HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 05/01/1990 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MAY 1, 1990
PRESENT: Steve Dowell Marty Nizlek
Jim White Bill Williamson
Leona Orr Charles Kiefer
Gary Gill John Kiefer
Don Wickstrom Tom Burdick
Kent Springs Transmission Main
Charles Kiefer acknowledged having received a written response to
the issues he raised before council. He stated he felt the project
was well engineered but though it failed on the environmental
standpoint. He distributed a document identifying several areas
he felt the City had failed to follow code and cited a few of
these. He requested the DNS be withdrawn. Williamson stated it
was the opinion of the City Attorney that there was not a mandatory
withdrawal of the DNS needed because there has not been any finding
by the SEPA responsible official of any misrepresentation by the
City. White asked what would happen if it were withdrawn.
Williamson stated it would start the process all over again. White
asked if it were a Council decision. Williamson responded it is
the decision of the SEPA responsible official who is Jim Harris,
Planning Director. Orr asked if Council had any authority to
order the withdrawal of the DNS. Williamson confirmed that they
did not at this stage. Addressing Mr. Kiefer's concerns about the
404, Williamson stated that the Corps acknowledged they did not
have the most current information on the state certification. It
was further determined that if Mr. Kiefer wants to request
withdrawal of the DNS he would do that to the SEPA responsible
official and that the Public Works Committee and City Council have
no authority at this time.
Gill stated that we would proceed with the phase of the project
over which the Corps has no jurisdiction. That is the portion
designated as Phase I of the project from 132nd and Kent Kangley
down to 124th. Gill confirmed construction of this phase would not
affect any realignment that might be required.
Responding to Dowell 's questions, Kiefer indicated his group were
supportive of change without damage to the environment. He
indicated what he felt was a more appropriate alignment. Gill
indicated that proposal would require the line to be about 50 feet
deep and would require pumping which means hundreds of thousands
of dollars per year which would have to be passed on to the City
of Kent water customers. Gill continued that it has already been
determined that pumping is not an alternative so the alignment will
either be through the wetlands and the City will get the 404 permit
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Public Works Committee
May 1, 1990
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and mitigate the impacts or it will be realigned and address
whatever other impacts - which may be greater on the neighborhoods
- might be. The Corps will take these issues into consideration
during the 404 permit process.
Kiefer asked for further clarification of the explanation why the
Muckleshoot Indian tribe wasn't notified. Gill explained that at
the time the Fisheries Department determined they would not require
a permit on that portion of the project and on the portion they did
require a permit we were able to bore under the creek thereby not
affecting any resources of the tribe. Now the Fisheries Department
is requiring a permit.
Burdick asked about the size of the main being replaced, whether
the project was included in the Water Comp Plan, if the DNS was
issued for the whole project, is the project in our franchise area,
are there services provided from the main and was the project
approved by the County. Wickstrom and Gill responded the new pipe
will be 30" in some areas, 36" in others; is a part of the Comp
Plan, the DNS was issued for the whole project, no services are
provided and was approved by King County Council, in addition there
is an interlocal agreement between Kent, Water District Ill and
Auburn allowing us to place the main through an area for which they
have the franchise.