HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-2015 Minutes * City Council Study Session
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��. July 13, 2015 - 5:30 PM
' �V' '_ ! , Aubum City Hall
1VASHINGTON MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Deputy Mayor John Holman called the July 13, 2015, City Council Study Session to
order at 5.30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street,
Auburn, WA, 98001 �
A. Roll Call
Councilmembers in attendance: Deputy Mayor John Holman, Claude DaCorsi,
Wayne Osborne, Bill Peloza, Yolanda Trout, and Largo Wales. Councilmember
Rich Wagner arrived at 5.33 p.m.
City officials and staff in attendance included: Mayor Nancy Backus, Community
Development and Public Works Director Kevin Snyder, Utilities Engineering
Manager Lisa Tobin, Assistant Director of Engineenng Services/City Engineer
Ingrid Gaub, City Attorney Daniel B. Heid, Finance Director Shelley Coleman,
Police Chief Bob Lee, Innovation and Technology Customer Support Manager
Reba Stowe, Innovation and Technology Operations Manager Ashley
Riggs, Water Utility Engineer Susan Fenhaus, Assistant Director of Community
Development Services Jeff Tate, Planning Services Manager Jeff Dixon, Director
of Administration Michael Hursh, Solid Waste and Recycling Supervisor Joan
Nelson, and City Clerk Danielle Daskam.
II. AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION
A. Presentation by Waste Management and King County Solid Waste Division's
Road to 70% Recycling (20 Minute Presentation/10 Minute Q&A) (Coleman)
Mr Pat McLaughlin, Division Director, and Jeff Gaisford, Recycling and
Environmental Services Manager, from King County Solid Waste Division,
presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Roadmap to 70% Recycling, King
County's goal of reaching a 70 percent recycling rate by 2020.
Solid waste collected in King County, except in Seattle and Milton, is sent to the
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. According to the King County Solid Waste
Division's analysis, landfilling the waste at the county-owned faciliry is currently
the most cost effective and environmentally responsible manner of disposing of
waste. Ensuring the life of Cedar Hills for as long as possible through recycling
programs and physical capacity keeps rates low and provides the region more
time to evaluate alternative disposal options. Cedar Hills is expected to be filled
by 2030 based on the 53 percent recycling rate.
Food waste is the largest commodity in waste stream that could be recycled.
Approximately 78 percent of what is taken to the landfill each day could be
recycled instead.
There are five core principles needed for maximizing recycling rates and
reaching the 70 percent recycling level:
1 Adopt a common set of policies and practices for managing waste a��9e 1 of 5
resources. Consistency across the region is key to success.
2. Separation of garbage, recyclables, and organics is mandatory
3. Materials added to recycling collection programs are supported by adequate
processing capacity, capability and markets.
4 A robust enforcement program is in place to support separation of materials
in curbside programs (garbage, recyclables, organics).
5. The Solid Waste Division has adequate recovery and processing capability to
harvest resources present at its facilities.
Mr Gaisford discussed the incremental steps for the Roadmap to 70% Recycling
and the need for commercial and multi-family recycling space.
Laura Moser of Waste Management and Joel Kohlstad, Waste Management
Public Education Coordinator, spoke about Waste ManagemenYs efforts to
support King County Solid Division's goal.
Mr Kohlstad spoke about Waste ManagemenYs recycle corps program, which
is in its fouRh year The recycle corps program is outreaching to three large
mobile home parks in Auburn this year to increase their diversion rate.
Councilmember Wagner inquired regarding mandatory coilection.
Mr McLaughlin stated the region has a very high collection subscription rate.
King County Solid Waste Division's focus is on education and the behaviors of
those who have subscriptions.
In response to a question from Councilmember Osborne, Mr McLaughlin stated
that three of the eight transfer stations have full recycling facilities. Two transfer
stations are scheduled for reconstruction with full recycling facilities.
Councilmember DaCorsi inquired regarding the disposal of construction
waste. Mr Gaisford stated the Solid Waste Division has worked with Master
Builders Association to encourage recycling at job sites and the construction of
more green homes.
Mayor Backus spoke about the need for education for the customers to ensure
the success of the recycling program.
B. Status Report on Auburn Gateway Project by Robertson Properties
Group/Auburn Properties LLC (15 Minute Presentation/5 Minu4e Q&A) (Snyder)
Pursuant to the adopted Development Agreement, Robertson Property Group
(RPG) will provide an annual update to City Council on the status and marketing
of their project
Planning Services Manager Jeff Dixon provided introductory remarks relating to
the project status report required by the Development Agreement for the Auburn
Gateway Project and the planned redevelopment of the Valley 6 drive-in theater
property
In 2004, the City conducted an environmental impact statement that analyzed
different development scenarios so the property could be developed with a
mixture of office uses, commercial uses or up to 500 dwelling units in the upper
stories of multi-use buildings.
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In 2011, the project received five different approvals from the City consisting of
adoption of a special area plan, text and map amendments of the City's
Comprehensive Plan, zoning code text and map amendments, adoption of a
planned action ordinance to provide streamlined environmental review
processes, and approval of a development agreement.
Since 2011, the property owner, Robertson Properties Group (RPG) has
purchased additional properties to the west, some additional property referred to
as the Stein property and property at the southeast corner of site. RPG is in the
process of acquiring additional property to make a more unified development.
Manager Dixon advised the development agreement with RPG will need to be
amended to reflect the additional acquired properties.
John Manavian and Tamara Thompson, representing RPG, provided a brief
update on the project. Mr Manavian distributed a memo dated July 13, 2015 of
the project update with a conceptual site plan. Mr Manavian spoke about
RPG's cooperation with the South 277th Street improvements, strategic property
acquisitions, and pre-leasing activities.
Mr Manavian stated RPG is struggling to find major retail tenants. The project
will consist of a retail and residential mix.
C Public Works Prbject No. CP1317, Meter and Billing System Improvement
Project (Automated Metering Infrastructure) (15 Minute Presentation/15 Minute
QB�A) (Snyder)
Community Development and Public Works Director Kevin Snyder and Utilities
Engineering Manager Lisa Tobin presented a PowerPoint presentation on the
Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project in advance of a request to
approve a vendor for this project.
Through a multi-departmental effort from Finance, IT, Legal, and Community
Development and Public Works staff have developed a contract and scope with
Ferguson Waterworks, that achieves the City's goals of a more efficient way to
collect real-time water usage data, better management of the City's water
resources, and better customer service.
AMI is not a new technology, and many other utilities already utilize the
technology Some of the benefits include more real time data availability, more
consistent revenue flow, faster leak detection for customers, more efficient
billing, reduced meter reading costs, detection of unauthorized water use,
improved sustainability (conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, and increased
customer service with access to water use through the internet.
A study was conducted by HDR Engineering in 2013 to assist the City in
evaluating and selecting the appropnate technology and in developing an
implementation plan for an AMI system. City staff contacted and visited other
utilities that have or are implementing an AMI system. Four vendors with AMI
systems provided presentations. Ferguson Waterworks/Sensus was selected for
their ability to integrate well with the City's existing utility billing system, provide
user-friendly customer access to leak detection, and meet the needs of custbmer
billing and maintenance.
A draft of the proposed contract with Ferguson Waterworks was included in the
agenda packet.
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Manager Tobin stated no new water rate increases are needed for the AMI
project. The project cost is $5.4 million. Financing for the work completed in
2015 will be from the 2013 Revenue Bonds. Financing for work in 2016 and
2017 wili be from future financing as determined appropriate by the Finance
Department and approved by Council. The return on mvestment is projected to
be 20 years. It is anticipated a two and one-half year installation penod w'ill
beneeded.
In response to questions from Councilmember Wales, Manager Tobin explained
the project will be implemented in stages. The first year the major infrastructure
will be installed; the second year will include installation of half of the customer
meters, and the third year will include instaliation of the remaining meters. The
customer portal will be available once all customers have been converted to the
new metering system.
Councilmember Peloza questioned the cosUbenefit analysis of the
project. Director Snyder stated significant cost/benefit analysis was
performed by the City's consultant, HDR Engineering, as well as by the City's
Finance Department. Director Snyder stressed that the benefits are both
qualitative and quantitative. Manager Tobin agreed to provide HDR's report.
Manager Tobin also pointed out Finance Director Coleman's financial summary
included in the Council packet for this evening's meeting.
Councilmember Wagner also requested a copy of the HDR
Engineering cosUbenefit analysis.
Councilmember Wagner suggested initially offering the web portal for the large
customers.
Counciimember Osborne stated he would like to see the costs of reading a meter
now versus the cost with the new system.
In response to questions from Councilmember Peloza, Director Snyder stated
the City of Renton has invested in the technology and City of Renton staff have
proven a valuable source of experience. AMI is a stable technology compared to
other software; it is radio/cellular based. Several other utilities, locally and
nationally, utilize the same technology
Councilmember Wagner stated one of the big advantages of the AMI system is a
better system of managing the asset and future capital needs.
Finance Director Coleman briefly reviewed the capital financing needs (as of
June 30, 2015) chart included in the Council agenda packet.
Director Snyder stated no new staff will be required as a result of the AMI project.
III. OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
Councilmember Wales proposed a Council project every two years that
commemorates the current Councilmembers. Councilmember Wales suggested
a bench or sidewalk art to commemorate an existing Council.
Deputy Mayor Holman reminded the National Night Out event is approaching.
IV ADJOURNMENT
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There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7.32 p.m.
APPROVED this_day of , 20
DEPUTY MAYOR City Clerk
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