HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-18 Transportation and Infrastructure MinutesCity of Tukwila
City Council Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes
June 18, 2019 - 5:30 p.m. - Hazelnut Conference Room, City Hall
Councilmembers: Zak Idan, Chair; Kate Kruller, Thomas McLeod
Staff: David Cline, Laurel Humphrey, Brandon Miles, Han Kirkland, Hari Ponnekanti, Henry
Hash
Guests: Meg Moorehead, King County Solid Waste Division; Thomas Mun, BECU; Emily
Newcomer, Waste Management; Mikel Hansen, Sabey Corporation; Andrea Reay,
Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Idan called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
I. PRESENTATIONS
King County Solid Waste
King County staff provided an overview of the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, which is
pending approval of cities representing at least 75% of the population during the 120-day approval
period. The Plan outlines programs to prevent, recycle, and dispose of waste, and includes six major
planning elements: existing solid waste system, forecasting & data, recycling, transfer & processing,
disposal & landfill management, and finance. Once the cities have acted the Plan will go to the
Department of Ecology for final approval, expected this fall. Staff will present the Plan to the
Committee at its next meeting. Committee members expressed interest in touring related facilities.
II. BUSINESS AGENDA
A. Ordinance: Amending Solid Waste Utility Tax Rate & Recycling Surcharge
Staff returned with changes requested by the Committee of the Whole. The proposed ordinance
now includes a stepped increase over two years and clarity around revenues being dedicated to
street maintenance and repair. Comments and questions are summarized as follows:
Proposed new section 3.51.020(1)(a)(2)
Councilmember McLeod asked why the proposed new section states that remaining revenues
"may remain in the General Fund." Staff replied that it provides accounting direction but the intent
about street repair is still captured. Staff offered to change the sentence to "The remaining
revenues will be dedicated to maintain and repair streets." Councilmember Kruller asked staff to
check with the Finance Director prior to the Committee of the Whole, as she may have a good
explanation for wanting it to remain as is. Chair Idan mentioned that the "remaining revenues"
should specifically mention the percentage so it is consistent with subsection 1.
Proposed amended section 3.51.020(3)
Councilmember Kruller asked why the sentence was changed from "shall" to "may." Staff replied
that the new language provides greater flexibility for the Council. The Committee rejected the
proposal and would like the sentence to remain "The City Council shall periodically reconsider the
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Minutes June 18, 2019
need for a Solid Waste Utility Tax given current economic conditions." Mr. Hansen and Ms. Reay
addressed the Committee, and both mentioned appreciating the change to the stepped increase
over two years. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AS AMENDED. FORWARD TO JULY 8, 2019 COMMITTEE
OF THE WHOLE.
B. BNSF Intermodal Facility Access Project Update
Committee members and staff discussed the status of the BNSF Intermodal Access Study, which
was funded jointly by the City and BNSF in 2015 and resulted in a draft report issued in 2016 that
identified the 48th Avenue South Bridge as the preferred alternative. Because the construction
estimates in the draft study are out of date, staff proposes to contract with David Evans and
Associates to update the numbers and finalize the report at an estimated cost of up to $15,000. The
construction estimates developed in 2017 were approximately $20 million but in today's numbers
could be as high as $34 million. Councilmember Kruller asked for a copy of the original contract in
order to review the scope and deliverables, expressing surprise that the City never received a final
report. Staff pointed out that it was during this same time period that the 42"d Avenue South Bridge
had been determined to be structurally deficient and as a result took greater priority regarding
determination of a funding strategy. Chair Idan stated that he would like the Committee to make
a recommendation to the full Council on the preferred location, and funding discussions could
come later. He feels it would be good for staff and impacted stakeholders to have certainty around
the location. Committee members agreed to forward the update to the Committee of the Whole
with a recommendation that staff identify funding to complete the study in an amount not to
exceed $15,000. FORWARD TO JUNE 24, 2019 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
III. SCATBd/RTC
Councilmember Hougardy attends SCATBd and RTC and reports on both at City Council meetings.
IV. MISCELLANEOUS
53rd Avenue South Street Parking
Some Councilmembers have asked that staff address public confusion around street parking on 53rd
Avenue South. Prior to construction there was room, but the new street design does not allow for on -
street parking except in one specific area near South 140th Street. Councilmember McLeod asked if signs
could be installed. Engineering standards do not indicate a need for signage, nor does the Police
Department need them for enforcement. Staff recommends allowing construction to complete and if
on -street parking continues to be a problem, signs will be considered. Councilmember Kruller requested
that the neighborhood be informed via flyers. Chair Idan stated that he feels people will quickly adapt
and not much outreach is needed. He suggested posting on Tukwila Talk and other neighborhood news
groups.
Speed Cushions on 53rdAvenue South
The Council has received public comment inquiring why 53rd Avenue South only has two speed cushions.
City staff installed them but used the design that KPG had created during construction. The Council was
notified of the design last summer. Staff suggests allowing construction to complete and then collecting
data to measure their effectiveness. Factors impacting the placement of speed cushions include
mailboxes, driveways, and street geometry. Councilmember McLeod asked if the same standards were
used to determine placement on South 160th Street. Councilmember Kruller asked where a speed
cushion that was removed from South 160th Street was relocated. Staff will follow up.
Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Minutes June 18, 2019
RRFB on TIB
Earlier in the day a vehicle knocked down one of the new Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon poles on
Tukwila International Boulevard. Staff will work to replace it as quickly as possible.
Strander Boulevard Extension Phase 3
Chair Idan mentioned that while the Council decided not to move forward with the project it was still
included in the 6-year Transportation Improvement Program, which must now be modified. He asked
that that be brought to Committee as soon as possible.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m.
Committee Chair Approval
Minutes by LH, Reviewed by HK