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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. Page '1 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. Page 2 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. Page 3 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. Page 4 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. Page 5 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. Page 6 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 Page 7 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 Page 8 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. Page 9 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. Page 10 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 Page 11