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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 06/17/1992 Mew % s PUBLIC WORKS CONEVIITTEE June 17, 1992 PRESENT: Paul Mann Kevin Lindell Jim Bennett Ed Chow Don Wickstrom May Miller Tom Brubaker Mr. and Mrs. Rust Gary Gill Darlene Jevne Parking Restrictions on 3rd between Titus and Saar Wickstrom stated we had received a request from Darlene Jevne to create loading zones on Third Avenue in front of the school. Ms. Jevne distributed a listing of reasons for her request to the Committee (copy attached) . She commented that the vehicles parking on Third beside the church are parking with their front bumpers over the sidewalk obstructing the doors on this side of the school. This situation severely obstructs exiting from the building and poses a safety problem especially for emergency evacuation. Additionally, the parents and school buses must stop across the street to unload and load students who must walk across the street and in between parked cars. She requested a Loading Zone be created in front of the doors opening onto Third. This would allow the students to arrive or leave the facility in a safe manner. Paul Mann read a letter he had received regarding a situation at 3rd and Saar when a child riding a bicycle was nearly struck by a car. The letter relates that "cars were blocking sidewalks, parked directly across crosswalks and parked in such a fashion as to partially block the paved area of both streets of this intersection. " Ms. Jevne commented that is a blind corner with the cars parked along there. Paul Mann asked that Ms. Jevne's request and the situation in the letter be addressed. Wickstrom stated we could address it but will probably mean the loss of parking stalls. Jim Bennett asked about the City's liability once we have been "put on notice" of a potentially hazardous situation. Tom Brubaker stated that the possibility of liability exists but would depend also upon the specific incident and situation. Jim Bennett moved that the Public Works staff develop an interim solution for the problem. Gary Gill commented there are possibly ways to sign the area to allow the loading and unloading. The Traffic section can look into it. Jim Bennett commented he was more concerned about the safety of the students than the parking spaces especially when there is a parking lot a few blocks away that is under-utilized. _ Public Works Committee June 17, 1992 Page 2 The Committee unanimously approved that the Public Works staff develop an interim solution to the problem. CPG Grant Wickstrom explained we had applied for this grant last year. When originally presented, it was noted this grant would fund 60% of the Solid Waste Coordinator's position. It was recognized that if the grant were approved, the City would have to come up with the 40% match. We have received approval of our grant application. Because of the City's financial situation, we rewrote the job description to that of a Conservation Specialist, decreased the responsibilities but added a water conservation element, and placed it under the supervision of the Public Works Administrative Assistant III. The City is required to meet certain water reductions through conservation by 1995. This approach then gives us the ability to address the conservation issue as well and the 40% match can be funded from the water utility. This completely funds the position without any impact to the general fund. A further benefit is that if we advertise the position in-house only, the possibility of another general fund position filling this position further relieves the general fund. Wickstrom added that if we do not move forward on this shortly the grant offer will be repealed. Wickstrom stated he was requesting concurrence of the change in the position as explained, authorization to sign the grant agreement and transferring approximately $32, 000 from the water utility to finance the 40% match for the position. Jim Bennett commented that since this is a program that is required and we have a grant that pays for a percentage of the position, it makes sense to approve it. Wickstrom stated this addressed two problems with no impact on the general fund. We have to address recycling as mandated through adoption of the comprehensive plan and we have to reduce water consumption by 5% by 1995. The Committee unanimously recommended that the request be approved. Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan Wickstrom explained that the action required is to authorize us to establish July 21 as the hearing date for the Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan. He stated we will bring a draft of the Plan to the Committee for their review at the next Committee meeting. The Committee unanimously approved setting July 21 as hearing date for the Six Year TIP. *Y - Public Works Committee June 17, 1992 Page 3 Soosette Creek Lift Station Wickstrom explained that the Lindental development required construction of a lift station. The construction is complete and the developer is requesting the City accept same for operation and maintenance. The Committee unanimously recommended acceptance. James Street and Russell Road Jim Bennett asked about the timing of the plat that would affect the traffic patterns at this intersection. Gill responded that the plat meeting is this month at which the conditions affecting the plat road improvements and closures will be discussed. He added that he thought the developer had intentions of trying to start construction this summer. Jim Bennett requested that we temporarily address the problem he brought up at the last Committee meeting about trucks turning around at the end of James and causing the ground to give way. Gill stated we could take a look at what types of interim measures might resolve the concerns. ST. CHRISTOPHERCADEMY Darlene Jevne, Director REQUEST FOR LOADING ZONE IN FRONT OF THIRD AVE S St . Christopher Academy is nationally recognized as one of the best schools for the learning disabled student . We have been in the same location for the past 11 years. We service approximately 100 learning disabled children in grades Kindergarten through Eighth. Many have multiple handicaps and are considered part of the " special needs" population . We have been an integral part of the Kent community and have participated in many civic and cultural activities. We have supported the Kent Parks and Recreational Department through our weekly school bulletins. We have participated in Cornucopia Days, Cantebury Faire and allow the King County Fire Department to use our facility to test Medics for the Medic One program. We also believe that we generate quite a bit of revenue from our staff and parents who spend many dollars in the Kent area while working here or waiting to pick up their students. We feel that as a school that targets the special population some extra consideration should be given to us. Please review the statements listed below and grant our request for a " Loading Zone Only" in front of our Third Ave South entrance. Reasons For Reaugsting Loading Zone General Safety * Fire Safety : The entire West wing of the school would exit through these doors in case of a fire or an emergency . This constitutes approximately 60 students, many of which have definite handicaps. With cars parked right up next to the door this could make the exiting process much more difficult . * Students at St . Christopher Academy have many different types of handicaps. Many of our students have what is known as ADD, (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD, (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ) . This causes them to be impulsive , lack control , and have difficulty following directions. Others have seizure disorders, or are hearing impaired. Some are MMR, (Mildly Mentally Retarded) . Speech/Language office at that end of the building has language and hearing impaired students using this entrance . 318 Third Avenue South • Kent, WA 98032 • (206) 852-1515