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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 12/03/1991 r PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE DECEMBER 3, 1991 PRESENT: Jim White Tony McCarthy Leona Orr Alana McIalwain Steve Dowell Carol Stoner Don Wickstrom Russ Stringham Tom Brubaker Don Rust Gary Gill Bill Doolittle Ed White Mr. and Mrs. Rust Sea-Tac Sewer Service Agreement Wickstrom delineated on the map included in the Committee's packet the location of the service area and explained that when Sea-Tac incorporated it included part of the area the City was already serving and a portion of the basin we were going to serve. In order to provide service to those properties now requires us to execute a franchise agreement with Sea-Tac. Wickstrom continued that the City built the sewer in this area some time ago in conjunction with a grant we had received. White questioned what the advantage was to Kent to service this area. Wickstrom responded that we would get the sewer revenues and the line would be fully utilized. He added the concept is similar to our sewer utility servicing property in the county. The customer would be paying the sewer bill to the City. Leona Orr asked if we were encouraging the other request by Sea-Tac by allowing this and were we building any new lines. Wickstrom explained there is a piece on Military Road that would extend up to S. 216th which is a future extension but the basin is totally different and separate from the other request. This area is mostly residential development with some commercial toward SR 516. White asked if there were any multifamily housing in the area. Wickstrom stated Kent already has multifamily developed in that area. Further discussion followed using the map as a guide. Jim White inquired about the zoning of the area. Gary Gill stated that he did not know what Sea-Tac was proposing for the zoning. After a phone call to the City of Sea-Tac, it was reported that Sea-Tac's Comp Plan shows the area as Single Family Suburban Residential 7200 sq. foot minimum lot size. Kent's old West Hill Coup Plan showed the area as single family. Gill explained further that this action was precipitated by a request from an existing church to connect to the sewer. Cellular One wants to put an antenna on- their property and as a condition of their permit they are required to get off their septic system and connect to sewer. Jim White questioned how much multifamily was in the area and would we be encouraging more multifamily with this action. Gill added that we already have Public Works Committee December 3, 1991 Page 2 sewers in the area and these properties abut that existing sewer system. Jim White asked if we were being consistent by agreeing to this franchise agreement without knowing what the zoning is of the area. Gill stated that when the area was in our sphere of interest we had proposed a small portion of retail near SR 516 and further north it became low density single family. Leona Orr asked how much of the area was undeveloped. Gill stated that it is mostly single family homes and some are on lots that could be subdivided in the future. Gill added that this agreement simply gives us the authority to provide sewer service. If the Council wants to have other conditions attached to issuing permits that could be handled separately. Jim White asked if we wanted to could we disallow service for multifamily. Tom Brubaker stated he would have to research the question but he didn't think the City has the power to control Sea-Tac's governmental authority. Gill stated this agreement doesn't mandate that we provide service so Council can later direct us not to provide service if they so wish. Leona Orr asked how large the area is. Gill responded it was approximately 100-150 acres. Steve Dowell moved to approve the agreement. The Committee unanimously approved. Storm Drainage Utility Jim White questioned what action was being requested of the Committee. Wickstrom responded he was asking for concurrence with the increase in the drainage utility rate, reduction of the water rate and absorbing the sewer increase. Dowell asked if the increase was largely for commercial customers. Wickstrom stated it was a straight drainage utility increase to finance the 6-year $25 million capital improvement program. There are 17 drainage basins and 17 different rates with an M&O charge which all basins pay. Those basins that need specific improvements, those capital costs are charged to the rate structure within that basin. When those debts are paid, the rate for that basin could be reduced. The first year's program funds part of the lagoon conversion. That storage will help protect downstream businesses up to 180th. Funds are also targeted that first year for Garrison Creek and some for Mill Creek. Responding to Dowell's question, Wickstrom stated that the storm events we had last year approached the 100 year storm. The City's design storm is for a 25-year storm. Wickstrom continued that he is proposing to reduce the water rate by 13% with a two-tiered approach. There would be a winter and summer rate. When King County reviewed our Comprehensive Water Plan they required that we develop a conservation program and one R ' Public Works Committee December 3, 1991 Page 3 criteria of that program would be a conservation rate. We are proposing to keep the rate the same May through September and in the winter reduce to a lesser amount. Jim White questioned the differential in connection charges between 1991 and 1992. Wickstrom explained that connection charges are derived from the City constructing the main and collecting a charge in lieu of assessment on properties as they connect. As the City matures and those properties develop, there will be fewer areas where we will be replacing the mains. The revenue forecast for the water utility was included in this analysis to indicate that we could absorb the rate reduction. Wickstrom clarified that the action requested is to adopt the drainage utility rate increase, the water rate reduction, the absorption of the sewer rate increase and the storm sewer capital improvement program. The reason for adopting the storm sewer capital improvement program is that it contains treatment facilities. Dowell expressed concern about the rate increase being implemented now and no improvements being made for a couple of years. Wickstrom stated that for the single family residential home this results in a net increase of between 77 cents and $1.88 per month. With the water rate reduction and the absorption of the sewer rate increase, there is a range of $1.20 to $3 .90 per month in savings. Wickstrom responded that it will take time to determine what can be done to correct the problems. There are no simple improvements as there are so many regulatory agencies involved. The Corps is involved because of the wetlands and Fisheries is involved because of the streams. This item will be brought back to the Committee at their 12/17 meeting. Street Occupation Permit Fee Dowell stated he felt there was a possible misinterpretation about the motion that had been made at the last Committee meeting. He felt the motion referred only to the garage and real estate signs but the information presented to Council was to approve the resolution as a whole. Jim White stated that he still was not convinced that these are the proper fees. He questioned why the fee was established at $75. He also questioned the permit for installation of retaining walls and rockeries. Dowell asked why we would charge a fee if people are attempting to improve or beautify the area. Dowell stated it seems like this started out with someone wanting to put a sign up in front of his business and it has grown to this magnitude. Ed White stated that the ordinance was based on the theory that the City has the responsibility to manage public property just like a private property owner would manage his property. This would include anything that is on or P Public Works Committee December 3, 1991 Page 4 above City right-of-way. As a street use occupation permit, anything that travels on or is constructed within public right-of- way has to be regulated and we have attached a fee to everything we feel can either travel over or be placed within City right-of-way. Dowell asked who takes care of signs that are on private property but project over public property. Ed White stated that that portion of the sign that touches private property, would be under the jurisdiction of the Planning Department and that portion over the public right-of-way would be the responsibility of the Public Works Department. Jim White stated he could support it but it will have a lower fee structure when he gets through with it. Russ Stringham asked why it was being discussed again. Dowell stated the motion made by Leona was not to approve the resolution as a whole only with that portion dealing with the garage sale permits and real estate signs. Leona Orr stated she thought the motion she was making was to approve the schedule with those changes. Apparently, Mr. Dowell and Mr. White did not understand the motion in that context. Bill Doolittle addressed again he felt a distinction should be made between real estate signs and apartment rental signs. Real estate signs are removed when the agent goes home at night but apartment rental signs are displayed for a long term period. Jim White stated he felt apartment rental signs fall into the category of portable signs. Dowell stated he didn't think there should be fees at all. He stated he would vote against any fee schedule. He had voted for the original ordinance. Wickstrom added that processing these permits will take staff time away from other duties. Dowell stated he appreciated that but administration could find the3 money out of the citizen's tax dollars. Dowell moved that the fees for the Public Works Department Street Occupation Permits be eliminated. Jim White seconded the motion. Leona Orr stated the concern she would have is that, if we aren't going to have any fees, is the staff going to approve any signs or will they say they don't have time to do it because they have more pressing items to deal with. Russ Stringham stated he felt it was incumbent on the business owner to make it as easy for the City as possible to fill out the permit as completely as possible. He indicated he, communicates with a lot of the other business owners and would police it as best he could. He continued he felt it was important that an application be submitted for public safety purpobes. Wickstrom added that we are still responsible to police the signs and don't have any revenue to offset the costs. The motion carried with Jim White and Steve Dowell voting in favor and Leona' Orr voting against. Public Works Committee December 3, 1991 Page 5 Turnback Agreement SR 515 - S.E. 240th_ to S.E. 196th Wickstrom explained that the State is improving SR 515. There are pieces on certain side streets that are in the City. The State requires that we turn those areas over to them during construction. After construction is complete, the State will turn back the rights of way to the City. The Committee unanimously recommended approval of the agreement. Street Sweeping Service Bids Wickstrom stated this item was also on the Council agenda this date because of the length of hold on the bids. The bid was opened on November 15 and lapses on December 15. If we delay the award to the December 17 meeting we might have to begin this three year contract with negotiations and the City Attorney's office has recommended against this. The bid was significantly higher than the budget. We had originally requested a budget of $150,000 but only $60,000 was approved. Since this is financed from the storm utility the general fund is not affected. Wickstrom stated that if the drainage utility rate increase is not approved, there are funds in the unencumbered balance of the sewerage fund for this. We looked at cutting back the service level but concluded that might not save as the same amount of dirt has to be moved, opens the potential for more dirt to get into the storm system reducing capacity, and increases air pollution. Tom Brubaker added an additional problem is that the debris that is being accumulated on the streets is being considered as hazardous waste more and more often. Disposal could become a serious problem. He added that the responsive bidder (Action Building Maintenance) ,has included disposal in his bid and has recognized that it might at some time have to be taken out of state. Leona Orr moved to accept the bid. The Committee unanimously recommended approval. Other Bill Doolittle requested a cross walk from the library to the parking lot at Harrison and Second and a stop sign at'the exit onto Second. Leona Orr inquired as to the status of the Tiffany-complaint. Gary Gill stated the street department is cutting the ditch this week. When that is done, the culvert will be installed across the road which will take the water off 216th.