HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-2012 9-26-2012 * * CITY OF AUBURN
CITY OF * TRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT
AND TRAILS COMMITTEE
* September 26, 2012
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 John Calnan, Nick Perius, Jim Fletcher, John
Daniels Jr., Michael Pratum and Gary Venn Also present during the meeting were: Director Dennis
Dowdy, Transportation Planner Joe Welsh, Secretary Jennifer Cusmir, and Office Assistant Molly
Hoisington.
II. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION
A. SUMMER ROAD WORK (Dowdy— 15 minutes)
Director Dowdy distributed the local street map and arterial street map. Director Dowdy
discussed the current condition of the City.
Director Dowdy discussed how the closure of M Street, due to the underpass project, is forcing
traffic on to other local and arterial street, impacting the condition of those surrounding streets.
Director Dowdy explained that if there is no increase in revenue for the street funds, the City will
not be able to maintain the current pavement condition for arterial streets. Director Dowdy
predicted that the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) average of the entire arterial system may fall
from 61 to near 38 by 2030.
Director Dowdy reported that he, Government Relations Manager Robertson and Mayor Lewis
have attended a number of meetings to determine where the City's next dollars are coming
from for preservation of the arterial system. The Mayors of the region have also been meeting
to discuss transportation revenues, although it has not really gone anywhere at this time. The
consensus is that the cities and counties both need an increase in revenues for arterial
systems.
Director Dowdy discussed various measures King County and the City of Kent are taking to
increase their revenues for street systems and other transportation issues such as buses and
transit. Director Dowdy noted the B&O tax, passed by the City of Kent City Council, which will
be on the City of Kent's ballot in November.
Member Fletcher asked if the federal funds granted to the state for transportation had been
allocated. Director Dowdy responded stating the funds have been allocated and are in the
project pipelines. Director Dowdy stated that any future federal funds will be allocated by the
state and said the cities' Mayors plan on meeting again to discuss transportation funding after
the November elections.
The Committee and staff reviewed the street project vicinity maps. At the end of this
construction season the SOS local street system will have 16 miles of local streets remaining to
be repaired and most of those remaining streets are rebuilds. Director Dowdy stated that 22nd
Street SE was a rebuild this year and chip sealing has begun on many local streets and some
arterials. Staff is making progress on the local streets The local street system is secured, and
Director Dowdy is not concerned about the funding at this time. Director Dowdy stated that he
Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee September 26 2012
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is concerned about the arterial street system as there is no known funding source to complete
the remaining work needed.
Member Fletcher asked if the chip seal today is better quality than in the past. Director Dowdy
responded yes and explained the double chip seal process which is used currently. Member
Fletcher inquired about the possible lease of the pot hole machine which was discussed at a
prior meeting in the spring. Director Dowdy responded that the City did lease it and try it out
this summer and the machine may be purchased next year. City staff plans to meet with the
City of Aberdeen as they purchased a similar machine several years ago. Member Perius
asked if machine will be permanently manned, Director Dowdy advised yes.
Director Dowdy gave updates on notable projects, one being the M Street Underpass and that it
is now reopened on 4th Street at the M Street intersection. M Street itself will be closed
probably until about March/April of 2013. The project is on schedule and within budget.
The sidewalk improvement project is going well. Director Dowdy noted a couple of repairs,
some on Harvey Road and some on West Main Street. $200,000 completed this year in
sidewalk repairs. Council wants the City staff to do the same amount next year.
The Arterial Crack Seal Project went forward and cost about $100,000. This project is
complete.
The striping program is almost done, there is still some thermal plastic work that King County is
working on. Vice-Chair Calnan asked if there is any way to improve the coordination of the
striping program and the paving program as some roads have ended up needing to be striped
twice. Director Dowdy explained that it is difficult to coordinate that many contractors. If a
contractor has to pave over striping, the contractor is required to restripe the new pavement.
Member Fletcher asked what the status of the A/B Corridor is, as it is not open. Director Dowdy
explained that BNSF is requesting installation of lights and a crossing gate that was not
included in the project's budget and the City is in negotiations with BNSF and the Utilities and
Transportation Commission (UTC) and working on opening the roadway. Vice-Chair Calnan
asked if the street can be partially opened. Director Dowdy answered that the City probably will
open the corridor from 10th Street to 14th Street.
B. SOUND TRANSIT STATION BUSWAY REBUILD SCHEDULE (Welsh — 10 minutes)
Transportation Planner Welsh said as of right now Sound Transit will be doing some minor
asphalt repair and sealing on the Westside parking lot. The bus loop and pedestrian bridge
construction will start in 2013. The City will request the work be done after the Farmers Market
season.
Chairman Thordarson asked if Sound Transit did any station work this year and Transportation
Welsh answered that he will ask.
Member Perius asked if there are still plans for a second parking garage. Transportation
Planner Welsh said Sound Transit is still planning to build a second parking garage and the
access study shows that Transit is 40% over-parked and that the customers think a garage is
the best option.
Transportation Planner Welsh mentioned there are additional trains being added within the next
year or two and service will extend to Lakewood effective October 6th. Additionally, they plan to
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Transportation Transit and Trails Committee September 26, 2012
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add a third track in the future, on the West side of the platform. BNSF will benefit about 80%
from that improvement and Sound Transit will benefit about 20%.
Chairman Thordarson spoke about the ridership results of Lakeland Hills shuttle.
Transportation Planner Welsh spoke about the urban center access grant which will give them
the opportunity to do a promotion for this route. Transportation Planner Welsh also advised of
a program where Sound Transit will come to the Senior Center and teach the seniors on how to
use Metro and the Orca cards. Transportation Planner Welsh suggested maybe a similar
program can be arranged for the Muckleshoot Reservation. Member Daniels agreed with this.
C. RAILROAD AND A/B CORRIDOR (Dowdy—5 minutes)
There was no additional discussion on this topic.
D. TRAILS WITHOUT SANDBAGS (Dowdy— 10 minutes)
Director Dennis Dowdy stated the City is making good progress with the sandbag removal. The
Committee reviewed a map which identified the locations where the sandbags were located.
Director Dowdy said removal is close to being done on the west side of the levy and crews are
working on the frontage road. Director Dowdy said that the goal is to have the sandbags
completely removed by the end of the year. The Committee and Director Dowdy discussed the
restoration of the private properties from which the sandbags have been removed and the
reestablishment of King County easements along the levee to the river.
Member Fletcher asked what is being done with the sand. Director Dowdy stated the contractor
is reselling it.
Chairman Thordarson asked if there are plans to connect the existing portions of the Green
River Trail. Director Dowdy responded that the City has an agreement with the King County
Flood Control District and when the County redesigns the levee, from Brannan Park heading
north, the design will include an unpaved trail. The levee redesign will be completed in two
phases and is in the next few years.
Chairman Thordarson asked what the two PSRC grants are going to do for us. Director Dowdy
responded that one PSRC grant is for the redesign and widening of 272nd between the Green
River Bridge and Auburn Way.
Chairman Thordarson made comment that we received the signal improvement grant. Director
Dowdy confirmed the grant was approved for signal improvements citywide.
OTHER DISCUSSION
Member Fletcher asked Member Daniels about the tribe property just East of Dogwood.
Member Daniels stated there was contamination from the dry cleaner that used to be there.
When the store was removed, they have to let the soil air out due to this.
Member Perius asked if there are any plans to make a parking lot on Green River Road as it is
a danger for people to park on the roadway. Perius suggested they make a parking lot where
the sandbags were removed. Director Dowdy stated the Parks Department has talked about
this in the past and that he will check with the Parks Department Director on the status of this.
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Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee September 26 2012
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IV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee,
the meeting was adjourned at 9:51211a.m.
Approved this day of 12012.
o r T ordarson Molly Hoisington
Chairman Public Works Department Office Assistant
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