HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-2001CITY OF AUBURN PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. Those in attendance were Mayor Booth,
Committee Chairman Rich Wagner, Council/Committee member Pete Lewis, and
Council/Committee member Sue Singer. Staff in attendance were Public Works Director
Christine Engler, City Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Assistant City Engineer Dennis Selle,
Assistant City Engineer-Utilities Duane Huskey, Storm Drainage Engineer Tim Carlaw,
Sewer Utility Engineer Jeff Roscoe, Water Utility Engineer Tim Osborne, Traffic Engineer
Michael Fuess, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Administrative Services Supervisor Pam
Miller, Planning Director Paul Krauss and Finance Director Shelley Coleman.
Guests in attendance were Larry Bradbury, Water District No. 111, and Bill Peloza.
II. CONSENT
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Lewis, seconded by Singer, that the Committee approve the Public Works
Committee minutes for September 10, 2001, as submitted. Motion carried
B. AGREEMENT NO. AG-C-153 WITH W & H PACIFIC FOR WORK RELATED TO STORM
FACILITY CONDITIONS SURVEY AND ANALYSIS
The purpose of Agreement No. AG-C-153 with W & H Pacific is to evaluate the current
conditions of the storm ponds owned and maintained by the City of Auburn to determine
future maintenance needs, as well as identify those actions that can be taken to improve
their function in accordance with current design standards. This will be accomplished by
reviewing as-built drawings and design reports, and performing site visits, staff interviews
and field surveys. An individual standard report will be prepared for each storm pond
summarizing the findings of the investigation. W & H Pacific will also perform a review of the
standard maintenance practices to establish a regular maintenance schedule for the City.
This information will be used to prepare a maintenance and operation manual for each of
the storm ponds reviewed. The priority list of the storm ponds to be investigated will be
based upon the age of the facility. It is anticipated that seven to ten storm water ponds will
be evaluated in this initial effort. The total contract amount for this Agreement shall not
exceed $50,000.
Storm Drainage Engineer Carlaw discussed the scope of the work and stated that the City
currently has over 60 ponds, and will have a total of 71 in the near future. He explained that
$100,000 had been budgeted, but due to timing issues, it is anticipated that $50,000 should
get the project funded through the end of this year, with $100,000 budgeted for next year,
with the entire program taking about 3-4 years to investigate and document all of the ponds.
He confirmed for the Committee that the budgeted funds do not include maintenance or
capital projects. Chair Wagner asked if the program could be accomplished by the end of
2002, with more detailed investigation of important ponds, and less detail on less important
ponds. Carlaw responded in the affirmative.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2001
Page 2 of 3
It was moved by Lewis, seconded by Singer, that the Committee recommend Council
approve Agreement AG-C-153 with W&H Pacific, provided some level of investigation is
performed on all ponds by the end of 2002. Motion carded.
III. ISSUES
NONE
IV. INFORMATION OR DISCUSSION
a. LAKELAND HILLS WAY SPEED EVALUATION AND FINDINGS
The Committee discussed Pierce County's proposed closure of East Valley Highway. The
closure was originally anticipated to last for two weeks, but is now proposed for four weeks.
Pierce County Engineer Tom Ballard has toquested that Auburn write a letter concurring
with the County's proposed plan for the road closuro. City Engineer Dowdy stated that staff
roviewed the plan, came up with some conditions and concerns, and wrote a draft letter for
the Mayor's signature. Chair Wagner stated that he was satisfied with the draft letter.
Council/Committee members Singer and Lewis exprossed concern about posted speed
limits for the proposed detour route (Lakeland Hills Way) and on the Parkway, itself.
Traffic Engineer Fuess roviewed results of a speed study conducted by City staff, and
recommended that the speed limit on the downhill portion of Lakeland Hills Way from
Evergroen Way to intersection with the East Valley Highway be posted at 35 mph. It is
currently posted at 30 mph along that portion. The Committee concurrod and asked if it
could be done prior to the road being used as a detour route. Fuess responded that the
signs could be changed and flagged, and the speed limit marked on the pavement, prior to
the detour route going into effect. Regarding the posted speed on the Lake Tapps Parkway,
Fuess stated his concem that reducing the speed limit could result in brakes overheating.
Mr. Bill Peloza suggested working with the County on ideas such as posting signs
recommending that drivers shift down to a lower gear to help reduce their speed. Director
Engler stated that the County has offered to keep and maintain the project until all
construction is complete and accepted, and that the City will be working with the County on
concerns over winter maintenance.
B. 2002 BUDGET REVIEW
The Committee discussed the Public Works Departmenrs 2002 budget proposal at length,
with the Public Works and Finance Department Directors and Program Managers pointing
out noteworthy items and addressing questions from the Committee.
C. ALGONNAUBURN PROJECT TRAFFIC ISSUES
Planning Director Krauss apprised the Committee of a proposed project in the City of Algona
that will extend into the City of Aubum, and will have transportation impacts on West Valley
Highway. Joe Welsh used a site plan map to illustrate the project, Algona and Auburn City
limits, and street improvements proposed by the City of Algona, which do not meet City of
Auburn standards for a principal arterial. Welsh also reviewed the location of a proposed
traffic signal, which does not meet warrants and is not recommended by Auburn staff. Chair
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 24, 2001
Page 3 of 3
Wagner felt the signal would be of benefit for safe egress from the development, but
suggested it be moved to the southern-most driveway. The Committee asked to see a draft
letter to be sent to the City of Algona expressing Aubum's concerns.
D. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
The Committee did not have any questions regarding the Capital Project Status Report.
Director Engler showed the Committee a photo of the fence that was recently constructed
around storm property located at 37th and 'M' Streets SE.
Director Engler apprised the Committee of a policy decision that will need to be brought
before them once altematives have been developed. The issue is that of developers trying
to comply with City Code by finalizing their plats without having improvements complete. In
order to do this, the developer is required to have three years of experience and supply a
bond in the amount of 125% of the value of the improvements. Developers are having
difficulty meeting these cdteria and some have asked to provide a letter of credit. Engler
related that City Attorney Reynolds has expressed concern about developers forming LLC's
in order to limit their liability and reduce risk, and stated that a lot of staff time is being spent
determining whether or not developers meet the criteria. She stated that this issue will be
brought to the Committee at a future meeting, along with proposed alternatives to reduce
the City's risk and staff time involved.
Assistant City Engineer Selle reported that the contractor hoped to complete the paving on
'A' Street SE, from Main to 2nd Street SE, tonight, and that the State would also begin paving
Aubum Way South.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting
was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Submitted by Pam Miller, Administrative Services Supervisor.
Approved by the Public Works Committee on G C_"~L,~~ ~:~ ) '~,_C3 O )
PM/bd
File: 17 (17.2)
REF. H:\ENGINEER\E01 \E01-1379 (E:\M INUTES\01 PW9-2)