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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-2013 3-27-2013 CITY OF AUBURN CITY OF * TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT AND TRAILS COMMITTEE a March 27, 2013 WASHINGTON MINUTES 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: Vice-Chair Nick Perius, John Daniels Jr., Jim Fletcher, Lonnie Tealer, Richard LaBoyne, and Michael Pratum. Also present during the meeting were: Director Dennis Dowdy, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Transportation Manager Pablo Para, Government Relations Manager Carolyn Robertson, Office Assistant Molly Hoisington and citizen Scot Pondelick. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Member Fletcher, seconded by Vice-Chair Perius that the Committee approve the Transportation, Transit and Trails Committee minutes for February 27, 2013. Motion carried. III. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION A. MIT HEALTH & WELLNESS SHUTTLE (Welsh) Transportation Planner Welsh acknowledged this item was discussed at the last Transportation, Transit and Trails meeting and that the focus is to provide a better connection between the Muckleshoot Health and Wellness Shuttle and Metro Bus Route 919. It has been identified that the best place for these routes to transfer passengers would be at Dogwood where the old QFC was as the two routes cross paths at this location. Member Daniels mentioned the Muckleshoot Tribe will be conducting a survey with the elders in the springtime to reveal what their needs are. Government Relations Manager Robertson asked if the Committee understands how the 919 shuttle is paid for and set up. Transportation Planner Welsh answered stating the City of Auburn has an agreement with King County and Pierce Transit to operate two and a half routes. The City pays entirely for route 910. The agreement covers route 919. The City also pays for the operation of a bus from Lakeland (route 497) into the Transit Center. The Lakeland Shuttle is a Pierce Transit bus, while the other two are Metro busses. Chairman Thordarson spoke about the transit system and stated the Lakeland Shuttle is extremely successful. This shuttle is a partnership between Metro, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit and the City of Auburn. This is a very well used shuttle which runs full most of the time. Member LaBoyne asked if this shuttle connects to the Sounder. Chairman Thordarson responded advising yes, it does go to the Transit Center. Member LaBoyne stated this shuttle serves its purpose as it is convenient and alleviates the parking issues at the Transit Center. 1 Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee March 27, 2013 MINUTES Director Dowdy stated he has a question for the group; it appears that Sound Transit has not yet charged for parking at their parking garages. It seems as though if they started charging a minimal parking fee that Sound Transit would then be able to finance a number of new garages. Director Dowdy would like Committee to ponder this for the next meeting and perhaps ask Sound Transit for a policy change. Government Relations Manager Robertson mentioned the Sound Transit Board is made up of elected officials from all over the district. Pete Von Reichbauer (King County Councilmember) is our representative and that it might be advantageous to have him attend a future Transportation, Transit and Trails meeting and talk to Committee as a board member. B. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (Dowdy) Government Relations Manager Robertson advised Committee that this year is budget year, budgeting for 2013-2015. The House Minority Caucus came out with a budget proposal last week. The budget proposal does not raise taxes on the citizens of Washington State. However, there will be a big issue for local government especially cities here in the valley which have huge impacts from warehousing and distribution as the SST Mitigation money for the 13-15 biennium was put in the general fund. House Transportation Committee Member Judy Clibborn has been very helpful to local government from a perspective of what she can do and what her members will support. Transportation Committee Member Clibborn is a huge proponent of what is being called the Puget Sound Gateway Project. This project is the completion of SR 167 and SR 509. Transportation Committee Member Clibborn has committed that this project is her number one project out of her Committee and out of the House this year. This project will come out in the House Transportation Package. C. CHAMBER BOND PROPOSAL (Dowdy) Director Dowdy advised Committee there is nothing new from the Chamber as they are waiting on the legislature. D. AUBURN WAY S & M STREET SE INTERSECTION PROJECT UPDATE (Para) Transportation Manager Para updated Committee on this project. This is a multiple phase improvement project. There have already been a couple of safety improvements completed at this time. This is a TIB (Transportation Improvement Board) funded project. This project is about 30% design presently. The basic scope of the project is realigning the way 17th street enters onto Auburn Way from the east and will be adding a right turn pocket going northwest turning right onto M Street. There are currently a lot of collisions at this intersection, a lot of that is due to the alignment of the road. In addition, to improve site distance, the City will be adding street lighting to improve visibility along the corridor. Adding the lane will widen the intersection which will stretch out the crosswalk. In order to improve and maintain the level of safety for pedestrians, the crossing on the east side will be eliminated as they would be exposed to more turning traffic and more potential conflicts. This will not have a large impact as the City has completed a study which showed this crosswalk is not the main crosswalk used. Page 2 t Transportation Transit and Trails Committee March 27, 2013 MINUTES Government Relations Manager Robertson asked Transportation Planner Para if the red light enforcement will still be at this intersection. Transportation Planner Para responded stating it is something that is currently being reviewed. It is believed that this improvement will solve a lot of the concerns that justified having the camera. This project is scheduled to be constructed in 2014. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:11 a.m. Approved this 2A day of Y1 ' 12013. &'� I Roger Thordarson Molly Ho' ington Chairman Public Works Department Office Assistant Page 3