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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-2000 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 17, 2000 5:00 PM Council Work Area PRE-BUDGET GOAL SETTING Minutes I. Welcome and Introduction Mayor Charles A. Booth called the special meeting of the Auburn City Council to order at 5:00 PM in the Council work area located in the Mayor's office. Councilmembers present included: Fred Poe, Jeanne Barber, Pete Lewis, Stacey Brothers, Sue Singer, Rich Wagner, and Trish Borden. Staff members present included: Assistant Personnel Director Roger Cartwright, Finance Director Diane L. Supler, Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Public Works Director Christine Engler, Assistant Fire Chief Russ Vandver, Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal, Police Chief Jim Kelly, Assistant Police Chief Marion Dukes, Assistant City Attorney Judy Ausman, and Deputy City Clerk Cathy Richardson. The workshop was directed by Michael Hildt of Michael Hildt and Associates, Inc. Mayor Booth explained that the purpose of the meeting is to review the City of Auburn Vision for the Future, Mission Statement, and Goals as a primary step in the overall budget process. Mayor Booth read the Vision for the Future statement and explained that it is intended to' be a very expansive statement. Councilmember Wagner suggested that the Mission statement should include statements regarding Auburn's regional role and activities. Councilmembers Singer, Lewis and Poe concurred and agreed to draft a revised Mission statement to include Auburn's regional influence. Mayor Booth clarified the intent of the Mission statement and expressed his interest in participating in the drafting of the new statement. Councilmember Poe suggested the first bulleted sentence of the Mission statement should be changed to read "Providing a user-friendly government to meet the citizens for:". Councilmember Borden concurred. Special City Council Meeting - Pre-Budget GoalSe~ing May 17,2000 Page 2 Mayor Booth referred to a handout reflecting the top ten Capital Facilities Projects that were selected by the Council at the April 22, 2000 retreat. Mayor Booth called on staff for updates on the various items. 1. Public Safety Building Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss reported that staff has researched recently constructed public safety buildings and is in the process of preparing a Request for Proposals/Request for Qualifications (RFP/RFQ). Mr. Krauss explained the public safety building is a very complex project with many different elements involved, including various locations and economical and political issues. It would be beneficial to work with someone with specific expertise in that area. Mayor Booth explained that Police Chief Jim Kelly and Mr. Krauss have toured the new public safety facility in Issaquah. The facility was constructed for approximately $11.5 million dollars for an approximate population of 12,500. In response to questions from Councilmember Singer, Mr. Krauss stated that some of the programming expertise needed, in addition to the architectural design, is in determining the area needed, placement of the various departments, location, use of existing buildings, and bond issues. Finance Director Diane L. Supler clarified that a similar approach is being used regarding the construction of the Valley Comm structure through a Program Project Manager. The Project Manager coordinates with the various experts, such as the architect and the technology consultant, and acts on behalf of Valley Comm. In response to questions from Councilmembers Poe and Lewis, Mr. Krauss stated that the RFP will be reviewed by the Municipal Services Committee and should be available in a few weeks. 2. Downtown Plan Funding Mr. Krauss reported that the Downtown Plan is coming forward with a variety of recommendations. Many of the recommendations deal with code changes. Other recommendations include elements which are not specifically part of the Downtown Plan funding such as the regional drainage basin for downtown and related projects such as completing "A" Street. The most immediate cost for fulfilling the Downtown Plan will be a determination on the expanded parking garage structure including a possible retail area. A meeting is scheduled with Sound Transit to discuss possibilities. Councilmembers Poe and Lewis stated the City does not need to be a landlord and requested to have an RFP out to Special City Council Meeting - Pre-Budget Goal Setting May 17, 2000 Page 3 leasing agents now to purchase lease rights and help fund the parking garage project. Mr. Krauss stated that he anticipates that the Downtown Plan will be completed within the next month. The Committee will than delve into the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is partially completed. The Committee hopes to bring these items to Council by the end of summer or early fall of this year. Councilmember Lewis reminded that funding of crosswalks in the downtown core area per the Downtown Plan should be done and could be done relatively cheap. In response to questions from Councilmember Wagner, Mr. Krauss explained that a market study was completed, which was followed by the hiring of a real estate broker. The City then solicited for prospective tenants and made a proposal to Sound Transit. 3. Community Center Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal reported that staff has met with the YMCA and has obtained a copy of the Partnership Agreement the YMCA has with the City of Sherwood, Oregon. Staff also requested a copy of the agreement between the Scottsdale, Arizona YMCA and the Boys Club, which should be available by the end of the week. Mr. Deal explained that staff is compiling information from various local cities that presently have community centers such as Kent, Tukwila, and Renton and also from cities in Colorado. Councilmember Borden stressed the importance of the timeline on behalf of the YMCA. The YMCA will be conducting a marketing survey this summer. It would be beneficial to the City to participate in the survey. Councilmember Wagner suggested a letter of endorsement to the YMCA expressing the City's interest. Councilmember Borden agreed to help draft a letter to the YMCA after having seen the support of the Council. 4. Highway 164 Improvements (SIR 164/SIR 18 Bypass) Mayor Booth reported that a committee has been formed, but they have not reached the study process as of this date. A community meeting was held. Mayor Booth emphasized that Highway 164 has been rated as one of the most dangerous roadways of that type in the state of Washington. The Committee made many recommendations towards improving Highway 164. Due to the issues regarding the plateau and the Amphitheater, the Committee was discontinued. A subsequent Committee has been formed, but has yet to meet. Special City Council Meeting - Pre-Budget Goal Setting May 17, 2000 Page 4 Mr. Krauss explained that the Muckleshoot Tribe has received funding from Puget Sound Energy Council for a study to improve Highway 164. A consultant has been selected under Department of Transportation's Office of Urban Mobility. The study will look at safety, capacity, and the need for a by-pass. King County has opposed the construction of a by-pass. Mr. Krauss reported that Mayor Booth and other elected officials are part of the committee involving the Highway 164 improvements. Mr. Krauss is involved in the technical committee along with members of the City's Public Works staff. The likely by-pass location is actually outside the city limits. Councilmember Wagner expressed his support of this project and suggested the City dedicate a part-time staff member towards the study to facilitate the process. 5. Technology Improvements Ms. Supler reported that a meeting with the current accounting software vendor has been scheduled for May 30, 2000 to evaluate various options. The advent of the "ILOVEYOU" virus has interfered with the progress in other technology areas. Councilmember Singer stated that improvements in the one gigabit area were inadequate for present needs and the City should be looking at ten gigs. Councilmmeber Lewis concurred with Councilmember Singer. 6. Land Acquisition for Future Needs Ms. Supler reported that staff has been working with the Fire Department to identify future sites for fire stations. Mayor Booth added that Ms. Supler has been working with Boeing regarding one possible location. 7. Non-motorized Plan Mr. Deal reported that staff has been working with consultant Steve Worthy with Worthy and Associates for the last two years on a non-motorized plan. That project, as well as mapping that will show the proposed routes and existing routes within the city are near completion. The map showing the trail connections should be available within the next two months. Also, additional signage showing safer routes through the community has been planned for existing streets for Class Four trail spaces.' In response to questions from Councilmember Brothers, Mr. Deal stated that physical barriers are not included on the proposed non-motorized routes. Due to Special City Council Meeting - Pre-Budget Goal Setting May 17, 2000 Page 5 budget restraints, certain areas will receive signage and painted markings designating the paths. All Class Four standards will be met. 8. Fire Stations Assistant Fire Chief Russ Vandver reported that in addition to land acquisition, the Fire and Police Departments are working together to determine the administration of the proposed Public Safety Building. Councilmember Barber suggested that police and fire projects should be combined in the event of a vote for a bond sale. Councilmembers Borden and Lewis concurred. 9. Gateway Improvements Mr. Krauss stated that a preliminary map has been prepared showing potential locations for various gateways throughout the city. Mr. Krauss reported that staff and the Planning and Community Development Committee have discussed the potential of contracting a firm that has marketing and design expertise regarding gateways. Recent replacement of staff and completion of the Downtown Plan .will allow staff more time to devote to the gateway program. Mr. Krauss anticipates completion of a plan at the end of summer of this year. Councilmembers Lewis, Poe and Singer commented that it would be beneficial to have a unified concept for the overall gateway improvements throughout the city. Mr. Krauss stated that a portion of the budget will be used toward that effort by the use of consultants with expertise in that area. Councilmember Wagner pointed out that the completion of various projects will have tremendous impact on the placement of the gateways. Councilmember Borden suggested that funds should be budgeted for the year 2001 for planning of the gateway improvements and requested that a review of the program be brought to the Planning and Community Development Committee. 10. Transit Station Mayor Booth stated that the Transit Station is just one element of the overall downtown plan and is now under construction. SpeciaiCity Council Meeting - Pm-Budget GoalSeffing May 17,2000 Page 6 II. Trends and Issues Affecting the 2001 Budget Mr. Michael Hildt requested that Council review trends and issues that might affect the year 2001 budget. Mr. Hildt called on Council to determine external issues that may increase the cost of operations or might increase or decrease the City's revenue stream. Mr. Hildt explained that the purpose of this evening's meeting is to review the 2000 budget goals to identify which goals should be continued into the year 2001. The specific activities for each goal will be determined through the standard budget process through the Finance Department, the Mayor, and the department directors. The Council will then be given an opportunity to identify new goals and initiatives they wish to see added to the 2001 budget and will go through an evaluation process for those items. The Council determined that the following trends and issues might impact the 2001 budget: · Initiative 695 · Initiative 711 · Initiative 745 · Salmon Issues- Endangered Species Act · Water Quality and Supply · Healthy Economy- More Tax Dollars · Increase in Interest Rates · Increase in Revenue - Sales Tax and Property Tax Collection · Adequate Debt Capacity · Increased Transportation Pressures · Increased Population · Annexation · Tight Labor Market · Increase in Capital Project Costs · Increase of E-Commerce - Loss of Sales Tax · More Unfunded Mandates from State · Increased Labor Costs vs Less Increase in Property Tax · Property Tax Limitations · More Prisoners in Custody Special City Council Meeting - Pre-Budget Goal Setting May 17, 2000 Page 7 The meeting recessed at 6:00 PM and reconvened at 6:12 PM. III. 2000 City of Auburn "Common Future Goals" Mr. Hildt referred to a budget handout and led the Council and staff members in a review of the year 2000 budget goals. The Council determined the following existing goals should be continued into the 2001 budget: Goal Lead Resl3onsibilitv Community Identity Retained and Preserved: -Identify significant community gateways Planning -Maintaining downtown as a focal point - Planning Downtown Revitalization Plan -Neighborhood family centers expansion Planning -Senior Center remodel (old library) Parks Moving Parks staff -Neighborhood Program Planning Revitalize Downtown: -Downtown Plan Planning -Transit Hub Planning -Rehabilitation of Downtown Buildings Planning Economic Development -Coordinate economic development efforts with Planning Chamber of Commerce and Auburn Downtown Association Resolve Water Issues -Persevere in efforts to acquire additional Public Works water rights Podions of the following 2000 goals have been completed and the goals will be rewritten to include the following items for the 2001 budget: Goal Modify/Additional Goals Lead Resl~onsibility Community Identity Retained and Preserved: Senior Center remodel (old library) Comprehensive Plan Amendments Parks Moving Parks staff Completion of remodel by Spring, 2001 Land acquisition funds Neighborhood Program Expand to include physical development Planning Delete Terminal Park area/add the area of West Main Street, between BNRR tracks Special City Council Meeting - Pre~Budget Goal Setting May 17, 2000 Page 8 Sidewalk rehabilitation Goal Modifi/IAdditional Goals Lead Responsibility Revitalize Downtown: Downtown Plan Redraft to implement plan Planning Transit Hub Redraft with specific goals to continue Planning with garage Rehabilitation of Downtown Buildings Include with the Downtown Plan Planning Resolve Water Issues: Water Rights Strategize/persevere efforts to acquire Public Works additional water rights Add Puget Sound Energy/Lake Tapps Add regional issues Monitor the ESA listing for the region Move to miscellaneous category Public Works Rewrite to be goal specific Remove "ensure the survival of the species" Successful Annexations: Develop affordable annexation policies Develop economic impact thresholds Planning and strategies Additional study of annexation costs Develop analytical policy Healthy Environment for Youth: Expand youth activities, services Further expand participation Parks and opportunities in youth activities Collaborate with other entities Add Boy's and Girl's Club Parks to develop opportunities Transportation Issues Resolved: Secure final funding/begin construction of Rewrite into separate goals Public Works separated grade crossings at 3r~ SW Secure final funding for 277th and South 277m Begin construdion of 277th Design of Black Diamond bypass and Continue to seek funding Public Works "M" Street grade separation Miscellaneous: Upgrade of computer wiring Prioritize and research costs Finance Establish performance needs Special City Council Meeting - Pre-Budget Goal Setting May 17, 2000 Page 9 The Council determined that the following goals have been completed or should be removed from the year 2000 budget: Project Lead Responsibility Community Identity Retained and Preserved: New Library Parks Revitalize Downtown: Design and funding of Transit Hub All Departments Develop focused Economic Planning Development Program Resolve Water Issues: Wetland Banking Program Planning Investigate opportunities to secure financing Planning for economic development Secure wholesale partners financial commitments Public Works Development of joint use water facilities Parks/Public Works in city parks Successful Annexations Dialogue/clarification regarding Lea Hill and Planning West Hill annexations Healthy Environment for Youth: Skate Park at Brannan Park Parks Transportation Issues Resolved: Complete "A" Street SW corridor design Public Works Complete "B" Street LID Public Works Plan for implementation of next phase of Parks Green River Trail Construction of the White River Trail, Phase I Parks Miscellaneous Employee access to Internet and internal/external Finance E-mail and Home Page development Year 2000 technology Finance The meeting recessed at 7:30 PM and reconvened at 7:42 PM. IV. 2001 Budget Initiatives Mr. Hildt led the Council in an exercise to list possible new initiatives for the 2001 budget. The possible initiatives included: · Neighborhood Planning · Economic Development Marketing Plan · Skateboard Park Special City Council Meeting - Pre-Budget Goal Setting May 17, 2000 Page 10 · "A" Street NW · Removal of Blight Review Code Review Enforcement Efforts · Community Center Partnering · Curbside Recycling Study · Crosswalks in Downtown Core · Renovate Old Senior Center City Hall Space Needs · Reorganize Auburn Downtown/Economic Development · Street Trees/Streetscape/Sidewalk Improvement · Street Trees and Sidewalk Condition Management Strategy Maintenance Budget V. Wrap-up Mr. Hildt then directed Council to remove those projects that are capital projects or are not enterprise funds. The Council selected the following projects to remain as goals for the 2001 budget (in no particular order): · ,** Neighborhood Planning Transit Center Neighborhood "A" Street to 17th Street SE · *** Economic Development Initiative Marketing Plan o,*, Removal of Blight Review Code Review Enforcement Efforts o*** Implement Results of Curbside Recycling Study o~, Crosswalks in Downtown Corridor Policy and Budget o*** Street and Median Trees and Sidewalks Condition Management Strategies Maintenance Budget Discussion followed regarding liability and safety issues that might exist in connection with crosswalks and sidewalk maintenance and the structure of the Auburn Downtown Association (ADA)/Business Improvement Area (BIA) organization. It was suggested by Councilmembers and the Mayor that a review of the ADA and the BIA with regard to the downtown economic development area was appropriate. Mayor Booth requested that Councilmember Lewis work with him on this issue. Council and staff discussed possible locations within the city that would benefit from the neighborhood planning program and various methods and solutions for SpeciaiCity Council Meeting - Pre-Budget GoalSeffing May 17,2000 Page 11 the removal of blight, including the possibility of annual inspections for multi- family dwelling units to reduce unsafe or unhealthy living conditions. Mayor Booth summarized that the budget process will include funding for the continuing projects on the revenues that are available. Remaining resources will be evaluated to determine which additional initiatives might be achievable for the year 2001. The preliminary budget will be brought forward for Council review and approval. Mr. Hildt commended Council for their cooperation with one another and their accomplishments with regard to the budget process. VI. Adjournment There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM. Approved on the ,-~ ~ day of ~ ~ ,2000. Charles A. Booth, Mayor uty City Clerk 2000rn05-17special.doc