HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Meeting - Council Workshop - Minutes - 01/03/2017Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
Approved January 17, 2017
Date: January 3, 2017
Time. 5 p.m.
Place. Council Chambers East/West
Attending: Bill Boyce, Council President
Jim Berrios, Councilmember
Tina Budell, Councilmember
Brenda Fincher, Councilmember
Dennis Higgins, Councilmember
Dana Ralph, Councilmember
Les Thomas, Councilmember
Absent: None
Agenda:
5:02 p.m. Bill Boyce called the meeting to order
January 3, 2017
Kent, Washington
Changes to the Agenda
Council President Boyce rearranged the order of items to be discussed. Quiet
Zones and Railroad Issues will be discussed first, the Public Works 2017 Work
Plan will be discussed second, and the Federal Lobbyist Update will be
discussed last.
1. Ouiet Zone &Railroad Issue
Tim LaPorte, Public Works Director, gave a brief overview %J both the UPRR
and BNRR mainlines and spurs throughout the City.
Kelly Peterson, Environmental Conservation Specialist, provided an explanation
of the events in November and December that caused the BNRR crossing gates
to be down for extended periods of time. Additional information was provided
regarding the inadequacy of the BNRR notification system to report when the
crossing gates are down for extended periods of time.
The Public Works Department will be installing signs in the right-of-way that
references the BNRR telephone numbers to call and report when the crossing
gates are down due to a false preemption.
Quiet Zone Update•
Chad Bieren, Deputy Public Works Director, gave an overview of the phase I
implementation of the Quiet Zones that includes fencing, pedestrian gates, and
sidewalks.
Idling Trains:
Kelly Peterson, Environmental Conservation Specialist, provided information
regarding his research of the trains idling for extended periods of time in the
Page 1 of 3
Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
Approved January 17, 2017
January 3, 2017
Kent, Washington
North Park area. Kelly informed the Council of his interactions with a resident
in the North Park neighborhood that is providing him with extensive details
regarding the dates and times trains idle for extended periods of time.
2. Public Works Capital Work Plan
Chad Bieren, Deputy Public Works Director, provided the Council with the 2017
Public Works Work Plan that includes the Mill Creek channel reestablishment,
Green River Natural Resources Area stormwater pump station, Russell Road
lower/lowest levee projects, Downey Farmstead restoration project, Milwaukee
#2 levee, County Road #8 levee, Upper Mill Creek dam improvements, Lake
Meridian Estates Stormwater outfall, Kent Scenic Hill drainage at Kensington,
Earthworks Park sediment pond culverts, Frager Road levee, Kent Airport
levee, South 208th Street roadway repair, 132"d Ave S.E., sidewalk
improvements, S 228th Street UP bridge grade separation, South 224th Street
Improvements, 761h Avenue culverts/sidewalks, Naden Avenue/Willis Street
intersection, and the James Street pump station building.
Dave Brock, Deputy Director of the Public Works Operations Manager, provided
the Council with the 2017 Public Works Operations Work Plan that includes the
2017 water distribution system projects, fire hydrant upgrades and repairs,
large meter maintenance and upgrades. Additionally, Dave provided
information regarding utility -related projects, including pump station
improvements, UP station improvements, and inspection of the infrastructure.
3. Federal Lobbyist Update
Ben McMakin, from Van Ness Feldman, LLP, provided information to the
Council regarding "Washington D.C. 2017 and What's Next." Ben spoke about
significant and unprecedented changes, and campaign promises vs. governing
regarding transportation.
Mr. McMakin gave a brief overview of Kent's transportation opportunities for
2017, including SR 509/SR 167, grade separations, freight, light rail, and the
railroad. Details were provided regarding what Trump's transportation program
may include.
Mr. McMakin advised the Council of new issues, challenges and opportunities
including regulatory changes in approach, enforcement and government
oversight regarding levee issues, and that trade/freight corridors like Kent,
have much at stake in Trump's vows to challenge China, Mexico, Japan and
other trading partners.
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Kent City Council Workshop
Minutes
Approved January 17, 2017
January 3, 2017
Kent, Washington
In response to concerns the Council expressed regarding railroad issues, Mr.
McMakin suggested requesting Senator Cantwell and/or Senator Murray come
to Kent for a town hall meeting to discuss railroad issues.
Th meetin conclCL
uded a 6:32 p m.
Kimberley A. omoto
City Clerk
January 3, 2017
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