HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2003 CITY OF AUBURN
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
July 7, 2003
MINUTES
I1.
II1.
IV.
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 Scampodina, 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.
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There were no agenda modifications
CONSENT ITEMS
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.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A. Ordinances
There were no Ordinances for the Committee's review.
B. Resolutions
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.
INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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· Municipal Services Minutes ': ~ July 7, 2003 :
VI.
King County Solid Waste System Chanqes
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.
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.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:21 PM.
Approved this ~/'"~-day of July, 2003.
Sue ~'inger, Chair
Prepared by: Tamie Bothell
City Council Secretary
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