HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2003 ITEM V-A-1WASHINGTON
CITY OF AUBURN
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
AND THE
AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION
May 27, 2003
MINUTES
INTRODUCTION
A special joint meeting of the Auburn City Council and the Auburn Planning
Commission convened at 6:34 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Auburn City Hall,
25 West Main Street, Auburn. Mayor Peter B. Lewis and the following
Councilmembers were present: Rich Wagner, Jeanne Barber, Trish Borden,
Fred Poe, Sue Singer, Stacey Brothers and Gene Cerino. Planning Commission
members present included: Ron Douglass, Renee Larsen, Yvonne Ward, Garna
Jones, and Dave Peace.
Staff members present included: Planning and Community Development
Director Paul Krauss, Community Development Administrator David Osaki, and
City Clerk Danielle Daskam.
Also present in the audience were Bill Peloza and Kevin Chapman.
Mayor Lewis expressed support for joint meetings between the Council and the
Planning Commission to provide an opportunity to share the vision and goals for
the City of Auburn.
CITY VISION MAP AND GOALS
Director Krauss presented the 2002/2003 vision and goals statement and the
City of Auburn Vision for the Future map dated November 2002. Both
documents are the result of the Council retreat held last year and will be the
focus of upcoming budget discussions and deliberations. The vision map and
accompanying statement represent the Council's collective vision for the future
of Auburn.
At the request of Commissioner Ward, Mayor Lewis briefly updated those
present on the City's lawsuit with the Washington State Department of
Transportation. Mayor Lewis reported that, in an effort to settle the suit, an
Interlocal Agreement has been drafted among the State, the Muckleshoot Tribe
and the City which would commit all three parties to seeking funding for planning
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2003
and completion of the traffic light synchronization, improvements to the Highway
164 roadbed, and for the construction of a link road at some location. The City
is waiting to hear whether the State will agree to the Agreement before week's
end. Mayor Lewis stated that any improvements committed to through the
Agreement would not be realized for at least five years. In the meantime,
concerts are scheduled at the amphitheater throughout the summer. Auburn
police will work to ensure that intersections are not blocked and that the citizens
of Auburn are protected.
Councilmember Wagner stated that the City's and the Tribe's destinies are
intertwined. He spoke in support of the proposed Interlocal Agreement among
the State, the Tribe and the City.
Commissioner Douglass referred to the Vision map and spoke in favor of the B
Street and I /M Street corridors. Mayor Lewis also pointed out the A Street
corridor, which would run from the train station north to ultimately 272nd Street.
Director Krauss spoke of an ongoing effort with Mohawk Plastics to commit to
building a portion of A Street adjacent to their facility to 10th Street and using the
private contribution as a match for a state grant to fund construction of A Street.
Mr. Krauss also spoke of an opportunity to gain a new trail along the Williams
pipeline.
Commissioner Jones suggested incorporating more neighborhood revitalization
projects on the Vision Map. She also expressed concern with the amount of time
it has taken to get the Terminal Park revitalization project started. Mayor Lewis
stated that the vision is intended for the next fifteen to twenty years and is
dependent on funding and the desires of the neighborhood.
Mayor Lewis spoke briefly about the potential for the implementation of a street
utility tax. He explained that state law must be enacted before the City can
impose a street utility tax. If implemented, the proceeds would fund sidewalk
and street construction and renovation. The City is currently mapping sidewalks
throughout the city.
There was discussion regarding the process for forming a local improvement
district (LID). Councilmember Poe recalled that the last LID the City proposed
for sidewalk construction was not supported by the neighborhood it was intended
to benefit.
In response to comments from Commissioner Jones regarding the status of City
revenues, Mayor Lewis reported the City's revenues are holding through a
diversified economy. Councilmember Brothers noted that the City has had to
balance its budget through the use of reserve funds.
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2003
The Council and Commission spoke regarding the status of Boeing property and
development of the area around the Supermall. Mayor Lewis reported that
Boeing will reduce its workforce at Auburn to approximately 4,900 this year and
their properties west of Perimeter Road will be on the market. Boeing has
requested a long-term master development agreement with the City to facilitate
redevelopment of their properties. It is anticipated that the majority of the
vacated Boeing property will remain industrial use.
Mayor Lewis spoke regarding the potential annexation of the Lea Hill area. He
stated that the most recent annexation analysis revealed the annexation would
cost the City approximately $2.5 million per year, assuming certain public works
improvements would be undertaken each year. Additionally, the cost of
additional fire and police personnel to serve the area is substantial. The benefit
to annexation is that the City would have control over development on Lea Hill
and receive revenues from property taxes and impact fees.
Councilmember Singer spoke regarding the Council's goal for a new public
safety building and the need for the Planning Commission's support of the
project. Mayor Lewis reported on efforts to negotiate the use of alternative
incarceration facilities.
Planning Commission members questioned the development of gated
communities in Auburn. Councilmember Borden reported that the Planning and
Community Development Committee discussed gated communities extensively.
She noted that a gated community was approved near the golf course, where the
development is a small, retirement neighborhood that abuts the river. She also
pointed out that a Comprehensive Plan policy exists to ensure that
neighborhoods will have pedestrian access.
Mayor Lewis spoke regarding the storm water challenges on Auburn's west side.
He spoke in favor of a long-term goal to develop the site, which extends from
Main Street north to 15th and from the Interurban Trail west to Highway 167, as
a lake and recreation area.
Councilmember Borden explained Tree City USA. Tree City USA is a national
designation that cities can apply for. Achieving designation as Tree City USA
makes a city eligible for grant funding through the Department of Natural
Resources. The designation also elevates awareness of a city's natural
resources.
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 27, 2003
Mayor Lewis reported on the City's efforts to receive urban center designation.
The Growth Management Planning Council recently voted in favor of Auburn's
urban center designation.
Mayor Lewis advised that City officials will be meeting with postal officials to
discuss options for a new post office in Auburn. Recently the Auburn Post Office
has advertised for a new site for their trucks and other postal vehicles. The
City's future plans to extend A Street has prompted the Auburn Post Office to
consider reconfiguration of their current location by relocating postal trucks and
vehicles from the site and moving customer parking to the east side of the
property.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
APPROVED THE DAY OF JULY, 2003.
Peter B. Lewis, Mayor Danielle Daskam, City Clerk
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