HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM III-C
CITY OF AUBURN
CITY OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
December 21, 2009
t-
WAS H I N GTO N DRAFT MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Rich Wagner called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 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 Sue Singer. Also
present during the meeting were: Mayor Peter B. Lewis, Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, City
Engineer/Assistant Director Dennis Selle, Assistant City Engineer Ingrid Gaub, Senior Project
Engineer Bill Helbig, Utilities Engineer Dan Repp, Storm Drainage Engineer Tim Carlaw, Water
Quality Coordinator Chris Thorn, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Transportation Planner/Grants
Manager Chris Hankins, Traffic Engineer PablotPara, Assistant Planning Director Kevin Snyder,
Planner Chris Andersen, King County Metro Service Planning Supervisor David Hull and
Transportation Planner Katie Chalmers, Bob Thompson from Miles Sand and Gravel, and
Department Secretary Jennifer Rigsby.
Chairman Wagner thanked Vice-Chair Cerino for his years of services on the Public Works
Committee and City Council.
II. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Vice-Chair Cerino, seconded by Member Singer, that the Committee approve
the Public Works Committee minutes for date, December 7, 2009.
Motion carried 3-0.
B. APPROVE FINAL PAY ESTIMATE NO. 3 TO CONTRACT NO. 09-14 IN THE AMOUNT OF
$0.00 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE OF $103,446.75 WITH DOOLITTLE
CONSTRUCTION, LLC AND ACCEPT CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECT NO. CP0918, 2009
ARTERIAL COLLECTOR CRACK SEAL PROJECT
Senior Project Engineer Helbig was present. Chairman Wagner asked how the roads were
chosen for the project. Helbig answered staff brings the proposed project sites to Committee in
late spring for vetting. Chairman Wagner asked how staff determines which roads should be
part of the project. Helbig stated staff uses the Pavement Management database with the
Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and gathers input from the Streets Department on areas of
their greatest concern. Chairman Wagner suggested that staff contact•the Auburn School
District Transportation Director, to obtain information from school bus drivers for additional input
regarding the condition of arterial collectors with future projects.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Cerino, seconded by Member Singer, that the Committee
recommend Council approve Final Pay Estimate No. 3 to Contract No. 09-14 and accept
construction of Project No. CP0918, 2009 Arterial Collector Crack Seal Project.
Motion carried 3-0.
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DRAFT MINUTES
C. APPROVE TRANSPORTATION DESIGN STANDARDS REVISIONS
Traffic Engineer Para presented the revised transportation design standards to the Committee.
Member Singer asked if there were any additional changes made since the last time the
Committee reviewed the design standards. Para stated that other than minor formatting
changes there were none.
Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle answered questions asked by Chairman Wagner
regarding Section 10.02.2.4, Vertical Grades.
Chairman Wagner and staff discussed Section 10.04.3, Table 10-3, and the 2640 ft minimum
intersection spacing where minor arterials intersect minor arterials. Chairman Wagner asked
what would happen if there is a sensible place for a new development to intersect a minor
arterial and the spacing is not 2640 ft from an existing intersection. Assistant Director/City
Engineer Selle explained the developer would be able to request a deviation from the standards
which would then be reviewed and evaluated by staff to determine if the proposed road location
is the most appropriate location. Para pointed out that most residential housing developments
would have a collector intersecting a minor arterial and the minimum intersection spacing is
less. Chairman Wagner stated he was concerned that only traffic related issues would be
considered by staff when reviewing a request for a deviation and not the needs of the
development. Mayor Lewis stated he is in support of the staff review of the minimum
intersection spacing when developers are not able to meet the design standards. Assistant
Director/City Engineer Selle said staff would consult the Committee if there are a lot of requests
for reasonable deviations from the standards and would review the standards to determine if
changes need to be made.
Referring to Section 10.17.6, Area Circulation Plan, Chairman Wagner asked that verbiage be
added to recognize that in the case of special events that are difficult to analyze with ordinary
AM/PM peak traffic analyses would be addressed in an area circulation plan. Traffic Engineer
Para responded that staff has the ability to request additional analysis based on the
development, referenced under Section 10.17.3, Special Uses. Para said it would be difficult to
summarize all of the different uses where different requirements would apply. Assistant
Director/City Engineer Selle stated the circulation plan requirements would also be used in
conjunction with SEPA and through the SEPA process the City can require specific traffic
analyses, reviews, assessment, etc. to be incorporated. Chairman Wagner stated that the
Planning and Community Development Committee was looking for a way for a development
that would not enter the total traffic impact analysis process to be required to conduct an area
circulation plan. Chairman Wagner recommended that some of the detail in section 10.17.3 be
included in 10.17.6. Pablo verified the same language in 10.17.3 will be used as a bullet point
in 10.17.6. Chairman Wagner asked if Assistant Planning Director Snyder provided feedback
on Section 10.17.6. Traffic Engineer Para stated Assistant Planning Director Snyder was
provided the revised standards for review and no comments on the section were returned to
staff. Member Singer gave an example of a development that may be required to provide an
area circulation plan.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Cerino, seconded by Member Singer, that the Committee approve
the revisions to the transportation design standards with the changes discussed.
Motion carried 3-0.
III. ISSUES
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J. ORDINANCE NO. 6283 AMENDING SECTIONS 12.04.010, 13.41.010, 13.48.010, 13.48.180,
13.48.210, AND 13.48.225 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE; CREATING A NEW SECTION
13.48.226 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE; AMENDING SECTIONS 13.48.230 AND 13.48.250
OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE; REPEALING SECTION 13.48.260 OF THE AUBURN CITY
CODE; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 13.48.290, 13.48.440, 15.74.030, AND 15.74.050 OF
THE AUBURN CITY CODE; ALL RELATING TO ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A
SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT MANUAL
Storm Drainage Engineer Carlaw distributed a revised version of Ordinance No. 6283. Carlaw
stated under Section 3, the definition for "Emerging Technology" was added to the ordinance
and the definition was taken directly from the Surface Water Management Manual (SWMM).
Chairman Wagner stated he had questions about the manual that may affect the changes
made in Sections 6, Item 5 of the ordinance.
Paqe 17: Chairman Wagner discussed that he would like staff to consider ways of giving credit
for Low Impact Development (LID) best management practices beyond what is currently
proposed for potential future revisions. Staff pointed out that there are some limitations within
the NPDES permit and it may take some time to receive approval for the Department of
Ecology (DOE) for some forms of incentive.
Page 18: Chairman Wagner requested that a reference to credit being given for proponents
that use permanent pervious pavements. Chairman Wagner stated there should be emphasis
put on credits or incentives for LID in several areas. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle said
that staff's goal is to meet the NPDES Phase II requirements by putting the manual in place to
meet our permit deadline and then come back and review LID incentives and alternatives where
Council may desire to amend the manual.
Volume 2: Chairman Wagner asked if there is a requirement as to how long construction sites
need erosion mitigation practices in place. Carlaw stated typically the measures are removed
following construction. The committee would like staff to look at setting a time frame for their
removal after completion of construction in future revisions to the manual as often developers
leave them in place and they become an undesirable feature of the landscape.
Volume 3: Chairman Wagner asked for reconciliation with the rate structure in future revisions
of the manual. '
Member Singer asked why the Tacoma manual is referenced in the proposed code changes.
Storm Drainage Engineer Carlaw answered that it is a permit requirement to show that we are
using an approved equivalent manual.
Paqe 781: Carlaw answered questions asked by Chairman Wagner regarding the requirement
for runoff from lawns being directed onto porous surfaces.
Paqe 782: Chairman Wagner asked where the reference regarding water quality testing is
from. Carlaw answered it is from the State DOE manual.
The Committee reviewed the changes in the ordinance to Section 6, Item 5.
The Committee discussed use of the 2005 Washington State University Low Impact Technical
Guidance Manual for Puget Sound, which is currently being updated.
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Public Works Committee Minutes December 21, 2009
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Storm Drainage Engineer Carlaw responded to questions asked by Member Singer regarding
homeowners who want to park recreational vehicles on their property.
Carlaw pointed out that the SWMM is replacing Chapter 6 of the Design Standards Manual and
that chapter will ask users to reference the SWMM.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Cerino, seconded by Member Singer, that the Committee ,
recommend Council approve and adopt Ordinance No. 6283.
Motion carried 3-0.
IV. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. COMMUNITY SHUTTLE
Transportation Planner Welsh reported the community shuttle is the second of the two services
planned as part of Transit Now. This shuttle is a mid-day oriented community shuttle, similar to
the Kent Shopper Shuttle. The concept is to provide service to areas that are under served or
not served at all. The primary purposes of the shuttle are to: 1) Provide better, more reliable
service to east Auburn, 40th Street NE/I Street NE, which are now served by Dial A Ride Transit
(DART) service and 2) Provide direct service to the YMCA, Supermall, and Downtown corridor.
Operation will be 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the route will operate
hourly. Welsh stated the projected ridership is 12 riders per hour.
Transportation Planner Welsh introduced King County Metro Service Planning Supervisor David
Hull and Transportation Planner Katie Chalmers to the Committee.
Chairman Wagner asked how long it would take a rider to get from the north end of the route to
the south end. Transportation Planner Chalmers answered approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
The Committee and staff reviewed the map showing the additions and deviations to route 919
and route 910. Transportation Planner Chalmers answered questions asked by Chairman
Wagner regarding the new service that would be provided to the area currently served by
(DART). Service Planning Supervisor Hull discussed the schedule for the public input period
and the passing of the ordinance that would allow the service to move forward and begin in
September 2010.
Member Singer and Mayor Lewis discussed the budget for the service. Service Planning
Supervisor Hull spoke about other jurisdictions that had to postpone the service due to financial
difficulties. Mayor Lewis and Service Planning Supervisor Hull discussed the possibility of
rescheduling service to start sooner that September 2010.
The Committee and staff reviewed the route maps provided by Transportation Planner Welsh.
The Committee and Mayor Lewis supported moving forward with the partnership.
B. UTILITY RATE STRUCTURE
Utilities Engineer Repp reviewed Ordinance No. 6286 with the Committee which reflects the
rate structure discussed at the December 7th Public Works Committee Meeting for all three
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utilities. Repp reported a 6.9% increase for water, 10% for sanitary sewer, and a 5.4% increase
for storm.
Utilities Engineer Repp answered questions asked by Chairman Wagner regarding the existing
programmed 6% rate increase and the proposed additional rate increases. The existing 6%
rate increase will move forward and in 2010 the addition increase to the water rate will be .9%
to equal the proposed 6.9%, sanitary sewer 4% and storm 6% with a 5.4% increase in the
subsequent years.
Chairman Wagner asked why wholesale accounts are exempt from utility taxes. Repp
answered that it is probably because the accounts are not retail.
Utilities Engineer Repp stated the ordinance will be reviewed by the Finance Committee and
brought back to Public Works Committee for final review and action.
C. PARKING ON PLANTING STRIPS
Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Hankins explained that staff has reviewed the positive
and negative aspects of allowing parking on planting strips and staff does not see how the
parking can be reasonably supported due to the impact it has on the City's utilities structures,
individual water meters that are locating in the planting strips, emergency vehicle access and
access to fire hydrants.
Hankins stated staff recommends that parking not be allowed on planting strips and instead on-
street parking be provided on one side of the street on a case-by-case basis to help address
neighborhood parking concerns.
The Committee and staff discussed the definition of a planting strip versus a shoulder, as
referenced on page 3 of Ordinance No. 6275. Director powdy suggested adding the statement,
, between the roadway edge and either the sidewalk or edge of the right-of-way where no
sidewalk is present," to the definition of a Shoulder.
The Committee and staff discussed the narrowing of the roadways where parking may be
allowed on one side of the street. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle explained the VRFA
, will be consulted prior to parking being allowed. The Committee and staff discussed signage
for the streets where parking would be allowed.
Transportation Planner/Grants Manger Hankins stated a revised ordinance will be presented to
the Municipal Services Committee and then back to the Public Works Committee for action.
D. GREEN STREETS FOR THE AUBURN ENVIRONMENTAL PARK
Chairman Wagner gave the Committee and staff a PowerPoint presentation on a project
completed by senior engineering students at Washington State University. The project focuses
on defining what pervious concrete streets would look like in the Auburn Environmental Park
AEP area. Clay Street and Western Street were used in the project as examples. The
students were asked to address surface water retention, transport, and treatment in their street
design. The students were also asked to consider the roadway load, sidewalks, bicycle lanes,
and some limited parking. Environmentally friendly LED lighting was also included as part of
the green street design. The students included drawings, calculations, cost estimates, a permit
outline and construction guidelines in the project.
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Chairman Wagner reviewed the site map that the students developed. Only the portions of the
streets that were adjacent to the AEP were the project focus. The paramount need was
determined to be to manage stormwater to protect the wetlands and Mill Creek as well as to
attract environmentally-conscious businesses to the AEP District and to promote the AEP.
Chairman Wagner reviewed the preferred alternative to asphalt, pervious concrete. The
Committee viewed the photo that showed asphalt versus pervious concrete. Another
alternative is porous asphalt. Chairman Wagner discussed some of the findings about porous
asphalt.
Chairman Wagner reviewed the selected design with the Committee and staff. The design
included raising the street above the water table for retention, transport, and treatment. The
Committee reviewed the design calculations. Chairman Wagner answered questions asked by
Member Singer and Mayor Lewis regarding sideslope stability and water transport.
Chairman Wagner spoke about the work done on selection of the LED lighting design.
The Committee and staff reviewed the cost estimate. Chairman Wagner suggested the cost
may be less than estimates because the traffic control costs would be less.
The presentation concluded with the potential next steps: expanding engineering analysis of
raised street cross section and determine the general technology's' application to the Downtown
Promenade, initiate conversations with regulatory agencies, and to apply for grants to build
Western Avenue as a demonstration project.
The Committee and staff discussed the demonstration project and the transition that would be
needed to accommodate a raised street section. Bob Thompson from Miles Sand and Gravel
spoke about sustainability and alternatives to impervious concrete that are in the research ,
phase.
Chairman Wagner spoke about Green River Community College potentially offering a concrete
technician certification.
Chairman Wagner stated there is a second group of senior engineers from Washington State
University that will be starting projects in January 2010 and he would like to write a proposal for
the students to review the Downtown Promenade and the use of pervious concrete.
The Committee and staff discussed the use of pervious concrete on sidewalks with Mr.
Thompson.
The Committee and staff discussed the possibility of obtaining grant funding for the Western
Avenue demonstration project.
E. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
There were no questions/comments from the Committee.
F. FLOOD PREPAREDNESS STATUS UPDATE
Director powdy reported that the only work that remains on our Primary Containment Project is
relocation of some of the pre-filled supersacks that were frozen during the cold weather.
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Dowdy also stated that King County is almost done with the work south of the Auburn Golf
Course.
Member Singer asked if there will be public education instructing people not to climb on the
supersacks. Mayor Lewis answered the King County Prosecutors" Office has declared it to be
a felony to tamper with the flood protection devices and stickers are being put on the
supersacks to notify the public to stay off.
G. WATER EASEMENT RELINQUISHMENT AT 29935 112th AVENUE SE
Assistant City Engineer Gaub stated an applicant in the process of dividing the property at
29935 112'h Avenue SE into two parcels. Gaub identified the property location on a map. Gaub
said there is an existing waterline that crosses the parcel between 111th and 112th Avenues. ,
Staff reviewed the need for this waterline connection and determined there is adequate looping
of the system in other locations making the line unnecessary to maintain the City's system. The
applicant has done the work to disconnect and abandon the waterline and staff is seeking
Committee concurrence to release the easement so the applicant can continue with the
processing of their short plat.
Chairman Wagner asked if the abandoned waterline needs to be removed. Assistant City
Engineer Gaub answered the City does not have to remove the line. The applicant hired a
contractor to sever the connection and cap the existing line. Chairman Wagner asked if there
is a Hold Harmless Agreement. Gaub stated part of the release is the release of the City's
interest in the line.
The Committee agreed with relinquishing the water easement at 29935 112'h Avenue SE.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 4:57 p.m.
Approved this day of 12009.
Rich Wagner Jennifer Rigsby
Chairman Public Works Department Secretary
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