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Home My WebLink About10-23-2023 AgendaCity Council Study Session Community Wellness Special F ocus Area October 23, 2023 - 5:30 P M City Hall Council Chambers A GE NDA Watch the meeting L I V E ! Watch the meeting video Meeting videos are not available until 72 hours after the meeting has concluded. I .C A L L TO O R D E R I I .P UB L I C PA RT I C I PAT I O N A .P ublic P articipation The A uburn City Council Study Session Meeting scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. will be held in person and virtually. Virtual Participation L ink: To view the meeting virtually please click the below link, or call into the meeting at the phone number listed below. The link to the Virtual Meeting is: https://www.youtube.com/user/watchauburn/live/?nomobile=1 To listen to the meeting by phone or Zoom, please call the below number or click the link: Telephone: 253 215 8782 Toll F ree: 877 853 5257 Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89403197111 B .Roll Call I I I .A G E ND A MO D I F I C AT I O NS I V.A NNO UNC E ME NT S R E P O RT S A ND P R E S E NTAT I O NS V.A G E ND A I T E MS F O R C O UNC I L D I S C US S I O N A .E conomic Development Update – 3rd Quarter (Tate) (20 Minutes) B .Resolution No. 5744 (Hinman) (30 Minutes) A Resolution adopting the 2024 S tate L egislative Agenda V I .A D J O UR NME NT Agendas and minutes are available to the public at the City Clerk's Office, on the City website (http://www.auburnwa.gov), and via e-mail. Complete agenda packets are available for review at the City Clerk's Office. Page 1 of 30 AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM Agenda Subject: Economic Development Update – 3rd Quarter (Tate) (20 Minutes) Date: October 16, 2023 Department: Community Development Attachments: Presentation Budget Impact: Current Budget: $0 Proposed Revision: $0 Revised Budget: $0 Administrativ e Recommendation: For discussion only. Background for Motion: Background Summary: Economic Development staff will present a quarterly update on items being worked on throughout the year. This presentation will focus on the third quarter. Rev iewed by Council Committees: Councilmember:Brown Staff:Tate Meeting Date:October 23, 2023 Item Number: Page 2 of 30 AUBURN VALUES S E R V I C E ENVIRONMENT E C O N O M Y C H A R A C T E R SUSTAINABILITY W E L L N E S S C E L E B R AT I O N CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTER 3 UPDATE PRESENTED BY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT JENN FRANCIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OCTOBER 23 RD, 2023 Department of Community Development Planning ⚫ Building ⚫ Development Engineering ⚫ Permit Center Economic Development ⚫ Community Services ⚫ Code EnforcementPage 3 of 30 CITY OF AUBURN’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION Abid Rahmani Economic Development Coordinator Jenn Francis Economic Development Manager Page 4 of 30 TOPICS TO EXPLORE SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATION ❑Downtown Engagement ❑BIA Update ❑Downtown Auburn Cooperative ❑Comprehensive Plan Update ❑Green River College Small Business Assistance ❑Marketing Campaigns ❑Pacific Raceways ❑Business Connect Events ❑Tourism/Explore Auburn Update ❑National Night Out – Downtown ❑Placer AI in Place for Web Location Intelligence Application ❑Good Neighbor Agreement Meetings ❑What We are Working on for 4th Quarter Page 5 of 30 Andy, Auburn Safe & Lock Louis, The Dollar Latino Store DOWNTOWN ENGAGEMENT Economic Development Division engaging with downtown businesses Page 6 of 30 Economic Development has visited over 60 businesses in the BIA. Comments have included positive feedback and concerns. Compliments ▪Improved security Downtown ▪Appreciative of Broken Window Assistance Program from 2022 ▪Improved efficient business licensing process ▪New flowerpots and hanging baskets on the Main Street  Criticism ▪Parking - 4 -hour limit specifically for accessibility parking ▪The need to encourage foot traffic in the downtown area ▪Homelessness and drug use DOWNTOWN ENGAGEMENT Page 7 of 30 The BIA board held its September monthly meeting. The July and August meetings were canceled due to a lack of quorum. We are actively engaged in outreach efforts to recruit new board members. The BIA Board approved $40,000 for the Pet Relief Project. The total estimated project cost is $65,000. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA Page 8 of 30 DOWNTOWN AUBURN COOPERATIVE Painting was completed on the Sylvan, Allstate, and Rottles buildings. New mural on Rottles building. The first phase of the solar lights on buildings from Auburn Way N to B Street Plaza has been completed. Page 9 of 30 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT - COMP PLAN SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATION The first draft of the Economic Development Element has completed. The draft element has been sent for initial internal review. Page 10 of 30 FALL 2023 CLASSES GREEN RIVER COLLEGE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Page 11 of 30 PACIFIC RACEWAYS FANFEST 2023 SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATION NHRA FanFest 2023 was held at Dave & Busters at The Outlet Collection on Thursday, July 20th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. The event had food & beverages, drivers autograph signing opportunities, ticket raffles, and the fun of mingling with other NHRA fans. Page 12 of 30 PACIFIC RACEWAYS Page 13 of 30 DOWNTOWN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT •FOOD •BEER GARDEN •ROOTBEER FLOATS •GAMES •LIVE MUSIC •LANDING SITE FOR DEBRIEFPage 14 of 30 RFP FOR WEB LOCATION INTELLIGENCE APPLICATION Page 15 of 30 PLACER AI…ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME? Web Location Intelligence Application – Rolling Out to Directors this Fall. Page 16 of 30 BUSINESS CONNECT EVENTS SUMMER 2023 SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATIONPage 17 of 30 BUSINESS CONNECT EVENTS SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATION The Average Attendance: 40 January – Outlet Collection February – MakerSpace – Community Center March – Joy Hour April – Junior Achievement May – White River Amphitheatre June – PNW Coffee Co. (with over 100 attendees) July – Delayed August – West Valley Deli September – Auburn Municipal Airport October – Valley Regional Fire Agency November – Postmark Center for the Arts December - Page 18 of 30 TOURISM – WEBSITE UPDATE WWW.EXPLOREAUBURN.COM SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATION The Auburn Area Chamber has been working with a consultant to update the Explore Auburn Website. It launched on July 19th prior to the NHRA weekend events. Page 19 of 30 July Winner August Winner #EXPLOREAUBURN The prize includes 4 tickets to Emerald Downs, PNW Coffee sticker, Explore Auburn logo gear (t-shirt, key chain, postcard, etc.) and gift card to Gosanko Chocolate. September Winner Page 20 of 30 GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT 3 RD QUARTERLY MEETING AT DON’S PLACE SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATION •Economic Development attends as a liaison for businesses •Meeting Held September 26th, 2023 •Currently Have 11 Residences– Hoping to increase to 13 by the end of the month. They currently have 13 employees. •Compass Housing is updating security. •Plumbing is being replaced. •The revised goal is for new residents to occupy additional units by Thanksgiving. Page 21 of 30 UPCOMING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOPICS FOR 4 TH QUARTER SERVICE ⚫ ENVIRONMENT ⚫ ECONOMY ⚫ CHARACTER ⚫ SUSTAINABILITY ⚫ WELLNESS ⚫ CELEBRATION ❑DOWNTOWN ENGAGEMENT ❑BUSINESS CONNECT EVENTS ❑PLACER.AI FEEDBACK FROM DIRECTORS ❑COMP PLAN UPDATE ❑CIVICS ACADEMY FEEDBACK ❑MICROENTERPRISE GRANT UPDATE ❑PORT OF SEATTLE GRANT RESULTS ❑AND MORE…. Page 22 of 30 AUBURN VALUES S E R V I C E ENVIRONMENT E C O N O M Y C H A R A C T E R SUSTAINABILITY W E L L N E S S C E L E B R AT I O N Department of Community Development Planning ⚫ Building ⚫ Development Engineering ⚫ Permit Center Economic Development ⚫ Community Services ⚫ Code Enforcement QUESTIONS? JENN FRANCIS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER JFRANCIS@AUBURNWA.GOV 253-215-8744 - OFFICE Page 23 of 30 AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM Agenda Subject: Resolution No. 5744 (Hinman) (30 Minutes) Date: October 18, 2023 Department: Administration Attachments: Res olution No. 5744 2024 City of Auburn Legislative Priorities Budget Impact: Current Budget: $0 Proposed Revision: $0 Revised Budget: $0 Administrativ e Recommendation: For discussion only. Background for Motion: Each year the City of Auburn prepares a list of priority items to guide our efforts during the upcoming Washington State Legislative Session. Background Summary: The City of Auburn staff, council and community in conjunction with other municipalities, organizations and agencies work together each year in between legislative sessions to develop a list of priority topics for our communities. The 69th Legislative Session is a short session (60 days) and will convene on January 8, 2024 and end on March 7, 2024. Rev iewed by Council Committees: Councilmember:Trout-Manuel Staff:Hinman Meeting Date:October 23, 2023 Item Number: Page 24 of 30 RESOLUTION NO. 5744 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING THE 2024 STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WHEREAS, the actions of the Washington State Legislature in respect to local government issues, services, and funding have a profound effect on the City’s ability to provide local services to its residents; and WHEREAS, the Auburn City Council believes that it is appropriate to communicate its position regarding issues affecting the City and local government that may come before the State Legislature during the 2024 legislative session. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, RESOLVES as follows: Section 1. The City Council adopts its 2024 Legislative Agenda as set forth in Exhibit A. Section 2. The Mayor shall cause a copy of this Resolution be delivered to the City’s State Legislative District representatives and to other regional government entities. Section 3. This Resolution will take effect and be in full force on passage and signatures. Dated and Signed: CITY OF AUBURN ____________________________ NANCY BACKUS, MAYOR ATTEST: ______________________________ Shawn Campbell, MMC, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ____________________________ Harry Boesche, Acting City Attorney Page 25 of 30 2024 State Legislative Priorities PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE: The City of Auburn supports the continued reforms to policing and community caretaking in our State and wishes to continue working in concert with legislators, police officers, our communities and others to continue this effort. • REQUEST: Work with cities to make technical fixes those bills in which language is vague, conflicting or confusing. • REQUEST: add additional crimes that police are authorized to pursue, to include burglary, vehicle theft, and possession of stolen vehicles. ISSUE: Police agencies are currently in a staffing crisis. As we recover from the pandemic and also seek to fill vacated positions, we will need tools to ensure our departments are fully staffed and able to effectively respond to local public safety needs. • REQUEST: Additional funding for the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) would drastically shorten the amount of time prospective police officers are on municipal payrolls without being able to get into training. • REQUEST: Additional funding for officer wellness and DEI staffing within police agencies. • REQUEST: Additional funding sources for officer recruitment and retention. Possibly through a councilmanic public safety sales tax or impact fee ISSUE: Impacts to towing companies from the Seattle v. Long decision force cities to expend more sums for towing services. • REQUEST: Additional dedicated funding to cities for towing services, or an increase in funding to the State reimbursement account under RCW 46.53.010 ISSUE: Ongoing crime/public safety issues related to illegal drug use. • REQUEST: Restore drug free school zones and expand to community parks • REQUEST: Additional funding to implement new law (Blake fix) • REQUEST: Ongoing funding for therapeutic courts, recovery programs in jails and after treatment supports ISSUE: RCW 10.112.010 requires a subpoena for records In a criminal investigation of an offense involving the sexual exploitation of children. This process is slow and can lead to further exploitation of children or allow the perpetrator to avoid arrest. • REQUEST: Change the requirement to a search warrant to allow officers to quickly identify evidence to interrupt the cybercrimes against children Page 26 of 30 2023 State Legislative Priorities – To Edit REGULATORY & LAND USE ISSUE: As communities grow there are no impact fees to benefit police. • REQUEST: Enact legislation that would allow cities to collect a police impact fee since added population and businesses have the same resource demands and challenges as fire, transportation, parks and schools. ISSUE: Affordable housing needs are deeper than 60% AMI – more like 50% or 40%. Washington State Housing Finance Commission programs are providing great support for projects that hit the 60% AMI mark. • REQUEST: Create incentives to hit the deeper marks since that is where the greatest need exists. • REQUEST: Future legislation related to affordable housing, missing middle housing or other land use laws must provide safe harbor for those cities that are creating or in the process of creating their Housing Action Plan (HAP) in line with previous legislative actions that included grant funding provided by the State Legislature. ISSUE: Rehabilitate Existing Affordable housing. There are very few programs that help maintain older homes and multifamily complexes which results in one of two outcomes (1) older properties are maintained appropriately but the investment is reflected in increasing rental costs, or (2) older properties are not maintained which helps keep rental costs down but at the sake of declining health and safety. • REQUEST: Create dedicated funds to put towards the rehabilitation of single or multifamily units because it is far less expensive and environmentally sustainable to preserve existing housing stock instead of building new units and will ensure housing stock is readily available in the market. ISSUE: The large number of regulatory processes are a hindrance to bringing affordable housing projects to fruition including SEPA, GMA, NPDES. State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) is an outdated and overly burdensome process that adds time and money. Growth Management Act (GMA) and affordable housing objectives are at direct odds because the GMA limits supply which increases costs. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) adds significant cost to development which is passed on to future owners or tenants. • REQUEST: Allow procedural relief for any mandates that the State Legislature imparts upon cities. Work with cities to make it easier for us to update our local laws if or when it is in response to a State mandate rather than having to go through all of the obligations related to the planning commission, SEPA, public notice, etc. ISSUE: The 2023 legislative session introduced a high volume of planning and zoning changes centered around affordable housing. The City of Auburn supports efforts to address the current housing crisis in Washington and in King County specifically and want to part of the solution. • REQUEST: Allow cities time to respond to the recent changes in planning and zoning laws from 2023 and also to ensure the changes are accomplishing the desired results. • REQUEST: Remedy conflicting or vague language in the multitude of planning and zoning bills passed in recent years. For example, the definition of a transit stop varies widely between bills. Page 27 of 30 2023 State Legislative Priorities – To Edit PUBLIC WORKS, TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE: It is critical to protect all of the State funds that support local transportation projects. The cities cannot do this on their own given the amount of growth and commerce in the region. This includes maintained or increased funding for Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) and Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) along with state grant programs managed by the WSDOT for local agency projects. • REQUEST: Fund an Implementation Plan for the SR167 Master Plan that was completed in 2023. This was an important first step in meeting the needs of the underserved communities along the SR167 corridor and the legislature needs to support the next step of creating the implementation plan so that the project envisioned collaboratively in the Master Plan have the potential to be completed and provide the benefit to the region that is needed. • REQUEST: Increase the councilmanic ability to levy sales taxes for infrastructure. • REQUEST: Make changes to appropriate RCWs to allow Municipalities to charge properties for street lighting. Current RCW 54.16.120 allows Utility Districts to charge properties for providing street lighting, but the law does not allow Municipalities to do this. Current revenues for general fund use cannot meet the needs and charging for street lighting would be an appropriate way to address a specific service being provided to residents and businesses within a jurisdiction. • REQUEST: Retain or increase the Public Works Trust Fund amount. The legislature continues to raid this fund to fix structural budget issues and it must stop. The PWTF it is key to providing funding for local agency projects. • REQUEST: Retain and increase the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This fund is key for local water purveyors to cost effectively fund needed infrastructure projects. • REQUEST: Support allocating 1% of the existing aviation fuel tax to WSDOT’s Aviation account to fund airport projects. Current levels of funding cannot meet the growing need to maintain and improve this important infrastructure that provides a significant benefit to commerce and the State’s economy. • REQUEST: Support the industry and federal efforts to develop a replacement fuel to 100 Low- Lead for aviation uses that works for all aircraft without adding additional time constraints for Washington State only that will only negatively impact these industries and users within Washington. PARKS AND OPEN SPACES ISSUE: Help cities protect and maintain parks and open spaces • REQUEST: Maintain funding for the Washington Recreation & Conservation Office and Land/Water Conservation Fund so residents have increased access to existing and new public spaces • REQUEST: Support Washington State Historical Society’s (WSHS) capital budget request and the Heritage Capital Projects in the 2023-2025 funding biennium which includes the transformation of Auburn’s Historic Post office building into an Arts & Culture Center • REQUEST: Support Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) request for municipal parks deferred maintenance grant funding program in the 2023-25 Operating Budget Page 28 of 30 2023 State Legislative Priorities – To Edit SOCIAL SERVICES ISSUE: Cities throughout the State do not have the local resources available to adequately address homelessness, substance abuse disorders and untreated mental illness. • REQUEST: Support greater funding for behavioral health programs and incentivize workers to pursue careers in behavioral health • REQUEST: Support and fund programs that will alleviate the need for police response to quality- of-life issues such as mental distress or illness, substance abuse and persons experiencing homelessness • REQUEST: Make any necessary changes to State laws that prohibit cities from hiring Mental Health Professionals or Designated Crisis Responders. • REQUEST: Provide clarification on the qualified use of Trueblood dollars to ensure the continuum of care in local communities • REQUEST: Support the construction and operation of tiny home villages on state-owned property. These villages are considered permanent supportive housing using a community living concept. The Quixote Communities is proving to be an effective model for bringing people into housed and safe living environments ISSUE: South King County is facing a growing affordable housing crisis. As a member of the South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP), we pool funds with other cities to support the production and preservation of affordable housing in South King County, but we need more help. • REQUEST: In order to address this crisis, we need to fund all aspects of affordable housing, including: ▪ Homeownership for moderate income households and below ▪ Preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) ▪ Land acquisition to secure permanent affordability ▪ Permanent supportive housing (PSH) ▪ Infrastructure around affordable housing developments ▪ Workforce housing BUDGET & FINANCE ISSUE: The arbitrary 1% property tax cap is regressive and hinders growth in Washington state. The City of Auburn supports a commonsense reform to this cap. • REQUEST: Revise the cap by tying it to inflation and population growth with a limit of 3% ISSUE: The leasehold excise tax can be interpreted in many ways according to the Department of Revenue and causes confusion within local jurisdictions. • REQUEST: Provide greater clarification on what is considered a benefit and who the beneficiary actually is to ensure equitable application of the law Page 29 of 30 2023 State Legislative Priorities – To Edit COUNCIL FEEDBACK RECIEVED • Public Safety • Policing reforms • Organized retail theft • Addressing homelessness • Responding to litter, especially on onramps • Use of fentanyl and recovery resources • Rent control • Support for equity in communities • Support funding for mental health counselors for youth • Climate initiatives that relate to the lowering of temperatures in South King County Questions to address: • Explain the need for Blake fix resources • Provide details on how the funding the rehabilitation of existing properties will preserve existing affordable housing • Provide more details on the request for support from SKHHP • Explain request to support tiny home villages • Discuss possible funding requests • Explain the need for further protections of the Public Works Trust Fund • Provide more information on desire to charge for street lighting Page 30 of 30