02/08/1994 City CouncilEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
February 8, 1994
THESE MINUTES WERE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT THEIR FEBRUARY 15, 1994 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
The special meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Laura
Hall at the Library Plaza Room, 650 Main St., Edmonds. All present joined in the flag salute.
PRESENT
Laura Hall, Mayor
John Nordquist, Council President
Steve Dwyer, Councilmember
Michael Hall, Councilmember
William Kasper, Councilmember
Dave Earling, Councilmember
Barbara Fahey, Councilmember
Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember
DISCUSSION ON HIGHWAY 99 PROJECT
STAFF
Paul Mar, Community Srv. Dir
Art Housler, Admin. Srv. Dir.
Jeff Wilson, Planning Supr.
Gordy Hyde, Engineering Coord.
Bob Alberts, City Engineer
Noel Miller, Public Works Supt.
Rhonda March, City Clerk
Barb Mehlert, Recorder
Bob Alberts, City Engineer, updated the City Council on four different projects that have been
ongoing regarding SR 99 and the highway corridor. The four projects discussed were: 1) SR 99
Widening project; 2) Community Transit HOV Study, 3)Transit Automated Vehicle Identification
Project, and 4) SR 99 Task Force/Streetscape Improvement Guidelines. Mr. Loren Sand, Public
Works Director from the City of Lynnwood was present for the discussion. Details on the
projects are attached.
Mr. Sands said at the present time, a design report has been completed for the project as of
1-1/2 years ago. When the document was prepared, Mr. Sands said it was assumed a SEPA evaluation
could be done without an Environmental Impact Statement because basically, the project involved
working with the existing right-of-way along SR99. Mr. Sands said later on, it was found there
was an opportunity to secure Federal funds for the project, and because of that it was found out
the State environmental policies that was followed would no longer satisfy the Federal require-
ments. Mr. Sands said, therefore, Entranco prepared a Categorical Exclusion Document was pre-
pared, which is a conversion from the SEPA requirements to the National Policy (NEPA), which is
now being reviewed by the State, WSDOT, as well as the Federal Highway Administration.
Mr. Sands said it is unfortunate, but as time has gone on, some of the project requirements are
changing, and the longer it takes to get into a position to start construction, the costs of the
project are going up and the more complex the project becomes.
Mr. Sands said the project is at the point now where it can go before the Transportation Improve-
ment Board and secure funding to do the design for some section of the roadway. Mr. Sands said
the streets of SR 99 can be broken down into three segments of the road to deal with; Lynnwood,
Edmonds, and the County. Mr. Sands said the project could be built in.three separate phases. Mr:
Sands said the questions that really have to be dealt with now between the City, County, and
Lynnwood would be: 1) Who still wants to stay in the project, 2) To what level of participation
do we all want to stay in, and 3) what section should be built first.
Mr. Sands said the project was initially estimated at $10 million, and it is now up to $20 mil-
lion. He noted that the original estimate was simply an estimate which did not consist of a lot
of study. Mr. Sands said the three entities are looking at ways to reduce the costs. Mr. Sands
said one element that has come up lately is the potential impact the project may have on proper-
ties and their abilities to come after the project sponsors for damages that may occur to their
properties because they are now enjoying the use of the right-of-way for parking and access, and
when the project is completed, the entire right-of-ways will be needed.
Various ways of funding the project were discussed. Councilmember Kasper asked Mr. Sands how the
City of Lynnwood would pay for the project, and Mr. Sands said the City would impose an LID. It
was noted by Bob Alberts, City Engineer for Edmonds, the City of Edmonds has stated it would not
impose an LID. Mr. Alberts said reasons discussed for not doing an LID (four or five years ago),
was Edmonds' portion, which was estimated at $200,000 to $300,000 range is really not worth the
effort to go through an LID. Mr. Alberts said it was thought that the arterial street fund could
be used. Mr. Alberts, said, however, this discussion was held before the escalation of the
project was known, which is now $1 million.
HOV dedicated lanes and HOV emphasis lanes were discussed. It was noted that it is being recom-
mended the outside lanes will be used by busses as dedicated lanes, including stops, and as an
access to businesses. Discussion was held amongst the Mayor and Council regarding whether the
lanes should be "emphasis"; "dedicated", and whether or not they should in fact be on the outside
lanes. Councilmember Kasper asked if this means there would not be a car pool lane. Mr. Sands
said this is correct as it would not be marketed as a car pool lane. Mr. Sands said this has been
the position of the City of Lynnwood from day one.
Councilmember Petruzzi asked how much money is in the arterial street fund (Fund 112). Mr. Al-
berts said there is $200;ObO presently, and over the next couple of years there will be $500,000
which is still short of what is needed. Councilmember Petruzzi asked what other options could be
used to finance Edmonds' portion without an LID. Mr. Alberts said a Bond issue could be a possi-
bility, or a loan such as a Public Works Trust Fund loan.
Mr. Sands said he believes Community Transit has set aside some funds for their participation in
arterial improvements whit facilitate transit operations. Mr. Sands said he believes the funds
are approximately $5 million, and said if some of that money could be utilized for the project,
it would be a great help.
Councilmember Kasper said the former Mayor of Edmonds said an LID would not be imposed, however,
Councilmember Kasper said the. numbers have escalated so much for this project that it might be
necessary to change that sway of thinking. Councilmember Kasper said the City should fund the
first $200,000 as it said iit would, and impose an LID for the remainder of the project.
Gordy Hyde, Engineering Coordinator, discussed with the Mayor and Council, various ways signage
would occur throughout the eight mile stretch of road so motorists are.fully aware of the various
usage of the lanes. Mr. Hyde suggested the signage appear overhead as opposed to the side of the
road. Council concurred with this idea.
Jeff Wilson, Planning Supervisor, updated the Council on the progress of the SR 99 Task Force.
Mr. Wilson said there will be a draft document in the near future for Council review.
At 8:15 p.m, the Mayor and Councilmembers adjourned to an Executive Session on a a property mat-
ter. From the Executive Session, Councilmembers met with their respective committees.
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
Page 2 February 8, 1994
SR 99 Widening Project
The project for SR 99 has changed over the years. In 1986, the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) proposed
resurfacing SR 99 from the King County line (244th St. S.W.)
northerly to approximately 196th St. S.W. (SR 524). In 1989, the
design was completed and -a cost estimate prepared. The estimated
cost to the City was $64,296 and the construction work was to be
performed in 1990 or 1991. The decision was then made to propose
a project expanding the resurfacing project to a widening project
with improvements.
In August 1990, the City entered into an agreement for the
widening of SR 99 to seven (7) lanes from King County (244th St.
S.W.) northerly to 148th St. S.W. (Exhibit A). The project is to
be approximately eight (8) miles in length. There are six (6)
participants in the project: the. City of Edmonds, the City of
Lynnwood, the City of Mountlake Terrace, Snohomish County, WSDOT,
and Community Transit. The -State Transportation Improvement
Account (TIA) provided a grant for approximately sixty-four
percent (640) of the current project cost. Community Transit,
WSDOT, and the City of Mountlake Terrace are contributing lump
sum amounts. The remaining project costs are allocated to the
City of Edmonds, the City of Lynnwood, and Snohomish County based
on the improvements within each of their jurisdictions. Exhibit
B shows the latest proposed distribution of costs, of which the
estimated project cost to the City is now $964,580. The
estimated cost to the City in the original 1990 agreement was
$327,768 (Exhibit C). The cost increase is due to a new cost
estimate prepared since the predesi.gn report. The total project
costs have increased from $15.3 million to $20.8 million.
The project consists of widening the highway to seven (7) lanes,
signal improvements, reconstruction of portions of the highway,
sidewalks, enlarging the side street entrance radius for large
vehicles, such as buses and trucks, and resurfacing (Exhibit D).
Approximately twenty-one percent (21%) of SR 99 frontage is in
the City of Edmonds. Due to private development along SR 99,
fifty-five percent (55%) of frontage in the City has already been
widened to accommodate the seven (7) lanes.
The predesign and environmental phases of the project are
complete. The City's cost to date is approximately $26,000.
In January 1990, the Highway 99 Task Force published a Baseline
Report for comprehensive long-range planning along .SR 99.
Exhibits F and G from the report show the recommended improvement
standards for SR 99. Jeff Wilson, Planning Supervisor, is active
with the task force as the City's representative. The Task
Force's draft mission statement is
"To develop a long-range master plan and development
guidelines, as envisioned in the Highway 99 Baseline
Report and to guide development along Highway 99 between
the King/Snohomish County line and the Mukilteo Speedway.
To promote the implementation.of the master plan by
recommending the necessary code changes and development
standards common to each participating jurisdiction
needed to implement coordinated and controlled growth in
the study area."
The Task Force is working on Streetscape Improvement Guidelines
and has retained alconsultant to assist in this effort. The
following assumptions in preparing the guidelines are from the
draft executive summary: .
"The proposedlStreetscape Improvement Guidelines and
schematic urban design plan are based on the assumption
that the roadway will be expanded to seven (7) lanes but
not nine (9),1that the existing pedestrian islands at the
major intersections will not be removed, and. there. will
not be roadway grade separations at the major
intersections,l Other assumptions are that the proposed
high capacity rail transit route will not be located
within the project area and that high occupancy vehicle
(HOV) lanes, if designated on Highway 99, will not be
added in addition to the planned seven lane expansion."
AGENDA
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
PLAZA MEETING ROOM - LIBRARY BUILDING
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
FEBRUARY 8, 1994
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE WORK MEETING
(Second Tuesday of Each Month)
CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M. - FULL COUNCIL
FLAG SALUTE
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2. (so Min.) DISCUSSION ON HIGHWAY 99 PROJECT
3. (10 Min.) EXECUTIVE SESSION ON A PROPERTY MATTER
ADJOURN TO COMMITTEES
The three City Council committee meetings are work sessions for the City Council and staff only,
and are not public hearings. All committee meetings, however, are open to the public.
1. FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA:
Room 113 (Conference Room), Frances Anderson Center
(A) REVIEW OF LEASING PROGRAM FOR POLICE VEHICLES
(B) DISCUSSION ON LEOFF I LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
(C) REVIEW OF PETTY CASH AND CREDIT CARD EXPENDITURES FOR THE MONTH
OF JANUARY, 1994
2. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AGENDA:
Small Plaza Meeting Room, Library Building (Second Floor)
(A) DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY POLICING
(B) REVIEW OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW CRIMINAL VIOLATION
FOR FAILURE TO RESPOND TO CIVIL INFRACTIONS
(C) DISCUSSION ON INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH SNOHOMISH COUNTY FOR
EXTRADITION SERVICES
3. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE AGENDA:
Large Plaza Meeting Room, Library Building (Second Floor)
(A) REVIEW OF RESURFACING PROGRAM
PARKING AND MEETING ROOMS ARE ACCESSIBLE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
CONTACT THE CITY CLERK AT 771-0245 WITH 24 HOURS ADVANCE NOTICE FOR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS.
The Council Agenda appears on Chambers Cable, Channel 32.