HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-1999MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
APRIL 12, 1999
The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held April 12, 1999' in
the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis
STAFF PRESENT: Lynn Rued, Dick Deal, Bob Sokol, Bill Mandeville, and Patti Zook
ALSO PRESENT:
Mayor Booth; Bob Poldevart, Deputy Superintendent with Auburn School District;
Gwen Escher-Derdowski, Planning Administrator with Kent School District
The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m.
1. School Impact Fees
Assistant Planning Director Rued remarked that the City of Auburn has adopted the Capital
Facilities Plans (CFPs) for the Auburn and Kent School Districts. This was done so the City could
adopt school impact fees. Once the CFP is in place, the City can adopt the impact fees. Now the
City must adopt a fee schedule for each district and enter into interlocal agreements with each
district. The school impact fee ordinance is in place because it was adopted last year. The City
has an impact fee schedule for Dieringer School District and an ordinance in place. The
information for tonight is basically the same. The amount of the impact fee is taken from the CFP
for each district. The Committee is being asked to consider the fees and make a recommendation
to the City Council for their adoption.
Deputy Superintendent Poldevart reiterated information presented to the Committee in previous
meetings. He stressed the need for the Council to adopt school impact fees.
Councilmember Lewis mentioned that he had a list of questions which he faxed earlier to
Assistant Planning Director Rued. He is uncomfortable with the language that the Planning
Director is responsible for settling disputes, claims, or adjustments, etc. He is unhappy with this
portion of the State law because it makes the City almost totally responsible for settling disputes
that may arise.
Chairman Borden advised that she supports the proposal of school impact fees for the Auburn
and Kent School districts. Councilmember Singer agreed that this topic is ready for a public
hearing. Assistant Planning Director Rued advised that a public hearing is not required for the
City Council to adopt the school impact fees. The public hearing is optional. Councilmember
Singer made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, for the City Council to conduct a
public hearing on the school impact fees. They believe that the public should have a chance to
comment on the proposed fees.
Assistant Planning Director Rued said'that the issues will be put on the Council's April 19th agenda
for a call for public hearing to be held at their May 3rd meeting. City Council can vote on the
proposal that night in May.
Paula Thrush, Lea Hill resident, asked if a planned unit development (PUD) is exempt from school
impact fees. Assistant Planning Director Rued advised that PUD developments are not exempt;
senior housing projects are exempt because they do not have an impact on schools.
Chairman Borden wanted to clarify if the Committee is supportive of school impact fees, but still
wants to have a public hearing. Councilmember Lewis advised that he is undecided about the
topic, and is waiting for public comments. Councilmember Singer advised that she also wants to
hear public comments. She considers school impact fees a tax and the public should comment
on the proposal.
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APRIL 12, 1999
Chairman Borden remarked that she has studied the issue quite a bit. She needed to have a
strong sense of what to do for the Council meeting. Her fear is not having a decisive
recommendation before the Council, and the item is then returned to the Committee which would
cause delays.
Councilmember Singer does not envision this happening. Chairman Borden stressed the
importance of implementing school impact fees soon. Councilmember Lewis also does not see
the topic being returned to the Committee. He is struggling with the fee amounts. He does not
like three different fees inside the City limits and wants to hear public input on this. Chairman
Borden stressed that the fees are set by the school districts in the CFP which expands beyond the
City limits. The schools have to have different fees for different districts because of the
boundaries.
Councilmember Singer expressed concern about Auburn School District collecting fees in one
area and not in another. Councilmember Lewis remarked that people in the community should be
treated the same. There could be an inequity depending on which side of the street someone
lives on. He does not care about the fees collected outside the City limits. He stressed again that
he wants to hear what the public has to say on the matter. Chairman Borden stressed her support
of the fees. The public hearing will be May 3rd and the ordinance should be presented that night.
Deputy Superintendent Poldevart expressed his appreciation to the Committee for their work and
attention to this matter.
Special Occasion Liquor License
The COmmittee concurred with the request.
Neighborhood Matchinq Grants
Planner I Mandeville distributed the final draft to the Committee and began to review changes to
the final as compared to the preliminary document. He read the change on page 2. He read the
change on page 3. The focus should be at the neighborhood level and benefiting a specific
neighborhood. Funding source for community projects should be the City's general fund or the
CDBG.
Councilmember Singer wondered about an agency needing an additional $1,000 for a project, and
if they would then be eligible for this program. Planner I Mandeville explained that it would not be
possible for an agency to do this. Principal Planner Sokol clarified by saying that they do not want
an agency applying to the City for completion of an ongoing program. It is to be used to establish
new programs or take existing programs and tailor to a specific area in the City.
Councilmember Lewis remarked that this could still leave loopholes in the process. Planner I
Mandeville believes it would discourage, but there might still be concerns about agencies doing
"end runs" to gain funds. The focus will be on new projects. Councilmember Singer advised that
non-profit agencies do piece meal funding. Councilmember Lewis said that he likes the intent of
the wording to help a specific area.
Chairman Borden asked how staff decides if an agency is trying to take advantage of the
program. Planner I Mandeville said that staff would need to find out why the agency did not get its
full amount of funding; was their request reasonable. City Council has the prerogative to make
decisions on funding. Chairman Borden stressed that the wording needs to be clearer regarding
this. Mayor said the project should be directed toward capital improvements. Councilmember
Singer agreed that the project should be something concrete, visible.
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APRIL 12, 1999
Chairman Borden suggested adding language about the City's intent along with wording similar to
Principal Planner Sokol's statement earlier. Wording should reflect programs that are new,
innovative or unique. Councilmember Lewis agreed with the suggestion.
Councilmember Singer asked Chairman Borden what her original thoughts were on this program.
Chairman Borden remarked that it should be activities that bring neighbors together and
generates future ideas for the neighborhoods. If non-profits are added, then she worries about
supplanting of social service funds/projects. Planner I Mandeville said that originally non-profits
were excluded from the program. Now there is an open door to include the non-profit agencies.
He then gave an example using the YMCA.
Mayor remarked that the proposal should be from the neighborhood, with the YMCA acting as an
implementor. Planner I Mandeville said that the YMCA could be the implementor. This is what he
hoped the paragraph on page 3 would accomplish.
Councilmember Singer expressed concern about the City ending up with more of what it already
has in the way of programs versus projects to give pride to neighborhoods and revitalize
neighborhoods. She believes this was the idea behind the program. Councilmember Lewis
believes the original intent was to get neighborhoods to help themselves.
Chairman Borden is concerned about non-profits being included. The non-profit agency could be
the project coordinator. It should be a neighborhood project not an agency project. She reiterated
that the project should come from the neighborhood.. Mayor affirmed that the project idea needs
to come from the neighborhood. Principal Planner Sokol explained that preference will be given to
projects initiated by private citizens. The City wants neighborhoods to pursue projects and the
neighborhood groups would have priority.
Mayor mentioned concerns about non-profit agencies manipulating the program. The citizens are
generating the idea or program and they will initiate the request. Chairman Borden said that she
agrees with the Mayor. The paragraph on page 3 regarding non-profits should be deleted.
Wording should be added that non-profits can participate and facilitate. The non-profits should not
be out recruiting projects.
Councilmember Lewis suggested adding language that non-profits are eligible for being included
in neighborhood improvement group. Planner I Mandeville suggested wording that the non-profit
has to have a location within the specified neighborhood. Mayor stressed that the non-profit
agencies should be in a supporting role, not a leadership role. Councilmember Lewis likes the
statement that non-profits can be included, but they cannot lead.
Discussion occurred relating to removing the entire paragraph on page 3.
Councilmember Singer said that the first paragraph under section 5.0 on page 2 needs to be
clarified.
Planner I Mandeville then continued by reviewing the changes on page 4 and page 6. He spoke
about the required training for the project coordinator. Chairman Borden referred to the last
paragraph on page 6 relating to the criminal background check. She suggested that the sentence
beginning with "Information from the .... "be deleted. The Committee agreed that this sentence
should be deleted. Mayor remarked that this section needs a statement about the overall
qualifications of the project coordinator.
Planner I Mandeville then reviewed page 7. He indicated that he will make the changes to the
document as discussed this evening.
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APRIL 12, 1999
OTHER BUSINESS:
Paula Thrush, former member of the Lea Hill Task Force, spoke regarding the southwest Lea Hill
annexation process. She complained that she was a member of the Task Force, but did not receive a
letter regarding last Saturday's petition drive. She is disappointed that she was not contacted. She was
told by staff that door-to-door solicitation would not be done. Mayor apologized and emphasized that
nothing underhanded was done. No such activity would be done without notification to the Task Force.
Principal Planner Sokol pointed out that those not interested in annexing would not sign the petition. If
they do not know about the annexation they will not sign. Mayor stressed that the City's effort was not a
hard sell. He mentioned that the Task Force should have an update on the annexation. Principal Planner
Sokol said that a letter could be sent to the Task Force outlining the latest progress.
Mrs. Thrush then continued by updating staff on the latest rumors.
With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
PC DC\MIN\4A-99
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