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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 04/25/1989 i PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE APRIL 25, 1989 PRESENT: JON JOHNSON MARTY NIZL= STEVE DOWELL JOHN MARCHIDNE BERNE BITEMAN MIMI CASTILLO DON WICKSTROM LYLE PRICE JIM HANSEN MIKE ANDERSON GARY GILL TOM ANDERSON ROD FREDERIKSEN Signing at 212th and Prager Road Mike Anderson commented that lack of specific instruction causes problems for the motorists. He referred to the situation of the signing at 212th and Frager and indicated the signing did not deal with a "through" situation. The "Right Turn Only" sign, he continued, only deals with a turning situation and there were no instructions for a vehicle wanting to proceed straight across. He suggested a sign be installed which deals with other than turning movements. Mr. Nizlek presented a video of the intersection. Dowell questioned the effect of changing the intersection to a right turn only at all times rather than during the posted hours. Nizlek responded there is a project in the transportation division's work plan to install islands at 212th and Frager forcing the right turn only. Dowell asked how vehicles would go southbound on Frager if crossing 212th were eliminated. Nizlek indicated traffic would have to proceed to 42nd and come back which would add approximately another mile. An alternative, which could be a costly one, would be to construct a turn around further west on 212th. Hazard Elimination Funds have been applied for for this revision. Johnson indicated the purpose of the time restrictions was to deal with the commuter traffic. Biteman asked when the signs were installed and if there were other tickets issued for infractions in this area. Nizlek indicated the signs were installed in 1986. Frederiksen responded the area is worked quite often due to the high accident rate and there have been other citations for going through during the restricted hours. Johnson indicated he had inquired of the City Attorney's office what the court's actions have been in similar type of cases. Their response was that the court has upheld the City in their citations in that the courts don't get into the question of interpreting the sign. Biteman indicated he was concerned about the clarity of there are a number of people going through during the restricted hours. Frederiksen commented he did not think it was that',the signs were unclear but that many people were making the decision to make the illegal maneuver during the restricted hours. Biteman suggested a no-left turn sign be attached to the stop sigma at 212th and PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE APRIL 25, 1989 PAGE 2 Prager and expressed concerns making it right turn only at all times. Responding to Dowell 's question, Nizlek indicated the installation of the islands has not been designed or, funded as yet. It is estimated the cost would be $5,000. Nizlek added that one problem that could develop if islands are installed restricting movements from Prager is that traffic will then begin to use Russell as an alternative. There was further discussion about the clarity of the meaning of the signs and the affect of the Prager Road residents if the hours of applicability were removed. Biteman requested a traffic count during the off-peak houre, and the number of accidents occurring be brought back to the Committee. Johnson asked for the number of citations that has been issued as well. It was further determined the residents along Prager should be contacted to receive their input on eliminating the hours of applicability. This item will be brought back before the Committee at their next meeting. 100th Avenue S.E. Walkway Imrovements - Anproy1%1 Rf Funds Dowell moved to approve this item and to place it on the Consent Calendar for the next Council agenda. Master Meter RegUest - Bennett Business Park Wickstrom explained he was recommending a master meter be approved subject to the conditions contained in his memo. Wi'ck0trom further explained the owner built five buildings and provid$d, water service to them from an existing meter without making any water applications to the City. In order to obtain a certificate of occupancy for these buildings, this discrepancy, and others, must be corrected within sixty days. As such, he either must service each building with a separate meter or obtain Council approval of a master meter which he essentially already has. The conditions require he furnish the City with a certified ca�cuiation that the meter is the correct size and if not repjm+ it with the appropriate sized meter and vault and pay any as4oC .ated fees. The Committee unanimously approved the recommendation,, Target IssRes Report from Public Works Wickstrom explained the report was presented to toe Committee for their review and comments. Biteman inquired about the status of the mitigation agreement. Wickstrom indicated he thought the Task Force would be meeting in June to make a final decision on a generic agreement on which our legal staff and Ted Knapp have been ?fit PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE APRIL 25, 1989 PAGE 3 working. After discussion, the Committee unanimously accepted the report as presented. 272ndf277th Corridor For the Committee's information, Wickstrom distributed a copy of a letter from King County Executive Tim Hill to Darn Kelleher in which he indicated it would take approximately 2-4 months for the County to execute a contract with their consultant for the study and EIS and would anticipate completion of the study to take approximately 24 months. The letter further indicates they are concerned about any activity taking place on the corridor until completion of their study. The Mayor will be requesting clarification of their letter as the time schedule projected in this target issue is affected by this. 192ndZI96th Corridor Wickstrom informed the Committee he has a meeting next month with the County regarding lead agency status on this corridor project. Wickstrom suggested if we want to move ahead on; this project perhaps we should be willing to assume the lead agency status. If we take the lead there would possibly be the need for additional funding this year. Wickstrom indicated he would have further details after the meeting on May 11. Closure of 1s_ t Avenue BetwesU Smith and Meeker Jim Hansen displayed a proposed schematic for the now library. He explained the project includes closure to through traffic at Smith of 1st Avenue between Smith and Meeker. Hansen continued that when Council accepted the library proposal they endorsed this closure but official approval is being requested at this time. Responding to Biteman's question on access, Hansen further explained there were 123 parking spaces proposed and access in and out has been provided on both sides. One of the reasons for closing First is to create additional parking stalls along First to , accommodate library and growing business needs. Biteman oxp ee®ed concern about traffic then developing, on North Second. Handon added there have been meetings with the downtown businesses in addition to two KDA meetings. Only one business owner expressed any protest to the plan and his concerns have been addressed. Rod Frederiksen indicated the Fire Chief does have concerns about iclosing the street from a public safety standpoint. The Police Department would as well but not to the degree of Fire. Dowell asked about the traffic volumes on Second versus First. Hansen responded there wd PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE APRIL 25, 1989 PAGE 4 wasn't a significant difference. The count is less than 1,000 cars a day. Dowell inquired further about the property ;to the west of the library. The City owns a portion and the remoinder owned by private parties. Dowell said he worries about cutt*nq traffic off from downtown Kent but if the businesses and KD,A. bave no concern he could support the motion. The Committee unani0ously approved the closure of First between Smith and Meeker.