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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)