HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2015 CITY City Council Study Session
T,� p ` ~ July 27, 2015 - 5:30 PM
V -. Auburn City Hall
-- - WASHINGTON MINUTES
I. 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, Councilmember Wales, Wayne Osborne,
Claude DaCorsi and Yolanda Trout.
City officials and staff members present included: Mayor Nancy
Backus, Assistant City Attorney Doug Ruth, Finance Director
Shelley Coleman, Community Development and Public Works
Director Kevin Snyder, Assistant Director of Engineering and City
Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Assistant Director of Public Works Services
Randy Bailey, Environmental Services Manager Chris
Andersen,Utilities Engineering Manager Lisa Tobin, Water Utilities
Engineer Susan Fenhaus, Transportation Manager Pablo
Para, Police Commander Mike Hirman, Public Affairs and
Marketing Manager Dana Hinman, IT Operations Manager Ashley
Riggs, IT Customer Support Manager Reba Stowe, and Deputy City
Clerk Shawn Campbell.
II. AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Mid-term Budget Correction Update (10 Minute Presentation/10
Minute Q&A) (Coleman)
Director Coleman presented Council with the 2015 - 2016 budget
process. She explained the City is currently in the first year of a
biennial budget. There will be three ordinances brought before
Council for consideration during the remainder of 2015; a final
budget amendment for 2015, a midterm budget correction and an
ordinance setting the 2016 property tax levy. Staff will meet in
August and September to compile the requested budget
amendments. All requests will be brought before Council for
discussion in October of 2015 with the final budget approval
expected in December of 2015.
B. Airport Master Plan Update (15 Minute Presentation/10 Minute
Q&A) (Coleman)
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Director Coleman provided Council with an excerpt from the Puget
Sound Regional Council's update from 2013. It had an overview of
the Auburn Municipal Airport. The City of Auburn Airport Master Plan
has two components; an evaluation of existing infrastructure and
future needs and defining the current, short-term and long-term
needs of the airport. The FAA will not allow the City to add
a financial component as a part of the Airport Master Plan. The City
must have an Airport Master Plan to remain eligible for federal
funding improvements through the FAA programs. This project
updates the 2002 Airport Master Plan and addresses changing local
conditions, recently updated FAA standards, and current trends
within the aviation industry. The City started the update of the Airport
Master Plan in 2012 there have been five public meetings between
the Fall of 2012, and the Winter of 2014 to discuss the update. A
draft report was submitted to the FAA in October of 2014 and final
Airport Master Plan update was approved in June of 2015.
Councilmember Osborne asked if the Master Plan included a
precision approach. Director Coleman explained a precision
approach requires a tower.
Councilmember Wagner asked if the businesses in the area where
the helicopters practice have any say in the amount of noise allowed
from the take off and landing practice. Director Coleman said
the Federal Aviation Administration regulates that aspect of the
airport.
Councilmember Osborne confirmed the updates to the taxiway are
included in the funding proposal.
Councilmember Trout asked about the of types of airplanes that can
use the airport now and after the improvements. Director
Coleman stated the airplanes that can use the runway now are
classed as A-I and B-I with the runway enchantments airplanes
classed as A-II, and BII will also be able to takeoff and land at the
airport under normal conditions. Councilmember DaCorsi asked if
there are indications or studies showing interest in the proposed
development of the SE Terminal area. Director Colman stated when
the airport held an open house earlier in the year there was interest
expressed.
Councilmember Osborne stated the interest in the airport will
increase greatly once the runway is expanded to 4,100 feet.
C. Humane Society Update (10 Minute Presentation/10 Minute Q&A)
(Snyder)
Director Snyder stated the City has partnered with the Auburn Valley
Humane Society for almost three years. The Community
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Development and Public Works Department is now in charge of pet
licensing in the customer service center. Director Snyder is now the
City of Auburn representative on the Humane Society Board of
Directors. The Auburn.Valley Humane Society has opened a thrift
store to bring in additional revenue. The thrift store has been very
successful thus far.
Licensing activity is slightly down over last year. The City is working
on outreach for renewal of pet licenses.
Councilmember Wales stated the City pays the fees to pet data. She
asked if the cost has remained the same or increased with the
contract. Director Snyder stated the cost has remained the same for
this contract. Staff is looking at what to do to bring the pet licensing
process in-house.
Peloza stated he was alarmed that the Humane Society's operating
costs are $25,000 over revenue and thrift store expenses are over
their revenue also. Together both operations have a deficit of
$37,000. Director Snyder explained these are points in time and
vary month to month. The operation is trending well. The City does
have a minimum contribution of $240,000 and the Humane Society
is raising revenue beyond that to fund additional staffing needs.
Councilmember DaCorsi asked if the City has a forecast to
show when the Humane Society will reach the break even
point. Director Snyder said there is but the Humane Society is
looking at developing additional retail strategies going forward.
Councilmember Peloza noted staff volunteer hours are up over
2,000 more hours than last year.
Councilmember Wagner asked for an update on the fundraising
effort to get a van to transport animals between shelters. Director
Snyder stated the Humane Society has done the fundraising,
secured a vehicle and the vehicle is currently being outfitted for use.
D. Ordinance No. 6564 - Right-of-Way.Vacation No. V4-14 (10 Minute
Presentation/10 Minute Q&A) (Snyder)
Transportation Manager Pablo Para stated the City will hold a public
hearing at the next regular meeting for comment on Ordinance No.
6564. The City received an application from the property owner to
procure a 5 foot strip of land owned by the City. The right-of-way
vacation has gone through staff review and staff recommends
approval. The property owner would pay the City for the property.
Councilmember Peloza asked about the proposed use of the
property. Transportation Manager Para said the owner intends to
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develop a short plat that consist of 11 single family lots.
Councilmember Wagner asked why the City is
requesting compensation for the right-of-way vacation.
Transportation Manager Para stated the City Code requires
payment for the right-of-way if it has been in the City's possession
more the 25 years. Since it is being used to increase the value of a
private development, it was appropriate to apply the code.
Councilmember Wales inquired if the City will incur cost in
processing the vacation request. Transportation Manager Para
explained the cost to the City is covered in the permitting fee
process.
E. Resolution No. 5154 Agreement with Ferguson Waterworks for
implementation of Contract Number 15-11 for Project CP1317,
Meter and Billing System Improvements Project(10 Minute
Presentation/20 Minute Q&A) (Snyder)
(Automated Metering Infrastructure)
Director Snyder explained this is a continuation of the discussion
from the July 13, 2015 Study Session. He provided Council with
additional information to answer questions raised.
previously. Various staff and consultants are available this evening
to answer any remaining questions.
Councilmember Wagner asked what the estimate of the future
capital savings is for automating the water meter system. He also
asked for staff to ensure the City has sufficient budget for retrofitting
the meters. Director Snyder stated the contractor is focused on
operational efficiencies. The City could see potential capital costs
savings through those efficiencies but there is no certainty.
Councilmember Osborne stated this is not new technology. He
asked if staff has reached out to other jurisdictions who have
used this technology for years and inquired about their savings.
Utilities Engineering Manager Tobin stated staff has contacted
various jurisdictions that use this technology, the data the
collected refers to system efficiencies.
Councilmember Trout asked if severe weather will interfere with this
program and will the City be able shut off the water remotely.
Innovation and Technology Manager Riggs stated severe weather
will not interfere with the system. If for any reason there is an
interruption of internet service the meters will store all data for seven
days. Director Coleman stated the City will be able to interrupt water
service from a desk top computer. Director Snyder explained there
may be a rare instance where an employee will have to go out and
turn the water off at the meter for various reasons.
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Councilmember Peloza inquired about the City's return on
investment. Utilities Engineering Manager Tobin explained
considering both capital and operating costs with the AMI system
the City's return on investment is 20 years. Director Snyder
explained the return on investment is largely due to the reduction
in overall operating costs. The savings both quantitative and
qualitative including dollar value savings, staff resource and
repurposing of staff resources, greater availability of data to the
City's customer base and a greater ability of the finance and
maintenance and operation's staff to be able to interface with
customers with more real time data.
F. Resolution No. 5158 - Amending the 2016-2021 Transportation
Improvement Program (5 Minute Presentation/5 Minute Q&A)
(Snyder)
Transportation Manager Para explained this item will be on the
agenda at the next Council meeting for a public hearing. The City
was notified of a grant award that will require some changes to
the 2016-2021 Transportation Improvement Program. The grant
is for the design phase of safety upgrades to the intersection at I
Street NE and 22nd Street. There has been a high rate of
collisions with a large number involving pedestrians. The current
design plan calls for a roundabout at this intersection.
Councilmember Wagner question the use of roundabouts. He
requested staff analyze the safe routes for schools and consider
pedestrian safety for this project. Transportation Manager Para said
the City is coordinating with the school district, conducting
neighborhood meetings and public hearing as required by the grant.
The roundabout does have increased safety for both pedestrians
and vehicles at this intersection.
Councilmember DaCorsi asked the confidence level of staff to
receive future grants to complete the next phase of the project.
Transportation Manager Para stated staff believes grant funding for
the next phase is very likely.
Transportation Manager Para said there will be interim changes to
address safety concern of the intersection.
G. Resolution No. 51.59 - WRIA 9 Interlocal Agreement (10 Minute
Presentation/10 Minute Q&A (Snyder)
Environmental Services Manager Anderson explained the
watershed is the land area that drains into a body of water. The City
of Auburn has portions in two separate watersheds, the Green
River Watershed that is WRIA 9 and the White River Watershed
that is WRIA 10. WRIA 9 is a collaboration of 17 different local
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government jurisdictions. The emphasis is on local salmon recovery
focusing on the Chinook Salmon. The existing Interlocal Agreement
is set to expire at the end of 2015. The proposed 2016-2025 WRIA 9
Interlocal Agreement is included in the Council packet for review.
Councilmember Peloza stated there have been two increases to the
local jurisdictions since 2006.
Councilmember Osborne asked how representatives for the WRIA
management team are selected. Mayor Backus said the
representatives are appointments by the Mayor at the Mayor's
discretion.
Environmental Services Manager.Anderson stated the City has
received almost tenfold of the cost sharing funds in grant funds.
Councilmember Peloza stated the reason the City of Auburn has
been able to be in line to receive these grant funds is due to having
a representative on the committee.
III. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
There was no other discussion.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
APPROVED this \‘` `'--= day of Aw,',,z , 2016.
ISL �-
O
W A. '-;;T`-— TY MAYOR Shawn Campbell, Deputy City Clerk
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