HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-29-2004 CommitteeoftheWhole
CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
November 29, 2004 5:00 PM
Council Chambers
MINUTES
The Auburn City Council Committee of the Whole met on November 29,
2004 in the Council Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street in
Auburn. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Peter B. Lewis and
the following Councilmembers were present: Sue Singer, Rich Wagner, Gene
Cerino, Nancy Backus, Bill Peloza, and Lynn Norman. Councilmember Roger
Thordarson was excused.
Staff members present included: Parks and Recreation Director Daryl
Faber, Human Resources and Risk Management Director Brenda Heineman,
Fire Chief Russ Vandver, Police Chief Jim Kelly, Planning and Community
Development Director Paul Krauss, Planner Mitzi McMahan, Building Division
Manager Jim Tinner, Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, City Engineer Dennis
Selle, Information Services Director Lorrie Rempher, Fiscal Services Manager
Craig Violante, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Community Development
Administrator David Osaki, and City Clerk Danielle Daskam.
Auburn Environmental Park
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss presented the
Council with an update on the progress of the Auburn Environmental Park. The
City contracted with David Evans and Associates to work on conceptual designs
and plans for the Park and with ECOSS to perform public outreach and
investigate potential funding for construction of the Park. Public interest
continues to grow and feedback has been favorable. The Audubon Society has
expressed support for the project. Director Krauss reported that property
acquisition is underway. Two parcels were acquired and the existing homes
were recently cleared. Other property acquisitions are in process. Staff
suggests incorporating the property on the west side of Highway 167 as part of
project.
Mr. Pete Gonzales of David Evans and Associates reviewed the
conceptual design plans. Each design concept incorporates elements of the
City's defined goals and includes identified constraints and opportunities. Fatal
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flaw issues that have been resolved include ground water and enhancement of
low-quality wetlands.
The first plans developed were thematic in nature. Following a meeting
with City representatives, additional plans were developed to focus on improved
water quality. Plan features include wetland banking in several places and
water quality treatment features. Initially there was discussion regarding creating
a system to bring fish to the site. However, there are no fish on the site now;
therefore no fish would migrate to the site.
In response to a question from Councilmember Peloza, Mr. Gonzales
explained that the floodway would be maintained on the site.
Mr. Gonzales presented a drawing of the proposed concept plan that
provides the best balance of the City's goals to the cost of the project. The plan
provides storm water control for downtown Auburn, enhances water quality, and
provides active and passive recreation.
Councilmember Singer inquired regarding parking for the site. Mr.
Gonzales responded that parking is available at the Interurban Trail. Additional
parking would be available on surrounding streets.
Recreational and habitat components of the plan include possible
stocking of the pond with trout, pedestrian pathways, birding towers, and
interpretive kiosks.
The total estimated project cost for Concept NO.6 is $10 million.
Councilmember Wagner noted that a common drawback for Concepts 6
and 7 include the requirement for positive flow to the west in the south culvert to
connect to Mill Creek. Councilmember Wagner expressed concern with the plan
and the downstream capacity. Director Krauss explained that if the project is
constructed with a two-stage flood channel design, similar to the Goedecke
property, and if the project is expanded to the west, the site will accommodate
flooding and support fish better. There will be downstream issues that will have
to be resolved over time. Director Krauss also expressed the hope that with the
future expansion of Highway 167, the culvert at 15th Street will be improved.
Mayor Lewis stated that the City can make a difference in the channel in the
area under the control of the City. Councilmember Wagner expressed concern
with the properties to the southeast that may be affected by the project. Mr.
Gonzales assured the Council that any engineering designs would not jeopardize
area properties.
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In response to questions from Councilmember Peloza, Mr. Gonzales
highlighted the components of the project, which include storm water quality
enhancement and pedestrian access as well as an educational opportunity.
Councilmember Backus spoke in favor of more educational opportunities
at the site.
Director Krauss stated that the next step is to develop a work program for
the next phase for presentation to the Council.
Mr. Charlie Cunniff of the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle
(ECOSS) and Sara Brant of Enviro Issues presented the Council with information
relating to the public outreach and funding opportunities related to the Auburn
Environmental Park project. ECOSS also participated in the fatal flaw analysis
and development of the concept plans.
Mr. Cunniff stated that combining grant and loan support from several
sources to support different components of the project would provide the
greatest likelihood and flexibility to fully fund the project. He presented the
Council with an initial list of possible funding agencies for the various
components of the project. Components of the project include stormwater and
flood control, education, environmental, and recreational. Another source for
funding is wetland mitigation.
Mayor Lewis indicated that the Council is desirous of looking at options for
the east and west side of Highway 167, the interpretive center, and the
remaining elements of the design concepts. The potential sources of funding are
developed based on the different elements of the project.
Mr. Cunniff stated that the east and west portions of the project may have
greater opportunities for funding as separate projects, although the project as a
whole would have a regional benefit.
Councilmembers discussed the funding possibilities for the pond. Mr.
Cunniff indicated there may be funding available for the pond excavation from
education and recreation funding agencies. Mr. Gonzales indicated that the park
project would be constructed in phases, beginning with the downtown stormwater
component. .
Mr. Cunniff reviewed the public outreach strategy to garner support for the
project from a variety of individuals and organizations. He proposed a tiered
outreach strategy: tier one as the inner circle (the Mayor, Council and staff), tier
two consists of key stakeholder, and tier 3 is comprised of other interested
parties.
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November 29.2004
Councilmember Wagner suggested including the land acquisition costs in
the next cost estimates for the project.
Mayor Lewis stated that the project will be constructed in stages and as
funding becomes available for each element.
Councilmember Norman suggested adding Green River Community
College to the Tier Two (Key Stakeholders) list as well as Pierce and King
Counties and the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma.
Councilmembers also discussed in-kind contributions and potential donors
for the project.
Mayor Lewis stated that the Council needs to know the cost of providing
additional access to the property west of the Highway 167 and whether providing
the additional access would limit the potential funding sources. Councilmember
Singer suggested including the Goedecke property in the project.
The meeting recessed at 6:31 p.m. and reconvened at 6:36 p.m.
New Building Codes and "Smart" Codes
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss explained that
approximately a year ago, the Auburn Downtown Association approached the
City regarding the issue of smart codes and the ability of downtown business
owners to upgrade their buildings without having to bring all aspects of the
building up to code. Since that time the City has adoptéd the International
Building Code that allows flexibility in applying building code standards.
Building Division Manager Jim Tinner discussed the background of the
International Building Code (IBC). The series of International Codes were
developed with the premise that a building does not need to be retrofitted in its
entirety when an occupancy changes. The Codes allow more flexibility in
applying code standards. Mr. Tinner described several scenarios of how the IBC
would be applied today compared to the previous State Uniform Building Code.
Director Krauss added that staff members are reviewing potential
amendments to the City Code that will give the City the ability to waive a code
requirement if there is no adequate connection between the project and the
requirement. The goal is not to "throw the book" at property owners and to work
with and encourage property owners to maintain and improve their property. .
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City of Auburn Committee of the Whole MeetinQ Minutes
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Building Manager Tinner briefly spoke regarding the Historic Building
Code. The Code addresses structural and life safety issues; no new energy
code or accessibility requirements are imposed.
Councilmember Wagner suggested that staff also review SEPA triggers.
Councilmember Cerino inquired regarding the parking threshold relating to
redevelopment. Director Krauss stated that the C2 Downtown District has limited
parking requirements. The parking requirements were reduced because of the
close proximity of transit and the number of available parking lots in the
downtown area.
Mayor Lewis acknowledged that changes are occurring along corridors,
such as M Street, where residential units are being converted to businesses and
home occupations exist. He encouraged the Council to evaluate options for the
corridors. He also offered that Council examine the definition of a business.
Mayor Lewis stated that information presented this evening relating to the
new International Building Codes would be presented to the Chamber of
Commerce and Auburn Downtown Association members in the near future.
Councilmembers briefly spoke regarding building and zoning code issues
as they relate to the potential location of a "tent city" in the City of Auburn.
Boeing Development Agreement
(With the consent of the Councilmembers, The Boeing Development
Agreement agenda item was moved as the first item of discussion on the
agenda. The remaining agenda items were discussed in order.)
Planning and Community Development Director Krauss presented the
Council with the current draft of the Development Agreement between the City
and the Boeing Company. The agreement will be presented to Council
Committees for review and comment. The agreement focuses on drainage and
traffic related to redevelopment of a portion of the Boeing Fabrication site. Land
use is not addressed, as there is no anticipated change in use of the property.
Boeing's purpose in pursuing the development agreement is to ensure more
certainty in terms of drainage and traffic when dealing with potential buyers of
the property.
City Engineer Dennis Selle reviewed the storm drainage facilities for the
site. A large storm drainage detention facility is located in the southwest corner
of the Boeing property. City Engineer Selle reported that Boeing would like to
develop up to 90 percent impervious area, which the existing storm drainage
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City of Auburn Committee of the Whole MeetinCl Minutes
November 29. 2004
facilities can accommodate. Therefore, staff determined no new storm drainage
facilities would be needed for redevelopment. Boeing has agreed to maintain
the storm drainage facilities. Conveyance facilities will be reviewed with each
redevelopment proposal.
City Engineer Selle explained that the current transportation impact fee
ordinance provides for grandfathering of existing uses and establishes a credit
against the payment of traffic impact fees for existing uses. He referred the
Council to Exhibit 8 of the Agreement, which outlines the total grandfather
capacity credit by each existing building and land use type. The Agreement is
written so that any change in the City's traffic impact fees will allow the impact
fee credit in the Agreement to be adjusted accordingly.
In response to a question from Councilmember Singer, Mayor Lewis
stated that Boeing and the City work cooperatively as potential buyers approach
Boeing.
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
APPROVED T~ DAY OF JANUARY 2005.
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Pe er B. Lewis, Mayor
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