HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-2004CITY OF ~
WASHINGTON
CITY OF AUBURN
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
April 12, 2004
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Rich Wagner called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in Conference Room #3, located
on the second floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, Washington. Committee
members present were: Chairman Rich Wagner, Member Gene Cerino, and Member Roger
Thordarson. Also present during the meeting were: Mayor Peter B. Lewis, Public Works Director
Dennis Dowdy, Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Utilities Engineer Duane Huskey, Traffic
Engineer Laura Philpot, Maintenance and Operations Manager Fred Sears, Traffic Operations
Engineer Ryan Johnstone, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Senior Project Engineer Bill Helbig,
Project Engineer Jennifer Dvorak, City Attorney Dan Heid, and Secretary Lorna Dahlke.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
approve the Public Works Committee minutes for March 22, 2004, as submitted. Motion
carried.
B. RIGHT-OF-WAY USE PERMIT 04-17, AUBURN DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION, FOR
SIDEWALK SALE AND HOMETOWN PICNIC
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
approve Right-of-Way Use Permit 04-17. Motion carried.
C. RIGHT-OF-WAY USE PERMIT 04-12, NORTHWEST RACING ASSOCIATES, EMERALD
DOWNS DRIVE, FOR OPERATIONS DURING EVENTS
This item was discussed after Issue Item A in order to allow City Attorney Dan Held to be in
attendance.
City Attorney Heid stated that the City cannot authorize someone to do something which is
contrary to or violates State law. Within that limitation, the City could recognize the travel width
of the City roadway, and not object to certain usage of the portion of the City roadway not
needed for the travel width, so long as the applicant fully indemnifies the City for such use. The
permit should designate which portion of the City roadway is needed for travel purposes and
which portion can have alternative uses on it. The permit should also designate appropriate
locations for crossing the traveled portion of the roadway.
Jack E. Hodge, representative of Emerald Downs Racetrack, stated that the Racetrack's intent
is to keep their shuttle and tram traffic to the outside curb lanes of Emerald Downs Drive.
Circulating buses are planned to cross the roadway at two points, one at the northern end of
Emerald Downs Drive, and one near the front entrance. Mr. Hodge said the buses are licensed
vehicles, but the tram is not licensed. Horses only cross the roadway at 29th Street NW.
Engineer Philpot stated that data is being collected on traffic volumes at 29th Street NW to
address safety issues at that intersection for use in developing a more permanent solution to
the concerns of the racetrack.
Public Works Committee Minutes April 12, 2004
Committee members stated that the original agreement was that the outside lanes could be
used for the Emerald Downs Racetrack.
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
approve Right-of-Way Permit 04-12, provided that the agreement comply with all applicable
State laws. Motion carried.
CONSULTANT AGREEMENT NO. AG-C-232 WITH HUITT-ZOLLARS, INC. FOR WORK
RELATED TO PROJECT NO. C409A, AUBURN WAY PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
recommend Council approve Consultant Agreement No. AG-C-232 with Huitt-Zollars, Inc.
Motion carried.
CONSULTANT AGREEMENT NO. AG-C-229, WITH ROTH HILL ENGINEERING PARTNERS,
INC. FOR WORK RELATED TO PROJECT NO. MS773, VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
AND SECURITY IMPROVEMENT
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
recommend Council approve Consultant Agreement No. AG-C-229 with Roth Hill Engineering
Partners, Inc. Motion carried.
CONSULTANT AGREEMENT NO. AG-C-228 WITH ENTRANCO FOR WORK RELATED TO
PROJECT NO. C326A, C STREET SW ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
recommend Council approve Consultant Agreement No. AG-C-228. Motion carried.
G. SURPLUS VEHICLES
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
recommend Council approve the surplus of vehicles. Motion carried.
III. ISSUES
ORDINANCE NO. 5824, STREET VACATION NO: V-05-03, INITIATED BY THE CITY OF
AUBURN FOR THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED SOUTH OF
10TM STREET NE AND WEST OF I STREET NE
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
recommend Council adopt Ordinance No. 5824. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 3713 AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY, LES
SCHWAB INC., AND AMERCO REAL ESTATE COMPANY RELATED TO PROJECT NO.
C1014
This agreement allows for modifications to the proposed 'F' Street SE signal on Auburn Way
South to allow access to the U-Haul Co. and Les Schwab, Inc. businesses as part of the
Auburn Way South Safety Improvement Project.
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Public Works Committee Minutes April 12, 2004
It was moved by Member Cerino, seconded by Member Thordarson, that the Committee
recommend Council adopt Resolution No. 3713. Motion carried.
IV. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. MAIN STREET BANNERS
Transportation Planner Welsh informed the Committee that requests for hanging banners
across Main Street are numerous and all of them cannot be accommodated. Guidance was
requested from the Committee on defining policy regarding the administration of this service.
The Committee discussed the length of time that should be allowed for the banners to remain
up. The current maximum length of time is two weeks. They discussed the possibility that one
week may be sufficient for some events, and whether or not there should be a limit to the
number of times an organization can hang banners each year. The staff also requested
guidance on the definition of a civic event, since the term is not defined in City code. The
Committee suggested that a copy of the exact wording and design of the banner be required at
the time of application to be sure that the banner qualifies.
The Committee requested that staff draft a policy, including a proposed definition of a civic
event, and qualified organizations, to be brought back for review by the Committee at a future
meeting.
B. PARKING ISSUES ON 62ND STREET SE
Traffic Operations Engineer Johnstone informed the Committee that the City had received a
request from the homeowner's association to review the parking along 62nd Street SE in
Lakeland Hills. City standards for local streets require they be at least 28 feet wide, which
cannot always accommodate parking along both sides of the street. The residential driveways
are close together on 62® Street SE, not allowing enough space for vehicles to be parked
between driveways. There are other neighborhood streets in the Lakeland Hills development
with the same issues. Alternative treatments were discussed, including painting the curbs
yellow where parking is not allowed, which would become a maintenance issue; or posting "No
Parking" signs along one side of the street, which would require an ordinance change. The
Committee agreed to the posting of "No Parking" signs on 62® Street SE. An ordinance
change will be discussed at a future meeting.
C. SCHOOL ZONES REVIEW
Traffic Engineer Philpot reported that she attended a meeting of the Auburn School District
principals to discuss and request their input regarding signs and other alternatives for
identifying school zones to motorists, and their priorities of which schools have the greatest
need for improvements. Engineer Philpot stated the City has received the most calls from
residents requesting improvements for Dick Scobee Elementary School, Cascade Middle
School, and Riverside High School. Options discussed by the Committee included installation
of flashing warning lights, signs around the entire school property, painting school zone or 20
miles per hour on the pavement, signs posting the cost of the fine for speeding in a marked
school zone, end of school zone signs, stop signs, and rumble strips. The Committee
requested Engineer Philpot follow-up with the principals, and continue research of the options
discussed.
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Public Works Committee Minutes April 12, 2004
Engineer Philpot informed the Committee that the school zone signs near Chinook Elementary
School had been removed, but were under consideration to be replaced along Auburn Way
South. The decision to have a 24-hour 7-day-a-week school zone with a 20 mile per hour
speed limit is not realistic on Auburn Way South. Signs could be posted designating specific
times that the school zone speed limit is in effect, based on input from the school district.
Engineer Philpot stated that complaints have been received about the crosswalk across
Oravetz Road in front of Riverside High School. There is no street light on the corner of Oravetz
Road and Mill Pond Drive, so the crosswalk is poorly lit during winter school months. Often cars
stop within the crosswalk, A stop bar painted before the crosswalk on Oravetz Road has the
potential of alerting drivers, so they could stop before encroaching on the crosswalk.
Another issue that may occur is when a vehicle approaching from the east on Oravetz Road
moves into the left turn lane to turn onto Mill Pond Drive and stops for a pedestrian in the
crosswalk; if there is another vehicle traveling west on Oravetz Road in the curbside lane, the
potential exists that the driver might not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk. Options discussed
included expanding the crosswalk, adding reflectors, placing a stop bar, painting the pavement,
or installing flashing lights or rumble strips. Another option would be to place a three-way stop
at the intersection. The Committee requested Engineer Philpot research the issue, and provide
traffic count data of traffic coming down Mill Pond Drive and on Oravetz Road.
D. CROSSWALK TREATMENTS
The Committee discussed the importance of balancing the concepts of focusing on the quick
and efficient movement of traffic through the City, which would increase difficulty for pedestrian,
traffic; and having frequent stops of traffic, which would allow easier movement for pedestrians,
as the Committee continues to review crosswalk treatments, especially in the downtown
business area. Staff will provide the Council copies of the downtown map.
E. PAVEMENT PRESERVATION
Traffic Engineer Philpot presented the Committee with an overall assessment of pavement
conditions of local City streets, and costs of pavement preservation. As pavement ages, the
costs to maintain and repair increase dramatically. This discussion with the Committee is in
advance of a full Council workshop at the end of the month to discuss a possible property tax
stabilization fund for local streets. The costs are much greater than the current available funds,
and the Committee consenus was that the proposed $0.13 tax earmarked for City streets would
not generate enough revenue required for street maintenance and preservation.
Engineer Philpot stated that the average of the 85 centerline miles of paved local streets are in
fair condition. It would take approximately $31 million over the next 10 years to maintain the
local streets at a good condition. If nothing is done over the next ten years, the conditions of
the majority of local streets would deteriorate to a very poor condition. The proposed $0.13 tax
would raise approximately $500,000 per year.
Other alternatives for raising funds were reviewed by Maintenance and Operations Manager
Sears. There is a detrimental effect on the roadway integrity of the street by open trench cuts
of pavement for utility purposes. There is the option of charging utilities within the ROW for the
costs of restoring the trench and the pavement damage related to the utility trench.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
April 12, 2004
Another option is to invest in the training and equipment necessary for City staff to perform prep
work involved with roadway maintenance and preservation, which could potentially save the City
20-30% of the cost of road preservation.
Another option to stretch funds would include classifying curb and gutter as part of the drainage
infrastructure, since it is moving surface water into the storm water system, which would allow
work to be accomplished through storm utility funds. Alternative funding could also be
researched for charging alley maintenance to Solid Waste since garbage trucks damage alleys,
and renegade dumping occurs that requires clean up by Street Division staff.
The Committee requested staff research the options outlined, including charging for utility open
trench cuts by other municipalities,
F. UTILITY CODE REVISIONS
Due to time constraints, discussion of this item was postponed to the next Committee meeting.
G. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
The following projects were briefly discussed:
#3 - C214A, Lakeland Hills Way/E. Valley Hwy. Signal: The Committee asked if the signal
could be controlled on a seasonal basis when school is in session. Engineer Gaub stated that
the signal could be controlled by time of day and time of year, and that staff will work on the
adjustment of the signal.
#14 - PR529F, A Street SW Loop.: The Committee asked if the City has obtained the funding
for this project. Engineer Gaub stated that of the $400,000 grant money requested, the City
obtained approximately $300,000, and that the remaining $130 000 was budgeted in the
unrestrictive street account.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
DRD/Id
Submitted by Lorna Dahlke, Secretary.
Approved by the Public Works Committee on
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File: 17 (17.2)
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