HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-26-2011* CITY OF AUBURN
CITY OF * * TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT
► T T T AND TRAILS COMMITTEE
* v -AL ti 14 October 26, 2011
WASHINGTON
DRAFT MINUTES
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: Jim Fletcher, Nick Perius, and John Daniels. Also present
during the meeting were: Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Government Relations Manager
Carolyn Robertson, Transportation Planner /Grants Manager Chris Hankins and Public Works
Office Assistant Heather Guiberson.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Nick Perius, seconded by Jim Fletcher that the Committee approve the Public
Works Committee minutes for September 28, 2011. Motion carried.
Chairman Roger Thordarson introduced new committee member John Daniels to the
Transportation, Transit and Trails Committee.
III. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. CHAMBER UPDATE ON THE SALE OF BONDS FOR FUNDING ARTERIAL STREET
REPAIRS (Robertson)
Government Relations Manager Robertson discussed the history of the Citizens Streets Task
Force, which combined citizens and business owners and formed in 2007. The Citizens Streets
Task Force gave recommendations as to how they thought the City should move forward in
solving their transportation needs. To date two of the recommendations that came out had to
do with funding and both of those have been done. The next step for the Citizens Streets Task
Force was discussions about arterial street maintenance.
The City went to the state legislature as a part of a larger group of cities and counties that
were interested in proposing a Street Maintenance Utility (SMU), which would treat the streets
as you would a water or electrical utility. The business community was not supportive for
various reasons. The Mayor asked the Chamber what they would support in order to maintain
our roads. The Chamber said that if the City would set the SMU aside, they will help, support
and lead an effort to do a ballot measure to the citizens like a bond measure.
There is 57 million dollars worth of projects that will be done over a 20 year period that 65%
will be done in the first 5 years. We are going to do exactly what we did in a previous program
called Save Our Streets (SOS). The City blanketed all the neighborhood streets and anything
we could pave we paved. The remaining roads are all rebuilds so there are fewer roads that
get done every year. The bonding will basically enhance the SOS with a phase two and move
to the arterial streets.
Terry Davis has been designated as the lead from the Chamber Board to form a committee of
citizens and businesses that will be working on this ballot proposal. We are looking at most
likely a May 2012 ballot measure. The Chamber is meeting with people this week to see if they
Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee October 26, 2011
DRAFT MINUTES
can find a co -chair for the committee and then begin to form the committee. The City side of
that bond measures for cities and schools are very prescriptive by the state as to what we can
and cannot do. The City can inform citizens about what it is going to cost them, about the
ballot measure and what we intend to do with the money. The City cannot give you an opinion
on the bond measure.
Member Fletcher asked if there would be different rate taxes with this bond measure.
Robertson told the committee that there would be a flat rate on their property tax so
homeowners will pay less that business owners because it is per assessed value.
B. ALGONA DOUBLE CHIP SEAL FEEDBACK (Committee Members)
Chairman Roger Thordarson stated that he would like to see the results after winter to see if
the streets held up through the weather. Director Dowdy stated that the double chip seal is a
fast process and takes about three to four hours to set. Member Perius liked the results and
stated that it looks more like a complete paving than a repair. Director Dowdy stated that more
cities are double chip sealing because it is more cost effective than overlays.
C. INTERSECTION CHANNELIZATION REVIEW AT POST OFFICE SIGNAL (Dowdy)
Director Dowdy brought a map of what the new channelization will look like to discuss with the
committee. The City is working with the Post Office to discuss access for citizens to the post
office.
D. C201A, M STREET UNDERPASS PROJECT UPDATE (Dowdy)
Director Dowdy stated that PSE is currently moving the poles, demolition is complete and we
are on target to go to bid in December. Transportation Planner /Grants Manager applied for a
TIB grant to help pay for the final portion of the project so that the City will reduce the 6 million
in debt owed via a Public Works Trust Fund Loan when the project it complete. The only thing
we are currently waiting for is to get the plans in and putting the project out to bid.
E. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Ballot Measure for Arterial Streets
IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee,
the meeting was adjourned at 10:08 a.m.
Approved this day of 12011.
Roger Thordarson
Chairman
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Heather Guiberson
Public Works Department Office Assistant