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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-2008'?( * Ai7iF B- * ,UR__N WASHINGTON 1. CALL TO ORDER CITY OF AUBURN PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 4, 2008 Chairman Rich Wagner called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm in Council Chambers, located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, Washington. Committee members present were: Chairman Rich Wagner, Vice-Chair Gene Cerino, and Member Virginia Haugen. Also present during the meeting were: Mayor Peter B. Lewis, Director Dowdy, City Engineer/Assistant Director Dennis Selle, Senior Project Engineer Bill Helbig, Utilities Engineer Dan Repp, Finance Director Shelley Coleman, Director of Human Resources/Risk and Property Management Brenda Heineman, Project Engineer Jacob Sweeting, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Chris Hankins, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Tiffin Goodman, Traffic Operations Engineer Scott Nutter, Sanitary Sewer Engineer Robert Elwell, Risk Manager Rob Roscoe, Network Communication Engineer Colin Schmalz, Principal Planner Elizabeth Chamberlain, and Department Secretary Jennifer Rigsby. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Vice-Chair Cerino, seconded by Member Haugen, that the Committee approve the Public Works Committee minutes for date July 21, 2008. Motion carried 3-0. B. PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE FOR PROJECT NO. CP0760 - AUBURN WAY NORTH PEDESTRIAN CROSSING The Committee reviewed an aerial map of the project location. Chairman Wagner inquired about the installation of "c" curb to prevent left turns out of the Auburn Way North Business Park driveway. Project Engineer Sweeting responded turn motions were examined during the design process and the project was designed to meet the minimum turn design requirements so that a standard vehicle could make the turn. The plan moving forward is to install the crossing as designed, observe the turn movements, and follow up if any problems occur. Chairman Wagner asked about the signage being used to alert pedestrians that the crossing consists of two signals and a second button will need to be pushed in order to cross the second length of Auburn Way North. Sweeting answered there will be signs instructing users on how to proceed on the poles in the island. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle commented the crossing was not a straight crossing and was designed to prompt users to push the second signal button. Mayor Lewis commented that large signs cannot be used as they may cause sight restrictions. Project Engineer Sweeting said because of the amount of pedestrian traffic they generate, informational flyers will be distributed at the Sound Mental Health facility describing how to operate the crossing. Member Haugen voiced her concern that adolescents may not use the crossing properly and neglect to push the second signal button to initiate the second length of the crossing. Vice- Chair Cerino responded that the crossing was not in a residential area and the crossing is not as likely to be used by adolescent pedestrian traffic as if it were in a residential area. Chairman Wagner commented that the fence should help prevent pedestrians from crossing without using the second signal. Public Works Committee Minutes August 4, 2008 Member Haugen asked if there would be media coverage regarding the project. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Goodman answered it is part of the federal grant the City received for the project that there be public outreach and instruction and that will be done in conjunction with project completion. The Committee discussed traffic flow on Auburn Way North and how it may be affected by the crossing. Project Engineer Sweeting stated the primary reason the crossing was designed in two sections was to prevent traffic from being stopped in the north and south directions simultaneously. It was moved by Vice-Chair Cerino, seconded by Member Haugen, that the Committee recommend Council grant permission to advertise for Project No. CP0760, Auburn Way North Pedestrian Crossing. Motion carried 3-0. III. ISSUES A. RESOLUTION NO. 4387 CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2009-2014 SIX-YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN (TIP) Finance Director Coleman answered questions presented by the Committee regarding additions to the Transportation Improvement Plan spreadsheet. The line item titled "Debt Service Bonds" was added to the spreadsheet to better demonstrate cash flow and actual payout. Finance Director Coleman explained the amounts shown in the line item and their association to the Property Tax Levy and 1 % Utility Tax. Mayor Lewis commented on the funding sources being shown on the spreadsheet. Coleman suggested a line item titled "Other" be added to the spreadsheet. Coleman pointed out another change on the sheet, spreading out the spending of the bond issues over the course of several years to better reflect actual spend out. The Committee continued discussion regarding the design of the spreadsheet and agreed that the line item titled "Other" should be included. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Hankins stated a finalized spreadsheet and project descriptions will be presented at the Public Hearing. Chairman Wagner asked if there was feedback from the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee about the Transportation Improvement Plan. Hankins answered that there was no feedback provided. It was moved by Vice-Chair Cerino, seconded by Member Haugen, that the Committee recommend Council adopt Resolution No. 4387 Call for Public Hearing for the 2009-2014 Six- Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). Motion carried 3-0. Page 2 Public Works Committee Minutes August 4, 2008 IV. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION A. PROJECT NO. C307B - CITYWIDE ITS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT- PHASE 1B UPDATE Traffic Operations Engineer Nutter reviewed both phase 1A and 1B of Citywide ITS Improvements Project, using a vicinity map of the entire City of Auburn, with the Committee. The map showed all of the traffic signals in the City. Nutter explained that phase 1A was funded by one source of Federal funds. Nutter stated phase 1 B will take fiber from City Hall, up Auburn Way North to 277th Street, across to West Valley Highway thus bringing all of the signals back to City Hall. Nutter pointed out the existing cameras and proposed new cameras. Fourteen new signals are proposed using the new fiber, technology is being used to utilize the existing copper lines and staff is proposing an additional 20 signals be taken back to City Hall. Mayor Lewis discussed the benefit of having the cameras and the impact they can have on directing, as an example, North/South traffic flow. Traffic Operations Engineer Nutter stated another benefit is the ability to utilize any City computer or laptop in the field to view the camera footage and make adjustments to the signals as needed. Nutter reports the new system is a better operating system than the previous copper system and is much more reliable. The Committee discussed the ability to create alternate routes for traffic using the improved ITS system. Chairman Wagner asked where the control center for the camera is located. Nutter answered the current control center is at City Hall, but the City network allows the camera footage to be viewed from any location, such as Maintenance and Operations, however it is easier to view using the multiple screens at City Hall. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle stated screens were being installed at Maintenance and Operations. Nutter explained that another benefit of the system is that signal errors can be checked and identified from a staff member's desk. Chairman Wagner verified the project completion timeline. Nutter stated this phase of the project provides battery backup for signals. Mayor Lewis pointed out that in the past, signal outages were not identified until a citizen contacted City Hall. B. ORDINANCE NO. 6045 PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 13.20.010, 13.20.040, 13.20.080, 12.20.090, 13.20.095, 13.20.182, 13.20.190, AND 13.20.230 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE AND CREATING A NEW SECTION 13.20.041 ALL RELATING TO THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF SIDE SEWERS; CLARIFYING THE DEFINITION OF PRIVATE SEWAGE SYSTEMS Sanitary Sewer Engineer Elwell clarified the proposed ordinance amendments. The wording of the current code is ambiguous as to the liability of the sanitary sewer pipe in the Right-of-Way. There was some previous language relating to the responsibly of the property owner with is left open to interpretation. The intention of the ordinance is to define the side sewer as being a privately owned sewer which runs to the main line. Also included in the revision are amendments related to the definition of septic system. The current code refers to septic systems as well as sewers that are connected to the City system as "private sewers." Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle and Sanitary Sewer Engineer Elwell answered questions asked by Chairman Wagner regarding how blockages in the side sewers are located. Selle stated part of the issue is locating blockages within the lateral sewer, which is why it is being Page 3 Public Works Committee Minutes August 4, 2008 proposed the side sewer from the property to the main line be the responsibility of the property owner. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle fielded questions posed by the Committee regarding private contractors repairing side sewers located in the Right-of-Way and the requirements for doing work in the Right-of-Way. Mayor Lewis asked if the City could offer the option to the property owners of the City coming to repair side sewer in the Right-of-Way. Director Dowdy answered that could be a viable option. Risk Manager Roscoe reported the City is seeing claims for backups where the blockage, originally located in the private side sewer had been pushed into the portion of the side sewer in the Right-of-Way, thus shifting the responsibility to the City. Member Haugen asked if there is a way to determine where the blockage originated. Roscoe answered there is not. Risk Manager Roscoe continued answering questions regarding locating sewer blockages and liability based on the location of the blockages presented by Member Haugen. Finance Director Coleman answered Chairman Wagner's questions regarding payment options, if the City were to offer citizens assistance in clearing blockages in the Right-of-Way, as suggested by Mayor Lewis. Mayor Lewis asked who installed the side sewer lines in the Right-of-Way. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle responded in some cases the City built the line and in other cases a developer built the line. Risk Manager Roscoe stated the property owner still has responsibility of the maintenance and the upkeep of the line. Mayor Lewis stated regardless of whom built the line; the line was installed for the convenience and conveyance of one particular property, to hook a structure to the City sewer system, and no other purpose. Director Dowdy posed the question to the Committee if it is fair for the City's customer base to be held responsible for how individual property owners maintain or fail to maintain their private sewer. Risk Manager Roscoe and Member Haugen discussed the difference between blockage in the line and breakage of the line and with whom the responsibility of upkeep and maintenance should be, using various scenarios. Sanitary Sewer Engineer Elwell state there is language in the Ordinance that states if the City causes damage to the line, the City is responsible for repair. Finance Director Coleman brought to the Committee's attention that if the City makes repairs to the side sewer in the Right-of-Way, the utility rates would have to bear the cost. Utility Engineer Repp commented one of the scenarios City maintenance crews see is when property owners have a plumbing professional use a mechanical device to go down the pipeline to perform cleaning, the mechanical device cuts into or causes damage to the line. This usually occurs in the portion of the line that is in the Right-of-Way. Risk Manager Roscoe added the way the code is currently worded any damage to the line is the City's responsibility, regardless of if the property owner or plumbing professional hired by the property owner causes the damage. The Committee asked staff to continue to research the subject in order to continue the discussion and options to address this issue at a future meeting. C. ORDINANCE NO. 6197 AMENDING SECTIONS 19.04.020 AND 19.04.070 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE, RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES Chairman Wagner asked if there is a fifty percent exemption for everyone in Downtown. Finance Director Coleman answered the exemption only applies to the defined "downtown Page 4 Public Works Committee Minutes August 4, 2008 catalyst accessory area" and not all of Downtown. Chairman Wagner asked what the budget impact will be. Coleman answered $177,000.00. The Committee and Mayor discussed the negotiations to acquire low cost parking in the future parking garage. Member Haugen asked who would be using the City's parking spaces in the new garage. Mayor Lewis answered there are 302 spaces with 149 spaces going to the City of Auburn. Mayor Lewis said City employees would be using the spaces at no fee and there is no intention of having fleet vehicles parked in the garage overnight. Member Haugen asked who would be using the remaining spaces in the garage. Mayor Lewis answered the hospital and hospital customers. Chairman Wagner asked if there will be time limits to parking to restrict use by Sound commuters. Mayor Lewis said there would. The Committee discussed business expansion and traffic impact fees. D. RESOLUTION NO. 4374 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH PIERCE COUNTY, AMENDING THE PIERCE COUNTY COUNTYWIDE PLANNING POLICES Principal Planner Chamberlain presented the Committee with a brief description of Resolution No. 4374, an interlocal agreement with Pierce County pertaining to the proposed amendments to the Pierce County Countywide Planning Policies and the recently adopted VISION 2040 by the Puget Sound Regional Council. The amendments specifically deal with designating regional growth centers and designation criteria. The Planning and Community Development Committee recommend approval by the Council of Resolution No. 4374. The Committee discussed designated regional growth centers, the Growth Management Act, eligibility for state funding, criteria for being classified as an urban center, and local control of City growth. E. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT Item No. 1 - C1006 - 3rd Street SE/Cross Street Improvement Project: Chairman Wagner asked about the delay in the acquisition of Right-of-Way. Senior Project Engineer Helbig confirmed the finalization of the acquisition is in progress and the delay was due to work being completed in the parking lot by the property owner. Helbig stated that the ROW acquisition could be finalized after the property owner identifies his final costs for the parking lot work. Item No. 14 - CP0812 - 2008 Citywide Arterial Crack Seal: Senior Project Engineer Helbig outlined the locations included in the project, approximately 9'/2 miles of arterial roadway. Helbig said that an area in the newly annexed West Hill area is also included. Item No. 17 - C504A - R Street SE Utility Improvements: Chairman Wagner asked why the time between the advertising date and finish date for the project is over a year long. Helbig explained the finish date includes clean up, project finalization, and project close out process. Wagner requested the finish date reflect the end of construction and not include the final acceptance of the project. Chairman asked for input from the Committee. Member Haugen responded she did not have a preference. Vice-Chair Cerino recommended an additional column to add the construction completion date. Helbig responded to questions regarding the location of the sewer laterals included in the project. Item No. 24 - CP0762 - Les Gove Neighborhood Improvements: Chairman Wagner inquired about the discrepancy between the budget amount and cost amount. Senior Project Engineer Helbig answered the project is in its preliminary stages a firm cost estimate has not been Page 5 Public Works Committee Minutes August 4, 2008 developed at this time. The cost estimate will be adjusted accordingly as the project moves forward. Also, the project will span 2009 and 2010. Wagner questioned the consistency in determining the cost estimate and requested that the gap between Project Budget and Project Cost be closed during the budgeting process. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS F. RESOLUTION NO. 4389 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE CAR SHARING PROGRAM AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUBURN AND THE STRATFORD COMPANY LLC Mayor Lewis presented Resolution No. 4389 to the Committee giving background information regarding transit related communities and development. The concept is to not to require more parking in downtown areas, but rather require less parking and fewer cars. The Resolution would allow an agreement with Stratford Company for a pilot car sharing program. In this case the apartment or property owner would make cars available for use by their tenants. The cars must be in good working condition and available for use 24 hours per day/365 days per year. This is a one time pilot project which would provide one vehicle for every four tenants. Director Dowdy stated Seattle was staring a similar program. Chairman Wagner voiced concern that such a program may negatively impact citizens' interaction within their community by limiting their access to vehicles to be used for short distance excursions. Mayor Lewis stated he feels the opposite is true and the program would encourage individuals to interact with their neighbors and inspire car pooling ventures. Member Haugen voiced her concern regarding the City of Auburn having an agreement with a private developer. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle stated the 4:1 ratio of cars to tenants is minimal and the pool of vehicles could be larger, providing more flexibility. Chairman Wagner stated he would give his support to the program because it is a pilot program and the right thing to do but still has concerns. Vice-Chair Cerino reported the Downtown Redevelopment Committee has studied these programs which are operating in other cities and will give his support to the pilot program in Auburn. G. ORDINANCE NO. 6199 AMENDING SECTIONS 19.04.020 AND 19.04.070 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES Mayor Lewis presented Ordinance No. 6199, regarding a situation brought to his attention by Deputy Mayor Singer. King County Health is in the process of moving their facilities in order to reduce their maintenance costs. King County Health will now be responsible for paying a transportation impact fee. King County is now requesting a waiver of the transportation impact fee stating the health facility will be moved to Renton if required to pay the fee. Mayor Lewis said Council can decided to do one of two things. Either Council requires King County to pay the impact fee, as stated in Auburn City Code, and the health facility is moved out of Auburn, or Council waives the fee, setting a president for other organizations to use similar tactics to request the same waiver. Chairman Wagner asked if there was a designation the City could give to the area in which King County Health is moving in order to prevent other organizations from making similar requests for fee waivers. Mayor Lewis said such a possibility could be considered if it exists. Page 6 Public Works Committee Minutes August 4, 2008 Vice-Chair Cerino talked about the consequences of losing the health services provided by King County Health and forcing low-income citizens to find transportation to Renton for services. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle stated there is a possibility the ordinance wording could be adjusted so as to not allow for other businesses to request the same fee waiver. Mayor Lewis suggested "emergency public purpose." The Committee discussed the pros and cons of the situation. The ordinance is to be further reviewed by Council. V. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Approved this 18th day of August, 2008. Rich Wagner Chairman DRD/jr File: 17.2 Page 7