HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-24 Transportation and Infrastructure MinutesCity of Tukwila
City Council Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
October 24, 2017 - 5:30 p. m. - Foster Conference Room, 6300 Building
Councilmembers: Kate Kruller, Chair; Joe Duffie, Dennis Robertson
Staff: Robin Tischmak, Gail Labanara, Stacy Hansen, Pat Brodin, Mike Cusick, Mike Perfetti,
Laurel Humphrey
Guest: Jerry Thornton, resident
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Kruller called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I. PRESENTATIONS
II. BUSINESS AGENDA
A. Consultant Agreement: Water Reservoir and Pump Station
Staff is seeking Council approval of a consultant agreement with Carollo Engineers in the amount
of $47,005.00 for the Water Reservoir and Pump Station Feasibility Study. The Washington State
Department of Health is requiring that the City provide additional water storage and this project
will study the possibility of using Highline's Crestview Reservoir's extra capacity instead of building
a new reservoir. MAJORITY APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 6, 2017 REGULAR CONSENT
AGENDA.
B. Supplemental Amendment: Fort Dent Park BNSF Sewer Relocation
Staff is seeking Council approval of Supplemental Agreement No. 3 with KPFF Consulting
Engineering in the amount of $7,876.20 for design of the Fort Dent Park BNSF Sewer Relocation
Project. The original project scope omitted the cathodic protection of the steel casing under the
BNSF tracks, which is required by the railroad. The amendment also covers additional time needed
to complete plans and specifications for relocation of the sanitary sewer force main due to slow
document review by BNSF. Funding for this amendment is available from the 2017 construction
budget. MAJORITY APPROVAL. FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 6, 2017 REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA.
There was consensus to consider the utility customer assistance programs for utilities as the next item
of business.
C. Customer Assistance for Utility Payments
Staff updated the committee on possibilities to expand customer assistance for the City's water,
sewer, and surface water utilities. Currently the City offers a 50% discount on utility bills to seniors
(62+) and permanently disabled individuals making less than $32,000 annually. The 2016 Utilities
Committee requested continuation of this policy discussion to include the cost of program
expansion, described as follows:
1) Increasing the income limit to $34,000 or $35,000 would cost approximately $741.50
for each new sign-up. Staff does not believe this would assist a significant number of new
people.
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Minutes October24, 2017
2) Increasing the discount to 60% would cost an additional $12,745 subsidy from the
City's utility ratepayers.
3) Allowing temporary assistance for a specific time period is already available. Human
Services currently has $3,000 budgeted for one-time emergency assistance, which is currently
appropriate for the need. No one has been denied assistance.
4) Increasing funds to Human Services could assist all of Tukwila rather than requiring a
subsidy by other ratepayers.
Staff is not recommending a policy change at this time, and the Committee did not give direction to
pursue one of these options. Customer assistance is evaluated each time utility rates are increased,
and these options can be considered in the future. DISCUSSION ONLY.
D. Grant Application: Storm Water Quality Retrofit Program
Staff is seeking Committee approval of a $95,000 grant application to the Washington State
Department of Ecology's Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance 2019 program. If awarded,
funds would be used for one year of water quality testing at Riverton, Southgate, and Gilliam creeks.
Identifying and correcting water quality deficiencies will leverage the City's ability to acquire
salmon restoration grant funds for future projects in the creeks. lithe City is awarded the grant and
qualifies for hardship, it will need to match 15%, or $14,250. Funds are available from the Storm
Water Quality Retrofit Program. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL.
E. Ordinance: Condemnation of Real Property on 53rd Avenue South
Staff is seeking Council approval of an ordinance that would authorize the acquisition of property
from seven parcels for right-of-way requirements of the 53rd Avenue South (South 137th Street -
South 144th Street) Project. Right-of-way is needed at various locations to allow the placement of
utilities, retaining walls, sidewalks and storm water treatment. Staff will continue to negotiate with
the property owners in an effort to avoid condemnation. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO
NOVEMBER 13, 2017 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
F. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Implementation
Staff updated the Committee on progress developing an implementation plan for traffic calming
features including speed cushions and radar signs. While a citywide program is currently unfunded,
a pilot project was implemented on South 160th Street to determine the effectiveness of speed
cushions in conjunction with radar speed display signs. The City Council has requested that criteria
be developed as residents have asked why that street was selected above others. Commonly used
engineering standards for traffic calming features include speeds, traffic volume, and accidents,
and other factors can include proximity to schools, lack of sidewalks, accessibility, bicycle facilities,
roadway characteristics, and other considerations. The City plans to purchase two additional sets
of radar signs this year which will be used for data collection. Staff estimates an annual speed
cushion program will cost approximately $125,000 peryearto include two streets with five cushions
each. Committee members expressed support for the creation of a list of streets ranked by the
criteria and shared with the public. Chair Krullersuggested that population density be factored into
the ranking, and to check to see if other cities have criteria. The Committee and staff agreed that
with the additional radar speed signs, enough data can be collected to present a preliminary
ranking in January. DISCUSSION ONLY.
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Minutes October24, 2017
III. MISCELLANEOUS
52nd Avenue South Parking Issues (near Tukwila Park & Ride)
Staff reported that the four-hour time limit (7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) signs are still present on 52nd Avenue
South between Interurban Avenue South and South 137th Street, and people seem to compliant to those
parking restrictions based upon a couple of spot checks. There is no parking time limit around Joseph
Foster Memorial Park and that area has been crowded by commuter parking. Councilmember Quinn
noted that this problem is still occurring near the Sound Transit light rail station at S 152nd St/40th Ave S
and he would like the City to look at zoned parking for residents there. At the last Committee meeting,
Chair Kruller suggested a zoned parking program along 52nd Avenue South specifically for commuters
who use the Tukwila Park & Ride. She will ask at a meeting if there is sufficient Council interest in
pursuing such a program. Councilmember Duffie commented that residents in that area may disapprove
of such a program even though it would be during daytime hours. Staff also reported that they reviewed
the lighting situation on 52nd Ave S and found it to be in alignment with residential standards.
The Transportation Committee Meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Committee Chair Approval
Minutes by LH, reviewed by GL