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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)