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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 08/26/1992 c PUBLIC WORKS CONEMMEE AUGUST 26, 1992 PRESENT: Jim White Gary Gill Jim Bennett Tim LaPorte Paul Mann Ed White Don Wickstrom Tony McCarthy Tom Brubaker Jean Parietti Mr. and Mrs. Rust, Bill Doolittle, Lloyd Plunkett, Edward Pawlowski, Ronda Taylor, Bill Joy, Chris Clifford, Robert Whalen, Connie Epperly Request for Sewer Service New Hope Free Will Baptist Church Wickstrom explained the request is for sewer service to property east of 132nd on the north side of Kent Kangley. It is currently undeveloped but there are plans to construct a church on the site. The City has a moratorium for utility service outside the City limits. The moratorium does not allow for any exemptions. White asked if we have extended utility service for schools outside the city limits. Wickstrom stated that we have just received a water and sewer availability request for a new school on 108th just south of 274th. With this moratorium we have no means of allowing the extensions without going to Council. White commented that once the County establishes the permanent urban growth boundaries which has to happen by July, 1993, this moratorium would be eliminated. White asked what would need to be done to allow utility service for churches, public buildings, etc. Brubaker responded the resolution could be revised to allow exemptions for government agencies, schools, and non-profit organizations. Bennett asked about the cost of extending the sewer service. Wickstrom clarified there would be no cost to the city but a cost of extending sewer is approximately $200 per foot. Bill Doolittle asked what would be the consequences of repealing the moratorium altogether. Wickstrom responded there would probably not be much impact. The County already has a moratorium on residential development based on school capacity. Thus, the impact would be from commercial development and there is only a limited area of commercial in our service area. The Committee unanimously recommended amending the resolution to allow exemptions for governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and schools. 272nd/277th Corridor Wickstrom commented that the Public Works Department's recommendation remains the same to proceed with the project and pursue the establishment of the preferred alignment with the County. Mann commented it would seem that we are Working with the assumptions that Auburn would build their portion and that King County would also extend the road out to Highway 18. Wickstrom M Public Works Committee August 26, 1992 Page 2 stated that we are not working on any assumption that the County will continue the corridor. That is a separate project. As to whether Auburn will proceed with improvement of the span between the freeway and EVH, Auburn has indicated that is their intent. Wickstrom continued that they could change their mind; however, once the traffic on that section increases, Auburn becomes more eligible to receive Urban Arterial Trust funds. There are $40 million available in the Urban Arterial Trust funds over the next biennium as compared to approximately $15 million in the Transportation Improvement Account funds. Mann asked if we have talked with Auburn at all about the project. LaPorte responded that Auburn has been a member of our technical advisory committee for about four years so the roles of each entity have been pretty well discussed. In addition, the City of Auburn and the City of Kent are both members of the County's technical advisory committee. Mann asked if the Federal Way School District has been contacted since the last Council meeting. LaPorte commented that we have not as yet. Mann stated another assumption is that the project will cost between $16 to $25 million. He thought these were three year old estimates and wanted to know if that has changed. It was confirmed that the estimate is not three years old but only about 9 months to 1 year old and we haven't seen an increase in construction costs particularly in large projects. Wickstrom stated the biggest unknown in the project estimate is how much fill needs to be removed. That $25 million estimate is based on moving almost 1.5 million yards of material. There are ways we can save on this item but we need to get into preliminary design to determine those factors. Mann wanted to know how much it would cost in four years to move the fill. Wickstrom stated that again it would depend on how much and how the fill is moved. Wickstrom continued that giving the approval to proceed now does not eliminate the ability to later stop the project. There are many steps along the way at which Council can stop the project such as allocation of the remaining funds, forming the local improvement district, etc. We want to proceed to the next stage so that we can do the engineering necessary to develop a more finite cost estimate. Bennett asked what the next stage would cost. Wickstrom explained that the City has a 50% matching TIB grant for a total project cost of $450,000 which includes finishing the FEIS and the next stage. As such, our out of pocket expense could be as high as $225, 000. Mann asked if we had the City's match available. Wickstrom stated that we have the $2 million bond issue that we haven't spent, the original $800,000 budgeted several years ago and $600, 000 in mitigation fees. Responding to Mann's question, the bonds can only be used for roads; the mitigation payments can only be used for the 272nd Corridor; gas tax funds can only be used on arterials but it can be reallocated at Council direction; vehicle registration fees can only be used on the three east-west corridor t Public Works Committee August 26, 1992 Page 3 projects; the $800,000 was budgeted in capital improvement funds from gas tax funds. All these sources make up the funding packages for the three corridors. Wickstrom clarified that Council has authorized $5 million in councilmanic bonds but have only sold $2 million to date. The debt payment for the bond issue comes from the gas tax funds. The bonding attorneys have stated it is likely the bonds could be used for other projects but that could be subject to challenge due to prior court rulings. White commented that we need a combination of improvements to meet our • transportation needs; the corridors are one part and a transit system is another part. Wickstrom added that if we proceed and get the alignment established with the County, Council could still back away from the project and the County would then have something with which to work to build the road should they so choose. Mann said he was concerned that the County has drug their feet on this and expects the City to move ahead. Mann asked how much money the City might have to spend in litigation on the project Brubaker stated that at this point there are no monetary damages that anyone could ask for. Possibly they could ask that the final EIS be supplemented or that it be rejected for being inadequate. Legal fees might be $20-30,000 - it is hard to give a figure when you don't know what will be involved. Laporte stated that a common comment ,we have heard is that the people in the County would like for their representatives to make the decision. Moving this to the next step which is to the King County Council would be the best and cheapest way for opponents to challenge the project rather than to start a litigation process. Mann wanted to .know what the Public Works Department's track record is for estimating projects. Wickstrom stated that we have been under budget for our most recent large projects. We have been off target on a felt,- mostly smaller projects. LaPorte added that this project does not involve any unusual engineering technology or practices. The largest unknown is simply the quantity of material. Mike Delles stated that the level of detail used to establish the - cost estimate was much greater than typically done for a conceptual project so the estimate will be much more accurate. Bennett confirmed that if we go to the next phase we would be able to develop a more definite project cost. White stated that the problem will not go away if we don't take any action. By the time the road is built, if it is, traffic will be so bad at Kent Kangley and Benson that we'll long for the "good old days in 1992" when we only had, 56, 000 cars a day through there. Bennett asked who has responsibility for the signal synchronization at the intersection of 272nd and Auburn Way North. Wickstrom commented that now it is Auburn. Bennett stated we wanted to •work in cooperation with Auburn on operation of that signal. Bennett made a motion to pass this on to the September 1 Council meeting with a recommendation for approval. White seconded. Mann stated he questioned the assumption that it will improve traffic Public Works Committee August 26, 1992 Page 4 flow. He felt it was possible it would increase traffic flow by encouraging new development and encouraging traffic to seek this new corridor and might make the intersection of 104th and 256th even worse. He was uncomfortable with the assumption that Auburn would make necessary improvements on their portion. Wickstrom responded that the whole SR 516 corridor down through Canyon Drive is at capacity especially by Jason where we are moving 40, 000 vehicles a day when it is designed for 25-30, 000. That is why we have a lot of safety problems with that road. If you don't provide this corridor, you will have similar situations on James Street. Our existing capacity is full and there is still a lot of growth potential in the County. Wickstrom clarified the reason we did not propose carrying this corridor out to 132nd is that we would be affecting another neighborhood and another major wetland area and would not be diverting that much more traf f is thus we would not get that much more benefit from the road. The City Is project has never been proposed to extend out to Highway 18. Gill added that the County is planning to widen and improve 256th to four lanes minimum from 116th to near Highway 18, as well as 240th and 192nd. If the City's east-west corridors can get traffic up the hillside, then traffic will chose the most convenient route to the nearest arterial roadway to head further east so it may not all funnel onto Kent Kangley. A gentleman from the audience asked if there has been any more discussion with the people on the west hill around the existing 272nd corridor. He stated there are about 47 residences that have driveways directly onto 272nd, and there are eight cross streets. He stated he was not against the project but felt the impact on the west hill should be better evaluated. LaPorte added that the west hill residents were advised of the project about three years ago and about 100 west hill residents attended a meeting at that time. Additionally our traffic analysis shows that the section of 277th between 167 and 181 will not be deficient because of this project but may be deficient for other reasons. If safety improvements need to _be constructed for that street because of existing conditions or reasons other than this project, the County needs to deal with it. With regard to the Federal Way School District, while we have not contacted them recently, the EIS notification was sent to all the different agencies and we did not receive a response from the Federal Way School District. We will, however, pursue further contact with them. Paul Mann stated we should follow Jim White's advice and also put as much effort into other modes of transporting people as we are putting into this. Wickstrom responded that is a given out of the Growth Management Act. The Committee voted 2-1 - Paul Mann dissenting - to forward the project to the Council with a recommendation to proceed and pursue establishment of the preferred alignment with the County. f a+c Public Works Committee August 26, 1992 Page 5 Bid Opening Del Webb Pump Station Wickstrom stated six bids were received ranging from $60, 000 to $120, 000 with an engineer's estimate of $73, 000. Wickstrom stated he would recommend awarding the project to R.W. Scott Construction. The project will add some life to our pump station. It is currently operating beyond its capability. The Committee unanimously recommended approval to award to R.W. Scott Construction. Bid Opening Horseshoe Acres Pump Station Two bids were received on this project. Wickstrom stated he would recommend awarding to the low bidder, Omega Construction. The project would provide a telemetering system for the station. The Committee unanimously recommended approval to award the project to Omega Construction. Procurement Ordinance Brubaker stated the State legislature has passed a new law encouraging the use of recycled products by forcing government agencies to meet certain standards, use a certain percentage of paper and other products out of recycled materials. From that King County developed a model ordinance which, if we comply with, places us in a position to receive some grant funds from the County. Karen Siegel clarified that the adoption of this procurement ordinance is one of the criteria for eligibility for this grant program should we apply. Wickstrom added this is also a requirement of our participation in the King County Comprehensive Solid Waste Plan. A staff committee reviewed the model ordinance, made some revisions and developed the ordinance submitted to the Committee. Paul Mann added he had also asked the legal department to look into developing such an ordinance. The Committee unanimously recommended adoption of the ordinance. King County Housing Authority Real Estate Signs Wickstrom stated that King County Housing Authority has requested to place directional signs on our East Hill Well property on 104th and approximately 244th and one at 'the air injector station at Kent Kangley and approximately 120th Avenue S.E. These signs would provide direction to their Glenbrook affordable housing development. Wickstrom suggested we would want to concur since it is a public entity making the request and is for a worthy cause. They would, however, have to comply with all the code requirements. He doubted if they could do so for the East Hill Well site. After y 4 � Public Works Committee t August 26, 1992 Page 6 discussion, the Committee voted 1-2 - Jim White and Jim Bennett dissenting - to deny the request. South King County Area Transportation Agreement Wickstrom stated we had previously distributed this material to the Committee for their review. However, the comment period has probably expired. Jim White, who attended the latest meeting of the group, stated a committee called South County Transportation group comprised of representatives of all the cities and a couple of County councilmen will be working together to ensure more federal road funding for south King County. Bill of Sale for East Hill Shopping Center Wickstrom commented we have finally obtained the bill of sale from the property owner. The City had to provide the survey and prepare the asbuilts in order to get to this point. We are recommending accepting the bill of sale and releasing the bonds. The Committee unanimously recommended approval. Other Items Bill Doolittle requested staff look at the intersection of Meeker and State and consider installation of a four way stop. He said most people stop so he thought it would make sense to just go ahead and put a couple more stop signs in. Ed White stated that it would not meet any warrants for a four way stop but Council could direct the installation. Jim White suggested the Committee members take a look at the intersection to see what they thiAk about it and bring their suggestions to the Committee. Bill Doolittle also commented about Canyon Road. Westbound he has observed that traffic follows the separation of surface types rather than the buttons. He commented he felt it could present safety problems especially in the rain. Wickstrom commented that the pavement of that road is still the responsibility of the State. Gill stated we have requested the State include it in their next biennial consideration for overlay projects. Mrs. Rust asked about the City policy that City employees were not allowed to use their City vehicles to go to the bank or to lunch. McCarthy commented that it is part of a vehicle policy being developed by the Executive Committee. The use of City vehicles for personal use is considered an inappropriate use.