Planning and Operations Manager (replacing the Transportation Services Manager) and a new Wastewater Maintenance Superintendent. Several position titles and salary ranges change.
  • The reorganization results in a net decrease in General Fund contributions but increases to the Surface Water and Wastewater Funds. Juhnke stated the increases can be absorbed within current rate structures and capital project adjustments until the next rate study in 2027.
  • Councilmembers raised concerns about adding costs to wastewater on top of King County rate increases, and cautioned that the reorganization should focus on job descriptions, not current employees. Juhnke confirmed no new grounds maintenance staff are added, but improved planning may reduce future maintenance issues.
  • The ordinance is scheduled for action on October 6, 2025, with recruitment for the two new positions planned for late September.

Key Outcomes

  • ADA Transition Plan: Council directed staff to return with Resolution No. 522 for adoption on the consent calendar at the October 6 meeting.
  • Public Works Reorganization: Council discussed Ordinance No. 1044 and will consider final action on October 6.
  • Consent Calendar approved 6-0, adopting Ordinance No. 1039 and authorizing the park bond change order.
  • The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I call to order the Shoreline City Council regular meeting for Monday, September 22nd, 2025. Will you please join me in the flag salute? And to the Republic for which it stands undervisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Will the clerk please call the roll? Mayor Roberts. Here. Deputy Mayor Mark. Present. Councilmember Ramsdale. Present. Councilmember Scully? Present. Councilmember Automasu. Present. Councilmember Povey. Here. Councilmember Robertson. Do we have a motion? Yes. I move to excuse Councilmember Robertson for personal reasons. Second that. There's a motion and a second to excuse Councilmember Robertson for personal reasons. Is there any objection? Seeing no objection, that uh motion is adopted by unanimous consent. The next item is approval of tonight's agenda. If there is no objections or comments, the agenda is also adopted by unanimous consent. Next on the agenda is the report of the city manager, Mr. Ellington. Good evening. I have a very brief um report tonight. Um our first, our current artist and resident, Gigi Silverman will be hosting their last open studio hours this Friday, September 26th from 12 to 3 and then 4 to 6 p.m. Additionally, their final art exhibition will be this Sunday, September 28th from 2 to 4 p.m. Learn more by visiting ShorelineWa.gov forward slash art. We have one upcoming Shoreline Walks event this weekend. Join us on Saturday, September 27th at 10 a.m. for the Richmond Highlands Palatine Loop Walk. Learn more about Shoreline Walks and see other upcoming events at Shoreline WA.gov forward slash shoreline walks. And finally, just a couple of public reminders to share. The planning commission will meet Thursday, October 2nd in the council chamber at 7 p.m. The next council meeting will be on Monday, September 29th at 7 p.m. The Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Tree Boards next meeting is Thursday, September 25th at 7 p.m. And for more information about these upcoming meetings, please visit Shoreline WA.gov forward slash calendar. And that concludes the city manager's report. Thank you. Are there any council reports this evening? Councilmember Automason. Thank you, Mayor. I pulled out a lot of invasive ivy volunteering at Southwoods Park.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com