Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-04-08 Committee of the Whole MinutesApril 8, 1985 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATION PUBLIC MEETINGS Minkler Blvd. Project TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL City Hall CG:MMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Council Chambers M I N U T E S Council President Bauch called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order end led the aur'ience and the City Council n the Pledge of Allegiance. L. C. (BUD) BOHRER, DORIS F. PHELPS, JOE H. DUFFIE, EDGAR D. BAUCH (COUNCIL PRESIDENT) CHARLES E. SI" PSGN MAYOR GARY L. VAN DUSEN, h:AUNE ANDERSC.N (CITY CLERK), BRAD COLLINS (PLANNING DIRECTOR), HUBERT CRAWLEY (FIRE CHIEF), ROSS EARNST (CITY ENGINEER), PHIL FRASER (SENIOR ENGINEER), JIM HANEY (CITY ATTORNEY), LUCY LAUTERBACH (LEGISLATIVE COORDINATOR), DON MORRISON (CITY ADMINISTRATOR), BYRON SNEVA (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR). Linda Smith, Corps of Engineers, presented slides on the feasibility study to add additional storage to the Howard Hanson Dam. COUNCIL MEMBERS HARRIS AND MORGAN ARRIVED AT THE MEETING AT 7:04 P.M. Ms. Smith answered questions that were asked by the Council Members on the preliminary construction costs and capabilities. MOVED BY MORGAN, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT ITEM 6 OF THE AGENDA (PUBLIC MEETINGS) BE CONSIDERED AT THIS TIME. MOTION CARRIED. Al Grieve, Alpha Engineers, reported on the design for the Minkler Boulevard Project, using maps and drawings. He stated there are four alternatives: 1) Four 12' lanes with curbs, gutters, sidewalks and landscaping on both sides. Disadvantages: railroad would have to be relocated and Penney's Warehouse would have to be redone. 2) Four 11' lanes, no curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or landscaping. Right -of -way would be less. No railroad relocation. Cost $1.4 million. Disadvantages: substandard roads. 3) Three through lanes with curbs, gutters, sidewalks both sides. No railroad relocation, planting strip both sides. Cost $1.4 million. 4) This is recommended alternative, It accomplishes all of the goals for the project. Standard street, four 12' lanes, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, landscaping both sides. Disadvantages: railroad would have to be relocated, shared access to railroad, more expensive, but increased benefits. Requires maximum code variances. Mr. Grieve explained the schedule, stating after alternative is chosen they will proceed with rights -of -way plans. Council President Bauch declared Public Meeting open at 8:00 P.M. Byron Sneva, Public Works Director, stated the letter he received from J. C. Penney Company dated April 2, 1985 sets forth their review of alternatives. Alternative 1 would necessitate relaying interior of the facility to accommodate relocated railroad service. It would eliminate approximately 20' of parking area on west side of building. Alternatives 2 and 3 would not impact the operation of their facility and would require only approximately 10' of existing parking area. Alternative 4 would impact their operation as they would be sharing the railroad tracks with Levitz Furniture. It would require approximately 20' of the parking area. They favor Alternatives 2 or 3 as they do not impact the existing operation and require least amount of parking area and have the lowest total cost. They stated they are in favor of this much needed roadway project. Bob Fehnel, representing the Benaroya Company, said they are concerned about the roadway and number of lanes. They support extension of Minkler Boulevard, stating it is hard to visualize a four -lane street. He stated they support Alternative 3. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES April 8, 1985 Page 2 PUBLIC MEETINGS Contd. 6/7.3 Minkler Blvd. Proj. Tom Curda, representing Southcenter Corporation, said they are contd. in favor of the Minkler Boulevard Project. There being no further comments from the audience, Council Presiden Bauch declared the Public Meeting closed at 8:05 p.m. South 188th Connector Council President Bauch opened the Public Meeting on the South Project. 188th Connector Project at 8 :06 p.m. Terry Gibson, Centrac, consultant on project, gave a report on the next design phase. He stated the advantages of the South 188th Connector would be improved freeway access of the CID (commercial/ industrial district), remove congestion, provide alternate east -west route. The cost would be $4.5 to $5.5 million. Dave Schneider, 4604 South 176th, presented copy of letter from McMicken Heights Neighbors dated March 23, 1985 to Randy Revelle, County Executive, stating they are opposed to any plans to make South 176th Street into a four -lane highway from Military Road to Highway 99. They stated they are in support of a new two -lane street with sidewalks, curbs and gutters. There is a grade school on South 176th with about 50 children walking to and from school daily. He stated neighborhood is zoned for single family having within one mile main north -south and east -west freeways, highways and roadways; the taxpayers should not put money into a four -lane highway that is not needed or wanted. Finley Young, representing Ray Flink, one of the property owners at corner of 180th, stated his client had opportunity to review the draft report and noted there are three goals: 1) Improve access to business district; 2) deal with congestion in area; 3) improve the cross valley traffic. Alternatives D and E would probably improve the congestion at choke points but there is an overall congestion problem and D and E would aggravate that overall problem by bringing more traffic onto existing arterials and encourage cross valley traffic to mingle with shoppers in Southcenter area. As I -405 gets worse the pressure on roads around Southcenter will increase. Ride sharing should be encouraged but pressure could be alleviated by taking pressure further to south and let Kent handle the problem with a 200th Street connector. Putting A and B ahead would create more southern arterials and avoid a duplication of effort. The study is not farsighted. Terry Anderson, Chamber of Commerce, read a letter dated April 8, 1985 addressed to the City. The letter stated in part that the Chamber's Board of Directorsstrongly oppose the location of any South 188th /I -5 Connector that would connect at the South 180th /SW 43rd corridor. The area of South 180th is presently heavily congested and in need of improvements to accommodate current levels of local and cross valley traffic. To feed more traffic into this area would add to an existing problem. It is felt that any connector at South 180th would have the effect of dividing the Tukwila commercial /industrial district. This could actually have a negative effect on the ability to access the southern -most portion of the CID if a major cross valley route were to be made of South 180th. Councilman Bohrer asked for elaboration on the statement that a South 180th Connector would have effect of dividing the Tukwila CID. Ms. Anderson said the Chamber feels that the 180th is dissecting the middle of Tukwila. Studies show this area is going to grow and it will go south, it is not going very far north. It will be cutting the CID in half with a main access road across the valley. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES April 8, 1985 Page 3 PUBLIC MEETINGS Contd. South 188th Connector Project contd. 5/'71 Councilman Bohrer said there is very little of the City south of 180th. It is still part of the City but is small area compared to rest of CID. He said he disputed that this would bisect the City. Ms. Anderson said there is County land to the south that could at some time ask for annexation with the City and it would be cut off. Councilman Bohrer said the City is close to having contiguous boundaries to City of Kent on south side and City's planning area includes very little of the land south of the current City limits in that area. Ms. Anderson said she has stated the way the Chamber of Commerce feels about it. She said she was also president of Angle Lake Shore Club and one of the comments made was that there was a survey made in Tukwila; they made no survey on 188th as to the people's desires, including the Highline School District. Council Person Morgan asked if the Transportation Committee could have a list of members of Chamber Transportation Committee so they can be notified when discussion is taking place so Council can know the scope of their locations within the City and the diversities of the businesses they represent and numbers of people involved. The document read by Ms. Anderson represents a fairly large organization and it would be helpful to know the individuals in the decision making process. Council President Bauch said the Tukwila /Sea -Tac Chamber of Commerce is a region or area but on the second page of their letter they advocate the City spend money outside the City limits on the study. Ms. Anderson said the Chamber is advocating that the City spend the money in a coordinated effort with areas outside the City. Council President Bauch said the study was started from regional money and the input was regional and not City. Council Person Morgan said the Chamber would then like to act as a non governmental body to facilitate meetings between various governmental units. Gene Tonnemake, 19623 Military Road South, said he seconded the opinions of the Tukwila /Sea -Tac Chamber of Commerce to an extent. One difference South 200th is not far enough south. He said the 188th Street traffic level is probably at E level now and the airport plans for 188th put that area in a traffic vise that there may be four lanes of traffic going each way on that four lane highway. It is probably the busiest east -west nonfreeway street in the area. To put all of that traffic that would be generated from a Tukwila exit there without further relief will put unbelievable stress on that street. Maybe an east west corridor is needed across the valley but putting it on 188th is counter productive. One main concern in the area of 188th and 200th is safety. Getting safety vehicles through that area at certain times of the day is getting to be problematical and dangerous. Robert W. Schoebachler, 12905 NE 25th Place, Bellevue, representing his parents and himself as property owners in the City, said they own numerous parcels east and west of 57th South which would be transversed and inversely impacted by the recommended South 188th Street Connector. Along with other property owners in Tukwila they believe that the proposed Sputh 188th Connector is not in the best interests of the City. They recommended and support the regional cross valley corridor at South 200th, 196th South and 192nd. The reasons are: 1) The South 188th Connector creates new traffic and congestion problems. A study has shown that levels of service for South 180th and South 188th will not be improved. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES April 8, 1985 Page 4 PUBLIC MEETINGS Contd. South 188th Connector Project contd. It will split in half the present and future Tukwila CID area. 2) The study understates the true cost of the South 188th Connector. The improvements have not been full identified. 3) The study disregards the previous recommendation of the Tukwila Transportation Advisory Committee. This committee rejected the South 188th Connector and recommended that the City support a cross valley connector at South 200th Street. 4) The South 188th Connector will cause serious physical impacts to the Schoenbachlers' property and to other properties west of 57th Avenue South. The project will sever the parcels affected rendering large portions of them useless. The South 188th Connector will also interfere with access to and from properties in the area. Gale Hokum, attorney in law firm representing the Roy Martins, property owners in the area, said the Martins are opposed to Alternative D and E specifically,and especially E as it will sever the Martin's property. The impacts include severance and encrouchment on their property, noise problems, drainage problems. Alternative E may not remove congestion to Southcenter CID but may add congestion. Alternative D is about same cost as Alternative E and the Martins prefer D if it is a choice between the two. Bob Fehnel, representing the Benaroya Company, said they were part of the traffic study committee in 1981 and 1982. At that time they supported the 200th cross valley road because they felt it was important to segregate the cross valley traffic from the CID traffic. A new point that perhaps has not been addressed is that the Benaroya- Trammel interest is retail. They still support the 200th cross valley as the first step to this traffic ddlemna. They recognize it is out of the jurisdiction of Tukwila. If a route must happen at 188th the Benaroya Trammel Crow Companies supprt Route E as opposed to any of the other alternatives. A letter was written to Mr. Sneva in October 1984. It will be a traffic nightmare unless these improvements to other intersections are made prior to the completion of the South 188th Street project. Kevin Bannon, 4637 South 168th Street, representing the Sea -Tac Community Council, said people on top of the hill are very concerned about impacts to their neighborhoods if Alternative E is adopted. South 188th and 200th are very heavily used already and are at the overload point. There are probably alternatives for the City to consider further to the South. There appears to be lack of coordination between jurisdictions and government authorities in transportation plans for South King County in general. There is great need to work together. Mario Segale, representing the Segale family, said they wanted to go on record as against the 188th Street Connector. They do not want to split the City or put it into quarters. They would like more consideration given to the 200th Street situation, the cross corridor. The project needs more consideration. Chip Graver, speaking for Vince CoM ucio, owner of some property along South 200th, said they do not oppose any of the routes except they think that South 200th would alleviate a lot of the problems. The property owners in that area do feel they are part of Tukwila. Byron Sneva, Director of Public Works, said the consultant had pointed out the schedules, with construction in 1988. There will be more hearings. The cost is 17% local funds and 83% federal funds. The project files include information that has been said and received in writing. Councilman Bohrer said in looking at the results of the study it does not appear that South 200th solves the problems. It may be desirable to build South 200th first and start the cross valley traffic that way but this study clearly shows that it does not solve the traffic problems of access to the City that the 188th Connector would provide. South 200th is not going to solve any TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING i1INUTES April 8, 1985 Page 5 PUBLIC MEETINGS Contd. South 188th Connector Project contd. Council President Bauch declared the Public Meeting closed at 9 :15 p.m. Mr. Haney said a possible exception might be if the Council gets a statement from the proponents that they will not bring up an appearance of fairness question at a later date. Council members stated they had received calls from the proponents asking them to meet and discuss the merits of the proposal prior to the Council meeting. All Council Members stated they declined such a meeting and discussion. 5/ significant part of the congestion that currently occurs up around Klickitat as it exits off the freeway. No one believes this should be the only cross valley access. We are trying to solve the City problem and concurrently with Kent trying to solve some other problems and get some access elsewhere. We are trying to break up our own City super- blocks, that was the Minkler Project. There are super- blocks in the City of Kent and City of Renton, most of them oriented north -south that are forcing people to go north -south and branch off across the limited cross valley access that we currently have. Getting some additional cross valley access is going to alleviate traffic along some of those other north -south routes including SR 181 and South 200th alone does not do that. It does not solve the prime problem that the City saw in getting into this study earlier, meaning the congestion at the north end of the northwest corner of the CID. We are trying to solve traffic problems on one of the other corners; namely, the northeast corner where we have the Grady Way project. We are trying to solve that problem where there is already a bottle neck much of the time but we are concerned about the bottle neck that exists in the northwest corner of the City. The comments and concerns are appreciated but we have to be concerned about other problems as well. RECESS MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE 9 :15 9 :35 P.M. WHOLE MEETING RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED. The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called back to order by Council President Bauch, with Council Members present as previously listed. OLD BUSINESS MOVED BY MORGAN, SECONDED BY HARRIS, THAT COUNCIL CONSIDER ITEM 7(D) OF THE AGENDA (PROGRESS ON SHORT PLAT AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ON TUKWILA POND PROPERTY) AT THIS TIME. MOTION CARRIED. Advise Council Progress City Attorney Haney advised the Council that the Planning on Short Plat Envir. Department is currently processing a short plat application to Rev. on Tukwila Pond divide the property into two lots. Lot 1, along Strander Property. Boulevard, contains none of the pond but is proposed for immediate development as a mixed use (retail and office) complex of several buildings. Lot 2 encompasses the pond and rest of the property. A concept for development on Lot 2 is not known or proposed at this time. The applicant has requested an appearance before Council to discuss possible mitigation measures in connection with Resolution No. 736. The administrative processes of the short plat and environmental review contain an appeal process which could bring either the short plat or environmental decision before the City Council. Since the Council in discussing the application on file with the City could be creating an appearance of fairness problem relative to any future appeals of administrative decisions, Mr. Haney suggested the City Council Members not consider discussing the application on file for this reason, as a short plat application has already been filed and the Council might have to act on an appeal. John Derr, attorney for the developer, said they would like a discussion. They do not have a concern about the appearance of fairness. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES April 8, 1985 Page 6 OLD BUSINESS Contd. Tukwila Pond Property contd. Approval of Minutes: Mar. 25, 1985. Minkler Blvd. Proj., Report, and So. 188th St. Conn. Report. Prop. Ord. creating Tukwila Economic Dev. Corp. NEW BUSINESS Prop. Res. accepting turnover of sanitary sewer main by Gerald Knudson. MISCELLANEOUS Summer Street Project 5/17 Council Members Phelps said the developer is not the only party who might challenge the appearance of fairness, it could be anyone in the audience. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY SIMPSON, THAT THE COUNCIL DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POND PROPERTY AT THIS TIME. Council Member Phelps said she would like a candid discussion between the Mayor, developer and staff and then have the matter brought to the Council with suggestions for review. Mike Castle, applicant, said they have been working on the project for one and one -half years. They decided to file the short plat. They would like a work session and get input of the Council. MOVED BY MORGAN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, TO AMEND THE MOTION AND PLACE RESOLUTION NO. 736 ON THE AGENDA OF THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED, WITH DUFFIE VOTING NO. *MOTION MOOT. MOVED BY DUFFIE, NO SECOND, THAT COUNCIL HEAR THE POND PROPOSAL TONIGHT. MOTION FAILED, NO SECOND. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD MARCH 25, 1985 AS PUBLISHED. MOTION CARRIED, WITH BOHRER VOTING NO. Councilman Bohrer said he had not received a copy of the Minutes held March 25, 1985. MOVED BY MORGAN, SECONDED BY PHELPS, THAT THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION FOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF REPORTS BE DRAFTED FOR BOTH THE MINKLER BOULEVARD PROJECT AND THE SOUTH 188th STREET CONNECTOR AND IT BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY SIMPSON, SECONDED BY MORGAN, THAT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. MOVED BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY BOHRER, TO AMEND THE MOTION AND ON PAGE 3, SECTION 6, TENTH LINE, READ: "THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT OR HIS APPOINTEE SHALL ATTEND MEETINGS AND PERFORM THE DUTIES OF A DIRECTOR WHENEVER ANY OF THE DIRECTORS FROM THE FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE ARE UNAVAILABLE TO ATTEND OR PERFORM." MOTION CARRIED. *MOTION CARRIED, AS AMENDED. MOVED BY MORGAN, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE REFERRED TO THE UTILITIES COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED. Prop. Res. approving MOVED BY MORGAN, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO REFER THE PROPOSED amendments to Interlocal RESOLUTION TO THE FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE. MOTION FAILED. Agreement creating Puget Sound Cities Interlocal Ins. Auth MOVED BY PHELPS, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, THAT THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION BE ON THE AGENDA OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. MOTION CARRIED. MOVED BY HARRIS, SECONDED BY DUFFIE, TO REFER THE SUMMER BANNERS TO THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. MOTION CARRIED, WITH MORGAN VOTING NO. Council Person Morgan said she would like to see the money that would be put into the banners go into a gateway for the City. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES April 8, 1985 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT 11:15 P.M. MOVED BY DUFFIE, SECONDED BY MORGAN, THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING ADJOURN. MOTION CARRIED. ep%a-ti Edgar p. Bauch, Council President Norms Booher, Recording Secretary /T8