HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-30-2006 Committee of the Whole
CLTY OF -~ '~
WASHINGTON
CITY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
October 30, 2006 5:00 PM
Council Chambers
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Mayor Pro Tem Sue Singer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present included: Mayor Pro Tem Sue Singer, Rich Wagner,
Gene Cerino, Nancy Backus, Bill Peloza, Roger Thordarson and Lynn Norman.
Mayor Peter B. Lewis was also present.
Staff members present included Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl
Faber, Human Resources and Risk Management Director Brenda Heineman,
Chief of Public Safety Jim Kelly, Assistant Police Chief Bob Lee, Police
Commander Greg Wood, Police Commander Bill Pierson, Economic
Development Manager Dave Baron, Development Services Coordinator Steven
Pitcher, Planner Bill Mandeville, Planning, Building and Community Director
Michael Davolio, Community Development Administrator David Osaki, Finance
Director Shelley Coleman, Information Services Director Lorrie Rempher, Public
Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Senior Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, and City
Clerk Danielle Daskam.
Also present was John Ghilarducci of the FCS Group Solutions Oriented
Consulting.
Police Department Recruitment
Chief Kelly presented the Police Department's new recruitment video. After
sharing the video with the Council, Chief Kelly asked the Council for any
feedback on the vide content. Councilmembers complimented Chief Kelly on the
recruitment video.
Vision Plan and Comprehensive Plan Amendments
At the beginning of-the meeting, Councilmembers briefly discussed the use of
master development agreements. City Attorney stated that development
agreements must be consistent with City Code and once formulated become the
operative authority for how a development occurs. If the Council were to enter
into a development agreement for a piece of property that identifies long term
plans, and the property was subsequently zoned differently, the development
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City of Auburn Committee of the Whole October 30, 2006
agreement could set the parameters that would control for the terms and
provisions in the development agreement. Execution of the development
agreement must precede the zoning change. City Attorney Heid also stated that
the development agreement could be executed after a comprehensive plan
change, but before a zoning code change.
Councilmembers discussed nonconforming uses, the timing of development
agreements, potential challenges, and the Council's vision and goals.
Councilmember Wagner stated that he was in favor of encouraging commercial
uses but not necessarily eliminating the existing industrial uses in those same
areas.
Mayor Pro Tem Singer stated that staff should entertain development
agreements up until the time any rezone takes place.
Councilmembers spoke in favor of pursuing the Council's goals and vision.
Traffic Light EnforcementNideo Surveillance
Councilmember Wagner suggested the Council discuss a policy regarding
electronic surveillance, including red light enforcement and other technologies
that may become available.
Chief Kelly distributed a handout of the red light and photo safe program
statistics. In the three month period of July, August and September 2006, 3,784
red light photo enforcement infractions were issued. Chief Kelly referred to the
photo safe map (distributed) showing existing enforcement, future enforcement
sites, school zones, and future speed zone enforcement. Other intersections in
Auburn have been evaluated by Redflex, traffic engineers and police traffic units;
examples include 15th and West Valley Highway North, C Street and 15th Street
NE, A Street and 3~d Street SE, and 41St and A Street SE. Redflex has initially
indicated that the other intersections are not viable red light photo enforcement
sites; however, traffic engineers and police traffic units believe otherwise and
have requested that Redflex conduct a more comprehensive review of the
intersections.
Finance Director Coleman presented the Council with a handout of net proceeds
from the red light photo enforcement for the months of July, August and
September 2006. Net proceeds for the period are $39,489.
Mayor Lewis reminded the Council that additional court staff and additional court
time may be needed to address the additional red light photo enforcement
infractions. Red light photo enforcement is a revenue neutral safety issue.
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City of Auburn Committee of the Whole October 30, 2006
Information Services Director Rempher and Commander Bill Pierson presented
the Council with a handout on video surveillance and demonstrated a graffiti
cam. Placing cameras in public areas where graffiti is likely to occur will assist
the Police Department in apprehending and prosecuting individuals who may be
responsible. The price of one unit is approximately $6,000, and is like a wireless
computer, video camera, motion sensor and public address system.
Commander Pierson commented on the value of video surveillance to law
enforcement. He stated that the use of surveillance cameras would be incident
driven, such as problems with graffiti and vandalism in public parks, assist
officers in identifying suspects and in evidence gathering, and provide critical
area security.
Councilmembers spoke in favor of the use of surveillance video for incident
driven purposes. Mayor Lewis stated that policies and guidelines for use of
video surveillance will be presented to the Council Committees in the future.
Parks Impact Fee Presentation
Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Faber introduced John Ghilarducci of FCS
Group Solutions Oriented Consulting, who presented a PowerPoint on the Parks
Impact Fee Study.
Director Faber stated that park dedication is currently addressed by the City's
subdivision ordinance, which calls for the dedication of park land in accordance
with the policies and recommended standards of the Auburn Parks and
Recreation Plan. The ordinance applies only to subdivisions of 50 or more
dwelling units.
Mr. Ghilarducci reviewed the state law with regard to impact fees, limitations on
use, key features of fees, and key assumptions for population and housing
density. Mr. Ghilarducci reviewed the impact fee calculation. The maximum
calculated parks impact fee is $4,422 per single family dwelling unit and $3,669
per multi-family dwelling unit. Mr. Ghilarducci also reviewed revenue forecasts.
He noted that the Auburn Park Board consider adopting a park impact fee of
$2,211 per unit beginning January 1, 2007.
Emergency Radio Station
(This item was discussed immediately following traffic light enforcement/video
surveillance.)
Information Services Director Rempher updated the Council on the status of the
City's emergency radio station. Director Rempher advised that staff members
are investigating the acquisition of a low-level FM station, converting the City's
current AM station, and/or partnering with Green River Community College for
broadcast services. Director Rempher advised that no Federal Communications
Commission license agreement is necessary for a low power AM station, but one
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City of Auburn Committee of the Whole October 30, 2006
is required for an FM station. Additionally, low power FM broadcast rules require
the City to broadcast at least eight hours a day, six days a week, and to include
an emergency alert system in the system.
The meeting recessed at 7:01 p.m. for approximately six minutes for a brief
intermission. The meeting reconvened at 7:08 p.m.
Downtown Development Standards and FAR
Development Services Coordinator Pilcher spoke regarding downtown
development standards, specifically parking standards and floor area ratio
(FAR). Mr. Pilcher displayed a conceptual illustration created by LMN Architects
of what the downtown would look like under the proposed downtown urban
center zone district and development regulations.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of
the new zone district and implementing zone changes. The Planning and
Community Development Committee continues its review of the draft code. Two
issues are under discussion: the proposed parking standards and the Floor Area
Ratio.
A concern has been raised about whether parking standards are adequate to
ensure individual projects will provide enough parking to meet the demand they
generate. Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the type of
projects possible given the proposed FAR limitations.
Staff conducted an analysis of two projects: Project Ace and a possible
redevelopment of a downtown block with a mixed use project. The draft code
favors mixed use projects that include residential uses. An exclusive commercial
and/or office project would not be able to attain the same degree of FAR.
Staff recommends several changes to the draft code. One would increase the
basic FAR allowance for all projects. Mixed use project would still be able to
attain higher FARs and single use projects would have their allowable FAR
increased. In additional, staff is recommended granting an additional 0.5 FAR to
compensate for the elimination of language stating that elevator shafts,
stairwells, etc. are not included in FAR discussions. This change will make
planning for a development more straightforward. Also, additional language is
being suggested that would treat street level office uses that serve the general
public the same as retail uses. This would allow FAR bonuses for these
activities.
Councilmembers discussed the possibility of creating two separate subzones in
the downtown urban center rather than one downtown urban center zone to
accommodate a medical district.
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Citv of Auburn Committee of the Whole October 30, 2006
One Stop Shop Financing and CDBG
Planner Bill Mandeville and Economic Development Planner AI Hicks presented
information on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Section 108
Loan Program and the One-Stop Service Center project using a PowerPoint
presentation.
As a result of its participation in the CDBG Program, the City of Auburn is able to
access the Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 108
program. Section 108 is the loan guarantee provision of the CDBG program.
The loan guarantee program enables CDBG communities to borrow up to five
times their CDBG entitlement amount from the federal government for use with
CDGB eligible activities.
Local human services agencies are collaborating to develop aone-stop service
center for human services. Several agencies would locate their activities in the
center while others would maintain a "presence" in the center but maintain their
current facilities.
The agencies have asked for the City to financially assist in the acquisition of a
facility to serve as the one-stop service center.. Early estimates have placed the
cost of an existing 35,000-40,000 square foot facility at approximately $5 million.
A site selection committee has identified a facility that King County Assessor has
valued at $3 million.
The City's current annual CDBG entitlement is approximately $400,000. The
City could borrow up to $2,000,000 through the Section 108 program. Planner
Mandeville and Economic Development Planner Hicks reviewed loan terms and
rates and repayment options. Planner Mandeville also reviewed other funding
sources.
Councilmember Thordarson expressed concern regarding whether CDBG
entitlements would continue in the future.
Councilmembers discussed the financing contributions by the participating
service agencies.
Project Ace Update
Public Works Director Dowdy and Planning Director Davolio updated the Council
on Project Ace. Director Dowdy commented regarding a proposed overhang of
the proposed building on Main Street. The overhang will have a clearance over
the sidewalk of about fifteen feet. The street lights will be relocated to avoid the
intrusion. Additionally, a restaurant on the Main Street side will have a service
area that will protrude into the sidewalk. Staff also discussed sidewalk standards
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City of Auburn Committee of the Whole October 30, 2006
with the applicant. Staff anticipates that the applicant will submit civil plans in
approximately two weeks. Structural plans will be submitted November 15,
2006.
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Summary Prepared by:
Dan 11e Daskam, City Clerk
OTHER ITEMS MAY BE DISCUSSED BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL ON ANY ITEM DURING A
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING.
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