HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works Committee - 05/15/2017
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE May 15, 2017
Minutes City of Kent, WA
Summary Minutes
Date: May 15, 12017
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: Chambers East
1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m., by Committee member
Dana Ralph.
2. Roll Call: Committee members Dana Ralph and Brenda Fincher were present.
Absent: Committee Chair, Dennis Higgins was absent.
3. Changes to the Agenda: Addition of Item 6A which was a report on the lightning
damage.
4. Approval of Minutes, Dated May 1, 2017
Committee member Fincher MOVED to approve the Minutes of May 15, 2017. The
motion was SECONDED by Committee member Ralph and PASSED 2-0.
5. Highway Safety Improvement Program Grant - Recommend:
Kelly Peterson, AICP Transportation Engineering Manager noted that the Washington State
Department of Transportation awarded the City of Kent a Highway Safety Improvement
Program grant in the amount of the $869,153.51. The City of Kent applied for this grant to
improve safety in the Kent Valley with the installation of flashing yellow arrows, fiber optic
communications, traffic signal cabinets and traffic cameras in the north part of the Kent
valley. This project will include new controllers at 20 intersections, flashing yellow arrows at
14 intersections and traffic cameras at 5 intersections.
This project will continue to improve safety through the use of an updated traffic signal
system. Similar work was partially funded by a previous Highway Safety Improvement
Program grant. Councilmember Fincher applauded staff on obtaining the grants.
Committee member Fincher MOVED to recommend the Council authorize the Mayor
to sign the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Safety
Improvement Program grant in the amount of $869,153.51 subject to terms and
conditions acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director and was
SECONDED by Committee member Ralph. The Motion PASSED 2-0.
6. Puget Sound Regional Council Preservation (PSRC) Grant – Acceptance
Kelly Peterson, AICP Transportation Engineering Manager in 2016, the City of Kent applied to
the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) for a Federal Highway Administration Preservation
Grant for East Valley Highway (S. 180th St. to S. 196th St.). The City was offered the grant
through the PSRC. Sidewalk sections curb ramps and pedestrian signals will be upgraded as
required to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Committee member Ralph inquired about the rough intersection at 192nd. Kelly Peterson
responded that it’s a private crossing owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and is
their responsibility to maintain. Committee member Fincher inquired about the near misses
on 80th Avenue, Bieren responded stating Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) is to follow their own
safety standards.
Peterson stated that the estimated cost of the project is $3,000,000. B&O funds are being
leveraged for matching funds to complete the project and have been approved by the City
Council in the existing budget.
Committee Member Fincher MOVED to recommend the Council accept the Puget
Sound Regional Council Preservation Grant for East Valley Highway (S. 180th Street
to S. 196th St.) in the amount of $1,500,000 subject to terms and conditions
acceptable to the City Attorney and Public Works Director and was SECONDED by
Committee Member Ralph. The Motion PASSED 2-0.
6A. Info Only - Lightning Damage Report
Kelly Peterson, AICP Transportation Engineering Manager noted that the lightning storm on
Thursday, May 4 caused damage to our traffic signal system. The storm started before 4 pm
and continued into the early morning hours. Peterson noted that there were over 2,500
lightning strikes in Western WA; 200 of which were reported in Kent. 108th and Kent
Kangley, Military and Veterans and Titus signals were all hit 3 times. Traffic Signal crews
worked their shift and continued into the night and wrapped up around 6am. There were
$40K in repairs; this includes staff time which will come out of the emergency fund. LaPorte
noted that this event was equal in cost to a three day snow event. Committee member Ralph
was grateful for all the work from staff.
7. Complete Streets Amendments – Conduit and Trees
Hayley Bonsteel, Senior Long-Range Planner stated that this item went to the Land Use and
Planning Board on May 8th, 2017. Mel Roberts with Kent Bicycle Advisory Board made some
comments that he would like to have incorporated. Committee member Ralph asked if staff
accepted the comments and Bonsteel replied yes. Committee member Fincher recommended
adding them. Bonsteel provided an updated amendment with the changes.
Committee member Fincher MOVED recommend Council approve proposed
amendments to the Kent City Code, related to Complete Streets, as presented by
staff and recommended by the Land Use and Planning Board and was SECONDED by
Committee member Ralph. The motion passed 2 - 0.
8. Information Only/Solid Waste Update/Team Up 2 Clean Up Summary/
Recycling Event – June 3, Kent Phoenix Academy
City Maintenance Workers, Kelli Jordan, Jake Watson and Ted Stanton spoke about the status
of the work done so far this year.
Current stats:
33 Tons of garbage have been picked up and the metals pulled out for recycling.
122 Gallons of paint used so far in covering graffiti.
2,625 Illegal signs have been removed.
Councilmember Ralph said she was grateful for all the work they do.
Gina Hungerford, Conservation Coordinator provided a brief summary of the May 13
“TeamUp2CleanUp” event, 40 people attended including Cub Scout Pack 437. Councilmember
Ralph said that it was a great event. Hungerford invited residents to the Summer Recycling
Event the City is hosting at the Kent Phoenix Academy parking lot, 9am-3pm on June 3rd.
Hungerford also discussed the Green Challenge letters that were sent to 10 apartment
complexes that do not currently recycle. So far, 350 bags gave been sent out.
Councilmember Ralph is excited to see this focus.
9. Information Only – 2017 National Public Works Week Event
Josh Evans, Maintenance Worker 3 and Joe Craft, Maintenance Worker 2 spoke about Public
Works Week. The Event is on May 25 and is a free, open-to-the-public event from 10 a.m. –
5:30 p.m. at the ShoWare Center. The hours have been extended this year, in hopes that
more people will attend.
Councilmember Fincher said she’s glad that the hours have been extended; people have no
idea how much Public Works does, and how it affects our daily lives. Councilmember Ralph is
excited for people to learn about potential work paths.
10. Information Only/LID 363: S 224th St. Improvements 84th Ave S to 88th Ave S
– Funding
Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director and Carla Maloney, Design Engineering Manager noted
that the project cost came in higher than anticipated. Thankfully, the Transportation
Improvement Board (TIB) agreed today to an additional .75 million dollars, bringing its
contribution to $5.75 million. The low bidder for this project is SB Structures. LaPorte plans
to send this to Council on June 6, for award.
Cost figures for this proposed transportation project are being reviewed by staff. Information
will be presented on the need for the project, as well as cost vs. benefit and potential funding
sources. Included will be the results of our recent bid for the bridge over SR 167. The
purpose for this discussion item is to keep the Council informed on this matter.
11. Information Only/Burlington Northern Railroad Sound Wall
Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director and Carla Maloney, Design Engineering Manager noted a
proposal was examined for a Sound Wall along the Burlington Northern Railway from SR 167
to James Street. The costs for this project are high because of the soils in the area; due to
the shafts that would be needed for a wall. Councilmember Ralph commented that it is cost
prohibitive in regards to the height needed and the potential effects on sound dynamics to
East Hill Residents. LaPorte recommends not proceeding, and the committee members
concurred.
12. Information Only/Quiet Zone Update
Chad Bieren, Deputy Public Works Director / City Engineer, presented information regarding
the Quiet Zone the Union Pacific has gone through another downsizing and he hopes to have
an update on this by the end of the month.
Adjournment
At 5:12 p.m., Councilmember Ralph declared the meeting adjourned.
Wendy Wakefield
Administrative Asst. 1