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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 11/04/1992 _ 6�1 r, CITY OF KENT -PUBLIC WORKS COM1 UITEE NOVEMBER 4, 1992 PRESENT: Jim White Tony McCarthy Jim Bennett Tim LaPorte Paul Mann John Bond Don Wickstrom Laurie Evezich Gary Gill Mr. & Mrs. Walter Susanj Ed White Mr. & Mrs. Rust Kevin Lindell Andy Gomes Paul Scott Charlie Kiefer Tim Heydon Request for Pedestrian Crossing Wickstrom noted that this item had been carried over from the previous Public Works meeting. Andy Gomes, Manager of Farrington Court, _ addressed concerns regarding the safety of the Farrington Court residents crossing Titus St. at Reiten Rd. Ed referred to a report prepared by staff which summarizes the actions that staff has taken in the last two weeks to take traffic counts and perform visual surveys. Ed stated although there isn't an accident history there, this is a heavily travelled roadway of approximately 21, 000 vehicles per day, with an average speed of 30 - 39 MPH. Ed stated that it is staffs recommendation that the residents of Farrington Court use the signal, which is approximately 300-400 feet north at Canyon Drive. However, Mr. Gomes commented that he feels an extra 300-400 foot walk for a person 80+ years in age. is quite a bit. Jim White commented on the difficulty of turning .lift or right from Reiten Rd. , however he stated is not willing to go for a traffic signal at this time. Jim White and Jim .Bennett felt that to ask senior citizens to go from Farrington Court to the signal at Canyon Dr. , is unrealistic. Paul Mann stated that the cost of a $56, 000 traffic signal is worth the expense. He further stated that the activated signal would reinforce the legality of an individual crossing the street. He feels we need to slow down traffic in Kent. A brief discussion followed regarding the time-frame for installing a traffic signal. Don stated that there are 60 projects staff is managing totalling $80 Million Dollars and that stretches everyone pretty thin. At this point, Jim White suggested that the Committee meet at Reiten & Titus with the Traffic Engineers and Mr. Gomes to review the situation first-hand before taking final action and to bring this issue back to the next Committee meeting. 1 94th & James Street Safety Problem (Mr. & Mrs. Walter Susanj) Mr. Susanj presented the Committee with photographs of previous vehicular accidents wherein their property was damaged. Mr. Susanj expressed concern for the school children walking in the area as well as concerns for his property. Ed White had talked to Mr. Susanj and explained to him about the James St. Safety Project. Ed explained that staff will be talking with the neighbors in that area hopefully in the next few months. Staff is in the process of setting up two meetings - one with the Church which addresses the access issues off of -James, Alvord and Hazel Streets. Another meeting will be set with the neighbors to outline whatever concerns they have regarding James Street. The Church meeting then would be a "kick off" for the neighbors to set a forum for their meeting on other concerns. Ed explained there are several issues relating to the safety of James Street. Ed stated that the best resolution at this point would be if Mr & Mrs. Susanj could work with staff along with the other residents, in identifying their concerns. Staff will work as diligently as possible in trying to resolve these problems. Jim White requested Ed to specifically take a look at the 94th & James intersection (Mr. Susanj 's property) and bring back suggestions for solutions at the next Committee meeting. There was discussion regarding installation of a guardrail - Ed explained the pros and cons on this. There will be further discussion at the next Committee meeting. Equipment Rental Tony McCarthy opened discussion referring to the Draft Policy on the use of City Vehicles. Regarding that portion of the Policy on vehicles going home, Tim Heydon had prepared a list showing all of the City vehicles by description, use, and primary drivers, taken home and the reasons why taken home and that those vehicles are strictly light trucks and cars. Tony stated that this list will be inserted in the budget documents on an annual basis. Tony noted he had informed the Park Director that his vehicle is one that cannot go home. Tony referenced the motorcycles listed and stated there had been a meeting with the Chief of Police and Personnel and it has been decided that those vehicles can go home. Per Tony, the theory is that the motorcycles are considered personal equipment. The motorcycles are assigned to individual officers - they are not traded off where several people would drive the same motorcycle. For safety reasons and certain amount of call-back, those vehicles are going home. Tim explained there are fire, police and signal people taking vehicles home. The departments that have made changes as a result 2 of the new policy, are the Fire Dept. , reducing almost half and Public Works, reducing half the number of cars going home, with trade offs. Tim stated that back up will be less in those two departments on emergency situations, however there is a cost factor to consider. The "action" portion of this issue is on the list of surplus vehicles. Tony explained that in 193 budget shows a replacement of 8 pieces of equipment, and Tim has actually deferred from 193 to 194 another list of equipment. He stated that this is part of the program to reduce the budget charges thru all the departments by 20% and by deferring these vehicles allowing another-year of life out of the vehicles. Tony explained there is a fund with approximately $2 Million which pays for these vehicles. Tim stated however, that in 194 they will need to be replaced. Tony stated that there were some vehicles that had been put on "hold" at the shops and those vehicles will be put back in service. Tim explained that the City has a fleet of approximately 205 assigned vehicles and 58 vehicles in a pool. ;Of that total, 20 vehicles/equipment were to be cut. Of these, there are approximately 124 cars and trucks assigned; approximately 94 of those are in the General Fund and 70% of those 94 are Police and Fire. Included in Tim's presentation he briefly discussed the problems with the Toro lawnmowers. Jim White stated that before more mowers are purchased, the entire golf course issue needs to be addressed. Discussion followed regarding the sander as a piece of equipment to be surplused. Paul Mann stated he felt the sander should not be included and in light of that, 19 pieces of equipment should be surplused rather than 20. At this time, Jim Bennett stated that he does not see this equipment rental issue as a short term thing and to get accustomed to doing more with less. Committee unanimously agreed to authorize Equipment Rental to surplus the vehicles which have been replaced and are no longer needed by the City. LID 336 - East Valley Highway Wickstrom stated that this is a matter of accepting the contract as complete. Gary Merlino was contractor on the reconstruction of East Valley Highway. Committee unanimously agreed to accept LID 336 East Valley Highway improvements as complete. 3 Metro Sewer Rate Increase Wickstrom explained that Metro has a rate increase due to the Federal Water Quality requirements having to do with secondary treatments on all of Metro's facilities. In conjunction with this, last year the City authorized signing a contract which changed the equivalent unit, which is the basis for their rate. originally Metro had based their rate on a 900 cu.ft./month charge. Wickstrom stated that subsequent studies have been made and now, apparently thru conservation, the sewage generation has dropped to 750 cu.ft. As such, the contracts have all been amended to reflect that change. The study also shows that over the years,- the single family residences have been subsidizing the industrial/commercial complex. The result is that because our single families are on a fixed monthly charge, and our industrial/commercial accounts are on a cubic foot charge, with this change in the rate base, the costs to the commercial accounts will raise while that to the residential accounts will go down. This rate change represents an approximate 15% - 18% increase to our commercial accounts and a 3% reduction to our single family accounts. However, it is equitable. Wickstrom further stated that after looking at our portion of the rate, it was adjusted because with an increase in the total number of service units (rate base) , collecting at same old rate would result in increased revenue. As such, to keep it revenue neutral, it needs to adjust. Wickstrom explained that we need to pay the Metro bill beginning January 1st; we need about an $800,000 increase over 193. As such, we had to pass it on thru in a fair an equitable manner, the same as we would normally do. This year we had to incorporate the rate base change, which resulted in the industries picking up the burden. Jim Bennett stated that the customers who will be affected by this increase, should be notified. Committee unanimously approved the rate increase and forward to City Council for their endorsement and approval. King County Solid Waste Management Update Wickstrom explained that the County has updated our Solid Waste Plan and that King County wishes to make a presentation to the Committee. Wickstrom noted that the basic change is our being mandated to do different types of recycling. Wickstrom stated that we need to respond back to King County by November 30th. Committee agreed to have a 20 minute presentation made by King County at the next Committee meeting. Wickstrom will coordinate. 4 r LID 333 - LID 338 - LID 339 Wickstrom explained these LID's are construction complete and we would like to finalize these projects. Tentative dates have been scheduled to set these items for public hearings. Committee unanimously agreed to set public hearing dates on LIDS 333, 338, and 339. Property Accruisition Wickstrom explained that the City has been negotiating with Mrs. Ramstead, one of the major property owners on the 271th Corridor. Wickstrom stated that we have an earnest money agreement for $700,000. This is in accordance with the appraisal. The property in question is approximately 96 acres. Wickstrom stated that Mrs. Ramstead has a logging permit and the city's concern is, once Mrs. Ramstead clear cuts her property, King County can, under State law, and will issue a moratorium on the entire site for 6 years; which would eliminate any building permits or additions of any kind including us. Wickstrom explained that this is far beyond what we would want and that is what initiated this negotiation with her. Wickstrom further explained that a school is going in adjacent to the property which will bring in sewer and water to the property. ' This could very well increase the price and could make the property more potentially developable. Jim Bennett raised the question regarding what phase we are in regarding the 277th Corridor. He noted that approximately $500,000 was authorized to do study, survey, etc. Bennett asked how this acquisition would impact that. Wickstrom explained that we may become "landlords" on this property but when the school is built in 194 the property could probably be sold for a profit. He further stated that this is also the reason why negotiations are under way with another property owner, Mrs. Johnson, at the bottom of the hill. Mrs. Johnson is very willing to sell and an appraisal will be in to the City on November 6th. Wickstrom explained that there is money in the ,project fund; $2 Million in outstanding bonds on this project; $800, 000 in cash that was set aside some time ago for and $500,000 development fees that have been prepaid by various developments. Committee unanimously agreed to authorize acquisition of the Ramstead property. Proposed LID Smith Street Sidewalk Wickstrom explained that this was brought forward from the last Committee meeting because of a 1-1 split vote. 5 .K 3 Wickstrom stated that we did not receive much response in favor of the LID, although we have adequate LID commitments to proceed with the project. Wickstrom also stated that the City could possibly contribute some funds to the project. There is some sidewalk funding available. Committee unanimously agreed to authorize staff to proceed with the Smith Street Sidewalk LID with a suggestion of "sweetening the pot", on this sidewalk project, per staff recommendation. 1993 Engineering Division Work Program Wickstrom suggested that the Committee review the program (material handed out to Committee) and come back with suggestions. Wickstrom stated that staff is managing 60• projects for a total of $80 Million. He asked that the Committee come back with suggestions since we are requesting additional staff to be financed thru the Street Utility and Drainage Utility. Wickstrom explained that one unknown factor is that we have submitted for a number of grants that are not shown in the program. He stated that UAB has $40 Million of funds available for street projects also noting that there is Federal money presently available and another $20 Million in the three County region to be distributed for road type projects. Committee will review the material and discuss at the next Public Works meeting. At this time, Jim White did make note of the fact that staff is doing a great job. He expressed his appreciation to Ed White for everything done and. the expediency with how things are addressed. Sewer Connection Ordinance Wickstrom stated that this item had been referred back to Committee from Council due to a pending lawsuit and requested that this item be put back on the Council agenda. Committee unanimously agreed to place the Sewer Connection Ordinance back on the Council agenda. 6