HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2018-11-26 Item 4C - Resolution - Neighborhood Traffic Calming ProgramCOUNCILAGENDA SvNoPsIs
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Meeting Date
Prepared by
Mayor'.r rejiew
Council review
11/26/18
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12/03/18
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ITEM INFORMATION
ITEM No.
4.C.
STAFF SPONSOR: HENRY HASH
ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 11/26/18
AGENDA ITEM TLT1JE Resolution adopting the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
C \TEGORY Discussion
Mtg Date 11/26/18
0 Motion
Mtg Date
' Resolution
[1] Ordinance
Mtg Date
E] Bid Award
Mtg Date
El Public Hearing
Mtg Date
0 Other
Mtg Date
Mtg Date 12/03/18
SPONSOR Council Mayor El HR DCD lsname .17ire TS 0P&R Police PIF E]Court
SPONSOR'S Council is being asked to adopt by Resolution the proposed Neighborhood Traffic Calming
SUMMARY Program (NTCP). The NTCP includes three levels for ease of implementation. Currently
$400,000 is budgeted in the 2019 - 2024 Capital Improvement Program for Traffic
Calming/Residential Safety. Council is being asked to adopt the Neighborhood Traffic
Calming Program by Resolution.
REVIEWED BY
0 C.O.W.
Mtg LI CDN Comm Ill Finance Comm.
J Arts Comm. Ell Parks Comm.
COmmillEE CHAIR:
El Public Safety Comm.
Trans &Infrastructure
• Planning Comm.
DATE: 11/13/18
THOMAS MCLEOD
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN.
CommuTEE
Public Works Department
Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPI:ADITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$0.00 $400,000.00 $
Fund Source: 103 RESIDENTIAL STREETS
Comments: (page 8, Proposed 2019 C P)
MTG. DATE
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
11/26/18
12/03/18
MTG. DATE
ATTACHMENTS
11/26/18
Informational Memorandum dated 09/18
Draft Resolution
Draft Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (revised after 11/ 3 T.I.C.)
Minutes from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee 11/13/18
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r,4
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
Public Works Department - Henry Hash, Director
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
FROM: Henry Hash, Public Works Director 70,/
BY: Cyndy Knighton, Senior Program Manager
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: November 9, 2018
SUBJECT: Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Resolution for Adoption
ISSUE
Resolution to adopt the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP).
BACKGROUND
In June 2005, the Transportation Committee approved a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
(NTCP). At that time, no budget was established nor was staffing provided for managing the
program. Two pilot projects, one in 2008 and one in 2017, have been completed. Since then,
interest in the City providing a robust traffic calming program has increased significantly. In 2018,
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has discussed and expressed the desire for a
fair, equitable, and objective program.
DISCUSSION
Per the direction of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, staff is presenting an
updated NTCP. Staff has formatted the NTCP to allow for ease of implementation with minimum
hurdles, especially for Level I improvements. Level I improvements are passive traffic control
treatments that can be implemented quickly and inexpensively and are often all that is needed to
address neighborhood complaints. Level II treatments are physical devices, often permanently
installed, which require more extensive design efforts and are costlier. Additionally, Level II
treatments require coordination and concurrence with the Police and Fire departments and
approval from the Council. Emergency services are included as Level II devices as they can
negatively impact response times.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Earlier this year, Public Works staff proposed a $400,000 budget for the Traffic
Calming/Residential Safety Improvement Program which is currently in the Mayor's proposed
budget for 2019-2020. The budget will be shared between traffic calming efforts and other safety
improvements in residential areas. Design of the improvements, purchasing of equipment, and
construction and installation costs will all be funded through these budgeted capital funds.
RECOMMENDATION
Council is being asked to approve the Resolution adopting the Neighborhood Traffic Calming
Program and consider this item at the November 26, 2018 Committee of the Whole and the
December 3, 2018 Regular Meeting.
ATTACHMENT
• Draft Resolution
• Draft Neighborhood Traffic CAN,11 Program
w:Ipw eng1projects rw & rs proj affic calming1tukwila raffic calming programimio memo- ntcp resolution 110918 gl.docx
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING THE "CITY OF TUKWILA
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM."
WHEREAS, one of the top concerns of Tukwila community members is speeding and other
dangers associated with motor vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila desires to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use,
alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non -motorized street users; and
WHEREAS, the adopted Tukwila Comprehensive Plan recommends implementation of a
neighborhood traffic calming program in both the Transportation Element and the Residential
Neighborhoods Element; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to document a transparent, predictable and equitable
process for implementing effective traffic calming measures in neighborhoods throughout the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The "City of Tukwila Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program," as evidenced in Exhibit A, is
adopted.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a
Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2018.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty,
IC, City Clerk Verna Seal, Council President
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council
Resolution Number:
Rachel B. Turpin, City Attorney
Attachment: Exhibit A — City of Tukwila Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
W:\Word Processing \Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program 10-19-18
LH:bjs
Page 1 of 1
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EXHIBIT Ap {
CITY OF TUKWILA
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC
CALMING PROGRAM
Adopted December 3, 2018
By Resolution No. XXXX
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OBJECTIVES. ' I
.............I
SOLUTION ALTERNATIVES _.~~~.~_'_^^._-__~-,_~.-_--~_,~.-~...,._,~_,.._'~-'-.2
No Action ' 2
Level/.................................................................................................... 3
Level/l................... ................... ................. .................................. 3
PROCESS FOR QUALIFYING FOR LEVEL U TREATMENTS 3
PLAN DEVELOPMENT 3
PROJECT FUNDING 4
,—.—_—..—.._--_---._._._—...,_—''~._~-_.-~-.~.'_.5
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A:DEFINITIONS 0fTYPES (F STREETS
AyPENDD{B: LEVEL lPOSSIBLE TREATMENTS
AyPENDQ{C: PRIORITY RANKINGWOKKSHEET
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Introduction
Traffic conditions on residential streets greatly affect neighborhood livability. Speeding and
unnecessary through -traffic in neighborhoods create safety hazards on residential streets. The City
of Tukwila Public Works Department has developed a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
(NTCP) to guide City staff and inform residents about the procedures for implementing traffic
calming on residential streets and collector streets.
The NTCP is designed for local residential streets and collector arterials only. The NTCP does
not apply to local or arterial streets in commercial areas or to streets classified as principal or minor
arterials.
As defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), traffic calming is the application of
measures which can be taken which reduces the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alters driver
behavior and improves conditions for non -motorized street users. The City's NTCP outlines a
process for staff and residents to carry out a traffic calming program. It provides a way to
objectively prioritize traffic calming requests. These procedures incorporate prioritization,
planning, evaluation, implementation, and maintenance of the traffic -calming devices in
residential areas. It also combines the four E's — Education, Engineering, Enforcement and
Emergency Services.
Objectives
The primary goal of the City's NTCP is to improve the livability of the local streets and residential
collectors. The City has identified the following objectives:
• Provide alternative solutions to reduce vehicular speeds and accidents on residential streets.
• Endorse safe and pleasant conditions for motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and residents of
neighborhood streets.
• Provide a means for a collaborative working relationship between City staff and
neighborhood residents in development of traffic calming measures.
• Discourage use of residential streets for cut -through vehicular traffic.
Process Steps
Initiating a Request
Request for traffic calming assistance can come from a resident's association or from concerned
individuals. Requests can be made in writing by clearly stating the problem and location,
accompanied with completed application which is provided by the City. The request can be made
by either mailing or emailing the request to the Public Works Department. The request must
include a contact name, address, phone number and email.
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Staff will then acknowledge the completed application in writing to the resident's association or
to the contact person listed in the application. An application fee could be implemented in the
future to offset some of the costs involved.
Preliminary Evaluation
Each street in the community is a part of the larger roadway network that connects residents to
each other, work, schools, goods, services and the countless destinations to which drivers and
pedestrians travel daily. Common issues within neighborhoods include speeding, traffic volumes,
and the utilization of neighborhood streets as a cut -through route, among others. In order to ensure
that traffic calming concerns are addressed in an equitable manner, staff must assess the situation
by reviewing the request and determining if the area qualifies for treatment using set criteria. The
primary purpose of a preliminary evaluation is to determine whether the speeding or accident
situation is significant enough to warrant further study. At this stage, staff collects data to analyze
it to determine whether:
• The roadway is eligible for traffic calming treatment.
o Only residential streets classified as collector arterial or local access are eligible.
• City recorded data supports the problem identified in the application.
o Speeding: Traffic counts are taken to determine if 15% of the motorists travel at 5
mph or more above the posted speed limit. This is also referred to as the 85th
percentile speed being at or above 5 mph over the speed lirnit.
o Volume: Traffic counts also collect the number of daily vehicles on a street. This
information is used to determine the best type of solution and is used to rank project
priorities.
o Traffic Accidents: The number of accidents for over a three-year period is collected
and studied. The Public Works Director may elect to address any safety issues
discovered outside of the NTCP process.
If the analysis confirms that a traffic problem exists based upon the above criteria, the Public
Works Department will conduct a traffic calming study as explained in the following sections and
staff calculates the priority score for the street segment using the Priority Worksheet in Appendix
C.
A written response back to the contact person with the findings of the preliminary evaluation is
generally provided within 60 calendar days of the request.
Solution Alternatives
The solution alternatives are defined into three levels.
No Action
After data collection and analysis is complete, any location not meeting the above criteria will be
determined to not be eligible for any NTCP assistance. Staff will inform the applicant in writing
that their request does not meet the City criteria for action and the request will be closed.
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Level I
The first level improvement for traffic calming that should be considered are passive traffic control
treatments, known as Level I. Level I improvements are less restrictive measures, and do not
require a neighborhood vote. The improvements used in Level I include: trimming bushes to allow
better sight distance; pavement markings and striping; increased police enforcement; traffic speed
display signs; neighborhood awareness campaigns; and education. This reduces the need for
installing physical devices on every local street.
If a marked crosswalk is recommended for installation where ADA-compliant ramps do not
currently exist, the improvement will be automatically treated as a Level II solution.
Level II
Level II improvements should be considered only after Level I treatments have been in place for
a minimum of 6 months and data collection and analysis indicate the problem(s) has not been
resolved, or as determined by the Public Works Director. Additional Level I treatments, with a 6-
month trial period, can also be considered for installation in lieu of progressing toward the more
restrictive Level II options. Level II improvements focus on physical devices such as speed
cushions, traffic circles, and chicanes to calm traffic. These solution alternatives are much costlier
than Level I and are generally permanent. Therefore, a more detailed evaluation is required and
approval by key departments and impacted area residents is required before the implementation.
The detailed evaluation includes as follows:
• The speed, volume and accident history collected during the preliminary evaluation.
• Collect new traffic speed and volume data and accident history for the past three
consecutive years.
• Other factors such as proximity to schools, parks and other pedestrian generators, lack of
sidewalks, accessibility, presence of bicycle facilities, and other roadway characteristics.
• Identify users of the affected streets.
• Identify traffic and major pedestrian generators, such as schools, parks and shopping
centers.
• Analyze street use with respect to street classification.
• Document any other relative factors.
Process for Qualifying for Level II Treatments
If the traffic problem(s) has not resolved with Level I treatments, an impact area is established by
staff. The impact area includes the location requesting treatment as well as other streets in the
immediate area that could be impacted by Level II treatment installation.
Plan Development
Once an area has been selected for a traffic -calming project, steps need to be taken to detei nine
solutions. The applications are prioritized based on the scores. The highest-ranking applications
will be given priority in moving forward into Plan Development, as funding allows.
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Since Level I solutions are simpler in scope, the solution formulation process can usually be
handled by staff. Public meetings are not usually required, although some type of public
communication is beneficial and recommended.
Level II improvements require a more comprehensive plan development due to the higher cost and
impact of the actions taken. A public meeting with all affected property owners may be held, as
determined by the Public Works Director. The initial public meeting will:
• Discuss the steps to develop a traffic -calming plan.
• Gather additional infolination regarding traffic problems and related neighborhood needs.
A ballot may be sent to each property owner in the impacted area where they are asked to vote to
indicate support of the NTCP plan. The implementation plan must receive at least 7-0%2/3
approval of all property owners on the impacted street in order to proceed. In addition to the
community support, the approval of the following public officials is required:
• City Police and Fire Departments
• City Council
Once the necessary level of support is documented, projects may be funded and constructed
according to their prioritization and as available staffing and budget permits.
In cases where a Level II request does not receive sufficient support, the project is dropped from
the list and the next highest ranked project can go through the same process. Residents in an area
where a project has been dropped are able to resubmit their request for the following program year.
Project Funding
The number of traffic -calming projects undertaken each year depends on the City's budget and
staffing availability.
In some cases, landscaping, maintenance and necessary easement dedication may be the
responsibility of the residents or the homeowner's association. If this is the case, an agreement
must be signed between the City and residents before the project is implemented.
Project Design and Construction
Once traffic -calming treatments have been determined, the City's staff or a consultant develops
the detailed plan, based on the study and the residents' input. The traffic calming device will be
installed.
In some situations, a test installation may be warranted to assure that the device is both effective
and truly desired by the community. In this case, within three to twelve months after installation,
staff evaluates how well the test installation performed in terms of the defined problems.
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Evaluation
An evaluation shall be conducted between six months to one year after the implementation of any
permanent traffic calming devices. Speed, volume and collision data is collected and compared
with the data collected before the installation of the traffic -calming device. The data collection
should be done at approximately the same time of year as the original data collection.
Removal
If the impacted neighborhood is dissatisfied with the outcome of the implementation, a petition
may be submitted to modify or remove the traffic calming device. The petition must be signed by
over -7-0%2/3 of the property owners within the impacted area. If the property owners vote to
remove the traffic calming device(s), they must also pay the cost of removal and fixing the roadway
to the City's standard. If the Public Works Director detelinines that the traffic calming devices
have resulted in an unacceptable safety condition, the removal of the devices will be done at the
City's cost.
e-enrollment
If additional traffic calming treatments become necessary in the future due to changes in traffic
patterns unrelated to the NTCP treatments, requests can be made for a new enrollment 12 months
or more after the last evaluation period has been completed. The submission will be treated as a
new request beginning with preliminary evaluation and will follow the NTCP process. Any future
traffic calming treatments will be scored and ranked along with all other active requests and are
subject to funding, and staffing availability.
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Appendix A: Definitions of types of streets
The City's Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan defines the street functional
classifications. For the sake of this program, only residential local streets and collector arterials
are eligible for NTCP treatments. Streets in commercial areas or which are classified as principal
or minor arterials are not eligible for treatments under this program. Traffic calming on principal
and minor arterials is very different than on residential streets, requiring substantial design,
peimitting, environmental approval, and budget in order to construct. These calming projects are
developed into standalone capital improvement projects.
Local streets (typical speed limit 25 mph) serve local circulation needs for motor vehicles,
bicycles, and pedestrian traffic and provide access to residences and some businesses. Local
streets are not intended to carry significant volumes of through traffic. Sixty to 80 percent of
the roadway network is considered local streets.
Collector arterials (typical speed limit 30-35 mph) are typically streets that provide access
between local service streets or from local streets to thorough -fares. Collectors often carry
some through traffic. Collectors in residential areas are eligible for NTCP treatments whereas
collectors in commercial areas are not. Five to 10 percent of the roadway network is classified
as collector arterials.
Minor arterials (typical speed limit 30-40 mph) are streets which are typically wider and
may have more lanes than collectors which connect the smaller arterial streets to destinations
or to the regional roadway network. Minor arterials carry a large percentage of through traffic
as well as traffic from the local area. Ten to 20 percent of the streets in network are minor
arterials.
Principal arterials (typical speed limit 35-50 mph) are major streets and highways that
provide regional connections between major destinations. Speeds are higher, access and
traffic control favors providing fast and smooth movement on the arterial over the lower
classified streets. Five to 10 percent of a roadway network is classified as principal arterials.
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LEGEND
Roadway Classification
.," Freeway
Principal
�-^ Minor
Co4ector
City of Tukwila
,..nr Potential Annexation Area
N
NOT TO SCALE
ROADWAY CLASSIFICATION
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Appendix B: Level I Possible Treatments
Educating the Community
Educating the community on traffic issues is an important first step in addressing the residents'
concerns. Most of the time, the residents do not acknowledge that the majority of people who
speed in neighborhood streets are the local residents; therefore, educating them about speeding
and their driving behaviors can improve driving habits.
Neighborhood Awareness Campaign
In the neighborhood awareness campaign, residents should be given partnership in solving
speeding problem in their neighborhood. This is done by allowing residents to go out in their local
streets, using radar equipment, and monitor speeding vehicles. Residents should be trained to use
the radar equipment and should be given instruction in collecting data. These volunteers may
record license plates and a description of speeding vehicles. The vehicle's registered owner may
receive a letter from the City, informing the owner of the observed violation and encourage them
or drivers of their vehicles to drive at or below the posted speed limit. However, no formal
violations or fines can issued.
Pavement Markings, Speeding Limit Signs and Vegetation Trimming
Improvement can be made by simply marking the pavement, installing speed limit signs at more
visible locations, or trimming bushes for a better visibility; this will allow drivers to be aware of
the speed limit of the local streets. Pavement marking and signing may include signs for residential
zone designation, speed lirnit, lane and edge striping, and other similar treatments.
Police Enforcement
Increased traffic enforcement encourages drivers to change their driving behaviors through citing
violators for speeding. The Police Department should be given the information of the data
collected of the location. This information helps the officer to determine the time of day of the
speeding mostly occurs.
Radar Speed Feedback Signs or Trailer Deployment
Use of a Radar Speed Feedback Signs or a portable Speed Trailer can heighten the drivers'
awareness of their traveling speed and is useful in driver education. Sometimes deploying the
Radar Feedback devices result in allowing the concerned neighborhood to see that actual speeds
may not be as high as what had been perceived.
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Appendix C: Priority Ranking Worksheet
Location:
Date:
Staff Name:
VW,
Accidents:
Five points for each recorded accident over the past three years. Three
additional points will be added for each accident with a recorded injury.
Volume:
Average weekday traffic volume divided by 100, rounded up to the
nearest whole number. Maximum of 7 points possible.
Speed:
Five points for every mph greater than 5mph above the posted speed or
(85th percentile speed - posted speed limit - 5) x 5 points.
Sidewalks:
Five points if there is not a continuous sidewalk on one side of
residential streets or both sides of collectors.
Pedestrian Generators:
Five points for every K-12 school on and 2 points for school property
within 500 ft of the subject street. Three points for other major
pedestrian generator on the subject street. Major pedestrian generators
may include parks, community centers, senior housing, or other uses
with significant pedestrian traffic.
Total Points:
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Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Minutes November 13, 2018
D. Consultant Agreement: Strander Boulevard Extension Phase 3
Staff is seeking Council approval to move forward with a Value Engineering consultant
contract in an amount not to exceed $75,000. Three firms have responded to the RFQ with
interviews forthcoming, and Council is being asked for approval now due to time
limitations. The project overall continues to have a funding gap of $64M. Advocacy efforts
will be made for inclusion of the project in a possible State transportation package.
Representatives from the Transportation Improvement Board recommended the City
complete Value Engineering as a critical funding strategy. Committee members discussed
the project and expressed support for completing Value Engineering as more will be known
in 2019 regarding overall project funding. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO
NOVEMBER 19, 2018 REGULAR CONSENT AGENDA.
E. Resolution: Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Staff is seeking Council approval of a resolution that would adopt a Neighborhood Traffic
Calming Program that will provide a predictable and equitable process by which residents
can request improvements. The proposed budget currently includes $400,000 which will
be shared between traffic calming efforts and other safety improvements identified
proactively by staff. The Program distinguishes between types of improvements as Level I
or Level II. Level I includes passive treatments that can be implemented quickly. Level II
includes physical devices that usually require permanent installation and must be
coordinated with Police, Fire, and Council. The Program outlines the request process,
preliminary evaluation, solution alternatives, funding, design, construction, evaluation,
and removal. Councilmembers discussed the proposal. Councilmember Idan stated he
likes the education piece, request process, and levels of response, but feels the
requirement of 700/0 approval by the neighborhood for Level II improvements is too great
of a barrier for participation. Staff believes the neighborhood approval is needed so the
City knows the investment is truly wanted by the affected residents and not just by a
"squeaky wheel." Councilmember Quinn mentioned that he had researched policies in
other cities and it is common to have a neighborhood approval mechanism. He likes that it
engages the community about the city's investment and provides additional
documentation to support a consistent process. The policy provides flexibility on the
mailing of ballots, since it may be possible to gauge sufficient interest at a community
meeting. Councilmembers discussed the importance of public outreach about the
program, including translations. Chair McLeod suggested reducing the approval threshold
from 70% to 2/3, and the Committee agreed, although Councilmember Idan asserted he
would prefer that the City use a system that would provide the neighborhood an
opportunity for protest rather than majority approval. Staff mentioned that this is a new
policy for the City and adjustments can be made after lessons learned. Councilmember
Idan asked if a resident could submit a new request after already having one fulfilled by the
City. The proposed policy does not limit the number of requests that can be made by an
individual or group. The Committee expressed concern about overuse of the program
creating inequity among neighborhoods and requested language that would restrict new
submissions with a certain time period. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AS AMENDED. FORWARD
TO NOVEMBER 26, 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
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