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WASHINGTON
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
May 17, 2005 9:00 AM
Green River Community College
12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA
Lindbloom Center, Glacier Room
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Peter B. Lewis called the special meeting of the Auburn City
Council to order at 9:00 a.m. Mayor Lewis and the following
Councilmembers were present: Rich Wagner, Sue Singer, Gene Cerino,
Nancy Backus, Bill Peloza, Roger Thordarson, and Lynn Norman.
Staff members present included: Human Resources/Risk Management
Director Brenda Heineman, Assistant City Attorney Joe Beck, Public
Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Information Services Director Lorrie
Rempher, Fire Chief Russ Vandver, Police Chief Jim Kelly, Parks and
Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Finance Director Shelley Coleman,
Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Fire
Marshall Dave Smith, Executive Assistant Duanna Richards, and Deputy
City Clerk Cathy Richardson.
II. Introductions/Kickoff
Mayor Lewis explained that the purpose of the special meeting is to
provide staff the opportunity to review departmental needs, items of
interest, areas of potential risk, problematic issues, and potential
opportunities. Council will also review the Citizen Survey, provide input,
and address their visions and concerns.
III. Finance Department
Director Coleman displayed a Power Point presentation and reviewed the
following issues:
· Airport access road
· Unfunded post employment benefit obligations
· Healthcare costs
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
Mav 17. 2005
IV. Human Resources Department
Director Heineman distributed a graph of detention costs for 1998 through
2004 and reviewed the following issues:
· Staffing trends
· Healthcare costs
· Detention costs
· Alternatives to incarceration
· Home monitoring
V. Planning and Community Development
Director Krauss distributed documentation and a Service Area map of the
Bonney Lake area and reviewed the following issues:
· Auburn Environmental Park, Phase 2
· Endangered Species ActlWater Resource Inventory Area projects
· Community Development Block Grant Program
· Annexations
· Downtown developmenUtransit oriented development
· Economic development strategies
· Bonney Lake water/sewer service areas
VI. Public Works Department
Director Dowdy displayed a map on the condition of the arterial street
network and made a Power Point presentation on the following issues:
· Sidewalk history, needs, and recommendations
· Pavement preservation for classified, arterial, and collector streets
· Pavement Condition Index (PCI)
· Funding scenarios
· Ten year summaries for arterial and collector streets
· Treatment and candidate selection
· Preservation recommendations
VII. Information Services Department
Director Rempher displayed a Power Point presentation on regional
wireless network opportunities and challenges and covered the following
uses and issues:
· Economic development
· Public safety
· Public works
· Planning and community development
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
Mav 17. 2005
· Future Applications
o Telephone services over the internet
o Desk phone mobility
o Minimize cellular bills
o Self service kiosk applications
o Digital video in patrol cars
o GPS and survey field data collection
· High speed (Wi-Fi) mobile services
· Lower total cost of ownership
· Mutual aid with bordering jurisdictions
· Regional communications
· Valley Cities Wi-Fi strategies
· Current status and future planning for wireless communications
· Estimated costs and funding sources
VIII. Legal Department
Assistant City Attorney Beck explained that the Legal Department
is more reactive than other departments due to the nature of the
issues being dealt with. It is difficult to determine problems,
concerns, and challenges that staff could be managing on a daily
basis. Assistant City Attorney Beck reviewed the following issues:
· High case load for prosecutors
· Possible implementation of photo traffic light infractions
o Impact on staff
o Increase in income
o Increase in associated costs
· Reconfiguration of Staff Resources
o Adequate coverage in all areas
o Court calendars
o Continuances
· Need for additional prosecutor
· ProLaw - new case management program
o Electronic filing and tracking system
o Streamlining processes
o Networked to city system
o Digital media capabilities
IX. POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Kelly distributed documentation and reviewed the
following challenges faced by the Police Department:
· Misdemeanant Incarceration
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
Mav 17. 2005
o Average inmate population per day in 2004-2005 was
104
o Approximately 31 inmates In Auburn Detention
Center
o Approximately 65+ inmates in outside resources
(Yakima, King County, or electronic home monitoring)
o No reduction of inmate population expected or
anticipated due to growth and/or State or County
mandates
· Annual Budget
o Approximately $1.96 million expected in 2005 for
outside beds - commitment with Yakima for 88 beds
(24 beds are at a reduced rate)
o Discussions to reduce expenditures
· Yakima facility is imploding - potential for
renegotiations of existing contract
· Release of commitment for 88 beds
· Reduction of therapeutic costs
contract up for renegotiations in June,
2005
· Reduction in therapeutic costs by
providing only court ordered services
o Approximately $1.25 million for Auburn Detention
facility beds
· Generating income for renting of Auburn beds
· $58,400 in 2004 (partial year)
· $31,100 in 2005 (through April)
· Anticipating approximately $100,000 in
income from renting bed space to
various cities
· Alternatives to Budget Reductions
o Increase use of electronic home monitoring (EHM)
goals
o Increase use of court alternatives/alternatives to
incarceration (Le. Work Release Program, Day
Reporting, EHM)
o Probation pre-sentence monitoring
· Regional Efforts
o Regional assembly
· Jail Administrative Group (JAG) and Jail
Operations Group (JOG)
· Regional misdemeanant jail facility
· Regional transportation system
· Regional court system
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
May 17. 2005
· Delivery of Law Enforcement Services
o Maintain level of service (LOS) without increasing
staff
o Free up patrol officers time
· Technology
· I nternet reporting
· Laptop connectivity
· Ergonomics issues/labor and
industry claims
· Efficient report writing system
· Time saving process
· Duplication of effort
· Direct entry
· Voice recognition technology
· Modifying Calls for Services
o Alarms
· 2,903 total alarms for 2004 - only 28 alarms
were valid
· 2,924 total alarms for 2003
· 3,614 total alarms for 2002 (1st year)
· 2004 expenses vs. revenues = $121,000 vs.
$38,000
· Revisit alarm code/verified alarm response
protocols
· Increase crime prevention strategies
o Gas drive-offs (civil problem)
o Non-response to non-injury or non-blocking collisions
(insurance report)
o I nternet reporting for non-response types of calls
· No suspect theft reports
· Lost property
· Malicious mischief, with no suspect information
· Non-injury or non-blocking collisions
· Long Term Needs of Police/Fire Training Facility
o Grant request to Homeland Security for GSA property
denied
· Status of current police range
· Evaluating use by outside jurisdictions
· Evaluating days and hours of operation
· Evaluating limitations of handguns only
· Evaluating availability and costs of using
other ranges
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
May 17. 2005
· Feasibility study on new range
· Availability for police and private use
· Combined training facility at GSA site
· Public/private partnership
. Belowground indoor range
X. Fire Department
Fire Chief Russ Vandver stated that the Fire Department has three
major issues as follows:
· Fire Impact Fees
· Fire Regionalization
· Fire Station Location Study
Chief Vandver explained that Fire Marshall Dave Smith was a lead
participant in a fire impact fee study with Randy Young. Chief
Vandver invited Fire Marshall Smith to review the results of the
study.
· Fire Impact Fees
Fire Marshall Smith stated that he previously reviewed the
fire impact fee study with the Municipal Services Committee
and Mayor Lewis. Fire impact fees would provide the
income to help pay for new facility charges, and fire engines
and related equipment. Fire Marshall Smith indicated that
he would distribute the Fire Impact Fee Study to
Councilmembers for their review.
· Fire Regionalization
Chief Vandver reported that discussions are ongoing with
the City of Kent Fire Department and Fire District 37 related
to combining into a regional fire authority. Chief Vandver
displayed a regional map and covered the following issues:
o Regional Fire District Proponents
· Fire District 37, including City of Covington
· City of Kent
· City of Auburn, including City of Algona
o Steps Towards Regionalization
· Assignment of a commissioned fire investigator
to 24-hour shifts at Station 71
· Two commissioned fire investigators currently
on staff
· Provides 24-hour service year-round
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City of Auburn Council MeetinQ Minutes
May 17. 2005
· Allows immediate response by a
commissioned fire investigator
· Provides for more rapid conclusions and
arrests on investigations
o Taking a proactive stance in the communities, such
as looking for overcrowding in businesses and arson
watches.
o Recent contract with a fire service consulting
company related to fire service benefit charges -
parallel study with cities of Kent and Auburn in the
event of regionalization
o Legislative issues relating to fire authorities
. Fire Station Location Study
o Location Criteria
· Ability to reach citizens within five minute
response time
o Sites identified for possible relocation
· 30th and I Streets NE
· 49th and A Streets SE
· Reservoir property for Station 32 relocation
· Move emergency operations center
from valley floor
· 6th Street SE between A Street SE and
Auburn Way South
o Architectural firm selected - Rice Fergus Miller
Architecture and Planning LLP
· Site evaluation
· Soil issues
· Ingress and egress
· Utility issues
· Traffic pre-emption
· Working floor plans
· Three dimensional drawings
· Fire Department and other City staff
interviews
o Proposals and cost estimates
o More efficient distribution of Fire Department staff
. Private ambulance carrier
o Draft Request for Proposals for partnership
submitted to Municipal Services Committee
o Allows Fire Department to respond, retreat, and
be ready to go to next call with private ambulance
carrier transporting patient
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City of Auburn Council MeetinQ Minutes
May 17.2005
o Strict criteria related to responses and
accountability of private carrier
· Possible interlocal agreement with City of Pacific for Fire
Department services
XI. Parks Department
Parks and Recreation Director Daryl Faber displayed a map of the
City of Auburn trail system and surrounding communities, a
rendering of the proposed Auburn Memorial Park building, and a
map of Les Gove Park Master Plan. Director Faber reviewed the
following issues:
· Possible interagency solutions to the Green River trail
o How to link
o Timeline
o Where is design already completed
o Where is land acquisition needed
o Discussion with City of Kent
· Apply for grants cooperatively
o Working with developers north of Brannon
· Complete City of Auburn's portion with few, if
any, funds
· Requiring less park acreage in lieu of
development of the trail
o Potential for interlocal cooperation for State grants
· Link to Sumner Transit Station is key
· Preliminary design already completed
· Greater strength with multiple jurisdictions
· Communication issues with King County Parks
· The Loop Trail
o Grant possibilities
o Preliminary pre-design
· Veterans Memorial Park and proposed building
o American Legion grant funds
o Community involvemenUfundraiser
o Service club participation
o Marketing campaign related to the Viet Nam Memorial
Wall
o Potential for new miniature water park
· Game Farm Park
o Lack of soccer fields
o Grants for resurfacing fields
· Washington State - $350,000
· King County - $50,000
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City of Auburn Council MeetinQ Minutes
May 17. 2005
o Increase user fees
o Lighting
o Partnering possibilities
· Citizen groups
· YMCA
· Golf Course Club House
o Community group meetings
· Siting
· Pre-design
· Parking and cart barns
· Maintenance
· Pro shop operations
· Restaurant
· Golf programs and outings
· Driving range
· Evaluating potential increase in revenues
· Skateboard Park - Lea Hill
o King County Youth Sports grant - $50,000
· Modular above-ground systems
· Partnering with Amberview Apartments
· Resurfacing tennis courts
· Quality basketball hoop
· Neighborhood meetings
· Entrance improvements
· Parking improvements and restrictions
· Third park in Lakeland
o Funding issues
o Linking trail system
o Negotiating with developer
XII. Survey of Auburn Residents - Summary of Preliminary
Findings
Director Coleman introduced Paul Irby from Hebert Research.
Director Coleman referred to a map identifying various
neighborhoods throughout the City of Auburn including Auburn
North, Chinook Area, Downtown Area, Lea Hill, West Hill, Auburn
South, Southeast Auburn, Lakeland Pierce County, and Lakeland
King County.
Mr. Irby displayed a Power Point presentation and reviewed the
following preliminary findings of the survey of Auburn residents:
· Research Objectives
o Quality of life
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City of Auburn Council MeetinQ Minutes
May 17. 2005
o Satisfaction with city services
o Satisfaction versus importance
o Taxes and spending priorities
o Usage of city departments
o Number of visits to the downtown area
o Methods of communication
o Awareness of City programs
· Research Methodology
o 301 completed interviews
o Conducted April 20 to May 2, 2005
o Response rate of 68.9%
o Households contacted various times and days of the
week
o Pre-test conducted
o Data set statistically weighted to match actual levels
· Neighborhood/area
· Gender
· Age
· Owner versus renter
· Comparison of final weighted sample with actual levels
· Map of study area
· Household income by area
· Age by area
· Overall quality of life in Auburn
· Quality of life
o Crime/safety
o Recreation and culture
o Natural environment
o Jobs
o Traffic congestion
· Summary of quality of life factors
· Top three problem areas in Auburn
· Auburn as a good place for families
· City departments used in the last year
· Overall satisfaction with City services
· Satisfaction ratings by area of services
· Importance and performance of City services
o Importance/performance quadrant analysis
· Satisfaction with local tax levels
· First priority in spending extra tax dollars
· First priority in cutting spending
· Ways that residents receive information about the City of
Auburn
· Awareness of City programs
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City of Auburn Council MeetinQ Minutes
May 17. 2005
· Annual visits to downtown Auburn
· Reasons for not visiting
· Support for proposed Environmental Park
· Support for Community Center at Les Gove Park
· Support for continuing the private redevelopment of
downtown Auburn
· Where public art should be placed
Councilmembers briefly discussed the preliminary findings of the survey of
Auburn residents.
XIII. Vision / Budget Additions
Councilmembers reviewed the following items of concern and items
they would like to see added to the Council vision and budget
additions:
Council member Sue Singer:
· Environmental Business Center on West Main Street
o Pursue businesses conducting activities directly
related to environmental issues
o Offer tax incentive
o Special planning area -
Council member Rich Wagner:
· Community Center in Les Gove Park
o Public/private partnerships
o Develop standards and criteria on acceptable
partnerships
o Bond issue
o Data Center
At the request of Councilmember Wagner, Director Faber displayed
a preliminary map of the proposed Les Gove Park Master Plan -
Areas for Potential Acquisition, and discussed the following items:
· View corridor old Harvey Road/M Street SE/Auburn Way
South
· Acquisition strategies
· Order of priorities
· Shared parking agreement with church
· Potential partnerships
o King County Boys and Girls Club
o Children's Home Society
o ACAP
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City of Auburn Council MeetinQ Minutes
May 17. 2005
· Visibility
· Green view
· Focuses in Les Gove Park
o Maintain grove in center
o More picnic shelters
o Create community sized playground next to spray
pool
o Replace restroom
o Add outside shower
o Replace existing Field House building with restroom
o Create larger play pool
o Replace or improve amphitheater - larger community
scale
o Possibly include garden areas
. Partner with garden clubs to maintain
. Fountain feature at main entrance
o Retain open park areas
Councilmember Wagner also added the following issue:
· Initiate Road Utility
o Place before the voters
o Need for continuous funds for streets
Councilmembers discussed the need to establish criteria for partnerships,
balance between adult and youth activities, providing multiple activity
choices, public education, banquet areas to meet various needs, potential
partnerships, maintaining the "park" area, and moving forward with the
Community Campus.
Councilmember Gene Cerino:
· Fire stations
o Maintain level of service (LOL)
o Need for additional station due to potential
annexations
o Incorporate Fire District 44
· Youth activities in the parks
o Need activities for youths of 12 to 16 years of age
o More small skate parks throughout the City
o Other activities for youth besides sports
o Maintain quality of life
Director Faber acknowledged the need for more after school activities for
youths between the ages of 12 to 16. Director Faber suggested adding
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City of Auburn Council MeetinQ Minutes
May 17. 2005
additional "Late Nights" for children. "Late Nights" currently averages
approximately 350 children. Director Faber also suggested exploring
possibilities for partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs.
Discussion followed regarding the addition of facilities for playing
basketball, providing facilities for youths between the ages of 12 to 15 at
the Community Campus, and a business incubation program involving
kids and possible partnerships with community businesses and the
Auburn School District.
Councilmember Nancy Backus:
· Neighborhood revitalization
o Downtown area south of Main Street
Discussion followed regarding initial surveys, sufficient staff, establishing
common bonds between neighborhoods, neighborhood meetings,
speeding up and developing a more efficient process for neighborhood
grants, placement of four-way stop signs at intersections, and creating a
Neighborhood Grant Committee.
Mayor Lewis suggested the following related to a Neighborhood Grant
Committee and expediting the grant process:
· Establish a Neighborhood Grant Committee
· Set up first neighborhood meeting to establish needs of the
neighborhood
· Meeting to be attended by the Committee, staff from all
departments, Council representatives and representatives
from the Mayor's office
· Establish a second neighborhood meeting to share ideas,
solutions, and a long term plan
· Go forth with solutions
· Incorporate long term plan into the budget cycle
Director Krauss suggested assigning a specific staff member to be an
ongoing liaison between the City and the neighborhood.
Councilmember Roger Thordarson:
· Code compliance
o Process for enforcement
o Lien process
· Downtown shopper shuttle
o Preliminary work done
o Survey from senior citizens
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
May 17. 2005
o Educational classes on riding Metro buses at Senior
Center
Assistant City Attorney Beck reviewed the process related to abatement
and liens.
Mayor Lewis suggested seeking grant funds related to a downtown
shopper shuttle and requested input on the type of vehicle, funds to
operate it, route it would take, and who would operate it. Mayor Lewis
suggested expanding the citizen's survey to surrounding neighborhoods
and requested development of a survey on the needs of the community.
Discussion followed on various sources for survey purposes.
Council member Lynn Norman:
· Economic Development
o Agreement with Green River Community College
(GRCC) at the Auburn Transit Station
o Maximize GRCC presence
· Patronize the downtown core
· Prime time learning (for individuals 50+)
o Coordinate efforts with Auburn Downtown
Association, Chamber of Commerce, and City Hall
· Events at City Hall
· Park events
· More night time activities
o Parking in the downtown area
· Auburn Transit Center
o Curriculum for adult interests
o Better use of the plaza
· City Hall
o Cleaning of signage
o Plaza repair
Executive Assistant Richards reported that City Hall signage is slated for
cleaning during "Clean Sweep".
Councilmember Singer reported that there is an opportunity for possible
negotiations with a private developer related to plaza repair.
Mayor Lewis noted that the Chamber of Commerce is having their annual
banquet on the top floor of the Transit Station. The City should make
more use of that space. Mayor Lewis expressed a desire to have some
concerts back in the downtown area. Many businesses are willing to
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
May 17. 2005
assist with advertisement costs. An influx of people in the downtown area
will generate and promote private enterprise. Mayor Lewis stated that
grass is going to be installed in the Transit Station plaza to replace the
thorny bushes now present.
Councilmember Bill Peloza:
· Auburn Golf Course
o Clubhouse is a focal point for Auburn
· Progression of Committee
· Practice driving area
. Provide lighting for nighttime usage in
future
·
Lea Hill area
o Street lighting
· Public safety issue
· Utilize Puget Sound Energy poles
o Amberview Apartments - Tennis courts
refurbishing, per previous discussion with D.
maybe install mobile skate board/tennis
combination (water storage tank)
o Additional police patrol needed
need
Faber
court
· Downtown holiday lighting
o Auburn Downtown Association lighting extended
beyond the holiday season
o Provides a welcoming atmosphere
Discussion followed regarding pros and cons of a public restroom in the
downtown area related to development of the B Street Plaza and a
farmers market, permanent and portable restroom facilities, and
partnering for construction and/or maintenance of restroom facilities.
Councilmembers also discussed support related to backing the business
community and re-establishing a cross-town link under or over the railroad
tracks somewhere in the vicinity of 15th Street.
Mayor Lewis spoke in favor of a cross-town link and stated that the
Burlington Northern Railroad (BNRR) is going to re-open Stampede Pass.
Mayor Lewis reported that the re-opening of Stampede Pass may provide
the possibility of at least two stops in Auburn for Amtrak. Currently, four
stops are scheduled in Tukwila for Amtrak. The City of Auburn has
requested that the BNRR schedule two of those stops in Auburn. BNRR
will have to improve rail yard. BNRR does not want to face opposition
related to re-opening Stampede Pass. They must think about the
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes
May 17. 2005
protection of people living along those tracks and determine sufficient
mitigation.
Councilmember Singer expressed concerns related to noise in the
Lakeland area if sound walls are installed.
Mayor Lewis suggested long range planning should include the following
issues related to re-opening of Stampede Pass:
· What that means to City of Auburn
· Concerns related to sound and lights in the rail-yard
· BNRR can't take any steps until M Street is completed
· Any train going north or south has to come through Auburn
· BNRR will want to assist Auburn
· The old State Route 18 offramp which exits directly into the
rail-yard is still in existence and on the table with WSDOT
· GSA buildings
· Cross connecting with surrounding cities, north and south
· Sale of property by Boeing
· Development and rezoning portions of C Street area
· Possibility of moving Maintenance and Operations to better
facilities
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 3:38 p.m.
APPROVED THE DAY OF JUNE 2005.
Peter B. Lewis, Mayor Cathy Richardson, Deputy City Clerk
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