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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-1999MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held July 26, 1999 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Pete Lewis STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Lynn Rued, Dick Deal, Jack Locke, Shirley Aird and Carolyn Brown ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth; Marian Thomas - Human Services, Jim Blanchard- Downtown Task Force Chairman The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. ACTION ITEMS: 1. WSC0006-99 - Davis Consulting (re[erred back to Committee from July 19th Council meeting) Planning Director Krauss stated that he had reservations regarding this Water / Sewer Certificate request. The resubmittal to the committee is because the City has to ascertain that the development is consistent with City standards. Roads need to be built to grades within City standards and would like to avoid long dead end streets. Committee Member Singer stated that most neighbor hoods have long dead-end streets Planning Director Krauss said that the safety aspect of dead end streets is a concern. Also, is storm drainage going to be built to City standards? He stated that King County does a fairly good job with water retention. The Golf course is an example. 5 years ago comp plan, if adjacent you shall annex to get utilities. Two years ago Staff thought the property was too remote and not close enough to the City services. Planning Director Krauss stated that it was no more remote then property at the bottom of the hill by the golf course. He is proposing to send the request back to staff for additional information. He will return in a month with results and have another Public Hearing before PCDC. That is assuming that the City says no to an annexation. Committee Member Lewis agreed that the application needs to go back to staff. Committee Member Singer asked if it is possible for a road to go thru 3004, how does the City determine if it is feasible? Planning Director Krauss said that in the past the issues have been not being able to physically build, such as topography. There are also design issues, the oppommity to look at park property and access, better grades, and engineering expertise. A 12 percent grade is the standard. Committee Chairman Borden concurs to have the application remm in one month. PAGE I MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 o ANX0002-99 - Elliott/Codica Assistant Planning Director Rued received a request regarding an annexation north. On the south side is Opus NWa large development. City requiring new right of way on "C" Street. Applicant said future plans are to convert to Industrial or Commercial use. 85~ Avenue is a problem access. That is why the need to extend "C" Street. Assistant Planning Director Rued would like committee to authorize council to prepare and circulate petition. Committee Chairman Borden asked if the area in question is an unincorporated island. What about the rest of the land? Assistant Planning Director Rued there was a neighborhood meeting where neighbors raised conce~s. Committee Member Lewis stated that the staff person that was heading up that particular annexation was not able to follow up. They thinks now that the neighbor.s may be amiable to annex. Assistant Planning Director Rued said that the project is required to stub a right of way and will be required to dedicate their half. Yet it may be awhile before there is a full width right of way. Committee Chairman Borden asked if parcel #3 stated the way. Assistant Planning Director Rued stated it would depend on the development on how wide the street would have to be. Also, would have to negotiate with lot #2 for right of way. Assistant Planning Director Rued stated that sewer & water are already there. Committee Member Singer recommends authorization. Committee Member Lewis second. Committee Chairman Borden concurs. From the audience Dennis DelaHunt as what is next in the process. Assistant Planning Director Rued stated that it will go the next City Council, which is scheduled for Monday, August 2. Then they will ask for staff to prepare a petition, which will come back to the City with needed Signatures, then to King County for certification. Then prepare to property owners. Only CDBG 1999 Program Year Planner Aird gave a presentation on funding of Human Services and block grants. First she explained that the processes were heard simultaneously. Both from the Block Grant and general fund. Secondly she is just here with preliminary recommendations, and not here with action items. Was to review before committee before they are put into the annual action plan. Recommendations are: Estimate for year 2000 of $375,000. Being optimistic with the estimate. Congress is still deciding on funding. Human Services Committee met and tried to decide whom to fund and how to cut. Had more applications then they had money to give. Reallocated PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 amounts from block grants. There was money unspent from different areas. $275,000 from General Fund and $650,000 from CDBG. Gave several examples of projects funding such as Food Banks, utility payments, etc. Committee made recommendations based on last year amounts. Increase in funding was priority #1 for food, shelter projects. One of the questions asked by the committee was - is someone already providing that service? That helped the committee to decide how the ' ~nds were to be spent. Committee Member Singer asked if the emergency feeding program was new. Planner Aird stated that it has been active in Auburn for 8 or 9 years. It is a program to help stock individual church food banks. Especially if there is a special diet need. Such ~as diabetic, older with health problems, baby formula. Have been funded through United Way possibly. She was not sure where they are getting match: Committee Chairman Borden asked about DAWN. Planner Aird stated that the thirty thousand dollars requested for shelter from Block Grant. Usually the total asked for is $60,000. They are requesting the mo. ney because they need a full time advocate. Committee Member Lewis asked if the shelter has funded in past. Planner Aird stated that a lump sum was given and said to use as needed. $38,000 was given last year, and part of that was for an advocate. Committee Chairman Borden asked if there was increase in domestic violence in Auburn last year? Planner Aird said yes and more cases were reported. Committee Chairman Borden asked if that is why they are requesting more money? Planner Aird said the additional funding is because they desire to have someone available full time for referrals. As there has been an increase in service. Also, they have new staff and a new executive director. Planner Aird said the other newly funded program is the Auburn Respite. Reliant entirely on volunteers they provide relief for caregivers of chronically ill older patients. They are available one day a week, now and would like to expand to two days a week. Now use the Messiah LUtheran Church and have been involving high school students in the program. Mayor Booth stated this is a good program and also there for severally disabled. Planner Aird said that Actaap has been funded out of block grant money and moved to General Fund. The request was small this year. Marian Thomas responded with comments on how well. staffput all the information together. Committee Chairman Borden said she would like to see the notebook on the applicants. Planner Aird stated that 22 agencies sent in applications and all are compelling. Mayor Booth stated that we use a combination of block grant money. Auburn is one of 17 cities out of 39 that vote general fund support to Human Services commitment. ($270,000). Committee Chairman Borden said that she is happy to see the CDBG money on the same sheet. Marion Thomas said that some agencies have not applied because they haven't known how to fill out applications. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 Planner Aird indicated that staff needs to be there to help volunteers. Volunteer transportation program is just that. Mayor Booth praised the YWCA, which is under block grant segment. Planner Aird said that under program.administration 20% is allotted, which is rarely spent. So they lowered the amount this year. Committee Chairman Borden glad they are keeping administrative costs down. Planner Aird leftover administrative funds might be use for planning activities, such as software upgrades, maybe this year. Regarding Capital projects, Planner Aird said we have the luxury of being the only community in King County to recommend funding for all the Capital projects. Some cities use it all for storm sewer, sidewalks, etc. Regarding th~ purchase and rehabilitation of Auburn Manor, which is on 14t~ NE near Dick Scobee Elementary, by the Low Income Housing Institute. Mayor Booth stated that several years ago a request came in to make it a home for recovering alcoholics and another request was for a home for the disabled, Planner Aird said it is now a section 8 housing project. The landlord, is able to keep the rents Iow and does most of the maintenance and repair. Originally Section 8 housing was set up as a 20-year contract. Now it is a yearly cycle that makes it harder to keep good tenants. The building is 27 unit town house units with 2-3 bedrooms and houses mostly families. This building is at risk because it is 2-3 bedrooms and current residents would be out because rents would go up. Keeping it low income would allow current residents to stay and also work with them regarding property upkeep. Planner Aird gave a description of who and what LeHi is. The Low Income Housing Institute. tries to buy existing properties for low-income housing. Planner Aird stated that Habitat for Humanity was not recommended for funding this year, as they have not yet procured property from this year's funding. Community Psychiatric is for chronic inebriates as they come out of jail or an inpatient facility. Catholic Community Service Women's Shelter is for women coming out of the Regional Justice Center because they have a criminal history or poor rental history. They are usually released at 4:00 am: The $10,000 for Catholic Community Service is a one-time grant. This will give them support to obtain other funding Mayor Booth said transitional support is important. Committee Member Lewis commented on the hours that people are being released. Mayor Booth said it has to due with charges and funding. Planner Aird discussed Public Facility Improvements. Accap has asked for funds for improving the driveway and parking. But there are too many questions on actual cost of the paving. Their application was not picked up this time. There are also some questions on ownership (YMcA) and who should actually pave the driveway. King County Housing as requested funding for repairs to Nike Manor which is near Kent. This is a transitional shelter. Auburn Youth Resources has applied for funding for re-roofing. They already have bids for the project. Senior Center is recommended for funding contingent upon the remainder of funding sought out. PAGE 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 Mayor Booth said that all the applicants are eligible and worthy. The Terminal Park Neighborhood is eligible for funding. Committee Member Singer asked if the Senior Center funding would be first thing cut from list if funding was not there. Planner Aird said yes if we don't get the money. Committee Member Singer said she is not in agreement. Other cities use the money totally. Committee Member Lewis agreed. Committee Chairman Borden stated that there is the option of taking money from General Fund. Mayor Booth indicated that it would be tough to do to use local discretionary funds and to document it. Committee Member Singer would prefer to have the Senior Center renovated instead of individual residents. Mayor Booth said the housing repair money helps the senior citizens livin, g in a mn down home. Often volunteer help and money for repairs keep them in their home. One instance saved the family from relocation to a nursing home. Committee Member Singer said the chances are we won't get the money. Committee Member Lewis said if it comes to that, then we need to take another look at the Senior Center. Committee Chairman Borden indicated that it is good point on the housing repair, as a lot of older people can't or don't use the Senior Center. Mayor Booth stated the City is conserving the public money in these situations, as often funding will come from some other source. Committee Member Singer asked if all the money has been spent in the Housing Repair fund. Planner Arid the way the money is spent, no. Money is allocated or committed by August of each year. They could actually spend more. Committee Member Singer asked how many applications or people are helped?' Planner Arid stated about 40 households of which mostly are seniors. However they have helped one family of 8. They amount allowed is usually up to $3500. Also, King County will match with energy funds for windows, skirting, weatherizing, etc. Committee Chairman Borden stated that it is a lot of work on putting information together. Again, she also supports the Senior Center. Planner Arid stated that Congress had said to cut the VA, and HUD. It is unlikely that the VA will be cut so HUD will take a bigger hit. Then some Block Grants will lose funding. Mayor Booth stated that a lot of private sector money could come in if they see that cities are funding projects. Planner Arid stated that on August 5, from 3:30 to 5:30 there will be will be a provider's meeting. Also there will be a draft of the 5-year plan at the 2nd meeting in August or the first in September. Committee Chairman Borden asked if there need be action from the committee. Planner Add said that it is just a plan now. Also, she will rework the Senior Center wording as to funding. PAGE 5 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMU'NITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 o Resolution 3107 - Agreement with Boyle Wagoner Architects Parks Director Deal stated that they are a firm from Seattle. They have been hired to create a master site plan of Olson Canyon Site. It has one of only two salmon bearing streams, also trails, and a farmstead over 100 years old. Parks has $15,000 in the budget for a site plan and for history of site. Some people are still alive that can be interviewed by museum staff. They will also be gathering other history on site. Also planned is a building inventory review of structures by a structural engineer, to check for soundness. A design plan will show how everything will relate - parking, trails, etc. They will show all cost estimates to do the work and a final master site plan. Master site plan will allow Parks Department to go after grants. Committee Chairman Borden said that the project sounds great. Parks Director Deal stated that this site is very unique and worth preserving. Some work has already been done. Committee Chairman Borden asked'about planting trees. Parks Director Deal said that the Native Plant Society has been out takin~ inventory. Fish and Wildlife Department has been looking at the stream. And there is still some legal language to be worked out. Committee Member Lewis recommends that the Council adopt Resolution 3107. Committee Member Singer second. Committee Chairman Borden concurs. Resolution 3106 - Senior Services of Seattle/King County Agreement Parks Director Deal said this is an outstanding agreement with the Senior Services of 'South King County. They train volunteers and their staff comes out from Seattle. Committee Member Singer recommends adoption of Resolution 3106. Committee Member Lewis second. Committee Chairman Borden concurs DISCUSSION ITEMS: 1. New Library Construction Update Parks Director Deal stated that construction has slowed down, and is about three weeks behind. This is due to shortages Of some of the building materials. However, the contractor has. until March, 2000 and is still on schedule. Sometime in late March the library is planning to move in. No major problems or issues are anticipated at this time. Able to see how the parking is being laid out. 2. Senior Center Conversion of Library Update Parks Director Deal stated that about 6 weeks ago they discussed the design. Have not started construction drawings and won't until we know where funding is coming from. Possible FEMA funding because the old library will also be an emergency facility. Committee Member Singer aSked if there would be more money in this year's budget. PAGE 6 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 Mayor Booth stated yes, but we have to find some way to deal with it. Committee Member Singer asked how will we vote on what to do with old building? Mayor Booth said the committee doesn't have to vote on what to do with the old building. We will do nothing until it is decided what to do with it. Committee Chairman Borden said that it appears to be in the budget. Mayor Booth said we could say no. Committee Chairman Borden we have put $75,000 into it. Committee Member Singer indicated that she was just saying there has never been a discussion. Mayor Booth said we could discuss what ever you want. o White River Trail Update Parks Director Deal displayed the map and trail plan. From the West it will be from Roegner Park upstream to Bowman Creek. The one area still a problem is Bowman Creek wetlands and dealing with the creek and getting permits to replace the existing culvert/bridge. The Park Department is planning to bid the project in alternate 1 and 2. Alternate 1 would not go under the Batlard Bridge, because permitting is the issue. Alternate 2 would be the connecting'piece under the Ballard Bridge. The Mill Pond is done and Roegner Park is done. A dike is in place in the Game Farm Park area and the new trail will be hard and soft service. The Segale property is to the south. As you continue up stream there will a berm and landscaping and will make it impossible for vehicle access. This is to stop parties, dumping, living in cars, etc. Further up Stream is the Game Farm Wilderness Park. The stream drains across Segale property. Fish and wildlife has asked the City to see how this stream could be made passable for fish. The bridge over the stream will be added later, so trail can be continued. The City has applied for a grant to make it happen, as this will provide a new spawning channel. This is the Cold Creek Springs overflow, which runs full in the winter time. This part of the trail will not be done at this time. It is only a culvert now and Fish and Wildlife would like that taken out. Also, they will change the slope and grade. Committee Chairman Borden asked if this was an oppommity for Salmon. Parks Director Deal said yes, that is what is planned. Committee Member Singer asked what would be the length of the trail? Parks Director Deal stated it will be 1.2 miles from east end of Roegner Park to Game Farm West. The ultimate plan is to continue the trail through to Buckley. Parks Director Deal said that at the August 9 PCDC meeting he will ask for permission to bid project. Committee Chairman Borden asked if that would be for whole trail or just part of it? Parks Director Deal said he will try to bid all at once and hope alternates will be come in by early September. Committee Member Lewis said it would be something to get a response from the Fed by early September. Mayor Booth stated that the only response would be from Fish and Game. PAGE 7 MINUTES OF PLA2WNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 Committee Chairman Borden said she remembered in the Bowman Creek area when someone cut trees and the City Attorney stopped it; no one cared about the creek at that time. Parks Director Deal we have the shoreline permit, but need a permit to be in the river channel and in Bowman Creek. Discussion Committee Member Singer would like to see something more permanent on the millennium project. She is still interested in tree planting. Displayed an article about trees and advantages and stormwater detention control. Would like to see Millennium trees marked as such. Committee Member Lewis also likes the concept of trees. The "R" Street cherry trees stand out in particular. Committee Member Singer said that the public should be involved. And City should maintain what is planted. Parks Director Deal said for the millennium there will be public and private planting. There is funding from Boeing and will allow the City to give the trees to the neighborhood and then it will be up to the neighborhood to take care. Then it will be their tree. An idea will be that the tree they pick would identify each neighborhood. Committee Member Lewis likes the idea. Committee Chairman Borden specified that it be native trees. Parks Director Deal said yes and nothing that is a pest problem, etc. Committee Member Lewis asked if it could be coupled with a gateway project. Committee Member Singer asked if one of the gateway projects could be a forest. Committee Member Lewis stated how about a forest to be. Committee Chairman Borden pointed out the SuperMall as an example of landscaping and trees. Parks Director Deal compared it to Southcenter. Committee Member Lewis said he likes the idea of a different tree for long term neighborhood identification. Committee Chairman Borden asked that there not be a vote on the tree, but try to get the neighbors involved. They could have a list of trees available. Parks Director Deal said we could use the Auburn reporter Committee Member Lewis stated there could be a coupon to vote. Divide the area in into NE, NW, SE etc. The reason "R" Street stands out is because it is all one tree. Parks Director Deal said yes and Les Gove Park is another example. Perhaps give the neighborhoods a certificate. A general discussion then followed on tree cutting in the area. Commuter Rail Station and Inter-local Agreement Jack Locke gave a presentation on the Sound Transit project. Mr. Locke intended to have the Tri-Party Agreement available but Sound Transit has not yet finalized the agreement. He is here to bring the committee up to date. Overview of the commuter rail service. The agreement with Sound Transit is also to provide special service and future all day PAGE 8 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 service. Also, there will be an Express Bus between Federal Way and the East Side in September and it will be an all day schedule. The Auburn Transit Station will be a 410 car garage, with 130 west side surface parking spots and 23 drop-off and short-term parking spots. These will be where Wickham and Sons is located. There will be commercial space inside the parking garage. The City will own 45 of the shells within the garage. The restroom care will be part of the retail agreement. The shell next to the bathrooms will care for that particular bathroom. All the land has been purchased and is vacant and in position. The exceptions are Wickham and the Aero Space Machinist parking lot and they will be in place by September or October. Committee Member Singer asked why not assign the restrooms? Mr. Locke stated that it is easier to give preferential rent. Phase 1 construction is the platforms, statiOn, and west side parking; A $4.3 million contract has been awarded to Magnolia Contractors. Demolition of the buildings is to start by August. Ground breaking is planned for August 1~2 at 10:00 am. The platforms will be ready for service by December 1999. Complete by January 2000. Committee Member Lewis asked where are the platforms located. Mr. Locke said along both sides of the track Phase 2 construction is the parking garage, pedestrian bridge (which is paid for by the City) and the plaza. The design is to be in by August-December 1999 and construction will take place February - August of 2000. Mr. Locke said when returns to PCDC he will have a value on the shells and looking for tenants. Committee Chairman Borden asked how do you look for tenants? Mr. Locke said they will do an analysis on the types of business. And they will be making calls to find out if a business is interested. The City will also hire a property manager. Committee Chairman Borden asked if later there would be a process for the general public. Mr. Locke stated that local people would have advance notice. The City hopes to give maximum opportunities for local business. Committee Member Singer asked if they were specifically looking for commercial? Mr. Locke stated they are looking for transit oriented commercial. Station Cost Summary (in Millions) $5.6 preliminary engineering and site acquisition 6.5 phase I construction 8.1 phase 2 construction 2.1 mitigation Project Total 22.3 M Committee Member Lewis asked how easy would it be for Sound Transit to delay phase Ii? Planning Director Krauss interjected that he will talk about the contract PAGE 9 MINUTES OF PL&NNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 Funding Station Phase 1-2 ( in Millions) $10.6 Sound Transit 1.5 King County 4.8 City of Aub (Station 2.7) (Mitigation 2.1) Total funded 16.9 Need 5.4 Total 22.3 Proposed Supplemental Funding 5.4 Requests: Sound Transit 3.3 King County 2.1 The grand total of the station budget and cost = $22.3 million. FUture actions by City of Auburn Mr. Locke said that they still need building permits, street use and/or street vacation, the Tri Party agreement, commercial space, and support from King County. They are also looking at housing or additional commercial around the station. Committee Chairman Borden reiterated that if Phase 1 is to be completed by this year, is the station going to be completed by this year? Committee Member Singer said yet. Discussed different phases. Committee Chairman Borden stated that phase one seems like a lot of money. And it seems like not as much work as phase II. Mr. Locke stated that this budget is the Sound Transit budget. Planning Director Krauss touched on the three-party contract that is between Sound Transit, Metro Transit and City of Auburn. The contract covers all the large aspects for an extended period of time. The City needs to secure this. The contract issues are how to develop and guarantees Phase II will happen. There will repercussions to City if it doesn't happen. For example the parking lot if not enough 'space is allocated there will nO way to expand. Sound Transit understands this. They would like to keep the project moving and need success with phase I. The SEPA said there were to be 450 parking spaces. The City sent a letter to Sound Transit stating that they have to be in compliance with £IS. Sound Transit has been most helpful to Auburn, not like the case of Tukwila. Sound transit needs to demonstrate they can produce a project on budget and on time. The working arrangement is good. The mechanism is in place to issue a building permit for phase I. The level of service between buses and parking needs to be there. The City wants Sound Transit to put that into a letter. The building permit letter will not let them receive a certificate of occupancy. It will be a use permit but the City will not vacate the street unless the City gets what they want. Mr. Locke said the City is asking Sound Transit Board to put in money. The City will not start construction of the garage until there is some kind of commitment. PAGE 10 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JULY 26, 1999 Committee Member Lewis asked if the thrust of the agreement is that Sound Transit is not going to be able to mn trains? Planning Director Krauss stated that they can run trains, but won't be able to stop in AUburn. Sound Transit needs this to work. Mr. Locke said also the City won't let them move the Metro Park and Ride to the train station area. Mr. Locke again stated the City is using Sound Transit budget. The finance committee for Sound Transit has a $4 million short fall. They have invited the City to come down and ask for more money. The City will go and Sound Transit will present the agreement. Planning Director Krauss said that other items in the contract would be commercial. Will sell fights for parking spaces. The City would like to have another floor on the garage. The City has the fight to transfer the Metro site to the other side of the station. It is OK with both Sound Transit and Metro, as they have no preferred side. At this time Sound Transit is having a prOblem with Kent and Tukwila and they want this station to be finished. Committed then discussed the funding and the agencies involved. Mr. Locke stated that the City is not committing any money they don't have. It was mandated by the voters t9 build a station. Planning Director Krauss then discussed the possibility of an Amtrak station at Tukwila, but it probably won't happen. Committee Member Singer asked if the design of the garage would allow the addition another floor at a later time. Planning Director Krauss said not really, as the design won't allow it. Mr. Locke said that if Amtrak should come in by 2010, Sound Transit will have 900 boarding. If Amtrak comes in it will have to have another garage. Amtrak is not proposing to man a station, it would be all automated. The trains stopping at the Auburn station are not the long trains like the ones to Los Angeles but just the Talgo trains, Planning Director Krauss said he wanted the committee to know where funding is at and what the contract looks like. Committee Chairman Borden stated that a lot of work has been done. Mayor Booth stated that Mr. Locke and Planning Director Krauss have done a great job. However he is not recommending monetary commitment until he sees the dollars are there. Mr. Locke wants to keep a nice working arrangement with Sound Transit. Jim Blanchard commented on the projects and the 3ra Street on ramp by the station. The task force has tried to think through how it will benefit Auburn. They are trying to ask enough questions and hope to attract quality merchants for the stations. With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm. PCDC\MINX7B-99 PAGE 11