HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-1998sp CITY OF AUBURN
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
February 9, 1998, 4:30 PM
Minutes
I. Introduction
Mayor Booth called the special meeting of the City Council to order at
4:30 p.m. in the Council Work Area located in City Hall. Mayor Booth
and the following members of the City Council were present: Pete Lewis,
Sue Singer, Jeanne Barber, Trish Borden, Gene Cerino, Fred Poe, and
Rich Wagner. Staff members present included: Public Works Director
Frank Currie, City Engineer Dennis Dowdy, Senior Engineer Dennis
Selle, Traffic Engineer Steve Mullen, Project Engineer Russ Bauder,
Special Projects Engineer Jack Locke, Water Utility Engineer Carl Every,
Utilities Engineer Dwight Holobaugh, Planning and Community
Development Director Paul Krauss, Associate Planner Bea Sanders,
Finance Director Diane L. Supler, City Attorney Michael J. Reynolds,
Assistant City Attorney Judith Ausman, Police Chief Dave Purdy, Fire
Chief Bob Johnson, Parks and Recreation Director Dick Deal, and City
Clerk Danielle Daskam.
I1. Bonney Lake Settlement Agreement
A. City Council to approve the Settlement Agreement with the City of
Bonney Lake.
For clarification of these minutes, discussion of the Bonney lake
Settlement Agreement occurred after discussion of the separated
grade projects and after the executive session.
City Attorney Reynolds announced the settlement agreement
between the City of Bonney Lake and the City of Auburn would
resolve litigation with respect to water service areas, which include
the Lakeland Company property. Mr. Reynolds reported the City
Council has reviewed the settlement agreement and a copy of the
agreement was provided to the Lakeland Company for their review.
City of Auburn
Special City Council Meetin9 Minutes
For February 9, 1998
Page 2
Steve Sheehy, 5004 43rd Avenue South, Seattle, WA, 98118
Mr. Sheehy identified himself as the attorney for The Lakeland
Company. Mr. Sheehy acknowledged the receipt of the proposed
settlement agreement between the cities of Auburn and Bonney
Lake with the exception of the exhibits to the agreement.
Mr. Sheehy identified The Lakeland Company's concerns with the
proposed settlement agreement as it relates to the Lakeland
property. The proposed settlement agreement is limited to the
Bonney Lake water service area. Approximately 400 acres of the
Lakeland Company property lies within the Bonney Lake water
service area. The remaining 285 acres of Lakeland is not within
the Bonney Lake service area and therefore is not addressed in the
settlement agreement. He expressed concern with constructing a
water system for the entire Lakeland area which extends through
two service areas. Mr. Sheehy pointed out that Lakeland
Company's annexation agreement with the City of Auburn provides
that the Lakeland Company shall convey wells and property for a
storage tank to the City of Auburn in exchange for water service
from the City of Auburn. The City's proposed settlement
agreement with Bonney Lake provides that Bonney Lake will be the
water service provider for Lakeland. According to the proposed
settlement agreement, the City of Auburn wilB have the option to
provide water service seven years after annexation of the area.
Mr. Sheehy questioned whether both cities would build separate
water storage tanks to serve the same area. He suggested the
cities join together to construct one storage tank to serve a broad
region.
Mr. Sheehy pointed out that the City's proposed settlement
agreement with Bonney Lake is in conflict with the City's
annexation and utilities agreement with Lakeland to provide water
service to the Lakeland development.
Mr. Sheehy requested the City Council delay action on the
proposed settlement agreement for one to two weeks in order for
The Lakeland Company to fully review the impact of the settlement
agreement.
Ci~ of Auburn
Special Ci~ Council Meeting Minutes
For Februa~9,1998
Page 3
Chuck Henderson, The Lakeland Company, PO Box 3866,
Bellevue, WA, 98009
Mr. Henderson requested the City Council delay action on the
settlement agreement with Bonney Lake to allow all three parties to
come to a mutually acceptable resolution of all issues.
Mr. Henderson pointed out the City of Auburn would lose $4 million
in system connection charges by entering into the settlement
agreement with Bonney Lake. Lakeland would be required to pay
Bonney Lake $10 million more in water connection charges than if
service came from the City of Auburn. He also suggested that the
agreement creates $6 to $10 million in redundant expenses.
Mary Urbach, 1201 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA
Ms. Urbach spoke on behalf of the Terrace View development. Ms.
Urbach expressed concern with City's proposed settlement
agreement with Bonney Lake and the potential effect of the
agreement on water service to the proposed Terrace View
development. She requested that the City include representatives
from Terrace View in their discussions regarding a settlement with
the City of Bonney Lake.
Council took no action on the proposed Settlement Agreement
between the City of Auburn and the City of Bonney Lake.
III. South 277th Grade Separation Project
Senior Engineer Dennis Selle presented a status report on the South
277th Street separated grade project. The project focuses on the 277th
corridor from Auburn Way North to West Valley Highway, and calls for
widening 277th to four lanes for through traffic with turn lanes at
intersections. The City of Kent plans to include a connection from Kent-
Kangley Road. The project is a cooperative effort among the state of
Washington, King County, and the cities of Kent and Auburn to benefit
the region.
Staff reviewed three alternatives for the project: an at-grade widening of
the existing road, a grade separated alternative passing under the Union
Pacific (UP) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks,
and a grade-separated alternative passing over the tracks. After a short
alternative analysis, it was determined that the grade separated
City of Auburn
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
For February 9, 1998
Page 4
alternative passing over the tracks was the most cost effective
alternative. Concerns with groundwater in the area made the
undercrossing alternative less cost effective.
The project will require new bridges over the BNSF and UP railroad
tracks. The intersection of 277th and West Valley Highway will be raised
slightly to flood proof the intersection. The connecticon of "B" Street to the
elevated structure will require the elevation of "B" Street and
consequently impact properties near the intersection. The project also
calls for the relocation of the 78th Avenue South intersection with South
277th by realigning 78th Avenue with "D" Street NW at their intersection
with 277th. City staff are working with state of Washington staff on an
analysis of the SR 167 interchange at 277th and the improvements
needed to the structure and ramps. A bike corridor is also planned for
the south side of the 277th corridor. The City of Kent is constructing a
pedestrian bridge across the Green River which can be utilized by
bicyclists. The bike corridor will ultimately connect the Green River Trail
with the Interurban Trail via the 277th corridor.
The project will be designed and constructed in two phases. Phase 1
includes improvements from Auburn Way North to Frontage Road.
Phase 2 includes improvements from Frontage Road to West Valley
Highway. The City recently received $2 million from King County and the
Ports to continue the design work through the area. The cost for the
entire project is estimated at $43 million. Phase 1 costs are estimated at
$33 million. The predesign phase of the project is nearly complete and
nearly all environmental documentation has been assembled. Within the
next month, predesign will be complete for the entire corridor and the
project will be submitted for environmental review. If funding becomes
available, some preliminary preparation work could be accomplished this
fall with major construction taking place in 1999.
In response to questions from Councilmember Poe, Mr. Selle advised
that City of Auburn staff have been urging City of Kent officials to
construct a connection from 108th. The City of Kent has purchased the
property required to construct a half-diamond interchange which will allow
access to 277th at 108th.
Mayor Booth opened the meeting for questions from the audience.
City of Auburn
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
For February 9,1998
Page 5
Michael Bocatch, 111 "H" Street SE, Auburn, WA
Mr. Bocatch asked whether the corridor would have Metro bus access.
Mr. Selle advised that the corridor is not designated as a bus stop area.
IV. 3rd Street SW Grade Separation Project
Mr. Selle reviewed the four alternatives for the 3~d Street SW grade
separation project at the "C" Street SW/SR18 interchange. Grade
separation is proposed at 3rd Street SW over the Burlington Northern
Santa Fe Railroad tracks.
Alternative 1
Alternative 1 is the depressed roadway alignment. It provides for the
removal of the off-set intersection and allows 3rd Street SW to pass under
the BNSF railroad tracks. Of most concern is the cost to construct and
maintain the roadway because the grade lines o'~: 3rd Street SW falls
below the groundwater table. The project would also require the
temporary relocation of the railroad tracks during construction. Truck
traffic would also have a difficult time with this type of intersection due to
the depressed elevation and transition to Highway 18. The estimated
cost of the Alternative 1 is $27.5 million.
Alternative 2
Alternative 2 provides for an elevated roadway alignment. It raises the
intersection of "C" Street SW and 3rd Street SW to cross over the BNSF
railroad tracks. "A" Street SW would pass under 3~d Street SW and loop
around to the south of 3~d Street SW to connect with Division Street. "A"
Street SW remains on its existing grade line. A concern with the
proposal is access to the proposed transit station. The estimated cost of
the project is $19.2 million.
Alternative 3
Alternative 3 is referred to as a single-point-urban-interchange (SPUI).
The proposal calls for "C" Street SW to remain at its vertical grade line,
while 3rd Street SW is grade separated from the BNSF tracks and "C"
Street SW. Ramps parallel to "C" Street SW connect between "C" Street
SW and 3~d Street SW. The ramps would terminate to form a single point
intersection grade separated from "C" Street SW. The intersection would
have a level of service of "C". Problems with this design include access
to and from the transit station and its impact upon more properties
City of Auburn
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
For February 9,1998
Page 6
because of the size of the structure. The estimated cost of the project is
$24.5 million.
Alternative 4
Alternative 4 is referred to as the loop ramp alternative and is the
alternative recommended by staff. It utilizes a loop ramp in the
southwest quadrant of the crossing of 3'd Street SW and "C" Street SW to
provide a connection between the two roadways. "C" Street SW remains
at grade. The alternative has good access to the transit station and
traffic on the elevated roadway is free flowing. The intersection is rated
at a level of service "C". The loop ramp alternative also has less impact
to adjacent properties since "C" Street SW remains at grade. Mr. Selle
displayed a three dimensional design of the intersection to illustrate the
traffic flow.
Mr. Selle also advised that the Auburn Downtown Plan Task Force
reviewed the alternatives. The Task Force supports the staff
recommendation for Alternative 4.
Michael Bocatch
Mr. Bocatch expressed concern that the design would create a traffic
bottleneck eastbound on 3ru Street.
In response to a question from Councilmember Wagner, Mr. Selle
advised that Metro is aware of the City's design alternatives. Metro has
not indicated any concerns thus far.
The estimated cost of Alternative 4 is $23.5 million. The City has spent
approximately $3 million in property acquisition and design work to date.
Alan Keimiq, Auburn Downtown Plan Task Force
Mr. Keimig advised that Alternative 4 is the Task Force's
recommendation as the preferred alternative for the 3rd Street SW grade
separation project. He requested that the Task Force continue to be
involved in the review of the design.
Councilmember Poe inquired regarding the use of open structures. Mr.
Selle advised that open structures are substantially more expensive. The
cost estimates for the projects do not include open structures, and it may
be difficult to justify open structures when there are other more cost
effective alternatives.
City of Auburn
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
For February 9,1998
Page 7
Mr. Selle indicated that if the City continues to receive funding for the
project, design work will continue this summer. It may be possible to
accomplish some minor construction work late this fall. Major
construction could take place in 1999 and last over two construction
seasons.
Councilmember Wagner expressed concern with the driver's expectancy
in Alternative 4 in that it may create a driver expectancy to go south
toward the Supermall and Boeing rather than to downtown. Mr. Selle
advised that additional signing will be installed to assist drivers.
V. Funding Status for Grade Separation Projects
Special Project Engineer Locke distributed a handout of project cost and
funding summaries. The City has received $900,000 in federal ISTEA
funding and $545,000 in Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funding
for the South 277th project. The Port of Seattle and King County have
allocated $1 million each to the project. The funding received to date will
be used to complete the design, environmental review, and right-of-way
acquisition.
Approximately $21 million is expected from the FAST Partnership for
construction of the South 277th project. The FAST Partnership is a
coalition of three counties, three ports, the three major cities of Seattle,
Tacoma, and Everett as well as nine other cities formed to acquire state
and federal funds for the FAST Corridor projects. Approximately $8
million is expected in additional TIB funding for construction of South
277th.
Approximately $3 million has been expended thus far for the predesign
and design of the 3rd Street SW project. Up to $5.3 million in ISTEA, TIB,
Washington State Department of Transportation, Port of Seattle, King
County, and City funds have been allocated for the project to date.
Approximately $13 million is expected from the FAST Partnership and
$4.7 million from the TIB for construction of the 3rd Street SW project.
Mr. Locke reported that the Auburn projects for South 277th and 3rd
Street SW have received a high priority for FAST Partnership funding.
Additionally, with predesign and design work nearly complete for both
projects, the City has positioned the projects well in anticipation of state
funding. However, transportation and freight mobility funding legislation is
uncertain at this time.
City of Auburn
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
For February 9,1998
Page 8
Michael Bocatch
Mr. Bocatch noted that the state legislature is considering House Bill 3038
which would prohibit the Port of Seattle from imposing tax levies. He
questioned whether the passage of the proposed legislation would affect
the Port's contribution to the grade separation projects. Mr. Locke
advised that the legislation could affect the Port's ability to fund the FAST
Corridor projects.
Mayor Booth recessed the meeting to executive session at 5:50 p.m. for
approximately 20 minutes in order to discuss litigation.
Councilmember Barber left the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
Mayor Booth reconvened the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
Mayor Booth opened discussion on the Bonney Lake Settlement Agreement
immediately following the executive session. (P/ease refer to Item II.A above for
Council discussion of the Bonney Lake Settlement Agreement.)
VI. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Council this evening,
the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
Approved on the c2 ~/~ day of ~ ,1998.
Charles A. Booth, Mayor nielle Daskam, City Clerk
98M02-09