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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-2000I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Sue Singer called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. ' Members Present: Chair Sue Singer, Vice Chair Rich Wagner, Councilmember Trish Borden. l~a~ill:.~aLhlgl~: Mayor Chuck Booth, Chief Russ Vandver, Chief Jim Kelly, A/Chief Marion Dukes, Plan. Dir. Paul Kraass, Finance Dir. Diane Supler, and Secretary Jeanne Herold. II. CONSENT: · . : Planning Director Paul Krauss asked for approval of Resolution No. 3271. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement for printing and distribution of the City newspaper, between the City of Auburn and the Auburn Reporter. Mr. Krauss explained that this was a contract to continue with the Auburn Reporter. It's the identical contract to the one that's been in place for over a year and the cost has remained the same. The newsletter appears to be successful and is an effective means of distribution. Discussion ensued regarding format. Diane Supler explained to the Committee that the City is working on a Web site, which in the future will be a good communication tool. Vice Chair Wagner made a motion for approval of Resolution No. 3271. Councilmember Borden seconded the motion. Chair Singer concurred. III. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION Auburn Municipal Airport Lease Agreemellt; There was a short period of discussion regarding the Airport Lease Agreement, which was to be voted on at the Council meeting following the Municipal Services meeting. -- · Chair Singer asked for an update on the Public Safety Building. Mr. Krauss explained that the City is negotiat'mg with DLR Architects on the contract and Michael Hildt is on their team and did the presentation last spring. Mr. Krauss further explained that pending review by the City Attorney, he would get it into the next Council packet. Vice Chair Wagner asked what had been learned at the Suburban Cities about the Central Public Safety Building site. Paul Krauss explained that there has been some discussion about a regional jail facility. A decision has to be made if a regional approach to a jail has merit. There is a question as to whether cities actually are interested enough to put money down on this and try to move forward. Consequently, Chief Kelly is going to Municipal Services Committee Meeting I October 16, 2000 arrange to have DLR come to the King County Chief's meeting to give an overview and explain how a regional facility might work. Chief Kelly explained that the King County Chiefs meet monthly, and as an example Federal Way has always indicated a desire that if a jail was built, they would be interested at looking at either partnering with Auburn or paying for a certain number of beds. There are other jurisdictions that have expressed an interest also. Chief Kelly further explained that there are two studies going on right now. One is through King County and the other through The Washington Association for Sheriff's and Police Chief's (WASPC) The week of November 13a there is a WASPC meeting/seminar in Eastern Washington and Chief Kelly will attend and get an update on that study. Auburn is currently being asked to supply information for the study as well. Fire Department Aid Car/4t~ Station Discussion: Chair Singer explained that she had an informal meeting with Fire Depa~hnent personnel and was not aware that it was a consideration by the Fire Department to be a part of the Public Safety Building. Chief Vandver explained that the Fire Department is exploring a number of options at this time to try to best acoommodate the area that needs to be covered and give the City the best possible service. A fourth fire station was discussed in terms of the amount of firefighters required to staffthe station and the cost to staffit. Councilmember Borden asked if the cost would include an aid car. Chief Vandver explained that he and Mayor Boo~ had this discussion about a week ago. Mayor Booth explained that transporting is a sen, ice that the Fire Department provides and if the City cannot afford to continue that, then Chief Vandver doesn't want to buy the third aid car. Chief Vandver further explained that the Fire Department is due to order a replacement aid vehicle next year and it's been brought up several times about whether the Fire Depaxtment will continue staffing aid cars and transporting. If the Fire Department is going to look at 'not doing that, he needs some direction from the Council. The Fire Depmhuent did jnst recently purchase two new aid cars. Chief Vandver related that he just attended a meeting with Federal Way Fire Depathnent and their announced intention is, in January 2002, to go into the transport business~ That they are going to take it over totally and they will bill for service and they wanted to know if Auburn was interested in joining them in their venture. Discussion ensued. Chair Singer brought up the fact that Auburn has had a recent increase in businesses and service calls have increased. She wondered what the increase in calls was. Chief Vandver explained that in 1985 when the Fire Deptahnent went to two stations, the calls were approximately 3,000 a year. In 1995 when the Fire Department added three personnel per shift, it was around 5,400 and it's now in the range of about 7,000 per year. In 1995 the 34 station was added at the GSA complex. Discussion ensued. Chair Singer feels the 4th station is heading up the priority list. Municipal Services Committee Meeting 2 October 16, 2000 Chief Vandver explained that he reviewed the old fire station location study and in 1982 it was recommended that Auburn go to four stations. Unfortunately, it wasn't addressed until Mayor Booth's administration. The Medic I Levy was also discussed briefly. Chair Singer requested that the fire station.location study be resurrected. Chief Vandver explained that Auburn's calls are approximately 70% emergency services and the study needs to be geared appropriately. Chief Vandver also stated that the fire station location study is being updated in-house. Chair Singer was happy to hear that the issue is coming up again. Chair Singer closed the discussion by reiterating that there were two issues that needed to be addressed regarding the Fire Department, the first being that the Fire Dept. staff would resttrrect the fire station location study and the second being that the Council needed to give the Fire Deptahnent clear direction as to what type and level of service they want them to provide. Ladder Truck Discussion: Chair Singer asked how the Ladder Truck replacement was coming along. Chief Vandver explained that the Ladder Track is 30 years old and should have been replaced 5 years ago but a new ladder truck costs $600,000. The Ladder Truck doesn't get used and that's one of the reasons that the ~Fire Department purchased the Telesqurt. The Ladder Truck is being used as an elevated master stream at large fires and it takes two crews, a ladder track crew plus an engine crew so the Telesqurt basically does thc work of two. There has been some discussion as to whether or not the Fire Department actually wants to replace a Ladder Truck that is just going to sit. Chair Singer stated that she was concerned because of the height of the buildings being built in Auburn and wanted to make sure that the City had the equipment when it's needed. Chief Vandver explained that is an issue that has now come about and needs to be explored. Councilmember Borden asked about the shared agreement with neighboring jurisdictions. (Inter-local Agreements) ChiefVandver explained that Kent has a 110-foot aerial and it's a staffed Ladder Truck. They have trained personnel and it's always staffed with four firefighters and a minimum of two have to be trained certified track company firefighters. Auburn Fire Department has discussed the possibility of perhaps contracting with them or trading Dive Rescue operations for the Truck Company Operations. And, looking at the possibility of not even doing a Ladder Truck. Chief Vandver stated that he feels the most important thing is to do some planning for the future and get some direction. Recycling Cost of Service Discussion: Chair Singer stated that she was expecting the recycling and waste management fact finding this month. Mayor Booth stated that he asked for the same information. The cost of service rate is something that needs to be established and felt that a decision had already been made to go to some sort of curb side pick up. Municipal Services Committee Meeting 3 October 16, 2000 Councilmember Wagner stated unless the price is too high, he'd like the City to try to get some idea prior to actual contract negotiations as to what it is liable to be. Chair Singer suggested putting it into the package when going out to bid. Putting it in as an option. Ask for bids for diffe~nt types of services. There was discussion regarding getting a consultant, not for a cost of service study but for a bid package in an attempt to get a' good rate. Councilmember Wagner suggested that instead of calling th/s a cost of service study it should be referred to as a "Cost of Contractors Business Study". Mayor Booth stated he would check with Public Works Director Christine Engler. Councilmember Wagner stated that he would really like to have a third bid or opinion and not just two. The goal was to have a decision in the first quarter. Service to start June and basically, get a good deal for the citizens. Junk Vehicles: Chair Singer asked Chief Kelly if he had the opportunity to check on the situation at "A" St. & 12~ and the junk vehicle problem. Chief Kelly explained that he has the Police Department's Parking Control Officer go there quite frequently to keep those businesses in compliance. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 pm. Submitted by: Municipal Services Committee Meeting 4 October 16, 2000