HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2013-04-08 Item 2 - Scope of Work for Allentown Area Relating to Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) RailroadCity of Tukwila
Jim Haggerton, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Community Affairs & Parks Committee
FROM: Kimberly Matej, Government Relations Manager
DATE: April 3, 2013
SUBJECT: Preparation of Scope of Work Relating to Allentown and the BNSF Intermodal Facility
ISSUE
For several years, the City has been working with the Allentown community on issues regarding the
impacts of Burlington Northern Santa Fe's (BNSF) South Seattle Intermodal Facility located in the
neighborhood. After meetings with representatives from the City's Congressional delegation, local
community members, and BNSF representatives, staff is recommending and seeking Committee
approval to move forward with creating a scope of work to be utilized in identifying a consultant who
can conduct and present a data - driven report of findings quantifying the effects of the Intermodal
Facility onto the Allentown community.
BACKGROUND
The BNSF South Seattle Intermodal Facility located in Allentown became fully operational in 1970. In
1989, the Allentown neighborhood was annexed by the City of Tukwila. This annexation finally provided
this previously unincorporated area a voice within a full - service city. In January 2000, an ad -hoc
committee (Burlington Northern Intermodal Task Force) was established to consider alternative truck
access routes into the Intermodal Facility. The Task Force recommended four alternative routes for
consideration, and presented a Meeting Report Summary, which Copper Consulting Company
prepared on April 10, 2000. More recently, over the past few years, the City has met and corresponded
with BNSF representatives in an effort to build a foundation for sustainable and cooperative
relationships between the Intermodal Facility and its residential neighbors. Efforts to address concerns
have included discussions, meetings and correspondence with community representatives, BNSF
representatives and Federal legislators.
DISCUSSION
Pending Committee approval, City staff will continue to work with the community to ensure that a scope
of work represents a fair assessment of concerns that can be further assessed through consultant
research. The scope of work will also include a task requesting identification of possible mitigation in
response to documented effects.
Staff has inquired if BNSF would be interested in sharing the cost of a consultant, as well as
participating in consultant selection. This invitation has been extended in a continued effort between the
City and BNSF to work in a collaborative manner to address community concerns regarding quality of
life issues that have been expressed by Allentown residents as a result of the Intermodal Facility
location.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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Funding was not identified in the 2013 -2014 Biennial Budget to address this issue; therefore, funding
for a consultant will require a year -end budget adjustment. Based on the length of time that this has
been a community concern, as well as Council's interest in addressing these concerns, staff
recommends Council consider a year -end adjustment allowing staff the opportunity to identify funding
for a consultant, initial estimates suggest that a consultant would cost between $50,000 — $80,000.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff has recommended to Mayor Haggerton, and he concurs that it is in the best interest of the City
and the residents of Allentown to move forward with creating a scope of work in order to identify
impacts of and potential mitigation opportunities relating to the BNSF Intermodal Facility.
2 W:12013 Info Memos - Council \BNSFlntermodalEacility.docx