HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 02/18/2014 11 � KENT
WASH IMJ T0N Kent City Council Workshop
February 18, 2014
The workshop meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Council President Ralph.
Councilmembers present: Ralph, Boyce, Berrios, and Ranniger (arrived at 5:34 p.m.)
Council President Ralph noted that Councilmembers Thomas and Higgins were
excused from the meeting.
Council Retreat 2014 - Council President Ralph discussed the Council Retreat. She
highlighted that it will consist of the Comprehensive Plan and the RESPECT training.
She also stated that there may be a discussion concerning information technology.
Councilmember Berrios communicated that he would like discussions tied to the Berk
Study and what the taxpayers have paid for. He added that he would like some
discussions on what has been done with the study.
Council President Ralph communicated that the session would be 2:00 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. on Friday and possibly beginning on 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Councilmember Boyce stated it would be nice to revisit the strategic goals and Tom
Brubaker, Interim Chief Administrative Officer said he would contact Mr. Andrew
Ballard concerning the Berk Study.
Council President Ralph communicated that the Department Director Top Issues
discussion was done to set up a framework.
Councilmember Berrios said he would also like to look at the unfilled positions in the
City and Brubaker communicated that it should be looked at in respect to the budget
and staffing needs.
2014 Top Departmental Issues - Jeff Watling, Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Services Director presented his departments top issues. He noted that they were
shared with the Parks and Human Services Committee and that the issues are: Park
Infrastructure, the Green River Corridor, the Riverbend Golf Complex, and how to
initiate some recreation facilities planning with the public.
Watling stated that parks are aging and there isn't enough funds to correct all of the
shortcomings. He noted that the funding sources to address these issues are
dwindling and some things can't be continued in the future. He noted that the public
and the Council will be kept abreast of things that may or will be cut.
Councilmember Boyce discussed the failed levy and stated that the City needs to
communicate with the community early and often on those assets that may need to
be purged.
Watling continued and said there are a number of projects planned along the Green
River Corridor. He added that having a river/trail system is an opportunity in the
future, but prioritizing all of the different ideas is key.
Kent City Council Workshop Minutes February 18, 2014
Council President Ralph stated that having a unified front as a city between Parks and
Public Works is very important.
Watling said that dealing with the core Riverbend Golf Complex problem is difficult
and that there is a meeting on March 4.
Councilmember Berrios noted the importance of ensuring something gets done
instead of letting another 20 years go by.
Watling continued and said initiating some recreation facilities planning discussions
with the public needs to occur. He added that there are facillities that have served a
wonderful life and within 5 years some decisions need to be made on some aging
facilities. He discussed changes in the City such as a growth in population and the fact
that the YMCA has interest in having a center in Kent. Another question, he said, is
what the Kent vision for the recreation facilities will be.
Council President Ralph noted that there are some great things going on in Kent and
the issue is how to keep that momentum going when the facillities are aging.
Councilmember Boyce confirmed that there is still a shared-use agreement in place
between the school district and the City.
Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director discussed his top issues. The first issue he
discussed was levee accreditation. He discussed the funding statuses thusfar. He
noted that the reach north of James Street is awaiting funds from the King County
Flood Control District and they should be released in the spring. He noted that
obtaining full accreditation for the full 12 miles will require working with the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). He added that they are
also working with the railroad.
Council President Ralph inquired if the Systemwide Improvement Framework (SWIF)
work will have any impact on the levee accreditation or is it a separate process.
LaPorte replied that the SWIF process is separate of the accreditation. He noted that
SWIF looks at the entire system, not just the levees. He added that the King County
Council has acknowledged the City's accreditation process and that the total amount
is about $70 millon and the City has spent about $40 to $50 million.
LaPorte discussed the next item on his list, water system sustainability. He discussed
the replacement of the Guiberson Reservoir and the construction of a pressure zone.
He noted the key endeavors for 2014 are to pursue more water customers and review
the City's rate structure, preparing for a system based on cost of service versus
consumption. He added that without larger customers, the City will need to raise
rates.
LaPorte discussed the sanitary sewer system sustainability. He noted that there have
been system backups and that Horeshoe Acres needs to be replaced. He stated that
two areas need to be totally replaced. He proposed basin charges to replace the pump
stations and system hookup fees for new sewer connections. He added that Kent is
the only City in the area that doesn't charge for new service.
2
Kent City Council Workshop Minutes February 18, 2014
LaPorte continued and discussed transportation system sustainability. He said the City
has 320 miles of streets, 200 miles of sidewalks, and 200 signals. Key endeavors, he
explained, are to implement B&O projects after Council approval, determine additional
funding sources for deteriorated streets and possibly set up a franchise fee on the
solid waste utility. He discussed developing a comprehensive policy regarding street
trees in conjunction with road and sidewalk rehabilitation. Initial areas to address, he
stated, would be James Street (hill), West Meeker Street, North Central Avenue, and
South Central Avenue.
Brubaker summarized about the city's debt and staffing needs. He stated that the City
has more needs than revenues. He said that within three to four years things should
start looking better and it will be very difficult to address all of these needs.
B&O Proiect List - Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director discussed the B&O Project list.
He noted that staff needs direction in the winter to get going with the projects in the
spring. He stated that the remaining B&O funds are $5.8 million and if Council moves
forward with the proposed project there will be $4 million available to be used. He
stated that the list was shown to the Public Works Committee. He highlighted some of
the in-house projects that were done in 2013, such as West James Street, 4th Avenue
South, and 64th Avenue South. He reviewed the projects that staff has identified as
being able to be done in house this summer and communicated that sidewalk projects
equal about $75,000. Those projects would include upgrading wheelchair locations for
ADA requirements. He discussed asphalt replacements that are needed to be done on
E. Gowe Street on March 1 if the Council approves.
Councilmember Berrios inquired if the trees that have been removed and have caused
damage are going to be replaced.
Brubaker confirmed that the trees that were chosen were the issue and due diligence
will be done to have the right tree placed in the right location.
LaPorte communicated the list of sidewalk projects that were chosen by staff and
sidewalk work can be done year-round.
Councilmember Berrios confirmed that some of the sidewalk work would need to be
contracted out. However, if it is smaller work it could be done in house. LaPorte added
that the ADA work is done in-house.
LaPorte communicated that striping needs to be done every year through a contract
with King County and that the City is in the middle of replacing all of the signs with
the Federal standard.
LaPorte continued and discussed guardrails and added that they also need to be paid
for or replaced due to accidents. He noted that they run about $20,000 per year.
Chad Bieren, Assistant Public Works Manager added that the $20,000 is a part of the
expenditure on the consent calendar today.
3
Kent City Council Workshop Minutes February 18, 2014
Councilmember Boyce discussed the temporary sign workers and inquired if kids can
do the work during the summer months and LaPorte communicated that they had to
be 18 years or older.
LaPorte noted that there are 16 street lights on Benson that aren't connected to the
City's system, because during the Panther Lake annexation they weren't released by
King County. Additionally, the inclusion of the interconnection system and cameras on
Canyon Drive would be a significant improvement to the system. He added that it
would be a backbone to a future system allowing people to see Kent traffic online. He
noted that the cost of this would be $100,000 and having a UPS backup system to the
signal lights would be $75,000. The loops need to be maintained because they fall
apart when the sidewalks fail, he said. He discussed the Neighborhood Traffic Calming
Progam, traffic studies, speed humps, and traffic circles.
Councilmember Berrios discussed the striping and verified that $200,000 is for
striping and reflectorization of streets in the City. He added that there was striping
done in September 2013.
Councilmember Boyce communicated that this is a very good list and communicating
this to businesses and showing them where their funds are being used is good.
Councilmember Ranniger communicated that she felt the list was balanced and
doesn't want to recommend cutting an entire area, like removing all sidewalks or any
geographical area of projects.
LaPorte explained that the worst area is North Central Avenue from Smith to James
Streets. Thompson added that that area is slated to be reconstructed.
Clarification came from Chad Bieren, City Engineer that the southern section of North
Central Avenue was worked on by the state.
Councilmember Berrios agreed with Ranniger and said the critical sections need to be
looked at and that the business community believes the streets only will be repaired,
not sidewalks, etc. He said the City needs to be clear on their communication in the
future.
LaPorte communicated that a plan for tree replacement will need to be brought to the
Parks and Human Services Committee and these projects need to be done all at once.
He also stated that a plan for determining what trees will be replaced with concrete
will need to be developed.
LaPorte communicated that Councilmember Higgins wanted the Council to add
guardrail to this list.
Council President Ralph inquired if a wood guardrail could be used instead of metal
and verified that a part of the analysis will be what materials should be used.
Brubaker suggested, that LaPorte and his group review the numbers and bring them
back to the Council.
4
Kent City Council Workshop Minutes February 18, 2014
LaPorte confirmed with Councilmember Berrios that none of the projects include
concrete, however, there are very good candidates for it. He stated that a new
asphalt street is only good for 12 years.
Brubaker suggested a discussion at the retreat on what to be done on this.
Council President Ralph communicated that either the City needs to fully rebuild North
Central Avenue or provide a temporary fix
Councilmember Berrios confirmed that LaPorte would come back with a suggestion for
North Central Avenue from James to Smith. Furthermore, he wants to know what the
B&O fund estimates are in the future.
Brubaker repled that in a good year $5.5 million per year will be derived from the
B&O tax.
Council President Ralph added that there is a possiblility of $3.1 million coming from
the proposed King County Transportation Benefit District.
Mayor Cooke pointed out that the $300,000 set aside for the auditors isn't sufficient
and the staff costs for the administration will be more. Mayor Cooke communicated
that the correct amount won't be determined until it goes to the Committee.
Brubaker communicated that in 2013 the $300,000 was underspent, but in Customer
Service they are having to respond to a quantity of phone calls and getting the B&O
system running properly has turned into a heavy burden for Robert Goerhering, the
head auditor.
The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Ronald F. Moore, MMC
City Clerk
5
Proposed Utilization of B&O Funds for 2014
Updated February 18,2014
Funding
Available funds 1/1/2014 $2.3m
Anticipated revenue thru 9/30/2014 $3.5m
Total $5.8m
Obligations
SE 2561h St Improvements $1.8m
Available Funds $4m
Street See list of streets"in house")
Asphalt Overlay Materials $315,000
Grinding Service (Contract) $80,000
Crack Sealing Materials $15,000
Crack Sealing(Contract) $120,000
Subtotal (in house materials): $530,000
Sidewalk Replacement Materials $75,000
(includes 5 to 6 wheelchair ramps)
Annual Line-Striping/RPM $200,000
(King County contract)
Retro-Reflective Sign Replacement $100,000
(Materials only)
Thermo-plastic Markings (Contract) $500,000
Guardrail Repairs (Contract) $20,000
Sidewalk Replacement Program (Contract) $500,000
Temporary Personnel $92,000
Subtotal (contract): $1,487,000
Street Total $2,017,000
Traffic Signals and Streetlights
Communication to Panther Lake area signals $100,000
Traffic Control Inter-connect and cameras $100,000 (500-750K needed)
Deployment of(10 UPS) cabinets $75,000 (400K needed)
(battery backup power supply)
Replacement of UPS batteries $15,000
Detector Loop Replacements $30,000
Streetlight Pole Replacement $35,000
Intersection Signalization Components $60,000 (120K needed)
Street Light Repair $150,000
Traffic Signal Total $565,000
2014 Streets Overlay—by Bid (Contractor)
North Central (Smith St.to 228th St.) $2,600,000
Total Street Overlays(Contractor) $2,600,000
Neighborhood Traffic Control Program (NTCP)
100th Ave. SE between SE 208th St. &SE 216th St.
42"d Ave. S. between S. 250"St. & S. 253`d St.
SE 223rd/SE 224th St. between 116th Ave. SE & 132"d Ave. SE
Future NTCP projects
Total NTCP $500,000
Total $5,682,000
Project List of Proposed Utilization of B&O Funds for 2014
Concrete Street Repair(In-house work)
• Gowe Street including Sidewalk—replace panels and sidewalk
• Military Road (243 d to 247th St.)—replace panels
Asphalt Streets Overlay(In-house work) ($530K for materials)
• 2601h St. from Pacific Highway S. east 500'
• 228th west of 64th Ave.
• 200th St. between 80th Ave. and 84th Ave.
• 76th Ave. from 212th St. south to Pozzi Brothers
• 6th Ave. N. at S. 228th St. (south side of intersection only)
• 208th St. 600' of westbound lanes just east of intersection on the Benson
• 260th St. each side of 104th Ave. 1 block east and west
Speed Cushions for the NW Industrial Area ($75,000)
Speed cushions to discourage illegal street racing in the valley industrial area.
13-total speed cushions
62"d Ave. S., 64th Ave. S., 66th Ave. S. 59th PI. S., 54th Ave. S.
Sidewalks(in-house work) ($75K for materials)
• 64th Ave. from 220th St. to James St., lifted or broken sections only
• East Valley Highway from 190th St. to 212th St., lifted or broken sections only
• Gowe St. from Central Ave.to Kennebeck both sides, lifted or broken sections only
New_CitVwide Guardrail Analysis and Install (contract) ($100K)
Safe Routes to Schools Grants"
No money allocated until 2015, and no match is required, but projects are given priority when matches
are provided. The projects include:
1) Meridian Elementary Signal—SE 256th Street and 140th Ave. SE ($433,000)
2) Neely-O'Brien Elementary Signal—64th Ave. S. and SE 2361h Street ($350,000)
3) Daniel Elementary—vehicle pedestrian conflict improvements. ($100,000)
Future Streets Overlay—by Bid (Contractor)
S. Central from Green River to Willis St. (asphalt) $4 million (NIC sidewalk)
212th St./72"d Ave. Intersection (concrete) $1.3± million
East Valley Highway from 212th to 196th (asphalt) $4 million
East Valley Highway from 196th to 180th (asphalt) $4 million
212th St. East Valley Highway to SR 167 $1.0 million
801h Ave. S.from 196th to 188th (asphalt) $1.5 million
S. 192nd St. from cul-de-sac to East Valley Highway (asphalt) $1.1 million
S. 194th St.from cul-de-sac to East Valley Highway (asphalt) $1.2 million
S. 1961h St. from Green River to 72"d Ave. S. (asphalt) $4.5 million
S. 234th St. from West Valley Highway to cul-de-sac (asphalt) $400K