HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-2002 CITY OF AUBURN PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002
I CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Mayor Pete Lewis,
Committee Chairman Rich Wagner, Council/Committee member Fred Poe, and
Council/Committee member Gene Cerino. Staff in attendance were Public Works Director
Christine Engler, City Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Assistant City Engineer- Utilities Duane
Huskey, Sewer Utility Engineer Jeff Roscoe, Traffic Engineer Michael Fuess, Project
Engineer Peter Gates, Special Projects Engineer Jack Locke, Finance Director Shelley
Coleman, and Administrative Services Supervisor Pam Miller.
Guests in attendance were Larry Bradbury, Water District No. 111.
II. CONSENT
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the
Committee approve the Public Works Committee minutes for February 11, 2002, as
submitted. Motion carried.
B. SURPLUS OFFICE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the
Committee recommend Council approve the surplus of office furniture and equipment.
Motion carded.
C. INITIATION OF PROJECT NO. C1011, SANITARY SEWER LIFT STATIONS' BACKFLOW
PREVENTION AND REDUNDANT ALARM FLOATS
Sewer Utility Engineer Roscoe confirmed for the Committee that the project is not restricted
by the need for a budget adjustment, and that the equipment needs to be installed at all
twelve pump stations.
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the
Committee approve initiation of Project No. C1011. Motion carried.
III. ISSUES
A. RESOLUTION NO. 3407 AUTHORIZING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE
CITY OF PACIFIC REGARDING THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A
TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT LAKELAND HILLS WAY AND EAST VALLEY HIGHWAY
In response to a question from the Committee, Project Engineer Gates stated that City of
Auburn Design Standards would be used for design and construction of the project.
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the
Committee recommend Council adopt Resolution No. 3407. Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2001
Page 2 of 5
B. RESOLUTION NO. 3429 AUTHORIZING PAYBACK AGREEMENT #78 RELATED TO
DEVELOPER'S EXTENSION NO. FAC0027-97 WITH SCHNEIDER HOMES, INC.
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the
Committee recommend Council adopt Resolution No. 3429. Motion carried.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 3432 CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON STREET VACATION
NO. V-05-01, SUBMITTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, FOR
VACATION OF A PORTION OF D STREET NE
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cedno, that the
Committee recommend Council adopt Resolution No. 3432. Motion carried.
IV. INFORMATION OR DISCUSSION
A. PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROGRAM
Traffic Engineer Michael Fuess stated that $350,000 is included in the 2002 budget for
pavement preservation of classified streets. The Committee reviewed a map illustrating
those streets in greatest need of rehabilitation. The proposed projects included Kersey
Way from 53~ Street to the City limits, 2"d Street SE between A Street SE and Auburn
Way South, M Street SE between 21s~ Street SE and 37"' Street SE, F Street SE
between 21st Street SE and 29"' Street SE, 15th Street SW between Market Street and C
Street SW, F Street SE between the Stampede Pass BNSF tracks and 8"' Street SE,
and West Valley Highway between Peasley Canyon Road and 15"' Street SW.
The Committee discussed the projects and considered opportunities to perform the work
concurrent with other work planned in the area, such as King County Metro sewer work
planned for 15"' Street SW in 2003, and signal installation at F Street SE and Auburn
Way South, which will be done in conjunction with planned safety improvements to
Auburn Way South. Committee members felt that the mid-section of the M Street project
was not as critical as the north and south ends of the roadway section. Chair Wagner
also raised the issue of State funding for the West Valley Highway and 15"' Street SW
intersection. City Engineer Dowdy reported that the State will have a project out to bid in
March to improve the Peasley Canyon intersection, and that the State is willing to pave
West Valley Highway for approximately one block south of the intersection. Director
Engler stated that there is very little chance of the State making improvements to the
defacto "ramp" connecting SR18 to SR167 southbound over the next six years or so.
Traffic Engineer Fuess stated that the City is spending a considerable sum of money
due to the need for maintenance staff to make repairs in the area on a weekly basis.
Chair Wagner expressed his preference for an overlay rather than reconstruction, stating
that he did not want the City to invest a lot of money in an area where the State may
construct ramps in the future.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee that an overlay of the West
Valley Highway project should be given first priority, followed by the north and south
ends of the M Street project.
Traffic Engineer Fuess stated that there is $150,000 in the 2002 budget for non-
classified street preservation, and asked for policy guidance from the Committee on
whether to use the funds for preventive maintenance or rehabilitation. He stated that if
reads are properly maintained, they should last forever. In response to a question from
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2001
Page 3 of 5
Fuess, the Committee responded that they approve of chip sealing if property owners
are notified in advance. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee
that staff determine which roads should be chip sealed.
Stable funding for street preservation was discussed with Finance Director Coleman.
Chair Wagner asked that subject of financing the City's Preservation Program be placed
on a future Committee agenda, and that the Mayor be invited to participate in the
discussion.
B. WATER COST OF SERVICE AND RATE STUDIES
The Committee reviewed a memo from Assistant City Engineer - Utilities Duane Huskey
to ensure that their questions raised at previous meetings had been answered. They
began by discussing Take or Pay Rates. Chair Wagner noted that there was no real
advantage to Take or Pay Rates at the rate of $0.61, but that perhaps $0.70 or $0.75
might be considered, with a summer rate of $1.40. In response to a question from the
Committee, Huskey stated that staff is waiting for direction from the Committee prior to
commencing negotiations with Water District No. 111 and Covington Water District on
the Take or Pay Rates. The consensus of the Committee was that a Take or Pay Rate
of $0.70, with a summer rate of $1.40, was reasonable, with summer months being
defined as June, July, August, and September.
Larry Bradbury, Water District No. 111, asked if there was a chance that the meter cost
could be reduced. He stated that at the time the rate was set, it was based on the
wholesale meter rate, which at the time was just one meter. Mr. Bradbury also
mentioned Algona's comparatively Iow meter rates. Huskey suggested that the charge
be split between the two meters. Following discussion, the Committee concurred with
Huskey's suggestion to split the rate between the two meters, and that the Algona meter
rates remain the same, along with the adopted volume rate of $1.06.
Conservation rates for single family (SF) residences were discussed. Chairman Wagner
asked if the City might be providing too much of an incentive. Following discussion,
Chairman Wagner stated that he was inclined to try SF residential conservation rates.
Irrigation rates were discussed. Councilmember Poe pointed out that it seemed
residential customers were being penalized at $1.85/cf when strictly irrigation customers
pay only $1.67/cf. Staff stated that the ordinance proposing those rates was conceived
last November as an interim step and that irrigation and take or pay rates were still an
issue. Chair Wagner noted that irrigation rates should be the same as the highest
residential block rate.
Following discussion, Chair Wagner asked for a summary of tonight's discussion for
review at the Committee's March 25 meeting, including information on conservation
rates for SF residential, irrigation at $1.85, and reducing the meter charge to Covington
Water District and Water District No. 111. He also asked that Committee members bring
their Comprehensive Water Plans to the next meeting so that they could review the CFP
and the chapter on conservation. Director Engler stated that she would re-send the CFP
that shows each line item, and Chair Wagner asked that the Comprehensive Water Plan
CIP spreadsheets be printed on 11x17 paper.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2001
Page 4 of 5
C. UPDATE ON KING COUNTY'S INFLOW AND INFILTRATION PROGRAM
Sewer Utility Engineer Roscoe gave a brief update on the County Inflow and Infiltration
Program. The County is currently performing a study of the City's system and will
provide us with monitoring data next week. The County is looking for input from the City
on pilot projects. A County subcommittee has been formed to look at establishing
County-wide standards; however the general consensus of the agencies attending a
recent meeting was that the County should set guidelines rather than required
standards. The southern region will present a list of pilot projects to be reviewed by
committee. Roscoe stated that the City hopes to have some projects on that list.
D. PROGRESS REPORT ON THE SANITARY SEWER MODELING PROJECT
Sewer Utility Engineer Roscoe gave a progress report on the Sanitary Sewer Modeling
Project. He said that budget-wise, about 15% of the project budget has been spent. So
far, manhole data and pipe information have been input, but zoning data and more
information on specific manhole inverts remain to be input. They are currently breaking
the system into basins related directly to the King County Inflow and Infiltration Program;
however, they have not yet begun coordinating with the County. There has been no
activity on calibration or the Auburn Way South project yet. It is anticipated that the
Auburn Way South sewer basin shall be modeled by the end of March.
E. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
Due to time constraints, this item was not discussed.
V. OTHER DISCUSSION
Chair Wagner asked about recent information received about the Lakeland Hills Water
Service Reliability and asked that it be discussed at the Committee's March 25 meeting,
particularly contractual arrangements. Councilmember Poe asked that discussion also be
held relative to largest source out of service in that area. In response to a question from
Councilmember Poe, Director Engler stated that the City's supplemental water rights
application for Well 5B has not been process by the Department of Ecology, and there is not
much hope of it being processed in the shorter term. Brief discussion was held on
legislation affecting this issue.
Councilmember Poe stated that he could not be at the March 11, 2002, Committee meeting,
but that he was comfortable with discussion being held that night regarding Take or Pay
rates. He also stated he may not be able to attend the March 25, 2002, meeting.
Mayor Lewis arrived and stated that he is in favor of using existing taxes to fund pavement
management projects, but has no intention of imposing new or increased taxes.
Councilmember Poe emphasized that the Committee wants to see more money in road
preservation and reconstruction. Mayor Lewis said that he would be meeting with Finance
Director Coleman, Public Works Director Engler, and City Engineer Dowdy to review funding
alternatives for pavement preservation.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2001
Page 5 of 5
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting
was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Submitted by Pal Miller, Administrative Services Supervisor.
Approved by the Public Works Committee
PM/bd
FiFe: 17 (17.2)
REF. H:\ENGINEER\E02\E02-251 and (E:\MINUTES\02PW2-2)