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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-14-2015 Minutes � �� * � City Council Study Session ���ri�ca� -.���wa �,..., , � �,�: .� �; �„,F �K ;� � September 14, 2015 - 5:30 PM �' �° � ��� � � �' � Auburn City Hall - �`��N����'�N� MIfVUTES 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, 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, Assistant Director of Engineering and City Engineer fngrid Gaub, Assistant Director of Community Development Services Jeff Tate, Urban Design Planner Lauren Flemister, Chief of Police Bob Lee, Director of . Administration Dana Hinman, and City Clerk Danielle Daskam. II. AGENDA ITEfViS FOR COUiVCIL DISCUSSION A. Main Street Urban Design Project - Initial Design Concepts Presentation (30 Minute Presentation/10 Minute Q&A) (Snyder) Urban Design Planner Flemister provided a brief status update on the Main Street Urban Design Project. She stated they are now at the end of the data colleetion process and ready to begin design. Staff wanted to check in with Council to confirm they are headed in the right direction. SVR Consultant Brice Maryman stated when they presented to Council last they were in the initial process. The design committee hosted a Design Charrette with the community to share the goals of the Main Street Urban Design Project. The group has developed an overriding question of "How can Main Street help the downtown survive". He explained there are many benefits to the downtown area, sueh as a grocery store, living space, businesses, medical care, easy eonnections regional job centers, a performing arts and great schools. People value the downtown as it is. The goal is to - update and upgrade the area. The various stakeholders have to be in the design process to ensure the final product meets the needs of all those involved. One component that has to be addressed �age 1 of 4 need for human services in the downtown area. The design committee reviewed the two design alternatives including the , benefits and challenges of each proposal. They discussed the plaza parks and suggested light interventions and programing along with the B Street Plaza and the D Street Plaza as an area for art gateways, green gateways and to shorten crossings. Councilmember Wales stated she wants to see a unified Main Street with one downtown. She asked if the design group looked at removing parking from the downtown area. Director Snyder stated the requirement to the design group was to find a balance between pedestrians and on street parking. Councilmember Wagner stated he is opposed to one-way streets. Mr. Maryman stated he believes two-way streets are better for this area, but there may be a block or two where there may be value in having one way streets. B. System Development Charges (SDCs) - Annual Review(10 Minute Presentation/5 Minute Q&A ) (Snyder) Utilities Engineer Manager Tobin presented to Council the annual review of the System Development Charges (SDC). She stated the Council requested an annual review of the SDC's when they approved new rates last year. The SDC's help fund expansions and upgrades of water, sewer and storm utilities. The rates are tied to Engineering New Record Construction Cost Index (CCI). This index tracks the local material and labor costs. If those costs change then there may need to be a change in the SDC's to cover the costs of City projects. Over the past year the Seattle CCI has increased by 2.4% therefor staff is recommending Council consider increasing the SCD's for water, sewer and storm by 2.4%. C. Transit Service Partnership Renewal {Route 910) (5 Minute Presentation/5 Minute Q&A) (Snyder) Assistant Director Gaub and Transportation Manager Para presented Resolution No. 5167 to Council. The proposed resolution is an extension of the Transit Service Agreement for Route 910. The current agreement will expire in October. The proposed extension is for 5 years. The estimated cost is $145,000 in 2016. Councilmember Wagner asked about the difference in cost estimates. Transportation Manager Para stated the increase is primarily due to cost-of-Iiving increases. p. Right-of-Way Standards (20 Minute Presentation/30 Minute Q&A) (Snyder) Page 2 of 4 Assistant Director Gaub and Transportation Manager Para presented the City's current right-of=way standards. The width of city right-of-way can vary from 87 feet down to 50 feet depending on the road classification. The road classification is set during the comprehensive planning process. Assistant Director Gaub explained the City is going to review the road standards in 2016. Councilmember Osborne asked whether a road that was residential could become a major arterial as the City grows. Transportation Manager Para explained the City transportation plan takes these things into account and would likely not happen. E. Right-of-Way Vacation Policy (10 Minute Presentation/15 Minute Q&A) (Snyder) Assistant Director Gaub and Tcansportation Manager Para presented Council with the Right-of-way Vacation Policy. Assistant Director Gaub explained the former policy provided if the City had purchased the right-of-way, the City would charge the developer for the value of the property. If the City had not purchased the right-of-way, the City would not charge for the value of the land. The Code states if the land has been in public ownership for more than 25 years, the City can charge for the land value. If it has been in public ownership for less then 25 years and the City has spent money on maintaining or improving the right-of-way, the City can charge for the value of the right-of-way. Councilmember Wales asked how the property value is determined. Assistant Director Gaub stated if the County Assessor office states the value of the property is more then $2,OOD.00, the City can ask the applicant to have an appraisal of the right-of-way. If the City has concerns regarding the appraised value, the City has the right to perform a review appraisal at the City's expense. Councilmember Holman asked what the City can use the money for. Assistant Director Gaub stated at least 50 percent of the funds go towards transportation improvements or public open spa.ces. III. OTHER DISCUSSIOfV ITEMS Councilmeber Peloza requested a briefing on Auburn Police Department's six districts and bike patrols. IV. ADJOURNMEfVT There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m. APPROVED this /�� day of , 2017. Page 3 of 4 � LARG , DEPUTY MAYOR Da ielle Daskam, City Clerk Page 4 of 4