HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-20-2011
ADBURN F Finance Committee
June 20, 2011 - 6:00 PM
Annex Room 1
WASH INGTON MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Nancy Backus called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1
located on the second floor of the City Hall Annex located at One East Main Street in
Auburn.
A. Roll Call
Chair Backus, Vice Chair Lynn Norman and Member Rich Wagner were present.
Also present during the meeting were City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Public Works
Director Dennis Dowdy, Chief of Police Bob Lee, Human Resources/Risk
Management Director Brenda Heineman, Financial Services Manager Rhonda
Ewing, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Environmental Protection
Manager Chris Andersen, Development Review Engineer Kim Truong, and
Deputy City Clerk Cathy Richardson. Members of the public in attendance
included Wayne Osborne.
B. Announcements
There was no announcement.
C. Agenda Modifications
Ordinance No. 6342 was moved to discussion items under Item [V.A.
ll. CONSENT AGENDA
A. June 6, 2011 Minutes
Vice Chair Norman moved and Member Wagner seconded to approve the June 6,
2011 minutes.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
B. Claims Vouchers (Coleman)
Claims check numbers 404826 through 405245 in the amount of $4,035,745.78
and dated June 20, 2011.
See Item II.C for action on claims vouchers.
C. Payroll Vouchers (Coleman)
Payroll check numbers 531511 to 531609 in the amount of $830,101.74 and
electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $1,159,986.82 for a grand total
of $1,990,088.56 for the pay period covering June 2, 2011 to June 15, 2011.
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Committee members reviewed the claims and payroll vouchers and briefly
discussed claims voucher-numbers 404840, 404870, 404925, 404931, 404952,
.404957, 405055, 405122, 405190, and 405192.
Vice Chair Norman moved and Member Wagner seconded to approve the claims
and payroll vouchers.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
III. ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance No. 6361 * (Reid)
An Ordinance ,of the City of Auburn, Washington,-amending. Ordinance No. 5250
adopted June 21', 1999; prohibiting social card games conducted as a commercial
stimulant except for those establishments currently. licensed by the Washington
State Gambling Commission and/or lawfully operating'in the City as of June 7,
1999; establishing-penalties for°violations; and providing that the moratorium on
social card games conducted as a commercial stimulant as established under
Ordinances 5249 and 5198 be terminated unless this'ordinance is determined to
be invalid or unenforceable for'any reason
Chair Backus noted that staff is currently aware of only Emerald Downs who may
have the benefit,of the clarification under Ordinance No. 6361.
Member Wagner moved and Chair Backus seconded to forward Ordinance No.
6361 to the Council.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
IV. RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution No..4713 (Heineman)
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, approving the
collective. bargaining agreement between the City of Auburn and the Auburn
Police Guild-for 201 f 2012
Director Heineman reported that.the collective bargaining agreement, includes
zero COLA increases for 2011 and 2012. In an effort to support the City, there
was an overwhelming majority for-approval of the agreement by the Police Guild.
Vice Chair Norman moved and Member Wagner seconded to forward Resolution
No. 4713 to the Council.
MOTION-CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
i
B. Resolution No. 4716 (Coleman)
A Resolution of the City Council of .the, City of Auburn, Washington declaring
certain items of property as surplus and authorizing their disposal
Committee members briefly discussed Resolution No. 4716.
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Vice Chair Norman moved and Member Wagner seconded to forward Resolution
No. 4716 to the Council.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3-0.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Ordinance No. 6342 (Snyder)
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, amending
Section 3.60.035 of the Auburn City Code regarding construction sales tax
exemption
Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain explained that Ordinance No. 6342
allows for a construction sales tax exemption for certain types of businesses
including new construction, redevelopment of existing vacant buildings of 25,000
square feet or greater, or expansion of an existing commercial building that
creates new floor area that generates sales tax. It applies to specific zone
districts within the City including the Downtown Urban Center (DUC), C3 (Heavy
Commercial District), and C4 (Mixed Use Commercial). The exemption is for a
maximum of $100,000 and is for construction materials, fixed equipment, and
labor and services. The costs are paid up front by the applicant, who would then
go through a reimbursement process in order to regain those costs. Ordinance
No. 6342 is geared towards sales tax generating businesses which enables the
City to recoup the cost of the exemption over time. Manager Chamberlain
reviewed the highlighted changes to Ordinance No. 6342 including clarification for
existing structures and the addition of hotels.
Committee members briefly discussed Ordinance No. 6342.
B. Resolution No. 4715 (Snyder)
Auburn Environmental Park Boardwalk Trail Informational Briefing
Environmental Protection Manager Chris Andersen distributed draft Resolution
No. 4715 and proposed contract and explained that, in 2007, the City received
approximately $572,000 in grant funds for the Auburn Environmental Park
(AEP) Boardwalk Trail project from the Washington State Recreation and
Conservation Office under an urban wildlife grant program. The funds were to be
used for development of a mitigation bank and trail system through the park. As
the City evaluated the mitigation bank concept, it was determined that there was
not enough uncommitted land available to make a certified mitigation bank viable.
In 2008, the City received authorization to use a portion of the grant funds for
design and construction of the bird observation tower, which was constructed in
2009. In 2010, the City received authorization to use the balance of grant
proceeds for acquiring the Auburn Land Company property of approximately 29
acres located on the north end and east side of the AEP. The acquisition was
completed in the Fall of 2010. The remaining balance of the grant was
approximately $127,350 which, with the City match, left an approximate balance
of $255,000 for the project. The remaining component of the project entails the
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design and construction of a boardwalk, trail system, and native buffer plantings
along.State Route (SR) 167.
Project Engineer Kim Truong displayed a vicinity map and rendering of the
boardwalk and reviewed the preliminary cost estimate, which was originally
approximately $700,000 Staff has reviewed both design,and construction in an
effort to reduce costs to allow completion of-the project with the available funding.
Some cost cutting measures include a reduction in curbing and minimizing overall
length, curvature and width of the boardwalk. It was originally proposed to have
handrails the entire length of the boardwalk, which has also been reduced to
those areas including standing water or elevation greater than 30 inches above
the surface. The entire length of the-boardwalk is'approximately 1,200 lineal feet,
which includes about 1;100 lineal feet of elevated boardwalk with 600,lineal feet of
handrail and includes the ramp to the birding tower., Three platforms were also..
added and there. are kicker.curbs along the length of the boardwalk. Staff
anticipates beginning the project August-1, 2011 with completion of the main
portion of-the boardwalk anticipated around mid-September.. The landscape
buffer along the east side of _SR 167 will be the second component and includes
approximately 2,500 native trees and shrubs covering approximately 93,000
square feet of planting area with planting anticipated to begin this fall.
Manager Andersen stated that a number of citizens and community, groups have
expressed. an- interest-in contributing or participating in the project: Additional cost
cutting efforts include a proposed contract with the Washington Conservation
Corps (WCC) with regard to boardwalk construction. WCC utilizes young adults
of 18 to 25 year of age which are funded, in-part, by AmeriCorps and
sponsorships, which in this case.would be the City of Auburn. WCC participants
have constructed hundreds of miles of trails, bridges, and boardwalks throughout
Washington and are very familiar with the scope of the project. If approved by
Council; staff proposes the:interlocal agreement .with, WCC,.subject to a finding of
special'market condition which provides an exception to the competitive bidding
process.
Manager Andersen explained that staff is working with Mayor Lewis with regard to
donations and sponsorships for, the AEP boardwalk project. There area number
of ancillary'elements to. the trail that were removed. from the original professional
design firm's contract in order to save money. These include items such as
bicycle racks, entry landscaping, picnic lunch area near-the birding tower,
benches. on the boardwalk and/or trail heads, and an interpretivesignage program
element. Such-features offer great opportunities for contributions by the
community and organizations.
In-response to questions by Vice Chair Norman, Manager Andersen stated that
staff originally anticipate da 10 foot wide boardwalk, including railing which would
have accommodated bicyclists. Due to monetary constraints and reduction of the
width of and railing-for the boardwalk, it will no longer accommodate bicyclists
safely., Bicycle.racks will be installed at both ends of the trail.
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In response to questions by Member Wagner, Manger Andersen explained
that WCC staff will be supervised by a WCC team member, but the City's
consultant contract with AHBL provides for project construction oversight. City
staff will also monitor construction and provide technical input as needed.
Discussion followed regarding dispute resolution.
C. Resolution No. 4717 (Dowdy)
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, authorizing
the Mayor to award and execute an Agreement with the lowest possible
responsible bidder for construction of Public Works Contract Number 11-13 for
Project C207A, A Street NW Extension (A/B Corridor)
Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy distributed a bid tabulation for Project No.
C207A, A Street NW Extension. There is one remaining component to be
completed prior to award of Project No. C207A which is the completion of half
street improvements on 10th Street by Multicare. Staff anticipates
correspondence from Multicare indicating that they would like to include their bid
schedule in the contract award in the next few days. Resolution No. 4717
provides authorization for the Mayor to award the project once this last item is
received. All permits have been acquired and the bids received are competitive,
some of which were below the engineer's estimate.
D. Ordinance No. 6364 (Lee)
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, amending
Section 10.36.360 of the Auburn City Code and creating new Sections 10.36.215
and 10.36.216 of the Auburn City Code, relating to parking
Police Chief Bob Lee reported that complaints have been received with regard to
people blocking in their cars to avoid impoundment. Ordinance No. 6364 allows
for a two foot setback from vehicles already parked, both in front and in back of
the vehicle, that would enable vehicles to be towed if necessary. Before a vehicle
is cited or towed for violation, staff must receive a complaint regarding vehicles
that are illegally parked.
City Attorney Daniel B. Heid explained that there are two parts to Ordinance No.
6364. One entails issues where an individual is blocked in by someone else
making it impossible for that individual to leave or move and the other issue
entails vehicle owners who intentionally block another of their vehicles in order to
prevent it from being towed.
E. Ordinance No. 6366 (Lee)
An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, creating a
new section 10.04.015 of the Auburn City Code and a new Chapter 3.90 of the
Auburn City Code, relating to the recoupment of law enforcement costs for
responding to incidents involving intoxicated persons
Chief Lee reported that State law allows law enforcement to recoup some
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emergency response costs for response to those incidents involving individuals
driving while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. The recoupment is provided
through the court by asking the court to assess an additional fine of up to $1,000
in addition to the sentencing of offenders. Chief Lee stated that DUI
investigations are lengthy and costly. Ordinance No. 6366 provides a mechanism
to recoup some of those costs.
City Attorney Heid pointed out that Ordinance No. 6366 includes Revised Code of
Washington (RCW) code authorizing recovery of costs from convicted persons.
Committee members briefly reviewed statutory regulations with regard to the DUI
cost recovery program.
F. Auburn School District Impact Fees (Coleman)
Committee members briefly reviewed the Auburn School District annual report
regarding impact fees.
G. April 2011 Financial Report (Coleman)
Financial Services Manager Rhonda Ewing distributed a sales tax summary sheet
and reviewed the April 2011 financial report including General Fund
revenues, sales tax revenues, developmental revenues, recreational class fees,
and revenues collected from fines. Expenses are running below budget by
approximately $3.1 million primarily due to the timing of payments to SCORE,
debt service, and under expenditures in professional fees.
Manager Ewing reported that the Water Utility Enterprise Fund, is operating at a
loss primarily due to the loss of the City of Covington as a wholesale customer
and a general decline in water sales. The Sewer Utility is also running at a loss
primarily due to a one time adjustment in April to correct prior years' consumption
reads and timing of payments to Metro for sewer services. Golf Course revenues
are trailing 2010 revenues due to the current economic climate and inclement
weather conditions.
Member Wagner referred to page 12 of the financial report and requested that
reports for Enterprise Funds include working capital in addition to beginning fund
balances.
Chair Backus requested that staff provide an update on the shared Resource
Conservation Manager.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned
at 7:05 p.m.
APPROVED THE DAY OF JULY, 2011.
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Nan.cy c us; Chair, Cathy. Richa , Deputy City Clerk
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