HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2003WASH INGTON
CITY OF AUBURN
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
February10,2003
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Committee Chairman Rich
Wagner, Council/Committee member Council/Committee member Fred Poe, and Council/
Committee member Gene Cerino. Staff in attendance were Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy,
City Engineer/Assistant Director Dennis Selle, Assistant City Engineer In-grid Gaub, Utilities
Engineer Duane Huskey, Traffic Operations Engineer Laura Philpot, Planning Director Paul Krauss
and Public Works Secretary Lorna Dahlke.
Guest in attendance was Daniel Taylor.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the Committee
approve the Public Works Committee minutes for January 27, 2003, as submitted. Motion
carried.
B. RIGHT-OF-WAY USE PERMIT 4-03 SUBMITTED BY NICHOLSON INVESTMENT
PROPERTIES, TO MAINTAIN AND MONITOR A WELL ON M ST SE, SOUTH OF 17TM ST SE
Dan Taylor, representing Nicholson Investment, stated the Department of Ecology required the
drilling be done down to at least 15 feet of depth down gradient to ensure that contaminants
had not entered the groundwater.
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the Committee
approve Right-Of-Way Use Permit 4-03. Motion carried.
C. SURPLUS EQUIPMENT- TWO PRINTERS
It was moved by Councilmember Poe, seconded by Councilmember Cerino, that the Committee
recommend Council approve the surplus of the two printers. Motion carried.
III. ISSUES
None
IV. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. STATUS OF LAKE TAPPS PARKWAY COORDINATION
Director Dowdy briefed the Committee on the meeting held with the Pierce County Engineer Tom
Ballard. The City entered into a sanding and ice control contract with Pierce County effective this
week. The County has the equipment required to not only sand but de-ice the Lake Tapps
Parkway in a more effective manner than with City equipment. Pierce County will finalize the as-
builts and submit them to the City, as well as deeds for the properties.
Public Works Committee Minutes February 10, 2003
The County also provided the City with a copy of their study, which provided documentation of the
County's decision for roadway standards deviations. The decision by the County Engineer to not
require guardrail was not documented since it kept within the County's standard practice for
roadways which are arterials on a 10% slope. Pierce County approved the deviation in standards
to a 10% slope instead of the standard 8% for the Parkway and 12% on the two access ramps. In
the letter of response to the County, Director Dowdy stated that the City did not concur with the
decision that there was not a need for guardrail.
City staff would now evaluate the County study and make recommendations for the City to design
and construct an appropriate barrier system. There had been two recent accidents where vehicles
had gone off the road on the north side. Director Dowdy stated that for public safety, he
recommended that guardrail be installed on the north side of the Parkway in the vicinity of the
ponds, and along the median as well as the steeper south side. Once the evaluation is completed,
staff would bring recommendations back to the Committee. Based upon the annexation
agreement, the County turned over ownership of the Parkway in January.
Committee Chair Wagner stated he would not support the installation of guardrails unless Pierce
County would share in the costs. Director Dowdy stated a letter had been sent to the County from
the Mayor requesting the sharing of costs for the guardrail, but a response had not been received.
The Committee agreed with the posting of truck 20 mph speed limit signs and signs authorizing
compression brakes along the Parkway as presented by Engineer Philpot. Truck speed limit will be
reevaluated after the Parkway over crossing is completed.
B. BRIEFING ON COAL CREEK SPRINGS MPA TESTING AND FINDINGS
Engineer Huskey stated that MPA testing showed there were no problems with the middle and
south collectors, but tests to date show that a moderate risk had been identified on the north
collector. At this time, it was not necessary to take any action. Additional testing was scheduled
for February.
C. CITY VISION
Director Krauss presented a map showing ideas for improving the City that had been discussed at
the recent retreat of the City Council, Department Directors and the Mayor. All Council Committees
would be reviewing the ideas that had been presented and be asked to provide feedback. Once
the ideas were firmed up, they would be presented to the community, and ultimately serve as a
guide the Council over the next couple of years.
Chair Wagner requested additional information regarding the designation of Auburn as a 'tree city".
Trees are expensive and high maintenance; causing sidewalks to fail, sewers to be plugged, and
an expense to the City. Chair Wagner said there is also an economic cost, for example the trees
around the Supermall obstruct the public's view of the Mall and the signage. Director Krauss will
request a representative of the Parks Department attend a Committee meeting to provide an
overview of the "tree city" concept.
Councilmember Poe suggested that the reference to White Lake be taken off of the map since it is
owned by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. The Committee also discussed the concern that meetings
held with neighborhood residents within a defined area may set unreal expectations beyond the
City's ability to pay for changes or improvements.
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Public Works Committee Minutes February 10, 2003
D. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
The Committee requested that the Capital Financing report for transportation projects be included
as an agenda item for an upcoming Committee meeting, to be followed by utilities projects
financing review.
The Committee requested that staff conduct a review of the revenues generated as a result of the
traffic impact fees, so it can be determined if they are having the results intended at their passage
last year.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
DRD/LD
Submitted by Lorna Dahlke, Public Works Secretary.
Approved by the Public Works Com mittee o~ ~--~//~/F'~/.~?
File: 17 (17,2)
REF. H:\PW CAgendaMinutes\021003Minutes
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