Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - October 19, 2026

The Shoreline City Council held a regular meeting on October 19, 2026, from 7:00 PM to approximately 8:43 PM. The primary focus was the presentation and discussion of the 2027-2026 Proposed Biennial Budget, including departmental budgets and a permit fee recovery study. The meeting began with a consent calendar and one public comment, followed by extensive departmental presentations and council discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2026: Approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janelle Cammerling, a Shoreline resident, expressed support for the urban forester budget position recommended by staff and requested that the position be placed under the direction of the city manager to ensure it can work across all organizational boundaries. She urged council to discuss this option.

Discussion Items

• Budget Process Overview: Administrative Services Director Joe Branstetter outlined the budget schedule, noting that the council has opportunities to ask questions after each department presentation. He highlighted that expenditure increases across departments are largely due to a 4.53% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 and an 11% increase in health and dental benefits.
• City Council Budget: Deputy City Manager John Norris presented the council budget, which increases significantly due to the city council salary commission decision to raise council salaries effective January 1, 2027, and include annual cost-of-living adjustments. Mayor Robertson expressed astonishment at the increase, stating that to justify it, council must change how they do their job, such as appearing at more community events. He noted that council cannot easily revise the salary commission's decision without amending the municipal code.
• City Manager's Office: Norris presented proposed supplemental requests, including $150,000 for a city website redesign (complete overhaul of content management system), funding for the Shoreline Farmers Market SNAP Benefit Market Match program, and an ongoing addition for the Shoreline Pride Festival. A term-limited senior management analyst position was proposed for two more years to support a potential levy lid lift ballot measure for 2028. Councilmember Snyder asked about the website cost; Eric Bratton (Communications Program Manager explained that $150,000 is at the top end for a complete CMS overhaul after 10 years. Councilmember Adamasu expressed support for the small business outreach and Shoreline Small Business Development Center advising for 84,000 and $119,000 in one-time supplements to improve dining and entertainment options, noting that only 27% of survey respondents were satisfied.
• Deputy Mayor Povey questioned the reduction in the Shoreline Secure Storage Fund's operating expenses (down 23%) because it reflects varying costs like roof repairs, not reduced debt service payments. Councilmember Roberts asked about the $29,000 for the Farmers Market SNAP benefits; it matches the request from the dinner meeting; staff will provide usage data for future consideration.
• Human Resources Department: Libby Smith-Eua (HR Director) requested a one-time supplemental of $20,000 for labor relations consulting and a limited-term Senior HR Analyst for organizational development work. Deputy Mayor Povey asked about the long-term plan for limited-term positions, noting that creating value but not funding ongoing is unsustainable. John Norris responded that limited-term positions reflect ongoing need without ongoing revenue; the city is being fiscally conservative. Councilmember Scully objected to limited-term budgeting, saying if there is a long-term need, it should be funded long-term. Councilmember Roberts asked if similar cities have HR teams of six to seven people. Mayor Robertson acknowledged limited-term positions could become permanent if revenue permits. Councilmember Mork noted that the unemployment operations budget cut in half due to actuals.
• Parks, Recreation, and Community Services: Director Mary Reedy presented a $32.6 million biennial budget. The community support specialist (community support specialist) position was proposed for elimination; Councilmember Mork expressed concern, especially given the addition of $350,000 for HR, and requested the question matrix include cost and feasibility of adding it back. The mayor noted that Deputy Mayor Povey had already requested this. Councilmember Mork also asked about the increase in public art funding (28%) due to shifting a coordinator position from bond funding to general fund. Councilmember Scully expressed opposition to cutting the community support specialist position while adding funds to HR. The department also proposed an urban forester position, mostly revenue-backed through the King County Parks Levy.
• Administrative Services and Citywide: Director Branstetter presented $21.56 million biennial budget, including a request for AI governance and training program for up to 10 staff per year, and a management analyst position to coordinate citywide grants. Councilmember Roberts asked about AI policy; the city adopted one in summer 2026 that prohibits using generative AI to create staff reports or generate images. AI training will be balanced. Councilmember Snyder emphasized the need for cybersecurity investment; the IT budget includes cybersecurity measures. Councilmember Scully requested a separate session to discuss AI policy.
• Police Department: Chief Tommy Collins reported a projected six percent increase in the police contract for 2027 and 2028, with 53 FTEs authorized but 7 vacant. Response time for priority X calls decreased to 4.24 minutes. On-view activity increased due to a dedicated traffic unit and DUI officer. Councilmember Mork asked why the department aims to maintain or increase public complaints; Chief Collins explained that complaints signal community communication. Councilmember Snyder noted overall budget increase of 13-14% but no FTE increase.
• Criminal Justice: Christina RCD reported a $6.8 million biennial budget with no FTEs. Costs are driven by jail, court, and public defense. Requests no one-time supplements; base budget increase of $1.4 million (26%) due to rising jail population and court filings, particularly from parking enforcement and traffic enforcement. Public defense costs increase due to state Supreme Court limits on case loads for defenders.
• Planning and Community Development: Andrew Bauer presented $11.5 million biennial budget. Proposed permit fee fee recovery study recommends moving from 55% cost recovery to 75% over four years (option three) with fee adjustments. Option one is CPI adjustment; option two is 65% recovery; option three is 75% with phased increases. Councilmember Roberts supported option three; Councilmember Scully opposed any increase, preferring general fund subsidies to avoid burdening development. Councilmember Snyder supported 75% and suggested going closer to 100%. Councilmember Mork supported option three but also encouraged exploration of pre-approved plans to reduce fees.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: The minutes of September 28, 2026, were approved unanimously.
• Permit Fee Recovery: Council expressed clear support for option three (75% cost recovery over four years) from several members; staff will bring a proposed fee schedule for adoption at a future meeting. No formal vote was taken at this meeting.
• Budget Amendments: Council is asked to submit proposed amendments prior to November 2, 2026, for the budget adoption public hearings scheduled for November 2 and November 16. The budget adoption is planned for November 16.
• Limited Term Positions: Several councilmembers expressed reservations about the long-term use of limited-term positions, with Mayor Robertson acknowledging these positions could become permanent if revenue allows.
• Community Support Specialist Position: Councilmember Scully, Mork, and others expressed concern about eliminating the position; Mayor Robertson confirmed the project will be included in the budget analysis for further discussion.
• Urban Forester Position: The single public comment urged placing the position under the city manager; no council direction was given on this request during the meeting.