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