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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Works/Planning - 10/24/1994PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE October 24, 1994 PRESENT: Paul Mann May Miller Judy Woods Laurie Evezich Jim Bennett Mr & Mrs Rust Don Wickstrom Wayne McDonald Roger Lubovich ABSENT: Tim Clark Metro Sewer Rate Increase Wickstrom stated that Metro will be increasing their rate by $2.05 per single family equivalent beginning January 1 st and we are proposing to pass that thru. We are also proposing to pass thru the respective utility tax on that increase. We're doing so because the utility tax is paid by the sewer utility and the increase thereat associated with Metro's rate increase if not passed on, would come out of monies available to the City to perform its operation and maintenance work and finance it to capital improvement program. Wickstrom said that this amounts to $.08. Wickstrom said the other issue is that we're proposng to drop the flat fee portion of our rate for commercial/ industrial accounds which, in the early '80's was intended to pay for the accounting and billing. The flat fee portion is $.52. Wickstrom explained that we are trying to eliminate it because it gave the commercial/industrial users a rate break; each 100 cubic feet is less than what the residential users are paying after the basic minimum. He said the total rate increase amounts to a 10% increase for single family residential customers and varies from II% - 13% depending on volume for commercial/industrial accounts. Committee unanimously recommended passing on Metro's rate increase including the associated utility tax. They also concurred with eliminating the flat fee portion of the commercial/industrial rate. Discussion followed with Bennett stating that he feels there needs to be some accountability with these types of increases and he is not in favor of passing these things on just because somebody says that's what we should do it. He feels that this is a big issue to be challenged. Wickstrom noted that this rate is what was approved by Metropolitan Council (no longer METRO) which was less than the original rate proposed. King County Executive reviews the basis for the staff recommendation which the Metropolitan Council also reviews the basis for the Executive's proposal of Metro's proposed rate increase. Wickstrom also stated that Metro's component agencies scrutinizes Metro's staff proposal via a technical committee before that proposal is transmitted to the Executive. 9 Wickstrom stated that within the operating budget there is about $316,000 set aside for our annual overlays and we have two projects we are doing; 212th from the Green River to 42nd (Orillia Rd) and James St from W.V. Highway to Clark. He said we will be doing 212th however, due to the timing of the contractor's workload and the late time of the year he will not be able to overlay James St. Wickstrom explained that this works better regardingthe Justice Center in terms of their moving an excessive amount of dirt, which would put a heavy load on our recent overlay. For this reason, we have tabled that portion; the contractor will do the paint striping; we will maintain it this year and in May he will overlay. Wickstrom said we need to put that money in a capital improvement fund so that it could be carried over versus simply disappearing. Committee unanimously recommended authorization to transfer asphalt overlay money from the Street Operations budget to a Capital Improvement fund. McDonald Hardship (9915 S. 213th St) Bennett stated that this issue was sent to him by way of the Mayor's office and he felt it should be put on this Committee's agenda. He said this involves an LID which is due for foreclosure. Bennett said that Mr. McDonald is a 16 year resident of the City; has had a "down turn" in his economic situation; was not working at the time and was unable to meet his obligation. Bennett asked that consideration be given to arrange a payment plan whereby McDonald could start paying where he had left off. McDonald stated he had worked at the Kent Golf Course (since 1989) and had subsequently been layed off. He stated that when all this happened he was out of a job. He has recently been rehired as a golf instructor. McDonald then went into detail regarding his economic situation. He thought the balance owing was approximately $3900. McDonald claimed that he made payments until he was layed off from his job and as much as he could since then. He said he cannot make up back payments at this time. In response to Mann's question regarding what authority we have in accommodating a hardship, Lubovich proceeded to explain more of the background. He said that in 1991, the City entered into an agreement with McDonald that he would pay $50 per month. Evezich noted that there are six installments behind. Lubovich said that the agreement has not been met and the payments have been very sporadic; also noting that the statute says if there is a delinquency of two payments, the City shall foreclose. Lubovich stated that we do not have the authority to enter into an agreement on statutory mandated foreclosure processes, especially when bonds are involved. There is a duty to the bond holders to maintain the bond ratings. Lubovich stated that this has been going on a delinquency payment since 1991. Evezich explained that the term on the LID is 10 years and this particular LID started in 1989. She said that the delinquent amount totals $3855.23 with interest at 7.9% by statute however the full balance owing is $5985.91. McDonald claimed that he did not remember any agreement. In response to Woods, Evezich said that the annual payments are 6 years delinquent. She said the LID was originally formed in 1988 and the first installment was due in 1989; no payments have been made on this account except the $50.00 per month which started in 1991. Woods then said that essentially, none of the annual installments have been made. Evezich agreed. To clarify, Woods stated that by 1991, when the $50.00 per month arrears arrangement was signed, it was signed at a time when neither of the previous two annual installments had been made. Evezich agreed and noted that the $50.00 per month payments in 1991 were only kept for 4 months and were then dropped off, picking up again in 1992 for two or three months and then again stopped. McDonald stated that he did not know he was obligated to pay annually. Evezich informed the Committee that she has copies of certified mailings to McDonald. At this time, Woods requested copies of the all the records be submitted to her, from the beginning of the LID. Woods asked McDonald when he was layed off from the golf course and was he working in '89, '90 and '91. McDonald said he was working then and stated that he did not know exactly when he lost his job. Evezich stated that she is required to proceed with foreclosure by November 15, 1994. Bennett said the filing fee of $110.00 should be added to the commitment. Mann requested that these records be made available for the next Public Works Committee meeting so that a determination may be made. 108th Ave Walkway (.Added item from Bennett) Bennett referenced the recent meeting at the school to discuss the options that the City had proposed regarding the original walkway on 108th, the alternate one on 110th and also a third option which was a raised asphalt sidewalk versus a full concrete sidewalk. Bennett asked Wickstrom what the long range affect of 108th is in terms of the 277th corridor coming thru. In response, Wickstrom said that we only have three options one being the 110th alignment which will fit regardless of how the corridor intersects with 108th Ave. If at grade at 108th, he said there will be sidewalks along the corridor and a signal at 108th. If the corridor project is at separate grades, there will be an overpass at 108th. He said if, at 108th, there is a signal intersection, there will be more of a driver impact on 108th; there will be little difference from present traffic conditions, if there is an overpass. Wickstrom said the ideal solution, financially, is to widen the shoulders out to a maximum of 8', in some areas, 10' in others. That would then become part of the roadbed for the future road widening. In response to Bennett's question on the drainage on the south side between 269th & 271st, Wickstrom said that would be culverted however we are not proposing an extensive system. He said if there is an overpass at 108th, there will be no major improvements on 108th for a long time other than what would be allocated of our yearly pedestrian path money. . Meeting adjourned: 5:35 p.m.