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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-01 Transportation MinutesCity of Tukwila Transportation Committee TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes October 1, 2012 5:15 p.m. Conference Room 91 PRESENT Councilmembers: Allan Ekberg, Chair; Kathy Hougardy and De' Sean Quinn Staff: Bob Giberson, Frank Iriarte, Robin Tischmak, Jaimie Reavis, Cyndy Knighton, Jack Pace, Nora Gierloff, David Cline, Gail Labanara and Kimberly Matej Guest: Chuck Parrish, resident; and Jan Bolerjack, Riverton Park United Methodist Church; Hank Kerns, Forest Lawn (Dignity Memorial/Riverton Crest Cemetery) CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m. I. PRESENTATIONS No presentations. II. BUSINESS AGENDA A. WSDOT Safe Routes to School Grant Acceptance: Cascade View Elementary School Staff is seeking Committee approval to enter into an agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation WSDOT) to receive 2012 Safe Routes to School State Funding in the amount of $427,588 for a trail project connecting to Cascade View Elementary School. Staff originally applied for this funding in 2010, and the funding was not initially awarded. However, the project was placed on the State's contingency list, and the City was notified earlier this year that grant funds are available for this project. If accepted by the City, the grant funds will be utilized to build an off street formal paved trail that provides access between Cascade View Elementary School and the neighborhood to the south. Educational opportunities and encouragement activities will also be planned emphasizing safe routes to schools and benefits of walking. Grant funds are made available on a reimbursement basis to the City, and there is no required City match. Additionally, if the City does not complete the project, WDSOT could require repayment of part or all of the grant monies. The project calls for the formal trail to pass through portions of two properties, the Riverton Park United Methodist Church and Riverton Crest Cemetery. Staff briefly discussed the need to acquire a portion of each property for the trail. Reverend Jan Bolerjack from Riverton Park United Methodist Church expressed some concerns regarding the possibility of altering or loosing church property which could ultimately result in a hardship for the Church. In contrast, Hank Kerns from Forest Lawn (Riverton Crest Cemetery) stated that the cemetery does not foresee concerns related to providing the City with an easement for the project, as compared to purchase, as long as ingress and egress to the cemetery is considered. Rev. Bolerjack commented that an easement without purchase may be an option that the Church would consider as it would not impact the future expansion needs of the property. The Committee thanked Rev. Bolerjack and Mr. Kerns for their input, and asked staff questions regarding the construction phase of the project. Staff replied that many of the details would not be known until the project design was complete. The design phase is estimated to cost $55,000. If the City decides not to proceed with the project after design, it is possible that WSDOT could ask for expended funds to be returned. The Committee agreed that this item should be forwarded to the COW for discussion. Committee Chair Ekberg and Committee Member Quinn recommend acceptance of the grant, and Committee Member Hougardy felt that it warranted full Council discussion. MAJORITY APPROVAL. FORWARD TO OCTOBER 8 COW FOR DISCUSSION. Transportation Committee Minutes October 1, 2012 Pape 2 B. Utility Undergrounding: 42" Avenue South Phase III This item was originally heard by the Transportation Committee in January (see Transportation Committee minutes dated January 17, 2012), when staff sought approval to award a consultant contract for design of 42nd Avenue South Phase III. Although the project design scope did not include undergrounding, the consultant analyzed the cost of conversion to undergrounding. Staff is returning to Committee with the results of this analysis, and seeking direction from Council whether or not a project specific agreement with Seattle City Light should be negotiated stipulating undergrounding costs which would be rate -based to the customer. The estimated costs to design undergrounding are $72,700, and the actual undergrounding is estimated to cost $1.75 million. This would bring the project total to $5.48 million as compared to $3.73 million without undergrounding. Staff gave an overview of options that could pay for the undergrounding, including: general fund monies, a local improvement district, or utility rate basing. Discussion ensued among the Committee Members about undergrounding utilities and the current City policy for such. In the end, the Committee determined that in consideration of all the factors of this specific project, including costs and undergrounding in the neighboring jurisdiction, it would not be prudent to underground utilities on this project. They also conveyed the importance of having full Council review the current undergrounding policies for the City in order to determine policy applicability in today's economic times. The Committee recognizes two separate issues and recommends the following: Recommends not undergrounding utilities on Phase III of the 42" Avenue South Project Recommends conducting full Council review of current City undergrounding policies, and update and /or modify as appropriate Although the Committee is urging Council review of the current utility undergrounding policies, a full policy discussion does not necessarily need to take place at the October 8 COW. The discussion could take place as part a 2013 Council work item /plan. SEE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS BULLETED ABOVE. FORWARD TO OCTOBER 8 COW FOR DISCUSSION. III. SCATBd Due to a scheduled Executive Session beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Committee did not have time to discuss SCAT13d. INFORMATION ONLY. IV. MISCELLANEOUS Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Next meeting: Monday, October 15, 2012 5:15 p.m., Conference Room 41 Committee Chair Approval Minutes by KAM. Reviewed by GL.