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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-2000 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE July 24, 2000 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held July 24, 2000 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish BOrden, Sue Singer, and Fred Poe STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Dick Deal, Brian Petty, Diane Supler, Bill Mandeville, David ' Osaki, Shirley Aird and Carolyn Brown ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Booth, Nancy Colson The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. Action Items. The first item on the agenda was the AmeriCorps ordinance. Associate Planner Bill Mandeville said the Washington Service Corps (WSC) is offering to renew the City's AmeriCorps grant for another three years. WSC request the City streamline the program to focus just on public safety and serve at just a couple of sites. Planner Mandeville explained the AmeriCorps Team currently serves at half a dozen sites and tries to accomplish three broad program objectives. Planner Mandeville described next year's program as primarily focusing on reducing youth' violence and the incidence of property theft in and around the participating schools. The Team plans to serve at Mt. Baker and Olympic Middle Schools. These schools were selected by the Auburn' School District. School District administrators think these two schools have the greatest need for the crime prevention program offered by the AmeriCorps Team. Planner Mandeville explained next year's work plan includes organizing school crime watch groups, helping school officials process Becca Bill referrals, providing one-on-one tutoring to students at-risk of suspension due to their absenteeism and/or classroom behavior, organizing after-school activities and diversity awareness workshops, and organizing games and activities during recess. He said he hopes the AmeriCorps Team can create a season of community service. The season would start with a celebration of Martin Luther King Day. AmeriCorps members would try to enlist teens to participate in one of the several service events during the month of April. Finally, they would try to recruit youth groups to apply for a Neighborhood Mini-grant during the summer. -- WSC wants the City to l~rovide a $500 cash match for each AmeriCorp member. In addition, the City and School District will need to provide an in-kind match of approximately $64,000. Planner Mandeville said the City and School District are currently looking at an interlocal agreement to jointly create a team supervisor. The Team Supervisor would be provided by the City but serve under the direct supervision of the School District. The City would pay for the position using $18,000 of the AmeriCorp grant. Planner Mandeville explained this additional position would lower the City's net general fund impact to slightly more than $1,000. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMI'I'TEE July 24, 2000 Chair Trish Borden likes the focus on crime prevention. She pointed out the program has successfully reduced the youth crime rates in the school attendance areas that it serves. Member Fred Poe asked how much is the cost to the city and where does the grant money go? Planner Mandeville said the City receives $27,079 out of which $18,000 pays for the team supervisor, $8000 for supplies, and the remaining $1000 offsets Planner Mandeville's salary. There was a discussion about costs, amounts and the source of funding. Member Poe said it appears that the school district does not provide in kind match and that the City would pay for it all. Planner Mandeville explained the City is ultimately responsible for assuring both the City and School District satisfy the cash match. At this time, the School District proposes to provide 36% of the in-kind match; however, if it does not provide that amount, then the City may need to make up the difference. Member Sue Singer stated she would like to see the school district take over the whole project. Member Fred Poe concurred with her sentiments. Planning Director Paul Krauss, Planner Mandeville and Mayor Booth all said they would like to gradually mm it over to the School District. Planner Mandeville stated the proposed interlocal agreement is the start of such a process. In three years, if they want to continue the AmeriCorps Team, then the School District will need to apply for the renewal of the AmeriCorps grant. Member Singer asked how much of Planner Mandeville's time does AmeriCorps take? Planner Mandeville stated that in the past year approximately 60% of his time was allocated to the AmeriCorps program. However, he said the work required considerably more stafftime than is currently allocated. The interlocal agreement with the School District would provide an additional 900 hours of supervision. The interlocal agreement would increases the total staff time, provided by both Planner Mandeville and the team supervisor, to 1.00 FTE. Without the interlocal agreement, Planner Mandeville said that AmeriCorps would require nearly all of his time. Planning Director Krauss explained that the interlocal agreement would actually free some of Planner Mandeville's staff time. Planner Mandeville becomes available to do neighborhood planning, enumerate annexations, update the City's demographic data using Year 2000 census data, along with other planning assignments. He currently does many of these assignments now; however, it interferes with his responsibilities to AmeriCorps and vice versa. Member Singer asked if the City is taking over the funding for other agencies such as ACTAPP and the Muckleshoot Re-Entry Program? Member Singer thought those two group's were funded through other organizations. Planner Mandeville said that ACTAPP and the Muckleshoot Re-entry Program have been using AmeriCorps members for the past three years and has had AmeriCorp funding. WSC asked the City to continue its involvement in these two programs. Member Fred Poe said he found the budget hard. to understand. Planner Mandeville pointed out that the agenda bill was incorrect. It did not include the Neighborhood Program Project Budget that better presents the source and distribution of program funding. He suggested the Committee allow him to come back with the correct information at their next meeting. Chair Borden and the other committee members agreed. The ordinance was tabled until August 14. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE July 24, 2000 2. The next item on the agenda was the Sister City Resolution. Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal said that this was discussed in early June and then tabled put it back on agenda. Citizens have been asking Parks Director Deal what has been happening. Member Singer said it is appropriate to be back on agenda. Also, the Mayor will appoint a Sister City advisory committee. City Council and the Mayor will recommend someone. She asked if it needs to be in writing that city pay annual dues, since the City has paid these in the past? Mayor Booth said the City has only paid for the past 7 years. Mayor also said he wanted people who were interested to get the information. Parks Director Deal said the City of Auburn's arrangement with other sister cities were very informal. He would like to see the City try to formalize the process. Also, would like to get a local non-profit group to help coordinate the effort. Mayor Booth stated that he has signed up the City with the Sister city organization, so we could receive all the information. Chair Borden likes it to be community program rather then a government program. Committee concurred on moving ahead with the resolution. Discussion Items. The first discussion item was the Human Service Budget (it was presented after the Community Center Presentation). Associate Planner Shirley Aird said most agencies are losing some funding. General Fund needs to be cut by $5000, since line items aren't being increased at all for 2001, so the requests are going back to the Human services Committee. Chair Borden asked about a 1% policy. Planning Director Krauss stated the City has never gone with a 1% of city budget policy. Finance Director Diane Supler said that many years the allotment is more than 1%. A human service funding is determined by taking the previous year's amount and adding to it the same increase given to all budgeted items. Often the resulting more than 1% of the budget - and the annual increase has been as high as 4.5% - 5.5%. Planning Director Krauss said the City's budgeting process takes the previous years General Fund impact for next year into account. Human Services funding could go up, stay the same or lessen. Planner Aird said several new agencies, which lost county funding have approached-rhe City. There are a total of 44 agencies that have applied. Agencies with basic emergency needs are first and organized by priority. There are a couple agencies with a "number one" priority being funded. The men's shelter program in Kent is one. It is a worthy program to fund as woman's shelters receive funding from several areas. This year the Human Service Committee didn't fund a lot of new programs. One program not funded this year, was DAWN general services, but they are still funding the DAWN shelter. Chairman Borden asked where the funding for DAWN was coming from. Planner Aird said funding was coming from the General Fund. Proposition 2 said certain money had to go to fund domestic violence. State funding was not forth coming. Discussion on PAGE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE July 24, 2000 funding for Domestic Violence Advocacy, Boys & Girls clubs, CHANGES parents networks are contingent on funding. Member Poe asked about the Children's Therapy Center. Planner Aird said the Children's Therapy Center was not funded. Chair Borden asked about the $150,000 of Senior Center affected funding for services. Planner Aird said there are three pots of money: the General Fund, CDBG fund, and Capital money is to be used for buildings, etc. Funding for the program through the Green River College at $27,000 is recommended. This for an outgrowth of small business administration and is based out of Green River College. They are located off Main Street on Division and provide micro loans to new or expanding small business. They teach the basics on how to do taxes, employment, statutes, etc. The Committee discussed loans and how people can obtain small loans. This group is trying to help small business to succeed. Discussion on how block grants fund money can and cannot be spent. Discussed other groups that applied. Mayor Booth discussed the cities that contribute. Planner Aird said King County is attempting to cut back more on their General Fund. Every agency is losing money now and getting cut from everywhere. Member Singer asked if a recommendation is needed now or will this be on another agenda? Planner Aird said she will bring back an action plan to a PCDC meeting in August. Member Poe said he doesn't like to see the funding cut for AYR or Valley Cities Mental Health. Discussion on the groups that are getting what was requested. Discussed the break out of the DAWN services. Discussed priorities. Planner Aird said Human Services will revisit priorities. For example the City of Kent never funds new programs. Planning Director Krauss said no group is to count on funding year after year, and yet they do. Planner Aird said the issue is this is a contract for services and recurring agencies don't provide accountability. Member Poe asked about funding for Senior Center now that they will not be in the old building. Planner Aird said it is 65% for capital improvement. The committee agreed that the Human Services Committee does a great service. Chair Borden is concerned with the length of the list the Human Services Committee has to deal with. She would like to see more focus on specific agencies. Mayor discussed the message to legislators about the need for services and individuals that have needs and concerns. Discussed how groups evolved and how a priority list could be set up. Some groups rely on United Way funding, private funding, and community support. For example, the food bank gets a lot of community support. Some groups don't ask for much money because they get a lot of private support. planner Aird said she will return to Committee with an action plan. The Parks Department next with the Community Center Presentation and Nancy Colson from the YMCA board was present. Parks Director Deal said that as part of the park plan in the 70's, was a plan for a community center in Les Gove Park. In the late 80's it was part of an updated park plan. A PAGE 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE July 24, 2000 survey regarding a Community Center came out favorable. The Community Center was on the ballot to voters three different times. The first time it received a 58% yes vote, the second time 52% yes vote, and the third time a 44% yes vote. Each time it needed 60% yes vote. Brian Petty, Parks Department Recreation coordinator discussed the use of a facility, the Parks Department coordinates with the school district to use school gymnasiums for recreation programs. As it stands now the City has a good working arrangement with the school district. However, there is competition for space with other groups and other activities. The school district's programs are first priority. Also, the City is limited in daytime preschool programs. Youth and preschool programs could be expanded if the facilities were there. Parks also use the Senior Center building in the evening and on weekends. The general public also uses that facility as a rental. Parks Department adult classes are held there. Also, Parks contracts with different business to provide classes (i.e. Karate School, Gymnastics). Liability is an issue at other business as well as, limited enrollments and waiting lists. Mayor Booth asked if the need for these other spaces were eliminated if a Community Center existed. Mr. Petty said no, there would still be a need for these other facilities. Chair Borden asked what about the old Senior Center? Mr. Petty said that building would be used for classes such as crafts, tumbling, Parent child classes for the younger children. Parks Director Deal said that Kent, Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, Issaquah and other cities, maintain their own facilities. The City of Auburn partnered with the YMCA and dedicated the land for the Y to be built. Parks Director Deal then did a presentation on the Sherwoodl Or Community Center. There followed a discussion on the Sherwood, Oregon facility and funding sources for the Auburn YMCA. Parks Director Deal then displayed a master plan schematic with the uses planned for Les Gove Park. Presented other slides on a community center in Loveland CO. Member Poe thinks this opportunity should be pursued. There could be a joint effort to get a community center and have the YMCA operate it. There seems to be a strong interest in working with the Y. Nancy Colson stated Y-has done a needs study in the area. Opportunity presented itself to receive capital funds from the Greater Sea Y. The Auburn Y was urged to apply for money from the capital fund. Their group is exploring the idea now and the time to discuss it is now if this is a partnership that the City and Y want to pursue. If a survey is conducted on Y activities and what people want, the national Y can take the facts and determine what type building can be built. -- Mayor Booth stated that the City has many projects now that need money. Some of the projects are the 3rd street overpass, parking garage for the transit center, the new Senior Center, 277th street project, and Valley Com just to name a few. Also discussed the Public Safety Building. Member Singer asked when the 277th project was going out for bid. Per Diane Supler it should be December or January. Chair Borden said there is a timing issue with the Y. The Greater Seattle Y is going to pick among seven projects to fund. If the Auburn Y project appears to be backed by the City then there is a good chance the Auburn Y can receive funding from the Greater Seattle Y. General discussion regarding the previous requests for money for a Community Center. PAGE 5 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE July 24, 2000 Discussed most Community Centers have activity such as flower shows, gem shows, and try to attract a broad section of the community. The Y is more member oriented and people join for specific features --swimming, weights, etc. Mayor Booth discussed the City's existing facilities- two swimming pools, a senior center, and the new library. Mayor Booth said timing is an issue now with the projects that are in the works. Discussed funding for these projects. And if the Y could get grant funding contingent on if the City has plans for a Community Center Mayor Booth said it would be a good partnership if the Parks and Recreation budget could be reduce in some fashion. Committee would like to see a list of projects and costs and the impacts. Mayor Booth asked Nancy Colson how long before a need to commit. Ms. Colson replied in October the Auburn Y will meet with downtown Seattle group. She would also like to set up a meeting with Greater Seattle Y and City staff. Mayor Booth agreed that one or more Council members could meet with the Y people. Chair Borden said regarding the zoning around the library, the committee has discussed this three times how to complement the zoning around Les Gove Parks. She has asked Planning staff to look at the zoning and land use around the library. Committee reviewed the zoning map and discussed the zoning inconsistencies. Also discussed the businesses along 12~ Street SE and Auburn Way South. They would like to keep C-1 on the side of the Library/Park and determine how they could allow the gas station to stay. The Comprehensive Plan would need to be changed as the City is looking to long term use. Planning Director Krauss said Planner David Osaki could take a closer look at the changes the PCDC would like to see and come back to committee The PCDC requested staff to provide maps for the Downtown area. Planning Director Krauss asked Planner Osaki to provide the last date for the general public to make changes to the Comprehensive Plan. Planner Osaki stated it was July 31. The second Monday in August is the deadline for the committee to suggest changes in Comp Plan Amendments. Chair Borden asked about the Planning Commission's request to leave the 'H' Street SW frontage as M-2. Planning Director Krauss said they want to leave the block as is. Staff to review the proposal on the 'H' Street change to reflect the underlying zoning. Planning Director Krauss said he would review the idea of M-1 zoning. Mayor Booth is drafting a letter to King County Councilman Chris Vance regarding the zoning and the density in peripheral areas that are away from public transit and arterials. The King County language is very vague but appears to be supported by builders, Realtors and the 1000 Friends of Washington. Also, the cities with edges bordering King County are the ones being affected with high density on their boundaries. Planning Director Krauss said other jurisdictions need to join and approach King County with concerns. The letter from Governor Locke was read re: Liquor License Renewals With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55. PCDC\07b2000 PAGE 6