Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting – January 5, 2026
Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting – January 5, 2026
The Shoreline City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting began with an oath of office ceremony for four newly elected councilmembers, followed by the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, a proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and unanimous approval of an 11-item consent calendar. The Council also appointed Amber Clark to the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services/Tree Board and discussed an update to fire impact fees (Ordinance 1052). Public comment addressed speeding concerns in Richmond Beach.
Consent Calendar
- The Council unanimously approved 11 items on the consent calendar (motion 7-0): approval of meeting minutes from November 24, December 1, and December 8, 2025; adoption of Ordinance No. 1051 extending interim tree protections (60-inch DBH and greater) in Town Center 3 and 4 districts; authorization for a King County Flood Control District grant agreement for the NE 175th Street/10th Avenue NE Flood Reduction Project; a construction contract with Strider Construction Co., Inc. ($4,573,803) for the NW Innis Arden Way Boeing Creek Culvert Replacement (Hidden Lake Phase 2); a professional services agreement with DOWL, LLC ($292,624) for the 200th Street and 25th Avenue Sidewalks Project; assumption of a Multifamily Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption contract by 15560 Westminster Way, LLC; the Parks Property Tax Levy Agreement with King County; Amendment No. 8 to the interlocal agreement for Conservation Futures open space purchases; Amendment No. 1 to the artist services contract with Andrea Wilbur Sigo for a sculpture at Brugger’s Bog Park; a three-year interlocal agreement with Lake Forest Park for enhanced recreation services; and an amendment to the design contract with Perteet, Inc. ($534,930) for Phase 1 of the N 175th Street (Stone Way N to I-5) Improvements Project.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Wayne McDonald, a Shoreline resident from the Richmond Beach area, spoke on behalf of his neighborhood about excessive speeding on 15th NW between Richmond Beach Road and 188th Street. He reported vehicles traveling 40–50 mph in a 25 mph zone, noted limited and obscured signage (one speed sign covered by branches and moss), and recommended a lighted speed sign or speed bumps. He also highlighted illegal parking forcing pedestrians onto the roadway.
Discussion Items
- Oath of Office and Council Organization: Shoreline District Court Judge Raul Martinez administered the oath of office to newly elected Councilmembers Valerie Snider (Position 1), Laura Mork (Position 3), Eben Pobee (Position 5), and Christopher Roberts (Position 7). Following the flag salute and roll call, the Council elected Betsy Robertson as Mayor (7-0) and Eben Pobee as Deputy Mayor (7-0; Councilmember Mork received 3 votes). Mayor Robertson then proclaimed January 19, 2026, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Shoreline and urged residents to work to end racism and fight for justice.
- City Manager’s Report: Bristol Ellington reported on upcoming events: a Tuesday walk group on January 6, a citywide neighborhood gathering on January 8 at City Hall, and a design workshop for Edwin Pratt Memorial Park (all ages welcome).
- Council Reports: Mayor Robertson announced a Shoreline Chamber event on January 29 (“From Data to Dollars: Preparing Businesses for FIFA 2026”) and solicited councilmember interest in serving on a subcommittee to review Planning Commission applications.
- Action Item – Appointment of Amber Clark: Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Director Mary Reidy explained that an unexpected vacancy occurred after a board member relocated out of state. The council subcommittee reviewed the spring 2025 applicant pool and recommended Amber Clark. The Council appointed Ms. Clark for a term beginning January 5, 2026, and expiring March 31, 2029 (motion 7-0).
- Study Item – Ordinance No. 1052 (Fire Impact Fees): Fire Chief Matt Cowan (accompanied by Fire Marshal Ryan Burgess) presented an update to the city’s fire impact fee schedule. The Regional Fire Authority cannot directly impose fees; the city established fees in 2018 under RCW 82.02. A 2025 law change requires a proportionate decrease for smaller residential units. The proposed new rate is $1.34 per square foot, combining single-family and multifamily into one residential category. Cowan noted this results in a slight decrease for single-family homes and a marked decrease for multifamily. Councilmember Scully confirmed that rejecting the ordinance would eliminate the fee. Councilmember Ademasu asked why medium-risk commercial has a lower per-square-foot fee than low-risk commercial; Cowan explained differences in response complexity and unit allocation. The item is scheduled for formal action on January 26, 2026, and may be placed on the consent calendar.
Key Outcomes
- Elections: Councilmember Betsy Robertson elected Mayor (7-0). Councilmember Eben Pobee elected Deputy Mayor (7-0).
- Minutes and Consent Calendar: All consent calendar items approved unanimously (7-0).
- Board Appointment: Amber Clark appointed to the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services/Tree Board (7-0) for a term ending March 31, 2029.
- Fire Impact Fees: Discussion held on Ordinance No. 1052; formal adoption slated for January 26, 2026, likely as a consent item.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:31 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. My name is Jessica Sumelchak Smith, and I'm the city clerk, and I will be calling to order the City Council regular meeting for January 5th, 2026. The first order of business this evening is the oath of office for newly elected council members, which is going to be performed by district shoreline district court judge martinez. So Judge Martinez, if you'd like to step up to the podium. And all the newly elected council members, please uh join Judge Martinez down at the podium. And we're going to do this in order of position. So Valerie's first, Laura second, Councilmember Povey is third, and Councilmember Roberts is fourth. Well, good evening. When I administer public service authors, I like to start with a quote that reminds us of what it means to serve. There are many insightful and inspiring quotes regarding service, including one by Booker T. Washington, who famously and very simply said, those who are happiest are those who do the most for others. But in this universe of great quotes regarding service, there is one that I believe stands above the others. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. I believe best convey the importance and the essence of what it means to serve. He said, Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others? Life's most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others? This evening, four individuals will answer this important question by taking an oath to serve our wonderfully diverse shoreline community as stewards of its local government. Some have taken the oath before and will be doing so again tonight for an additional term. Each is promising to give their time and talents toward effective local government. Each is promising to uphold and maintain constitutional and local laws. Each is promising to contribute toward a vision and then doing what it takes to help us get there. In return, they may receive what so many of these great service quotes often refer to. The purpose, fulfillment, and even joy that comes with a life lived in service to others. And all of you who serve in whatever way you can. Thank you for doing the hard work of keeping Shoreline moving forward and for your commitment to public service. All right, let's proceed with the oaths. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Valerie Snyder, having been duly elected. I, Valerie Snyder, having been duly elected. To the Office of City of Shoreline Council Position number one. To the Office of City Shoreline City Council Position number one. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will faithfully and impartially that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform the duties of this office. Discharge and perform the duties of this office. As prescribed by law and to the best of my ability. As prescribed by law and the best of my ability. And that I will support and maintain. And that I will support and maintain the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of Washington. The Constitution of the United States of America and Washington. And the ordinances of the City of Shoreline. And the ordinance of the city of Shoreline. Congratulations. Thank you. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I Laura Morgan, having been duly elected. I Laura Moore, having been duly elected. To the Office of City of Shoreline, Council Position number two. To the is it, I think I'm three. You're right.
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