Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - April 6, 2026
Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - April 6, 2026
The Shoreline City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber, adjourning at 8:21 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, public comments, approval of the consent calendar, and discussions on two ordinances: one prohibiting civil immigration enforcement on city property and the other updating surface water regulations to protect a drinking water wellhead.
Consent Calendar
- Adoption of Ordinance No. 1057: Authorized the issuance of $38.36 million in limited tax general obligation bonds to finance sidewalk improvement projects and surface water utility improvements.
- Authorize Contract with Play-Well TEKnologies: Approved a $150,000 contract for recreation programs in 2026-2027.
- Both items were approved unanimously (7-0) by a motion from Deputy Mayor Pobee, seconded by Councilmember Ademasu.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Shannon Collier (Shoreline resident): Expressed concern that city staff opposes designating the Deer Creek Wellhead Protection Area as a Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA). She argued the city appears to prioritize swimming lakes and development over drinking water protection and noted that none of the proposed options for Ordinance 1058 include a CARA designation.
- Bob Danson (General Manager, Olympic View Water and Sewer District): Thanked the city for recognizing the wellhead area but disagreed with the protection method. He stated a CARA designation is necessary to alert developers early and provide durable protections, and that infiltration does not remove contaminants but transfers them to the drinking water aquifer.
- Norbert Steele (Shoreline resident): Expressed disappointment with the council's vote on speed enforcement cameras and a lack of effective communication. He voiced support for Ordinance No. 1059 (immigration enforcement prohibition) and drinking water protections.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance No. 1059 - Prohibiting Civil Immigration Enforcement on City Property: Deputy City Manager John Norris presented the proposed ordinance, which would codify a prohibition on using city property (buildings, parks, utility properties) for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial court order. Enforcement would be through the City Attorney's office, and signage would be installed. Council members expressed strong support; Deputy Mayor Pobee noted it builds trust, Councilmember Scully acknowledged potential litigation but stated it was acceptable, and Councilmember Ademasu emphasized constitutional protections. Councilmember Snider asked about enforcement procedures, and Norris clarified that police can be called (911) to inform federal agents of the prohibition. Mayor Robertson stated the ordinance will return as a future action item.
- Ordinance No. 1058 - Amending Surface Water Regulations (Chapter 13.10): Public Works Director Tricia Juhnke and Engineer Zachary Richardson presented. The ordinance creates a special drainage area for the Deer Creek Springs Wellhead Protection Buffer (covering about 45 properties: 42 residential, 3 commercial) to address concerns raised by Olympic View Water and Sewer District. Proposed changes include prohibiting deep injection wells, requiring special pretreatment and maintenance plans for commercial projects using UICs to target PFAS, and adding a crumb rubber prohibition (to be included in the next version). Discussion focused on achieving protections equivalent to those in Edmonds (which has a CARA designation) and balancing groundwater protection with surface water impacts. Councilmember Scully urged adopting protections matching Edmonds without building in permitting delays. Councilmember Ademasu proposed additional land use restrictions (e.g., prohibiting high-risk uses like gas stations, car washes) similar to Edmonds' code; staff noted many are already covered under existing UIC regulations but will analyze further. Staff emphasized the geological differences between Shoreline's portion of the buffer and other areas.
Key Outcomes
- The consent calendar was unanimously approved (7-0).
- Ordinance No. 1059 will return as an action item at a future meeting, allowing for additional public input.
- Ordinance No. 1058 is scheduled for action on April 27, 2026, with potential amendments based on council direction.
- Council directed staff to explore aligning protections with Edmonds' regulations, including land use restrictions for high-risk activities in the special drainage area, and to provide a written analysis of how existing UIC rules address proposed prohibitions.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I now call to order the Shoreline City Council regular meeting for Monday, April 6th, 2026. And would you please let join counsel for the flag salute? Pledge of agents of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands. One nation and visible liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Would the clerk please call the role? Mayor Robertson. Here. Deputy Mayor Povey. Councilmember Snyder. Here. Councilmember Scully. Present. Councilmember Mark? Present. Councilmember Automasio? Present. Councilmember Roberts. Thank you. Tonight I have the pleasure of proclaiming the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Shoreline, and I would like to invite Cornelia Branfield Harvey, board member of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, and Shoreline resident up to the podium to accept the proclamation. Okay. Thanks for being here. All right, so whereas sexual assault is pervasive, in the United States, 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing some form of sexual harassment and or assault. And whereas sexual violence impacts everyone, anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, and those who commit sexual abuse, assault, and harassment exist in all communities. And whereas sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes for many reasons, and survivors who are most marginalized face additional barriers to reporting. And whereas black, indigenous, and other people of color, LGBTQIA plus people, older adults, people with disabilities, low income, and others who have been historically oppressed are disproportionately affected by sexual violence in significant and complex ways. And whereas sexual violence exists on a continuum of behaviors that includes inappropriate jokes, verbal harassment, and physical assaults, and whereas we can promote a culture where everyone resists and actively disrupts harmful attitudes and behaviors that contribute to sexual violence. And whereas survivors of sexual assault may never forget, but they can heal with support from family, friends, and community agencies that offer free and confidential services, advocacy, information, and resources. And now, therefore, I, Betsy Robertson, Mayor of the City of Shoreline, on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, do hereby proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Shoreline and encourage all to take action to prevent sexual violence by standing with survivors and committing to a safer community for all the country. My name is Cornelia Branfield Harvey, and I'm proud to live here in Shoreline. I'm board member at the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, a nonprofit organization serving communities across King County, including here in Shoreline. Every day we walk alongside survivors and their families as they navigate healing, safety, and justice. Earlier in my career, I represented survivors as a plaintiff's attorney. And I have seen firsthand both the harm that sexual violence causes and the strength it takes to come forward. I also want to share this proclamation. I also want to share that this proclamation takes on a very personal meaning for me today. My grandmother passed away earlier today. She was someone who believed deeply in just in justice in speaking up and in standing with others. Especially when it was not easy or popular. She taught me to fight for what is right and to use my voice. She always said, Cornelia, you have to give a voice to those who don't have one. So being here tonight, speaking about this issue and standing with survivors is in many ways part of the legacy she passed on to me. Speaking out and speaking up, and I feel her spirit with me here tonight. You are not alone. And what happened to you is not your fault. Sexual violence affects every community, including this one. About half of women and one in three men experience sexual assault in their lifetime. People from marginalized communities because of race, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation face even greater risk. This is not a distant issue.
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