Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-2012 * City Council Meeting cmroF '�� • December 3, 2012 - 7:30 PM Auburn City Hall WASHINGTON MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER A. Flag Salute Mayor Peter B. Lewis called the meeting to order at 7.30 p.m. in the Auburn City Hall Council Chambers, located at 25 West Main Street, and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. B. Roll Call Councilmembers present: Rich Wagner, Nancy Backus, Bill Peloza, John Partridge, Largo Wales, Wayne Osborne, and John Holman. Department directors and staff members present: Economic Development Manager poug Lein, Planning and Development Director Kevin Snyder, Chief of Police Bob Lee, Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, City Attorney Daniel B. Fieid, Assistant Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Rob Roscoe, Public Affairs and Marketing Manager Glenda Carino, Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Innovation and Technology Director Ron Tiedeman, Government Relations Manager Carolyn Robertson, Planning Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain, Police Commander Dave Colglazier, Advisor to the Mayor Michael Hursh, and City Clerk Danielle Daskam. C Announcements, Appointments, and Presentations 1 Presentation by Department Directors on Impact of Potential Annexation of City of Pacific Mayor Lewis stated as a follow-up to the Council special meeting on November 30, 2012, Department Directors will be giving presentations this evening on the impacts of the potential annexation of the City of Pacific. The Pacific City Council has recently passed a resolution placing a question on the February 2013 ballot for dissolution of the city The City of Auburn has been working closely with the City of Pacific Mayor and Council, and the City of Auburn currently provides Innovation and Technology services to the City of Pacific by contract. Auburn has conveyed a willingness to assist the City of Pacific in all ways, including offering a supervisory/management agreement. Page 1 of 14 Mayor Lewis advised that the City of Sumner has submitted a letter of intent to annex the Pierce County portion of Pacific to the Pierce County Boundary Review Board. Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber reported that the City of Pacific has finrelve parks and ten walking/bicycling trails. Pacific Ciry Park and Blueberry Park are the two largest parks while the other ten parks are pocket parks befinreen one-quarter and one-half of an acre in siie and Volunteer Park which is about five acres. The City of Auburn provides six acres of park per 1,000 residents; however, Pacific is deficient of approximately one community (10 acre) park. Pacific is also deficient in park quality The estimated annual maintenance cost of their parks system is approximately $250,000 and one time expense of approximately $180,000 would be required for equipment. Pacific has an 8,000 square foot community center building that is used in the afternoon by adults and by teens after school. The cost to operate is approximately $80,000. It appears that the community center building has deferred maintenance. Pacific also operates a small senior center of approximately 2,000 square feet that provides one room programming for seniors and a Meals on Wheels program. Director Faber stated that the citizens of Pacific use Auburn's parks and recreation programs extensively Over the past year, more than 600 transactions have come from Pacific residents. Assistant Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Rob Roscoe reported on risk management and insurance matters relating to the potential annexation of the City of Pacific. The City of Pacific has been,put on notice that their insurance carrier, Cities Insurance Association of Washington (CIAW), will cancel liability insurance coverage on December 31, 2012. Significant liability concems exist depending on when the City of Auburn would annex and whether or not insurance is in place at the time of annexation. City of Pacific has a "claims made" policy for ercors and omissions and employment practices liability coverage. Claims are covered during the policy year it is in effect. The statute of limitations for most tort claims is three years from the date of occurrence. City of Pacific would need to purchase "tail-coverage" for future claims filed in 2013-2016 for occurrences that took place in 2012. Assistant Director Roscoe stated that lack of insurance jeopardizes the City of Pacific's assets that might be assumed by Page 2 of 14 Auburn and places their employees' personal assets at risk. Any debt not secured by insurance would be encumbered by Pacific's general assets. The City of Aubum's exposure would be limited. Any new claims for damages are expected to be proportional to the population being added by the annexation and can be absorbed administratively Assistant Director Roscoe stated it is difficult to determine the condition of their current infrastructure, but once annexation• occurs, Auburn will have a reasonable opportunity to discover potential defects before becoming potentially liable. Staffing analysis would need to be conducted to determine what staffing increases, if any, would need to take place to provide curcent level of services. Current union contracts would have to be reviewed and researched. It is too early to know the impacts and the current agreements must be read to understand all the potential impacts as well as understanding staffing levels needed and any redundancies that could be eliminated. In response to questions from Council, Mr Roscoe stated that the City of Pacific has two, but may have as many as four, collec6ve bargaining agreements. City Attorney Heid reminded that the Valley Regional Fire Authority would continue to serve the City of Pacific even if the City of Pacific ceases to exist. The service boundaries of the Valley Regional Fire Authority were set by a vote of the service area. Information and Technology Director Ron Tiedeman reported that Aubum has been providing support for IT functions for City of Pacific for over a year The largest impact to staff would be staff time and data conversion of their existing systems. Currently Auburn shares two systems with Pacific for police records and utility billing. Chief of Police Bob Lee reported that the City of Pacific has approximately 6,700 citizens with a 2013 budgeted police force of eleven commissioned officers and two non-commissioned positions. The commissioned ranks consist of a police chief, one lieutenant, two sergeants, six patrol officers and one detective. The non-commissioned staff consists of two record specialists. The current level of service is 1.63 officers per 1,000 residents; while the City of Auburn has a level of service of 1 41 officers per 1,000 residents. If annexation occurred, the level of service would decrease to 1.39 officers per 1,000 residents. The scenario is based on adding eight commissioned officers and one record specialist. The deployment plan would be to designate the Page 3 of 14 geographical boundaries of the City of Pacific as it owns patrol district. Chief of Police Lee stated that other impacts or implications of annexation relate to Valley Communications and addressing issues (duplicate addressing possibilities) and potential delays in the CAD Tiburon due to reconfguration; an increased SCORE budget; challenges in hiring and training staff; patrol operations; community programs and education; increased case load due to taking on all active felony and misdemeanor case investigations; and records where a complete inventory of their evidence room would be required prior to transferring the items to Aubum Police. Chief Lee provided estimates of start-up costs and ongoing annual costs. Ongoing annual costs is approximately $1 4 million. In response to questions from Council, Chief Lee stated that Auburn has a crime rate of 56 crimes per 1,000 population while Pacific has approximately 26 crimes per 1,000 population. Finance Director Shelley Coleman reported that she reviewed City of Pacific's most recent budget and financial report. Approximately 75 percent of the land mass of Pacific is in King County while the remaining 25 percent is in Pierce County Of the approximate 6,700 residents of Pacific, only 85 peaple live in the Pierce County portion of the city Director Coleman stated that the City of Pacific has modest reserves and essentially the City lives within its means and has low debt. In looking at the 2011 Financial Report and the 2012 Budget, there are 28 funds that carry out general govemment services and provide utilities for its citizens. City of Pacific receives approximately $3 million in general'fund revenue, approximately $435 per capita. In comparison, the City of Auburn's general fund revenue is $709 per capita. The largest revenues are from property tax, utility tax, and business and occupation tax. Approximately 30 percent of the property tax revenue comes from the Pierce County area of Pacific. Approximately 50 percent of the retail sales tax comes from the Pierce County portion of Pacific. Director Coleman also estimated (based on land use) that most of the business and occupation tax revenue is derived from the Pierce County portion of Pacific. Director Coleman noted that the City of Auburn's general fund expenditures are approximately $880 per capita while the City of Pacific's general fund expenditures are approximately $576 per capita. Page 4 of 14 As of December 31, 2012, the City of Pacific debt is about $2.5 million for utility improvements, LID's, capital leases for vehicles, insurance assessment, and employee leave balances and accruals. City of Pacific's cash resources include $3.2 million across funds and another $3.2 in the utility fund. Director Coleman stipulated that the analysis does not address capital requirements that may be necessary to bring Pacific's infrastructure up to par with Auburn's. Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy presented a prelirninary assessment of the City of Pacific infrastructure. He agreed with Finance Director Coleman that the per capita revenues for Pacific have not been as great as the revenues in Auburn. One advantage of annexation is the potential for the completion of the Stewart Road widening project. The Transportation Improvement Board has yef to �elease funds to Pacific for the $4 7 million widening project until Pacific meets six points of concern. The TIB grant is equal to 88 percent of the total project cost. The disadvantages of annexation include incorporating all of Pacific's infrastructure in Auburn's Cartegraph and eGIS systems. Pacific has no known pavement rating system, but it is estimated that $20-$26 million would be needed to improve Pacific arterials. Pacific's water system has no apparent issues with source, treatment and distribution. There are no outstanding compliance issues with Department of Health. Director powdy stated that some of Pacific's water system is quite dated, and it is estimated that 20 percent of the mains are asbestos cement. The condition of the sewer system is unknown and an inventory of the system would be needed. The storm drainage system for Pacific is unknown and their conformance with the NPDES is unknown. Director powdy stated there are many open storm ditches, and very few storm drains are evident. Director powdy stated that Auburn's initial level of service offered to the residents of the City of Pacific would be hindered due to the condition and lack of information regarding the Pacific infrastructure. Director powdy stated that the difference between the potential annexation of Pacific and the Lea Hill annexation is the higher level of service standard provided by King County for roads. In response to questions from Council, Director powdy advised that Pacific's primary water source is one well. Pacific also purchases water from Sumner and the Lakehaven Utility District. Page 5 of 14 Councilmember Wagner noted that the soil differences between the Pacific area and the Lea Hill and West Hill annexation areas impacts the infrastructure needs. Planning and Development Director Snyder displayed a City of Pacific zoning map He noted that the portion of Pacific within King County is highly residential, with small areas of multi- family residential, public lands, and industrial zoning. The revenue producing portion of the City of Pacific is primarily in the Pierce County portion of the city The area of Pacific in Pierce County is primarily commercial and industrial. Today, the City of Sumner filed a letter of intent to annex the portion of Pac�c within Piece County If this were to occur, the annexation would leave a largely residential portion of Pacific as unincorporated King County with limited services. Director Snyder stated that the proposed annexation of Pacific would have little or no impact on Auburn staffing levels. Where the challenges would occur are in administrative services to accommodate records and integration of information and data. City of Pacific's permit volume is ten percent of Auburn's; there is anticipated a significant and early increase in customer interactions at the Customer Service Center from Pacific residents. Director Snyder recommended adopting City of Pacific Comprehensive Plan designations and policies, environmental designations and policies, zoning designations and policies for a minimum one year while concurrently assessing and developing updated designations. Time and resource commitment levels for these efforts will significantly limit the ability to take on new initiatives, not only for staff, but for the Planning Commission and City Council Committees as well. Director Snyder stated that annexation will require integration of all land parcels in Pacific into the City of Auburn address/grid system. This would require significant dedication of multi- departmental staff#ime and resources and will require a minimum of one year to develop the plan. Director Snyder stated that annexation would provide potential economic development opportunities. There are approximately 232 acres of industrial zoned properties, 124 acres of heavy commercial zoned properties, and 37 acres of light commercial zoned properties. Page 6 of 14 Additionally, annexation will provide potential partnership opportunity with the City of Sumner to complete the processing and obtainment of a shared Manufacturing and Industrial Center designation by Puget Sound Regional Council. This regional designation would provide a new avenue for the potential receipt of federal transportation funding. City Attorney Heid reported there would be some additional work required by the Legal Department up front, such as the preparation of documents, contracts, and meeting notices. However, in the long #erm the impacts to the department would probabty be no more than is proportional to the population being added to the City of Autiurn. No need to increase staff is expected at this time. City Attorney Heid stated it is imperative that City of Pac�c retain its insurance coverage. He noted that Pacific Councilmembers have indicated that if their insurance is lost, they will resign leaving no Council with which the Auburn City Council can enter agreements. Councilmember Holman stated the City could designate the City of Pacific as a potential annexation area under the Growth Management Act. Advisor to the Mayor Michael Hursh spoke regarding the demographics of the City of Pacific. Demographics taken from other sources include: Home Ownership: Auburn 60% Pacific 50% Multi-family Housing Auburn 34% Pacific 39% The median value of owner occupied housing units in Aubum is $25,000 higher than in Pacific. The quality of life in Aubum is 34 points higher than in Pacfic. The education index is higher in Auburn, and the median income is $5,000 higher in Auburn. Low/moderate income residents comprise 49% of Aubum residents while 59% of Pacific residents are considered low/moderate income. Advisor to the Mayor Hursh advised that additional services will be needed to provide the same level of service to Pacific residents without diluting the qual'ity of life of existing Auburn residents. In response to questions from Council, Mr Hursh reported that the City of Pacific has a lower median age. Mr Hursh advisedthat the City of Pacific is part of the community development Page 7 of 14 consortium, unlike Auburn, which is a direct entitlement City as it relates to Community Development Block Grant funds. Mayor Lewis expressed support for the City of Pacific and its continued existence as a municipal govemment. Mayor Lewis stated that he will be forwarding information on the impacts and the costs of annexation of the City of Pacific on the City of Aubum to the Governor's Office and the King County Executive. It is unknown at this time, if the City of Pacific will adopt a resolution requesting annexation by the City of Auburn. However, to preserve the option by the Aubum Ciry Council to consider annexation of the City of Pacific, some steps need to be taken now City Attorney Heid distributed copies of Letters of Intent by the cities of Pacific and Auburn for the annexation of the City of Pacific into the City of Auburn addressed to the Washington State Boundary Review Board fo� King County and the Pierce County Boundary Review Board for Council consideration. He noted that the letters do not bind either city City Attorney Heid briefly reviewed the annexation process should it proceed. Deputy Mayor Backus moved and Councilmember Peloza seconded to authorize the Mayor to sign the letters of intent to the Boundary Review Boards for King County and Pierce County with an additional reference to the intent of the City of Aubum to annex the entire City of Pacific. In response to questions from Councilmember Partridge, Mayor Lewis stated that with Pacific's current revenues of$3 rriilliori and � expenditures of approximately $5 million, the annexation of Pacifc is nat feasible without assistance from the State and counties. Staff will continue to bring information to the Council on the impacts of annexation of the City of Pacific. Councilmember Wales questioned whether the residents of Pacific view annexation to Auburn as favorable. Councilmember Partridge questioned the voting demographic of Pacific and its effect on the conditions of Pacific today He expressed concern that the unity of Auburn could be adversely affected by the annexafion of Pacific. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 D Agenda Modifications Revised minutes of the November 19, 2012 City Council meeting and Page 8 of 14 revised Ordinance No. 6443 were distributed prior to the meeting. II. CITIZEN INPUT, PUBLIC HEARINGS & CORRESPONDENCE A. Public Hearings No public hearing was scheduled for this evening. B. Audience Participation This is the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to the City Council on any issue. Those wishing to speak are reminded to sign in on the form provided. Sue O'Neil, 120th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA Ms. O'Neil stated that her family has owned property and a business in the City of Pacific on the south side of Stewart Road for iwen4y-one years. She expressed support for annexation to the City of Aubum. Jeff Trimble, 50th Street SE, Auburn Mr Trimble stated that he has lived in Auburn for over five years. He expressed appreciation for tlie parks and schools and the work of the Mayor and Council. He expressed opposition to the City's attempt to restrict the participation of the Veterans for Peace in the 2012 Veterans Day Parade. Mr Trimble questioned the decision making and questioned the cost of the litigation. Mayor Lewis requested that Mr Trimble visit the Mayo�'s Office for further discussion. John Pinsker, E Street SE, Auburn Mr Pinsker expressed opposition to the City's attempt to prohibit the Veterans for Peace members from marching in the Veterans Day Parade. Virginia Haugen, R Street SE, Auburn Ms. Haugen expressed opposition to the City of Auburn's pursuit to annex the City of Pacific. C. Correspondence There was no correspondence for Council review III. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Municipal Services Chair Peloza reported the Municipal Services Committee met November 26, 2012. The Committee reviewed Resolution No. 4884 and discussed financial options, the Vadis service agreement, and the false alarm prevention program. The next regular meeting of the Municipal Services Committee is scheduled for December 10, 2012. Page 9 of 14 B. Planning 8� Community Development Vice Chair Partridge reported the Planning and Community Development Committee met November 26, 2012. The Committee discussed Ordinance No. 6421, financial options, the code update project, the 2012 Comprehensive Plan amendments, and received the Arts Commission annual report. The next regular meeting of the Planning and Community Development Committee is scheduled for December 10, 2012. C. Public Works Chair Wagner reported the Public Works Committee met this afternoon at 3:30 The Committee reviewed a change in leak adjustment policy, the 2012 Comprehensive Plan amendments, and arterial street needs. The next regular meeting of the Public Works Committee is scheduled for December 17, 2012. D Finance Chair Partridge reported the Finance Committee met this evening at 5:30. The Committee reviewed claims vouchers in the amount of$1 4 million and payroll vouchers in the amount of approximately $1.6 million. The Committee also reviewed Ordinance No. 6421, Ordinance No. 6432, Resolution No. 4873 relating to a contract with the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, Resolution No. 4879 authorizing a contract with Washington2 Advocates, Resolution No. 4884 surplussing the police canine, Henk, and Resolution No. 4885 authorizing the surplus of property and equipment. The Committee discussed the Vadis service agreement and the 2012 Comprehensive Plan amendments. The next regular meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for December 17, 2012. E. Les Gove Community Campus The next regular meeting of the Les Gove Community Campus Committee meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2012. F Council Operations Committee Deputy Mayor Backus reported the Council Operations Committee met. this evening at 5:00. The Committee discussed the formation of a Junior City Council, Councilmember assignments for 2013, and Council Rules of Procedure relating to Council communications. The next regular meeting of the Council Operations Committee is scheduled for January 7, 2013 at 5•00 p.m. IV CONSENT AGENDA All matters /isfed on the Consent Agenda are considered by the Cify Council to be roufine and will be enacted by one motion in the foim l�sted. Page 10 of 14 A. November 19, 2012 Regular Meeting Minutes B. Claims Vouchers (Partridge/Coleman) Claims check numbers 418646 through 418927 in the amount of $1,374,500.86 and dated December 3, 2012. C Payroll Vouchers (Partridge/Coleman) Payroll check numbers 533388 through 533461 in the amount of $328,593.97 and electronic deposit transmissions in the amount of $1,230,71_0.73 for a grand total of$1,559,304 70 for the period covering November 15-28, 2012 D Public Works Project No. CP1211 (WagneNDowdy) City Council approve Final Pay Estimate No. 2 to Small Works Contract No. 12-12 in the amount of$0.00 and accept construction of Project No. CP1211 Downtown Sculpture Garden E. Public Works Project No. CP1224 (Wagne�/Dowdy) City Council grant permission fo enter into Consultant Agreement No. AG-C-428 with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for Engineering Services for Project No. CP1224, 2013 Local Street Pavement Reconstruction Project Deputy Mayor Backus moved and Councilmember Wagner seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda includes claims and payroll vouchers and public works contract items. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 V UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. VI. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. VII. ORDINANCES A. Ordinance No. 6421 (Partridge/Coleman) An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Aubum, Washington, amending Ordinance No. 6339, the 2011-2012 Biennial Budget Ordinance as amended by Ordinance No. 6351, Ordinance No. 6352, Ordinance No. 6362, Ordinance N,o. 6370, Ordinance No. 6378, Ordinance No. 6379, Ordinance No. 6400, and Ordinance No. 6410, authorizing amendment to the City of Auburn 2011-2012 Budget as set forth in schedule "A" and schedule "B" Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Holman Page 11 of 14 seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 6421 Ordinance No. 6421 approves budget amendment number 9 to the 2012 Budget and includes amendments to transportation, water utility project funds, flood control barrier removal, household hazardous waste fees, facilities repairs and maintenance, FEMA reimbursement, utility bond projects and Redflex expenditure changes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 B. Ordinance No. 6432 (Partridge/Coleman) An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Aubum, Washington, adopting the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget for the City of Auburn, Washington Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Holman seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 6432. Ordinance No. 6432 approves the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 C Ordinance No. 6443 (Backus/Snyder) An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, approving the request of Kathy Cruze for a rezone from R-7 Residential 7 du/acre to RO Residential OfFce to implement the Comprehensive Plan and amending the City's zoning maps accordingly Deputy Mayor Backus moved and Member Partridge seconded to adopt Ordinance No. 6443. Ordinance No. 6443 approves a rezone of one parcel at 105 M Street NE from R-7 Residential to RO, Residential/Office. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 VIII. RE50LUTIONS A. Resolution No. 4873 (Partridge/Coleman) A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute an agreement for services between the City of Auburn and the Aubum Area Chamber of Commerce to operate a visitor information center, promote tourism awareness within the City and to provide services associated with supporting the City's economic development efforts Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Holman seconded to adopt Resolution No. 4873. Page 12 of 14 MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 B. Resolution No. 4879 ,(Partridge/Coleman) A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with Washington Advocates, LLC, for consulting services Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Holman seconded to adopt Resolution No. 4879 MOTION CARRIED 7-0 C Resolution No. 4884 (Peloza/Lee) A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, authoriiing the conversion to, and sale ofAuburn Police Canine Henk as surplus property of the City of Auburn Councilmember Peloza moved and Councilmember Osborne seconded to adopt Resolution No. 4884 Resolution No. 4884 declares retired police canine, Henk, as surplus. The dog will be sold to a dog handler for security work. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 D Resolution No. 4885 (Partridge/Dowdy) A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, declaring certain items of property as surplus and authorizing their disposal Councilmember Partridge moved and Councilmember Holman seconded to adopt Resolution No. 4885 MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0 IX. REPORTS At this time the Mayor and City Council may report on signi�cant items associated with their appointed positions on federal, state, regional and local organizations. A. From the Council Deputy Mayor Backus reported that she attended the Auburn Tourism Board meeting. Deputy Mayor Backus thanked the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department staff for an outstanding Santa Parade and related activities. Councilmember Peloza reported on his attendance at the South County Area Transportation Board meeting, the Airport Advisory Board meeting, and the National League of Cities Conference where he Page 13 of 14 attended Energy, Environment and Nafural Resources Committee meetings. Councilmember Peloza noted that the City of Aubum is among the top twenty cities participating in the National League of Cities Prescription Discount Program. Councilmember Partridge commented on his attendance at the Auburn Sculpture Gallery Walk and the National League of Cities Conference. B. From the Mayor Mayor Lewis commented on a successful Veterans Day Parade on November 10th and a wonderful Santa Parade in downtown this past weeKend. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjoumed at 10:00 p.m. APP 's ay of December, 2012. ,^''��as���� Peter B. Lewis, Mayor Danielle Daskam, City Clerk Page 14 of 14