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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-25 Committee of the Whole MinutesSPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL January 25, 1999 7:00 p.m. Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: Council President Dave Fenton called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Council President Dave Fenton, Councilmembers Pam Carter, Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pamela Linder, Jim Haggerton, and Steve Mullet. OFFICIALS: John Rants, Mayor; John McFarland, City Administrator; Robin Tischmak, Associate Engineer; and Lucy Lauterbach, Council Analyst. Tukwila International Boulevard Development Undate Consultant Mike Ragsdale reported on four items pertaining to the progress of the redevelopment of Tukwila International Boulevard. They include assemblage of the ownership, status of the pro forma (economic model), design issues, and the development agreement. Negotiations are going well regarding the assemblage of properties under one common ownership. However, three specific businesses (Country Vittles, SeaTac Motors, and Ben Carol Motel) are not cohesive from a design standpoint due to the property configuration and limited parking potential. The operating value of these businesses would also run the cost too high for the current real estate value. The factors combined indicated the properties were too expensive to consider and a decision was made to drop them from consideration and exclude them in the pro forma. The balance of the properties are either under contract or negotiations are ongoing and near completion. The economic consultant has prepared the pro forma and data is being compiled. Mr. Ragsdale explained the "how's" of developing the economic model and indicated various detailed assumptions create same. The basic model has been developed and data is being input which will make it run. By next week, it can provide different scenarios concerning design scheme placements and how changing those placements can economically affect the total project. Once the pro forma is complete, evaluation of a developers agreement can occur. The primary consideration remaining is the economic structure of roles various players have. Mr. Ragsdale estimated that within two to three weeks a functional pro forma with accompanying development agreements would be completed. City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Committee Meeting Minutes The design element of the project continues to fluctuate somewhat due to retailer's changing desires and needs. The City's building project has been moved around within the model to determine the best placement given the dynamics of the redevelopment project. Tentatively, the building would more than likely be located behind retail buildings which front Tukwila International Boulevard adjacent to the library. Mr. Ragsdale explained a high- density strategy does not work with the design scheme and economics. There are some topography issues along with the sizes of the individual parcels which preclude adequate parking. Structured parking would only increases costs and preclude purchase of the properties. The economic and design considerations for both commercial and residential redevelopment hinder high- density options for the area. Councilmember Hernandez asked how the deletion of the three properties from the redevelopment plan would affect the overall project. Mr. Ragsdale stated in an economic sense, the impact would be positive and the timeliness of the project enhanced. However, the removal of the properties prevents contiguous development within the project area. Councilmember Mullet expressed his concern and unhappiness with the removal of the three properties and the loss of aesthetics within the redevelopment area. During an executive session with the Council, Mr. Ragsdale recommended reviewing the particular costs associated with the properties. Councilmembers Carter and Haggerton concurred with Councilmember Mullet's concerns. CITIZEN COMMENT: Margaret Bratcher. 13003 56 Avenue South. Tukwila, representing the Foster Point neighborhood, expressed appreciation to the Council for their recent action pertaining to the closure of a street within the neighborhood. Many citizens of Foster Point have joined the Neighborhood Resource Center to assist with monitoring detrimental activity and have become more involved in their neighborhood. Vicki Wood. 3924 S. 117 Street, Tukwila. read her letter into the record voicing opposition of Light Rail on Interurban and the detrimental affects it would have on salmon. In response, Mayor Rants noted the City supports Light Rail only on the Martin Luther King Route and is opposed to the Interurban route. SPECIAL ISSUES: Page 2 of 7 January 25, 1999 a. An ordinance reducing the speed limit on Tukwila International Boulevard Councilmember Hernandez reported the Transportation Committee reviewed the recommendation for reduction in the speed limit and supports the request. WSDOT has also indicated approval. City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 January 25, 1999 Councilmember Carter indicated traffic studies have shown higher speed limits do not necessarily move traffic quicker and she supports the reduction of the speed limit. Councilmember Mullet expressed his support of lowering the speed limit but voiced concern with the City having adequate police resources to enforce speed limits. Administrator McFarland indicated the Police Department's level of enforcement is dependent on policy direction from the Council. There are limited resources and selective enforcement would contribute to maximizing enforcement efforts. Orange flags would be posted notifying drivers of the new speed limit and a grace period would be in effect for a reduced speed transition period. Councilmember Carter mentioned WSDOT determined approximately 80% of the traffic is currently driving below 40 MPH on the boulevard and the speed limit may require further reduction during construction projects. Councilmember Hernandez indicated WSDOT might be receptive to incrementally lowering the speed limit to 35 MPH after the redevelopment is completed if speed continues to be a problem on the boulevard. She suggested posting the City's speed- reader board to notify citizens of the new speed limit. Haynes Lund. 14116 S. 141 Street. Bellevue., representing the Sabey Corporation, said the WSDOT study determined the speed limit north of South 139 Street could not be reduced. In discussions with the Public Works Department, it was his understanding the City's intent was to reduce the speed limit for the entire corridor from SR 599 to 152 Street. He asked why the speed limit would not be lowered on the northern portion of the highway. Administrator McFarland said it was originally the intent of the City to reduce the speed limit. However, the WSDOT study did not include the northern portion of the highway. To include the northern portion, an additional traffic study would need to be completed. He has asked staff to provide additional information on what is required to include the northern portion from 139 to 112 Once the information is provided, the Transportation Committee will evaluate it at its next meeting on February 1. Councilmember Hernandez invited Mr. Lund to attend the Transportation Committee meeting and said citizen input is helpful when applying to WSDOT to reduce speed limits on state highways. Councilmembers concurred to forward the ordinance for consideration at the next regular Council meeting. b. Tukwila International Boulevard Design Renort Associate Engineer Robin Tischmak has been managing the project since 1994 and since then, numerous meetings have been held with the public, WSDOT, property owners, and the Highway 99 Task Force. The largest hurdle involved WSDOT's approval of the proposed channelization, City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Committee Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 January 25, 1999 which enabled meetings with the individual property owners to determine placement of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters. Two public meetings on the design report resulted in additional information. He then introduced Rich Perteet and Crystal Donner who presented the final design report. Mr. Perteet displayed a vicinity map of the phase I construction encompassing 152 to 138 Street. He noted additional study was undertaken of the section north to SR 599. The adopted phase I roadway construction includes a five lane highway with two lanes in both directions and a center left turn lane (in some instances the center left turn lane will include a landscaped island to break the prevent a continuous two way left turn lane). The face of the curb to the back of the sidewalk will encompass a 12 -foot area, which will allow for a large area for pedestrian traffic and various landscape plantings. Other improvements include continuous street lighting and various pedestrian amenities. No on- street parking is proposed in the final design. All of the parking was evaluated along the street and within the developments. Overall, sufficient on -site parking is available for most of the businesses to offset any loss of on- street parking. Some areas include access restrictions by including median islands that prevent left turns from some locations. New islands would be included between 150 and 148 148 and 146 144 and 142 142 and 141 141 and 140 and existing islands between 152" and 150 and 146 and 144 would remain. The median island is attractive and allows for a pedestrian refuge area. Several turn restrictions will be implemented in the future within two locations. One is near the 7 -11 Store at 142 and the other is a left turn at South 148 near the church. WSDOT is concerned with an increased accident rate at both of those locations. Councilmember Haggerton asked if pedestrian crosswalks would be located at the islands. Mr. Perteet said two types of mid -block pedestrian crossings have been included in the proposed design. One is a marked crosswalk and at two locations, strobe lights would be installed in the pavement allowing pedestrians to activate them to alerting motorists of their presence in the crosswalk. Every block with a traffic island will include a pedestrian sidewalk. Passive crosswalks include no crosswalk markings or a wheelchair ramp but will include an entrance way in the island. Other pedestrian amenities include plantings close to the curb to create a separation between traffic and pedestrians and shelters at all bus stop locations. As the engineering details are developed, storm drainage will be an issue since there is flooding downstream of Pacific Highway and many of the basins have been developed into housing and /or streets. There has been detention or water quality features incorporated into the old system. The proposal is to build a large diameter pipeline down the highway, which would take storm drainage from the highway and intercept and bypass it to the Duwamish River. Water quality would be more economical under the proposed system. The water treatment involves treating water as it drains off the highway after the initial period of rainfall. Over the course of rainfall, water coming off the highway is much cleaner and is not required to be treated. The volume of water is enormous and the size of a detention basin to City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Committee Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 January 25, 1999 reduce the flows would be the size of a small to medium lake, which would be too expensive to maintain. The proposed water system allows treated water to enter the Duwamish and improves water flow and quality into the side streams. Power would be undergrounded along the highway. Rights -of -way will need to be obtained from approximately 30 parcels /property owners. Extra rights -of -way are minor and required for curb returns and bus shelters. Various urban design themes have been studied for the corridor. The selected theme is called the "Neighborhood Nucleus /Crossroads." The focus of the theme is to incorporate a gateway treatment at both ends of the phase 1 project. The details of the urban design element and the landscaping will be determined during the final design and it is anticipated public workshops would be held to share the information. Ms. Donner reviewed different types of light standards and bus shelters and different ways to landscape to create a theme. Working with the citizens will be an important part of the process. All of the bus stops are located on either side of the intersections and the mid -block crossings are located on either side of the bus stops. Mr. Perteet said the design of the landscaping theme would encourage people to use the crosswalks. Discussion followed on the pros and cons of the proposed location of the mid -block crossings. Mr. Perteet indicated project costs are approximately $8.1 million, which includes the roadway, storm drainage, undergrounding of power ($2 million), engineering and administrative costs. Funding is available for approximately one half of the estimated costs. Federal funds and some state overlay funds consist of $3.8 and another $4.2 million are being pursued through grant funding by City staff. REPORTS: a. Mayor: Mayor Rants referred to the January 15 AWC Legislative bulletin and informed Council the City needs to keep an eye on pending, King County action regarding an increase in sales or property tax from pending annexations. Councilmember Carter requested staff research the information provided by the AWC Legislative bulletin of January 22 pertaining to local option transportation taxes to see if any of the options would benefit Tukwila. She will contact local legislators if it is determined any of the tax options would benefit the City. Mayor Rants reported receipt of the first draft of Regional Governance and Finance. The GMPC will meet on February 2; and, Suburban Cities will make a presentation on the materials. King County and the City of Seattle have refused to allow the issue on the table. By making the presentation, the issue will be put back on the table. City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Committee Meeting Minutes b. Council: Page 6 of 7 January 25, 1999 Councilmember Duffle reported his attendance at a Duwamish Improvement Club. They are making progress and membership is increasing. The Club plans to work with the City concerning increased traffic and crime occurrences. He thanked Council President Fenton for the recent Council retreat. Councilmember Hernandez reported she also enjoyed the retreat. She has reviewed payment vouchers for Council action during the following special meeting. Council President Fenton thanked Councilmembers for participation in the recent Council retreat and noted many issues were discussed. He attended the Hot Spots Task Force meeting on January 20 at the Tukwila Community Center. There are some issues within the apartment communities within Tukwila and a number of them are surfacing as real problem areas to include not only apartments but motels. The Council will soon be receiving a briefing on the issue. An ordinance is also being developed relating to financial charges apartment managers and complexes pay for being part of the crime free multi housing. On January 21, he met with Administrator McFarland and two representatives from the Affordable Housing Administration. He will brief the Council on the outcome of the meeting during the upcoming special meeting. Councilmember Mullet thanked the neighborhood of Foster Point for their thank you to the Council. Councilmember Carter enjoyed the Council retreat. She attended a TIBIA meeting on January 22 in Renton, which explained the makeup and focus of the State Transportation Board. Councilmember Haggerton complimented Council President Fenton on the way the retreat was conducted. On January 20, he attended the Airport Communities Coalition meeting. During the open session, Bob Schekler was elected Chairman and Councilmember Haggerton was elected Vice Chairman. Councilmember Linder commented on the excellent Council retreat. c. Staff: Councilmember Carter asked who would be representing the City at the upcoming Suburban Cities PAA meeting. Administrator McFarland said he and a member of the planning department would attend. City of Tukwila City Council of Whole Committee Meeting Minutes EXECUTIVE SESSION: Moved by Councilmember Hernandez, seconded by Councilmember Duffie, to adjourn the meeting after an Executive Session, slated to Last no longer than :30 minutes, relative to litigation issues. The motion carried 7 -0. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Mullet, seconded by Duffie, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. The motion carried (7 -0). 21/1------ ,7 Council President Dave Fenton Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk, for Recording Secretary Valerie Gow Page 7 of 7 January 25, 1999