HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-22-1999CITY OF AUBURN PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 1998
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:34 p.m. Those in attendance were Mayor Booth,
Committee Chairman Rich Wagner, Council/Committee member Gene Cerino, and
Council/Committee member Fred Poe. Staff in attendance were Public Works Director
Christine Engler, Planning Director Paul Krauss, City Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Senior
Engineer Dennis Selle, Utilities Engineer Dwight Holobaugh, Traffic Engineer Steve
Mullen, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Utilities Engineer Dwight Holobaugh, Project
Engineer Les Brattain, Project Engineer Carl Every, and Engineering Aide Pam Miller.
Guests in attendance were Landon Gibson, Alan Keimig.
II. CONSENT
A. STREET DELAY AGREEMENT, GRIFFIS CONSTRUCTION
For the purpose of these minutes, this item was discussed after Issue Item B.
In reviewing the required half-street improvements associated with the above-referenced
application, staff has determined that inadequate right-of-way exists to accommodate the
proposed building intrusion and the City's standard roadway section. Staff has also
determined that limited discretionary authority to deviate from City design standards - in this
particular case, in order to conform to the uniformity of existing improved street corridors -
would be inappropriate, since such deviations would be significant and have the potential to
hinder future development along the "D" Street SE corridor. Deviations of this magnitude
are accommodated via the half-street delay process which requires approval by the Public
Works Committee of the Aubum City Council.
Therefore, in accordance with ACC 12.64, the applicant is requesting the deferral of the
required improvements in order that the redevelopment of the property at 402 East Main
Street, in accordance with the applicant's plans, may proceed. The Council reviewed a map
showing zoning, alignments, and footprints of existing buildings. Lengthy discussion was
held in regard to faimess to the developer, potential redevelopment and fairness to other
property owners holding commercial properties on this particular street, design and
construction standards currently being developed as part of the Downtown Plan process, and
ways to bring this issue to a public hearing for input from other property owners.
Because the Committee was uncertain how to bring the issue to a public hearing and how
recommendations can be made correctly, it was moved by Poe, seconded by Cerino, that
unless there was another way to call for a public hearing, the application to defer required
public improvements was to be denied. Director Engler will get an opinion from the City
Attomey as to the proper process for public heating and resolution.
MOTION CARRIED
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 1999
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B. RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMIT APPLICATION 19-98, GRIFFIS CONSTRUCTION
The development proposal envisions a new addition to a building located at 402 East Main
Street. This development triggers the requirement of ACC 12.64 for reasonable public street
improvements or deferral of said improvements through a no-protest LID agreement process.
The applicant had previously requested that a Right-of-Way Use Permit be approved to
accommodate both the existing building and proposed development. The Public Works
Committee first considered this request on November 12, 1998. The Committee at that time,
desired that there be no new encroachment into the public right-of-way. '
Staff and the developer have been unsuccessful in resolving the design issues affecting the
proposal within existing City administrative authority and, after re-reviewing the issues
involved with this application, staff recommended the merits and conditions of approval of a
Street Delay Agreement be considered by the Committee.
It was moved by Poe, seconded by Cerino, to table consideration of Right-of-Way Use
application until such time as the hearing in regard to the Street Delay Agreement has been
held and the underlying issue resolved.
MOTION CARRIED
C. FINAL PAY ESTIMATE NO. 5, CONTRACT 98-07 WITH ROBISON CONSTRUCTION
INC. (RCI), AND ACCEPT CONSTRUCTION OF PR 609, PR 610, PR 611, PR 618 LEA
HILL INTERTIE PIPELINES
For the purpose of these minutes, this item was discussed first on the agenda.
After reviewing the final pay estimate, the contractor claimed the City miscalculated the
change orders. An amended agenda bill, indicating an adjustment of $31,419 to the change
order amount, was distributed to the Committee for their consideration. The City Project
Manager is in the process of reviewing the numbers, but even with the adjustment, the
project is within budget. Staff is recommending the Committee approve the final pay
estimate, provided the numbers are confirmed. Should the amount prove incorrect, the pay
estimate will be brought back to Committee.
It was moved by Poe, seconded by Cerino, that the Committee recommend Council approve
the Final Pay Estimate, provided the numbers are confirmed by the Project Manager.
MOTION CARRIED
III. ISSUES
A. ORDINANCE NO. 5216 AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 13.06, WATER UTILITY
Ordinance No. 5216 amends Auburn City Code Chapter 13.06, Water Utility, for the
purposes of consolidating water utility fees into one section of the water utility chapter and to
revise fees to reflect current costs of providing the water utility service.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 1999
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It was the consensus of the Committee that previous concems expressed by the Committee in
regard to water fees have been addressed in the amendment brought before them on this date.
Water fees have been adjusted to reflect actual costs to provide the services; however, in
some cases, the costs were not brought all the way up to the cost of service, as it would be
too much of an increase to the customer. It was noted that our fees are very comparable to
those of surrounding cities.
It was moved by Poe, seconded by Cerino, that the Committee recommend Council adopt
Ordinance No. 5216.
MOTION CARRIED
B. ORDINANCE NO. 5217 AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 5182, APPROVED FEDERAL
FUNDS FOR GRADE CROSSING AT 37TH ST. NW AND UPSP RAIL LINE
For the purpose of these minutes, this item was discussed after Consent Agenda Item C.
Ordinance No. 5217 amends ordinance 5182, approving federal funds for improvements to
the grade crossing at 37th Street NW and the UPSP rail line. The Committee was reminded
that this project is one that WSDOT asked the City to sponsor after the railroad identified the
need for improvements at this crossing. The project costs have been estimated by WSDOT,
who recently revised those costs, increasing the City share from $1,300 to $2,350. On
Friday, February 19, 1999, the City received a call from a WSDOT financial person who
stated they are unsure of the project costs and will contim them this week. Should the
numbers again be revised, it is not anticipated to be a substantial change. Staff recommended
the Committee bring the issue forward to Council.
It was moved by Poe, seconded by Cerino, that the Council adopt Ordinance No. 5217 once
the amounts are continned by WSDOT.
MOTION CARRIED
IV. INFORMATION OR DISCUSSION
A. EMERGENCY SEWER REPAIR (400' ALONG 26TH STREET NE), VIA SMALL
WORKS ROSTER
The Sewer Utility Engineer has determined that this repair is not an emergency situation.
While there is a displaced line, he has been able to con finn that there is flow both upstream
and downstream of the misalignment. This project will be prioritized with other high priority
projects and bid in the usual manner.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 1999
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B. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS - APPEAL PROCESS
Engler briefly reviewed the research she performed in regard to appeals of administrative
decisions implementing the adopted "Design and Construction Standards." Her research
found that the Hearing Examiner process is consistent with previous practice and with the
body of legislative actions of Aubum City Councils as codified. A memo ~'om the City
Attomey gives the legal opinion that the hearing examiner process is the recommended
appellate process for an administrative decision by the City Engineer.
The Committee expressed the desire to review situations, even though they may not take
action, so that they could be assured the hearing examiner was receiving all pertinent
information.
It was noted that the Committee has the authority to revise Design and Construction
Standards should appeals indicate such a need. Planning Director Krauss pointed out that if
the Committee is acting in a quasi-judicial role when reviewing appeals, then an appeal could
not be brought before the Committee before it has been heard by the full Council because of
due process.
The Committee reiterated that they are not demanding decision authority, but they do want to
hear about such appeals and know what's going on. They also asked that verbiage be added
to the "Design and Construction Standards" that indicates procedures currently being
followed in regard to Committee review. Director Engler will take the Committee's concerns
to the City attomey.
C. TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES
Traffic Engineer Mullen gave a presentation on Transportation Impact Fees. He reviewed
work that has been done in the past to develop a fee system concept that is based on average
cost of new trips generated and then adjusted by land use category. Compared to other
jurisdictions, the developed fee schedule for Auburn is lower than Enumclaw, but higher than
Bellevue, Redmond and Renton; however, it is difficult to make the comparison since the
cities have different levels of service and varying amounts of new development. Federal
Way and Kent currently do an impact analysis on a case-by-case basis, but are looking
toward implementing a fee system.
It was noted that the fees being reviewed by the Committee were developed based on
buildout at 2020, and should be re-examined and correlated to the 6-Year CFP, although the
consultant does not feel the re-examination will result in significant changes. Question was
raised as to whether the City will exempt itself firom the impact fees. Staff response was
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Krauss outlined the agenda for the Council workshop on impact fees scheduled for next
week. He stated there will be an overview of what has been done in regard to impact fees in
the past two years; there will be a review of how school district, parks, and transportation
impact fees would be applied; the philosophy of impact fees will be discussed; comparisons
with fees in other communities will be presented; and the potential amount of funds
generated by the fees will be brought before the Council.
D. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
Project Manager Brattain updated the Committee on the Green River Pump Station project.
He reported that the contractor has essentially stopped work, and has stated he cannot build
on the site under present conditions. The City's contention is that conditions have not
changed, and a letter was faxed to the contractor on Friday informing them that their work
stoppage is unacceptable, they are critically behind scheduled, we have doubts about their
ability to complete the work in the contract time, and the City does not accept their
assessment that filling the site to specifications is impossible. Thus far, the contractor has
not responded to the letter. It is necessary to complete the project in the May timeframe so
that the City can provide water to its IA2 partners during the summer peak season. The City
of Seattle has a similar project with this contractor and is experiencing the same types of
problems.
The City's project team and Director Engler will be meeting with the City Attomey to decide
on what actions to take next. It is hoped the problem can be resolved with this contractor,
and staff will try to re-open communication with the contractor and attempt to effect a
change in construction management.
The Committee asked if the City still plans to advertise the B Street LID project next month.
Staff responded that they are currently finalizing wetland approvals, and hope to advertise
next month.
Questions arose in regard to the Algona Meter project. Staff reported that Algona is
participating in the cost of the project. The Committee asked staff to report back to them in
regard to total amount of billings to Algona in a year's time, and are we providing water to
Boeing via the Algona connection?
A map indicating location of projects was introduced and will be available at Committee
meetings to aid in locating projects that are being discussed.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting
was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
PM/bd
REF. H:XENGINEERXE99E99-200 (E:XMINUTES\98PW2-2)