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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-1999MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 10, 1999 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held May 10, 1999 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis STAFF PRESENT: Bob Sokol, Dick Deal, Susan Sagawa, and Patti Zook ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth; Kevin Spitzer and Kate Kulzer, artists The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Editorial Services Contract for Auburn newsletter Parks and Recreation Director Deal stated that this item is removed from the agenda because the contract needs to be revised a bit more. He gave information on how the newsletter was done previously and the problems encountered with that process. He spoke about the intent of the City's newsletter. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was prepared and interest from two individuals received. He showed the Committee the Renton Reporter and pointed out the two City pages. Due to the newspaper, Renton's number of volunteers has increased. Staff would work with the Auburn Reporter to use the center pages for various City news items which would come out monthly versus quarterly. Two people were interviewed for editorial services. Marjorie Rommell had the energy, ideas and enthusiasm. He spoke about the other types of work that she does. The publication will be a good opportunity for citizens to find out about what is happening in Auburn and to educate them about various issues. The proposed contract is the same one used for other contract personnel. Staff tried to revise the contract to make it appropriate for editorial services. He reiterated that the contract needs to be revised and it is being removed from tonight's agenda. The contract will be brought to the next Committee meeting. Mayor pointed out that the contract position does not receive any benefits. Councilmember Lewis wanted to know how many hours per month will be required. Parks and Recreation Director Deal does not know the number of hours yet, but the maximum is $2,000 per issue for services through the end of the year. Councilmember Lewis remarked that he likes the concept presented. Chairman Borden asked if the editorial services was already in the budget. Parks and Recreation Director Deal advised that the money is actually in the Planning Department budget. Chairman Borden stressed that the newsletter is important to the community and they should receive it on a regular basis. She requested a cost comparison between the newsletter and the proposed concept. The Council should also have input on the content of the newsletter. Parks and Recreation Director Deal remarked that once a month the editor will meet with Department Directors for their input and story ideas. Mayor asked Parks and Recreation Director Deal to obtain additional copies of the Kent Reporter and Renton Reporter for the Committee to look at. 2. Final Pay Estimate for Contract 99-03 Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented the staff report on the contract for the demolition of the Fenster Residence. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. PAGE I MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 10, 1999 DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. Naming Park at Vistara for Former Mayor Gaines Parks and Recreation Director Deal referred to his memorandum previously distributed to the Committee. The park naming policy was established in 1994. Previously, parks were named for pioneers or former mayors. The naming policy was formalized in 1994. He then read a paragraph from his memorandum outlining Mayor Gaines' contribution to the City and state. Chairman Borden pointed out that there are no set number of years that a person must be deceased before a park can be named for that person. She believes this change was made after the dedication of Roegner Park. The person has to be out of office at least a year, but no deceased time set. The decease time limit was discussed at the time, though. Parks and Recreation Director Deal remarked that the deceased criteria is not in the policy. Mayor Gaines Was the only individual under consideration by the Parks Board. Councilmember Lewis believes it is a good idea to name the park for Mayor Gaines. Parks and Recreation Director Deal said the park dedication will be in late June. Councilmember Lewis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Singer, to recommend approval. Chairman Borden concurred. Lea Hill Annexation Principal Planner Sokol provided an provided an update on this annexation and provided less than positive news to the Committee. It appears that the City is frozen at 49 percent of the assessed value of the area with 60" necessary for annexation. He pointed out the reasons why: 1) signatures on petitions are good for only six months and some of the early signatures are retiring now; 2) staff reviewed the annexation agreem_ents for water/sewer certifications and agreements signed prior to 1996 did not include power of attorney where the City can sign for the person. Prior to 1996, the person agrees to support and sign the annexation petition when it happens. Theoretically the person has agreed, but the City has to get them to sign again. The City is not willing to take legal action to get the person to sign. These agreements do not count toward the 49 percent. If all the people were to sign, the percentage would be at 56. Staff are writing letters to annexation agreement people. When developers sign, the owners now have to sign and some of them are unaware of the process. Principal Planner Sokol pointed out that one percent is approximately seven homes. Auburn needs about 70 homes to put the annexation over the top. About a month ago people went door to door to solicit signatures and several residents continued on a regular basis. This worked well at the beginning, but now staff is receiving only about 5 petitions a week. He then showed a map which depicted in green those that have signed petitions. The owner of Amber View Apartments is very reluctant to sign. He referred to the letter received from the apartments and the letter sent to the apartments' attorney. The attorney is requesting several things from the City, such as specific zoning district for the apartments, a guarantee in writing that they can rebuild to the same density after a fire, and a waiver of all liability relating to the tennis courts. He pointed out that King County did not guarantee the rebuilding to the same density. Chairman Borden asked how the tennis courts relate to the issue at hand. Parks and Recreation Director Deal advised that the tennis courts are built on the reservoir with an easement. There is no recreational easement with the apartments to use the tennis courts. Origninally, the courts benefited those residents on the Hill, but now they clearly benefit the apartments. Auburn constructed the tennis courts that are now used by apartment dwellers. The City told the attorney that the City could remove the courts in 90 days if they became a problem. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 10, 1999 Principal Planner Sokol stated that he had called the Vice President of the Realty Company who then called back and left a message. Unfortunately, the annexation hinges on if the apartments sign. Several people have been active in obtaining signatures door to door. If the apartments are willing to sign, it would reinvigorate others to sign. Councilmember Singer advised that she does not want City employees to canvas the area. Mayor mentioned that remaining in King County is costing the apartments money. Parks and Recreation Director Deal offered to contact John Greenfield, attorney for the apartments. Chairman Borden remarked that a lot of people have signed petitions and want to be annexed. Principal Planner Sokol advised that King County recently signed petitions for their parcels in the area. Councilmember Lewis commented that if it comes down to making concessions for the apartment complex, he is not willing for the City to make concessions. Chairman Borden declared that the City is very close to the annexation percentage required and should push a bit more. A significant amount of staff time has been invested in the annexation. The Lea Hill residents are not paying taxes to Auburn, but are using City services. Councilmember Singer requested to see a list of who has not signed petitions. Councilmember Lewis agreed with Councilmember Singer's request and also asked for several blank petitions to be placed in the Council members' boxes. INFORMATION ITEMS: 1. Art Work at Skateboard Park Parks and Recreation Director Deal said the park construction bids go out today and bid open on the 25th. City Council will review on June 7th. He will provide an update at the next Committee meeting. This park is on the fast track. Information will be placed in the Committee members' boxes or faxed on the 25th. The Committee can review and contact Parks and Recreation Director Deal if they have any concerns. It is anticipated that the park will open in mid-September. Construction will be completed in August, however, it takes about one month for the concrete to "cure". Staffhas been working with artists on a design for artwork at the skateboard park. Ms. Kulzer gave a background on the inspiration for the art work. She spoke about pictures in a skateboard magazine and the interesting motion the pictures presented. She distributed a handout on the sculpture entitled Auburn SkateparkXtreme AtmosFearic Oscillator. The art work is representative of a gyroscope. Mr. Spitzer then spoke about the skaters' positions as shown in the magazine's pictures. He passed around color representations of the art work. He spoke about the three panels and what they represent. He pointed out dimensions of the artwork and the reasons for the dimensions. Ms. Kulzer referred to page 4 of the handout and believes the art work will be a challenge to the skateboarders. Ms. Sagawa explained the six month process of determining an artist and the type of art work. The Arts Commission approved the art work. Any issues of safety relating to the art work have been resolved. Chairman Borden referred to the art work on 15~ Street NW and wondered if the art work had received any type of vandalism. Parks and Recreation Director Deal remarked that the City has been very fortunate that the public art work around town has received very little vandalism. A discussion occurred on the type of coating on the artwork in order to provide for lasting beauty and resilience against graffiti. Chairman Borden expressed excitement about the skateboard park and its art work. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MAY 10, 1999 2. Correspondence from King County relating to Countywide Planning Policies Chairman Borden pointed out that the documents were sent on April 9 for a 90 day process which ends on May 23rd. Principal Planner Sokol acknowledged receipt on April 16~, deadline is May 2Td which is the 90 day time period. Mayor mentioned that if the City Council does not vote on the matter, it is assumed the City has approved. Councilmember Singer referred to resource lands and the changed notification perimeter and wondered if the proposed figure is the same as the City currently uses. Principal Planner Sokol said the notification was changed to 300 feet, and would have to be moved to 500 feet. The notification area would have to expand to the 500 feet. The first and last bulleted items in the letter were changes to reflect state law. The two middle bulleted items in the letter are reflections of intergovernmental agreements with the cities. None of the items are considered controversial. Principal Planner Sokol confirmed that if the City does not act on this it is considered affirmed by the City. Chairman Borden asked the Committee about putting this matter on the Council's agenda. Principal Planner Sokol said that the other Council members can get a copy of the documents. Chairman Borden believes that the Council should be aware of these documents. Principal Planner Sokol asked Committee if they want a Resolution prepared to approve or transmit the documents to Council as an information item. Mayor mentioned that a memorandum with the attachment could be transmitted to Council and state in the memo that it was examined and the Committee which did not have a problem with the document. Chairman Borden suggested the Countywide Planning Policies be placed on the Council's agenda for the action. The Committee concurred. OTHER BUSINESS: Chairman Borden referred to a copy of a letter from Alan Keimig, Keimig and Associates, regarding the level of service (LOS) for 41st Street and asked if the Public Works Committee had discussed the issue. Mayor provided information on this and said it concerns a project by Judy Roland and a project by Thistle Properties. Mr. Keimig has written three different letters. A total of four projects is proposed for the area. Chairman Borden asked if a traffic impact fee would make a different here. Mayor replied yes. Principal Planner Sokol provided further that the intersection is below the LOS. If a project is in the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) which remedies the situation, then the development can be approved. If it is not in the CFP, then the development has to be denied. An important issue is that the intersection cannot be improved. 41st Street and A Street is the problem. A discussion occurred of where the problem is and what the causes the problem. Mayor pointed out that a significant traffic problem is the "background" traffic. Chairman Borden asked about the no protest agreement as mentioned in Mr. Keimig's letter. Principal Planner Sokol pointed out that project needs to be an identified project within the six year TIP. Mayor advised that the Public Works Committee was discussing the matter this evening. With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. PCDCLMIN~5A-99 PAGE 4