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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 08/20/1991 OXTY CLMM PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AUGUST 20,.1991 -- -- - -- ---�- PRESENT: Jim White Carol Morris Leona Orr Gary Gill Steve Dowell Ed White Don Wickstrom Mayene Miller Mr. and Mrs. Rust; Marty Nizlek; Russ Stringham; Don Rust; Norton Posey; John Milton; Dennis Clark; John Shaw; Ethel Vodder; Delyte Tharp; Ed Tharp; Bill Doolittle; Lyle Price Dennis Clark Concerns - Flooding .on Woodford Mr. Clark addressed the Committee concerning the flooding from Mill Creek in the Woodford Avenue area. He commented that when the creek was dredged four years ago, the soil from the dredge was moved up on the easterly side of the creek making it higher than their side. Don Wickstrom presented a video of the flooding that occurred in January of 1990 and in April of 1991 demonstrating the effects that the Upper Mill Creek Detention System has. He explained that the recent improvements to this system ,increased the storage from 15 acre feet to 90 acre feet. Wickstrom explained that Mill Creek is maintained by Drainage District 11 and the City has no authority or easement rights to do anything to that channel. Gill stated that the City had met with the Drainage District last week and the District is developing a long range plan for their whole system trying to prioritize the maintenance. Difficulties they are facing now are getting the permits from DOE and Fisheries, disposing of the spoils, etc. Wickstrom reviewed the drainage improvement programs that are proposed for the next six years and the problems with permitting, spoil disposal, etc that are inherent with them. Wickstrom expanded that the City's standard is to design for a 25-year storm and these last few storms have been close to 100-year storms. White asked what could be done to give some immediate relief to the problem. Wickstrom suggested they contact the Drainage District to determine if they could possibly remove some of the material on the east side and place it on the west side to keep the water from coming onto the residential properties. Guiberson Street Reservoir This item was tabled until the property owner could attend. Public Works Committee August 20, 1991 Page 2 Street occupation ordinance Wickstrom stated he had contacted the cities of Seattle, Auburn, Tukwila and Renton whether they allowed sandwich board signs, their standards, fees, etc. None of these cities allow these types of signs in the public rights of way. Wickstrom stated he would like to see sandwich board signs allowed on private property according to the zoning code. It was determined that the issue of signs on private property is being addressed by the Planning Committee. Wickstrom stated that at this time we have not developed any standards or fees for signs in public rights of way. The ordinance presented at the last Committee meeting could be moved ahead without the standards and fees incorporated. White suggested an annual permit, limiting the signs to a certain size and one per business. Mr. Stringham added there should also be something about minimum size, sign material and construction. Morris suggested the criteria and fees be adopted in a separate ordinance so that the fees can be adjusted as necessary without amending the original ordinance. Jim White suggested that Mr. Rust and Mr. Stringham work with the Public Works Department in developing the standards. Mr. Stringham stated he has already submitted a list of suggestions to the chair of the Planning Committee. Dowell was concerned about the City's liability if someone were to trip over one of the signs. Carol Morris confirmed she had covered the liability issue in the ordinance. Mr. Doolittle suggested the signs posted on trees and utility poles be addressed as well. The Committee unanimously recommended adoption of the street occupation ordinance. Marty Nizlek Concerns - SR 516 and Reith/Meeker - S.W. 212th at Frager and RusRell Roads Nizlek addressed the Committee concerning the illegal right turns that are being made from Reith to SR 516. He was requesting that a right turn lane be added at this intersection. White stated that would eliminate the shoulder of the road and he would not recommend doing so. Nizlek stated that about 40% of the green time of the signal is given to Reith and Meeker and about 60% to SR 516. Nizlek indicated he felt that no further signal timing changes would effect any improvement to the traffic backing up on Reith Road. Ed White stated he is still working with the State on the signal timings as he feels the timing cycle length is too long. He stated the backups are so spasmodic and short term that it is difficult to determine if the changes to the signal timings are effective. Nizlek concluded that he felt a minor modification constructing a right turn lane, getting a variance from the State to eliminate the shoulder, would eliminate the backup and reduce the need for the amount of enforcement that is taking place. Mr. Public Works Committee August 20, 1991 Page 3 Milton from WSDOT stated he felt they have done what they could to adjust the signal timing. He stated he didn't think it would be a problem to use the shoulder for a right turn. After considerable discussion, Don Wickstrom stated he would review the situation to determine if further changes need to be made. Mr. Nizlek stated he was curious about the status of the effectiveness of the turn restrictions at S.W. 212th at Frager and Russell Roads. Ed White stated that a significant reduction in accidents has occurred. He stated he would like to monitor the effectiveness of the turn restrictions a bit longer before having to install the islands as recommended by Mr. Nizlek as those islands do pose difficulties for emergency vehicles. Extension of Utility Services Copies of the proposed resolution were distributed to the Committee. Jim White stated this proposal resulted from the annexation proposal that was submitted to the Council a couple of weeks ago. Orr stated she was still concerned about opening it up. If we allow service for one project then we would have to allow for others. There is no guarantee an annexation will go through. Wickstrom stated that currently if there were a request for utility service for anything greater than a single family residence on an existing lot in the Kent school district, the County would probably deny the request based on their school capacity ordinance. The school district would indicate they do not have the capacity; thus, the development could not take place. This would apply to plats and rezones. Orr asked what would happen if the property was already zoned for multifamily. Wickstrom stated there is one 5- acre parcel in this proposed annexation that is zoned for multifamily. It was clarified that if the annexation is approved that property would come into the City as R1-20, 000 until the City sets the zoning. Dowell suggested this resolution be sent to the Council without a recommendation. Morris pointed out that paragraph C had been changed from -the resolution presented at the last Committee meeting. That change was an attempt to address the concerns Leona Orr had expressed. Wickstrom stated it required the property would have to have submitted a 10% petition and we would have to have sufficient outstanding covenents representing 60% of the valuation. Jim White suggested that Leona review the zoning with the Planning Committee. The Committee unanimously recommended sending this to the Council without a recommendation. Leona Orr stated she would be adding this resolution to the Planning Committee agenda. Oe Public Works Committee August 20, 1991 Page 4 196th Corridor Wickstrom explained we have been attempting to acqukire a particular parcel since 1989 and have had funds reserved since that time. It appears we are now close to settlement and we are requesting authorization to transfer the funds from the Street CIP to the project. The Committee unanimously approved the request. Water Crossing S. 222nd - Condemnation for Right of Wily Wickstrom explained we have a water main from North 4th going east to the railroad tracks and a water main on 222nd going west to the railroad tracks. We are proposing to tie the two together which would eliminate a severe water hammer problem we have at Liquid Air plant. We have been negotiating with the railroad but they are only wi,,V.1ing to give the City a permit which does not give us any permane1it rights. We are requesting authorization to proceed with condemnation should we not be able to reach agreement with �Burlington Nor ern. The Committee unanimously approved the request. I,� - Underground Storage Tanks Removal and Installation gf Above Ground Tanks Wickstrom explained we had previously awarded this project but the contractor was unable to obtain the proper insurance. We rescinded the bid and readvertised the project. The low bid received on the second ad was $7,300 higher than previous. Wickstrom stated we are mandated by Federal law to remove the tanks; thus.. he requested transferring the additional funds from the unencuobered water and sewer utility funds and to award the project. The Committee unanimously recommended approval.