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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-1995sp CITY OF AUBURN SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES AUBURN CITY COUNCIL September 25, 1995 - 1:15 PM Mayor Booth introduced King County Councilmembers Chris Vance and Kent Pullen. He stated the purpose of the special meeting is to meet with King County Councilmembers Chris Vance, Pete Von Reichbauer and Kent Pullen with various Auburn representatives to discuss such topics as transportation, economic development, annexation, and human services. All others present introduced themselves as follows: Mayor Charles A. Booth and Councilmember Jeanne Barber, Councilmember Trish Borden, Councilmember Stacey Brothers, Councilmember Virginia Haugen, King County Councilmember Chris Vance, Legislative Assistant Jennifer Holms and King County Councilmember Kent Pullen. City of Auburn staff members in attendance included Associate Planner Betty Sanders, Public Works Director Frank Currie, Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator Lisa Clausen, City Attorney Mike Reynolds, Assistant City Attorney Judith Ausman, Senior Planner Bob Sokol, Planning 8, Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Police Chief Dave Purdy, Parks and Recreation Director Len Chapman, Senior Planner Al Hicks, and City Clerk Robin Wohlhueter. Auburn community representatives in attendance included ACAP representative Katherine Johnson, Lea HilI/SAMP representative Robert R. Keever, Supermall representative Mike Mclntosh, Auburn Downtown Association (ADA) representatives Alan C. Keimig, Lynn Norman, and Krise Susee, GSA representative Rick Desimone, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Virginia Cross, Auburn Chamber of Commerce representatives John Raeder, Charles Poe, Mike Hart, Pete Lewis and Mike Morrisette, City of Algona Councilmember Betty Aman, Algona Mayor Glenn Wilson, Auburn Auto Dealers Ron Claudon, Sr., Soroptimist Club Sue Singer, Emerald Downs Racing Ron Crockett, Auburn School District Linda Cowan and Dr. James Fugate, Green River Community College President Rich Rutkowski, Ben Camboa, and Boeing representative Elizabeth Warman. Mayor Booth commented that each person will have an opportunity to briefly comment on each issue. He urged everyone to keep their comments brief and to the point. Auburn City Council Special Meeting September 25, 1995 Page No. 2 Transportation Frank Currie started the discussion with regard to regional transportation. Mr. Currie urged development of arterial streets to provide regional east/west mobility and install HOV lanes for a high capacity bus system to meet the mobility needs of local transportation. Linda Cowan sympathized with the state's revenue budget shortfall this year in the area of transportation, but urged funding for completion of Highway 18, improvements to walking areas, collection points and bus stops. Algona's Mayor Wilson discussed the deterioriating condition of Ellingston Road between Auburn and State Highway 167 due to the use by a number of trucks routing from "A" Street S.E. in Auburn. Mayor Wilson pointed that transportation issues that effect Auburn effect Algona. Auburn Chamber of Commerce representative John Raeder identified Auburn as a destination hub within the Green River Valley area. Transportation Plans have changed over the years with new development in Auburn. Auburn has become a regional hub without means of providing public transportation from the east side to the west side of town and serving downtown, he said. Mr. Raeder asked for assistance in providing people a way to get to downtown, to the supermall and racetrack. Business representatives from Green River Community College and GSA and Keimg Associates commented on Metro's service within the community. King County Councilmember Chris Vance discussed the transportation problems in establishing Metro bus service to the Supermall, his optimism in establishing Metro bus service to the racetrack prior to its opening, the future of the Regional Transportation Association, transportation mobilization in Auburn much like the east side, and the commuter rail. City Coun¢ilmember Virginia Haugen asked if Am Track is a solution to commuter rail. Planning Director Paul Krauss responded that Auburn's main focus is working toward a full service transit hub that includes rail that will serve both the racetrack and supermall. Frank Currie noted that the Regional Transportation Association and Metro need to be compatible with each other. Discussion centered around other comments such as cuts in the shuttle service, needed transportation services in south King County, and consideration of Auburn's downtown area as a transportation hub. King County Councilmember Vance agreed that Auburn houses major destination points. Auburn City Council Special Meeting September 25, 1995 Page No. 3 Economic Development Planning Director Paul Krauss briefly summarized economic development in Auburn prior to the early 1980's. At that time the downtown area flourished as a retail area and the City encouraged industrial development by issuing economic development refinancing bonds. Currently, he said development in Auburn of the Supermall and the Casino have brought economic growth in the retail/services area. He said the downtown area is fashioned for revitalization brought on by these developments. Business representative Pete Lewis questioned the County's policy with regard to development. He stated that Auburn is no longer considered in the back woods of the County, the dollor flow has changed resulting in a significant benefit to the entire Valley, Other business representatives expressed concerns with regard to how fast Auburn is developing as a regional destination point. With Green River Community College located outside the City limits of Auburn, Mr. Riutkowski expressed concern of the County's permiting process in development of a new library at the college. King County Councilmember Vance sympathized and acknowledged the concerns raised by each business representative. He stated administrative issues are beyond the Council's control. King County Councilmember Vance stated he encourages team approach to development. He encourages citizen SEPA integration at the planning stage instead of at the permit stage of development. Mike Morisette encouraged the county to take a positive approach to development and prospective investors to make our area look competitive from the start. King County Councilmember Kent Pullen stated there are a number of businesses, coalitions, environmentalists that are working toward bringing the government and the private sector closer together to achieve both a win-win situation. King County Councilmember Vance offered to submit a $10,000 amendment to the county's mid-year budget to include Kent and Auburn as distribution centers for part of a trade group with Seattle, Eastside and the Asia Pacific Trade Exchange. With regard to growth management, level three wetlands, Mr. Vance stated by adopting a sensitive areas ordinance, thousands of acres of land, less important wetlands, will be freed up for development in Auburn and Kent. Paul Krauss Auburn City Council Special Meeting September 25, 1995 Page No. 4 stated the City is coming closer to an agreement with federal agencies in filling and restoration of wetlands. Business representative Ron Crocker urged government agencies to look at taking care of isolated pockets of wetlands by connecting to what they are developing at the racetrack to minimize the impacts of wetland resources. With regard to the manuals Federal Clean Water Act, Mayor Wilson urged support for an amendment to use the 1987 Army Corp manual because currently cities are required to use the 1989 Army Corp manual which designates most of the valley area as a wetland. Many participants thanked County Councilmembers for support of the Cultural Arts program and historic preservation programs supported by the County Council through grants. Auburn Councilmember Haugen asked if Auburn joined the King County Library system, would there be assistance for capital projects? Len Chapman explained there is a separate Board that oversees King County Library Services. Annexation Paul Krauss summarized discussions that have resulted in the designation of potential annexation areas within unincorporated areas of Auburn, Federal Way and Kent. He stated that interlocal agreements have been drafted for adoption that will designate how we manage future development in unincorporated areas and will ultimately be annexed into respective cities. Mr. Krauss stated that King County has been cooperative in negotiations and hopes an agreement can be made in the future. Bob Keever spoke with regard to the Lea Hill area. He submitted a comment sheet summarizing his comments on the Lea Hill Annexation Issue. A copy is attached to these minutes. Mr. Keever explained that Lea Hill is separated into what he feels are two areas; South Lea Hill and North Lea Hill. He stated the South Lea Hill area is more urbanized and more than likely residents are aware or probably already think they are part of Auburn. He indicated residents may not be opposed to annexation whereas, the North Lea Hill area residents probably do not even know the City is considering annexation. The North Lea Hill area is less urbanized and further from the existing city limits. He stated land use zoning is a main issue and how will it interact with the Soos Creek Community Plan, the Olson Creek Greenbelt. Mr. Keever recommended a public hearing process prior to annexation of Lea Hill. King County Councilmember Pullen stated the County conducted a public meeting for Lea Hill residents. He indicated the meeting was well attended by Auburn City Council Special Meeting September 25, 1995 Page No. 5 residents who voiced their opinions for less commercial growth and more services. He stated urban separators and annexation boundaries were discussed as well as setting aside large parcels of property such as the Olsen Canyon Park. Paul Krauss discussed maintaining water quality and drainage, and recognizing the Soos Creek Plan as part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. King County Councilmember Vance commented on the County's role in providing regional services. He noted under the state law counties were never intended to provide local city services and that he supports annexation as fast as we can in order to serve residents in developing areas. King County Councilmember Vance concluded his comments by stating he is glad Auburn is moving quickly to annex potential annexation areas into Auburn. King County Councilmember Pullen stated that he originally voted no on annexation policies because some citizens in urban areas do not want to be annexed in. He agrees that annexations policies are complex as he sees the real effect to the policies. Some of the business representatives acknowledged that these are difficult issues and encouraged citizens to make their view felt through the public process. Human Services Len Chapman lead the discussion with regard to Human Services. He thanked County Councilmembers for their support of the Olson Canyon property, the Museum, and the late night and after school programs. Mr. Chapman expressed concern over the County recommendation for the City's to take over the polls. He encouraged a close look at the impacts it would have on the cities. Social service agency representatives discussed concerns for child care services and health services as a result of reduced funding levels. Linda Cowan expressed gratitude to the City in providing DARE representatives to educate students in drug abuse. Pete Lewis urged the County to simplify the process in obtaining Community Development Block Grant funding. Paul Krauss discussed the concern of cities being designated as urban centers, but are not providing the services that are needed. Virginia Cross discussed the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe issues of police protection and domestic violence. King County Councilmembers Pullen and Vance concluded that Human Services are big issues facing the County in its budgeting process for next year. Councilmember Vance stated law enforcement will be a priority this year in Auburn City Council Special Meeting September 25, 1995 Page No. 6 development of the County's budget. He stated they cannot promise the same funding levels as last year in Human Services. King County Councilmembers thanked everyone for attending this meeting and hoped this could become a tradition every year. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:15 PM. 95M9-251