Seattle City Council Resolutions and Ordinances

Title: Amending the 2005 Adopted Budget

Date: Aug. 8, 2005

Author: Seattle City Council

Number of pages: ~5

Takes $800,000 from Capital Improvement Program (CIP) account and designates it to the Magnuson Park project.

Title: Pole Height Variance Ordinance Passed by Council (Clerk File Number: 306574)

Date: Apr. 18, 2005

Author: Seattle City Council

Number of pages: 10

City Council grants variance to allow installation of fifty-two (52) light poles with light fixtures, in heights from 65 to 85 feet high--enough for four sports fields--with the following conditions:

• The Parks Dept. must append a detailed Illumination Management Plan to any building permit applications for field lighting installation at Magnuson Park. "The Plan should describe technological and program controls to limit the lighting of each field to evenings when play is scheduled, limit lighting to the hour of 10:00 p.m. (with security lighting shut off no later than 10:15 p.m.), and limit lighting of the fields to Monday through Saturday evenings. "
• "After completion of Phase II construction or development of four lighted fields, whichever results in development of the fewest lighted fields, prior to installation of lights standards and luminaries at the remaining lighted fields, and as a condition to approval of the remaining standards and luminaires, Parks shall submit to Council a monitoring report which shall detail how operation of the lighted fields has affected adjacent wildlife habitat and residential areas. The report shall assess impacts over a two-year period..."
• Installation of light standards and luminaires at little league and full sized baseball and softball fields shall occur concurrently with installation and construction of screening sufficient to minimize the effects of glare, light trespass, and reflected light on the adjacent residential uses.

Ordinance 121502

Title: ORDINANCE approving a Master Plan for the development of wetlands and wildlife habitat and an athletic field complex at Magnuson Park

Dates: introduced/referred: Mar 8, 2004; adopted: Jun 14, 2004

City Council approves a maximum of 7 lit fields and a maximum of 2 unlit fields, or a total of no more than 9 fields, outside the Multi-Purpose Activity / Sports Meadow area. [The all grass unlit Sports Meadow is considered 'Phase One' of the project, the other fields are 'Phase Two' and beyond.] As many of the lit fields may be equipped with all-weather, synthetic playing surfaces as is financially feasible, at the discretion of the Parks Dept. Monday through Saturday, lights shall be turned off no later than 10PM on all fields and no lighting shall be used on Sundays.

Parks Dept. must submit a 'Wetland/natural area Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan' to the City Council for review before commencing construction on Phase 2. "For each created wetland and natural area, the monitoring and reporting shall cover a period of three years from the completion of planting. The Plan shall provide for monitoring and reporting progress at key stages of creating new wetlands and natural areas, including designing and plant selection, grading, soil deconsolidation and amendment, planting, and mulching, irrigating and weeding new plantings until established. The Plan shall include an adaptive management strategy to remedy any problems that might compromise the functioning of the new wetlands and natural areas."

The Parks Dept. must submit its 'Phase 2' finalized plan to the City Council by March 2006. "The report shall clearly specify the extent of removal of the Commissary and surrounding parking lots to be accomplished; the extent of wetland and natural area work; and which sports fields are to be constructed; and give a complete description of the amounts, sources and any conditions attached to funding sources to be used in phase 2. DPR shall have identified adequate funds to fully implement the proposed phase 2 improvements at the time of the report to the Council."

The Parks Dept. must also submit an 'Annual Sportsfield Report' to the City Council "concurrent with the Executive's proposed budget beginning in 2004" [unclear when this condition activates...]. The report should include:

• A spreadsheet showing for each field scheduled by DPR (i.e., City fields and School District fields), the number of hours scheduled the previous calendar year a) by sport and whether youth or adult play and b) whether unlit or lit play...
• A table showing for each field, the condition of the field, a description of any improvements completed or to be completed in the current year along with the expected expansion of field capacity to be provided by any improvements (expressed in annual field hours) and a description of any improvements proposed for the following biennium, their cost and the expected increase in capacity.

Resolution 30530

Title: Support for improving the City's athletic field system

Dates: introduced/referred: Sep 23, 2002; adopted: Oct 7, 2002

[Note that this document is a City Council resolution--which is just of an advisory nature--as opposed to City Council ordinance which has the force of law.]

The City Council made a series of requests to the Parks Dept. related to the prioritization of sports field improvements (e.g., a high priority should be given to replacing old lighting systems where light and glare impacts adjacent residential properties), site selection (e.g., install synthetic turf at sites that currently have lights and install lights at sites that already have synthetic turf before installing both lights and synthetic turf at sites that currently have neither), and distribution of fields throughout the city (e.g., give higher priority to parts of the City that lack adequate field capacity relative to other areas). The coucil also requested a set of annual reports to help determine the appropriate level of future investment in sports fields, such as a listing of when (time of day, weekend vs. weekday, and month) and how often an organization/team/league is denied a request to schedule a game or practice due to lack of field availability within the City. As best we can tell, the Parks Dept. has not complied with any of these requests.

Resolution 30293

Title: A Resolution providing additional guidance on the design for Magnuson Park

Dates: introduced/referred: Mar. 5, 2001; adopted: Apr. 2, 2001

Resolution 30185

Title: Levy lid lift

Dates: introduced/referred: May 22, 2000; adopted: Jul 10, 2000

This 5,000 word resolution put the $200 million "Parks, Green Spaces, Trails & Zoo Levy" on the Seattle ballot in the November 2000 election (levy was passed) and much of the levy text is taken from this resolution. The levy is funded by additional property taxes collected over a period of eight years and augments the Park Department’s $55+ million annual budget.

The levy is for "purposes of improving maintenance and enhancing programming of existing parks, including the Woodland Park Zoo; acquiring, developing and maintaining new neighborhood parks, green spaces, playfields, trails, and boulevards; and funding safe out-of-school and senior activities." The full extent of the resolution text devoted to Magnuson Park fields and wetlands consists of two line items, one that devoted $3,000,000 to "Sand Point / Magnuson Wetlands" and $9,279,000 to "Sand Point / Magnuson—develop five athletic fields."

Resolution 30181

Title: A RESOLUTION Adopting the Seattle Park and Recreation Plan 2000

Dates: introduced/referred: May 15, 2000; adopted: Jun 19, 2000

Link to Seattle Park and Recreation Plan 2000

The Council adopts the Park Department’s "Seattle Park and Recreation Plan 2000", an update to the 1993 Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan (COMPLAN). The new Plan has a few brief references to sportsfields intended for Magnuson Park, including "Complete the sports meadow at Magnuson Park" and "Develop new sportsfields at Sand Point per the 1999 Magnuson Park Concept Design, and provide facilities for softball, baseball, soccer, rugby, and track and field. Provide floodlighting on such fields per the plan." ["Development of Park & Recreation Facilities, Sportsfields" section on p. 47].

The bulk of the Plan discusses general department policies that pertain to all Parks, including Magnuson Park. Many of these general policies appear to contradict stated plans for Magnuson Park—especially given what is now know about the Magnuson Park plan’s probable environmental impacts (light, noise, traffic, etc.) on wetlands, birds and other wildlife, as well as surrounding residents. For example:

- The Park Department’s overall environmental objectives include "Strengthen our city’s unique relationship with the natural environment, the land and the water by conserving, restoring and maintaining substantial open space, natural areas, shorelines, and wildlife, by demonstrating a strong conservation ethic, and conducting an effective environmental education program" ["Policy Statement, Fundamental Responsibilities" section, p. 7]. "Conserve and enhance wildlife habitat, watershed areas, and wetlands within the park system." [Park Management & Environmental Stewardship, Primary Roles & Responsibilities p. 25]. "Emphasize both the preservation and enhancement of Seattle’s natural setting, focusing on the greening of parklands, boulevards, streets and trails and the enhanced quality of all bodies of water within the parks system." [Acquisition & Development, General" section p. 63]

- Park Department general policies for working with neighborhoods include: "Listen to the citizens of our city and involve them from the beginning in decisions affecting the future of their parks and recreation system, especially in their neighborhoods." ["Policy Statement, Fundamental Responsibilities" section, p. 7]. "Improvements such as synthetic turf and lighting on selected fields will be considered to increase scheduling capacity where appropriate and where adverse neighborhood impacts as identified in public involvement processes can be mitigated." ["Development of Park & Recreation Facilities, Policies" section, p. 11]

- Park Department’s general policy is to distribute fields throughout the city, rather than to put a large number in one location. "A soccer field is desirable within one to two miles of all Seattle households... A turf softball/youth baseball field (60’basepaths) is desirable within 1 to 2 miles of all Seattle households" ["Distribution Guidelines for Park & Recreation Facilities" section on p. 35]

Resolution 30063

Title: Additional Guidance on the Design for Magnuson Park

Dates: introduced/referred: Oct 25, 1999; adopted: Nov 1, 1999

Link to Magnuson Park Conceptual Design Map (referenced in resolution 30063)

The Resolution, which expands upon resolutions 29429 and 29681 to provide additional guidance on the design for Magnuson Park, instructs the Parks Department to develop a detailed plan for implementing the stated "Magnuson Park Conceptual Design" by December 31, 2000. "Where this resolution [30063] contradicts earlier resolutions... it is the Council’s intention that the direction set forth in this resolution be followed."

Resolution 30063 calls for the construction of 9 fields at Magnuson Park with lights and artificial all weather turf—4 adult soccer, 3 softball (300’ outfield), and 2 baseball—"provided that, following a public outreach process, the Council decides any impacts of lighting on adjacent areas of the Park and on the neighborhood can be adequately mitigated." The map accompanying the Resolution also pictures 4 additional unlit soccer/rugby fields in a natural grass meadow.

The Resolution directs the Parks Department to explore putting in additional sports fields in the south west portion of the park. "The recommendation whether the additional fields will be lighted will take into consideration findings from a public outreach process the Department of Parks and Recreation is requested to conduct as well as take into consideration measures to adequately mitigate impacts on adjacent Park areas and the neighborhood."

Resolution 29681

Title: A resolution relating to the 1997 Joint Schools/Parks Athletic Development Program (JAFDP)

Dates: introduced/referred: Dec 8, 1997; adopted: Dec 15, 1997

The Joint Schools/Parks Athletic Development Program (JAFDP) is a document published in December 1997 by the Parks Department and developed in concert with Friends of Athletic Fields (FAF) and other sports-related organizations. The JAFDP identifies a wish list of sports field development & improvement projects that would increase the amount of capacity and improve the quality of play on city fields for youth and adults. Listed are proposed projects at two dozen City and School District properties, with an estimated cost of $108.5 million (in 1997 dollars). Included in the wish list are 11 lighted playing fields at Magnuson Park.

The council resolution instructs the Parks Department to "develop alternatives for funding both the development and maintenance of the facilities listed in the [JAFDP] program; identifying the respective roles and responsibilities of the Parks Department and the School District with respect to maintenance, scheduling, fees and revenue, and any associated personnel issues and, report back to the Mayor and the City Council in six months with a proposal."

Resolution 29624

Title: A resolution adopting Design Guidelines for Sand Point and Magnuson Park

Dates: introduced/referred: Sep 8, 1997; adopted: Nov 3, 1997

Council adopts the Oct. 1997 "Final Design Guidelines Manual for Sand Point and Magnuson Park" authored by a consortium of pubic architecture & community planning firms. The 200 page manual contains recommendations related to buildings, utilities, recreational facilities, circulation systems, landscape and open space treatment, demolition, and public art, as well as other development at Magnuson Park. Discussions related to athletic fields are limited to a total of a page or two. Highlights:

- "A number of athletic facilities have been proposed for this space, including rugby, soccer, baseball and softball fields, a running track, and tennis courts, among others. However, no combination of facilities and layout has yet been agreed upon." (p. 4-21)

- "All playing field lighting, when and if provided, shall incorporate the most advanced technology in glare reduction lighting, to minimize light glare into residential neighborhoods and habitat areas. Field lighting shall not be utilized when the impact from lighting glare to neighborhoods or sensitive natural habitat areas is judged to be significant." (p. 4-22)

Resolution 29429

Title: A resolution approving a Physical Development Management Plan for Sand Point

Dates: introduced/referred: Sep 3, 1996; adopted: Jun 16, 1997

City Council approves the "Sand Point Physical Development Management Plan", a document (attached to the resolution) which provides guidance on how the 151 acres being conveyed to the city (by the U.S. Navy) will be used. This is land sandwiched between Sand Point Way (on the West) and the existing 196 acre Magnuson Park (on the East) which was established in the 1970's. The Plan divides the property into six "activity" areas, and discusses "principal considerations", objectives, and options for each area.

A brief discussion of wetlands and sport fields are included in the "Open Space / Recreation Expansion Area" section. For wetlands, the intent is to restore wetlands that existed prior to the establishment of the Naval Base. For sport fields, the document introduces the possibility of augmenting the two pre-existing softball diamonds and open field sport area with an unspecified number of additional soccer fields. No mention is made of lighting the fields.

Resolution 28832

Title: A RESOLUTION adopting a Preferred Reuse Plan for Sand Point, and authorizing the Seattle Planning Department to forward the Plan to the United States Navy in anticipation of the Navy's closure of the Naval Station Puget Sound, San Point

Dates: introduced/referred: Nov 15, 1993; adopted: Nov 22, 1993

Resolution 28763

Title: A RESOLUTION approving a Functional Plan for the Department of Parks and Recreation and adopting the Council's priorities and long term directions for Seattle's parks and recreation system

Dates: introduced/referred: Jul 12, 1993; adopted: Jul 19, 1993

Resolution 28626

Title: A RESOLUTION selecting a range of reuse concepts for the Naval Station Puget Sound, Sand Point, and authorizing the Seattle Planning Department to forward the Concept to the US Navy for use as the basis of the federal government's Environmental Impact Statement which will be prepared in anticipation of the Navy's closure of the facility

Dates: introduced/referred: Sep 28, 1992; adopted: Oct 27, 1992

Resolution 27991

Title: A RESOLUTION expressing the intent of The City of Seattle to secure for the expansion of Magnuson Park, portions of the Puget Sound Naval Station at Sand Point

Dates: introduced/referred: May 30, 1989; adopted: Jun 5, 1989