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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 05/09/1989 ter• i PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MAY 9, 1989 PRESENT: JON JOHNSON JIM HANSEN STEVE DOWELL MARTY NIZLRK DON WICKSTROM MINI CASTILLO ED CHOW JOHN MARCHIONE GARY GILL MAUREEN MACNAMARA Maureen MacNamara Concerns - Traffic on 240th Ms. MacNamara stated she was concerned with the speeds of the traffic on the road and that the motorists are ignoring the signals and are using the road as a race track late at night between 12:00 and 3: 0 0 a.m. She stated that if they get a green light at the Fred Meyer intersection then they begin to accelerate all the way down the hill because the light at 94th stays green so long. Dowell asked if there was information as to the average speed of the motorists. Nizlek responded that average speeds are 45-48 MPH. There was lengthy discussion regarding the issue. Enforcement was discussed. Ms. MacNamara stated she has been calling the Police about the problem for over a month and when she calls they indicate they will be out in 45 minutes or will get back to her and she indicated she did not think that type of enforcement would work. Hansen explained that an enforcement program sets up prescribed times for areas at which enforcement is increased. Nizlek suggested he could investigate the feasibility of having the signal at 94th and 240th in the off-peak hours rest on red. Wickstrom added the signal is almost 20 years old so it may not have the capability and is not configured into the master signal computer. An upgrade of this signal would cost approximately $60,000. Nizlek stated another alternative would be to take all the signals on 240th off the computer and install clocks into the controllers which allows them to change at a fixed progression speed. This essentially changes the signals from an actuated basis to a fixed time basis. Thus, some of the north/south directions may receive a green light when there is no traffic. Gill commented that doing that could create difficulties at the intersection of 104th and 240t has well. The reason for the interconnect we have now is to have the signals responsive to the needs of the other traffic Public Works Committee May 9, 1989 Page 2 directions. Dowell suggested the use of the Neighborhood Traffic Watch program and use of the radar gun to document the problem. Nizlek further suggested some selective enforcement such as the Neighborhood Traffic Program, then increased enforcement by the Police Department. Speed studies can be done to see if these two measures have any effect. in addition, Nizlek indicated he would like to have a study done on the feasibility of time-based coordinators or better use of the existing system especially on James. Summarizing, Dowell clarified that the neighborhood would pursue the Neighborhood Traffic program, the police department would be requested to increase enforcement and the Transportation Division would investigate the possibility of having the signal at 94th and 240th rest in red east/west during the off-peak hours. Nizlek added the Neighborhood Traffic program is developed for application on residential streets and not major arterials such as 240th. There could be a liability problem and it was suggested he review this with the City Attorney's office. MacNamara asked whether the City had a noise ordinance and whether trucks are prevented from using Jake-brakes on James. It was determined the City' s ordinance does not address these. Public Works Budget Review Wickstrom explained that May 23 had previously been scheduled as the date for Committee to review the 1990 Public Works Budget requests. He requested the review be at the Tune 13 meeting instead. The Committee agreed. Intersection Changes Frager and 212th Copies of a memorandum from the Chief of Police regarding traffic citations and the questionnaire being sent to property owners in the area were distributed to the Committee. Nizlek displayed a diagram of the traffic accidents indicating the dominant pattern to be right angle accidents for traffic coming southbound on Frager. Nizlek distributed traffic volumes showing volumes decreasing northbound on Frager but remaining f*Arly consistent southbound. It was decided that no recommendations would be made until the results of the survey have been returned. Out of State Trip Wickstrom explained this is for a member of the Operations Division to attend a Water Pollution Control conference in, San Francisco. There are adequate funds in the operating budget to cover the �.yrF • i Public Works Committee May 9, 1989 Page 3 expenses even though this was not specifically budgeted for in the 1989 budget. The Committee unanimously approved the trip. Garrison Creek Detention Pond Wickstrom explained this project has been identified in the Drainage Master Plan to minimize erosion down the ,canyon and the valley floor. Since forming the Utility, we have reached an agreement with the State and King County to jointly share the costs with the City's obligation being one-third. The State will construct the improvements in conjunction with, its SR 516 improvements. We have budgeted $40,000 in the 1989 budget for right of way acquisition and did not anticipate construction until 1990. However, the State has just notified us ,they plan to advertise the project for construction the and of May; thus, construction funds will be needed this year in order to take advantage of the joint participation. The State has forwarded an agreement to the City for execution for our participation in the construction phase. Wickstrom proposed we transfer $225, 000 from the unencumbered sewerage funds for this project and that the Mayor be authorized to sign the agreement. If so approved, this project would be deleted from our 1990 CIP requests. Wickstrom indicated this request had been reviewed by the IBC Committee, earlier in the day. Chow indicated that Committee had recommended approval based upon the fact there were funds available in the unencumbered sewerage funds and is not an additional budget request. It was determined this would now go to the Operations Committee for their approval. The Public Works Committee unanimously approved the request. Metro East Kent Park and Ride Project Wickstrom reminded the Committee that Metro had made a presentation to them in February of 1988 as to proposed sites for a Park and Ride lot on the east side. At that time, the Committee requested the lot be located along the Kent Kangley corridor. Metro has submitted a more definitive report proposing three ,possible sites for the lot. A copy of Marty Nizlek's response to ;tbeir proposal was distributed to the Committee. Nizlek reviewed the three sites were 1) 116th and Kent Kangley; 2) 132nd and Kent Xangley; and 3) beyond Highway 18 in the Covington area. He continued that a location in the Covington area is too far out and Mould create a reverse commute for Kent residents but may be viable in the future for trips from Covington on 18 to Federal Way or Auburn. The 116th site is too far in since the proposed 2,72nd/277th corridor will connect into Kent Kangley in that area and if motorists come into rl i' Public Works Committee May 9, 1989 Page 4 116th to get to the Park and Ride lot they will just stay in their cars and continue on. That would leave the 132nd site, as the most likely site. The Committee concurred With Nizlek's recommendations. Other Items Hansen stated he had received a complaint about a traffic control sign directing traffic into The Lakes project. Apparently the metal sign presents some hazard to pedestrians. Nizlek indicated he would go out to the site to investigate. Johnson asked if there was any timeline for the rubbori:zed railroad crossing for James Street. Wickstrom stated Burlington Northern has budgeted for rubberizing three crossings in Kent which includes the James Street crossing. As such, since the Roadmaster has been successful in the past in getting funds, we should wait to see if the money gets budgeted. If so, Wickstrom stated he ,would rather spend railroad money rather than the City's. Our money could then be spent on another crossing such as on the Union, Pacific line. If not funded, then the City would do James.