HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2015 Minutes* City Council Study Session
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�.� January 12, 2015 - 5:30 PM
L°'!° _: Auburn City Hall
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CALL TO ORDER
Deputy. Mayor John Holman called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street in Auburn.
A. Roll Call
City Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Holman, Rich Wagner,
Bill Peloza, Largo Wales, Wayne Osborne, Claude DaCorsi
and Yolanda Trout.
City officials and staff members present included: Mayor Nancy
Backus, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Community Development and
Public Works Director Kevin Snyder, Utilities Engineering Manager Lisa
Tobin, Water Utility Engineer Susan Fenhaus, Assistant Director of
Engineering Services /City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Transportation
Manager Pablo Para, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Chief of Police
Bob Lee, Director of Administration Michael Hursh, Public Affairs and
Marketing Liaison Dana Hinman, Assistant Director of Community
Development Services Jeff Tate, IT Operations Manager Ashley Riggs,
IT Customer Support Manager Reba Stowe, and City Clerk Danielle
Daskam.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Comprehensive Water Plan (30 minutes) (Fenhaus)
Water Utility Engineer Susan Fenhaus and Utilities Engineering
Manager Lisa Tobin reviewed Chapters 7 -9 of the draft Comprehensive
Water Plan. In November 2014, the Public Works Committee reviewed
Chapters 2 -6. A complete copy of the draft Comprehensive Water Plan
is available on the City's web site.
Chapter 7 relates to Water Quality and includes Water quality
regulations, monitoring practices, water quality evaluation, blending
studies, deficiency findings, and compliance recommendations. Water
Utility Engineer Fenhaus advised there have been no violations of water
quality standards, and Auburn's Water quality is very good.
In response to a question from Councilmember Osborne regarding
some of the manganese levels in water from some of the City's wells,
Engineer Fenhaus explained that manganese is a secondary
standard and affects the aesthetic quality of the water.
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Councilmember Wagner suggested the Plan include a glossary
Councilmember Trout questioned the notification protocols for any water
quality deficiencies or incidents of contamination. Engineer Fenhaus
explained public notification is dependent on the type of incident.
If coliform or a -coli is detected, the public would be notified
immediately. If a chemical exceedance is detected, the public
notification may take place in 30 to 60 days and may be limited to the
affected area.
Engineer Fenhaus spoke briefly regarding the Consumer Confidence
Report, which the City issues annually and is required by the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Chapter 8 relates to Water Use Efficiency (discussed previously in
Public Works Committee).
Councilmember Wagner noted the 2015 -2020 Demand -Side Program
Measures on pages 8 -6 and 8 -7. He questioned whether the City
compiled any statistics on the effectiveness of the efficiencies.
Engineer Fenhaus reported that 27 toilet replacement rebates were
issued to households last year, and a large number of low flow shower
heads were distributed.
Chapter 9 relates to System Analysis and includes details on pump
station analysis, the distribution system, hydraulic model, and storage
analysis.
Engineer Fenhaus pointed out the City has two types of pump stations:
open zones operated from a storage reservoir and closed zones
(booster pumps) that do not have storage. The City's policy is that
pump stations meet the required flow with the largest pump out of
service and have emergency backup power.
The chapter also includes the sizing of improvement projects and. the
planning horizon for the required improvements. The planning window
is currently six years, but the State will be changing the planning
window to ten years. The Capital Improvements section of the Plan
includes a 20 -year planning period.
Councilmember Wagner referred to Figure 9 -7, Fire Deficiencies by
Planning Years. Councilmember Wagner suggested the Plan was too
aggressive on implementing capital improvements related to fire flow.
Councilmember Osborne inquired regarding fire flow requirements
and suppression storage required by the Valley Regional Fire Authority
(VRFA). Utilities Engineering Manager Tobin responded that Utilities
staff works with Community Development staff as new
developments come in. Any fire flow deficiencies found at that time
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would be addressed at the development stage. Councilmember
Osborne expressed concern that the VRFA may be over estimating fire
flow needs and thereby increasing capital costs for the City.
B. Auburn /Sumner Boundary Revision (10 minutes) (Para /Gaub)
Assistant Director of Engineering Services /City Engineer Ingrid Gaub
and Transportation Manager Pablo Para presented information
regarding a proposed boundary revision between the cities of Auburn
and Sumner. Assistant Director Gaub distributed an aerial map with a
depiction of the boundary revision.
The City of Sumner is planning a redevelopment of their former golf
course site to construct a major warehousing site. Part of the plan
includes proposed changes to the access at Stewart Road to improve
the circulation and safety at the site.
Staff have been coordinating with Sumner staff and the site developer
to review their proposal and make recommendations for a safe and
efficient corridor, including the potential change to the jurisdictional
boundary between Auburn and Sumner west of the Lake Tapps
Parkway bridge over East Valley Highway. Benefits of the boundary
adjustment include: creating a clear delineation of maintenance
responsibility, Auburn would not be responsible or liable for any of the
roadway infrastructure west of the Lake Tapps Parkway bridge or for
the new traffic signal proposed to serve the new development, and
Sumner would be required to provide access easements and an
improved materials storage site to Auburn for Lake Tapps
Parkway snow /ice response.
Assistant Director Gaub advised staff members are currently working
With Sumner on an interlocal agreement outlining the responsibilities of
each city.
Mike Dahlem, City Engineer for the City of Sumner, reported a traffic
analysis of the corridor was conducted. With the development of the
golf course property with warehouses, the corridor and intersection will
not be a Level of Service F. Sumner is considering construction of
a new bridge on 24th Street on the south side of the golf course
property to relieve some of the impact on the intersection. Mr. Dahlem
stated the majority of traffic will be traveling west on Stewart Road.
In response to questions from Council, Mr. Dahlem explained the storm
drainage runoff from the development site will go to the outfall pipes and
south of Auburn to the river.
C. City Value Statements (20 minutes) (Tate)
City Council to consider draft value statements that would be used as
the foundation for development of the City's Comprehensive Plan
Assistant Director of Community Development Services Jeff Tate
reviewed draft value statements, which were derived from the 2Q_14
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"Imagine Auburn" community visioning effort. The citywide value
statements create a foundation for the Comprehensive Plan and future
City decision making that implements the principles of the Plan. The
draft Comprehensive Plan will be brought forward to the Planning
Commission in March or April and then presented to the City Council
mid -year for adoption.
Assistant Director Tate reviewed how the Council Vision Statement and
value statements will lead to high level policy statements and narrow
policy statements, which then lead to implementation actions.
Councilmember Peloza suggested expanding the word heritage in the
value statements to ensure the preservation of historic sites.
Councilmember Wagner suggested folding the effects of regionalism
into the Plan. Councilmember Wales concurred.
Mayor Backus announced the City is taking a poll on the value
statements on the City's web site.
Assistant Director Tate reviewed each of the value statements:
PLACE — We will create and maintain high quality neighborhoods,
places and spaces.
The intent is to create a value of what the neighborhoods and the areas
around town look and feel like.
Councilmember DaCorsi suggested including the word "destination" in
the value statement.
WELLNESS - We will build and maintain an environment that promotes
healthy and safe lifestyle options.
Councilmember Wales and Councilmember DaCorsi suggested
rewording the statement "substandard housing, neighborhoods, and
spaces will not be tolerated" to a positive statement.
Councilmember Wagner suggested including a reference to Auburn's
health care systems and senior housing in the value statement.
Councilmember Wales suggested addressing public health and
wellness programs offered by employers.
Councilmember Wagner suggested using the term "active
transportation" in the Wellness section and other sections.
Councilmember Trout suggested making a connection to schools and
student wellness.
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SERVICE - We will be an efficient, approachable and responsive City
government.
Councilmember Wales and Peloza suggested emphasizing volunteer
service.
Councilmember Wagner suggested reordering the first bullet statement
in the "What It Means" section to emphasize the best interest of the tax
and rate payers.
Councilmember Osborne suggested that the first statement under "How
It Will Happen" include a statement that all infrastructure assets will be
maintained at the highest quality.
Councilmembers Wales and Trout suggested highlighting the quality of
City staff.
ECONOMY - We will provide a diverse and vibrant local economy with
employment and spending opportunities for citizens and a growing
marketplace for businesses.
Councilmember Wagner suggested incorporating regionalism and
partnerships. Councilmember Wales agreed and pointed out regional
centers, such as the airport, medical centers, and education centers.
Councilmember DaCorsi suggested adding "attraction of new
businesses."
In response to questions from Council regarding the use of "targeted" in
the statements, Director Snyder stated the reason for the use of the
word "targeted" will be clearer as the Council works on the ten year
economic development strategic plan. Targeting means that you can't
be everything to everyone, the City will need to identify and understand
our city's niches and those industries and /or business interests that can
be most successful.
CELEBRATION - We will be diverse and creative and come together to
teach, learn and have fun.
Councilmember Wagner recommended incorporating the word
"inclusive ".
Councilmember Wales suggested looking at ways to celebrate our
schools' academic and athletic achievements.
ENVIRONMENT - We will take actions and make investments that
protect the natural environment and preserve open space and create
appropriate access.
Councilmember Wagner suggested including "energy" in either the
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Environment or Sustainability statements.
SUSTAINABILITY - We will strongly commit to our values in order to
build a long- lasting and thriving community.
Councilmember Wagner suggested recognizing the Muckleshoot Tribe
in the value statement(s).
III. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
Deputy Mayor Holman opened discussion for possible future topics for
Council Study Sessions. The following topics were suggested by
Councilmembers: early learning summit, the Auburn Avenue Theater,
regional committee participation and assignments, Sound Cities Association
Public Issues Committee topics, performance measures, capital project
status report (Assistant Director Gaub advised a monthly written report will
be distributed to Council), economic development periodic updates,
affordable housing, homeless issues, human services block grants, taxes
(tax fatigue and the overall tax load for taxpayers), and golf course.
Deputy Mayor Holman recommended the establishment of an ad hoc
committee to review claims and payroll vouchers. Councilmembers Wales
and Trout volunteered to serve as the initial members of the ad hoc
committee to review claims and payroll vouchers.
Councilmember Wales suggested rotating membership of the ad hoc
committee every quarter.
Mayor Backus reported on her intent to oppose King County's proposal for
catch and release of non- violent property crimes offenders and bring the
issue to the Regional Public Issues Committee for further discussion.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
APPROVED this o? day of : �— 2015.
Danielle Daskam, City Clerk
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