HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-1996 Council Minutes CITY OF AUBURN
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Flaa Salute
Mayor Booth called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led those
in attendance in the pledge of allegiance.
B, Roll Call
Those in attendance included Mayor Booth and members of the
Auburn City Council as follows: Rich Wagner, Sue Singer, Jeanne
Barber, Trish Borden, Fred Poe, Gene Cerino, and Stacey
Brothers. Staff members present included: Police Chief Dave
Purdy, Fire Chief Bob Johnson, Personnel Director Brenda
Kennedy, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal,
Public Works Director Frank Curtie, City Engineer Dennis Dowdy,
Utilities Engineer Dwight Holobaugh, Planning and Community
Development Director Paul Krauss, City Attorney Michael
Reynolds, and Deputy City Clerk Dani Daskam.
C. Announcements and Appointments
1. Announcements
Mayor Booth announced that City Maintenance and
Operation employee, Jim Halikas, died over the weekend.
Personnel Director Brenda Kennedy added that Mr. Halikas
was a long-term, dedicated and loyal employee of the City
who will be sorely missed.
2. Appointments
There were no appointments for consideration by the City
Council.
D. A~enda Modifications
There were no agenda modifications this evening.
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City of Auburn Council Meetinq Minutes February 20, 1996
II. CITIZEN INPUT, PUBLIC HEARINGS & CORRESPONDENCE
A. Public HearinQs
There were no public hearings scheduled for this evening.
B. Audience Participation
1. Joe Binetti, Jr., 609 21 st Street SE, Auburn, WA
Mr. Binetti expressed concern with the condition of "H"
Street SE, between 17th and 21st Streets, located directly
behind Olympic Middle School. Mr. Binetti stated he is
concerned with the street lighting, parking, and roadway
condition of "H" Street SE. Mr. Binetti stated he is
concerned because of the high use of the roadway and for
the safety of children. Mr. Binetti requested that the City
improve the roadway.
C. Correspondence
1. A letter addressed to Mayor Booth and City CoUncil from
Ruth E. Stewart dated February 6, 1996, regarding adult
entertainment.
III. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Municipal Services
Chair Brothers reported the Municipal Services Committee met this
afternoon at 4:30 p.m. The Committee recommends approval of
Ordinance No. 4836. The Committee also discussed the purchase
of police computer equipment. The next regular meeting of the
Municipal Services Committee is scheduled for Monday, March 4,
1996 at 4:30 p.m.
B. Plannin<~ & Community Development
Chair Borden reported the Planning and Community Development
Committee met February 12, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. The Committee
discussed Resolutions 2713 and 2714 and the library. The next
regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development
Committee is scheduled for Monday, February 26, 1996 at 7:30
p.m.
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City of Auburn Council 'Meetina Minutes February 20, 1996
C. Public Works
Chair Wagner reported the Public Works Committee met February
12. 1996 at 4:30 p.m. The Committee discussed and recommends
approval of water and sewer system development charges as
contained in Ordinance No. 4830. The Committee will continue to
study the system development charges for the storm utility. The
Committee received a briefing on the Transportation Plan and
briefly discussed the Water Rate Study and the District No. 111
Interconnect Project. Chair Wagner requested that the Public
Works Committee meeting scheduled for Monday February 26,
1996 begin at 4:30 p.m. rather than 5:30 p.m.
D. Finance
Chair Barber/'eported the Finance Committee met this evening at
7:00 p.m. The Committee discussed Ordinance No. 4838 and
recommends City Council approval of claims and payroll vouchers
as they appear on this evening's agenda. The next regular
meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for Monday, March
4, 1996 at 7:00 p.m.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes
1. Minutes of the February 5, 1996 regular City Council
meeting.
B. Vouchers
F4.9.2, F4.9.5
1. Claims
Claims check numbers 109156 through 109536 in the
amount of $1,256,182.16 for Period 15 and dated February
20, 1996.
2. Payroll
Payroll check numbers 221791 to 222144 in the amount of
$723,102.27 and Direct Payroll Deposit transmissions in the
amount of $190,807.57 for a grand total of $913,909.84 for
the pay period covering February 5, 1996 to February 15,
1996.
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City of Auburn Council Meetincl Minutes February 20, 1996
C. Contract Administration
1. Public Works Project Number PR 523
O4.9.1 PR 523, F2.4.9 LID 348
Recommend approval of Pay Estimate No. 6 (Final) to
Woodworth & Company for Public Works Contract No, 95-
01, Main Street Improvement Project, Public Works Project
No. PR 523 in the amount of $271,70,
D. Utility Adjustments
F4.5.2
Recommend approval of utility adjustment to the following accounts
for the amount listed:
Account # 242-1767 $6,403.94
Account # 208-2490 $1,278.90
Account # 253-1020 $ 75.60
Account # 334-2790 $ 148.05
Account # 455-0090 $ 50.40
Account # 223-0900 $ 122.85
Account#312-2130 $ 488.25
Account # 253-3720 $ 324.44
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were no items for City Council review under this section.
VI, NEW BUSINESS
There were no items for City Council review under this section.
VII. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
A, Ordinances
1. Ordinance No. 4830
A3.5.5.13, F4.3
An Ordinance of the City of Auburn, Washington, amending
Codified City Ordinance Chapter 13.41 relating to utility
systems development charges.
Motion by Councilmember Wagner, second by
Councilmember Borden to introduce and adopt Ordinance
No. 4830.
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes Februarv 20, '1996
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0.
2. Ordinance No. 4836
A3.5.5.10
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn,
Washington, repealing the Auburn City Code Chapter 10. 16.
Motion by Councilmember Brothers, second by
Councilmember Cerino to introduce and adopt Ordinance
No. 4836.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0.
3. Ordinance No. 4837
03.8 REZ0003-95
An Ordinance of the City of Auburn, Washington, providing
for the rezoning of properly located at 1320 Auburn Way
South, within the city of Auburn, Washington, changing the
zoning classification thereof from R-3 (Duplex) to "1"
(Institutional).
Motion by Councilmember Borden, second' by
Councilmember Wagner to introduce and adopt Ordinance
No. 4837.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0. Councilmember
Cerino abstained from voting; however, his vote is counted
with the majority vote.
4. Ordinance No. 4838
O3.10.14
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn, King
County, Washington, adopting Findings of Fact justifying the
continuation of a moratorium on adult entertainment under
Ordinance No. 4824.
Motion by Councilmember Barber, second by
Councilmember Brothers to introduce and adopt Ordinance
No. 4838.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0.
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City of Auburn Council Meetinq Minutes February 20, 1996
B. Resolutions
1. Resolution No. 2713
04.4.2
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn,
Washington, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute a Memorandum of Agreement for 1996 between the
City of Auburn and Senior Services of Seattle/King County
Nutrition Projects (SSC/KC) to provide a federally funded
hot meal program for low-income elderly citizens in the
Auburn area.
Motion by Councilmember Borden, second by
Councilmember Singer to adopt Resolution No. 2713.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0.
2.Resolution No. 2714
04.4.2
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn,
Washington, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute a Meals on Wheels Satellite Site Memorandum of
Agreement for 1996 between the City of Auburn and Senior
Services of Seattle/King County (SSC/KC) to provide home
delivered meal service in the Auburn areas to the elderly.
Motion by Councilmember Borden, second by
Councilmember Wagner to adopt Resolution No. 2714.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0.
3. Resolution No. 2718
A4.5.2
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn,
Washington, authorizing the City of Auburn to enter into a
Professional Service Contract with Inca Engineers, Inc., for
engineering/surveying services for 1996.
Motion by Councilmember Wagner, second by
Councilmember Borden to adopt Resolution No. 2718.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 7-0.
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City of Auburn Council Meetino Minutes February 20, 1996
VIII, MAYOR'S REPORT
A. Stampede Pass/Burlin.aton Northern Briefin¢l
Mayor Booth requested Planning and Community Devel6pment
Director Krauss give a brief presentation on Burlington Northern's
plans to reopen Stampede Pass. Mr. Krauss cautioned that the
information available to him is still preliminary as Burlington
Northern has not presented a specific proposal or plan.
Mr. Krauss stated that Burlington Northern is considering
reopening Stampede Pass because the existing rail routes over
Stevens Pass and along the Columbia River are operating at near
capacity. Over the past five years, international cargo traffic
through the ports of Seattle and Tacoma has increased
significantly, and it is expected to continue to increase. Most of the
traffic is containerized cargo that can be loaded onto trucks or
trains. At the present time, the pods of Seattle and Tacoma have a
one-day shipping advantage over the port of Los Angeles.
However, because of the traffic congestion on the Stevens and
Columbia River rail lines, the pods of Seattle and Tacoma fear they
may lose the one-day shipping advantage unless Stampede Pass
is reopened to rail traffic.
Mr. Krauss stated the Burlington .Northern Railroad has not
operated through Stampede Pass for over 15 years, but the track
was never abandoned. The Burlington Northern Railroad has
asserted that they have the right to reopen the Stampede Pass
route without meeting government approvals at the local, state or
federal levels. Some obstacles Burlington Northern must address
in reopening the Stampede Pass include upgrading the track and
signals, raising the roof of the pass tunnel, adding staging tracks,
and reacquiring rights to the tracks in Eastern Washington now
owned by Washington Central Railroad. As an alternative to using
the Washington Central Railroad, Burlington Northern is attempting
to acquire the rights to the old Milwaukee Railroad tracks in
Eastern Washington 'which provide a more direct rail route to
Spokane.
Mr. Krauss stated that the potential impacts of the Stampede Pass
route on Auburn can only be speculated at this time. There is a
potential for up to 20 trains a day and each will be from 7,200 feet
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes February 20, 1996
to two miles long. Mr. Krauss stated Burlington Northern claims
the number of trains traveling through Auburn is not dependent
upon whether the Burlington Northern Auburn Yard opens, and
Burlington Northern does not have any definite plans or proposals
at this time on how the Stampede Pass route will operate. Mr.
Krauss expressed concern that the Stampede Pass may be used
as part of a round-robin type of train service whereby all west
bound trains would come over Stevens Pass and all east bound
trains would come through Auburn and over Stampede Pass. The
round-robin service would create even more train traffic. The
impact on Auburn will also depend on the number of trains coming
south and over Stampede Pass versus the number of trains
traveling north to Auburn. South bound trains will block three at-
grade intersections, and north bound trains will block "M" and "R"
Streets. Mr. Krauss displayed a map illustrating the impact of a
7,200 foot train on Auburn street intersections. He stated a 7,200
foot train will block all intersections in and around downtown
Auburn from "M" Street to 3rd Street, and it will take from 8 to 15
minutes for a train to clear the crossings. The trains will operate
24 hours a day, and it is anticipated the trains will block
intersections between 3 and 4 hours a day. During afternoon peak
hours, traffic engineers estimate traffic will back up on "M" Street
from Auburn Way to 8th Street, and the engineers anticipate traffic
will be more congested during the morning peak hours. Mr. Krauss
stated that at least two grade separated crossings will be required
to accommodate traffic, and "M" Street is proposed for one of the
grade separated crossings. The grant application for the crossing
would be approximately $4 million, and the grade separation would
involve taking out a number of homes. Mr. Krauss stated he is
reviewing the need for a grade separated crossing for the main line
which will most likely be twice as expensive as the "M" Street
crossing.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss stated
concerns have been raised with other valley cities, as well as some
Pierce County communities, over the affects of opening Stampede
Pass. Mr. Krauss stated Auburn will be affected the greatest
because the trains will split the city north and south, and the trains
will be traveling at a much slower speed.
Mr. Krauss advised that there is legislation pending that will
obligate cities to accept Burlington Northern facilities as essential
public facilities. Mr. Krauss stated City officials are attempting to
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City of Auburn Council Meetinu Minutes Februarv 20, t996
have the State recognize that when the State declares something
to be in the public interest and an essential public facility, as in the
case of Stampede Pass, then there is an obligation of the State to
address the impacts.
Councilmember Borden pointed out that the installation of a
separated grade crossing will increase the use of the street by
motorists who wish to avoid blocked intersections. Planning and
Community Development Director Krauss stated there is some
advances in electronic signage which could advise commuters in
advance of traffic situations.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss stated that
the Auburn intersections affected by the opening of Stampede
Pass will include "M", 3rd, Cross, Main, 37th and 277th Streets.
Mr. Krauss stated the City of Auburn has insisted that it will
participate in the joint project with Kent and King County to improve
277th only if it is grade separated.
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss stated
Burlington Northern has insisted that the Stampede Pass issue is a
main line issue and not related to the Auburn Yard issue. Mr.
Krauss stated Burlington Northern has requested the City not take
any action on Burlington Northem's permits for three months until
Burlington Nodhern can present their proposal.
Councilmember Cerino asked whether an overpass would be better
than an underpass because of ground water. Planning and
Community Development Director Krauss stated a pumping station
would be installed for the underpass. Public Works Director Currie
stated that to go under the railroad tracks takes approximately
1,200 feet in either direction to get the grade down. To go over the
crossing, would take approximately 1,600 feet in either direction.
Mr, Currie stated that pumping stations are already located at the
Auburn Way and "A" Street crossings.
In response to a question from Councilmember Poe, Planning and
Community Development Director Krauss stated the railroad and
the Washington State Department of Transportation are in the
process of pursuing a law which identifies the freight railroad
system as in the public interest and an essential public facility. As
an essential public facility, the City is obligated to include it in the
Comprehensive Plan.
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes Februanf 20, 1996
Councilmember Brothers proposed addressing the issue through
the Suburban Cities Association and the Association of
Washington Cities. Planning and Community Director Krauss
stated the City has been very active in organizing meetings with
legislative representatives and other communities.
Councilmember Borden asked how Representatives Thomas and
Robedson voted on Bill 1645. Planning and Community
Development Director Krauss stated that both representatives
voted against the bill. Mayor Booth stated Senator Roach has
listened to the City's concerns but has not stated how she will vote
on the bill.
City Attorney Reynolds stated that Burlington Nodhern's coud case
against the City is scheduled for the latter pad of March.
Councilmember Wagner stated the graphics displayed this evening
are news wodhy and should be made available to the citizens so
they have the oppodunity to voice their opinions to their legislators.
Councilmember Poe stated that a number of businesses in the
valley will be adversely affected by the reopening of Stampede
Pass. Mr. John Raeder stated from the audience that the Chamber
of Commerce is aware of the Burlington Northern proposal, and the
Chambers representatives have been present at some of the City's
meetings with Burlington Nodhem officials.
B. Executive Session
Mayor Booth recessed the regular meeting to executive session at
8:21 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes in order to discuss
personnel matters. Mayor Booth stated no action is anticipated as
a result of the executive session.
Mayor Booth reconvened the regular meeting at 8:52 p.m.
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City of Auburn Council Meetina Minutes Februarv 20, 1996
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the
meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Charles A. Booth, Mayor Robin Wohlhueter, City Clerk
96M2-20. DOC
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