HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-2004CITY OF
WASHINGTON
CITY OF AUBURN
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
February 9, 2004
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Mayor Lewis, Committee
Chairman Rich Wagner, Council/Committee member Gene Cerino, and Council/Committee
member Roger Thordarson. Staff in attendance were Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, City
Engineer/Assistant Director Dennis Selle, Utilities Engineer Duane Huskey, Traffic Engineer Laura
Philpot, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Senior Project Engineer Bill Helbig, Assistant Project
Engineer Brian Coleman, Environmental Project Manager Eric Hagen, Planner Bill Mandeville, and
Administrative Services Supervisor Pam Miller.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Councilmember Cerino, seconded by Councilmember Thordarson, that the
Committee approve the Public Works Committee minutes for January 26, 2004, as submitted.
Motion carried.
CONSULTANT AGREEMENT NO. AG-C-226 WITH KENNEDY/JENKS CONSULTANTS FOR
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES RELATED TO PROJECT NO. C324A, WELL 5B
EXPANSION
It was moved by Councilmember Cerino, seconded by Councilmember Thordarson, that the
Committee recommend Council approve Consultant Agreement No. AG-C-226. Motion carried.
FINAL PAY ESTIMATE NO. 4 TO CONTRACT 03-03 WITH SCOTTY'S GENERAL
CONSTRUCTION, INC., AND ACCEPT CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECT NO. C304A, K
STREET SE STORM IMPROVEMENTS
It was moved by Councilmember Cerino, seconded by Councilmember Thordarson, that the
Committee recommend Council approve Final PaY Estimate No. 4 to Contract 03-03 and accept
construction of Project No. C304A. Motion carried.
III. ISSUES
ORDINANCE NO. 5830 AMENDING AUBURN CITY CODE CHAPTER 10.36, SECTION 310,
ENTITLED "PROHOBIITED PARKING AREAS - SOUTHEAST AUBURN" TO PROHIBIT
PARKING ON A PORTION OF THE WEST SIDE OF D STREET SE BETWEEN 37TM STREET
SE AND 41sT STREET SE
Traffic Engineer Philpot explained that the management of Auburn Manor sent a letter to the
City requesting that parking be restricted on the west side of D Street SE between 37th Street
SE and 41st Street SE. She used photos of a portion of D Street SE to illustrate the condition of
the shoulder area, which includes a drainage ditch. Cars parking in the area have created large
Public Works Committee Minutes January 9, 2004
potholes and deteriorated the condition of the grass. In addition, the Auburn Police Department
reported to the Traffic Division that numerous stolen and abandoned vehicles have been
recovered from this area. Traffic Engineer Philpot stated that there are no driveways in that
area, and that the management and residents of Auburn Manor have installed a new fence, and
have been cleaning up the site by picking up litter, mowing, and weeding.
It was noted by Councilmember Thordarson that Little League participants use this area for
parking. Discussion ensued regarding parking and access to the athletic fields at Mt. Baker
Middle School. The Committee asked staff to contact the Little League to advise them of the
parking prohibition, and to contact the school district to explore parking opportunities at the
school. The Committee also asked staff to install signage for alternative parking, and to look
into the feasibility of modifying the ditch and paving the shoulder to allow for parking.
It was moved by Cerino, seconded by Thordarson, that the Committee recommend Council
adopt Ordinance No. 5830, provided that the prohibition be short term (approximately through
next year), and that staff contact the Little League and the school district, provide signage for
alternative parking, and investigate the feasibility of modifying the ditch and paving the shoulder
to allow for parking. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 3683 AUTHORIZING A COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION ACT INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT WITH KING COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPLEMENTING THE
WASHINGTON STATE COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION ACT OF 1991
It was moved by Cerino, seconded by Thordarson, that the Committee recommend Council
adopt Resolution No. 3683. Motion carried.
IV. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. UPDATE/REVIEW 2004 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AGENDA ISSUES
The Committee reviewed the agenda issues slated to come before them in 2004, and the
following discussion ensued.
Transportation: City Engineer/Assistant Director Selle clarified that the reference to level of
service standards shown on the list pertained to how well the City does things and what level of
service is provided, rather than just the LOS (level of service) A, B, C, etc. used to rate traffic
movement through corridors or intersections. Traffic Engineer Philpot explained corddor versus
intersection LOS, and confirmed that the City intends to continue to use corridor LOS for
analysis. City Engineer Selle stated that LOS and corridor end point methodology will be
reviewed by the Committee during the Transportation Comprehensive Plan amendment
process. Director Dowdy noted that the City now has a sidewalk crew, similar to the pothole
crew, that goes out on a weekly basis to repair sidewalks.
Water - City Engineer Selle stated that money has been budgeted in 2004 for a Vulnerability
Assessment that will address the security of our water sources and facilities. Councilmember
Cerino asked that staff disseminate information to the public about irrigation meters. He felt
that the City does a good job of informing new developers, but that owners of existing
buildings/developments may not be aware of the benefit of an irrigation (deduct) meter.
Sewer- It was noted that the agreement with the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for cost sharing of
the Auburn Way South sewer project will be brought before the Committee at their next
meeting.
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January 9,2004
Storm - Brief discussion was held on the NPDES general permit. Utilities Engineer Huskey
stated that Phase II is complete and the City has applied for a general permit; however, the
Department of Ecology is revising the permit and Won't have it finalized until 2005. He
explained that the permit is applicable primarily to discharge, but that there are some
percolation requirements. There are currently no requirements for groundwater monitoring.
Chairman Wagner asked that rates be reviewed in the second quarter of this year, rather than
the third quarter.
Miscellaneous - The Committee expressed support for adoption of the Limited Small Works
Process.
B. CITIZEN REQUESTS FOR NEW LUMINAIRES
Traffic Engineer Philpot distributed copies of a document related to individual requests to add
lights on residential streets and neighborhood requests to add corridor street lighting. She
briefed the Committee on the City's current process for handling individual requests and asked
for policy direction on several issues. The Committee gave the following policy direction on
individual street lighting requests:
· Lights should be installed in the right-of-way, as needed, for the safety of pedestrians and
traffic, particularly in school walking routes, but not to illuminate private property.
· If PSE poles are not available, but a request for a light is deemed appropriate, the City
should install a pole.
· Regarding placing a limit on the number of lights added per year, look at past expenditure
history and increase that figure by, perhaps, 20 percent, or budget $50,000 and if requests
exceed that amount, the issue could be brought to Committee at that time.
· Rather than requiring concurrence from adjacent property owners, a notification and appeal
process should be put into place, with appeals going to the City Engineer or Public Works
Director.
Traffic Engineer Philpot briefed the Committee on two scenarios anticipated for receiving
neighborhood street lighting modifications. One is through the City's neighborhood planning
efforts, such as Terminal Park, and the other from neighborhoods that have not gone through a
formal neighborhood planning effort. The Committee gave the following policy direction on
corridor street lighting requests:
· Regarding level of lighting standards in corridors, do what is necessary to meet minimal
requirements, such as lights at intersections and mid-block. If that does not solve the
problem, implement what is possible and then inform the residents of the LID process if they
want further improvements.
· If PSE poles are available, they should be used; however, if they are not available and
lighting is needed, the City should install poles.
· Rather than concurrence from residents, use the same appeal process as noted above for
individual requests.
A more comprehensive staff write up will be brought back to the Committee once staff
completes a draft policy based on guidance from the Committee.
C. SCHOOL ZONE SIGNAGE
Traffic Engineer Philpot explained that the signs currently in place in school zones throughout
the City state "20 mph when children present." Drivers ticketed for going over the speed limit in
school zones have indicated that the language is confusing, as they interpret it to mean during
school hours, even though children are often present on school grounds during the evenings or
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Public Works Committee Minutes
January 912004
on weekends. Guidance was requested from the Committee on how to clarify the language,
and a number of suggestions were discussed, one of them being to set the speed limit in school
zones at 20 mph at all times. Philpot reported that the City Attorney has stated that there is
nothing in the law that would prohibit the City from setting a 20 mph speed limit in school zones
at all times. In addition, the City can choose not to sign an area as a school zone, such as
Auburn Way South at Chinook Elementary School, where all children are bussed to and from
school. The state law also provides enough flexibility that a school zone can be signed 30 mph
if the City so chooses. She reported that the Traffic Division has performed speed studies on
37th Street SE in front of Mt. Baker Middle School and Gildo Rey Elementary School. The
speed studies were performed while children were present and the results were that the 85th
percentile speed was 30 mph. Therefore, the City is installing flashing beacons timed to flash
before and after school to draw drivers' attention to the school zone.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee that an ordinance be brought
forward to change the speed limit in school zones to 20 mph at all times, and to eliminate
school zone designation in areas where children are not present. A map showing existing and
potential school zone locations will be brought back to the Committee for further review.
D. QWEST STREET CLOSURE REQUEST
City Engineer Selle informed the Committee of Qwest's need to do an east/west underground
crossing under Auburn Avenue, just north of Main Street at the alley adjacent to the Auburn
Avenue Dinner Theater. It was the consensus of the Committee that Qwest do as much
preparation work as possible ahead of time to keep the street closure to a minimum, and that
the street closure and undergrounding work occur on a Saturday to minimize impacts to
downtown traffic and the theater. City Engineer Selle stated that the City would coordinate with
the Auburn Downtown Association and the theater.
E. WETLAND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
Environmental Project Manager Eric Hagen stated that the Planning and Community
Development Committee had just approved a motion recommending Council approve a
Professional Services Agreement for the Auburn "Enhanced" Wetlands Project Phase 1 -
Feasibility Study. The scope of work was included in the Public Works Committee agenda
packet, and Eric asked if the Committee had any questions or comments. In response to a
question from the Committee, Hagen stated that there will be a process for getting input on the
project from the City and the public. Chairman Wagner expressed concern that the Storm
Utility will be asked to pay for more of the project than the utility can afford, and asked that the
issue of funding be kept on the table. The Mayor stated that the City will be looking for grant
opportunities for this project, and that the potential for in-kind work and contributions will also be
explored. He stated that ECOSS (Environmental Coalition of South Seattle) is a non-profit
group that works well with bringing business communities and agencies to the table on projects
such as this one.
Hagen noted that this study is more for concept development and will not include a wetland
delineation. The study will determine the feasibility of the project so that the City can decide
whether or not the project should be implemented. Chairman Wagner encouraged the Mayor to
ensure that the project has adequate oversight by Engineering staff.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
January 9,2004
F. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
The following projects were briefly discussed:
#8 - C1014, Auburn Way South Safety Improvements: Senior Project Engineer Helbig stated
that the City is currently working on right-of-way (ROW) plans, is still in negotiation with U-Haul
and Les Schwab, and that an agreement has been drafted.
#14 - C303A, 41st Street SE to A Street SE Capacity Improvements: Senior Project Engineer
Helbig reported that the City is currently negotiating with BNSF, and that the City Attorney has
reviewed the issue and developed a preliminary strategy for acquiring the ROW. Traffic
Engineer Philpot stated that the City will receive a huge benefit from this project, explaining that
when C Street SW is reconstructed from 15th to 41st Street SE, and once Safeway develops,
traffic in this area will increase, so both C and A Streets will experience congestion relief once
an additional lane is added to 41st Street SE.
#15 - C1006, 3rd Street SE/Cross Street Improvements: Senior Project Engineer Helbig noted,
and Traffic Engineer Philpot concurred, that the project design is further along than the 50%
noted on the Capital Project Spreadsheet. Currently, ROW is more of an issue than design in
meeting the projected advertisement date of June 2004.
#17 - C 315A, Downtown Li.qhting Analysis: The City has received the report from the
consultant who did the analysis, and staff are investigating areas where deficiencies were
noted. The City's arborist has identified trees that can be trimmed or removed to improve
lighting. This work will be accomplished soon. Once some areas that were left out of the report
have been included, the report will be brought to the Committee for review.
#18 - C307A, City Wide ITS Improvements: The Committee asked to see design level and
mid-course review, and expressed concern that design was only at 5%. The Mayor stated that
although the federal government has approved the funds for the project, they have not yet
approved the budget. Since these funds are the City's match, any money spent by the City on
the project now would not be reimbursable from the grant funds. Traffic Engineer Philpot stated
that City staff are doing as much work as possible internally, such as pulling record drawings
and gathering data. Chair Wagner asked if the Committee could see, conceptually, how an ITS
system works. The Mayor suggested that staff see if the City can get copies of tapes from
another agency and mentioned that it might also be something that could be put on the City's
TV channel.
G. OTHER DISCUSSION
Councilmember Thordarson asked about the status of the bus stop located at 3rd and Division,
which has become a nuisance for the adjacent property owner. Traffic Engineer Philpot stated
that the A Street Loop project should be in construction this year, and that once the loop is
completed, the bus stop would be moved to the south side of 3rd Street. Since Metro only
changes their routes twice a year, it could potentially be June of 2005 before the routes are
changed and the bus stop relocated. In the interim, the Committee asked that a trash
receptacle be placed at the bus stop, that signs be installed indicating private property or no
sitting on the fence, and that ensure that the property owner is kept apprised of any interim
measures implemented.
Councilmember Cerino asked about the control the City has over tenants of the Parking
Garage, and whether or not the tenants could be required to maintain their businesses so that
they present a neat appearance to the public. The Mayor responded that the City does have
that ability, and is currently working on this issue.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
Januaw 9,2004
In response to another question from Councilmember Cerino, Senior Project Engineer Helbig
stated that the valves for the Coal Creek Springs Security Hatches Project (No. C306A) are
expected to be shipped by April.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
DRD/pm
Submitted by Pam Miller, Administrative Services Supervisor.
Approved by the Public Works Committee on ~:~'~Ch
File: 17 (17.2)
REF. H:\PWCAgendaMinutes/020904Minutes
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