HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-2016 * City Council Meeting
anOF_ r: • October 3, 2016 - 6:00 PM
204: "4"41"4"41 . Auburn Community and Events Center
WASHINGTON 910 9th Street.SE
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance
Deputy Mayor Largo Wales called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Auburn Community and Events Center located at 910 9th Street SE in
Auburn. Deputy Mayor Wales led those in attendance in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Mayor Nancy Backus arrived at 6:01 p.m.
B. Roll Call
City Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Wales, Bob Baggett, John
Holman, Bill Peloza, Yolanda Trout-Manuel and Rich Wagner:
Councilmember Claude DaCorsi arrived at 6:32 p.m. Councilmember
Trout-Manuel left the meeting at 7:33 p.m.
Junior City Councilmembers present: Chair Sydney Campbell, Matthew St.
George, Tyler Cushing, Justen Hardaway, Diego Izquierdo, Jon
Kosaka, Tanner Johnson. Member Thomas was not present.
Department directors and staff members present included: City Attorney
Dan Heid, Chief of Police Bob Lee, Police Commander Steve Stocker,
Police Officer Darrell Jones, Director of Administration Dana Hinman,
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Tamie Bothell, Communications
Coordinator Kalyn Brady, Human Services Program Coordinator Emily
Pearson, Community Development and Public Works Director Kevin
Snyder, Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Ingrid
Gaub, Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber, Innovation and
Technology Assistant Director Ashley Riggs, and Deputy City Clerk Shawn
Campbell.
II, ANNOUNCEMENTS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND PRESENTATIONS
There was no announcement, proclamation or presentation.
III. APPOINTMENTS
A. White River Valley Museum Board Appointments
City Council to confirm the following two appointments to the White River
Valley Museum Board for terms to expire on December 18, 2018:
• James Bothell
• GordyNishimoto
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Councilmember Holman moved and Councilmember Baggett seconded to
appoint James Bothell and Gordy Nishimoto to the White River Valley
Museum Board.
Councilmember Holman noted both men have served on the board
previously and have longstanding ties to the community.
Councilmember Peloza noted both appointees will be a good fit, and the
City is lucky they are willing to serve. Councilmember Peloza reported he
served with Mr. Nishimoto on the Museum Board approximately 15 years
ago.
Deputy Mayor Wales stated she has heard many great things about the
proposed nominees..She expressed a desire that Council be provided full
applications for any potential appointment prior to the meeting in the future.
Mayor Backus noted the staff did provide Council with information on each
proposed appointee prior to the meeting via email. The practice of providing
Council the full application is a courtesy.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-0
IV. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
There was no change to the agenda.
V. CITIZEN INPUT, PUBLIC HEARINGS & CORRESPONDENCE
A. Public Hearings
There was no public hearing scheduled 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.
There was no audience participation.
C. Correspondence
There was no correspondence for Council review.
VI. COUNCIL AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Ad Hoc Committee Chairs may report on the status of their ad hoc
Council Committees'progress on assigned tasks and may give their
recommendations to the City Council, if any.
Councilmember Baggett reported on behalf of the Finance ad hoc committee
that reviews claims and payroll vouchers. Councilmember Baggett reported he
and Councilmember Wagner reviewed the claims and payroll vouchers as
presented and described on this evening's agenda and recommend their
approval by Council.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
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All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered by the City Council to
be routine and will be enacted by one motion in the form fisted.
A. Minutes of the November 23, 2015 Council Study Session
B. Minutes of the September 19, 2016 Regular City Council Meeting
C. Claims Vouchers (Coleman)
Claim voucher numbers 440718 through 440914, dated October 3rd, 2016
in the amount of$1,665,443.18 and three wire transfers in the amount of
$197,042.50.
D. Payroll Vouchers (Coleman)
Payroll check numbers 536730 through 536773 in the amount of$699,694.51, electronic
deposit transmissions in the amount of$1,431,088.30 for a grand total of$2,130,782.81
for the period covering September 15, 2016 to September 28, 2016.
E. Public Works Project No. CP1202 (Snyder)
Approve Final Pay Estimate No. 10 to Contract No. 15-01 in the amount of
$129,991.37 and accept construction of Project No. CP1202, Auburn Way
South Flooding Improvements Phase 2
F. Public Works Project No. CP1605 (Snyder)
Approve Final Pay Estimate No. 2 to Contract No. 16-16 in the amount of
$85,607:49 and accept construction of Project No. CP1605, Herr Properties
Demolition.
Deputy Mayor Wales moved and Councilmember Trout-Manuel seconded
to approve the Consent Agenda.
Deputy Mayor Wales stated the Consent Agenda consists of minutes,
claims and payroll vouchers, contracts, and public works projects.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-0
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
Deputy Mayor Wales moved and Councilmember Wagner seconded to repeal
the ordinances and resolutions in place that effected Council Study Sessions.
Deputy Mayor Wales stated that when the Councilmembers ran for office it was
to provide leadership to the community. The Study Session format gives
leadership opportunity to the Deputy Mayor but at the expense of the leadership
opportunities previously provided to the other Councilmembers by the
committee chair positions. Council Committees provided equal
opportunity for Councilmembers that is now limited by the Council Study Session
format. She stated Council does not have the same ability to attain information
and have become generalist and lack specificity. She said Councils' ability to
provide policy filters has been hampered by the new process.
City Attorney Heid stated if the motion passes, staff would draft an ordinance to
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address repealing the referenced ordinances and resolutions. The only way
to repeal an ordinance is through another ordinance; and by Council rules, an
ordinance must go to a Council Study Session prior to a Council meeting for
consideration.
Councilmember Holman stated he would like more information. He would like
additional time to prepare a rebuttal. He stated the proposed action is not the
best way to achieve open transparent government.
Councilmember Wagner stated he believes the Council needs to have more in-
depth discussions regarding utilities and public works. The Council Committees
had more in-depth discussions and prepared suggestions from staff. He
suggested the Deputy Mayor add a'date requirement to her motion. The main
reason he supported the Study Session process originally was to be able to
discuss City issues with other Councilmembers without violating the Open
Public Meetings Act.
Councilmember Peloza stated the Council has operated under the
Study Session format for nearly two years. He is disappointed in the limited
Study Session agenda process. He stated the Study Session process has
weakened the City Council's depth and knowledge of City issues. He
stated the Study Session process has denied the Council their legislative body
power.
Councilmember Trout-Manuel stated she agrees the Council Committee way of
business is better. She ran for office to be able to be a chair of a committee.
Councilmember Baggett stated he attended several committee meetings prior to
being on Council. He said there was a lot of details and information resolved in
the Council Committees prior to being presented to full Council. He said the
Council should review the process.
Councilmember Holman stated he was disappointed in his fellow
Councilmembers for the obvious prepared statements and discussing this issue
privately: Councilmember Holman stated the existence of Council Committees
started power struggles between the committees with staff in the middle. With
the Study Session format, all Councilmembers hear the information at the same
time. If Council feels they are not getting the information they want, it is because
Council is not asking the questions. Councilmember Holman stated the
previous Council Committee system was seniority based and Junior
Councilmembers had less authority or ability to effect chan9e. Councilmember
Holman stated every Councilmember needs an equal voice.
Councilmember Peloza stated when he began his tenure on the Council, it took
six years to become a chair of a Council Committee. Councilmembers need to
work hard and earn a chair position. He stated the good of boys and girls have
kept the City running over the years.
Councilmember DaCorsi noted when he joined the Council he was on two
committees. Because he was on two committees, he could not have a
conversation with another Councilmember as it was a violation of the Open
Public Meetings Act. He felthe was a committee of three and not a Council of
seven. He could not ask other Councilmembers questions to help with the
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transition of becoming a Councilmember. He felt Council is at a
disadvantage when members receive information from staff at different.times.
Councilmember Wagner stated there will need to be more Study Sessions if the
Council chooses to revert to Council Committees.
Mayor Backus stated Council is able to request and receive information at any
time. Those topics that Councilmembers indicated were items for full.Council
discussion were brought before the full Council for consideration.
Councilmember Peloza called for the question.
MOTION CARRIED. 4-3 Councilmembers DaCorsi, Baggett and Holman voted
no.
X. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Joint Council and Junior City Council Meeting
1.. Homelessness (Hinman)
2. Parking (Snyder)
3. Distracted Driving (Lee)
4. Internet Availability (Haugan)
5. Heroin and Prescription Opiate Abuse (Stocker)
Homelessness
Director Hinman reviewed the recommendations of the Task Force
on Homelessness. The Task Force on Homelessness provided 56
recommendations. Council and staff are working on implementing
the recommendations. The City is currently actively working on 19 of the
recommendations.
Junior City Council Chair Campbell asked how the City responds to
homeless minors. Director Hinman stated the City first attempts to reunite
the minor with family, if that is a safe and stable option. If not, staff tries to
find services for that minor.
Junior City Councilmember lzquierdo stated Auburn High School has a high
student homeless rate. He asked what the City doing to help students know
what resources are available to them specifically. Director Hinman stated
the City works very closely with the school district. The City first attempts to
find housing for the student and their family and then helps with other issues
that may arise.
Mayor Backus stated homelessness is an ongoing issue. It is the duty of the
Mayor and Council to protect all citizens in Auburn. Rapid rehousing has a
concern that many of the barriers to finding housing need to be lowered.
Director Hinman requested the Junior City Councilmembers review the
recommendations and provide input to City staff.
Parking
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Director Snyder stated the debate on parking has two sides: either there is
not enough or there is too much parking. The two kinds of parking the City
has control over are on-street parking and off-street commercial parking.
Parking in the downtown area is difficult because there is more demand
than supply. The City, property owners and businesses have to work
together to come up with solutions that work for all parties.
Distracted Driving
Officer Jones played a video with distracted driving scenarios. He
explained that in 2014 431,000 people were injured in motor vehicle
accidents and 3,179 people were killed in distracted driving accidents.
Distracted driving has the same effect on peoples driving as alcohol. Officer
Jones reviewed ACC 10.12.410 referring to distracted driving. He
encouraged everyone to take the pledge to not drive distracted.
Junior City Council Chair Campbell asked is the City has any plans to
have a competition between the Auburn High Schools. Officer Jones stated
that is an option they are looking into.
Junior City Councilmember Izquierdo asked if the Police Department has
considered working with the local drivers education programs. Officer Jones
stated the Police Department is working on setting up a partnership with the
drivers education programs.
Councilmember Peloza asked if the video Officer Jones presented could be
played on the City's Television Station 21.
Internet Availability
Assistant Director Riggs stated the Innovation and Technology Department
has been working to expand the City's infrastructure to allow everyone to
have the ability to have internet access.
Junior City Councilmember Cushing stated students are required to take
tests online. Occasionally the Wi-Fi cuts out and tests cannot be
completed. Assistant Director Riggs stated all students will hopefully have
access to Wi-Fi in the future..
Councilmember Peloza asked for the the estimated costs for the pilot
project. Assistant Director Riggs stated the pilot project will cost
approximately $10,000.00.
Deputy Mayor Wales asked for the location of the pilot project. Assistant
Director Riggs explained it is in the Mt. Baker Middle School area.
Mayor Backus explained due to the late hour and the scheduled Domestic
Violence Awareness Vigil, the Council and Junior City Council will hear
the Heroin and Opiate abuse discussion on another date.
XI. MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
At this time the Mayor and City Council may report on their significant City-
related activities since the last regular Council meeting.
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A. From the Council
Councilmember Holman moved and Councilmember DaCorsi seconded to
suspend Council and Mayor Reports.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6-0
B. From the Mayor
Due to time constraints, there was no report from Mayor Backus.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
There being nofurther business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned
at 7:58 p.m.
APPROVED this 17th day of October, 2016.
NAN BUttl)SC MAYOR Shawn Campbell, Deputy uity Clerk
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