HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-2002sp SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 6, 2002 4:30 PM
MAYOR'S OFFICE/COUNCIL WORK AREA
PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTER
Minutes
I. Call to Order
Mayor Lewis called the special meeting to of the Auburn City Council to order at
4:30 PM in the Council Work Area located in the Mayor's Office at Auburn City
Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA, 98001. Mayor Lewis and the following
Council members were present: Rich Wagner, Jeanne Barber, Trish Borden,
Fred Poe, Sue Singer, Stacey Brothers and Gene Cerino. Staff members
present included: Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss,
Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Parks and Recreation Director Daryl Faber,
City Attorney Daniel B. Held, Recreation Coordinator Rick Bruya, and City Clerk
Danielle Daskam. Mr. George Frasier, YMCA Director, was also present.
II. Introduction and Purpose of Meeting
Mayor Lewis began the meeting by explaining the purpose of the meeting which
is to update the Council on the status of the community center proposal and
discuss future direction with respect to the proposal.
III. Discussion of Proposed Community Center
A. Community Center Advisory Group Findings on Desired Functions
Councilmember Poe reviewed the Community Center Advisory Group's
survey findings. The survey findings demonstrated that among the over
600 community members and Auburn residents who responded to the
Group's survey, there was overwhelming support for:
1. The development of an Auburn community center.
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2. The use of public funds to develop a community center in Auburn.
3. Development of a partnership between the City of Auburn and
private or non-profit organizations involving funding and operations
of an Auburn community center.
Councilmember Poe then reviewed the program and facility survey
findings. Listed below are the Auburn citizen recommendations for
programming and activities for a proposed community center with the
supporting facility elements in descending order of priority:
PROGRAMMING FACILITY ELEMENTS
1. Swimming Family aquatic center
Locker room and showers
2. Fitness Family aquatic center
Multi-use gymnasium with a walking
track
Dance/Aerobic room
Cardio equipment room
Weight training room
3. Youth/Teen After School Multi-use gymnasium
Family aquatic center
Dance/aerobic room
4. Basketball Leagues Multi-use gymnasium
Locker room an showers
5. Teen Late Night Family aquatic center
Multi-use gymnasium
Weight training room
Art and craft rooms
Small meeting room (25-50)
Large meeting room (51-100)
6. Summer Camps Multi-use gymnasium
Family aquatic center
Art and craft rooms
Small meeting room (25-50)
Large meeting room (51-100)
7. Holiday Events/FestivalsArt and craft room
Small meeting room (25-50)
Large meeting room (51-100)
8. Computer Lab Small meeting room (25-50)
9. Community Banquet Multi-use gymnasium
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/Event Room Large meeting rooms
Supporting staging kitchen
Councilmember Wagner noted that the survey revealed strong support for
all activities and elements.
Councilmember Poe noted that the community banquet/event room was
not in the survey but was added as a result of forum discussion and
comments.
Councilmember Brothers inquired whether the Advisory Group's survey
included any question on the issue of membership dues. Councilmember
Cerino recalled that the survey included a financing question to reveal
citizens support for a bond issue or other public funding to develop a
community center. Councilmember Cerino did not recall a survey
question specifically dealing with membership dues.
B. Fundamental Needs of the City of Auburn
Councilmember Wagner presented the fundamental needs of the City of
Auburn related to a community center. Councilmember Wagner noted
that the needs were articulated by Councilmembers Poe, Borden and
Wagner as a starting point for negotiations with the YMCA. The
fundamental needs include:
1. Les Gove Park is the location for the community center portion of
the facilities.
2. The Advisory Group's report would be honored; for example, the
cooperative facilities will include:
a. Swimming, including family-type elements as well as
exercise elements.
b. A multi-use gymnasium large enough for community
gatherings (200 people).
c. City ownership of at least a portion of the facility, though
some operations may be contracted.
3. The City program content and the "Y" program content will not
compete with each other.
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4. There will be an overall increase in recreation programs for Auburn
citizens due to the investments in the new capital facilities.
Councilmember Brothers inquired whether operating costs and the portion
of staffing and resources the City will contribute towards operating costs
would be addressed. Councilmember Wagner explained that the
presentation this evening will focus on capital costs. The City's
contribution towards operating costs has not been determined.
Council briefly discussed the "no competing" need for both the City and
the YMCA.
C. Potential Site Locations, Layouts, and Construction Costs
Councilmember Wagner explained that as he and Councilmembers
Borden and Poe began their negotiations with the YMCA, it was learned
that Boeing might make a major land donation to the YMCA from their
property located on 15th Street SW.
Two scenarios were developed. Scenario B assumes Boeing gifts the
property on 15th Street SW to the "Y'; Scenario C assumes no land gift
from Boeing and all "Y" and community center functions would be located
at Les Gove Park.
Councilmember Wagner displayed site plans and costs for each scenario.
Scenario B includes the potential Boeing site on 15th Street SW where the
YMCA would be located. The proposed land gift from Boeing consists of
approximately 20 acres. There is an existing 27,000 square foot building
on the site. In the addition to the existing building, a new 43,000 square
foot YMCA would be constructed including a family aquatic center, full size
gym, some meeting space, parking, and potentially some ballfields.
Scenario B also includes the use of the existing "Y" site at Les Gove Park
consisting of approximately 4.5 acres. Scenario B proposes the
conversion of the existing "Y" building for a gym and multi-purpose room
with parking and a staging kitchen. The existing "Y" property would come
back under the ownership of the City. Facility elements and functions for
each location under Scenario B are as follows:
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SCENARIO B
15TM Street Functions Les Gove Park Functions
Cost: $10.6 Million Cost $3 Million without options
Family Aquatic Center 2/3 Size Gym/Large Meeting Space
(where the pool now exists)
1 Full Size Gym 1 Full Size Gym
Showers and Lockers Showers and Lockers
Multi-Purpose Space Staging Kitchen
Family Center Office Space
Teen Center Meeting Space
Child Watch Space Additional Parking
Licensed Child Care Space Facilities for Day Camp and Park
Use
CV/Weight Rooms Optional: Renovate/Add Softball
and soccer fields
Office Space
Tennis Courts
Ball fields with additional parking
Councilmember Cerino noted that an aquatic center is much different than
a "swimming pool." An aquatic center offers a variety of aquatic-based
recreational, instructional and health programs that may incorporate the
use of slides, wave and shallow depth pools as well as other design
features.
Councilmembers discussed the disposition of ACAP in both scenarios.
Councilmember Wagner stated that ACAP prefers to stay in its current
location for now.
Scenario C assumes Boeing does not make the land donation to the "Y"
and all community center activities are combined at the Les Gove Park
site. The scenario calls for converting the existing "Y" building into a
50,000 square foot building. Parking would consume all existing parking
areas and intrude approximately 50 feet into the park. The scenario
provides for the continued existence of ACAP at the Les Gove site.
Facility elements and functions for Scenario C are as follows:
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Les Gove Park Functions
$10 Million Without Options
FamilyAquatic Center
TwoFull Size Gyms/Multi-purpose
Space
Showers and Lockers
Staging Kitchen
Family Center
Teen Center
Child Watch Space
CVNVeight Rooms
Office Space
Meeting Space
Additional Parking
Facilities for Day Camp and Park Use
Optional: Renovate/add Softball and
Soccer Fields i
Chair Borden noted that there are some challenges with Scenario C
related to storm drainage facilities, additional parking, and the ability to
expand facilities.
Councilmember Wagner advised that Ownership under Scenario C would
include some kind of joint ownership.
Councilmember Poe noted that the disadvantage with Scenario C is that
the YMCA would need to be relocated for a year during demolition and
construction.
Councilmember Singer commented in favor of Scenario B and preserving
the green space at Les Gove Park. She also favored Scenario B because
the City would take over ownership of the "Y" property at Les Gove Park
and assure ACAP's current location at Les Gove Park.
D. Value Considerations
Councilmember Wagner led the discussion regarding values that Auburn
citizens will receive in Scenario B as follows:
1. 15% YMCA membership fee discount for Auburn residents
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a. Value per year = $192,000
b. Value over 20 years - $3,800,000
c. Assuming 6.5% of the 46,000 households that are within a
five mile radius choose to join the "Y' (3,000 households);
and that 60% of those people will be Auburn residents
(1,800 households, double the current members).
Councilmember Wagner explained that the percentage
(6.5%) of households joining the "Y" was determined based
on the national average of 10%. The percentage of Auburn
residents was based on an actual analysis of current "Y"
membership.
Councilmember Brothers expressed concern with the projected
membership, citing Auburn residents' average income level and that the
amount of the YMCA's dues may be prohibitive for some families in
Auburn.
Councilmember Cerino pointed out that when the YMCA constructed a
new facility in the Grays Harbor area, their membership increased
dramatically.
2. Acquire the Y property at Les Gove Park
a. 4.4 acres of land (192,000 sq ft) assessed at $532,00
b. 12,000 sq ft building assessed at $489,000
c. Total property value (probably will appraise higher) =
$1,021,000
3. Additional Values (specifics can be determined later) will range
from $100,000 to $500,000 total per year:
a. Family aquatic center group use several hours per week
b. Teen night activities
c. Teen programs for non-members
d. Added financial assistance for Iow income people due to
larger facility.
e. City operational costs reduced, for example contracting with
the Y
f. Legal liability exposure reduced for the City of Auburn
g. Potential expansion of Les Gove Park into the current Y site
h. ACAP could remain in their location with minimum disruption
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i. Access to ball fields at the 15th Street Y site.
Councilmember Wagner explained that values would be based on a 20-
year working agreement with the YMCA.
Parks and Recreation Director Daryl Faber presented ball field
development costs. Based on a five-acre site, property acquisition is
estimated at $1 million and construction costs at $600,000.
Mayor Lewis stressed that any transaction must be in accordance with
State law, and meet with the approval of the State Auditor's Office and the
Attorney General to ensure that it passes the test for use of public funds.
He cautioned that if the transaction does not pass the test for use of public
funds, Councilmembers and other officers of the City could be held
personally liable. Mayor Lewis also suggested a public vote may be an
alternative. He cautioned against utilizing membership discounts in the
calculation of value received.
City Attorney Dan Held presented the Council with excerpts from the
Washington State Constitution and Revised Code of Washington relating
to the City's credit not to be loaned and misconduct of public officers. City
Attorney Heid also advised that the City could have liability exposure for
those times the City utilizes the YMCA's facilities. In addition, if the City is
in a participation role with the "Y", the City could have additional liability.
Mayor Lewis suggested preparing the City's value considerations and
submitting them to the State Auditor for comment. Mayor Lewis urged the
Council to look into additional options for value consideration and work
with him, the City Attorney and the Finance Director to develop a proposal
for submission to the State Auditor for review.
Councilmember Poe suggested looking at what other cities have done to
justify contributions towards such facilities as Benaroya Hall, and how
those contributions were viewed by the Auditor's Office.
E. Project Schedule
Councilmember Borden presented the Council with the timeline for the
community center proposal. One of the first important timeline dates is
April 30, 2002, which is the deadline for the YMCA to obtain a
Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Auburn and provide the
necessary information to Boeing for a determination on the land donation.
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Assuming, the land donation from Boeing is realized, the next step would
be for the City to purchase the "Y" property at Les Gove Park and contract
for some services from the YMCA. Planning and design for facilities at
15th Street SVV and at Les Gove Park would run simultaneously. The
YMCA anticipates construction of their new facility on 15th Street SW by
March 2003 with construction taking approximately one year. The City
would then begin construction at Les Gove Park in 2004 with construction
taking approximately one year.
Mayor Lewis expressed appreciation to Councilmembers Borden, Poe and
Wagner for their efforts on the community center proposal.
Several Councilmembers spoke in favor of Scenario B which calls for a
YMCA facility on 15th Street SVV and a City-owned community center at
Les Gove Park.
Councilmember Poe reiterated the Mayor's comments to reconvene a
citizens forum for planning the community center at Les Gove Park.
IV, Adjournment
There being no further ~iscussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:01 PM.
APPROVED THE /~'~':'~-- DAY OF APRIL, 2002.
Pete~ B. Lewis, Mayor Danielle Daskam, City Clerk
2002mO3-O6special Proposed Comrn Cntr