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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works Committee - 08/20/2018 Page 1 of 4 Approved Public Works Committee CC PW Regular Meeting Minutes August 20, 2018 Date: August 20, 2018 Time: 4:00 PM Place: Chambers East Attending: Dennis Higgins, Chair Brenda Fincher, Councilmember Toni Troutner, Councilmember Agenda: 1. Call to Order 4:02 PM 2. Roll Call Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Dennis Higgins Chair Present Brenda Fincher Councilmember Present Toni Troutner Councilmember Present 3. Changes to the Agenda No Changes 4. Approval of Minutes dated August 6, 2018 MOTION: Move to approve the Minutes dated August 6, 2018 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Toni Troutner, Councilmember SECONDER: Brenda Fincher, Councilmember AYES: Higgins, Fincher, Troutner 5. Info Only/King County Solid Waste Pat McLaughlin, Director of King County Solid Waste Division provided an update on planning for improvements to the Cedar Hills Landfill. The focus is on the comprehensive plan which is a critical policy document for our regional solid waste system for the next 6 to 20 years. The focus is on three areas; disposal, transfer services and recycling. Garbage and recyclables are driven by the economy and population growth. Consumption is currently at 2,800 tons of garbage per day and in 10 years it is estimated to grow to 5,000 tons per day. Per this estimated growth, Cedar Hill Landfill is projected to reach capacity in 2028 and there are three choices in moving forward; build new capacity to maximize Cedar Hills’ life, export waste via rail or build a waste to energy facility. The potential risks for each one is as follows; one, there would be a SEPA process and Public Works Committee CC PW Regular Meeting Minutes August 20, 2018 Kent, Washington Page 2 of 4 permitting for the Cedar Hills build out, two, export risks are due to the capacity of the rails and costs associated, and three, waste to energy facility would come from citing and sizing of the plant. Currently, Cedar Hills is the best option and allows for the two other options to remain open. Cedar Hills expansion would have the lowest impact on rates; most favorable air emissions, manages waste locally and has the lowest risk. CM Higgins inquired how much time the Cedar Hills expansion would give, and Mr. McLaughlin replied that it is estimated to last to 2040 and possibly longer. It was also noted that the City would not be in favor of the rail option. Mr. McLaughlin went on to talk about plans to rebuild the Algona transfer station and potential plans to rebuild build a new transfer station in north King County. He also spoke about recycling and changes in recycling. Since the early 1990’s the recycling rate went from 19% to 54% in King County, which brings recycling to over one million tons. When King County began to allow co-mingled bins, the recycling rates doubled. King County has launched a task force to research ways to continue to improve common policies between cities and how to encourage people to recycle. The largest impact to reduce recycled contamination is to remember three words; Empty, Clean and Dry. There is a total of 37 partnering Cities and if this comprehensive plan is adopted, the City of Kent would adopt in early 2019. Mr. McLaughlin requested the City write a letter of endorsement for the plan. 6. Goods & Services Agreement with RailPros Field Services, Inc. for 228th Street Grade Separation Project - Recommend Mark Madfai, Engineering Supervisor and Susanne Smith, Project Engineer II spoke about the Good and Services Agreement with RailPros regarding the construction of the S. 228th Street Union Pacific Railroad Grade Separation project. This project would require railroad flagging to ensure railroad traffic is not impeded by construction. Railpros Field Services, Inc. is the only company authorized by the Union Pacific Railroad to conduct flagging operations on UP tracks. They will provide the railroad flagging during construction of the bridge and related infrastructure. RailPros have the ability to be in constant communication with the train engineers and would have the authority to stop the trains if necessary. The contract would be in effect for the remainder of the project and is estimated for 200, eight-hour days. If we do not use all the days and hours, we will not have to pay the full amount. MOTION: Move to recommend Council authorize the Mayor to sign a Goods & Services Agreement with Railpros Field Services, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $190,000.00, for the purpose of railroad Public Works Committee CC PW Regular Meeting Minutes August 20, 2018 Kent, Washington Page 3 of 4 flagging, subject to final terms and conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Brenda Fincher, Councilmember SECONDER: Toni Troutner, Councilmember AYES: Higgins, Fincher, Troutner 7. Sewer Ordinance Change Tim LaPorte, P.E. and Christina Schuck, City Attorney noted that in 2017 the State Auditor’s office recommended a change to our existing sewer code provisions in chapter 7.04 of the Kent City Code. The city has a long- established practice of not requiring homeowners to connect to sewers unless requested by the Health Department or unless the residence was in a Local Improvement District (LID) established to provide sewer service. There are a few residential areas on the West and East Hills of Kent that are served with septic systems, possibly numbering two to three hundred homes. Unless a septic system is failing, redevelopment occurs or for some other health related reason, the city has continued to allow these residences to remain on their individual septic systems. The septic systems would need to be kept in good working order. Connecting to the public sewer system can easily cost a homeowner $20,000 to $30,000 due to the excavation costs. Generally, it is more economical for a group of homes in a neighborhood to participate in a LID to accomplish this rather than an individual owner. The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that the Director has the authority to implement policies and procedures relating to the enforcement of this chapter, including the connection requirement. The imposition of the monetary penalty has been made discretionary (not mandatory) and the authority of enforcement beyond particular situations was broadened. MOTION: Recommend Council adopt an ordinance that amends various sections within chapter 7.04 to clarify the Director’s authority to implement policies and procedures relating to the enforcement of the sewer connection requirement and to make the imposition of monetary penalties discretionary. RESULT: RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Toni Troutner, Councilmember SECONDER: Brenda Fincher, Councilmember AYES: Higgins, Fincher, Troutner 8. Info Only/GeoPortal GIS Public Access - Update Catherine Crook, GIS Supervisor, Heath Brackett, GIS Analyst III and Dana Public Works Committee CC PW Regular Meeting Minutes August 20, 2018 Kent, Washington Page 4 of 4 Son, GIS Analyst I, noted that the GIS group has developed and made available to the public the Kent GeoPortal on the city’s website. The GeoPortal is the new public platform for exploring, displaying, and downloading location-based data. The GeoPortal will bring together data, geographical information along with surveys and various engagement applications in one place where it can be accessed and utilized by residents and the general public. This site will be maintained and updated by staff. The portal has been active for 1.5 weeks and had already had over 1,500 hits. GIS staff will work with all departments to determine their needs to the GeoPortal. 9. Info Only/Quiet Zone Update Chad Bieren, Deputy Public Works Director / City Engineer gave an update on the status of the Quiet Zone. 10. Adjournment 5:17 PM Cheryl Viseth Committee Secretary