HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 03/05/1991 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
March 5, 1991
PRESENT: Jim White Tony McCarthy
Leona Orr Ed White
Steve Dowell Merrill Vesper
Gary Gill Johnie Nall
Tom Brubaker John Bond
Carol Morris Jerry McCaughan
Tim Heydon Mr. and Mrs. Rust
Ed Chow Cheryle Noble
L.I.D. 336 - East Valley Highway Widening
Gill explained this is the last phase of the East Valley Highway
widening from 192nd north to the city limits at 180th. We have
held meetings with the property owners most of whom are in support
of the need for the project. We have a lot of LID covenants from
the developers who have already improved their property. We are
asking for authorization to proceed with the project. Secondly, we
are seeking authorization to proceed with condemnation on a few of
the parcels where we lack right of way. We would proceed with
condemnation if negotiations continue to prove unsuccessful. The
Committee unanimously recommended approval to proceed and to pursue
condemnation if required.
Lot Line Adjustment - North Park
The citizens have expressed concern regarding the impacts that any
future development might have on the existing residents along First
Avenue, Second Avenue and Third Avenue. White stated that one of
the items that came out at the Council retreat as a high priority
was a "massive street overlay" program. The areas expressly
addressed were North Park, south of Willis, Scenic Hill and East
Hill where we have virtually substandard streets throughout as part
of the old street system. White continued, recognizing that Public
Works has so many projects that are mandated and it will be
difficult for them to work their way through that, how do we
address this situation. North Park and south of Willis residents
can not afford a large LID to take care of all the problems. What
are the alternatives to financing these improvements---city wide
bond issue, series of LID's, councilmanic bonding? White asked if
staff could come up with some alternatives that Council could look
at to address these. Dowell referred to a statement that one of
the residents made that he was told that the citizens of the area
would not be required to pay for improvements. It was clarified
that referred to the improvements the developer would be making.
Dowell stated this might be confusing and that the individual might
sw
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MARCH 5, 1991
PAGE 2
think he would not have to pay for any improvements. White
suggested that perhaps if we are going to overlay a street perhaps
we could tie it in with an LID for sidewalks. It was clarified
that if the developer proceeds with the development he will have to
make full street improvements with curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
White stated he was concerned about the impact of adding the
additional homes to the area. Gill stated we can identify the
needs, develop cost estimates to upgrade each one of the street
sections and financial alternatives. There was discussion
regarding access for the proposed new residences at the north end
of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Ms. Nobel commented that she and Ms.
Newcomer had distributed 172 questionnaires regarding access to
4th. 73 of the 77 returned questionnaires indicated they were not
in favor of access to 4th. Gill added that access to 4th was
restricted for the planned Triangle Properties apartment complex
during their SEPA review. Ms. Nobel commented upon the concerns of
the neighborhood regarding traffic. Gill stated we would notify
Ms. Noble before signing off any development plans for the area.
Staff will bring back before the Committee an assessment of the
needs, cost estimates and financial alternatives.
White added that at the retreat it was suggested that the limits
for notification for public meetings and hearings be extended to
1,000 feet rather than the existing 200 feet. Carol Morris stated
she would work on that issue.
Proposed L.I.D. - Hilltop Avenue Sanitary Sewer
Gill explained this proposed L.I.D. is for a small area at the
north end of Hilltop Avenue which is not presently served by
sanitary sewer. The area is within the City limits. There are
approximately 50% of the property owners in favor of the project.
Some have expressed concerns over the failure of their septic
systems. Dowell clarified there were no new county developments
abutting this proposed L.I.D. area. The Committee unanimously
recommended approval to proceed with the L.I.D.
Authorization to Condemn - L.I.D. 335 - 77th Ave. St. Imp,
104th_/256th St. Imp. : 228th St. Imp.
Gill explained we were requesting authorization to condemn for
right of way for these three projects if negotiations are not
successful. There are twd remaining parcels in L.I.D. 335 for
which we need to acquire right of way; three in 104th/256th Street
Improvement and one on the 228th Street Improvement project. Gill
described each of the projects for the Committee. The Committee
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MARCH 5, 1991
PAGE 3
unanimously recommended approval to proceed with condemnation if
negotiations for right of way are unsuccessful.
Olympic Pipeline Franchise
Gill explained that Public Works and the Attorney's office have
been working on a new franchise ordinance for Olympic Pipeline as
their old franchise has expired. Morris explained that she has
added substantial clauses regarding hazardous substances,
notification, spills, and cleanup. She noted that Don Wickstrom
wanted to require a risk assessment of the pipeline system before
approving the franchise in order to determine the current
structural integrity of the system. The indemnification and
insurance sections have been strengthened considerably. They are
required to notify the Public Works Department and the Fire
Department in case of accidental release or accidents relating to
the pipeline. The franchise fee has been increased to $3 .00 per
lineal foot of pipeline. Olympic Pipeline has reviewed the
ordinance and is in agreement. Morris added this is a 10-year
franchise as opposed to the old one which was 15 years and it does
not allow them to construct any new lines under this franchise.
The Committee unanimously recommended approval of the franchise.
Street Utility
Gill explained this is a continuance of the issues brought before
the Committee earlier. We are requesting to establish the corridor
funds to capture the available revenue, establish project budgets
and authorize the staffing requirements. IBC and IPC have reviewed
these requests and it is their recommendation to fill the clerical
and Engineering Technician position as approved in the 1991 budget
and to authorize one new engineer position. Personnel is to
evaluate the Tech and Engineer position to determine the
appropriate level. The rationale of upgrading the Engineer
position is to be able to use that position to manage contractual
engineers. McCarthy clarified that the Committee should make a
recommendation as to the hiring of these positions. The Committee
unanimously recommended approval of the IBC/IPC recommendation to
proceed with hiring of the Office Technician and Engineering
Technician positions as approved in the 1991 budget review of the
Technician position to determine appropriate level based upon job
responsibilities and to add an Engineer position at a level to be
determined after review of job responsibilities.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MARCH 5, 1991
PAGE 4
Downtown Signs
Jim White asked what the status of these signs is. Ed White stated
he would have to review the files from the previous Transportation
Engineer. It was determined that staff would contact Dee Moschel
on this issue. Jim White asked if there could be a report back to
the Committee at the next meeting.
Tunnel for 272f 277th Corridor
White stated that the media has proposed a tunnel for the corridor.
White continued that the Council has not had any information
presented to them regarding this technology. White asked if staff
would invite the Robbins Company and any other company that might
have information on the subject to give a presentation to the
Committee. Gill stated that we have had our consultant, Wilsey &
Ham, prepare a cost estimate on a tunnel which was completed in the
last month. White stated some of the points he was interested in
were whether it was feasible in this type of project and what the
costs might be.
Proposed L.I.D. S. 218th Street
Mrs. Rust asked how they go about protesting this L.I.D. The
procedure was explained to Mr. and Mrs. Rust. Mrs. Rust asked if
traffic counts and pedestrian counts had been done to justify the
need for sidewalks.
Other
Orr asked about the City appealing County projects w4en they impact
Kent. Gill explained that we have previously done that up through
the County Council level on several projects and our appeals were
denied. The next step would have been to have taken our appeals to
the Supreme Court. Ed White added that the County is now
contacting us when a project is within our service area. Orr
stated that perhaps we need to consider renewing our efforts to
appeal County projects impacting the City.