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Home My WebLink AboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 05/21/2019 Approved City Council Workshop Workshop Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2019 Date: May 21, 2019 Time: 5:00 p.m. Place: Chambers I. PRESENTATIONS 1. Rapid Ride April Delchamps, Senior Transportation Planner, Hannah McIntosh, RapidRide Program Director, and Greg McKnight, RapidRide I Line Project Manager, provided an overview of the program. RapidRide is a robust arterial bus rapid transit service that is the "Best of Metro," has high quality service and facilities, employs state of the art innovations, travels natural transportation corridors, and has the highest level of speed and reliability investments among metro services. McKnight advised they are working on the planning stages of RapidRide I Line connecting Renton, Kent, and Auburn. Currently there are 6,000 daily riders on routes 169 and 180. Metro expects to invest $120 million in capital investments that will include station amenities, new transit lanes, new sidewalks and new bike lanes. King County is applying for FTA Small Starts Funding in 2020. Preliminary design in 2019-2020, final design and construction 2021 - 2023 and service is expected to start in September 2023. The I line will run parallel to the Federal Way link extension. They are hoping to obtain half of the required funding from FTA grants. McIntosh provided details on the grant process. Renton-Auburn-Kent Area Mobility Plan Improve mobility for historically under served populations. Re-balance service to increase network efficiency and invest in priority areas. Integrate RapidRide, fixed-route transit, dial-a-ride transit, and flexible mobility services. Schedule for Renton-Kent-Auburn Area Mobility Plan · Now - Fall 2019 - Outreach and Plan Development · Fall 2019 - Spring 2020 - Service Change Ordinance Development · Summer 2020 - Service Change Education · Sept. 2020 -Service Change Begins City Council Workshop Workshop Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2019 Kent, Washington Page 2 of 4 Community Engagement · Metro is building overall awareness of the expansion program. They are explaining to the community the value of their participation and are listening to learn about and understand community needs and priorities along the corridor. · Phase 1 - Needs Assessment (February - May) · Phase 2 - Concept Development (May-July) · Phase 3 - Final Plan (September) Key Questions that will be addressed: 1. Where do community members go or where would you like to use transit in the Renton-Kent-Auburn areas? 2. What are the current barriers to accessing transit in the Renton-Kent-Auburn area? 3. What transit area improvements would encourage people to use transit more frequently? Currently assessing: · Public engagement process around Metro network needs · Coordinating internally with other projects in Kent · Capital investments for RapidRide Service · I Line pathway - James or SR 516 (Canyon) Upcoming activities · Convening Mobility Board and Advisory Board · Attending community events over the summer · Planning community briefings and partnerships · Ongoing coordination and planning with agency staff. Metro-Kent Partnership · Mobility plan recommendation o Potential decision or action Q4 2019 · RapidRide I line locally preferred alternative o FTA Small Starts application requirement o Capital Investments within Kent o Potential Decision or action Q4 2019 - Q1 2020 · Funding partnership o Kent applied for and received an $8 million grant for this project Next Steps include: · Developing recommendations based on feedback from Mobility Board, Advisory Board, and Kent city staff · Return to Kent City Council on July 16 to report on progress City Council Workshop Workshop Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2019 Kent, Washington Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Higgins requested King County partner with the City when it comes to improvements to infrastructure and connectivity at the stations and to consider expanding service on the North end of the East Hill so that a rider would only need to ride two buses to get to downtown Seattle. 2. Communications Update Dana Neuts, Communications Manager gave a brief overview of the Communications Update that includes the mission, roles, tools and impact, and what’s next. The Communications Mission is to engage residents and businesses through genuine, inclusive two-way communication, represent the City professionally in all we do - meetings, public outreach, social media posts, marketing collateral, legislative and media relationships, resident and business communications and position Kent as a leader, a City to emulate, and one to be noticed, regionally and nationally. Neuts reviewed the roles of the Communications Manager, Neighborhood Program Coordinator, and Community Engagement Coordinator. Neuts indicated that Multimedia is a separate department, but critical to communications for consistent branding and messaging. Communications is a 24/7 job. The team rotates covering issues as they arise. Neuts reviewed the 2019 Legislative Agenda top 5 priorities achieved. Neuts expressed appreciation of Briahna Murray of Gordon Thomas Honeywell and the City’s legislators in 11th, 33rd, and 47th districts for supporting Kent. Neuts provided details and statistics on the use of social media tools: · Facebook and Twitter statistics · LinkedIn · Vimeo · YouTube · Instagram · Nextdoor Each social platform has a unique audience and reach, purpose, content, shelf-life, voice and frequency. The goal is to engage the community and meet them where they are. Neuts reviewed: · KentWA.gov/News City Council Workshop Workshop Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2019 Kent, Washington Page 4 of 4 · eConnect · Scene · Coffee & Conversation · Ask me Anything with Mayor Ralph · Kent Now videos The goal of the City’s Blog KentWA.gov/News, is to put all City news in one location for easy reference and to create a place for City to tell its own stories. What’s next? Neuts indicated her team will be: · Creating a strategic 2020 Communications Plan · Identifying ways to build communications capacity internally, including a hiring a communications intern for the summer · Refining governance, policies, best practices, standards and training for communications tools · Developing a community engagement checklist and standards internally and feedback loop/outward reporting mechanism externally Council expressed their appreciation of Neuts and her team and for growing the communications tools since she was hired as the Communications Manager. Council expressed a desire to have a written policy regarding posting and responding to content on the City’s social media tools. Council also suggested Neuts reach out to the Police Department to see if their best practices regarding their use of Facebook and Twitter might help increase followers on the City’s social media. Meeting ended at 6:36 p.m. Kimberley A. Komoto City Clerk Metro RapidRide I Line Kent City Council Workshop May 21, 2019 What is RapidRide? RapidRide is a robust arterial Bus Rapid Transit service that: •Is the “Best of Metro” •Has high quality service and facilities •Employs state -of-the-art innovations •Travels natural transportation corridors •Has the highest level of speed and reliability investments among Metro services RapidRide I Line: Renton, Kent & Auburn •Current routes 169 & 180 •6,000 Daily Riders •~$120M expected capital investment •Applying for FTA Small Starts Funding in 2020 Planning 2019 Preliminary Design 2019-2020 Final Design & Construction 2021-2023 Start Service Sept 2023 FTA Small Start Application Sept 2020 Renton-Kent -Auburn Area Mobility Plan •Improve mobility for historically underserved populations •Re -balance service to increase network efficiency and invest in priority areas •Integrate RapidRide, fixed-route transit, dial-a-ride transit, and flexible mobility services Outreach and Plan Development Now –Fall 2019 Service Change Ordinance Developed Fall 2019 –Spring 2020 Service Change Education Summer 2020 Service Change Begins Sept 2020 Community Engagement Phase 1: Needs Assessment February –May •Inform community members about the project and how to be involved •Collect feedback on current transit usage, needs, barriers to accessing transit and I Line alignment •Stakeholder interviews Phase 2: Concept Development May -July •Convene Mobility Board, composed of community members •Convene Advisory Board •Continue to collect feedback on barriers, needs, I Line alignment, and concepts •Meet the community where they’re at by attending summer community events Phase 3: Final Plan September •Present and collect input on final Mobility Plan and I Line alignment Phase I: Key Questions •Where do community members go, or where would you like to go, using transit in the Renton-Kent -Auburn area? •What are the current barriers to accessing transit in the Renton-Kent - Auburn Area? •What transit area improvements would encourage people to use transit more frequently? Currently Assessing: •Public engagement process around Metro network needs •Phase 1 (Needs Assessment) •Phase 2 (Concept Development) •Coordinating internally with other projects in Kent •Metro Community Connections Project in Kent Industrial Valley •Capital investments for RapidRide service •Existing conditions and data analysis •I Line pathway –Canyon vs James Upcoming Activities •Convening Mobility Board and Advisory Board •Attending summer community events •Planning community briefings and partnerships •Ongoing coordination and planning with agency staff •Interagency technical work session –May 29th Metro –Kent Partnership •Mobility Plan recommendations •Potential decision or action: Q4 2019 •RapidRide I Line Locally Preferred Alternative •FTA Small Starts application requirement •Capital investments within Kent •Potential decision or action: Q4 2019 –Q1 2020 •Funding partnership •2019 WSDOT Regional Mobility Grant Next Steps •Develop recommendations based on feedback from Mobility Board, Advisory Board, and Kent city staff •Return to Kent City Council on July 16 to report on progress Natalie Westberg Renton-Kent-Auburn Area Mobility Plan Project Manager (206) 263-5713 nwestberg@kingcounty.gov Robyn Austin Communications and Engagement Manager (206)263-0694 raustin@kingcounty.gov Greg McKnight RapidRide I Line Project Manager (206) 477-0344 gmcknight@kingcounty.gov Questions? Hannah McIntosh RapidRide Program Director (206) 263-9104 hmcintosh@kingcounty.gov Find more information and stay up to date: kingcounty.gov/metro/iline S RentonP&R S o u n d e r C o m m u t e r R a i l AuburnStation KentStation BurienTransitCenter RentonTransitCenter Canyon Dr SE A L G O N A AU B U R N B U R I E N D E SMOINE S F E D E R A LWAY K E N T NO R M AN DYPARK PA C I F I C R E N TO N SE ATA C T U KW I L A S 200th St SR 169 Interurban Ave S SE 240th St Orillia Rd S W M e e k e r S t 1st Ave S 108th Ave SE SR 164 S 277th St 68th Ave S 140th Ave SE Oakesdale Ave SW M ili t a r y R d S 17th Ave SE S 212th St SE 208th St SW 320th St SW 43rd St Auburn Way N S W G r a d y W a y SR 99 S 196th St 132nd Ave SE S 188th St S E P e t r o v i t s k y R d The use of the information in this map is subject to the terms and conditions found at:www.kingcounty.gov/services/gis/Maps/terms-of-use.aspx. Youraccess and use is conditioned on your acceptance of these terms and conditions. 0 0.5 1 Miles April 4, 2019 Transit center Permanent Park&Ride Route 169 Route 180 RapidRide I-Linerepresentative alignment Sounder rail and station RapidRide I-Linerouting options CF: G:\Major Projects\Renton_Kent_Auburn_Area_Mobility_Plan\Maps\MXD\RKAMP_169_180_ILine.mxd TukwilaStation AngleLakeStation Airport/SeaTacStation SE 240th St 108th Ave SE 124th Ave SE 15th St SW S 288th St 164 166 168 180 180 181 181 906 910 916 952 952 157 157 157 158 158 159 159 190 192 913 150 169 169 913 KENT STATION 166 914 158 913 180 169 180166 BURIEN TC 164 183 153 952 159 168 150916 153 153 186 186 915 915 105RENTON TC 148 908 169 153105 AUBURNSTATION 180 181 917 910 186 915 497 A LG O N A AUBU RN BL AC KDIAMOND BUR I EN COV I NGT ON DE SMOINES EN U MC L A W FEDER ALWAY KE N T M ILTO N MAP L EVALLEY NO R MAN DYPARK PAC I FI C RE NTO N SE ATAC TU K WI L A TukwilaInternationalBlvd Station S 272nd St S 188th St 68th Ave SW 21st Ave SW SE 272nd StS 277th St 68th Ave S 140th Ave SE SW 356th St Kent Black Diamond Rd SE S 212th St SE 208th St NE 4th St1st Ave S SW 320th St SW 43rd St SE 128th St 16th Ave SW 132nd Ave SESR 99 S R 1 6 4 SR 169 908 914 917 148 164 164 183 906 150 168 166 952 180 0 1 2 Miles R e n t o n -Ke n t -A u b u r n M o b i l i t y P l a n E x i s t i n g C o n d i t i o n s : C u r r e n t S e r v i c e Study Area Routes *Frequent routes run at least every 15 minutes all day January 30, 2019The use of the information in this map is subject to the terms and conditions found at:www.kingcounty.gov/services/gis/Maps/terms-of-use.aspx.Your access and use is conditioned on your acceptance of these terms and conditions. Study Area Rou tes:105, 148, 150, 153, 157, 158, 159, 164, 166,168, 169, 180, 181, 183, 186, 190, 192, 906,908, 910, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 952Pierce Transit route 497 Other current routes (RT numbers not shown) CF: G:\Major Projects\Renton_to_Auburn_Mobility_Plan\Maps\MXD\RKAMP_studyarea. All day routesRt#Transit Center (TC)Permanent Park&Ride Route deviation areaPeak only routes Pierce Transit RT 497 Rt#Community Ride Area Rt#Frequent routes*Link light rail and station Sounder railand station Communications Update May 21, 2019 Overview •Mission •Roles o Communications Manager o Neighborhood Program Coordinator o Community Engagement Coordinator o Multimedia/IT •Tools and impact •What’s next? Mission Engage: Engage residents and businesses through genuine, inclusive two-way communication. Represent: Represent the City professionally in all we do – meetings, public outreach, social media posts, marketing collateral, legislative and media relationships, resident and business communications. Position: Position Kent as a leader, a City to emulate, and one to be noticed, regionally and nationally. Communications Team Roles •Communications Manager –Dana Neuts (Admin) o Internal and external communications o Communications strategy and oversight o Standardization of messaging and branding o Government relations o Media relations o Lead communications & social media meetings o Lead Vision Team and Website Work Group Roles •Neighborhood Program Coordinator –Toni Azzola (Admin) o Connecting neighborhoods with City government o Encouraging neighbors to work together o Day-to-day support of residents in neighborhood program o Matching grant program o Event mini-grant program o Leadership training, workshops and events o Support Communications as a whole –social media, public outreach, project management, etc. Roles •Community Engagement Coordinator –Uriel Varela (Admin) o Serve as liaison to residents of varying backgrounds with a focus on inclusive two-way communication o Support the Cultural Communities Board o Serve on regional committees that serve Kent residents and businesses o Support City staff with community engagement, outreach, cultural sensitivity, training, etc. o Support Communications as a whole –social media, public outreach, media relations, strategic planning, etc. Roles •Multimedia (IT) o Manager: Patti Belle, Josh Gonzalez, Mark Ciavarella, Edgar Riebe, Steve Vaught and Kyle Bowmer o Separate dept. but critical for consistent branding and messaging o Video, photography, graphics, animation o Marketing collateral and printing services o Brainstorming and support –we couldn’t do what we do without them! 2019 Legislative Agenda Top 5 priorities achieved 1.SST mitigation continued through next biennium 2.Pilot program to address street racing approved 3.$1.5 million for phase 2 of 224th 4.$1.0 million for Mill Creek flood stabilization project 5.Early delivery of Puget Sound Gateway Project 2019 Legislative Agenda Thank you to Briahna Murray of Gordon Thomas Honeywell and our legislators in 11th, 33rd and 47th districts for supporting Kent! Tools •Social media o Facebook o Twitter o LinkedIn o Vimeo o YouTube o Instagram (new) o Nextdoor (new) Facebook •Facebook o Facebook.com/CityofKent o Nov. 1, 2017: 5,032 followers o May 20, 2019: 8,640 followers o 71.7% increase Facebook •Key communications tool o Daily posts by Communications and other depts. o Kent Now videos o Drive Kent alerts o City events o Snowmaggedon Road closures, school closures, weather updates, resident photos Twitter •Twitter o Nov. 1, 2017: 3,270 followers o May 20, 2019: 5,544 followers o 69.5% increase Twitter •Drive Kent alerts •Event reminders •Retweets and mentions from other agencies (e.g., Puget Sound Fire, RASKC, King County) •Traffic and weather •Customer service LinkedIn •May 17, 2019: 1,796 followers •Primarily business news •Could be used for job postings Vimeo •Vimeo.com/KentTV21 –610 videos o Kent Now o Committee meetings o Event coverage o Department and community highlights YouTube •YouTube.com/KentTV21 o 177 subscribers o Live stream Council and Committee meetings o Event highlights o Kent history o Resident profiles Instagram •Instagram.com/cityofkent o Started 12/19/17 o 952 followers o Fun visuals o Short videos o Candid shots at events o Insta stories o Light-hearted tone, hashtags Nextdoor •Nextdoor o Started account 7/23/18 o 8/1/18: 8,781 members on Nextdoor from 107 neighborhoods o 5/13/18: 11,571 members on Nextdoor from 110 neighborhoods, est. 26% of 34,943 Kent households Social Summary •Each social platform has a unique: •Audience and reach •Purpose •Content •Shelf-life •Voice •Frequency •Goal is to engage community and to meet them where they are. Tools •Blog (new) •eConnect (new) •Mayor’s weekly newsletter (new) •Scene (new format) •Permit Center (new) •Severe Weather Shelter (new) •Coffee & Conversation (new) •Ask Me Anything with Mayor Ralph (new) •Kent Now (new) City of Kent Blog •KentWA.gov/News o Goals: to put all City news in one location for easy reference and to create a place for City to tell its own stories o Changed format of previous news release page o New page includes: Blog posts Public notices News releases eConnect eConnect •Email bulletins on topics of interest to residents and businesses •Benefits o One system for easy use, training, branding and support o Metrics o Opt-in -list is managed by email recipients o GovDelivery network •Sign up at KentWA.gov/eConnect eConnect Topics •Drive Kent alerts (1,395 subscribers) •Mayor (890) •Scene newsletter (6,421) •Severe Weather Shelter (337) •Permit Center (1,908) and RHIP (338) •Budget updates (311) •Apollo Lunar Rover* (341) •Parks & Recreation (50) and A&E* (534) •News releases* (1,228) *Not currently in use Scene •New design –more visual, cleaner look, less text •Highlight 5 top items and 3 more at the bottom •1-2 lines of text and link to KentWA.gov, calendar, blog or social media post •Process change •Many tools to promote news, events and information in addition to Scene Coffee & Conversation •Coffee & Conversation o Bimonthly o Rotate among East Hill, West Hill and Valley o Mornings, afternoons, evenings and Saturdays o 6 two-hour events since June 2018 o Average 20-30 residents per session o Round table discussion o Follow-up and feedback from staff afterward o Next event: June 5, 2-4 p.m., Cutters Point on Pac. Hwy. Kent Now •Kent Now •Started in July 2018 •29 videos to date •Very popular •Post to Facebook and share to other platforms •#WeAreKent, city goals, winter storm prep, legislative session, 2018 lookback, when to call 911, vote Ask Me Anything •“Ask Me Anything” –Facebook only event o Bimonthly (months w/o Coffee & Conversation) o One-hour “event” on Facebook event page o Answer questions live during that hour o Good resident engagement o Usually someone from PD helps answer questions What’s Next •Create strategic 2020 communications plan •Identify ways to build communications capacity internally, including hiring a communications intern for the summer •Refine (and develop, where needed) governance, policies, best practices, standards and training for communications tools •Develop community engagement checklist and standards internally and feedback loop/outward reporting mechanism externally