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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 04/07/1992 CITY CLERK PUBLIC WORKS COMM, APRIL 7, 1992 PRESENT: JIM WHITE TONY MCCARTHY JIM BENNETT JACK SPENCER PAUL MANN RAUL RAMOS DON WICKSTROM JOE HEMBREE CAROL MORRIS MR. AND MRS. RUST TOM BRUBAKER CHARLIE KIEPPER ROGER LUBOVITCH BILL DOOLITTLE JIM HANSEN JEAN PARIETTI ED WHITE Kent Circulator Transit System Jim White stated he initiated this idea at the Council retreat. Since he did not receive an unfavorable response from other Council members, he has proceeded to work with staff. He continued he felt the timing for a transit system is right and that now we just have to come up with financing. He mentioned the possibility of tying into the Street Utility funds. Roger Lubovitch stated his research on the use of Street Utility revenues indicates the ,revenue can be utilized for a local transit system if it ties into a larger transportation system, such as Metro, commuter rail, etc. The bus system can not be part of the utility because it is limited to facilities but use of the revenues could be directed to such a bus system that connects with a bigger system. However# the resolution that is in effect now limits the use of thes+t funds. That resolution would have to be amended and a six year ,financial plan has to be adopted for use of these local option funds. Additionally, Metro is interested in assisting with this project and has indicated there possibly could be some fun4ing assistance. He added he has amended the proposed Street Utility ordinance changing the effective date to June 1 and added language making clear that the use of the revenues for transportation purposes relates to use of all the facilities in the street utility itself. Jim White asked if funding for bicycle fa=,i.lities as a transportation system could be taken from the Street Utility. Lubovitch responded possibly bike pathways could ;be included but he'd have to do further research on those grayer areas. Ed White stated he has arranged a meeting for April 20 at 9:00 with Metro to discuss this issue. Jim White stated he has placed this item on the agenda for information purposes so Committee would know where this is going. There remains a lot of hoops and hurdles to overcome before we undertake such a system but finding the possibility of a funding source certainly enhances the possibility this could happen and gives the citizens some evidence that they are going to be able to utilize the street utility for more than Public Works Committee April 7, 1992 Page 2 just building roads. Raul Ramos spoke in favor of Council revisiting the resolution and adopting language that is flexible enough to allow the Council to deliberate on possibly including an intracity transit system and other related infrastructure projects. Jim Bennett stated he had seen these types of systems in operation in other cities and felt this concept might satisfy some of the opponents of the 272nd Corridor. Jim White stated that we have to cut some of the congestion regardless whether the corridor is ever built. Roger Lubovich indicated Metro would be willing to do an analysis to determine where our needs would be for this type of system and there may be other sources of funds through Metro. Reith Road/Kent Des Moines Road Intersection Wickstrom explained that since this item was last discussed, one of our transportation engineers had left so this section has been short staffed and attempting to cope with a heavy workload. We have received confirmation that the new transportation engineer will be starting soon and this will be the first project on which he'll work. Ed White added that he is continuing to monitor the intersection. While backups are still continuing to occur they are not as bad as during the winter hours. The problem is that there is only one lane coming down the hill. It does divide into two lanes but one is a left turn pocket. As a result there is a backup of the through traffic and right turning traffic is in that one through lane. The plan is to reduce the size of the islands to allow two through lanes to go through the intersection and taper back on the other side of the intersection just before the bridge. That will allow more cars to go through the intersection; thus, allowing more opportunities for right turning traffic. Paul Mann referred to a left turn problem at this intersection as well. He commented he wanted a left turn signal on this light. Ed White commented that the signal is controlled by the State and any improvements must meet their warrants. We will continue to work with the State to accomplish this additional phase. Bill Doolittle commented that the budget called for a right turn lane. It was explained that the right turn lane would not correct the problem so the issue had been revisited and. a different approach developed to better utilize the funding. Paul Mann asked about the signal at the intersection of Reith Road and Military. Ed White stated we had just completed some signal improvements at that intersection. Public Works Committee April 7, 1992 Page 3 Parkside Walkway Paul Mann stated he had asked Carol Morris for an opinion on the issue and asked her to speak to it. Carol responded that her memo addressed an argument made by an attorney regarding some problems relating to the improvement of the walkway as well as the issue of whether or not the City could vacate it. Since the attorney was not present, she indicated she would confine her remarks to the vacation issue. The Planning Department's and Public Works Department's recommendations were not to vacate this walkway because it was still used for public travel purposes. The purpose of the street vacation statute is to vacate streets., sidewalks or walkways when they are no longer needed for public purposes. We could not legally vacate the walkway if there is still a need to keep it open. Wickstrom added there is a Metro bus stop at that location on Military Road and does tie across Military into the entrance of a major plat on the west side. We could do pedestrian counts to determine the use. Paul Mann suggested a pedestrian count be done and brought back before the Committee at the next meeting. Jim Bennett concurred. Kent Springs Transmission Main Wickstrom explained the transmission main project is the link between 132nd Avenue S.E. at 286th and 274th at 109th Avenue S.E. We acquired the right of way through this area some. time ago but have had to revise the design to mitigate the wetland impact. There is additional right of way we need to acquire to do this. Three are linear footages along the main and the- Dourth is a two acre tract. We are requesting authorization to condemn but we are continuing to negotiate with the property owners. Mr. Kieffer distributed a letter to the Committee members. He commented he felt it would be wise to have all the permits in hand before spending money for the property It was determined that we have all the King County permits and the Army Corps of Engineers has given us verbal approval for this alignment. Wickstrom further explained we realigned the route of the transmission main, reduced the impact of the original project on wetlands, doled some of the pipe that went through wetland and created about �i o ;acres of new wetland. Thus the project is now more environ�nOi ally sensitive than it was originally. Mr. Kieffer raised questions about the feasibility of constructing the reservoir and the -Alignment of the main. Wickstrom explained that the proposed alignment is necessary to provide gravity service plus gives us the options of expanding our capacity in the future with respect to the Tacoma Pipeline or the impoundment reservoir project. This alignMent and these Public Works Committee April 7, 1992 Page 4 options are integral parts of our comprehensive water plan. Wickstrom confirmed for Mann that the impoundment reservoir is feasible from an engineering standpoint. Jim White stated the 50- year water plan builds in as much flexibility as possible and he complimented the foresight of the Engineering Department in development of the plan. Mr. Kieffer commented about what he perceived as a lack of opportunity for public input. Wickstrom explained that through the 404 permit process, the Corps offers ample opportunity for citizen involvement. Citizens had an opportunity to submit any concerns or protests. In addition, when we negotiated for the right of way we discussed the project with the property owners. Mr. Kieffer stated he felt the project should have further review. Carol Morris offered that further legal review of the permit process is available if Mr. Kieffer wanted to hire an attorney but there was no further appeal available to the Public Works Committee or to the City Council. The Committee unanimously recommended approval to proceed with condemnation if negotiations for right of way are not successful. 1992 South County Asphalt Overlay Wickstrom explained that the County is proposing to overlay 116th, a portion of which lies within the City of Kent. They are also proposing to overlay a street near Ravensdale a portion of which lies within our annexed water shed area. The County will include these portions of streets in their project with the City reimbursing the County the costs. There are funds budgeted in our 1992 Overlay budget. Wickstrom added he would recommend using water utility money for that portion of the overlay that lies within the water shed and would recommend approval of the agreement and transferring water utility funds. The Committee unanimously recommended approval for the Mayor to sign the agreement and to use water utility funds for that portion of the overlay that fails within the water shed. Bill of Sale - Hemlock Acres #19 Wickstrom explained that the developer has completed the utility improvements for this plat. The Committee unanimously recommended acceptance of the bill of sale. Bill of Sale - Burger King 84th .and 224th Wickstrom noted the developer has completed the utility improvements for this business and is recommending we accept them. r► i Public Works Committee April 7, 1992 Page 5 The Committee unanimously recommended acceptance of the bill of sale. Bill of Sale - McDowell NorthNest Stgrage Yard Wickstrom commented that similar to the other two . items before this, the developer has completed the utility improvements for the project and we are recommending acceptance of the bill of sale. The Committee unanimously recommended acceptance. Surplus Vehicles and ,Equipment Wickstrom reviewed the list of vehicles and equipment for the Committee. Paul Mann commented it appears we are keeping the vehicles for quite some time. The Committee; unanimously recommended approval to declare the vehicles and ' equipment as surplus and to offer same for sale. Bill Doolittle inquired about an accounting for vehicles declared surplus and sold. It was determined that an accounting had been sent to the Committee on the previous sale and Wickstrom stated he would forward a similar accounting when these pieces are sold. James Street Paul Mann stated he would like the safety issue of, James Street made a high priority work item. Jim White asked that a work program be developed indicating the existing priority so that the Committee could review and make recommendations as to ,priority. Ed White stated that they have looked at what interim measures can be taken on James Street and are attempting to quantify the problems and what can be done to correct them. With the new transportation engineer starting soon, it is hoped this project would move ahead. Odor Problem Carol Morris stated she did not feel an ordinance was called for when there is only one entity causing a problem. She suggested we pursue this issue through a contract enforcement action. Other Items Bill Doolittle asked about the signal at S. 259th and Central. Wickstrom explained that it was not funded until 1992 . Doolittle Public Works Committee April 7, 1992 Page 6 also suggested signs over cross walks to remind motorists to stop for pedestrians. Jim Bennett asked how the signals were controlled. Wickstrom explained that most of the signals were controlled by our master computer with individual programs for each signal depending upon the volume and demand. Paul Mann requested a cross walk sign on top of Reith Road at 253rd. Paul Mann stated he had noticed a motorcycle in one of the parking stalls in the City Hall lot. He suggested we encourage people to use motorcycles and scooters and requested we devote an area in the front City Hall parking lot for them to park. The other Committee members agreed with the request.