HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 06/03/2013 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 3,....2013....
Committee Members Present:
Committee Chair Elizabeth Albertson and Committee members Dennis Higgins and
Dana Ralph were present. The meeting was called to order at 4:06 PM.
Item 1 — Approval of Meeting Minutes Dated May 20, 2013:
Committee member Higgins MOVED to approve the minutes of May 20, 2013.
The motion was SECONDED by committee member Ralph and PASSED 3-0.
Item 2 — Tacoma Water Supply:
Interim Water Superintendent, Kevin Swinford briefly explained that in early 2007
the second supply pipeline was complete and ready to deliver water to its partners.
Additional Water Second Supply Project (AWSP) was authorized to start storing
20,000 acre feet. of water behind the Howard Hanson Dam for municipal use.
The Fish Passage Facility for the migration of fish has been delayed and as a result
the partners negotiated an agreement with the regulatory agencies National Marine
Fisheries and US Fish and Wildlife and tribes to annually donate one half or 10,000
acre feet of this storage, until the fish passage is completed.
Higgins asked what the rough value of the water is. Swinford stated it is hard to say
because wholesale water and retail rates are different and hard to put an amount on
it. Higgins noted that he would like to get a dollar amount when this item comes back
to committee next year.
Committee member Ralph MOVED to recommend Council authorize the
Mayor to approve the annual release of one half of Kent's share of water
associated with the Additional Water Second Supply Project (AWSP) subject
to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public
Works Director. The motion was SECONDED by committee member Higgins
and PASSED 3-0.
Item 3 — South King County Regional Water Association Second Amendment
to the Agreement:
Interim Water Superintendent, Kevin Swinford noted that the South King County
Regional Water Association (SKCRWA) was formed about 30 years ago and that the
City of Kent was one of the founding members. The association includes, cities and
water districts serving urban areas south of Seattle, and was formed to provide a
greater voice when addressing suburban water issues.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 3,....2013....
Swinford stated that with rapid growth in the 1980's the initial efforts focused on
evaluating and locating water supply opportunities that would meet existing and
future needs within the region.
Today, the SKCRWA primarily addresses regional water rights issues. The proposed
amendment would be executed to clarify the short-term purpose of the association,
which is to coordinate on mutual interests.
Several questions were asked of staff from committee members. It was decided that
further clarification on the contract scope of work needs to be presented to
committee before a motion could be made.
No Motion Made
Item 4 — Purchase Water Valve Exerciser:
Interim Water Superintendent, Kevin Swinford noted that the Water Mains and
Services Division annually turns approximately 1,500 valves by hand, which is time
consuming and physically demanding.
Swinford stated staff researched various ways to turn valves and looked for the most
cost effective and efficient method and found that the hydraulic valve exerciser would
increase efficiency by reducing the time it takes to exercise valves as well as reduce
the potential for workplace injuries related to repetitive motion.
Committee member Higgins MOVED to recommend authorization to
purchase a Hurco SD800 Versatile Valve Exerciser from Sahlberg Equipment
Company in an amount not to exceed $24,856, subject to final terms and
conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director. The
motion was SECONDED by committee member Ralph and PASSED 3-0.
Item 5 — Bid/SE 256th Street:
Public Works Director, Tim LaPorte stated that we received 10 very competitive bids
for this project. He noted all the bids were tightly grouped which is a good indication
of a well understood set of plans and specifications. The municipal engineering ratio
is on par for projects of this type. As such we are now able to more precisely
estimate the total project costs.
LaPorte went through the history of the project and how we got to where we are. He
discussed that if the undergrounding portion of the project is left out it will be quite
costly to do it at a later date, as everything would have to be torn up. Higgins stated
he is in favor of removing the sidewalk planters, landscaping and undergrounding
from the project. Albertson stated she is not in favor of cutting the undergrounding.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 3,....2013....
There was discussion about how to fund the shortfall. Ralph asked if we could give
back the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) money. LaPorte noted that the
TIB has extended the agreement by 1.5 years because we are good partners and
that we could return the TIB money; however, we won't be able to get it back. There
was discussion about the decision to fund the project, in any manner and if we do,
would it be setting a precedent?
This item was added to "Other Business" at the June 4, 2013 City Council
meeting.
Item 6 — SE 256th Improvements — Puget Sound Energv Proiect Construction
Agreement•
This item will be brought back to the next Public Works Committee meeting on June
17, 2013.
Item 7 — SE 256th Improvements — Joint Utility Trench Agreement with
Comcast•
This item will be brought back to the next Public Works Committee meeting on June
17, 2013.
Item 8 — SE 256th Improvements — Joint Utility Trench Agreement with
CentryLink:
This item will be brought back to the next Public Works Committee meeting on June
17, 2013.
Added Item:
Bill Doolittle stated the Union Pacific Railroad eastbound rail is exposed and is like
hitting a 2x4 when you cross the tracks. He also stated that he thought the
Burlington Northern Railroad job was done very nicely on Smith Street.
Doolittle asked why all the restrictions on Gowe Street on Mondays? Staff stated the
restrictions are due to the street sweepers that sweep the downtown core of the city
between 4:00 a.m. — 7:00 a.m. Monday — Thursday.
Doolittle asked if he was able to purchase a City flag a large one or a small hand held
one. This will be looked into further.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
Cheryl Viseth
Council Committee Recorder