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Home My WebLink About07-21-2003 Item III-AWASHINGTON CITY OF AUBURN MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINl1TES July 7, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chair Sue Singer called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM in the Council Conference Room located on the 1st floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn. Members present included: Chair Sue Singer, Vice Chair Rich Wagner, Member Stacey Brothers and Mayor Pete Lewis. Staff members present included: Police Chief Jim Kelly, Fire Chief Bob Johnson, Assistant Public Works Director Dennis Selle, City Attorney Dan Heid, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Planning & Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Compliance/Facilities Administrator Lynn Rued, Parks Planning & Development Manager Dan Scamporlina, Senior Planner Al Hicks, Solid Waste Customer Care Specialist Kathleen Edman, Solid Waste Supervisor Sharon Conroy and City Council Secretary Tamie Bothell. Other guests in attendance included: Bill Peloza, Virgina Haugen and Rob Terhune. II. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS There were no agenda modifications III. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the June 16, 2003, Municipal Services Committee meeting. Vice Chair Wagner moved and Member Brothers seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0. IV. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS A. Ordinances There were no Ordinances for the Committee's review. B. Resolutions 1. Resolution No. 3620 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, Authorizing the Mayor to negotiate contracts and engage Municipal Services Minutes July 7, 2003 consultants for development of proposals for a City of Auburn Municipal Court and Police Department Building. Planning & Community Development Director Paul Krauss advised the Committee that the City needs a Resolution passed to enter into negotiations for a lease agreement for a Public Safety Building in the existing Massey's grocery store. If the Resolution is approved the developer can move forward on development issues and we can anticipate having a lease agreement to present to Council by the end of summer. The Resolution is also giving the authority for the City to retain outside legal expertise to help structure the lease and financing options. Member Brothers inquired about the financial aspects and control of funds when on a fast-track. Finance Director Shelley Coleman advised that the cost estimates were approximately $10 million on a 20 to 30 year lease with option to buy at the end. Director Coleman also reported that the estimated cost for financial legal expertise would be approximately $25,000. Vice Chair Wagner moved and Member Brothers seconded to recommend approval of Resolution No. 3626. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0. V. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Administrative Authority of the Mayor City Attorney Dan Heid reviewed the recommended changes to amend Auburn City Code Sections 2.03.070 and 3.10.020 regarding Authority of the Mayor. Attorney Heid pointed out that these changes are required to provide consistency with City Code and State Law. The changes provide the Mayor with administrative powers provided by state statutes, city ordinances and state law to approve expenditures in accordance with Section 3.10.020. The Mayor will have the approval of expenditure limits over $5,000 and up to $25,000. Any expenditure over $25,000 would need the Mayor, appropriate Council Committee and City Council approval. The Committee recommended that the Ordinance be forwarded to the City Council. B. Goedecke South Parcel Compliance/Facilities Administrator Lynn Rued updated the Committee on the Goedecke parcel located at 15th St SW and West Valley Hwy. and the request for the City to sell a .90 acre parcel. He informed the Committee that the consultant hired by the City to appraise the value and wetland Page 2 Municipal Services Minutes July 7, 2003 reconnaissance of this property was complete. The value of the wetland area was appraised at $60,000 and developable land at $290,000 for a total of $350,000 making the square foot gross price of $1.05/SF. After discussion, the consensus of the Committee was that the appraisal was under value and requested a more thorough appraisal of the entire property and then decide whether to sell the entire property or divide -up the property. C. Multi -Family Tax Abatement Ordinance City Attorney Dan Heid explained that the Washington State Legislature adopted this RCW to encourage increased residential opportunities in cities under the Growth Management Act, by providing for a special property tax valuation for multi -family housing in urban, residential areas. Senior Planner Al Hicks presented the Committee with an exhibit of the residential targeted area for Auburn's downtown urban center. He explained that cities are using this tax exemption as a tool to utilize new construction within their downtown urban centers. Auburn's Downtown core currently lacks sufficient, available and desirable residential housing, however, this provision will encourage new construction of multi -family housing units. The City will also receive revenues for construction permits, real estate excise tax and sales tax. The Committee suggested that other incentives be found for desirable renovations, such as Smart Codes. They also recommended moving forward with this Ordinance at the next City Council meeting. D. City Hall Plaza Repair Parks Planning & Development Manager Dan Scamporlina updated the Committee on the current conditions of the Auburn City Hall courtyard and landscape issues. He explained that the current concrete and brick pavers in the entry areas of city hall are cracked and broken causing safety concerns. A review of matured trees indicates that they are too close together causing a canopy of taller trees that is shading out the sun loving trees and causing them to get large and leggy or are dying. Trees and plants removed from this area will be transitioned to other City properties. Three options were presented to the Committee for recommendations on City Hall Plaza renovations with a cost estimate of under $42,000 and the landscaping renovations are estimated at $13,000. Chair Singer expressed her concerns about the durability of the concrete pavers option. The Committee recommends that we move forward on the necessary improvements; however that we preserve and maintain the same architectural look of the building. Page 3 Municipal Services Minutes July 7, 2003 E. King County Solid Waste System Changes Solid Waste Supervisor Sharon Conroy updated the Committee on King County Solid Waste System changes. The County is seeking budget approval to purchase a 12 -acre site on Harbor Island, known as the Fisher Mill site, for potential future use as a solid waste intermodal/transfer facility. The site has all the characteristics necessary. The development and operation of an intermodal facility is crucial for meeting the region's solid waste disposal needs after the closure of Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. F. Multi -Family Recycling Solid Waste Customer Care Specialist Kathleen Edman updated the Committee on the next step of the Multi -Family Recycling Phase II, which she is getting ready to implement. This service will provide recycling services to approximately 340 multi -family units in Auburn. An announcement will be placed in the newspaper, as well as a personalized mailing to each of the owners containing informational packets. The letters will be mailed out around August 1St VI. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM. Approved this Sue Singer, Chair day of July, 2003. Page 4 Prepared by: Tamie Bothell City Council Secretary