HomeMy WebLinkAboutTrans 2013-11-26 Item 3H - SCATBd - 10/15/13 Meeting Summary, 11/19/13 Agenda and Draft Operating Procedures/Letter to Rail DirectorSOUTH COUNTY AREA TRANSPORTATION BOARD (SCATBd)
October 15, 2013
MEETING SUMMARY
Members
Mayor Pete Lewis (Chair)
Councilmember Marcie Palmer (Vice - Chair)
Councilmember Kate Kruller
Councilmember Wayne Snoey
Councilmember Carol Benson
Mayor Dave Hill
Councilmember Dana Ralph
Stacy Trussler
Andrew Glass Hastings
Councilmember Garry Ladenburg
Brian Ziegler
Rick Perez
Councilmember Bill Peloza
Councilmember Stacia Jenkins
I. Open Meeting
City of Auburn
City of Renton
City of Tukwila
City of Covington
City of Black Diamond (Alternate)
City of Algona
City of Kent (Alternate)
WSDOT
King County Executive (Alternate)
City of SeaTac
Pierce County (Alternate)
City of Federal Way (Alternate)
City of Auburn (Alternate)
City of Normandy Park
After opening comments and introductions the Board approved the meeting summary for
the September 17, 2013 SCATBd meeting.
II. Reports
Chair Lewis asked for volunteers for the nominating subcommittee for SCATBd's 2014
Officers, Councilmembers Kruller, Ladenburg, and Jenkins volunteered to serve on the
nominating subcommittee. Chair Lewis also asked for volunteers for a subcommittee to
review the SCATBd Procedures document, Councilmembers Snoey, Palmer, and Peloza
volunteered to serve on the subcommittee.
Chair Lewis urged members to attend the legislative listening sessions being held though
out the area. Chair Lewis asked that Board members talk about our transportation funding
crisis it terms of it impacting local jobs and the economy. Board members asked the Chair
to send them for 4 or 5 talking points to help highlight this funding crisis message with
State Legislators.
III. City of Kent, South Central Ave Rehabilitation Project Update, Mark Howlett
Mark Howlett, Design Engineer Manager for the City of Kent, briefed the Board on Kent's
Central Avenue South rehabilitation project. Mr. Howlett said that Central Avenue is a
principle arterial that connects the urban centers of Kent and Auburn and carries about
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27,000 vehicles per day. He said that the closure of the Alvord T Bridge has also increased
traffic volumes on Central Avenue, and it also serves as a relief route for SR 167. He said
the pavement on Central Avenue is failing in many locations and there are substandard and
missing sidewalk sections along the length of the project. The rehabilitation project
includes full width overlay of the entire roadway to add additional service life to the road,
replace the curbs, gutters and sidewalks, and some minor drainage system improvements.
Mr. Howlett said the total project cost was $5 million, and about $4.2 million is unfunded.
IV. King County Snow /Ice Response Plan, Chris Wierzbicki
Chris Wierzbicki, King County Road Services Division Deputy Director, briefed Board
members on King County's snow and ice response plan. Mr. Wierzbicki said in 2010, when
the last major snow and ice event occurred, King County was able to plow about 30% of is
unincorporated area roads. He said that because off current revenue shortfalls, King County
will only be able to plow of 10% of those unincorporated area roads in the event of a snow
and ice storm. King County Road Service Division gets most of its money from property
taxes, and property tax revenues have dropped by 44% since 2009. This drop in drop in
property tax revenues has resulted in a third reduction in King County Road Services
Division funding. He said King County has lost about 50% of its employees, including staff
that are certified to work on snow and ice removal. Mr. Wierzbicki said that unincorporated
area residents will have limited access to and from their homes, and said that they will have
to start planning ahead in the event of a snow and ice storm. He said King County is
working with cities to coordinate snow and ice response efforts.
Board members said that the County and SCATBd jurisdictions should put together a map
that shows cities and county corridors that will be plowed in a snow or ice events. Mr.
Wierzbicki mentioned the King County Road Alert website and said the County received
grant funds to encourage a partnership with cities in sharing road- related information on the
County's Road Alert web page including snow and ice event information. Board members
also mentioned that Metro Transit has developed a countywide map transit snow routes.
Board members also asked their public works staff to discuss possible opportunities to
assist the County to plow arterials in unincorporated islands such as King County's Central
Avenue South between Kent and Auburn.
V. Washington State Rail Plan Update, Keri Woehler. (1.22)
Keri Woehler, WSDOT's Rail Operations Program Manager, briefed the Board on the draft
Washington State Rail Plan. Ms. Woehler said the draft Plan was released for public review
and comments are due to WSDOT by December 2, 2013. She said the purpose of the Rail
Plan is to fulfill federal and state requirements; and provides an integrated plan for freight
and passenger rail, and includes 5 and 20 year rail funding strategies. She said the plan .
builds on previous rail plans and will serve as a strategic blueprint for future public
investment in the state's rail transportation system.
Ms. Woehler highlighted the current strengths of Washington's rail system. She said the
system currently providing good mobility for existing train volumes, provides an extensive
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rail network that connects citizens and industry, and is a fuel - efficient passenger and freight
transportation mode. She said future rail challenges include meeting future demand,
preserving access to national and global markets, short rail line modernization and
compatibility with Class I railroads; increasing ridership on intercity passenger rail, and
maintaining a safe rail system.
The draft Plan identified the rail system needs which included addressing constraints to
ensure that rail capacity meets future demand, preserve the existing rail capacity and
infrastructure, and enhancing the efficiency and reliability of existing services. The draft
plan recommends that State action and investments in rail be based on performance
measures, and continued incremental improvement of intercity passenger rail needs. Ms.
Woehler said the next steps included finalizing the Washington State Rail Plan in
December 2013, incorporate the results into State's Freight Mobility Plan and Washington
Transportation Plan; and to continue collaborative planning with rail stakeholders and
partners to refine and focus investment priorities.
The Board asked staff to draft a SCATBd Rail Plan comment letter that addresses grade
separation projects, the looming freight mobility crisis, and the passenger rail. Board
members recommended that the comment letter be based on the SCATBd letter that was
sent to Governor Inslee in August that highlighting the need for a transportation funding
package.
Other Attendees:
Brandon Carver, Des Moines
Torn Gut, SeaTac
Mark Howlett, Kent
Chad Bieren, Kent
Jeremy Jewkes, WSDOT
Chris Wierzbicki, King County
Susan Oxholm, King County
Dan Anderson, King County
Keri Woehler, WSDOT
Denis Dowdy, Auburn
Cathy Mooney, Kent
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SOUTH COUNTY AREA TRANSPORTATION BOARD (SCATBd)
OPERATING PROCEDURES
Revised , 2013
The purpose of these procedures is to guide the conduct of business of the South County Area
Transportation Board (SCATBd) and its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). These
procedures shall be reviewed and revised annually as needed.
I. SOUTH COUNTY AREA TRANSPORTATION BOARD (SCATBd)
A. Mission:
The Board shall serve as a South County forum for information sharing, consensus
building, and coordination to resolve transportation issues, identify priorities, and
promote transportation plans and programs that benefit the South County area
(Mission Statement adopted January 16, 1996)
B. Goals:
(Goals adopted July 19th, 1994. and subsequently amended)
Goal 1: Develop and promote a transportation system that will provide
personal mobility choices for South County residents consistent with
the transportation goals of the Growth Management Act and
Goal 2 Develop and promote transportation and related actions that
accommodate economic development, through efficient movement
of people, freight, and goods within the South County and
contiguous areas.
C. Role:
The SCATBd is the forum established for the South King County area at which
elected officials may provide input into local, regional, state and federal
transportation- related issues or any other related issues as the members determine.
D. Membership and Voting:
Membership shall be extended to the following local jurisdictions and agencies. The
Board shall operate by consensus whenever possible, but in those matters requiring a
vote, voting shall he assigned as indicated below:
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The voting members of SCATBd and their voting rights shall be as follows:
Full Voting Members
Number of
Reps.
Voting Rights
Sound
Transit
Metro
Transit
Membership
and Dues'
Sound
Transit
Metro
Transit3
Regional
Competition°
Other'
City of Algona
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Auburn
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Black Diamond
1
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
City ofBurien
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Covington
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Des Moines
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Enumclaw
1
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Federal Way
1
Yes
Yes
Yes '.
Yes
Yes
City of Kent
1
Yes
Yes
Yes '
Yes
Yes
City of Maple Valley
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Milton
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Normandy Park
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Renton
1
Yes
Yes
Yes* '
Yes
City of SeaTac
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Tukwila
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
City of Pacific
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
1
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
King County
3
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
The limited voting members of SCATBd and their voting rights shall be as follows:
Limited Voting Members
Number of
Reps.
Voting Rights
Membership
and Dues .
Sound
Transit
Metro
Transit
Regional
Competition
Other
1
Pierce County
1
No
No
No
No
Yes
The non - voting members of SCATBd shall be as follows:
Non - Voting Member
Number of Representatives
Pierce Transit
1
Port of Seattle
1
Port of Tacoma
1
Puget Sound Regional Council
1
South Sound Chambers of CommerceCoalition
1
Sound Transit
1
Washington State Department of Transportation
1
'Administrative issues, such: additional members and use of dues
' Recommendations to Sound :Transit on policies and capital and service plans and implementation
3 Recommendations to King County Metro Transit on policies and capital and service plans and implementation
4 identification of projects for the regional competition, if prescribed by process approved by the King County caucus of the
Transportation Policy Board ( *projects in Renton south of the Cedar River)
Other recommendations including
• Recommendations to WSDOT on policies, programs and projects.
• Recommendations to the PSRC on plans, policies, programs and projects such as the Transportation 2040 update and
regional funding policies, strategies or programs.
• Input to the State Legislature and committees and commissions established by the Legislature on transportation policy,
budget and priorities and legislative proposals and studies.
• Recommendations to the federal delegation on federal legislation including reauthorization and funding priorities and
other transportation - related programs.
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Other limited voting and non - voting members may be added as the Board determines. Each
limited voting and non - voting member should appoint one representative and one alternate to the
Board. The limited voting member designated alternate may vote in place of designated limited
voting representatives in the absence of the designated limited voting representative.
E. Officers:
1. Chair: Responsible for 1) conducting and ensuring fair opportunity for
discussion, 2) signing correspondence and speaking on behalf of SCATBd, 3)
providing direction on agenda preparation.
2. Vice - Chair: Responsible to act as chair in his /her absence.
3. Term of Office: One year from January. Elections in. December
4. Officers must be elected officials
F. Meeting Schedule:
The regular meeting date for SCATBd shall be the third Tuesday of the month, from
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The meeting location shall be held at an appropriate location
within South King County. The agenda package shall be distributed in advance of the
meeting. Adjustments to the regular meeting schedule and meeting location shall
occur as needed.
G. Board Actions Require a Quorum of Full Voting Members:
1. A quorum is: 50 percent plus 1 full voting members.'
2. Type of Actions Board Can Take: The Board may undertake activities
consistent with its purpose and shall prepare an annual work program for the
following year for submittal to its member jurisdictions by January 31 of each
year.
3. Type of Actions Board Cannot Take: The Board cannot take action to
approve /disapprove or adopt any position on behalf of member
jurisdictions /agencies without authorization to do so from those jurisdictions.
In issuing communication or statements, it should be made clear that the Board
is not acting on behalf of its member jurisdictions /agencies.
4. Schedule for Action Items: Action items will be presented at one meeting and
acted on at a second meeting unless three - quarters of the voting Board members
present agree that the circumstances require action to be taken at that time
PROVIDED that there is a quorum of voting members (at least 50 percent plus
one).
5. Minority Statements: Any individual full voting Board member or limited
voting member -shall have the right at the time of the vote to request that a
statement of a minority position be included in Board communications or
otherwise distributed with an approved Board statement.
11. Subcommittees of the Board:
Subcommittees of the Board shall be established as needed.
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II. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A. Purpose:
The TAC shall provide technical assistance as requested by the Board and shall
advise the Board on emergent transportation issues for the Board's consideration
including regional project identification and countywide project selection.
B. Membership:
Each SCATBd member (full, limited, or non - voting member) shall appoint an
appropriate representative to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
C. Meeting Schedule:
The TAC shall meet when requested by the Board to provide technical assistance and
advise on emergent transportation issues.
III. OTHER
A. Standard Agenda:
'The SCATBd agenda shall follow this standard format unless unusual circumstances
require a different arrangement.
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Report of the Chair
4. Communications and Citizens Requests to Comment
5. Major Agenda Topics
B. Audience Comments during Meetings:
At the Chair's discretion, comments may be taken from the audience. The Chair
should call on audience members wishing to make comments. SCATBd members
can ask to have audience members speak. Audience comments should be limited to
two minutes.
C. Distribution of Materials:
Letters and documents may be distributed with the agenda at the direction of the
Chair as authorized by the policies and procedures of the jurisdiction providing staff
support.
D. Citizen Involvement:
Interested citizen groups shall be placed on the distribution list for Board meetings to
ensure that those groups are kept informed of Board activities.
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South County Area Transportation Board
MS: KSC -TR -0814
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98104 -3856
Phone: (206) 684 -1417 Fax: (206) 684 -2111
Date, 2013
Ron Pate, Rail Director
PO Box 47407
310 Maple Park Avenue SE
Olympia, WA 98504 -7407
Dear Mr. Pate,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Washington State Rail Plan, public review
draft. The South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) is a collaborative effort of local
elected officials who are committed to improving the region's transportation system. SCATBd
represents an area that encompasses 15 south King County cities including 690,000 city and
county residents, and is home to over 300,000 jobs. The south King County area also has one of
the largest manufacturing and industrial areas in the Pacific Northwest, and our area's
transportation system plays an important role in supporting the economic vitality of the region
and state through the efficient movement of people and goods. The two Class 1 rail lines run
north /south thought the South King County area.
Local Transportation Funding Short -Falls
The draft plan forecasts increasing demand for passenger and freight rail services in Washington
State, and an increase in rail traffic will affect traffic delay and safety at grade crossings in our
valley cities. Table D1 of the draft plan lists a number of partially funded and unfunded grade
separation projects in the south King County area. However, because of mounting funding
shortfalls, SCATBd jurisdictions are unable to fund these needed grade separation projects.
SCATBd members recommend the draft plan highlight the local agency funding shortfalls for
these grade separation projects and the impacts of not building these grade separation projects on
the movement of people and freight. In order to continue and facilitate state -level revenue and
funding discussions, we need to acknowledge our local funding shortfalls in our various local
and state transportation planning documents such as the Washington State Rail Plan and the
Washington State Freight Mobility Plan.
At -Grade Crossings Transportation Impacts to Local Communities
One of the themes that emerged from the draft Washington State Rail Plan stakeholders outreach
efforts included community impacts of rail. Stakeholders identified the need to address traffic
congestion and safety at at -grade crossings, and to evaluate opportunities for freight and
passenger rail to contribute to local economic development. The draft rail plan section entitled
"Challenges and Other Issues Facing Class 1 Rail Roads, Relationships Between Communities
and Class 1 Railroads (page 46)" should be expanded to include a more in -depth analysis on the
impacts of freight rail and passenger rail traffic at grade crossings. The analysis should include a
focus on the impacts of freight and passenger rail operations on surface movement of people and
Algona • Auburn • Black Diamond e Burien • Covington • Des Moines • Enumclaw • Federal Way • Kent • King County • Maple valley
Mucldeshoot Indian Tribe • Normandy Park e Renton • SeaTac • Tukwila • Pacific • Pierce County • Pierce Transit • Port of Seattle • Port of
Tacoma • Puget Sound Regional Council • South Sound Chambers of Commerce Coalition • Sound Transit • Transportation Improvement
Board • Washington State Department of Transportation • Washington State Transportation Commission
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freight at grade crossings. The analysis should also include the economic and social impacts of
travel delays experienced by travel of emergency vehicles, truck freight traffic, passenger
vehicles, and transit.
Impacts of Potential Increase in Coal and Crude Oil Train Traffic
SCATBd would also like to see an expanded discussion and analysis on the impacts of potential
coal and crude oil train traffic on track availability for freight /trade movement of goods in and
out of our region. Currently, several proposals are under consideration to enhance port capacity,
including a bulk coal export facility at Cherry Point in Whatcom County. If the Cherry Point
bulk export facility were to be developed, it could add up to eighteen, mile- and -a -half long trains
per day. Oil refineries in our state have typically received crude oil shipments from Alaska and
elsewhere by ship, barges or pipelines, but refiners are increasingly turning to trains to take
advantage of a boom in oil from North Dakota's Bakken region. This potential increase in coal
and crude oil trail traffic could result in significant impacts to both current and future freight and
passenger train traffic in our state.
This potential increase in coal and crude oil train traffic is a major concern for SCATBd
members because of the potential impacts to South King County cities and our regional
economy. Our region's economy relies on the rail corridor to move parts and finished projects
and an increase in coal and crude oil train traffic could impact existing and future rail - dependent
economic development. This increase in coal and crude oil train traffic would also have
significant impacts at grade crossings, impacting the flow of freight and goods flowing to and
from our ports to the industrial and warehousing areas in the Green River Valley area.
SCATBd supports the draft rail plan's vision that is guided by the six transportation system
policy goals established by the state legislature which includes: economic vitality, preservation,
safety, mobility, environment, and stewardship. SCATBd members are keenly aware of the
economic importance of Washington's freight and passenger rail system and the key role it plays
in the multimodal transportation system that keeps people, freight and goods moving in
Washington State. Our local transportation systems also provide an important foundation for
Washington's economy. It provides the vital connections that link our homes to our work places
and carry products to Inarkef
Again, thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft Washington State Rail Plan and if
you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Pete Lewis Marcie Palmer
Chair Vice Chair
South County Area Transportation Boar
Algona • Auburn • Black Diamond • Burien • Covington • Des Moines • Enumclaw • Federal Way • Kent • King County • Maple Valley •
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe • Normandy Park • Renton • Seaiac • Tukwila • Pacific • Pierce County • Pierce Transit • Port of Seattle • Port of
Tacoma • Puget Sound Regional Council • South Sound Chambers of Commerce Coalition • Sound Transit • Transportation Improvement
Board • Washington State Department of Transportation • Washington State Transportation Commission
129
SOUTH COUNTY AREA TRANSPORTATION BOARD (SCATBd)
MEETING
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
9:00 — 11:00 a.m,
SeaTac City Hall
4800 South 188th Street
SeaTac
AGENDA
1.
Open Meeting
• Introductions
• Approve summary of October 15, 2013
SCATBd Meeting (Attachment A)
Action
9:00 a.m.
2.
Reports, Communications and Citizen
Requests to Comment
• Chair or Vice Chair
• Participant Updates from RTC and
Other Regional Committees
• Legislative Update
• Report SCATBd Agreement
Subcommittee (Attachment B)
• Report from the Officers Nominating
Committee
• Citizen Comment
Reports and
Discussion
9:05 a,m.
3.
Washington Rail Plan SCATBd Comment
Letter (Attachment C)
Report and
Discussion
9:40 a.m.
4.
Metro Service Reduction Proposal - Victor
Obeso, Metro Service Development Manager
Report and
Discussion
10:00 a.m.
5.
Sound Transit Long Range Plan Briefing —
Chelsea Levy, Sound Transit
Report and
Discussion
10:30 a.m,
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