HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-2017 MinutesA
TY OF
UBURN
- WASHINGTON
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AND
SPECIAL FOCUS AREA
MAY 22, 2017 — 5:30 PM
Auburn City Hall
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Deputy Mayor Largo Wales called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street in Auburn.
A. Roll Call
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Wales, Bob Baggett,
Claude DaCorsi, John Holman, Bill Peloza, and Yolanda Trout -
Manuel. Councilmember Rich Wagner arrived at 5:32 p.m.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following department directors and
staff members present included: Innovation and Technology
Director Paul Haugan, Police Commander Steve Stocker,
Community Development and Public Works Director Kevin Snyder,
Assistant City Attorney Doug Ruth, City Engineer Jacob Sweeting,
Traffic Engineer James Webb, Assistant Director of Community
Development Services Jeff Tate, Project Engineer Ryan Vondrak,
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Ingrid
Gaub, Director of Administration Dana Hinman, Assistant Director
of Innovation and Technology Ashley Riggs, and City Clerk
Danielle Daskam.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. NEXUS Presentation on Youth Homelessness (15 Minutes)
Michael Jackson with Nexus Youth and Families spoke about youth
homelessness in the Auburn area. He spoke about the need for
shelter and providing nutritious food to homeless youth during the
day.
Nexus has a 12 -bed shelter for homeless children and young
adults. He spoke about providing homeless youth hope through
education and employment opportunities.
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2017
Mr. Jackson spoke briefly about the Indigenous Institute's work on
a suicide prevention program in the Native American communities.
Mr. Jackson also spoke briefly about Severson House where youth
from the age of 13 to 24 years learn life skills and job skills.
Councilmember Baggett stated the YMCA has transitional housing
for young adults coming out of foster care. Mr. Jackson agreed the
YMCA program is very similar to services provided by Nexus.
Councilmembers thanked Mr. Jackson for the word he does for the
youth of the community.
B. Junior City Council Report on Youth Homelessness (10
Minutes)
Immediately following roll call, the Junior City Council presented
their report to the City Council on youth homelessness. Junior City
Councilmembers presenting this evening included Sydney
Campbell, Jon Kosaka, and Matthew St. George.
Sydney Campbell, chair of the Junior City Council, stated homeless
youth face three main issues: basic necessities, knowing how to
ask for help, and education.
Junior City Councilmember Jon Kosaka stated some homeless
youth lack basic necessities such as food and shelter. This can
have a damaging effect on their health and well-being. Often
looked down upon by society and are therefore neglected. Being
homeless also means lack of access medical services and to
proper hygiene such as shower and grooming. Lack of property
hygiene can contribute to lack of opportunity to improve life, such
as finding a job.
Junior City Councilmember Matthew St. George spoke about how
homeless youth may lack the ability to know how to ask for help.
Some of the kids don't live with their parents and may live with a
relative or may live on the streets. Some of the kids that need
transportation are too shy to ask for help or are too embarrassed
about their situation. Some homeless children don't have the
paperwork needed to be enrolled in school.
Junior City Council Chair Campbell stated that some of the
obstacles homeless youth experience in getting an education is
lack of resources to obtain school supplies. If they cannot afford
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2017
school supplies, they will be less likely to attend school. Also,
homeless youth are unable to participate in sports due to the
required fees.
Junior City Councilmembers spoke regarding bullying that
homeless youth experience at school.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Deputy Mayor Selection Ad Hoc Committee Report
Councilmember DaCorsi stated the Deputy Mayor Selection Ad
Hoc Committee, comprised of himself and Councilmembers Trout -
Manuel and Peloza, reviewed several local jurisdictions processes
for designating their Deputy Mayor/Council President. The
Committee compared the cities of Tukwila, Lacey, Renton, Walla
Walla, Federal Way, Puyallup, Burien, SeaTac, and Kent.
Using a PowerPoint, Councilmember DaCorsi and Councilmember
Trout -Manuel provided the following information:
Auburn — Mavor/Council form of government
Selects Deputy Mayor annually, nominations by Council, elected by
majority vote of Council, and can serve more than one term if
elected to do so.
Tukwila — Mavor/Council form of government
Selects Council President annually on a rotation basis by seniority
of greatest consecutive years served. Councilmembers may opt
out of selection.
Lacey — Council/Manager form of government
Selects Mayor and Deputy Mayor annually, nominations by
Council, elected by majority vote.
Renton — Mayor/Council form of government
Selects Council President annually at the second regular Council
meeting in November. The Council President is selected from the
nominations by Council and upon a majority vote of the
Councilmembers present.
Walla Walla — Council/Manager form of government
Walla Walla does not have any written procedures. The Mayor and
Mayor Pro Tem are selected at the first regular meeting in January
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of even years, nominations by Council, and elected by majority
vote.
Federal Way — Mayor/Council form of government
The Deputy Mayor is selected annually by a majority vote.
Puyallup — Council/Manager form of government
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected biennially at the first
meeting of the new Council. The Councilmember with the highest
number of continuous years on the Council is selected to serve as
Mayor, and the Deputy Mayor is selected from nominations by
Council and majority vote.
Burien — Council/Manager form of government
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected from the ranks of the
Council at the first regular meeting in January. Nominations are
made by Council and elected by majority vote.
SeaTac — Council/Manager form of government
The Chairperson/Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected biennially
at the first meeting of the Council by majority vote.
Kent — Mayor/Council form of government
The Council President is elected every two years, nominations by
Council and elected by majority vote.
Councilmember Peloza distributed proposed revisions to section
12.1 of the Council Rules of Procedure in which the title would be
changed to "Council President'. The revisions to the Council Rules
call for the designation of the Council President on a seniority basis
on an annual basis. Seniority would be determined by number of
consecutive years served, the number of consecutive years and
months served and the number of votes received in the general
election. Councilmember Peloza also reviewed the process when
a Councilmember declines the appointment.
Councilmember Peloza reviewed the Mayor Pro Tem duties and
the Council President duties. Mayor Pro Tem Duties: 1) In the
event of the absence or incapacitation of the Mayor, the Council
President shall become the Mayor Pro Tem and shall perform the
duties of the Mayor; 2) The Mayor Pro Tem Shall not have authority
to appoint, remove, replace or take other similar action on any
director and/or employee of the City; 3) the Mayor Pro Tem shall
not have veto authority for actions that may be taken by the
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2017
Council; 4) Be aware of City, regional and intergovernmental
policies and activities in order to properly execute the role of Mayor.
Council President duties include: 1) The Council President shall
serve as the head of the legislative branch of City Government; 2)
In cooperation with the Mayor and Special Focus Area groups
chairpersons and with assistance from Administration, create and
establish agendas for all study sessions; 3) Serve as the chair and
presiding officer for all Council study sessions; 4) Preserve the
decorum and order at all Council study sessions; 5) Serve as the
ex -officio member of Council ad-hoc committees; 6) Serve as the
Councilmember overseeing the activities of and providing guidance
to the Junior City Council; 7) Assist in new Councilmember training;
8) Serve as the liaison between the City Council and the Mayor and
be a conduit between the City Council and the Mayor on issues or
concerns of the Council; 9) Facilitate any issue related to
Councilmembers conduct and/or actions that may be inappropriate
or that may be in violation of the Council Rules of Procedure.
Councilmember Wagner noted ten cities were compared, but only
one city selected the Deputy Mayor/Council President on a
seniority system. He stated he does not see the value of selecting
a Deputy Mayor/Council President on a seniority basis.
Deputy Mayor Wales requested a definition for the absence or
incapacitation of the Mayor.
Mayor Backus stated there is a difference between being out of the
office on business and being on vacation.
Councilmember Baggett inquired regarding succession should the
Mayor be incapacitated for a long term and not able to fulfill the
position. Councilmember DaCorsi stated the Deputy Mayor would
become the Mayor Pro Tem, until the next general election.
Councilmember Holman noted most of the Council/Mayor forms of
government elect their Deputy Mayor/Council President by majority
vote rather than by seniority. Councilmember Holman spoke in
favor the existing system for selecting Deputy Mayor.
Councilmember Wagner stated seniority is not a good
measurement of someone's ability to serve as Deputy Mayor.
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2017
Councilmember Peloza spoke in favor of seniority basis and noted
the City of Tukwila process has worked for approximately twenty
years.
Councilmember Wagner stated the City of Tukwila is a much
smaller city and is not a good comparison.
Councilmember DaCorsi questioned whether existing provisions
should include some qualifications as part of the selection process.
Deputy Mayor Wales spoke in favor of the committee's proposal as
it avoids competition among the Councilmembers.
Councilmember Baggett stated seniority should not automatically
entitle one to the position of Deputy Mayor. He suggested a
qualification process.
Councilmember DaCorsi agreed with Councilmember Baggett and
spoke about qualifications for Deputy Mayor.
Councilmember Trout -Manuel expressed support for
Councilmember Peloza and the proposed Deputy Mayor selection
system.
Councilmember Holman spoke in favor of retaining the existing
process.
Deputy Mayor Wales suggested looking at possible qualifications
as well as seniority. Deputy Mayor Wales asked the City Attorney
to prepare options for Deputy Mayor selection by seniority and
have the ad hoc committee pursue possible qualifications.
Councilmember DaCorsi, chair of the ad hoc committee, stated the
ad hoc committee would review options for qualifications before it
comes back to Council at the June 12th Study Session.
IV. PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS
At this time, Councilmember Wagner, chair of the Public Works and
Community Development Special Focus Area, presided over the following
special focus area discussion items.
A. IT Digital Parity Update
Innovation and Technology Director Haugan presented an update
on the Council digital parity project.
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2017
He asked the Council for guidance on the intended goals for
coverage—what percentage of the city coverage is the goal: full
city coverage, coverage for all students, or coverage of low-income
students based on Auburn School District data. The answers will
help determine the project cost projections.
Currently wireless coverage is: five percent of the city in area, six
percent of students, eight percent of residents, and 11 percent of
low-income students.
Councilmember Peloza urged Director Haugan to present the costs
associated with all the options for WIFI so that Council can make a
decision.
Councilmember Wagner stated it appears digital parity will cost
$1.2 million to cover 28 percent of students and $3 million to
provide 80 percent of the students with wireless coverage.
Councilmember Holman stated the goal for achieving digital parity
is to give low income students a fair playing field.
Director Haugan reviewed Option 1 for digital parity, which is a five-
year plan with funding of $250,000 per year and focusing on low
income in the Auburn School District.
Councilmember Wagner suggested Director Haugan provide costs
associated with annual maintenance.
Director Haugan spoke about the Community Connectivity
Consortium and its benefits to the City of Auburn.
At 7:18 p.m. the meeting recessed for 10 minutes for a brief
intermission. The meeting reconvened at 7:25 p.m.
B. Final Plat Approvals
Assistant Director of Community Development Services Tate
presented a proposal to amend the City's final plat approval
process.
This year, Senate Bill 5674 was signed into law amending Chapter
58.17 RCW by establishing an option for local government to
change final plat approval from a City Council action to an
administrative action. Advantages to shifting authority from the City
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City of Auburn Council Meeting Minutes Mav 22, 2017
Council to an administrative action saves the final plat applicant
approximately six to eight weeks. This is due to the time it takes to
prepare an ordinance, present the final plat at a study session,
present the final plat ordinance to Council for adoption, publish the
ordinance, and wait the five days after publication for the ordinance
to be in effect. The administration action will also save staff time in
preparation of the ordinance and agenda items.
Councilmembers indicated interest in pursuing the code change
and requested the ordinance appear on the June 12th study
session agenda and subsequent Council meeting
C. Capital Project Status Report
Assistant City Engineer Sweeting and Capital Projects Manager
Vondrak reviewed the capital projects program.
The Capital Projects Group of Community Development and Public
Works is currently managing 34 active capital projects with a total
cost of $62 million. Of these projects, 18 are under construction,
16 are in design, and nine additional projects will enter construction
phase this year.
The following projects were reviewed in detail: Project CP1218,
the Auburn Way South Corridor Safety Improvements
(Muckleshoot Plaza to Dogwood Street); Project C222A, the South
277th Corridor Capacity and Non -motorized Trail Improvements;
Project CP1507, Auburn Way North Preservation; Project CP1107,
Fulmer Wellfield Improvements; Project CP1415, West Main Street
Multi -modal Corridor and ITS Improvements; Project CP1511, M
Street SE Improvements (3rd Street SE to East Main); Project
CP1522, 301h Street NE Storm Improvements; and Project
CP1606. H St SE Extension.
Other projects that will start in 2017 include: Lake Tapps Parkway
Preservation, 37th and A Street SE Traffic Signal, 22nd and I
Street NE Intersection Improvements, M&O Building Roof
Replacement, B Street NW Reconstruction Project, Lea Hill PRV
Stations, 2017 Local Street Reconstruction, Auburn Way South -
ITS Dynamic Message Sign, and City-wide Sidewalk Repair and
Replacement.
Council also discussed Project MS1510, 10411 Avenue Building
Demolition; Project CP1407, Marchini Meadows; Project CP1416, F
Street SE Non -motorized Improvements; Project CP1316, East
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Ridge Manor Storm Improvements; Project CP1406, Main Street
Signal Upgrades; Project CP1513, 22nd Street NE and I Street NE
Intersection Improvements; Project CP1520, B Street NW
Reconstruction; and the South Hangar — Row 3 Door
Improvements.
D. TIP Update Discussion
Traffic Engineer Webb presented the Council with the first review
of the 2018-2023 Transportation Improvement Program. A more
detailed review will be presented at the June 12th Council Study
Session.
Engineer Webb reviewed the annual TIP update process. He
reviewed the two new projects that will be added to the TIP as well
as a modification to TIP 14. The new projects include: Auburn
Way South (SR164) — Hemlock Street to Poplar Street to extend
the five -lane roadway section and A Street Loop — A Street SW to
A Street SE, to add a one-way westbound connection with an
unsignalized right -turn at A Street SE.
V. OTHER DICUSSION
Councilmember Peloza inquired regarding a new overlay on Riverview
Drive NE between 14th and 22nd. Assistant Director Gaub stated the new
overlay is likely related to levy work by the county and is not Auburn's
project.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
VII. MATRIX
Councilmember Peloza expressed dissatisfaction with the current Special
Focus Area schedule. He believes the Special Focus Areas need to meet
more often. Councilmember Trout -Manuel concurred.
Councilmember Wagner suggested the Special Focus Area chair and vice
chair meet with department directors to go over status of topics for the
Special Focus Area portion of study sessions.
Councilmember Trout -Manuel requested the following be placed on the
next Human Services Special Focus Area: 1) Grant parameters for 2019-
2020; 2)Staff Resources for Regional Domestic Violence Committee.
Councilmember Peloza requested the following topics on the Municipal
Services Special Focus Area: 1) Airport Briefing; 2) District Court Briefing
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VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
W.
APPROVED THIS, DAY OF EGRA ,�
--MEEPELOZA, DEPU MAYOR Shawn Campbell, City Clerk
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