HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-2017 Minutes City Council Study Session PWCD SFA
December 11, 2017 - 5:30 PM
• Council Chambers - City Hall
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Deputy Mayor Largo Wales called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of Auburn City Hall located at 25 West Main Street in Auburn.
A. Roll Call
Councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Largo Wales, Bob Baggett,
Claude DaCorsi, John Holman, Bill Peloza, Yolanda Trout-Manuel, and
Rich Wagner.
Mayor Nancy Backus and the following department directors and staff
members were present: Innovation and Technology Director Paul
Haugan, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Community Development and
Public Works Director Kevin Snyder, Police Commander Mike Hirman,
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Ingrid Gaub,
Parks Planning and Development Manager Jamie Kelly, Traffic Engineer
James Webb, Assistant City Engineer Jacob Sweeting, Capital Projects
Manager Ryan Vondrak, Street Systems Engineer Jai Carter, Code
Enforcement Officer George Winner, and Deputy City Clerk Shawn
Campbell.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS, AND PRESENTATIONS
Deputy Mayor Wales announced she would like to add discussion of Deputy
Mayor transition and whether the Council will hold a study session meeting on
December 26th.
III. AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
There was no item under general discussion.
IV. PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS
Councilmember Rich Wagner, chair of the Public Works and Community
Development Special Focus Area, presided over the meeting during discussion
of the Special Focus Area items.
A. Discussion of Digital Parity Goal (Haugan)(15 Minutes)
Innovation and Technology Director Haugan updated the Council on
Council Goas G2: Increase Internet Access to Achieve Digital Parity by
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2020.
Director Haugan referred to the recap of work accomplished in 2016-2017
included in the agenda packet, but stated his focus this evening is on
Council's goals for coverage. The recap reported major infrastructure to
include unconnected parts of the City through partnerships. Project
locations for 2018 include: Auburn High School, Cascade High School,
Lea Hill Elementary, and Olympic Middle School.
Focusing on coverage goals of Council, Director Haugan referred to a
cost estimate sheet included in the Council packet. The target coverage
goal has been broadband coverage for low income students. The 80
percent coverage target equates to approximately 54 percent of residents.
Budget estimates equates to $2.7 million for the target audience, and $6.2
million for 80 percent of all residents. Implementation timeline is anywhere
from five to ten years.
Director Haugan asked Council for their consideration of coverage goals
and how much of budget the Council wants to allocate to the effort.
In response to a questions from Council, Director Haugan stated
approximately 3,000 users access the broadband on a daily basis.
Access Auburn is not available for entertainment features. The City
partners with Wave Broadband, Zayo, and Verizon to provide broadband
services.
Councilmember Holman stated Council's original goal was to benefit low
income students and it should be kept that way. He spoke in favor of the
goal of 80 percent of low-income students.
Councilmember Peloza expressed concern about the funding costs while
there are funding needs for homelessness, roads and other issues.
Deputy Mayor Wales stated Council needs to address other primary
responsibilities of the City before a decision is made on the level of
broadband coverage.
Councilmember DaCorsi spoke in favor of focusing on coverage for 80
percent of low income students. Deputy Mayor Wales and
Councilmember Trout-Manuel agreed.
Councilmember Peloza stated he would also like to see an option for 50
percent of target coverage.
Director Haugan stated funding would be considered during the 2019-
2020 budget process.
B. Centers Designation Overview(Snyder)(10 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Community Development Services Tate, Assistant
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Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Gaub, and Brian Parry,
Senior Policy Analyst with Sound Cities Association presented Council
with information regarding the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC)
centers designation.
The term "centers designation" or"regional centers" has been in place and
utilized in regional planning for the last thirty years. The current framework
includes two types of centers: regional growth centers and regional
manufacturing and industrial centers. Auburn has one PSRC regional
growth center in the downtown area. Auburn does not have a regional
manufacturing industrial center.
The City uses the center designation in its applications to PSRC for
regional and countywide federal grant funds in the Surface Transportation
Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Having
a designated center allows the City to be more competitive in the grant
process.
An area designated as a center carries several requirements and
objectives related to the type of designation. These include: establishing
growth targets, adopting land use policies and regulations that are
consistent with growth targets, implementing capital facilities and
transportation plans that emphasize pubic investment in these areas, and
evaluating how these areas are performing relative to adopted policies and
strategies.
PSRC is currently working through an effort to update the "centers
framework" which outlines updated criteria for designation of the various
different types of centers and evaluating the performance of a center.
The effort is expected to conclude in 2018.
Councilmember Holman reporting the PSRC Growth Management Policy
Board has eliminated any tiering options.
C. Capital Project Status Report and 2017 Year End Summary(Snyder)(10 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Gaub, Assistant
City Engineer Jacob Sweeting, and Capital Projects Manager Ryan
Vondrak presented the capital projects status report and the 2017 year
end summary of capital projects.
Assistant Director Gaub reviewed the accomplishments of 2017. In 2017,
the City advertised for bid 20 significant construction projects and
continued five other capital projects from 2016. The combined projects
totaled over$31 million in capital construction expenditures, including over
30 lane miles of new pavement, 6,500 linear feet of utilities, and four miles
of sidewalks.
Councilmembers reviewed the Capital Project Status Report and
discussed the following projects: Project CP1502 37th Street SE and A
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Street Traffic Signal, Project CP1317 Water Meter and Billing System
Improvements, Project CP1701 Auburn Way South Dynamic Message
Sign, Project CP1408 South Hangar Row 3 Door Improvements,
MS1716 37th Street NE and I Street NE Curb Ramp Improvements,
Project CP1705 Auburn Way South Sidewalk Improvements, and
CP1513 22nd and I Street NE Intersection Improvements.
D. Resolution 5323, Amendment to the Transit Service Direct Financial Partnership
Agreement (Snyder)(5 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Gaub and Traffic
Engineer James Webb presented Resolution No. 5323, approving the
fourth amendment to the Transit Service Direct Financial Partnership
Agreement.
In 2008, the City entered the original agreement to provide additional
transit service within the city, and in 2010 implemented the Lakeland Hills-
Auburn Sounder Station Shuttle Service (Route 497). The fourth
amendment provides increased shuttle service on Route 497 to meet
increased weekday trains.
The agreement splits the costs of the Route 497 shuttle service three
ways between the City, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit. The
additional costs to the City to provide the service is $29,472 for 2018.
In 2016, the annual ridership of Route 497 was at 67,250 boardings.
Through October of 2017, the annual ridership was already at 65,372
boardings.
E. Resolution No. 5335, I nterlocal Agreement regarding SCATBd (Snyder)(10 Minutes)
Mayor Backus followed up on Council discussion held on October 23,
2017, regarding the South King County Area Transportation Board
(SCATBd) Interlocal Agreement revisions.
The Board is comprised of elected officials representing South King
County jurisdictions for the purpose of information sharing, consensus
building and coordinating to resolve transportation issues, identifying
priorities, making recommendations, and promoting transportation plans
and programs that benefit the South King County area. The revised
agreement provides two additional jurisdictions with voting rights on Sound
Transit issues, while the two additional jurisdictions area outside the Sound
Transit area. Concerns have been expressed about jurisdictions outside
the Sound Transit area voting on Regional Transit Authority issues, and
Mayor Backus indicated a further revised interlocal may be forthcoming.
The current interlocal agreement expires December 31, 2017. The
changes to the interlocal agreement provide clarifying language as to the
role of SCATBd and various entities' voting rights. The proposed
interlocal will run through 2019 with the ability to extend through 2021.
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The resolution approving the interlocal agreement will be presented to
Council at a future meeting.
F. 118th Avenue SE Roadway(Snyder)(10 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Gaub presented
information on 118th Avenue SE Roadway. She recalled that last August,
the City received a petition regarding 118th Avenue SE from South 304th
Street northward to the end of the existing road. The petition was
submitted by 18 of the 34 properties that access 118th Avenue SE and 29
residents of the City of Kent. The petition requests the City consider re-
building a portion of the roadway.
The street was originally built by King County. It was a dead end road until
2008 when the Bridges Development was connected under permits by
King County and the City of Kent. The street was annexed to the City of
Auburn in 2008.
The roadways classifications are as follows: residential collector from SE
304th Street to SE 302nd Street; and local residential from SE 302nd
Street to SE 296th Place, however, this section should be re-classified to
a residential collector as this is how it operates.
Crash history along 118th since 2008 includes three crashes (2 were
single vehicle crashes). None involved pedestrians or bicycles.
Roadway Pavement Conditions are 82 and 95. The street is not a
candidate for preservation work.
The City has received complaints of street racing and speeding in the
area.
In response to the complaints, the City has installed additional signage,
reduced the speed limit to 25 MPH, installed 20 MPH warning speed
signage (where appropriate), installed additional pavement markings,
added a speed radar sign on southbound lanes, and a speed radar sign on
northbound side is in process.
Police enforcement from September 2014 to August 2017 included 84
traffic infractions and 16 criminal traffic citations. The area is a known area
for emphasis patrols and speed enforcement.
Assistant Director Gaub discussed the work suggested by the petitioners.
The work requested would include the following: reconstruction of
approximately 400 feet of roadway, construction of retaining walls,
reconstruction of approximately seven private driveways. The project
would not include widening, sidewalks, drainage, curb and gutter, and
lighting. The estimated cost would be $842,000. The project would not
be eligible for preservation funds or traffic impact fees.
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Director Gaub proposed the following next steps: continue Police
emphasis patrols and speed enforcement, continue to monitor
incidents/speed, and evaluate effectiveness of traffic calming measures.
The meeting recessed at 7:06 p.m. for a seven-minute intermission. The
meeting reconvened at 7:13 p.m.
G. Development Regulations Update, Round 2 (Snyder)(15 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Gaub and
Assistant Director of Community Development Services Tate presented
the Council with information on code updates and development
regulations.
Assistant Director Tate explained that Mayor Backus had directed staff to
put together potential code amendments intended to eliminate or ease
some of the challenges that developers and City staff face when reviewing
development proposals and at the same time gain greater efficiency and
flexibility without compromising the greater objectives that the code was
intending to achieve. On May 8, 2017, staff presented the initial list of
potential code changes to City Council. Assistant Director Tate directed
the Council's attention to the list of potential code changes contained in the
agenda packet.
Assistant Director Tate asked for feedback on the list and process. He
stated staff would like to come to Council a couple times a year to update
code.
There was discussion regarding the first item of the matrix relating to
residential density and the new items on the list starting with construction
job shacks, fee assessment and collection, DUC standards, fence height,
landscape maintenance bonds, and threshold for SEPA categorical
exemptions.
H. Lea Hill Road & 104th Avenue Park- Future Plans (Snyder)(15 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Gaub and Parks
Planning and Development Manager Jamie Kelly presented information on
future plans for Lea Hill Road and 104th Avenue Park. Assistant Director
Gaub spoke about the potential roadway improvements along the Lea Hill
Road/8th Street NE corridor, and Manager Kelly reviewed the future plans
for the park at 104th Avenue SE.
Manager Kelly, using a PowerPoint slide of the park area reviewed the
preliminary plan for the park. The cost estimate for developing the park is
$1.7 million. Potential funding sources include grants from the state under
Recreation and Conservation Office for water access and local park
construction, and the land water and conservation fund for playgrounds and
picnic shelters. Park impact fees would provide the City match for any
grants. The park area is 14 acres, and 20 to 30 parking spaces are
planned. Access to the park will be via 104th Avenue SE.
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Deputy Mayor Wales requested a report from staff regarding park
maintenance responsibilities.
Assistant Director Gaub reviewed the Lea Hill Road corridor project. The
project will be developed in three segments:
Segment 1 — R Street NE to 105th PI SE
Segment 2 - 105th PI SE to 112th Ave SE
Segment 3— 112th Ave SE to 124th Ave SE
The roadway will be widened to four lanes with pedestrian and bike
facilities. Intersection improvements will be constructed to address
capacity and safety. The project will require the closure of 102nd Avenue
SE from Lea Hill Road/8th Street NE and an alternative access to 104th
Ave S E.
The estimated cost is $30 million. The City has been purchasing right-of-
way properties as they become available.
I. 2018 Arterial and Local Street Selection (Snyder)(10 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Engineering Services/City Engineer Gaub and Street
Systems Engineer Jai Carter presented a review of the 2018 arterial and
local street preservation projects scheduled for 2018 in the amount of$7.3
million.
Engineer Carter reviewed the grant funded 2018 reconstruction projects:
277th Street Preservation, 15th Street NW/NE Preservation, and West
Valley Highway between SR 18 off ramp and Peasley Canyon Road.
Local street reconstruction projects for 2018 are: South 286th Street,
122nd Avenue South, K Street NE, and 17th Street NE.
Deputy Mayor Wales inquired about the gravel road on 25th Street SE
near Cedar Lanes Park. Assistant Director Gaub stated earlier Public
Works Committee recommendation was to use reconstruction for paved
roads and not construction of new roads such as the gravel road.
Construction of the road would require acquisition of properties and
installation of all utilities.
Engineer Carter reported the 2018 Citywide Patch and Overlay Project will
include all of the non-grant funded arterial preservation streets as well as
the local streets that are to receive a thin overlay.
Councilmember DaCorsi suggested Council review new projects in more
detail and have Council prioritize the projects.
Councilmember Trout-Manuel suggested an ad hoc committee to review
new projects and make a recommendation to staff.
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Councilmembers DaCorsi, Trout-Manuel and Baggett volunteered to serve
on the ad hoc committee.
J. Planning Commission Recommendation—Amending Title 18 as it Relates to
Calculating Residential Densities (Snyder)(20 Minutes)
Assistant Director of Community Development Services Tate presented
the Planning Commission's recommendation on amendments to Title 18
related to calculating residential densities.
Assistant Director Tate reported the Planning Commission held a hearing
on September 6th and subsequently made a recommendation that the City
Council amend various sections of Title 18 as they relate to the
methodology used to calculate residential densities when subdividing
land. The Planning Commission voted in favor of all but one of staff's
recommended code changes.
The first change relates to a shift from utilizing "Net Site Area"
methodology to a "Gross Site Area" methodology. The net side area
meant that areas of land must be removed from a property before
determining the potential number of lots that can be created through a
subdivision. A shift to gross site area establishes a simple and predictable
formula for calculating density. Density output is based on the raw acreage
of the land. Critical area regulations must still be adhered to, roads and
sidewalk designed accordingly, minimum lot sizes achieved, minimum lot
widths adhered to, setbacks met, coverage limits complied with, and all
other development standards addressed.
The next change allows for the administrative decision to waive the
requirement to meet minimum density when a lot is encumbered by critical
areas, conservation easements, utility easements, or other encumbrances
that make it impractical to meet the density requirement.
The recommendation also allows the exemption of short subdivisions ( 9
lot subdivisions or less)from the requirement to meet minimum density.
The Planning Commission also recommended eliminating the requirement
that all subdivisions adhere to a"Minimum Average Lot Area."
Staff made a recommendation to the Planning Commission that they
consider reducing the minimum lot size in the R5 zone from 6,000 square
feet to 4,500 square feet. The rationale for this modification is to create
more flexibility in the design of residential communities and more
opportunity to achieve a zoning designation's intended density. Staff
indicated that the singular effect of this change would be a potential
reduction in the size of a back yard. The Planning Commission did
recommend approval of the lot size reduction for the R5 zone.
In response to a question from Councilmembers, Assistant Director Tate
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indicated the City is unable to meet most of its growth targets right now.
There are a fair number of 5-10 acre properties in the City that can be
developed.
Deputy Mayor Wales stated there are many people who do not want to
care for a yard or need a large yard.
Councilmembers spoke about adapting to the times and transitioning from
a suburban area to a more metropolitan city. Councilmembers indicated a
willingness to consider a reduction in lot size in the R5 zone.
K. Dangerous Dogs (Lee)(10 Minutes)
Police Commander Mike Hirman and Code Enforcement Officer (former
Animal Control Officer) George Winner reviewed potentially dangerous
and dangerous dog regulations and designations.
In 2016, the number of animal service calls were 1,883 and so far in 2017
there are 1,649 calls. In 2016, 186 animal related reports and
investigations were conducted, and so far in 2017, 160 reports have been
completed.
There are currently 372 dogs that have registered with the City exclusively
due to the dog's breed. Of the 372 registrations, 216 are pit bull terriers or
a mix of the breed. There are currently 13 dogs that are registered with the
City as Designated Potentially Dangerous and 12 Dangerous Dog
registrations.
Commander Hirman reported that currently both Animal Control Officer
positions are vacant and applicants are being recruited.
The Animal Control Officers do not followup on all potentially dangerous
dogs based on breed. Having to followup on 372 registered dogs would
be very time consuming. Pro-active measure in the future could be in the
form of more community awareness and education as to the dangerous
dog ordinance and its requirements.
Councilmember Peloza stated the City needs a program to followup on
dangerous dogs.
V. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
There was no other discussion.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
VII. MATRIX
A. Matrix
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Councilmember Wagner suggested adding the READY Program to the
matrix under Health and Human Services.
Councilmember Peloza stated the items for Sister Cities, Cemetery, and
Multimedia will be held on January 8, 2018.
Deputy Mayor Wales suggested cancelling the December 26th study
session. There was no objection from Councilmembers.
It was noted that the selection of Deputy Mayor will be conducted at the
January 2, 2018 meeting.
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
APPROVED this \`'Kc= day of wry 2019.
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BILL PELOZA, DEPUTYMAYOR Shawn Campbell, City Clerk
Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website
(http://www.aubumwa.gov), and via e-mail. Complete agenda packets are available for review
at the City Clerk's Office.
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