HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 09/17/1991 • •
' +t CITY CLERK
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITT HE
September 17, 1991
PRESENT: Jim White Carol Morris
Leona Orr Jim Hansen
Steve Dowell John Bond
Don Wickstrom Norm Angelo
Tom Brubaker Roger Lubovich
Doug Sutherland, Bruce Rayburn, Joan Crueger, Mike Sharp, Frankie
Keyes, Jack Wagner, Franklin Teter, Keith Carpenter, Bill
Doolittle, J. Scalzo, J.R. Hof fnauer, John Kiefer, William Joy,
Edward J. Pawlowski, William Carleton
Sea-Tac Sewer Service
Doug Sutherland indicated their request is to provide sewer service
to property within the boundaries of the City of Sea-Tac. He
indicated their original proposal included sizing the main such
that it could serve all of the unsewered property regardless of
whose jurisdictiorr it eventually becomes. Additionally, the
proposal addressed Kent's concerns about development impacts by its
proposed design. Sea-Tac would construct the sewer system at its
expense and would need an easement to connect to Kent's sewer stub
on 212th on the east side of the river. Mr. Sutherland stated they
have been working on this request for some time and would like to
be able to move ahead. Wickstrom clarified that Kent would not be
granting an easement for their connection but a franchise which can
have a duration as well as set conditions. Dowell raised questions
about the area to be served by. Sea-Tac as well as the zoning of the
area. Wickstrom clarified that the first step was to determine
whether Committee is willing to allow service. The next step would
be to identify what conditions should be tied to the service. Orr
asked that since it appears the line would run through the 392
acres that is currently in the County, would that allow the County
to develop the property using the sewer. Wickstrom stated the
franchise could be conditioned to servicing the existing boundaries
within the City limits of Sea-Tac with any future expansion, either
outside its boundaries or to newly annexed areas, subject to
renegotiation of the franchise. Wickstrom confirmed for Dowell
that the engineering of the project is feasible. Dowell stated he
felt that the Public Works Department would be working on the
engineering end of this but it seems the people who do the planning
for the City of Kent would be the ones to make the determination
whether to even consider it. Carol Morris expressed concerns about
whether conditions on the franchise by which Sea-Tac would restrict
itself from providing services would be enforceable. She indicated
she would like to research the matter. Leona Orr indicated the
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Public Works Committee
September 17, •1991
Page 2
Planning Committee has briefly discussed the request but there have
been concerns raised about how to mitigate the impact to the City
if development is opened up in this area. Dowell stated that if
this is feasible from an engineering standpoint he would have no
problem sending this to the Council for a decision but he felt that
the Planning Committee should be reviewing it first. Orr stated
that it appears this will be a very expensive project to construct
and that doing so for one development does not make economical
sense and she feels that other development will have to occur to
help offset the expense and that could have negative impacts on the
City. Jim White stated he thought that the last time this was
discussed that Administration was asked to develop further
information on the request. Jim Hansen stated that Sea-Tac had
asked to split the issues and address only the sewer connection
request. Hansen stated he felt the issues were inseparable
particularly given the planning implications in two areas - one,
the potential density to support the costs and the other is a
potential contradiction of CouncillIs 1983 agricultural land policy.
Dowell suggested that the Public Works Committee recognize that
the project is feasible from an engineering standpoint. Orr stated
she would support such a motion with the condition that this is in
no way a recommendation for approval of this extension. After
further discussion, Dowell moved to approve the engineering concept
of the project; and the engineering concept only, to the Council
for the October 1 meeting. The Committee unanimously approved the
motion.
Assistance with Side Sewer Repair
Mrs. Crueger addressed the Committee concerning a side sewer repair
she had to make to her rental property. She asked for assistance
with the cost of the repair since the break in the side sewer was
under the street. The repair of the side sewer required cutting
the road and restoring it. Mrs. Crueger indicated the cost for the
total repair was $5, 637. She indicated that the rest of the street
is in poor repair. Wickstrom explained that the property owner is
responsible for repair of the side sewer up to the ,main, including
the tee. Carol Morris and Tom Brubaker clarified that the property
owner has fee title to the property to the middle of the street and
the City has an 'easement for street purposes so the side sewer is
still on her property. With the existing City ordinance which
requires the property owner to repair the side sewer -up to the
main, there is no way we can offer financial assistance without it
being construed as a gift of public funds for private purposes.
Public Works Committee
September 17, 1991
Page 3
Wickstrom explained for Dowell that we reduced the size of the
street repair required in order to minimize the cost and that
portion which had to be restored is equivalent to what existed
prior. Carol Morris recommended that Mrs. Crueger file a claim
through the City Clerk's office and let the City's insurance
carrier deterTine if the City has any liability. The Committee
concurred.
Loading Zones
John Bond explained there are three areas to address. There is a
15-minute parking stall on 4th by City Hall which we are requesting
to change to a loading zone to enable trucks serving City Hall to
park and unload. The other is on Gowe by Ben Franklin. A loading
zone could be created away from the existing crosswalk. These two
zones can be created with signs and pavement marking. The third is
on First Avenue by George's Appliance. In order to create a
loading zone for businesses in this area a parking stall south -of
the existing loading zone would have to be removed. Currently when
trucks are loading in front of the appliance store the Stop Sign is
obscured. Jim White stated he had no problem with the loading
zones on 4th and Gowe but is concerned about the loss of a parking
stall on First given the parking situation downtown and asked if
there was another way to address this area. John Bond indicated
that a loading zone could be created on the side of Gowe west of
the railroad but that it could not be used for parking. It was
suggested that proposal be reviewed with the owner of the appliance
store. Bill Doolittle commented about the lack of parking around
City Hall for the public and the City vehicles in the City Hall
lot. Dowell moved that the loading zones be approved with the
change as discussed for the one on First Avenue and that the City
Administrator review the parking situation at City Hall and
consider using space in the Centennial parking garage more
efficiently. The Committee unanimously approved the motion.
Extension of Utility Services
Wickstrom stated this was referred back to the Committee for
discussion on the definition of application as it pertains to the
resolution. Wickstrom stated that the L.I.D. request form that was
received prior to adoption of the resolution states that their
signature does not commit them to an L.I.D. but simply indicates
their interest and that they would like further information. Carol
Morris indicated that if they came in prior to enactment of this
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September 17, 1991
Page 4
resolution to make application for an extension of water and sewer
service then that can be allowed. Wickstrom clarified that if they
do not proceed with the L.I.D. process, then we would not be able
to address service with a new request. Mr. Sharp stated that on
March 6 an application was made for a water meter hookup for
property owned by Doris Ramsted. There was a misunderstanding in
what was being requested and while the issue was being cleared up,
the resolution was adopted. Wickstrom explained that the hookup
being requested by Ms. Ramsted requires a main line extension to
service a piece of her property. Mr. Sharp explained that Mrs.
Ramsted is proposing to sell this five acre portion of her
property. It Vas further clarified that the original application
was for a hookup to the main which is already at her property line.
Carol Morris explained further that hookups are not addressed in
the resolution only extensions. So if her request was for a
hookup, even though it required an extension, we would have to
approve the application,. The Committee unanimously approved
allowing the hookup. After some further discussion, it was
determined that the Attorney's office should issue a legal opinion
on this matter.
East Hill Annexation
Wickstrom stated this matter was referred to the Public Works
Committee for a recommendation to the Council at the time they meet
with the petitioners. Wickstrom indicated that moving ahead with
the annexation would give us some control over implementation of
the 272nd/277th oorridor project and it also honors the position we
have with the Boundary Review Board. In the 70's, , the Boundary
Review Board denied our servicing outside the City limits as they
thought we should not just take the utility revenue but provide the
other services as well. Through negotiation, they agreed to allow
us to service ' outside the City limits as long as we secured
covenants supporting annexation. Should the City deny this
annexation, the Boundary Review Board may reconsider their past
position. If we can't service it because they are denying our
services then you open the area up to other utility districts.
This area in particular is not so amenable to other districts but
the entire eastern franchise area has potential of being serviced
by other sewer and water districts. The costs are relatively
realistic as to the revenues generated and what we anticipate it to
cost to service the area. Wickstrom continued that when the
impacts of the overburdened Kent Kangley and Canyon Drive are
considered, implementing the corridor project would relieve a
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Public Works Committee
September 17, 1991
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significant amount of the congestion. The cost to service the
proposed annexation area becomes pretty small when it is compared
to what it costs the City to mitigate impacts on Canyon Drive.
Wickstrom added that he would also recommend modifying the boundary
as shown on the map included in the Committee's packet to include
a parcel that originally was not within the proposed annexation
boundary but is under the same ownership as its abutting parcel.
Thus, this would avoid splitting the parcel. He would also
recommend the annexation area be subject to the City's
indebtedness. Items to be considered are whether to proceed with
the annexation at all, the boundary and whether you want to adjust
it, and whether the area should assume the City's existing
indebtedness. Jim White asked what assuming the City's
indebtedness would do to the property taxes. Wickstrom explained,
referring to the information in the Committee's packet, that the
overall effect of annexation to the City versus remaining in the
County is almost a wash. Overall, the property owners would save
$1. 34 per $100, 000 valuation by being in the City. Dowell asked
about fire and police coverage. The area is currently served by
Fire District 37. In an emergency, responses by both police and
fire would be whomever can get there the fastest. The costs shown
for Police are based on a cost per call. Mr. Pawlowski wanted to
know if there was a law which prevented a city from annexing
property to put a road through. Tom Brubaker indicated these were
two separate issues. Once an annexation occurs, the city has
jurisdiction over the area. A second process can take place then
for approval of the road project. The annexation does not
guarantee that the road project will occur. It was noted that when
properties are annexed into the City they come in automatically as
residential, 20,000 square foot lots. The Planning Director
reviews the area and makes recommendations as to appropriate zoning
for the area within one year. Dowell inquired about the funding
for the corridor. Wickstrom responded that the funding package for
the corridor includes money from State grants, the $5 million in
Councilmanic bonds and the mitigation agreements that have been
executed by developers to mitigate their impact , to the city's
transportation system. Wickstrom indicated for Dowell that on a
best case scenario it would be approximately three years before
construction could start and the project would take approximately
two to three years to construct. Mr. Kiefer commented that he felt
that the people in the area should be notified as to what is taking
place with the annexation. Tom Brubaker indicated that during the
process of collecting the 60% petition, there will be community
meetings held explaining all the elements of the annexation. There
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Public Works Committee
September 17, 1991
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was an inquiry �as to how the boundary of this annexation was
developed. Wickstrom indicated that the Public Works Department
looked at what would be a reasonable boundary to consider without
splitting properties. Dowell asked about the status of the
272nd/277th corridor and whether the Council will, be hearing some
discussion on it soon. Wickstrom explained that the EIS has to be
completed and any appeal process.finalized before it can be brought
before Council. Wickstrom stated that the traffic modeling has
been completed and the draft EIS should be completed in
approximately three months. A member of the audience indicated
that the corridor would definitely be an informational issue that
those impacted by this annexation will want to know about. Leona
Orr moved that the Public Works Committee recommend proceeding with
the East Hill annexation with the boundary modification as
recommended by the Public Works Director and subject to the City' s
existing indebtedness. The Committee unanimously agreed.
Jim White asked Roger Lubovich his opinion about what Council can
or can not hear, on the corridor project. Roger Lubovich indicated
that his predecessor had issued an opinion that no Council member
could communicate with residents' in the community regarding the
corridor because of the SEPA process. He continued that he will be
reviewing that opinion in that it is his understanding that case
law indicates that only at such time as there is an appeal pending
should this communication be restricted. He stressed the case
isn't real clear so he wants to look at it again and provide the
Council an opinion at the next Committee meeting.
Authorization for Condemnation - Dover Court StoX& Drainage
Wickstrom explained that we have a project designed to reroute the
drainage system in the Dover Court area to relieve an erosion
problem. We have been unable to obtain two of the necessary
easements in order to proceed with the project. Wickstrom
explained that we will continue to negotiate with the property
owners but are requesting authorization to condemn if negotiations
are not successful. The Committee unanimously recommended
approval.
Authorization for Condemnation - LID 338 - WestviRK Terrace
Wickstrom explained that we have been unsuccessful in obtaining an
easement on one parcel in order to proceed with this sewer LID. We
would like authorization to proceed with condemnation if we
Public Works Committee
September 171, 1991
Page 7
continue to be unsuccessful in our negotiations. The Committee
unanimously recommended approval.