HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-2005 ITEM V-A-1CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
June 30, 2005 6:00 PM
South Cafeteria/Performing Arts Center
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Peter B. Lewis called the Southeast Main Street Neighborhood Meeting to
order at 6:05 p.m. The following Councilmembers were present during the
meeting: Rich Wagner, Gene Cerino, Nancy Backus and Bill Peloza. Staff
members present included: Planning and Community Development Director
Paul Krauss, Planner Bill Mandeville, Parks Planning and Development Manager
Dan Scamporlina, Senior Planner Mitzi McMahan, Community Development
Administrator David Osaki, Utilities Engineer Duane Huskey, Water Quality
Program Coordinator Chris Thorn, Transportation Planner Tiffin Goodman,
Traffic Engineer Laura Philpot, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Police
Commander Greg Wood, Fire Captain Parry Boogard, and City Clerk Danielle
Daskam. Approximately 70 residents were in attendance. Mayor Lewis
introduced Councilmembers in attendance and made some welcoming
comments. He stressed the purpose of the meeting was to listen to citizen
comments and concerns relating to their neighborhood.
Planning Director Paul Krauss introduced the city staff who were present at the
meeting. Planning Director Krauss explained how the meeting was organized
into several stations: zoning and comprehensive planning, code enforcement,
transportation, parks and recreation, utilities, and police and fire services. He
encouraged the residents to go to each station, meet the City staff and talk about
what they like about their neighborhood along with concerns and desired
improvements they may have for their community. For the next hour,
neighborhood residents met and discussed various issues with City staff at each
station.
At approximately 7:20 p.m. Planning Director Krauss reconvened the staff and
residents into a large group meeting. He asked City staff members to
summarize the comments and concerns expressed at each station by the
neighborhood residents. The following highlights some of the comments,
concerns, issues and opinions provided by neighborhood residents:
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City of Auburn Special Council Meeting Minutes June 30, 2005
Planning & Community Development: Some residents urged the City to
consider helping Washington Elementary School develop a community
playground. Some residents referred to it as a downtown park. They suggested
the playground/park include a climbing wall. A few residents urged the City to
require businesses and the School District to landscape their parking lots;
particularly adding more trees. Some residents suggested more trees along 2nd
Street S.E. They pointed out the curbs and sidewalks need repair, and several
streets do not have sidewalks. Residents suggested 2nd Street in particular
needs a relatively large sidewalk so as to better connect the neighborhood to the
downtown. A large number of residents had concerns about F Street S.E. They
said it is used a thoroughfare to 4th Street or the Les Gove Park Campus;
however, it is too narrow to serve in this capacity. Some residents suggested
2nd Street S.E. might need roundabouts so as to slow down traffic and keep it
more pedestrian -oriented. A few residents said their neighborhood has too many
rental properties. Some residents believe their neighborhood has an above
average number of incidents involving vandalism. Many residents said what they
liked most about their neighborhood was its walkability and its close proximity to
downtown. City staff received several favorable comments about the residential -
offices along East Main Street and the owners' dedication to maintain the
residential character of their neighborhood. One resident suggested the City
refer to the neighborhood as "Southeast of East Main Street" in order to better
identify its location.
Utilities: Several residents talked about the way the City sweeps their streets.
They suggested the City publish a schedule so that residents can temporarily
relocate their automobiles to get them out of the way of the street sweeper.
Residents expressed concern about a lack of storm drainage. One resident
provided pictures of flooding. Deterioration of water service lines was also
discussed.
Transportation: Several residents expressed their concern about the impact
the proposed M Street Grade Separation will have on their property and
neighborhood in general. In particular, many of them believe it will significantly
increase the amount of traffic passing through the neighborhood. However,
many residents were highly in favor of the project. Several residents spoke
positively about the proposed SR164 bypass (Link Road) that would connect
Highway 18 to Auburn Way South. Some residents complained that the stop
light near the Highway 18 underpass was not synchronized with the stoplights on
Auburn Way South at 2nd Street SE and 4th Street S.E. Staff explained this
would be remedied as the ITS project progressed. Several residents complained
about the limited visibility at intersections along East Main Street. Some
residents expressed opposition to the stop sign at East Main and D Street and
deteriorating road conditions. Speeding and the need to connect the sidewalks
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City of Auburn Special Council Meeting Minutes June 30, 2005
were also issues of broad concern. Some residents also spoke regarding the
need for additional street lighting.
Public Safety: Speeding along the side streets was a common complaint of
many residents. Residents said the speed limit on East Main was confusing.
Several residents complained about parking along the street, particularly parking
the wrong way and parking multiple vehicles. Some residents expressed
concern about transients. Some people complained about graffiti. Some
residents expressed a general concern about Auburn's growth and its ability to
meet the demand for public services such as fire and police protection.
Parks: City staff received general comments about preserving and enhancing
parks and open spaces in the surrounding area. They suggested the City work
with the Auburn School District for more frequent access to school fields and
gyms. Several residents identified Les Gove Park as their neighborhood park.
Two residents asked for an off -leash area in Auburn; or at least add an off leash
dog area at the Fenster property in the City's Comprehensive Park Plan.
Residents agreed with a request from one resident for an indoor play area at Les
Gove Park or in the proposed Community Center. A few residents complained
about the condition of Veteran's Memorial Park. Specifically they said the
equipment needs to be replaced and restrooms need renovation. They said
homeless people frequently inhabit Veteran's Memorial Park. Local churches
and non-profit agencies use the park as a site to feed homeless people. As a
result, Veteran's Memorial Park does not feel safe or secure to neighborhood
residents. Several residents said the City needs more soccer fields. They
requested bicycle lanes to connect the neighborhood to the Green River and
White River trails. Several residents asked the City to enhance the walkability of
the neighborhood.
Code Enforcement: Residents and City staff discussed at length the code
enforcement process. Residents were particularly unaware that public
nuisances are typically citizen -activated complaints. Code enforcement officers,
for the most part, depend upon information from neighborhood residents to
identify and locate public nuisances. Furthermore, City staff informed residents
that they can file a complaint unanimously. A few residents suggested the City
provide more public education about public nuisance and building codes.
Several residents pointed out that public nuisances are most visible from the
alleys. They described several properties that have a great deal of junk and
debris along with abandoned and junk vehicles. Some residents complained
about lawns that are left unattended and consequently turn into weeds and tall
grass. The City's proposed ordinance to prohibit parking vehicles on front lawns
was generally well received. Some residents suggest the proposed ordinance
needs to include motorcycles.
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City of Auburn Special Council Meeting Minutes June 30, 2005
Following the overview from City staff, Planning Director Krauss explained that
later this fall the City will have another neighborhood meeting. At this meeting,
City staff will present a preliminary draft of a plan that addresses the concerns
and issues identified by neighborhood residents. Mayor Lewis closed the
meeting. He thanked the resident for attending the meeting and reminded them
that their participation in their neighborhood in general is the main reason it
remains a good place to live.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
APPROVED THE DAY OF JULY 2005.
Peter B. Lewis, Mayor
Danielle Daskam, City Clerk
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