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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-29-2004 CommitteeoftheWhole CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE March 29, 2004 Council Chambers MINUTES The Auburn City Council Committee of the Whole met on March 29, 2004 in the Council Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street in Auburn. Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order at 5:07 p.m. and Councilmembers Rich Wagner, Sue Singer, Gene Cerino, Nancy Backus, Bill Peloza, Roger Thordarson, and Lynn Norman were present. Staff members present included: Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Parks and Recreation Director Daryl Faber, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Human Resources/Risk Management Director Brenda Heineman, Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Planning and Community Development Director Paul Krauss, Community Development Administrator David Osaki, Acting Fire Chief Russ Vandver, Police Chief Jim Kelly, and City Clerk Danielle Daskam. 2005 Budget Finance Director Coleman presented information to the Council on potential impacts of proposed Initiative 864 (1864), which proposes to reduce property taxes by reducing regular tax levies by 25%, once a local jurisdiction has set its total levy each year. The initiative must be certified by July 2, 2004 in order to be placed on the November ballot. Director Coleman estimated that the effect of the proposed initiative on the City's 2005 budget is a loss of over $3 million in property tax revenue. Councilmembers discussed the impacts of proposed 1864 and discussed strategies for continuing the current level of service including ballot measures to continue current service levels and street preservation and repair programs. Director Coleman reviewed the 2005 Budget calendar which begins with the April 30, 2004 budget retreat and preliminary budget discussions. Department budget requests are due by June 21, 2004. Following review by the Mayor, the department budgets are reviewed by Council Committees. The Council's first public hearing on the budget and revenue sources is scheduled for September 13th. The preliminary budget is filed on October 22"d and a second public hearing will be held on November 1st. The property tax levy is set by Page 1 -- -----m--nTì--· .-. Citv of Auburn Committee of the Whole Minutes March 29. 2004 ordinance (scheduled for November 1st) and the final budget is scheduled for adoption on December 6, 2004. Dangerous Dogs Councilmembers discussed proposed Ordinance No. 5829, which creates a new Chapter 6.35 of the Auburn City Code related to dangerous dogs. The issue is currently under review in the Municipal Services Committee. Councilmember Cerino explained that the current draft of the ordinance is absent breed-specific language, but includes a definition of potentially dangerous dogs according to weight. The proposed ordinance defines a potentially dangerous dog as any dog that (a) has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury, or to cause injury or otherwise threaten the safety of humans or domestic animals or (b) is over thirty (30) pounds in weight. Councilmember Peloza expressed opposition to the weight criteria. Councilmember Wagner spoke in favor of including some breed specific language to alert the owners of the specific breeds as potentially dangerous. Councilmember Cerino stated the purpose of the ordinance is to mandate owner responsibility. He explained that the reason for turning to a weight criteria is because breed specific language is challengeable and subject to possible litigation. Discussion followed regarding components of the proposed ordinance and enforcement issues. M1 Zone Modifications Last year the City Council directed Planning staff to review the M1 (light industrial) zone outdoor storage requirements. The current M1 zone regulates outdoor storage based on a percentage of building area and is allowed as a permitted use, through an administrative use, or as a conditional use permit. The proposed amendment would allow outdoor storage up to 50 percent of the lot size. The proposal is similar to City of Kent's definition and uses for the M1 zone. Councilmembers discussed the location of outdoor storage and screening and landscaping requirements. The Planning Commission will review the issue and hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning code amendment followed by a recommendation to the City Council OTHER DISCUSSION Page 2 r ,- - Citv of Auburn Committee of the Whole Minutes March 29. 2004 The Council briefly discussed the YMCA and Les Gove Park community campus and its potential use and development. This item will be discussed further in Planning and Community Development Committee meetings. Councilmembers also discussed a recent letter received from Rabanco. Finance Director Coleman explained that the letter relates to a dispute between King County and Rabanco over an increase in fees for solid waste haulers. Rabanco currently services areas recently annexed by the City. There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. DAY OF ...... \u~ ,2004. d ~/)~~ Dan! lie Daskam, City Clerk Page 3 -'Tn- --