CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Central Waterfront Project, authorizing amendment of the “Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Renovation and Expansion of the Seattle Aquarium and Development of the Central Waterfront” between The City of Seattle and the Seattle Aquarium Society.
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WHEREAS, The City of Seattle (“City”) owns the Seattle Aquarium (“Aquarium”), located on Piers No. 59 and No. 60 on the Central Waterfront, which is widely recognized as a world-class aquarium and a regional marine conservation resource; and
WHEREAS, via an agreement with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Seattle
Aquarium Society (SEAS) operates and maintains the Aquarium; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, in conjunction with the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and replacement of the aging Elliott Bay Seawall, the City began developing a community vision for the central city that resulted in the adoption of Resolution 31264, stating Guiding Principles for the Central Waterfront that include reconnecting downtown Seattle to its waterfront; and
WHEREAS, between 2003 and 2012 the City Council has adopted a series of resolutions and ordinances stating principles related to future Aquarium development, including that Aquarium development should be consistent with the Central Waterfront Master Plan in effect at the time of the proposed development; and
WHEREAS, on August 13, 2012, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 31399
(the “Waterfront Resolution”), with the Mayor’s concurrence. The Waterfront Resolution expresses support, for the Waterfront Seattle Concept Design and Framework Plan as defining the City’s the long-term vision for new parks and public spaces to be created following the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and the Central Waterfront Committee’s Strategic Plan (the “CWC Strategic Plan”) that outlines an implementation strategy to fund and build the new waterfront; and
WHEREAS, the Waterfront Resolution encourages partnerships with the Pike Place Market and Aquarium for key expansions of these two long-standing Seattle institutions, consistent with the Concept Design and Framework Plan; and
WHEREAS, on February 25, 2013 the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 124121, with the Mayor’s concurrence, authorizing execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and SEAS to serve as the basis for both the City and SEAS to proceed with the Aquarium renovation and expansion design; and
WHEREAS, on August 3, 2015, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 31603 (the “Master Plan Resolution”), with the Mayor’s concurrence, approving the SEAS Master plan for the purposes of further review and analysis, including environmental review, of a potential on land Aquarium expansion at the Overlook Walk Location, and directs the Office of the Waterfront and the Department of Parks and Recreation to coordinate environmental review of the Aquarium expansion with SEAS;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Director of Transportation and the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation or their designees are hereby authorized to execute, for and on behalf of the City, an amendment to the memorandum of understanding with the Seattle Aquarium Society entitled “Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Renovation and Expansion of the Seattle Aquarium and Development of the Central Waterfront” to increase the City’s maximum compensation to SEAS for 50 percent of its expenditures for Aquarium Expansion Project engineering, design and consultant services incurred beginning January 1, 2013 from $1,000,000 to $1,800,000 .
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2015, and
signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this
_____ day of ___________________, 2015.
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President __________of the City Council
Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2015.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2015.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)