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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 05/10/1988 I PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MAY 10, 1988 PRESENT: JON JOHNSON GARY GILL JUDY WOODS KEN MORRIS BERNE BITEMAN MIKE LEDBETTER DON WICKSTROM LYLE PRICE BRENT MCFALL Tacoma Green River Pipeline #5 Agreement Wickstrom explained this is a second extension of the agreement with Tacoma to share in the cost of the project. Wickstrom stated he still views this source as crucial for our long term supply and would recommend the City continue with the agreement. Tacoma is now projecting delivery of water by 1993 from this project. The Committee unanimously recommended approval for the Mayor to sign the extension of the agreement. G.O. Bond for 272nd/277th Corridor Johnson stated he had asked this be placed on the agenda to determine if there were any interest from the Committee about placing a. bond issue on the November ballot for the 272nd/277th Corridor. Johnson indicated since this is a presidential election year it would be difficult to pass a bond issue next year. Wickstrom added that the City is working with the County and other valley cities in trying to develop a transportation benefit district and resolve the legal problems. There is also a county-wide G.O. issue that is being pursued. McFall added that the City is close to having secured the private sector share for the westerly portions of the 192nd/196th and 224/228th Corridor projects through the mitigation agreements. The City does not have its share for those projects so the funds from a bond issue might be directed to constructing these projects to relieve some traffic impacts in the valley. The 277th corridor might be more readily included in a transportation benefit district. Johnson stated he intended to add the other corridors in the issue. He added that perhaps it could be contingent upon other agencies coming up with their share of the funding. That way we wouldn't issue bonds until they were actually needed. Woods asked what the position of the Mayor's Task Force on Traffic Congestion is on this issue. Johnson O Public Works Committee May 10, 1988 Page 2 commented he would be discussing this with Jim White who is chair of that task force. Wickstrom added the task force met last Friday. At that time, the Mayor presented his proposals to the task force and there was discussion about the councilmanic issue. McFall commented the Mayor is concerned about the timing of the two bond issues. Even though the Council intends to - issue councilmanic bonds in 1989, if the voter issue fails in November the public might get the impression it didn't matter what they said. Johnson stated we might be able to avoid this is by letting the public know there are a couple of ways to fund the projects. One might be the G.O. bonds and the other would be councilmanic bonds. They need to know the projects are critical and that councilmanic bonds will not fund all of the projects. McFall stated the City's CIP anticipates the issuance of both types of bonds for the projects. Wickstrom stated the task force also recommended the other funding sources be pursued at the same time as trying to implement the 277th corridor project. Biteman moved the pros and cons be developed and brought before the Committee at their next meeting. Woods asked to add a friendly amendment to add the recommendations of the Mayor's Task Force on Traffic Congestion to the analysis. Bateman accepted the amendment. In discussion, McFall stated consideration will also have to be given to the size of the bond issue. While $11 million is identified in the CIP, that is not sufficient to do all the projects. . The Committee approved the motion. Army Corns of Engineers Special Area Management Elan, Wickstrom explained the Army Corps of Engineers is proceeding with a Special Area Management Plan for the Auburn-Xlll Creek area. Portions of Kent are in that area. This stems from the recent enactment of the EPA regulations associated with wetlands allowing only one acre to be filled if property is within a, wetland without a special permit. This affects most of the industrial property in Auburn. This plan would identify all the wetlands, identify which can be enhanced and develop an implementation met4od. There will be public notices and general meetings. Stop Signs Biteman asked for an update of a request he had;, a to look into "striping" the sign posts. Biteman stated he -'th ",' ght this would help reduce the accident rate as it would increase the visibility of the signs. Johnson asked about making the signs themselves more Public Works Committee May 10, 1988 Page 3 reflective. Biteman moved that twelve intersections be selected using the post striping on six and reflective sigjrs on the other six. Morris added they did analysis night accidents versus day accidents. Only approximately one-third of the accidents in Kent occur at night. Biteman asked about fatalities. )Morris responded there are about 5-7 per year and most occur during the day. Johnson asked if there were any seasonal correlations that could be made to the accident rate. Morris responded they hod not looked at that. Morris added the accident rate is fairly consistent at about 100 per month. On a per capita basis that looks pretty bad but when the volume of traffic passing through the City is considered the statistic is not quite as bad. The Committee unanimously approved the motion. Other Items Woods asked about maintaining the small orchard on the reservoir property. She asked that the trees be pruned at the appropriate time.