HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-1997 Cities & Schools CITIES AND SCHOOLS FORUM
MINUTES
Tuesday, December 9, 1997, 7:00p. m.
Auburn High School's Cafd /luburn
I. INTRODUCTIONS
The December 9, 1997, meeting of the Cities and Schools Forum convened at 7:08 p.m. at
Caf~ Auburn at Auburn High School, 800 Fourth Street Northeast. Dessert was served by
the Caf~ Auburn staff and students, and the meeting was convened by Superintendent
Cowan.
II. TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
Councilmember Richard Wagner was called upon to initiate discussion regarding mutual
transportation concems shared among the schools and member cities. Concerns regarding
the negative impacts of increased rail traffic volume and the reopening of the Stampede rail
line were discussed. Concerns dealt with the necessity of ensuring the movement of
increased volume of rail freight through the community without severely limiting
home/school to/from work, motorized freight, commercial and emergency vehicular
movements. Separated crossings at Cross Street, 3~a Street NW, "M" Street, Auburn/Black
Diamond Road and NW 277m are very much needed to ensure unimpeded non-rail
movement east/west and north/south. There is strong support for requiring both BNSF and
SPUP to mitigate the impacts of volume increases upon member cities and the Auburn
School District. A concem regarding inadequacies of the overall transportation budget and
the need for some sort of comprehensive approach to providing budget for road and street
repair, improvement and expansion without adversely impacting other essential services
and programs was emphasized. Representative Robertson outlined several approaches to
resolution of the problem being considered by his caucus.
III. HUMAN SERVICES ISSUES
Mayor Booth opened discussion of human services and the impacts of funding changes
upon local jurisdictions and citizens. Devolution at the federal level has apparently
negatively impacted state funding which has in turn reduced available resources at the
county level, causing increased pressures for funding at the local level. Some examples
pointed out were reductions in Section 8 housing and welfare-to-work pressures. The
State's willingness to fund continued support to legal immigrants was cut off by federal
Gities and Schools Forum Minutes
December 9, 1997
Page 2
legislative action. A discussion of funding and program approaches ensued. The issue
regarding program responsibility was also discussed what should be a local, regional,
state or federal responsibility and how to fund a specific service most directly, given the
present bureaucratic structure of the governance structure.
IV. LOCAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Superintendent Cowan opened discussion regarding the nature, structure and funding of the
local educational program. The Aubum School District program is of very high quality,
held in esteem both locally and statewide. The District has been careful to be certain the
educational dollar is used as legislatively intended and there is program accountability
supporting all decisions. The District staff is eoncemed that the student transportation
service is underfunded by approximately $1.9 million dollars and that the vocational
education program will be adversely impacted by year two of the two-year budget.
Representative Robertson understood concerns shared and will continue to work towards
responsible funding of education.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting concluded with a discussion of how communication might be improved
among and between the committee and legislative group. With no further business being
before the committee, adjourmnent was moved by consensus at 8:30 p.m.