Shoreline proclaims Bridal Month and Gun Violence Awareness Day; residents urge council action on trans protections, parks and pool design

The Shoreline City Council opened its June 1 meeting with two proclamations and a period of public comment. Deputy Mayor read a proclamation recognizing June as Bridal Month and the city’s support for LGBTQIA+ residents; Roberto Lopez, introduced to the podium, asked the council to consider a resolution opposing two state ballot initiatives he said would require genital inspections for girls who try out for school athletics and would remove counseling privacy protections.

Deputy Mayor also read a proclamation recognizing June 5 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Juliet Scarpa, a Shoreline resident and volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, thanked the council for the proclamation, described gun violence as a public‑health crisis and urged residents to participate in Wear Orange events.

Several members of the public addressed the council during the open comment period. Ken Pitts, vice president of Carpenters Local 206 Seattle and a Shoreline resident, urged the city to support union labor and area standard wages on public projects. Brian Kelly, a union carpenter and veteran, described harms associated with the underground construction economy and called for prevailing wages and responsible contracting.

Speakers also addressed local parks and the proposed pool. Mary Carroll raised safety concerns and vegetation‑maintenance questions at the newly completed James Keogh Park, including potential fire hazards from unmowed grass adjacent to private fences. Dan Adams and other residents urged the council to consider including a hot tub or amenities targeted to adults in the proposed pool facility; staff said the schematic design could be adjusted during later design phases. Dia Dreyer spoke about potential tax impacts, estimating roughly $500 annually in illustrative examples and warning that cumulative costs could affect housing affordability.

Several speakers asked the council to take a public stand against the initiatives targeting transgender youth and to agendize a model resolution; Scott Menzies said he is assisting No Hate in Washington State with a model resolution and handed materials to the council.

Deputy Mayor and staff thanked the speakers and reminded the public that meeting materials and next city meetings were available on the city’s website.