HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-2010
~~pc CITY OF AUBURN
RKS COMMITTEE
*CITY M%ikPUBLIC WO
April 19, 2010
WAS H I NGTON nniNUTEs
,
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Rich Wagner called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in Conference Room #1, located on the second floor of Aubum City Hall, One East Main Street, Aubum, Washington. Committee
members present were: Chairman Rich Wagner, Vice-Chair Sue Singer, and Member Bill Peloza.
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,
Finance Dicector Shelley Coleman; Financial Planning Manager Karen Jestec, Utility and
Accounting.Services Manager Rhonda Ewing, Water Utility Engineer Cynthia Lamothe, Traffic
Engineer Pablo Para, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Chris Hankins, Street Systems ,
Engineer Seth Wickstrom, Engineering Aide Amber Mund, Principal Planner Elizabeth
Chamberlain, Citizens Wayne Osbome and Nick Perius, Job Shadow.Participant Jacklyn Kellogg,
and Department Secretary Jennifer Rigsby.
11. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Vice-Chaie Singer, seconded by Member Peloza, that the Committee approve
the Public Works Committee minutes for date, April 5, 2010.
Motion carried 3-0.
B. APPROVE RIGHT-OF-WAY USE PERMIT N0. 10-05 FOR CLEAN SWEEP EVENT
- Engineering Aide Mund reported that the Parks and Recreation Department applied for the
Right-of-Way Use Permit for the annual Clean Sweep Event. The only change from previous
years is the closure of the alley behind the Aubum Avenue Theater because a mural is being
painted behihd the building.
Vice-Chair Singer asked if there was a list of projects for the event. Mund provided Vice-Chair
Singer with a copy of the list. Chairman Wagner asked why Division Street would be closed:
Mund answered that it is the location for the Pancake Breakfast.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Singer, seconded by Member Peloza, that the Committee approve
Right-of-Way Use Permit No. 10-05 for Clean Sweep Event.
Motion carried 3-0.
Page 1
Public Works Committee Minutes April 19, 2010
MINUTES
C. ACCEPT CONSTRUCTION OF CONTRACTS E0901, E0902, E0903, E0904, E0905, E0905,
E0906, E0907 W THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,220,554.72, fOR PROJECT NO. EM0902,
GREEN RIVER EMERGENCY FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES
Assistant City Engineer Gaub explained that the cost amount of $1.2M is for construction
contract work and does not include staff time or material procurement. Gaub said the total cost
for all construction work including staff time and material procurement is approximately $11M.
Emergency Management has put in a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) for reimbursement of additional costs incurred by the Cify beyond the $1 M reimbursed
by the County. Sfaff is waiting to receive notice from FEMA.
Chairman Wagner commented that the County only covered the cost of construction labor.
Assistant Cify Engineer Gaub responded that the construction contracts included the
contractors' efforts, some material procurement such as, dirt for filling bags and filling the
geogrid walls, and equipment to complete the work.
Chairman Wagner asked if the FEMA reimbursement will cover the additional costs. Gaub
answered that the request included all costs spent on the levee construction and the regional
coordination efforts, since January 2009. Chairman Wagner asked where the funding will come
from if FEMA denies the request. Director powdy stated most of the cost will. be charged to the
stormwater account, which is where the costs were originally charged to. Director powdy said
that the stormwater account was the primary operating fund and will be again this year for costs
the City is already accumulating. Assistant City Engineer Gaub reminded the Committee that in
the case of an event there will be additional costs for the pumping of floodwaters and closure of
levee penetrations and roadways. The Committee discussed the usage of stormwater funds for
river management.
The Committee asked if there will be breaks in the wall made this summer to allow citizens
access through the barriers and what the cost would be to do so. Assistant City Engineer Gaub
stated that the current plan is to leave the existing breaks in the wall until an actual event
occurs. Chairman Wagner asked if there will be any additional openings made. Direcfor
Dowdy stated there will be no additional openings made, except for ones that the Mayor
approves, which are very limited. Mayor Lewis stated the primary reason for not making any
additional openings is due to fact the design of the wall does not make it easy for them to be
taken apart and put back together. Staff does not want to negatively impact the integrity of the
walls unless absolutely necessary.
Assistant City Engineer Gaub answered questions asked by Vice-Chair Singer regarding the
payment of the contracts. Mayor Lewis spoke about the amount of time it can take for
contractors to receive payment when a federal agency is involved.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Singer, seconded by Member Peloza, that the Committee
recommend Council accept construction of Contracts Nos. E0901, E0902, E0903, E0904,
E0905, E0906 and E0907 for Pr.oject No. EM0902, Green River Emergency Flood Protection
Measures. ,
Motion carried 3-0.
. Page 2
Public Works Committee Minutes AqriL99; 2010 _
MINUTES"
III. ISSUES
A. RESOLUTION NO. 4590 REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
APPROPRIATE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PROVIDE FOR INTERIM AND PERMANENT
REPAIRS TO THE HOWARD HANSON DAM, AND REQUESTING THAT THE ARMY CORPS
OF ENGINEERS BE DIRECTED TO MAKE THE HOWARD HANSON DAM PERMANENT
REPAIRS A PRIORITY PROJECT
Mayor Lewis stated that he, the three other Green River Mayors, the King County Executive,
fhe Dam Colonel, and the Govemor are visiting Congress at the beginning of May to meet with
the $tate Senators and other representatives regarding the. repairs to the Howard Hanson Dam.
Mayor Lewis explained that the $44M being requested is for the grout work and related repairs
to the Howard Hanson Dam, following questions asked by Member Peloza. Mayor Lewis
discussed the amount of protection the additional grout curtain would provide and the continued
need to resurface the dam.
If was moved by Vice-Chair Singer, seconded by Member Peloza, that the Committee •
recommend Council adopt Resolution No. 4590.
Motion carried 3-0.
B. RESOLUTION NO. 4592 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF AUBURN AND KING
COUNTY TO COMPLETE CITYWIDE PAVEMENT MARKING IMPROVEMENTS, ANNUAL "
BRIDGE INSPECTIONS AND RELATED REPAIR WORK AND EMERGENCY CALL-OUT
SERVICES
Traffic Engineer Para explained that locations included in last year's contract will be re-striped
and there may be additional locations added to this year's contract, such as additional bicycle
lanes and/or centerline striping. Chairman Wa9 ner asked if special designated areas will be
included in the contract, such as, the area on 9 Street NE where the crosshatching on the
pavement has 6een wom away. Para stated that the intersection at Auburn Way N and 9"'
Street NE is at the top of this year's list. Staff was studying a potential dual right tum lane at
the intersection, but found that it was not feasible so the bus lane will be re-striped. Traffic
Engineer Para discussed the map that is provided to King County designating the individual
locations for crosswalks, turn arrows, etc.
Chairman Wagner asked abouf the work schedule. Traffic Engineer Para sfated that the
County will do work from the time the contract is executed until year's end, as weather permits.
There is a delay this year because the King County process for confracts, such as this, has
changed and must now be approved by the King County Council. Assistant Director/City
Engineer Selle spoke about the language of the new agreement and the flexibly it allows to add
locations to the contract. Chairman Wagner asked what could be done in the future fo expedite
the process and have the striping 'in place for bicyclists in the summer months. Para stated the
new County requirements delayedthis year's contract and now staff is prepared to meet the
new requirements in subsequent years. Mayor Lewis pointed out that King County may not be
striping next year and advised staff to start reviewing altematives for accomplishing striping in
2011.
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Public Works Committee Minutes Aprii 19, 2010
. MINUTES
Traffic Engineer P-ara sfated the contract for bridge inspections and bridge repair work has
b'een included in the agreement. The Committee discussed the County recommendations for
bridge repair and the need for staff to consider the cost of the recommendations.
Member Peloza asked how the County determines which bridges are included in the
agreement. Assistant Director/Gity Engineer Selle answered that the County is provided with a list and staff has been working with the County on bridge inspections for several years. Para
stated he will provide Member Peloza with the bridge list.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Singer, seconded by Member Peloza, that the Committee
recornmend Council adopt Resolution No. 4592.
Motion carried 3-0.
IV. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. ORDINANCE NO. 6301 IMPOSING THE LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX TO BE CREDITED
AGAINST THE STATE SALES AND USE TAX FOR PURPOSES OF UTILIZING LOCAL
REVITALIZATION FINANCING UNDER CHAPTER 39.104 RCW; AND PROVIDING FOR
OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATING THERETO
Finance Director Coleman was present. Vice-Chair Singer asked for additional clarification
regarding the language used in Chapter 39.104 of the RCW and the possibility of an additional
tax: Coleman verified that the City does not have any authority to levy additional sales tax and
the RCW refers to the 1% tax which the City is already collecting.
Vice-Chair Singer asked if staff was confident that the City can use the EDA grant as matching
funds for the credit against the state sales tax. Finance Director Coleman confirmed that to be
correct.
Chairman Wagner asked where the boundaries for the revitalization area are. Coleman
answered the revitalization area includes the entire Downtown Urban Center (DUC) Zone.
The Committee and staff discussed the amount of sales tax revenue that would be needed in
order to generate the project award of $250,000.00 and the risk involved. Coleman explained
how staff calculated the amount levied and that thefigures were based on 2008 sales tax
collection amounts, which were historically lower than the 3 prior years.
Chairman Wagnerasked if the .03% sales tax credit applies to sales or the sales tax. Finance
Director Coleman answered thaf'it applies to the total retail sales in the City.
Mayor Lewis spoke about his and Finance Director Coleman's recent meeting with the
underwriter and the Standards and Poor's credit rating forthe City.
Finance Director Coleman and Financial Planning Manager Jester reviewed the formula used to
calculate the proposed .03% sales tax credit with the Committee. Member Peloza asked over
what period of time the award would be paid. Coleman answered the payments would be made
over 10 months. Mayor Lewis spoke about how the State set up the program.
The Committee supported Ordinance No. 6301, pending discussion on related Ordinance No.
6305.
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Public Works Committee Minutes April 19, 2010
MINUTES .
B. ORDINANCE NO. 6305 - BOND ISSUE
Finance Director Colman reviewed the Schedule of Events for the upcoming bond issuance.
Coleman stated that the prices being present to the Committee are based on an AA rating from
Standard and Poor, which is what staff expects to receive. Coleman answered questions asked
by Member Peloza regarding the benefit of an AA+ rating and an AA rating.
, Finance Director Coleman explained that the five bond issues consist of Limited General
Obligations (LTGOs) and Build America Bonds (ABAs). This will provide funding for a refund
which will save approximately $15,000.00 per year on the City's debt service payment on the
remaining 9 years of the 1998 library bond, $7.2M dollars for the Promenade Project and open
spaces plaza, and $22.5M to purchase the annex condominium. The interest cost for these
issues is 4.018509%.
Finance Director Coleman distributed clean copies of Ordinance No. 6305 to the Committee
and staff.
Finance Director Coleman answered questions asked by Member Peloza regarding issue 3 on
the memo from the Finance Department, the refund of the 1998 GO bonds issued for the library
and its affect on the other two bond issues. Member Peloza asked if there would 6e a penalty
to be paid for refunding the bonds. Coleman answered that there would be no penalty because
the bonds have been held for at least 10 years.
Finance Director Coleman reviewed attachment 2, Sources and Uses of Funds, with the
Committee following questions asked by Member Peloza.
Vice-Chair Singer asked if the construction costs of the new City Hall Plaza are included in the
bond issues. Mayor Lewis said the funds received from the State may be used on anything in
the downtown area, including the City Hall Plaza. Public Works, Planning, and Finance staff
will be working on a list of projects to present to Council.
Chairman Wagner discussed the cost estimate for the Downtown Promenade Project and any
excessfunds possibly going to stormwater management. Chairman Wagnervoiced his support
for the $7:2M Local Revitalization Funding component as long as those excess funds are used
to help resolve the stormwater management problems in the Downtown Area that were
discussed af the last Public Works Committee Meeting and not niceties such as water features.
Member Peloza agreed.
Member Peloza verified that the $22.5M in funding will be used to purchase all of the leased
space in the City Hall Annex building. Finance Coleman stated that it would and the purchase
will save the City approximately $20,000 per month, $240,000 per year. The Committee and
staff discussed the possibility of leasing a portion of the space. Chairman Wagner asked what
the deadline for exercising the purchase option is. Coleman answered, May 15, 2010. Mayor
Lewis discussed the cost savings of purchasing the space.
Vice-Chair Singer asked if there was any penalty if the Downtown Area construction was
postpone for 3-4 years. Finance Director Coleman stated that there were none.
Finance Director Coleman discussed the Preliminary Office Statement and the conditions of the
bond sale, following questions asked by Chairman Wagner.
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Public Works Committee Minutes April 19, 2010
MINUTES
Mayor Lewis stated the May Bond Issue will be discussed at the Finance Committee Meeting.
, Finance Director Coleman said Ordinance No. 6305 will be presented to Council for adoption on
May 3, 2010.
C. BAD DEBT WRITE OFF
Finance Director Coleman reported that a review has been performed of the aged receivable
balances for both utility accounts and the miscellaneous accounts receivable for bad debt to be .
written off. Coleman stated such a review has not been completed in several years and staff '
plans on conducting reviews of the accounts on a quarterly basis moving forward. Mayor Lewis
pointed out that just because bad debit is written off does not mean that collection efforts do not
continue.
Finance Director Coleman discussed the ACE project, in response to questions asked by Vice-
~ Chair Singer. Coleman reported that the Legal Department is currently working on the project
debf.
The Committee and staff discussed the amount being written off and the efficiency of the City's
;in-house debt collection process.
The Committee and staff discussed the possibility of sponsoring State legislation that would
assist in collecting traffic citation debt, following comments by Member Peloza.
Finance Director Coleman answered questions asked by Citizen Wayne Osbome regarding the
statute of limitations on collecting property damage debt.
D. BONNEY LAKE INTERTIE AGREEMENT
Director powdy provided a background summary on the negotiations on the Emergency Water
Sysfem Intertie Agreement between the City and the City of Bonney Lake. Dowdy reported that
the agreement was not only needed in the case of emergency but also because of situat'ions
where prolonged reliance due to well failures is considered necessary and when the volumes
require Bonney Lake to take water from Tacoma to meet Auburn's emergency demands.
Dowdy discussed the probable future need to enact the intertie again during the upcoming
summer and explained that the new agreement addresses all foreseeable issues. During the
negotiations of the final bill for Auburn's 2009 use, it was decided that the existing agreement ,
would not suffice to meet both cities' long term needs which lead to the decision to renegotiate
the agreement to address both cities' concerns.
Director powdy stated the new agreement covers three different situations. The .first situation
being a 7 day emergency and the second situation would cover an extended period of
emergency which can not be resolved in 7 days, requiring prolonged reliance. The third
situation involves an average daily demand that is so great that Bonney Lake wells can not
support it and Bonney Lake has to purchase water#rom the City of Tacoma. In that sifuation,
the Tacoma water rate would be passed on to the City of Auburn. Dowdy stated that if Bonney
. Lake is shipping water from the City from Tacoma, it would be the same monthly rate that the
City would pay if opening up an intertie with Tacoma plus a wheeling fee to reimburse Bonney
Lake's additional costs of operating their Tacoma intertie. The City is also attempting to open
up two new interties on the Tacoma line to help meet the City's summer water needs by using
water parchased from Cascade under our settlement agreement.
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Public Works Committee Minutes April 19. 2010
MINUTES
Water Utility Engineer Lamothe answered questions asked by Chairman Wagner regarding the
Gity's maximum daily demand.
Director powdy answered question asked by Member Peloza regarding the legal language of
the agreement. Dowdy reported that both the City Attomeys for the City of Aubum and City of
Bonney Lake have reviewed the agreement, as have the City Mayors and is currently being
discussed by both City Councils.
E. ORDINANCE NO. 6275 AMENDING SECTION' 10:36.270 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE
RELATING TO STOPPING, STANDING, AND PARKING ON PLANTING STRIPS
Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Hankins reviewed the latest revisions to Ordinance No. 6275 with the Committee. Additional language regarding enforcement and administration has
been added to the new section 10.36.215.
' Chairman Wagner asked about the language in 10.36.215, item B, is able fo be us'ed for
parking..." and asked if the City Attorney felt that language was specific enough. Director
Dowdy stated the language came from the City Attomey and stated that the language could
probably be adjusted to clearly reference back to the standards.
Chairman Wagner asked why item 5 did not allow for the use of gravel. Transportation
Planner/Grants Manager'Hankins answered that gravel is considered to be and impervious
surface. Assistant Director/City Engineer Selle sated there is some flexibility in the materials.
that can be used for that small of area and gravel could be included. Chairman Wagner asked
that gravel be included.
Member Peloza asked if the ordinance would address the parking issue on F Street SE. Staff
responded that issue is separate from the ones addressed by the ordinance and that the issue
on F Street SE is currently being handled by staff.
Ordinance No. 6275 will be brought back to the Committee for action on May 3, 2010. F. 2010 ARTERIAL AND COLLECTOR PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROGRAM
The Committee reviewed the maps provided by Street Systems Engineer Wickstrom:
Sfreet Systems Engineer Wickstrom answered questions asked by Chairman Wagner
regarding the estimated cost of the pavement work on I Street NE and 1St Street NE.
Wickstrom stated the estimate covers repairs to 1St Street NE and rebuilding the travel lane
portions of I Street NE.
The Committee and staff discussed the pavement repairs that need to be made to West Valley
Highway north of Main Street. Traffic Engineer Para answered questions asked by Chairman
Wagner regarding the possibility of securing grant funds for repairs to that section of West
Valley Highway. Vice-Chair Singer requesfed a list of the streets included in fhe recent grant
request.
Street Systems Engineer Wickstrom discussed the rehabilitation of I Street NE. Wickstrom
explained that I Street NE consist of fwo travel lanes and a center furn lane. The center travel
lane is in good condition, so the preliminary scope for the project includes rebuilding just the
travel lanes but will be more defined as the design progresses.
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Public Works Committee Minutes April 19, 2010
MINUTES
G. CAPITAL PROJECT STATUS REPORT
Member Peloza asked about the status of the Finish Dates 1isted for Project Nos. CP0731,
2007 Sewer Repair and Replacement, CP0904, 2009 Sidewalk Improvements, and CP0907,
2009 Arterial Patching Program. Assisfant City Engineer Gaub answered the contractor is
finishing up the final punchlist items for the 2009 Sidewalk Improvements Project and should be
finished in April. The contractor for the 2007 Sewer Repair and Replacement Project is
finishing up a last few sites and some restoration work and the contractor for the 2009 Arterial
Patching Project is complete.;
Member Peloza asked if there is a 2010 Sidewalk Improvement Project. Gaub answered the
sidewalk improvement program takes place every finro years and the next program is scheduled.
for 2011.
Item 27 - CP0915 - Well 1 Improvements: Chairman Wagner asked when the interim repqrt
will be complete. Assistant City Engineer Gaub answered the consultant is working on the
evaluation of the pump tests and screen tests and once the testing is complete the consultant
will compile a report with the recommendations on the issues of the well and possible
resolutions. The preliminary report is due in May 2010. Chairman Wagner asked that more
specific dates for the status of major project milestones be included on the CPS Report.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
The Committee and sfaff discussed the use of LED lights in City traffic signals and the #echnology
being developed for sfreet lighting, following questions asked by Member Peloza.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Public Works Committee, the meeting was
adjoumed at 5:15 p.m:.
Approved this 3`d day of May, 2010.
Rich VVagner nifer ' `by
Chairman ublic Works Departe ecretary
Page 8