CITY OF SEATTLE

ORDINANCE __________________

COUNCIL BILL __________________

AN ORDINANCE relating to the Central Waterfront Project; authorizing a second amendment of the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Renovation and Expansion of the Seattle Aquarium and Development of the Central Waterfront Project between The City of Seattle and the Seattle Aquarium Society.

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 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. This resolution encouraged partnerships with the Pike Place Market and Aquarium for key expansions of these two long-standing Seattle institutions, consistent with the Central Waterfront Concept Design, Framework Plan, and Strategic Plan that were endorsed as part of that resolution; and

WHEREAS, on February 25, 2013, the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 124121, with the Mayor’s concurrence, authorizing the 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 directing the Office of the Waterfront and the Department of Parks and Recreation to coordinate environmental review of the Aquarium expansion with SEAS; and

WHEREAS, on November 23, 2015, the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 124908, with the Mayor’s concurrence, authorizing execution of an amendment to the MOU authorized under Ordinance 124121. This amendment increased the City’s maximum compensation to SEAS for 50 percent of its expenditures for the Aquarium Expansion Project engineering, design and consultant services incurred beginning January 1, 2013 from $1,000,000 to $1,800,000; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Amendment 2 to the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Renovation and Expansion of the Seattle Aquarium and Development of the Central Waterfront Project, attached to this ordinance as Exhibit A, is approved. The Director of the Office of the Waterfront and the Superintendent of the Department of Parks and Recreation are hereby authorized to execute this amendment with the Seattle Aquarium Society and implement its terms.

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 the presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the _____ day of _________________________, 2017, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2017.

____________________________________

President ____________ of the City Council

Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2017.

____________________________________

Tim Burgess, Mayor

Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2017.

____________________________________

Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)