HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11-2011
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
Cinr oF_ - DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
WASH[NGTON July 14, 2011
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lynn Norman called the meeting to order at 5:12 p,m. in Annex Conference Room
2 located on the second floor of One Main 'Building, 1 East Main Street, Aubum, WA.
Committee members present were: Chair Lynn Norman and Member John Partridge.
Committee members excused: Vice Chair Nancy Backus
Staff members present included; Mayor Pete Lewis, Planning & Development Director
Kevin Snyder, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Finance Director Shelley
Coleman, City Engineer Dennis Selle, Economic Development Manager poug Lein,
Economic Development Planner Bill Thomas and Planning and Community
Development Secretary Tina Kriss.
Audience members present: Robert Whale of the Aubum Reporter, Wayne Osbome,
and Kathleen Keator of The Aubum Downtown Association.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There were no announcements oc agenda modifications
III. CONSENT AGENDA A. June 27, 2011 ' ' .
Member Parfridge moved and Chair Norman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda
as presented.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2-0
IV. ACTION
There were no action items to bring before Committee
V. DISCUSSION and INFORMATION
A. Ordinance No. 6362 - Budget Amendment No. 3
Finance Director Shelley Coleman provided the staff report for Ordinance No. 6362.
The beginning 2011 fund balances are adjusted to reflect the actual 2010 year end
balances.
Committee and staff discussed the budget amendment. Director Coleman pointed
out both Finance and Municipal Services Committees, have recommended an
interFund transfer from the Cumulative Reserve Fund (#122) to the Golf Course Fund
(#437) of $400,000.00 in order to meet the debt service payment obligation. Director
Coleman sfated the Golfi Cour"se fund is nofi expected fo acFiieve projected revenues
further depleting the fund. These recommendations will be brought forward in the
final budget approval and discussed with Committee.
Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 11, 2011
In response to a question by Chair Norman, if a holistic overview is in place for the
Golf Course, Director Coleman stated individuals in the field are looking at future
revenue projections. Director Coleman emphasized shortfalls are not exclusive to
Aubum; Tukwila and other coarses are facing similar circumstances.
Chair Norman stated revenue shortfalls may be a trend; it would be beneficial to
prepare for future revenue shortfalls.
B. Economic Development Update
Economic Development Manager poug Lein provided a PowerPoint presentation to
update the Committee on the activities of economic development. Manager Lein
reviewed the economic development vision, past plans, goals, and efforts. Staff
reviewed organization efforts, current status to understand the business community,
develop partner relationships, and create a new master business plan.
Team goals for 2011 are to establish target markefs, business assistance education
programming, finish the City economic development website/social media sites, have
the marketing plan implemented and complete the business plan.
Committee emphasized the importance of not only recruitment as a goal but
retention. Manager Lein stated the classes and education programs have been
started in an effort to focus on retention. Economic staff will also be available to new
business applicants and potential business applicants to assist and inform them.
Committee and staff agreed that providing customer service and individual care of
current business owners will encourage businesses to stay in within the City and
increase retention. '
C. Comprehensive'Downtown Parking Management Plan
Planning & Developrrienf Director'Kevin Snyder reviewed the`draft scope of work for
the Comprehensive Downtown Parking Management Plan. The goal for the plan is to
provide policy direction and practical, operational implementation.
Committee stated the draft work plan is thorough with appropriate time frame. Chair
Norman stated a complete comprehensive plan for downtown parking has not been
done for years. It will take time to make decisions, obtain information, and determine
the needs of all stakeholders. Chair Norman thought the timeline was reasonable
given the scope of work. Director Snyder stated the plan would be taken in
increments of no more than five years.
Member Partridge would like parking issues discovered during the process to be
resolved immediately if possible to meef the needs of stakeholders. Staff
emphasized the need to keep the public informed and identify short and long term
goals that staff, Committee, and Council can solve today and into the future.
Committee wants to discuss parking time limitations, monitoring, and the
management of outreach for the public at a future meeting. Committee agrees the
Downfown Urban Center.should be the focus ofthe study from the perspective of the
residents, business owners, employees and customers.
Downtown parking has been added to the PCDC Mafrix to be discussed on an
ongoing basis.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 11, 2011
D. Auburn Way South Visual Preference Survey
Planning 'Manager Elizabeth Chambedain lead the Committee through a visual
preference survey exercise for the streetscape of Aubum Way South. Commiftee
previously directed sfaff to work on initial policy development as part of the 2011
Annual' Comprehensive Plan to set the stage for future sub-area planning efforts to
develop the 6 Economic Development Strategy areas for Population and
Employment.
The starting point would be at Highway 18, the 6"'.Street area working down to. M
Street. A stopping point will be discussed at a fufure meeting. Commitfee sees this
as a revitalization opportunity for existing businesses and neighborhoods as well as
an economic tool.
In answering.the quesfion by Committee, "is the goal to move traffic or provide safer,
usable pedestrian traffic°, City Engineer Dennis Selle answered stating more
capacity will be required if the City provides enhanced changes to Aupurn Way
South resulting in growth to economic viability and an increase in pedestrian traffic.
Commiftee provided the following feedback:
1. Aubum Way South - Street Coiridor
a. Chair Norman's likes elements of photos 1, 4, and 5. Chair Norman
noted the importance of increasing pedestrian., usage, improving the
pedestrian crossing of Auburn. Way South safely, and making it a
pedestrian friendly corridor. Chair Norman wants to ensure if a median
strip 'is chosen as part revitalization the City is able fo adequately
maintain it.
b. Member Partridge has a preference for elements in photos 2 and 6 likes
the professional look of number 6.
2. Aubum Way South Access/Sidewalk
a. Commiftee would like to create a pedestrian friendly wider sidewalk
where available with a minimum of 7.5 feet and research creating the
illusion of larger sidewalks.
b. Commiftee would like to explore public art.
Director Snyder explained the sidewalks on Aubum Way have varying setbacks and
width due to variations in the meandering righf of ways. Commiftee discussed how
to make a walkable community on the corridor, how to cross Aubum Way South
safely and enhance the linier connection of the corridor to enhance the pedestrian
relationship.
3. Street Lighting:
a. Commiftee would like similar lighting in the Plaza and Promenade for
Auburn Way South with basket and banner options to extend the Main
Street theme.
4. Public Art:
a. Chair Norman is supportive of all types of public art (benches, stand,
alone pieces and infegrated public art). Adding plaques to buildings,
sidewalks antl benches could be a way to bring forward historic
preservation for people, places, and buildings.
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Planning and Community Development Committee Minutes July 11, 2011
b. White River Valley Museum could collaborate on historic elements..
c. A theme for the corridor or art could be the White River bed.
5. In order to guide future redevelopment and policy development as part of the
2011 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments the Committee would like to
see:
a. Multi-story structures.
b. Housing with shopping and support services in close proximity.
c. Multi-family housing.
d. Increasing building height.
e. Poll signs and monument signs (future discussion to create clear,
organized sign elements).
f. Buildings located at back of sidewalk and close to the street.
g. Individual surface parking lots and possible shared parking (future
discussion on benefits and obstacles for shared parking).
E. Director's Report
No director's report was presented
F. PCDC Status Report
No substantial changes were made to the matrix
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before fhe Planning and Community
Developmenf Committee, Chair Norman ad'oumed the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
APPROVED THIS~~~ DAY OF
Lynn rman, Chair Tina Kriss, Planning a d Development
Sectefary
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