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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-2001MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JANUARY 8, 2001 The regular meeting, of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held January 8, 21)91 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: J~B, ~! 7 2 MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Fred Poe and Sue Singer O[~'~/OC _4~ STAFF P~SENT: Paul ~auss, Lynn Rued, Shirley Aird, Dick Deal and Brian Pe~ ' ~'~ OTHERS P~SENT: Deanna Keener & Leslie Moore, Green River Communi~ College; David Po~s, YMCA The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. 1. Presentation by Small Business Assistance Center, Green River Community College Leslie Moore, Director for Continuing Education and Off-Campus Programs at Green River Community College (GRCC), made a presentation about the Small Business Assistance Center (SBAC) that GRCC has started in Auburn. The SBAC started forming about two years ago with support from cities, businesses, foundations, to start and support small businesses in Auburn. The mission of the SBAC is to improve independent businesses through technical assistance and thereby stimulate economic development in South King County. SBAC does: one-on-one counseling for business, targeted classes on specific topics, assists with business plans, and helps with specific business needs for market research, planned growth, loan procurement, etc. In the first 8 months of existence they have established a temporary office in downtown Auburn and have provided 325 hours of counseling, 52 presentations to the community, a financing seminar, and 28 loan referrals. Currently the SBAC has 56 active clients. SBAC has been operating with $165,000 in start-up funding and has a goal of $180,000 in annual support from GRCC Foundation, economic development grants (including those available from the City), Community Reinvestment Act contributions from local banks, and the Continuing Education program at GRCC. The $80,000 annual contribution that will be sought from government sources will be used to pay parts of the salaries of the staff and to support the needed office space of 2,500-3,000 square feet. Councilmember Borden commented on the need for the SBAC to find the support necessary to stay in Auburn, and asked what the space would be used for. Ms. Moore and Ms. Keener replied that the space is necessary to support classes, counseling space, and the Small Business Administration resource library that the SBAC hosts. There followed general discussion about possible office spaces, experiences with clients and their needs - as 98% of new job creation is through small businesses - and the importance of partnerships in providing the service in South King County. 2. Ordinance 5498, Grant from the "School's Out" Consortium Recreation Manager Brian Petty gave a brief background on the After School Program, and how that program had been Supported for several years with a grant received through King County. That grant is no longer available, so Parks staff pursued other funding options, including the "School's Out Consortium." The Auburn program was awarded funds for the first half of 2001. H'e explained how the grant would be used. There were no comments or questions from the Committee. Councilmember Singer moved and Councilmember Poe seconded, to recommend approval. Councilmember Borden concurred. Recreation Manager Petty then gave a brief update on the Late Night, teen programs, and youth council. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JANUARY 8,2001 Community Center/YMCA Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal provided an update on the City's interaction with the YMCA regarding proposed joint funding ora community center. A committee comprised of Dick Deal, Diane Supler and Paul Krauss along with Rich Wagner, Trish Borden and Pete Lewis have been meeting with YMCA staff and have scheduled a meeting for January 17th to get public input on the proposal (meeting fliers were distributed). Director Deal related the funding history and the Auburn YMCA's success in securing $3 million in funding that needs additional funds - the current plan is to demolish the existing YMCA structure and build a new facility. Director Deal also described the community "campus" that is developing at and around Les Gore Park. There followed general discussion about the use of the space, and guarantee that any use of City funds would result in an equivalent benefit to Auburn residents, as well as some sort of secured interest in the facility that would reflect the City's investment. Councilmember Poe pointed out, and the Committee concurred, that these issues would be re-addressed in more depth at the special Council meeting on January 29. Councilmember Singer asked about the January 17 public meeting, whether other spending needs/priorities such as the public safety building be brought up for discussion at that time. The City is waiting for a draft agreement and funding plan from its attorneys, which should arrive January 9. Councilmember Poe reiterated his concern for a return on the City's investment. Councilmember Borden explained her understanding of the proposed financial structure of the partnership, and that some questions would be answered by the draft legal agreement. Amended Agreement with the CiW of Sumner regarding Potential Annexation Area (PAA) Assistant Planning Director Lynn Rued explained that with the extension for the Lake Tapps Parkway and the construction of the drainage ponds, the PAA boundary between Auburn and Sumner would need to be shifted. Staff from both cities had the agreement negotiated last fall, but Sumner then requested traffic signals for access to the golf course and had concerns over the capacity of the storm ponds and pumping equipment. Those issues have now been adequately addressed and the two cities are ready to proceed with the agreement. The City of Auburn is currently in process of annexing the area, so the amended Interlocal needs to be agreed upon before Pierce County acts upon the annexation. Planning Director Krauss outlined the changes on a map of the area. Councilmember Singer moved and Councilmember Poe seconded, to recommend approval. Councilmember Borden concurred. Contract for Code Enforcement Legal Services Planning Director Paul Krauss explained that the City is in the process of updating its land use codes and code enforcement policies, and is in the process of hiring a code enforcement officer. In order for the process to work, the City will need some legal resources to pursue code violations that are not corrected through notice and through the hearings examiner. The City's current legal staffdoes not have the capacity to take on that responsibility. Out of several options available, staffhave the preferred option of contracting out for the services ora land use attorney. Annual costs are anticipated to be less than the $25,000 for administrative approval. Another alternative is to hire a half-time attorney for land use and planning issues - code enforcement, interlocal agreements, contracts. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE JANUARY 8, 2001 With no Director Krauss requested Committee direction as to their preference, and requested that, at least in the interim, the City contract with an attorney so that code enforcement changes can get underway. Mayor Booth suggested that PCD authorize contracting up to a certain amount in 2001. Director Krauss estimated no more than $15,000 in expenses for this year, with a better feel for what would be necessary in 2002 by this year's budget cycle. No Committee action was necessary. However, PCD would like reports back on the program, its progress, and its .results. Contract for lighting Brannan Field Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal summarized the history of the lighting and the bid process. The lighting project has been re-bid, and the loTM bid was approximately $157,000. Better, more efficient lighting will be installed at Brannan Field. Councilmember Singer moved and Councilmember Poe seconded, to recommend approval. Councilmember Borden concurred. State Wetland Banking Program Planning Director Krauss stated that he had reviewed the State's Wetland Banking provisionsl and was disappointed to find that the State had developed a cumbersome process and had added a new layer of bureaucracy. The process is unwieldy for local governments and would probably not be very useful for developers. Director Krauss requested no input from PCD, and suggested that the City continue as it has been, doing "wetland brokering." Councilmember Poe asked about the Jones property and the property immediately northward. General discussion followed about current wetland policy, City purchase of lands, and long term plans. General Fund Contracting Procedures Planner I Shirley Aird stated that the agenda item was simply an explanation of a revised, streamlined contracting process for general fund grants. further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. PCDC\MIN\ 1A-2001 PAGE 3