HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 05/18/2015 Public Works Committee Minutes
May .18, 2015
Item 1 - Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Committee Chair,
Dennis Higgins.
Item 2 - Roll Call: Committee members present: Higgins, Ralph and Fincher.
Item 3 - Changes to the Agenda: None
Item 4 - Approval of Meeting Minutes Dated May 4, 2015:
Committee member Finch MOVED to approve the minutes of May 4, 2015. The
motion was SECONDED by Committee member Ralph and PASSED 3-0.
Item 5 -Information Only/PSRC South 2121h St/BNSF Grade Separation Grant
Funding:
Senior Transportation Planner, Monica Whitman noted that the City was awarded a
$2,000,000 grant for Preliminary Engineering for the S 2121h St/BNSF Railroad Grade
Separation project as part of the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) 2014 Surface
Transportation Program (STP) project selection process. At that time the City was considering
forming a Local Improvement District (LID) to partially fund three key railroad grade
separation projects including S 2121h St/BNSF. The City gathered comments from property
owners at two different open houses and found that there was little support for an LID. As a
result, the City is no longer in a position to move forward with the project at this time. If the
funding situation changes in the future, the City may reapply for regional grant funding.
PSRC funds may be returned on a voluntary basis due to extenuating circumstances, there is
no penalty for returning funds prior to the obligation deadline, which is June 1, 2015 in this
case. Agencies voluntarily returning funds are asked to provide PSRC with a letter or a
memorandum signed by a responsible official requesting the return.
Status of Federal Grants - return funds; recommendation is to turn the money back in, all
concur. Councilmember Higgins agreed that a letter needs to be drafted to the PSRC with the
request and to thank them for the grant and the significant regional impact needs/help in
getting this moving forward in the future. Councilmember Ralph stated that not that it makes
it easier or better, the reality is its extremely difficult to turn money back but others are in
the same position. Councilmember Fincher expressed a Thank you to all staff for the
assistance.
Information Only/No Motion Required
Item 6 - Information Only/Draft Six Year Transportation Improvement Program:
Senior Transportation Planner, Monica Whitman noted that tonight is for information only but
she will be back in front of the committee in the next two weeks. This is a 6 year planning
document and a short range planning tool to assist local jurisdictions in that planning. The
Draft 2016-2021 Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) represents the City's
proposed transportation improvement work program for the next six years. It includes street,
bicycle, pedestrian, traffic signal, and transit improvements planning studies and street
maintenance and preservation projects. State law requires that each city develop a local TIP
and that it be updated annually (RCW 35.77.010). Public Works staff will be presenting the
ways in which b the 2016-2021 Six Year TIP differs from the 2015-2020 TIP, which was
adopted in June of 2015.
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May .18, 2015
The TIP can be amended monthly and updated annually. This is a key communication piece
for the public and the Mayor. The TIP must be consistent with the Comprehensive plan. There
are 23 projects total in the plan and 24 that were removed from last year's TIP due to lack of
funding. Safe Routes to School grants have been left in the TIP. Ms. Whitman would like to
work with the chair in weighing Social Justice. Chair Higgins would like to point out that we
are not Bellevue or Kirkland and that matching funds is more difficult for Kent. Director
LaPorte will circle back to the committee with some comments on this after speaking with
Sarah Wood.
Chair Higgins commented that some of the items being dropped are multiyear projects and
Councilmember Ralph is concerned that by dropping the projects we lose a valuable tool to
keep track of projects. Director LaPorte reiterated that the TIP can be amended at any time
to either add or remove projects so it is always able to be adjusted. City Attorney Brubaker
commented that he could work with Public Works to create some sort of "parking lot"
document for these unfunded projects so they do not get forgotten. Councilmember Fincher
commented that it is important the citizens know that these projects are not forgotten. City
Engineer Bieren noted that the Transportation Master Plan has all of these plans identified on
them and essentially works as that "parking lot"document.
Citizen Mel Roberts, 9421 S 241s' St, is the chair of bicycle advisory board commented that
James St is looking good. He will create a list of suggestions for bicycle projects that can
make streets more bicycle friendly and are not very expensive.
Budget Impact: Each project or program within the TIP has a different budget impact as
noted in the narrative.
Information Only/No Motion Required
Item 7 — Information Only/Recycling Event:
Conservation Coordinator, Gina Hungerford noted that the Summer Recycling Event &
Recycled-Content Products Sale is happening on Saturday, June 61h at Kent Phoenix
Academy, 11000 SE 2641h Street, 9am-3pm. Residents are invited to bring items not easily
recycled at the curb, including appliances, mattresses, bulky yard debris & up to 3 boxes of
documents to shred at no charge.
NW Center will be on site to collect reusable household goods, as well as clothing in all shapes
of repair, wearable or not. We will also have Composters, Worm Bins & Rain barrels available
for sale at the event. Flyers will be going out in the mail this week. The flyer is also available
on our website at www.Kent Recyc les.com.
This event is funded by the Department of Ecology Coordinated Prevention Grant, the King
County Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant, and the Local Hazardous Waste Management
Program Grant.
Flyer will go out this week. Usual things will be accepted, such as: Batteries, mattresses and
the shredding truck will accept up to 3 bags. In addition Rain Barrels are for sale for $30 and
earth worms and composters for $25.
Information Only/No Motion Required
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Item 8 — Annual Transportation Impact Fee Adiustment:
City Engineer, Chad Bieren briefed the committee about the Annual Transportation Impact
Fee Adjustment. Following the discussion on Transportation Impact Fee ("TIF") annual
adjustments at the March 16, 2015 and April 2, 2015 Public Works Committee meetings, staff
has prepared an ordinance amending Section 12.14.060 of the Kent City Code. The
amendment will change the economic index used to make annual adjustments to TIF rates
from the Washington State Department of Transportation Construction Cost Index to the
Construction Cost Index for Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton published in the Engineering News
Record.
The WSDOT Index has seen significant fluctuations over the past two years that are not
consistent with construction costs experienced in City contracts. The Construction Cost Index
published in the Engineering News Record would provide more predictable annual
adjustments to the TIF.
The ordinance regards the change of the index for annual adjustments on the TIF. This give a
better gauge of construction prices versus using DOT. DOT has a number of major projects
that have skewed the results. We anticipate a significant number of projects that will be
paying into the TIF. It's a good revenue source and we do need to consider what are other
cities are charging for their TIF such as Renton, Kirkland. We need to use what we are
moving toward.
Councilmember Ralph commented that this was a prudent thing to do especially in light that
neighboring jurisdictions are also using this index. Director LaPorte offered to come back with
a comparable with the other jurisdictions as an information only item. A memo will be sent to
the committee members with the compilation.
Committee member Ralph MOVED to recommend Council adopt Ordinance No.
amending Section 12.14.060 of the Kent City Code. The motion was SECONDED by
committee member Fincher and PASSED 3 - 0.
Item 9 — Central Ave. S. Accept Construction Grant:
Design Engineering Supervisor, Mark Madfai noted that the pavement along South Central
Avenue between Willis Street and the South Central Bridge has numerous cracks, rutting and
patches and is in need of repair replacement. Because of the progressed deterioration of
Central Avenue, this arterial requires more of a reconstruction than a simple overlay.
Construction for this project is anticipated to start in July and will repair failing pavement
sections including replacement of curb, gutter and sidewalk and provide a full width overlay of
the roadway. Also, included in the project will be the replacement of the water main and
relining of the sanitary sewer main.
The Public Works Department competed for and was awarded a $1,500,000 federal grant
through the Puget Sound Regional Council for the Construction Phase of this project. This
funding is in addition to the $300,000 federal grant that the City was awarded for the Design
Phase of this project.
The City will receive $1,500,000 of federal funding. The local match for this grant is
$234,104. Funding for the local match will come from the B&O Tax. On schedule to advertise
the project tomorrow. Project is from Willis to Green River Bridge, pavement rutted and in
poor condition for over a mile long.
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The existing street trees will come out and we will replace the water line that dates back to
1955, from Willis st to 2591h and will be lining the sewer system. Construction is slated to
start early in July.
Director LaPorte stated that the committee made it very clear to staff in December of 2014
when the project list was discussed that this was an important project. I am very impressed
with what staff has done; getting Federal Funds are difficult with a lot of intricacies.
Chairman Higgins also gave his thanks to staff for their hard work in getting the funds; this
will be a real feather in your cap. Councilmember Ralph noted that staff has been very good
stewards of this B&O money. Councilmember Fincher noted about the upcoming meeting on
May 271h, 7:30-8:30 am at the senior center, open to the public.
Citizen Doolittle commented that the sign that says "welcome to Kent" sign is short of the
line, will we be going all the way to the sign? Director LaPorte confirmed that it will.
Committee member Fincher MOVED to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to
accept a Federal Grant in the amount of $1,500,000 for the Construction Phase of
the Central Avenue South Pavement Preservation Project and direct staff to
establish a budget for the funds, 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 10 — Information Only/James Street Planting:
Design Engineer Manager, Mark Howlett updated the committee members on the James
Street plantings and street trees. Last September crews began fixing sidewalks that were
buckled by street trees. In cooperation with the Parks department, Public Work Operations
crews started by cutting down trees and then got into removing sidewalks and fixing them.
Due to feedback from the public, hired a landscape architect and had an open house on April
91h 2015. Solicited comments from the public about what they would like to see put into the
vacant strip that the trees once occupied. After collecting the 81 comments, there was 31%
support for trees, 26% for combo of grass, trees and low ground cover. We have also looked
at the possibility of planting some trees on private property which would involve getting
easements. We will return to committee with a recommendation on what staff and the
consultant believes will be the best option. Director LaPorte noted that the north side of
James will be having trees removed shortly and only 8 will be able to remain. Chairman
Higgins would like planting strip on the south side to be maintained. Director LaPorte noted
that the adjoining property owners have responsibility to maintain them. Councilmember
Fincher would like a list of the location of the 8 trees that are remaining. Director LaPorte
states they will be flagged in a way to be obvious which ones are remaining.
Information Only/No Motion Required
Item 11 —Information Only/Green Duwamish Clean-Up Pollutant Loading
Assessment:
Environmental Engineering Manager, Mike Mactutis noted that the Green/Duwamish River
watershed is identified on Washington's impaired waterbody list as being impaired by over 50
different pollutants. Portions of the Green/Duwamish River watershed are also on the National
Priorities List and are in various stages of sediment cleanup under the federal Superfund and
Washington State Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) programs.
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Ecology and EPA entered into an order in December 2000 with King County, Port of Seattle
(the Port), City of Seattle, and The Boeing Company, to assess the extent of sediment
contamination and proceed with a cleanup action plan. Sediment cleanup efforts are ongoing.
Ecology and EPA have decided that, in addition to ongoing cleanup efforts in the Duwamish, a
concerted effort is needed to address pollution sources upstream of the Duwamish. These
efforts will include extensive pollution modeling with the goal of establishing achievable and
measurable reductions in pollutants being introduced to the Green River and its tributaries.
Staff provided an update on the Pollutant Loading Assessment process, including tentative
schedules, Kent participation, and possible outcomes of the effort.
This is a large area in the Duwamish that has cleanup for excess of 30 years and projected
$342 million to clean up. Assessment of the entire roadway could potentially impact
permitting. There is a lot of modeling pollutants so we are looking at sources, loading, predict
the impact and effectiveness of this clean up. Goal is to have a quality assurance project plan
(QAPP) to decide which chemicals should be modeled and which plan is appropriate. There
are currently large gaps in the modeling, anticipate nothing substantial till about ten years in
order to have accurate models. We will continue to attend the technical committee meetings
and bringing information back to the PW Committee meeting. The next step is a public
meeting on Thursday May 281h, will be providing an overview and cleanup efforts at the
Tukwila Community Center. RSVP @ PLA(abgreendwamishwatershed.info
Councilmember Ralph wanted to thank Mike for being a valuable resource to the city
regarding Green River, Levee's and Salmon. Everyone looks to Mike as an expert on these
topics.
Information Only/No Motion Required
Item 12 —Information Only/East Valley Highway Lane Settlement:
Public Works Director, Tim LaPorte stated that for the last several years' staff has been
monitoring a settlement in the roadway observed in the outer southbound lane of East Valley
Highway adjacent to Tacoma Screw products and Les Schwab in the 22100 block. Until
recently, the settlement has totaled about a foot. We have had to periodically fill the
depression with an asphalt patch to keep the lane open. The valley floor goes 80-100 feet
deep with fine grain material. The metro sewer line is 10 ft. under the water table.
It is staffs opinion that the probable cause is an underlying Metro sewer line which has also
settled and has groundwater infiltration at a higher than normal rate. The sewer line is 21 feet
deep. Cracks or openings in this 24 inch pipe would allow groundwater and fine grained soil
material to leach into the pipe and then get carried away by the continuous sewage flow. We
have had discussions with King County Metro staff for over a year but have not had resolution
on the fix or responsibility.
This past Mother's Day weekend the roadway settled an additional amount at this location
necessitating the lane closure. Because of the increased rate of settlement, the need to fix the
problem is more necessary.
Although King County Metro has not acknowledged responsibility, County staff asked if the
city could take the lead contractually on fixing the problem as our contracting process is
faster than theirs.
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As we and King County staff learn more about the problem we will continue to negotiate
responsibility. King County has agreed to review the line operation with TV equipment next
week. The worst case would be having to dig up the Metro line and replace 400 ft. of line and
dewater it, close the road down and about a month's worth of construction with about a half
million dollars cost. Currently we are Tv'ing to help pinpoint the cause; it's possible to slip
line the pipe where we put a plastic insert which would stop the sand from leaching into it.
This would stabilize the material over the top and allow Metro to replace the line at a future
time.
Chairman Higgins would like to know if there is a risk that Kent could be left with the entire
cost. Director LaPorte responded that it's remotely possible if we find a small layer of peat
but we do not believe that to be the case. Councilmember Fincher asked if there is a
timeframe to look at this. Director LaPorte responded that the Tv'ing tomorrow and depending
what is found, next steps will be decided upon. City Attorney Brubaker commented that first
step is determine the cause and have Metro to agree to the cause and then we will know
where we stand in terms of who's responsible for the cost.
Budget Impact: It is staff opinion that the problem is infiltration in the Metro sewer and is
therefore the responsibility of that agency. There is no agreement in place at this time
however.
Information Only/No Motion Required
ADDED ITEMS:
Previous meeting/Delores Christiansen, Central Avenue Storage 405 Central Ave South
Delores asked the committee to have staff look at her drainage charges for the storage units.
Chairman Higgins expressed thanks to Public Works staff for the Public Works Day event, it
was a good event.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:27 p.m.
Cheryl Viseth
Council Committee Recorder
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