HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-2015 Minutes�--* City Council Study Session
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®. : , March 23, 2015 - 5:30 PM
- '- ` Auburn City Hall
ivnsti ii i&C N MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Deputy Mayor 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 DaComi, and Yolanda
Trout.
City officials and staff members present included: Mayor Nancy Backus,
Community Development and Public Works Director Kevin Snyder, Sewer
Utility Engineer Bob Elwell, Utilities Engineering Manager Lisa Tobin, IT
Operations Manager Ashley Riggs, IT Customer Support Manager Reba
Stowe, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid,
Environmental Services Manager Chris Andersen, Police Commander
Mike Hirman, Public Affairs and Marketing Manager Dana Hinman,
Assistant Director of Engineering Services /City Engineer Ingrid Gaub,
Transportation Manager Pablo Para, and City Clerk Danielle Daskam.
II. AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Report (Coleman)
Finance Director Coleman presented the fourth quarter 2014 financial
report for the period ending December 31, 2014.
In 2014, General Fund revenues exceeded budget by $2.:7 million.
General Fund expenditures were approximately $5.2 million under budget.
The increased revenue is due to increases in sales tax collections and
sales tax credit for annexation, increased revenues from development
service fees, and increased revenues from building permits.
Finance Director Coleman spoke briefly regarding the volatility of the sales
tax revenue stream since the Great Recession. In 2007, the City received
its highest revenue from sales tax of $17.5 million. Sales tax revenue
decreased approximately 33 percent over two years. Some of the
decrease was due to the recession and some was due to the sourcing
change of sales tax. Director Coleman "reported that in 2014, the City's
sales tax revenue reached (within $20,000.00) its record 2007 level for
sales tax revenue.
Approximately $4 million of the residual budget will be carried forward for
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2015 activities and some will go to the cumulative reserve fund to replenish
the fund.
Director Coleman reviewed real estate excise tax revenue and the
cemetery operating revenues and expenditures. Director Coleman noted
the utility funds ended the year without a net loss.
Director Coleman cautioned the sales tax revenue level may not be
sustained and the annexation sales tax credit will end in 2017.
Director Coleman stated that several million dollars in working capital in
the enterprise funds are being carried forward for capital projects in 2015.
B. Comprehensive Sewer Plan Overview (Snyder)
Utilities Engineering Manager Lisa Tobin and Sewer Utility Engineer Bob
Elwell presented an overview of the draft Comprehensive Sewer Plan.
The City is in the process of updating the Comprehensive Sewer Plan in
parallel with the City's overall Comprehensive Plan. This plan is an update
of the existing Sewer Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2009.
Engineer Elwell explained the Plan contains time frames that are the
intended framework for future funding decisions, and within which future
actions and decisions are intended to occur. However, the time frames are
estimates and the timing may change due to project status and availability
of resources.
Engineer Elwell reviewed the, organization of the Plan chapter by chapter,
and provided a brief explanation of each chapter.
Engineer Elwell displayed a map (Figure 576) showing existing sewer
mains and facilities (in green) and proposed sewer mains and facilities (in
magenta).
Engineer Elwell stated Chapter 7, Recommended Plan, is the capital
improvement program, and consists of primarily repair and replacement
projects. The system analysis reveals no need for capacity improvements.
In response to a question from Councilmember Peloza, Engineer Elwell
stated the introduction of fats, oils and grease (FOG) into the sewer
system is primarily from residential neighborhoods now rather than from
restaurants, as restaurants are required to have grease traps and other
pretreatment facilities. The FOG reduction program focuses on education.
Engineer Elwell advised that staff plans to bring the Comprehensive Sewer
Plan to a future Council meeting for a more in -depth discussion.
C. Comprehensive Transportation Plan Update (Snyder)
Transportation Manager Pablo Para presented Chapter 5, Policies
Summary, of the Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Manager Para
reviewed the proposed revisions to the Transportation Plan policies.
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Manager Para explained the last major update to the Comprehensive
Transportation Plan was conducted in 2009. This year's update is
proposed to complete minor policy revisions, map updates, format .
revisions to improve readability and incorporation of updated land use,
population, and employment projects for the 2035 planning horizon year.
Councilmember Osborne questioned the revision to Transportation Policy
TR 4, which states, "Safety shall be prioritized over driving convenience."
Councilmember Osborne proposed instead: Provide a safe and efficient
transportation system" to reflect a multi -modal transportation system.
Councilmember Wagner disagreed.
Councilmember Wagner suggested keeping Policy TR 70, which reads:
"The City maintains the option of closing streets when freezing conditions
are present to prevent frost damage." Mr. Para noted the policy was
removed since closing roads for emergency purposes is a city authority
that does not need to be an explicit comprehensive plan policy.
Councilmember Osborne suggested the pedestrian portion of the plan
include a statement that a flashing light warning for pedestrian crossings,
similar to that described in Policy TR 148, be included for all crosswalks.
City Engineer Gaub stated the full Transportation Plan will be presented to
the Council at a future meeting where more comments can be taken.
D. Informational briefing regarding the proposed 2016 Interlocal Agreement
for the Green /Duwamish Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA -9)
(Snyder)
Staff to provide a briefing for the proposed 2016 Interlocal Agreement for
the Green /Duwamish Central Puget Sound Watershed (WRIA -9)
Environmental Services Manager Chris Andersen reminded in September
2014, the Council received a presentation from WRIA 9 Watershed
Coordinator Doug Osterman about the WRIA 9 Forum and the interlocal
agreement for the Green /Duwamish Central Puget Sound Watershed
(WRIA 9).
Manager Andersen reviewed the proposed WRIA 9 interlocal
agreement (in the Council agenda packet) between local governments in
the Green /Duwamish watershed. The City has been a party to
the current interlocal agreement since 2006; the current interlocal
agreement expires this year. The Green River watershed area is in South
King County and covers approximately 500 square miles and extends from
Howard Hanson Dam to Elliott Bay. There are 17 eligible parties to the
interlocal agreement.
The purpose of the interlocal agreement is to promote the ecological health
of the Green /Duwamish Rivers and the Central Puget Sound Watersheds
and to provide a mechanism, governance and funding structures for jointly
implementing the Salmon Habitat Plan.
The new agreement will be effective upon the execution by five eligible
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local governments that cover at least seventy percent of the population of
the watershed. The proposed agreement has an initial term of ten years,
which can be extended.
Manager Andersen reported the WRIA 9 Ecosystem Forum has secured
over $137 million since 2005 for watershed projects and programs.
Auburn's operating funding share for 2015 is $22,000.00.
WRIA 9 is seeking feedback on the proposed agreement from member
jurisdictions until mid - April. Adoption of the agreement is targeted for July
2015.
Councilmember Peloza, the current vice chair of the WRIA 9 Forum, spoke
in favor of the proposed interlocal agreement.
Mr. Osterman stated Exhibit A, Scope of Work, and Exhibit B, Staff
Plan, for 2015 are available now.
Councilmember Osborne expressed concern that WRIA 9 made a
proposal for resource planning areas that include the Auburn Golf
Course. Manager Andersen stated the Flood Control District proposed
the Auburn Golf Course as a resource planning area. WRIA 9 made
recommendations on standards, but did not set a geography for the
resource areas. Manager Andersen advised that the Executive Board for
the Flood Control District has not taken action on the recommendation due
to the concerns expressed by the City.
Director Snyder reported the City has expressed its displeasure with the
potential impacts of resource planning area designations to City facilities,
not only for the golf course, but to roads and other infrastructure. Director
Snyder stated Mayor Backus and staff continue to work with officials from
the City of Kent and the District to ensure protection for Auburn and Kent.
Mr. Osterman spoke regarding the fiscal agent and service provider for the
District, which is currently King County.
E. Council Ad Hoc Committee on Committees
This item was postponed due to time constraints.
III. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
There was no other discussion.
Iv. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:38 p.m., Deputy Mayor Holman recessed the meeting for a five minute
intermission and then to executive session in order to discuss pending /potential
litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) for approximately 10
minutes. No action will occur this evening as a result of the executive session.
City Attorney Heid attended the executive session.
The Council reconvened at 7:53 p.m.
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V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned 7:53 p.m.
APPROVED this �)O�day of 12015.
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D ielle Daskam, City Clerk
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