HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 11/02/2015 Public Works Committee Minutes
November .2, 2015.
Item 1 - Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Committee Chair, Dennis
Higgins.
Item 2 - Roll Call: Committee Chair, Dennis Higgins and Committee members Dana Ralph and
Brenda Fincher were present.
Item 3 - Chances to the Agenda: There were no changes to the agenda.
Item 4 - Approval of Meeting Minutes Dated October 19, 2015:
Committee member Fincher MOVED to approve the minutes of October 19, 2015. The
motion was SECONDED by Committee member Ralph and PASSED 3 - 0.
Item 5 -2016 Water Treatment Chemical Agreement with JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc.:
Kevin Swinford, Source and Supply Supervisor noted that this is an annual housekeeping contract for
chemicals that are needed for water treatment processes in order to meet state and federal
regulations.
Committee Member Ralph MOVED to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
2016 Water Treatment Chemical Supply Goods and Services Agreement with JCI Jones
Chemicals, Inc. for Gas Chlorine and Sodium Hydroxide, in an amount not to exceed
$93,150.00, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and
Public Works Director. The motion was SECONDED by Committee member Fincher and
PASSED 3 - 0.
Item 6 - Joint Funding Agreement for Water Resources Investigations with the U.S.
Geological Survey:
Mike Mactutis, Environmental Engineering Manager noted that this is an annual agreement to fund
stream gages that provide valuable information on stream flow conditions. This information is also
used to calibrate the city's stream flow models. The contract will provide for operations and
maintenance at six gages; two on Mill Creek, one on Spring brook Creek, two on Rock Creek, and one
on the Green River.
For federal fiscal year 2016, the city of Kent will contribute $66,530 to the annual program costs of
$112,180 with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and City of Tukwila providing the remainder.
Gage information is available in real-time at htto://waterdata.usos.00v/wa/nwis/current?tvoe=flow.
Committee Member Fincher MOVED to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign the
Joint Funding Agreement for Water Resources Investigations between the City of Kent and
the U.S. Geological Survey upon concurrence of the language therein by the City Attorney
and Public Works Director. The motion was SECONDED by Committee member Ralph and
PASSED 3 - 0.
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Public Works Committee Minutes
November .2, 2015.
Item 7 - Information Only/Federal Railroad Administration - Ouiet Zones:
Kristine Adams, Federal Railroad Administration spoke in regards to quiet zones. She stated that for
the past 10 years the railroads have said if they didn't agree with a proposal, there was nothing that
the city could do about it. Kristine stated that this is not so. She said that the problem may be that
this policy took 10 years to finalize and that it is the only one not written for the railroad. She stated
that as long as you comply with the regulations you can move forward with a quiet zone and that
there is nothing you can't make work, as long as you mitigate for risk.
Public Works Director, Tim LaPorte and City Engineer Chad Bieren reviewed each crossing noting
what is needed in order to move forward:
Burlinaton Northern Railroad
South 259th Street - Best suited for a wayside horn. It is the only crossing out of 14
where a horn may be recommended
West Willis Street - Additional median channelization and LED lamps
West Titus Street - This is a working spur, we would extend the median put in a "pork
chop". It was noted that the mainline wouldn't make noise when the spur is in use, only
the train using the spur would make noise.
Gowe Street - Curb and gutter and median treatment with signage and LED lights. The
Eastside would need a 6 inch sidewalk, to eliminate the chance of vehicles trying to go
around the crossing arm.
Smith Street - There are gates there currently. Upgrades are needed on the sidewalk
approaches. Sidewalks should be added on Smith along the 101 Building. Cameras could
be added to ticket those that stop on the tracks (similar to School Zone Cameras).
Electronic signs "Do Not Stop on Tracks" were approved by Council and will be placed
near the tracks to remind motorists.
West James Vt Ave. - Missing pieces of sidewalks, median improvements, LED lights
and a new fence added north of James to reduce pedestrian trespass.
212th Street - Median extension
Union Pacific Railroad:
• West Willis - Median treatments
• Meeker Street - This is the most complicated crossing. A signal mast at 6th Avenue is
likely needed to block left turn off of 6th Avenue. Eliminate Right turn lane from Meeker
to 6th, would need to make a hard right. Median needed.
• Smith Street - Would need to cut off two way access to the back side of the Regional
Justice Center
• James Street - Additional signage
• South 228th Street - to be grade separated
• South 212th Street - Additional treatments needed
Next steps are to turn in a Notice of Intent and construct improvements. The state and
railroad have 60 days to respond with any proposed changes. After the 60 days, a Notice of
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Public Works Committee Minutes
November .2, 2015.
Establishment period is in effect for 21 days which gives the railroads notice to update their
procedures to not blow their horns at certain locations in Kent or fines will be levied.
Kristine noted that a flagger can be hired at areas where there is a spur line if the train is
moving between 10-15 miles per hour and they would not be required to blow the horns.
She wanted to make it clear that it won't always be quiet. Trains blow their horns when
there is a safety concern.
An educational blitz would take place in advance of the quiet zone going into effect. Chris
stated she will help us in any way she can.
INFORMATION ONLY/NO MOTION REQUIRED
Additional Speakers - Item 7:
Mary Jacob 426 Prospect Avenue North
• Stated the trains really impact her Mill Creek neighborhood and is happy to hear that things are
moving forward.
• If fencing is put up she would like to see brick fencing with shrub or trees placed near it to be
more aesthetically pleasing and possibly help with some of the train noise.
• Really likes the idea of photo enforcement (like the cameras in school zones) for those that
choose to wait on the tracks for lights to change.
• Would like to see something done at the blind turn heading east bound from Meeker to Smith
Street near the skate park.
Barbara Smith, Director, Kent Downtown Partnership 202 West Gowe Street
• Would like to make sure that fencing for the quiet zones are aesthetically pleasing.
• Thank you to Chris for coming to speak at this evening meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
ChexyLVOetiV
Council Committee Recorder
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