Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-1998SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING STATE LEGISLATORS FOR 1999 DECEMBER 15, 1998 4:00 PM Auburn City Hall Council Work Area Minutes I. INTRODUCTION Mayor Booth called the special meeting of the Auburn City Council to order at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Work Area of Auburn City Hall. Mayor Booth and the following members of the City Council were present: Gene Cerino, Fred Poe, Pete Lewis, Sue Singer, and Rich Wagner. Councilmembers Jeanne Barber and Trish Borden were excused. Staff members present included: Fire Chief Bob Johnson, Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Personnel Director Brenda Heineman, Assistant City Attorney Judith Ausman, Public Works Director Christine Engler, Police Chief Dave Purdy, Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal, Finance Director Diane L. Supler, and Deputy City Clerk Cathy Richardson. Guests present included: Thirty-first District Senator Pam Roach, Thirtieth District Legislator Mark Miloscia, Thirty-first District Legislator Mike Stensen, Thirty-first District Legislator Chris Hurst, Auburn Chamber of Commerce President Mike Morrisette, and John Santana with the Auburn Reporter. Mayor Booth referred to the 1999 State Legislative Agenda, which is a statement of issues of importance to the City. Mayor Booth pointed out that this is a draft document and it requires further review by City Councilmembers and department directors. Mayor Booth requested a round table introduction to acquaint staff and the new Legislators. Mayor Booth invited Senator Roach and the Legislators to summarize their priorities, interests, and committee assignments. I I Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 2 II. LEGISLATOR COMMENTS Senator Pam Roach stated that she is on the Law and Justice Committee, which is now the Judiciary Committee. She has been Chair of this committee for the last two years. She has also been assigned to the Technology and Utilities Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Senator Roach explained that funding for the court system has been a priority for her. She will be moving forward with this issue and with the mail fraud and car theft legislation. Senator Roach stated that she will be promoting bills related to establishing health standards for body piercing and supporting family and parenting education programs. She is seeking sponsorship from the State of Washington on an ad campaign regarding parenting education. This method worked very well when recycling was being promoted. It has proven to be very effective as a tool to educate the public and in initiating behavioral changes. Legislator Mike Stensen stated that this is his first term in the legislature. He has seventeen years experience in local government issues and education. He has served six years on the Enumclaw City Council, six years on the Planning Commission, and is finishing his fifth year on the School Board. Legislator Stensen explained that he has not been assigned to any committees at this point, although he has been assured a seat on the Education Committee. He has spent a considerable amount of time canvassing the community to learn which issues are important to the local districts and has learned that education will be a big issue this year. How the governor, house, and senate blend their philosophies on education will be of particular interest to him. He intends to work with the school districts to find ways to aid them in their goal to improve learning and to meet standards throughout all of the districts. Legislator Stensen stated that due to rapid growth in the area, transportation and commuter trip reduction are other important issues. Water and endangered species are also major concerns in this legislative session. His goal is to compile the information from knowledgeable sources to make an impact towards reasonable decisions in those areas. Legislator Mark Miloscia introduced himself and pointed out that he is also a freshman in the legislature. He is presently a Commissioner for the Lakehaven Water District. He will be resigning from this position in the first week of January, Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 3 1999. He has been assigned to the State Government, Capitol Budget, and Financial Institutions and Insurance Committees. Legislature Miloscia stated that his main goals are to bring forth a vision of decentralized and open government, to have some issues moved from the state level to local governments, streamline procedures, the reduction of congestion within the state, and improving schools statewide. Legislator Chris Hurst stated that he has been a law enforcement officer for seventeen years. He stated that transportation is a very important issue to the Thirty-first District. Legislator Hurst recounted a forty minute delay he recently experienced at a railroad crossing while trying to get through Auburn. His concern is that while we have significant problems regarding transportation, federal law dictates the leverage that local governments have to deal with the problems. Legislator Hurst stated that some of the transportation funds we have should be used to build a fast-track corridor. Priorities need to be established in regards to grade crossings and other concerns for the Auburn area. Legislator Hurst noted that Auburn and surrounding cities have concerns with county and state governments in the area of unfunded mandates for projects brought before the legislature. Local municipalities are being held accountable for the funding for these projects. Legislator Hurst stated that he has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Commerce and Labor Committee. These assignments have not yet been confirmed. Mayor Booth stated that the City of Auburn staff will be more than willing to assist with information that might be needed to reach the goals stated by the Legislators. III. TRANSPORTATION Mayor Booth requested that Planning Director Paul Krauss and Public Works Director Christine Engler present the City's goals on transportation. Mr. Krauss distributed a brochure on the FAST Corridor to Senator Roach and Legislators Milascio, Stensen, and Hurst. FAST is a project that the City of Auburn helped to create. Every city from Tacoma to Everett, including Seattle, I Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 4 Port of Seattle, the Burlington Northern and Union Pacific Railroads, and the King County are all involved. Mr. Krauss stated that between federal and local sources, approximately 60% of the total funding for FAST has been put together. There have been special congressional allocations for several projects in Auburn and elsewhere. There is now a new federal corridor program that has been devised for a transportation system that should help with funding. The City of Auburn is ready to begin construction of these projects and projects in other areas also. The City of Auburn plans to begin construction in 1999. Mr. Krauss stated that the 277th Street project will be a major east/west corridor connecting Federal Way to Lea Hill and State Route 167 to Interstate 5. The problem the City will have to confront is that the stretch being constructed by the City of Kent will be open in 1999 with an estimated 25,000 vehicles per day traveling on it. The portion constructed by the City of Auburn will not be ready at that time. Ms. Engler reiterated that the city would like to begin construction of the 277th corridor to preclude the problems presented by Mr. Krauss. The 3rd Street project is exactly on time and construction should begin in 1999. Real estate acquisitions have already begun. Ms. Engler explained that the Rapid Transit Station project is very critical to facilitate transportation in and out of the city. This will be a regional facility to take commuters to and from the Auburn area. In response to questions from Senator Roach, Ms. Engler stated that the funding for the Rapid Transit Station project is still being sought. Design funding, consisting in large part of federal funds, for these two projects has already been received. Mr. Krauss clarified that the FAST Corridor was put together with the knowledge that the federal government would be a partner. Initially, a rough calculation was made that assumed approximately 40% of the funding would come from federal sources, 10% to 15% from local sources, including the railroad, and 50% from state sources. Approximately 60% of the funds were committed prior to state participation. The FAST Corridor has been rated as one of the top projects in the state by the State Mobility Advisory Committee (SMAC) and Legislative Transportation Commission (LTC). Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 5 Mr. Krauss stated that Referendum 49 does not make a commitment of funds, though the City is hopeful that the 277th Corridor will be one of the projects funded through this resource. In response to questions from Legislator Miloscia, Mr. Krauss stated that the City's position is that once the project is completed, the maximum speed limits of the trains may be reconsidered. An increase in operations is expected to occur. Mr. Krauss referred to a display board indicating the origin of the Stampede Pass track and the 3rd Street grade separation. The Burlington Northern Rail Yard is located in Auburn. The Railroad has talked of converting to a major intermodel truck-to-train line. There could be as many as 3,000 truck movements per day. There is no commitment to convert the rail yard at this time, but Auburn believes this may happen in the future. Due to the types of rail movements this would create, there are several intersections that become blocked at the same time for long periods. This creates major problems not only in moving goods and services, but with the mobility of emergency services vehicles. These are also significant commute corridors. Ms. Engler explained that the significance of the congestion that could be created in Auburn is that it will affect the various ports in the area. It will create a major conflict in the movement of goods to the port terminals. Approximately 50% of the cost of shipping in eastern Washington is due to congestion within King County. Mayor Booth commented that is takes as long for an orchard grower in Wenatchee to truck his goods from Wenatchee to Issaquah as from Issaquah to the railhead. Councilmember Lewis stated that Auburn was one of the first cities to raise an alarm concerning the railroad and the transportation issues involved. Many times it takes as long as ten minutes for the trains to clear the intersections. The length of the trains can be up to a mile and a half long and there are as many as ten to fifteen trains that run each day. At such times more than one intersection is blocked and all traffic moving eastJwest and north/south is stopped. In response to questions from Legislator Miloscia, Ms. Engler stated that the difference between the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad (BNSF) is the number of trains. The BNSF is the largest customer using tracks within the city limits. Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 6 Mr. Krauss stated the Union Pacific Railroad and the Burlington Northern are traditional competitors even though they share track. They have recently developed some joint operating agreements. There have been some efforts to rationalize and split the loads carried by the railroads. There will be more passenger traffic on the BNSF due to commuter rail and Amtrak increases. This will push more freight traffic to the UP. Mr. Krauss explained that mainline traffic produces up to fifty to sixty movements per day. Mayor Booth explained that there are 3,000 truck trips per day, seven days per week, twenty-four hours per day. At "M" Street for example, which is a non- separated crossing, the volume of traffic produces 21,000 to 31,000 trips per day at AM/PM peak. This can stop traffic from fifteen to twenty-seven minutes. Many of the Stampede runs, which range in length up to 7,100 feet, are now being run at night. The UP is on the west side of town and affects the industrial area more than the downtown area. Mr. Krauss commented that there are numerous communities affected by the train traffic. The eighteen projects are scattered from Tacoma to Everett. These projects, among others, were chosen after in-depth studies with the Department of Transportation, surrounding communities, and the railroad consultants. Ms. Engler stated that there are various commissions and boards set up to study transportation problems within the state, the latest of which is the Governor's Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. The FAST Corridor projects are among its top forty-eight projects. Mayor Booth stated that various means of funding have been sought for the continuation of Highway 18 to Interstate 90. Other projects of major interest to the City of Auburn are a truck passing lane on Highway 18 between Auburn and Federal Way, completion of the next phase of HOV's on State Route 167, and Lake Tapps Parkway. Mayor Booth described the perimeters of the Lake Tapps Parkway and the impact it will have on the valley traffic congestion. IV. MUNICIPAL FINANCE Mayor Booth introduced Finance Director Diane L. Supler. Ms. Supler explained that one of the items introduced in the next legislative session is the dilution of the existing revenue stream for local governments. Approximately twenty bills were introduced last year that would have provided special tax exemptions to I Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 7 selected business for paying sales tax. Ramifications of the exemption given to the manufacturing industry in 1996 and 1997 are still unknown. The interpretation of a manufacturing business continues to be expanded. The dilution of our sales tax is a very significant issue. In the first year the City saw a $2,000,000 reduction in sales tax out of a $29,000,000 budget. There is no system in place that tracks the exemptions. The Department of Revenue collects the exemption certificates but the exact dollar amount is unknown. From a financial perspective, this issue and unfunded mandates are the two biggest concerns. Councilmember Lewis pointed out that companies such as Boeing are qualified to receive the exemption reducing the tax revenue to the various local areas. V. LOCAL AUTHORITY/SAFETY Mayor Booth expressed the importance of local control over local issues and concerns. The lawsuit filed against fourteen cities by US West is a matter of substantial importance. Assistant City Attorney Ausman stated that declaratory relief is being sought by the fourteen cities involved in Pieme County Superior Court against US West for clarification that the cost of relocation of below or above ground utilities in a public right of way should be born by US West. They do not believe that local governments have the right to make them pay for relocation fees. Ms. Ausman indicated that it is very complicated but the preservation of local control over local rights of way is of utmost importance. Ms. Engler reported that US West does not consider it a privilege to place their facilities within the public right of way. Other companies are franchised to do so and cooperate with the city by bearing their portion of the expense of reforming the right of way. Mayor Booth addressed the issue of safety. The City opposes the imposition of a mandatory increase in training for fire and police and mandatory sentencing and the impact this has on the cost of operations for the city. The City is working with various committees with King County regarding these issues. The City would prefer to keep adult incameration out of the state and county level. Mayor Booth explained that juvenile services are provided at the county level as the City does not have the resources to provide juvenile services. Mayor Booth reported on the City's stand on potential liabilities associated with Year 2000 computer difficulties. Local entities should enjoy immunity from suit I I Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 8 for their good faith performance in preparing or responding to damages or injuries that may ensue, Councilmember Wagner commented on the City's position on cross .commissioning of tribal public safety officers. Protection from liabilities that could incur are very important. Mayor Booth stated that the tribal entity has immunity from liability as a result of tribal sovereignty. In response to questions from Senator Roach, Police Chief Dave Purdy explained that the tribal authorities have not established protocol. They are not willing to negotiate that. Problems occur when tribal police are trying to take enforcement action and Auburn police are called for service on the same incident. Protocol must be established to eliminate duplication of response and the possibility of no response. Protocol and mutual aid have been established with the State Patrol who has jurisdiction on state highways located within the city limits. VI. WATER RESOURCES Ms. Engler explained that the City of Auburn is in the unique position of having the ability of being able to supply more water than we currently have demand for. The City does not have the water rights to that water. The Department of Ecology (DOE) is not legally able to give the City water rights to water that has not been put to beneficial use. This has created substantial problems. With the Growth Management Act (CMA) the ability to support growth and development is predicated on the City's ability to take inchoate water rights and use them in the future to support growth. Councilmember Poe stated that the City of Auburn is spending a large amount of funds on studying the aquifer in a manner acceptable to DOE. There are interlocal agreements to supply water to two other utility districts, which are sharing in the study. Senator Roach commented that the concept of regionalizing sometimes creates the attitude that the City's resources belong to the entire region. Mayor Booth stated that the City should be able to benefit by keeping the local rates Iow. The City of Auburn provides emergency water to Algona, Pacific, Water District 111, and Lakehaven Water District. Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 9 Senator Roach stated that in the past municipalities and local jurisdictions with excess resources or land were able to barter with the Department of Natural Resources. Ms. Engler remarked that among the issues related to water rights is that it is now questionable as to what constitutes a service area. Growth Management Act urban areas need to be areas that can be expanded into or that growth has been confined to whether it is your own city, potential annexation area, or neighboring cities. VII. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Mr. Krauss stated that the State has a process regarding the restoration of salmon. This has filtered down to the local agencies through the Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) organizations. Intervening that process in the Auburn area is the Tri-County process. The cost and the source of funds for the Tri-County process are unknown at this time. Mr. Krauss explained that harvest, hydro, habitat, and hatchery, referred to as the four "H's", are all involved in the restoration of salmon runs. Local governments are only involved in habitat exposure. The State is negotiating harvest with the fisheries and tribes. Regardless of efforts made to restore habitat, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) anyone can sue you. It is critical that all agencies work together to accomplish restoration. The City receives a modest amount of funding from the state for habitat restoration. Ms. Engler pointed out that leadership at the state level is needed to enable the City to tie in with a state plan that provides a common base of science. Most Focal municipalities do not have that type of resource on staff to develop their own habitat conservation plan. Mayor Booth commented that the City of Auburn is fortunate to receive some data and expertise from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. Ms. Engler stated that, for local government, ecology is significantly under- funded. Discussion followed concerning funding for studies, community participation, various scientific models for restoration, water rights, and the changes occurring in the rivers and streams in the northwest. I I Special Meeting of the City Council December 15, 1998 Page 10 VIII. PROVISION OF LOWAND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING Mr. Krauss stated that Iow and moderate income housing comprises almost 50% of the housing located in Auburn. The City would like to see a more equitable distribution of this type of housing. Mr. Krauss stated that the cost of residential housing has risen considerably. The City of Auburn works with developers to assist in lowering the rapid escalation in home pricing. Under the GMA the City has spent the last six or seven years amending procedures under regulatory reforms to make the development process faster and less expensive. Mr. Krauss commented that if the state is going to require this type of housing it should provide direct funding for first time buyer programs and other means of iow cost loans to multi-family developers. Councilmember Cerino expressed concerns regarding unfunded mandates and the consequences that additional impact fees create for the school district and agencies providing emergency services. The state withdrew the ability to raise local funds and it is very difficult to raise funds through special elections. Affordable housing will be very hard to find if impact fees for schools, police, fire, and parks are added to the initial cost of a home. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council this evening, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM. Approved on the /~'~-~' day of~~.~ , 1999. Charles A. Booth, Mayor Danielle Daska~n~'-City Clerk