Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - January 26, 2026

The Shoreline City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall. All seven council members were present. The meeting included a proclamation, approval of the consent calendar, a community presentation by Diggin' Shoreline, adoption of a resolution supporting Shoreline School District levies, a study item on landmark designations, and an executive session. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Proclamation

• Mayor Robertson proclaimed January 30, 2026, as Edwin T. Pratt Day of Remembrance, urging residents to focus on Pratt's life and legacy of building a diverse and inclusive community.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous 7-0 vote. Items included:
  • Approval of minutes from four prior meetings (Nov 24, Dec 1, Dec 8, Dec 15, 2025)
  • Approval of expenses and payroll as of January 9, 2026, in the amount of $19,378,878.82
  • Adoption of Ordinance No. 1052 amending SMC Chapter 3.75 for fire impact fees and establishing 2026 fire impact fee schedule for residential uses
  • Authorizing city manager to execute third amendment with Aalbu Brother LLC ($500,000) for upfitting four Ford trucks
  • Authorizing amendments to contracts with Lochner ($1,596,129) and KBA, Inc. ($2,099,963.07) for the 145th Street Interchange and Pedestrian Improvements Project
  • Authorizing documents to compensate for temporary property rights extension on Iglesia Ni Cristo Church property for the 148th Street Non-Motorized Bridge Project

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janet Way (Shoreline) expressed support for adding the Naval Hospital Chapel as a Landmark, noting its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and proposed moving a Navy barracks to create a museum at Fircrest.
• Lance Young (Shoreline) supported the Naval Hospital Chapel landmark, highlighting Admiral Joel Boone's legacy and the importance of the forest setting.
• Tobias Gurl (Shoreline) requested that City Hall provide whistles to alert residents when ICE agents are in the area, citing a recent abduction on Aurora.
• Kathleen Russell (Shoreline) supported adding the Naval Hospital Chapel to the municipal code, recognizing the work of Janet Way, Shoreline Preservation Society, Northwest Vernacular, Shoreline Historical Museum, Lance Young, and partial funding by 4Culture.
• Luke Larson (Shoreline, 3rd grader at Highland Terrace) asked the Council to endorse the school levies.
• Malorie Larson (Shoreline) urged support for the levies, citing Shoreline's history of supporting levies and the potential impact of staff cuts if levies fail.

Community Presentation: Diggin' Shoreline

• Mary Reidy, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, introduced Londa Jacques (Secretary) and Maryn Wynne (Treasurer) of Diggin' Shoreline.
• Presenters described the organization's history since 2009, becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2011, and its work on community gardening. They highlighted the Ching Garden at 160th and Greenwood Avenue N, honoring the legacy of Joe and Jenny Ching, and the community effort to reactivate the property. The project seeks funding, a formal city partnership, and inclusion in the next PROSA plan (2030).
• Councilmembers expressed support. Councilmember Scully said he would be open to a future budget amendment but only after assessing funding availability and community needs.

Action Item: Resolution No. 559

• John Norris, Deputy City Manager, presented the resolution supporting Shoreline School District Proposition No. 1 (educational programs and operations levy) and Proposition No. 2 (technology improvements and support levy). Both are 4-year replacement property tax levies on the February 10, 2026 special election ballot, replacing expiring levies. Estimated cost increase for a $1 million property is about $180 per year.
• Councilmember Scully moved approval, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pobee. The motion carried 7-0.

Study Item: Ordinance No. 1048 - Landmark Preservation Code

• Steve Szafran, Senior Planner, presented Ordinance No. 1048 to add the Naval Chapel at Fircrest (designated in 2021) and the Charnley House (designated April 2025) to SMC 15.20.030(C).
• Councilmember Roberts requested inclusion of the Naval Chapel's National Register number in the ordinance. Mayor Robertson confirmed staff would add it. The ordinance will return for adoption on the February 9, 2026 consent calendar.

Executive Session & Adjournment

• At 7:55 p.m., the Council recessed into a 20-minute executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss litigation. No action was expected or taken.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.