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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-2001MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SEP~ER 10, 2001 The regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee was held September 10, 2001 in the Council Work Area. Those members in attendance were as follows: MEMBERS PRESENT: Trish Borden, Sue Singer, and Fred Poe STAFF PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Dick Deal, David Osaki, Shirley Aird, Bill Mandeville, A1 Hicks and Carolyn Brown Patricia Cosgrove Bill Peloza The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Borden at 6:30 p.m. 1. Section 108 funds - Al Hicks gave the staff presentation. The City will ask HUD for $1, 237,000 for commercial space in train station. Councilmember Singer asked if the funds are based on 5% vacancy? Planning Director Krauss said after the 5~ year. Planner Hicks stated that this amount is fairly conservative based on 5'~ year occupancy. Councilmember Borden asked about the insurance and management costs. Planner Hicks said there would be insurance to pay on the building until' the space is leased up. Having tenants will cover cost of insurance, but until then the City will have to pay the fees. Councilmember Borden asked if the income items on the spreadsheet are included in the rent. Planner Hicks said the tenant would be paying the cost of utilities and insurance in their rent. Councilmember Borden asked a question about jobs and if this small space can be OK for 36 people? Planner Hicks stated that it depends on what type of business we get. Councilmember Borden inquired as to where the information comes from. Planning Director Krauss stated that it is the HUD guideline. Mayor Booth asked if it is a realistic guideline? The Committee discussed the hours that would need to be staffed to comply with HUD requirements. Also can we count security and janitors? Mayor Booth asked what happens if the target is not met. Planner Hicks stated that is this based on a good faith effort by the City. Planning Director Krauss also stated that Sound Transit would have some security on site. But as far as maintenance, the City will hire a firm or appoint someone at City Hall to hire a firm. The station will need dally janitorial service. Councilmember Borden asked if there would be criteria on how many jobs there will need to be and whom we will hire? Planner Hicks stated that the plan would be to try to hire low-income people. Councilmember Singer asked if it would be a requirement to go through Employment Security. Planning Director Krauss said the jobs will have to be posted, but certain people are not required to be hired. Retail jobs are often open to moderate income people. Planner Hicks stated that the city has a population of low-income people. Planning Director Krauss said that a PAGE 1 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE problem business would be something like a carpet warehouse. Planner Hicks said that HUD would be looking at efforts by the City to hire low-income people. Planning Director Krauss stated that HUD would reject the City's proposal if they think it is out of line. Councilmember Borden asked if HUD knows what type of business the City is looking for? Planning Director Krauss stated that primarily the reason is the project would be the same, no matter how it is financed, whether it is HUD money or City money. . Mayor Booth inquired as to when the decision needs to be made. Planner Hicks stated that the City would need the money in November, so we need some time to respond to HUD.- Planning Director Krauss also added that another time related issue is that HUD asked the City to not sign any contract until this is resolved. Councilmember Poe said from his standpoint he likes the idea of the City obtaining a loan, as that puts it on the demands of the operation to pay back the loan. There was also a question on how the accumulated money is going to be handled until the loan is repaid. Planning Director Krauss answered that anything out past the first 5 or 6 years will probably be sold to the private sector. Councilmember Poe asked if the parking garage is still owned by Sound Transit? Planning Director Krauss stated yes, consider Sound Transit as the property owner and the City has a 99- year lease. Councilmember Singer recommends that the City Council hold a Public Heating on Sept 17, 2001. Councilmember Poe seconded and Councilmember Borden concurred. 2. Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal presented the staff report on the resolution to reach a two-year agreement with Senior Services, which would provide information to seniors on legal type questions. The City has the space at the Senior Center. Seniors can come to the Center and ask their questions. Then the Senior Services will refer them to the appropriate agency. Mayor Booth asked who carries the insurance and liability? Parks and Recreation Director Deal stated that he would check on it. Councilmember Singer recommended to accept the resolution, Councilmember Poe seconded, and Councilmember Borden concurred. 3. Parks and Recreation Director Deal presented the staff report on the resolution to allow Respite Care one day a week at the new Senior Center. The Center can now provide meals, interaction with other seniors, and has the right equip. Respite Care was at the Messiah Lutheran Church on Fridays now could be at the Senior Center. The current volunteers for the Respite program will continue to work with the people, the site will just shift to Senior. Center. Parks and Recreation Director Deal would like to see the program eventually go to two days a week. Councilmember Singer asked if the City is taking over the responsibility for .the program? Parks and Recreation Director Deal stated no, the City would have inclusionary programs to include respite care patients. And it is possible they could join other cla~ses, etc. Parks and Recreation Director Deal stated the staff from Highline Community College, that works part, time for the City attended a conference on inclusionary populations. Councilmember Singer asked if it is a consideration that the Parks Department, in the future, might take over the Respite program? Parks and Recreation Director Deal said the City is only PAGE 2 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE providing the space, their board will manage the program, and their funding comes from many different sources. Councilmember Borden asked if the families pay a fee and also what is the eligibility. Parks and Recreation Director Deal stated he would check into the program. Councilmember Singer recommends adoption of the resolution for the use of the Senior Center by Auburn Respite Care. Councilmember Poe seconded, and Councilmember Borden concurred. Discussion Items. Planner Bill Mandeville presented the information on the Neighborhood Planning for the "A" Street area. He provided past history of the area. Auburn became a cenier for four RR lines until about 1926. In 1913 Terminal Investment Company platted the Terminal neighborhood. Terminal Park grocery was the first store in Auburn and the building is still located on the comer of 12~ & "A" Street SE. He discussed the different homesteads in the area and how.the neighborhood evolved. In 1945 Terminal Park Elementary was built. Planner Mandeville then displayed and discussed the Comp Plans from 1950 until the present. The area is 56% rentals, with a 55% mobility rate at Terminal Park School. Terminal Park is a low-income neighborhood with a mix of residential and commercial uses and a mix of businesses in the area. Councilmember Singer would like a copy of the statistics. Associate Planner Shirley Aird then discussed the neighborhood, in particular for potential issues, lack of public investment, i.e. streets, rental homes, and the general disrepair. Also, the traffic circulation is poor and there is a lot of cut-thru traffic, dead-ends, and no consistent pedestrian routes. There are Code enforcement issues as to businesses encroaching into residential areas. There is a historic sense along "A" Street SE and there are significant trees worth preserving, but the City will need to inventory. There is no firm policy for the neighborhood, and in what direction it is going. Landlord training for criminal activity needs to be encouraged and the King County Housing owned houses, in the neighborhood, needs some care and management to help up-grade the neighborhood. The next steps would be a public meeting, sending out a survey/flyer, and get a neighborhood perception. Staffwould like to hold a neighborhood meeting in October and present the history and photos of the area. They would like to include property owners, renters, lessors, and work with school district and the principals. Staffwould the follow up with ideas and gather information and then put together findings. The goal would be to have a written document and to Planning Commission by March. Councilmember Singer interjected that the White River Presbyterian Church has several meeting places. Parks and Recreation Director Deal stated also that the Terminal Park park is not 100% developed. There is no curb and gutter or sidewalk along "D" Street SE and future up-grades are planned. Councilmember Singer asked what is the expected outcome? Associate Planner Aird said education of what the City already has in place in the City and what it can provide for neighborhoods, also a chance to meet City officials. PagE 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Planning Director Krauss stated that ultimately there would be a proposal for people to do something, i.e. replace trees, traffic improvement, and street improvements. Also, would like to target neighborhoods for home ownership as in first time home owners. Councilmember Singer asked where the City would be getting the money? Mayor Booth also added that this might be creating expectations by the neighborhoods. Councilmember Singer wondered in the City is wasting stafftime to do a neighborhood study with no funds attached to make any changes when the plan is finished. Planning Director Krauss added that we do have the programs developed. Councilmember Borden asked if the main reason for this study was to have a better vision as to what kind of zoning to support for the next 20 years? Planning Director Krauss stated that zoning is one of the techniques that may be looked at where areas of low quality community exist. Councilmember Borden stated that if we were clear about the future and what we could support, the people would want to invest in the neighborhood. Planning Director Krauss said if people see tangible evidence then they are aware of what the City is doing. Councilmember Borden asked if the City needs to worry about money for next year? Planning Director Krauss indicated that the City might have potential for funding projects by next year. Some discussion followed related to various projects. Associate Planner Aird stated that the survey is pretty general, Mayor Booth would like to see survey before it goes out. Patricia Cosgrove of the White River Museum presented the White River Historical Society By- Laws. Parks and Recreation Director Deal stated that over a million dollars was spent on the expansion. Community participation and grants will help to finish the building. The City has applied for a $200,00 grant, and they need to upgrade the grant for the Museum to include Olsen Farm. Patricia Cosgrove has refined the board, which now included more current stalTmg arrangements. The Museum would like to partner closely on the Olsen Farm and Parks and Recreation Director Deal. Councilmember Borden asked if the Museum would take the lead on applying for grants? Parks and Recreation Director Deal answered that the City would apply for some and the Museum would apply for some. A new $200,000 grant will make the facility more accessible to the public. There are five areas where it will make it more attractive to the public: improvements to the buildings, up-grade entry, create space, sanicans or something similar, and drainage problems. The intent is to make the site for periodic public access, not continuos access. The farm was subsistence farming, very little in the way of cash crops. The women wove rag rugs for cash and a weaving shed is still on site. Mayor Booth stated that volunteers could do a lot of work. Patricia Cosgrove stated that there are around 90 volunteers at the museum at this time. Councilmember Poe added that with some money and volunteers a lot can be accomplished. Patricia Cosgrove added that the site is on the King County registry, so will need to work with King County to guarantee the historical aspect. Mayor Booth added that in other areas the state would often step in and take over the project. Councilmember Borden commended Patricia Cosgrove on a good job. Mayor Booth added that she is doing a fantastic job, and a beautiful job on the Museum addition. Parks and Recreation Director Deal no action needed on 5-yr plan for the Museum. Discussion on how the Museum is tying into the school curriculum and providing educational services. PAGE 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Sounder Art Work discussion and the need for a structural review of the project. Parks and Recreation Director Deal said that part of the issue with the artwork is that it is vines trailing on the outside of the building. Planning Director Krauss and Jack Locke told Sound Transit that this is on the outside a &story building, and over a plaza. The City will get an engineer to evaluate the project. Planning Director Krauss added that he and Jack Locke said they wouldxeport to the City Council. Councilmember Singer asked Parks and Recreation Director Deal about the premature weathered condition of the new Millennium Sundial art piece at Les Gove Park. Director Deal indicated that the artist had removed the sundial part to refinish it and the artist is very good to work with. Councilmember Singer asked Director Deal to check on the condition of the rest of the art piece, which he agreed to do. AG lands, Urban Separator discussion. Planning Director Krauss stated that King County is rethinking its position on long term agricultural land on 272ha' Planning Director Krauss added that Auburn has no long-term interest in this property. Planning Director Krauss is concerned about the urban separators. King County believes that urban separators are agricultural lands. The original Soos Creek plan did not show that area as urban separators. He will write a letter to King County to clarify the urban separators. The map now shows the urban separator to east to Highway 18. Planning Director Krauss under impressions that it ended at the Kent watershed. Councilmember Borden asked then what is the concern? Planning Director Krauss stated he would feel more comfortable if maps are accurate. Discussed meetings on the Agricultural land issues. The WSDOT Interaction with local jurisdictions is entry to develop policy per Planning Director Krauss. Auburn Sounder Station article was reviewed. Planning Director Krauss discussed the Mill Pond Apartment legal decision. The developer wanted to sell the new apartment complex to a low income housing group. The action was inconsistent with the CDBG plan. Mayor Booth wrote a letter indicating the inconsistency with the plan. The developer's attorney filed a writ of mandamus to force the City to sign the letter. However the judge ruled for the City Council stating they have the prerogative to set policy. Parks and Recreation Director Deal said that on the Monday City Council agenda, Parks would have the memorial to the Veterans. With no further items to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm. PCDC\ 09ag01 a PAGE 5