HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2008
* CITY OF AUBURN
N
ACITY F* TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT ICN AND TRAILS COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON March 26, 2008
i. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Roger Thordarson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Conference
Room, located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, Washington.
Committee members present were: John Calnan, Michael Pratum, Dirk Bidleman, Charles
Schumacher, Gary Venn, and Angie McCarr. Also present during the meeting were Mayor Peter
Lewis, Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, City Attorney Dan Heid, Transportation Planner Joe
Welsh, Washington State Department of Transportation, Transportation Planner Todd Merkens,
and Public Works Department Secretary Jennifer Rigsby.
Following the Call to Order, Mayor Lewis presented Chairman Thordarson with a committee
confirmation letter and Certificate of Appointment. Mayor Lewis briefly addressed the Committee,
expressing his appreciation for their participation and explaining the purpose and his expectations
of the Committee.
II. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. COMMITTEE RULES
City Attorney Heid distributed a memo regarding committee rules and copies of the two
ordinances establishing the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee. Heid explained to
the Committee that as a committee of the City of Auburn there were ground rules for the
Committee to follow and that the same rules which apply to City Council apply to the
Committee. Heid said that regular Committee meeting must be scheduled and meetings are
open to the public. Heid also explained the difference between regular meetings and executive
sessions. Any questions regarding the rules of the Committee can be referred to City Attorney
Heid.
B. REVIEW OF MISSION OF COMMITTEE
Chairman Thordarson read the Committee Mission Statement: "To develop strategies for
improved Transportation, Transit, and Trails in South King County/North Pierce County, Auburn
in particular. To work with the County, State, and Federal legislatures and their staff to obtain
funding to support the needs of Auburn." Copies of the mission statement were distributed.
C. HOT LANES PROJECT PRESENTATION
Director powdy introduced Washington State Department of Transportation, Transportation
Planner Merkens. Transportation Planner Merkens explained the premise of the SR 167 High
Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes Pilot Project to the Committee. Merkens discussed the difference
between traditional tolls verses the Congestion Pricing tolls to be used on the HOT lanes. Tolls
on the HOT lanes will be based on real-time traffic conditions with the toll fee increasing as the
lanes become more congested. Merkens also reviewed the key features, access points, and
enforcement measures for the HOT lanes. HOT lanes on SR 167 are expected to be
operational in late April or early May 2008. Chairman Thordarson and Committee Member
Bidleman asked questions about the transponder that is attached to vehicles. Merkens
answered by explaining how the transponder worked, that it is not portable, and the cost would
be $12.00 for the transponder and $3.50 for the transponder shield. Merkens responded to
questions from Bidleman regarding what would happen if the transponder was defective.
Merkens reported that the failure rate of the equipment was very low and the equipment had an
Transqortation, Transit, and Trails Committee MARCH 26, 2008
approval rating of 60-70% in other cities which are using the same type of transponder.
Merkens responded to questions from the Committee regarding toll fees. Transportation
Planner Welsh asked what would happen if an accident occurred in the HOT lanes or if a
detour had to be made through the HOT lanes. Merkens replied the HOT lane system could be
modified for special circumstances, preventing drivers from being charged toll fees in those
circumstances. Merkens gave a summary how State Patrol would enforce the rules of use for
HOT lanes and the public outreach activities planned to educate the public about the HOT
lanes. Chairman Thordarson asked if educational materials would be available for non-English
speaking residents and Merkens replied that they would. Merkens offered to meet the
Committee following the opening of the HOT lanes to address any questions or concerns.
D. CITIZENS' ARTERIAL TASK FORCE REPORT
Director powdy gave a summary of the Citizens' Arterial Task Force Report, explaining to the
Committee the reason for the formation of the Task Force and their findings. Dowdy explained
the Task Force reviewed 65 miles of Auburn arterial streets and based on the findings, the City
Council was considering a 1% Private Utility Tax, a 1% City Utility Tax, and a 1% Cable TV
Utility Tax to raise revenues to support a$25 million bond to begin to address arterial streets
preservation needs. Dowdy reported that there is an $85 million dollar deficit in the funding for
arterial streets and explained the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and how the continuing
deterioration of the arterial streets would increase repair and maintenance costs. Chairman
Thordarson agreed that the longer the City waits to handle this problem the more it will cost.
Dowdy gave the Committee examples of the costs involved with street repair and the
Committee discussed possible sources for addition funding. Dowdy responded to questions
from Committee Member McCarr regarding freight taxes. It was decided by the Committee to
review the Citizens' Arterial Task Force Report in detail and continue discussion at future
Committee Meetings.
E. LETTER OF INQUIRY TO SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY REGARDING FREIGHT
INDUSTRY FEES & TAXES
Director powdy presented his letter to the Washington State Secretary of the Treasury, Michael
J. Murphy. The letter was an inquiry as to how much of the current Freight Industry Fees and
Taxes which are collected by the State are allocated as a direct distribution to cities, such as
Auburn, to aide in maintaining arterial streets and truck routes.
F. RESPONSE FROM SECRETARY OF TREASURY REGARDING FREIGHT INDUSTRY FEES
& TAXES
Director powdy presented the letter of response from Secretary of Treasury, Michael J. Murphy
which stated that, with the exception of a portion of the tax from diesel sales, no monies from
the Freight Industry Fees and Taxes were currently allocated to cities, such as Auburn and
Legislative action would be needed to modify the current distribution of funds.
G. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
It was decided by the Committee that meetings of the Transportation, Transit, and Trail
Committee will be regularly scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of every month at 9:00 a.m.
Chairman Thordarson asked for ideas for future agenda items from the Committee. Committee
Member Schumacher reiterated the need for further discussion about the Citizens' Arterial Task
Force Report. The Committee concurred. Committee Member Pratum recommended the
Committee review the City's existing transportation priorities for high volume corridors.
Transportation Planner Welsh recommended the Committee Members review the City of
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Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee MARCH 26, 2008
Auburn Comprehensive Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Plan. Welsh
explained to the Committee the difference between the plans.
Venn asked Chairman Thordarson what his expectation from Committee Members are.
Thordarson responded that Committee Members may wish to participate in possible sub-
committees, conducting research on issues brought to the Committee and Committee Members
will act as representatives of the City of Auburn at various meetings at the City, County, and
State levels.
Chairman Thordarson asked for a volunteer from the Committee to act as Vice-Chair.
Committee Member Bidleman nominated Committee Member Calnan. Committee Member
Calnan accepted and the Committee Members concurred. Committee Member John Calnan
will act as Vice-Chair of the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee.
H. DISCUSS PREFERRED WAYS THAT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
WISH TO BE NOTIFIED OF NEW INFORMATION: EMAIL, WEBSITE, ETC.
Committee Member Schumacher prefers to be notified of new information via traditional mail
and telephone. All other Committee Member prefer email. Department Secretary Rigsby asked
that all Committee Members provide their contact information on the sign-in sheet.
III. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Citizens' Committee for Transportation, Transit
and Trails, the meeting was adjourned at 10:18 a.m.
Approved this 23`d day of April, 2008.
Roger Thordarson Jennifer Rigsby
Chairman Public Works Department Secretary
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