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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-2016 Crr v OF .. a `' City Council Study Session Ik. January 25, 2016 - 5:30 PM .,,.. if ® a. Auburn City Hall " ,, WASH INuTONMINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Deputy Mayor Wales 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 Largo Wales, Rich Wagner, Bill Peloza, John Holman, Claude DaCorsi, Yolanda Trout and Robert Baggett. Officials and staff members present included: Mayor Nancy Backus, Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Assistant City Attorney Jessica Leiser, Director of Administration Dana Hinman, Community Development and Public Works Director Kevin Snyder, Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Assistant Director of Community Development Services Jeff Tate, Assistant Director of Public Works Randy Bailey, Police Commander Jamie Sidell, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Innovation and Technology Director Paul Haugan, and Deputy City Clerk Shawn Campbell. II. Announcements, Reports, and Presentations A. Alive & Free Education Presentation (20 Minute Presentation/15 Minute Q&A) (Lee) Police Commander Sidell introduced the Alive and Free staff from the YMCA of Greater Seattle, Jovi Catena, Program Director, David Lujano, Outreach Supervisor and Von Montenegro, Outreach Worker. Ms. Catena explained the Alive and Free program is part of the Metro-Center Branch of the YMCA which is a non gym or swim branch. They are a youth outreach service provider that provides programs for youth and vulnerable families. The Alive and Free program provides outreach for youth that are involved in gangs, violence and the juvenile justice system. The Alive and Free program has one full time outreach worker in the City of Auburn. They partner with the Auburn School District, the Auburn Police Department and other YMCA staff at the Alive and Free program. Inof 4 2015, the Alive and Free program provided services to 60 young people in the City of Auburn. Approximately half of them were able to use the services to change their circumstances and the remainder are still working with the program. The YMCA also offers a warrant prevention program. Commander Sidell stated the programs and services offered to the youth in Auburn are extremely beneficial; the services are long term and ongoing. The children do not lose services if they move among districts, and it involves the youth and their parents. Mr. Montenegro explained he has gotten to know the gang members and has been able to build long term relationships. This makes it easier to provide services to the youth in the area. He explained his history and how is able to relate and contribute to the program. Ms. Catena stated if the police department has a concern for a young person regarding involvement with gangs or violence, they share their information, and then Mr. Montenegro makes contact with the young person. Their hope is to help the kids before they get into trouble. Council thanked them for the dedication and hard work on behalf of the youth in Auburn. B. Auburn Youth Resources Update (15 Minute Presentation/10 Minute Q&A) This presentation was postponed to a later date. III. AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION A. Resolution No. 5203 (10 Minute Presentation/5 Minute Discussion) (Faber) Resolution of the City Council of the City of Auburn, Washington, authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to the Conservation Futures Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between King County and the City of Auburn for open space acquisition projects Director Faber explained this resolution allows the Mayor to amend the Conservation Futures Interlocal Agreement allowing for three allocations. The amount of the three allocation is $546,906.00, which is fifty percent of the total purchase price of the Herr properties. The funds must be used for open space conservation. The design has been approved by King County. B. Council Discussion on Pro/Con of the Study Session Format (30 Minute Presentation/45 min Q&A) (Hinman) Page 2 of 4 Mayor Backus stated Council has asked for this topic to come back for discussion. She has asked directors to put together information from the staff point of view on the study session versus the committee structure. Directors Snyder, Heid and Haugan presented Council with their key points for the Pro/Cons of the Council Study Session format. There has been increased efficiencies for staff and increased feeling of Council support. City Attorney Heid stated the Open Public Meetings Act is much easier to adhere to with the current study session structure. Director Haugan stated he is new to the City of Auburn and feels it is very easy for staff to address Council in this current format. Director Snyder provided the Council the pro/con document that was developed when the City moved to study sessions. The study sessions set a good foundation for directors to be able to carry out the Council's requests. There is more transparency to the public with only one meeting for public to view. There are staff additional efficiencies. Councilmember Peloza stated he feels the Council has lost value without having the Council Operations Committee. That was a place for Council to voice their opinion. Councilmember Wagner stated the Council Operations Committee struggled with removing the Council Operations Committee. He misses the ability to bring concerns forward. He does like the ability to talk to other Councilmembers without the concern of violating the Open Public Meetings Act. He would like Council to have the ability to bring things forward for consideration. Councilmember DaCorsi stated he would like more substantive materials brought before the Council for study sessions. He prefers having all seven Councilmembers present at one meeting and receiving information at the same time. It is up to the Councilmembers to ask the questions and make the process work. The Council needs to have robust involved discussions regardless of the cameras. Councilmember Trout stated Councilmembers need to not be afraid to speak up instudy sessions. Councilmember Baggett stated this forum is working, it allows all Councilmembers to receive the information at the same time and it is more transparent for the public. Councilmember Holman stated he is proponent of the study session format. The Council should be out of the administration of the City. The Council can still demonstrate expertise in areas. The Page 3 of 4 current study session format allows all Councilmembers to be on equal footing and have an equal say on each topic. He has concern about the structure of the previous Council Operations Committee; the seniority structure does not always put the best person in the position. Deputy Mayor Wales stated this is the first discussion on the study session format. It seems that the Councilmembers needs to be more courageous to speak their opinion. The Council may need a Council Operations Committee to deal with housekeeping items. Councilmember Wagner stated that seniority is not the best qualification for the Council Operations Committee. He does feel Councilmembers can provide guidance on policy decisions. Director Snyder stated the Council can have a robust conversation in a study session. It is up to the Council on how in-depth they want the conversation to be. C. Council Retreat Goals (5 Minute Presentation/10 Minute Q&A) (Hinman) Director Hinman provided Council the matrix from the Council Retreat. She reviewed the items that the City has already done to complete the goals. The Healthy Cities Initiative is in process. The Blue Ribbon Committee will meet by the end of January 2016. IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:35 p.m., Deputy Mayor Wales recessed the meeting to executive session for approximately fifteen minutes in order to discuss pending/potential litigation pursuant to RCW. 42.30.110(1)(i). City Attorney Heid and Assistant City Attorney Leiser attended the executive session. No action was anticipated following the executive session. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no o further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. A' VED T. s DAY OF AUGUST, 2017. •. ' •- # % 1 r�.� r , les, Deputy Mayor Shawn Campbell, Deputy City Clerk P Y Y Page 4 of 4