HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-26-2015 MinutesCITI.Ora City Council Study Session
January 26, 2015 - 5:30 PM
Auburn City Hall
IN_G role, MINUTES
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, Assistant Director of Engineering
Services /City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Finance Director Shelley
Coleman, Customer Care Manager Brenda Goodson - Moore, Solid
Waste and Recycling Supervisor Joan Nelson, Chief of Police Bob Lee,
Director of Administration Michael Hursh, Public Affairs and Marketing
Liaison Dana Hinman, Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber,
IT Operations Manager Ashley Riggs, IT Customer Support Manager
Reba Stowe, and Deputy City Clerk Shawn Campbell.
II. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Discussion of the System Development Charges were removed from the
agenda and discussion of Sound Cities Public Issues Committee Topics,
Update on the Golf Course and Regional Committee Assignments
were added to the agenda.
Deputy Mayor Holman asked Laura Westergard from the Auburn Downtown
Association to provide Council with the 2014 Downtown Facade
recommendations. There will be a presentation and discussion at the next
Study Session. He requested Council review the documents provided.
III. AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Commercial Hazardous Waste Rate Restructure (30 minutes)
(Coleman)
Director Coleman introduced Liz Tennant and Lynda Ransley from King
County Local Hazardous Waste Program.
Ms. Ransley introduced the program and thanked Shelley Coleman
Joan Nelson and Brenda Goodson -Moore for their assistance and
implementation of the upcoming rate change. The rate change Page 1 of 4
been authorized by the Washington Department of Ecology and the
King County Board of Health with oversight by the Coordination
Committee. The mission of the program is to reduce the risks posed by
the production of hazardous waste, use, storage and disposal for
hazardous materials and to fulfill hazardous waste responsibilities for
King County and its 30 cities. The funding source for the program is
surcharges on wastewater and solid waste collection /disposal
services.
Ms. Ransley explained the fee structure has not changed since
the inception of the program. The only accounts that will be affected by
the increases are non - residential. The fee schedule is changing from a
flat fee to a monthly volume -based fee for non - residential
customers. The goal is to make the program revenue neutral. The new
rate schedule is broken out in tiers, based on monthly volume so the
larger users will see an increase in their monthly bill. The residential
accounts will see a 22% reduction in their hazardous waste fees. The
rate changes will be implemented in April of 2015.
Councilmember DaCorsi asked about assistance to businesses to
reduce hazardous waste. Ms. Tennant stated they provide education
and consultation services to commercial businesses to help reduce the
amount of hazardous waste produced.
Councilmember Osborne noted the changes primarily affect multi-
family buildings and commercial customers.
Councilmember Peloza asked how the program will affect the school
district. Ms. Ransely explained the program contacted the school
districts directly. The change to there monthly bill will not be
substantial.
Councilmember Wales asked how King County is going to assist the
City in cost recovery for the changes. Ms. Ransley explained they are
working with City staff to identify some of the implementation costs that
can be reimbursed. The County intends to work with Springbrook, the
City of Auburn's billing service, and pay for programing costs. The
County will also offer direct contact assistance to customers with
questions. Director Coleman explained there will be some additional
staff time required.
Deputy Mayor Holman thanked both Ms. Ransely and Ms. Tennant for
their time and presentation.
B. Sound Cities Public Issues Committee Topics
Mayor Backus stated the Council has requested updates on the
discussion topics at the Sound Cities Public Issues Committee meeting.
At the last meeting the Committee discussed King County's request for
support for flexibility in uses of the Hotel /Motel Taxes collected. King
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County requested that once the Century Link Stadium bond has been
paid off for the County to be allowed to bond against the tax revenues
in the future for affordable housing. The change would only affect the
King County portion of the tax.
Councilmember Peloza stated the Seattle Times published an
interesting article regarding the stadium being paid off ahead of
schedule.
Councilmember Wales stated she is glad to hear the request does not
affect the City of Auburn's revenue. She requested the
Mayor confirm the City of Auburn would be able to receive a portion of
the funds collected for affordable housing.
Councilmember Osborne asked what the voters were promised
originally regarding this tax. Mayor Backus explained this is a
continuation of tax, it does not sunset. The tax is to be used
for tourism.
Mayor Backus explained that cities will still have to use the tax revenue
for tourism, King County wants the legislation to go through to allow the
County to use the tax revenue for affordable housing.
Mayor Backus stated the Sound Cities Public Issues Committee also
discussed the 1 % property tax cap. Several cities and counties are
stuggling with only being able to implement 1 % increase each year.
The Committee decided to add this item as a legislative topic.
The Sound Cities Public Issues Committee also discussed the draft
Sub Regional Transportation Principles. The Committee will provide
feedback to the Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy
Board prior to adoption.
Councilmember Wales thanked the Mayor for speaking at the Pierce
County Cities and Towns Committee meeting regarding the 1%
property tax lid.
C. Update on Golf Course
Mayor Backus explained the Auburn Municipal Golf Course will have a
new restaurant vendor. There will be no food available until early to
mid February with the exception of catering for the Rotary lunches.
D. Regional Committee Assignments
Mayor Backus explained the Council asked for a future discussion on
the Regional Committee assignments. She suggested the Council
convene an Ad Hoc Committee to see if there are areas the City is
overcommitted, lacking representation or if the committee would be
better served by a different representative.
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Deputy Mayor Holman asked for volunteers for the Ad Hoc Committee.
Councilmember Wales, Councilmember DaCorsi and Councilmember
Wagner volunteered and report back to the full Council in the next three
to six months.
Councilmember Osborne asked how the Ad Hoc Committee
would interview the other Councilmembers regarding their assignments
and roles on each committee. City Attorney Heid suggested it could be
done at a future Study Session but reminded the Ad Hoc Committee
that they could not take testimony or interview the Councilmembers
individually.
Mayor Backus suggested the Councilmembers could send agendas for
each committee they are on each month to the Ad Hoc Committee to
familiarize the Committee members with the topics covered by
each regional committee.
IV. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
Deputy Mayor Holman requested the Council review the Study Session
topics in the minutes and confirm they are accurate. He will be adding these
topics to future Study Session agendas.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
APPROVED this - day of February, 2015.
Shawn Campbell, Deputy City Clerk
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