10-12-10 CSDS Committee MinutesCommunity Service/Development Services Committee Meeting
October 12, 2010
Elected Officials Present:
Council Member Strom Peterson, Chair
Council Member Petso
The committee convened at 6:15 p.m.
Staff Present:
Stephen Clifton, Community Services Director
Brian McIntosh, Parks Director
Rob English, City Engineer
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Bertrand Hauss, Transportation Engineer
A. Review of organization and membership of Community Technology Advisory Committee.
Council members Peterson and Petso discussed Council President Bernheim's proposal for the
Council to adopt simple rules of procedure pursuant to which each council member would appoint one
person to the CTAC, and the members of the CTAC would select the annual chair. Council members
Peterson and Petso asked for additional information about the purpose of the request. CTAC Chair
Plunkett and Council member Bernheim were not available to answer their questions. Mr. Clifton
noted that while the CTAC discussed this issue, the consensus was to allow those who want to
serve on CTAC be allowed to serve and CTAC members questioned the need for the City Council to
appoint CTAC members.
ACTION: The Committee asked that this item be brought placed on the November City Council
CSDS Committee agenda to allow Committee members the ability to discuss this issue with Council
members Plunkett and/or Bernheim.
B. Authorize $82,415 in motor vehicle fuel tax from the Street Construction/Improvement
Fund (Fund#112) for the 2009 Asphalt Overlay Project.
City Engineer, Rob English, presented an overview of the 2009 Asphalt Overlay Project and
reviewed the significant work items that resulted in additional project costs. The additional costs
during construction were due to poor pavement conditions beneath the existing pavement surface,
installation of curb ramps for ADA compliance and flagging. The additional pavement repairs were
needed on both Dayton and 21211 streets since sections of the street were severely cracked in many
areas and additional excavation, reinforcement fabric and pavement were added to support the new
overlay. The City completed its review and discussions with the contractor in September and
determined $82,415 is needed in addition to the federal grant funds to help pay for the extra work.
Staff recommends this cost be paid from motor vehicle fuel tax from the Street
Construction/Improvement Fund (Fund #112). The total construction cost for this project was
$1,082,400 and the federal grant paid $999,985 leaving a balance of $82,415 to be paid from local
funds.
Councilmember Petso asked if payment had been made to the Contractor and Mr. English
responded that the last payment was on -hold until the item was approved by Council.
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October 12, 2010
Page 2
ACTION: The Committee recommended the item be placed on consent agenda for approval at the
October 19, 2010 Council meeting.
C. Discussion on oversight of the Edmonds Underwater Park and use of buoys.
This discussion centered on the possible proliferation of the buoy system in the Underwater Park as
well as the management and oversight provided to the park. Parks Director Brian McIntosh reviewed
the City's responsibilities in regard to oversight and particularly the Department of Natural
Resources lease to use this marine property. Mr. McIntosh introduced Bruce Higgins who has been
the lead steward in the park since 1977. Mr. McIntosh explained that the buoys were first and
foremost safety features in the park that provide resting places, hand holds, and guidance into and
out of the park. The priority of the stewardship of the park is safety, security, maintenance and
enhancement of the park. Mr. Higgins further explained that with the renewal of the DNR lease in
2005 a new cautionary zone beyond the existing boundary of the park was established and added 5
buoys. Mr. McIntosh explained that what you see now in the park is the full complement of buoys
including some that had recently been cleaned, retrieved, refloated or replaced. Mr. Higgins added
that the colored buoys delineate the beginner area or the new southern park perimeter further north
and away from the ferry dock. He explained that when in the water there is a whole different
perspective presented from seeing the buoys from the beach or above. To minimize the effect on
views Councilmember Petso questioned if there was another way to provide the same level of safety
in another way. No ideas were forthcoming.
ACTION: Request staff and Park Stewards to be aware of any new technologies or systems
that could replace part or all of the current buoy system and keep the same level of safety.
D. Discussion of Complete Streets Ordinance.
Mr. Skye Schell from Cascade Land Conservancy presented a draft complete street ordinance and
explained the goals of the ordinance.
Councilmember Petso supported the ordinance; however she had concerns about the use of "shall"
in the draft ordinance and how that would affect the City on future projects.
Mr. Phil Williams, Public Works Director, supported the concepts outlined in the draft ordinance, but
expressed concerns on how the ordinance would be administered by staff and the impacts to routine
maintenance and preservation projects. Mr. Williams suggested that staff work with Mr. Schell on the
ordinance.
Councilmember Peterson supported the goals of the ordinance and wanted to have a discussion at
the October 19, 2010 council meeting.
ACTION: The Committee placed the item on the October 19t" Council meeting for discussion and
asked staff to work with Mr. Schell on the draft ordinance.
E. Discussion on the 196t" Street SW/88t" Avenue W Intersection Study.
Mr. Bertrand Hauss, Transportation Engineer, presented information on the 2007 Safety Study at the
intersection of 196t" St. SW @ 88t" Av. W. The study was prepared by the professional engineering
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October 12, 2010
Page 3
firm of Gray and Osborne. The intersection was studied in 2007 because several citizens expressed
concerns about vehicle and pedestrian safety at the intersection. The consultant reviewed the traffic
count data for all approaches, accident history, level of service, sight distance, and intersection
geometry in order to develop six improvement alternatives.
The final recommendation presented to the City Council in 2007 was to allow right turns only for
northbound vehicles on 8811 Ave on the approach to 1961" Street. The recommendation included
the installation of a raised traffic island to prevent left turn and through movements for northbound
vehicles. The City Council didn't support this recommendation and no action was taken.
There were several follow-up questions by both committee members related to traffic volumes,
recent accident history, alternate routes for vehicles, pedestrian usage and the level of service at the
intersection.
ACTION: Council Member Petso offered to discuss this item with Councilmember Wilson since he
asked Council to reconsider and review the findings of the 2007 traffic study. Discussion on the item
may continue at the November CS/DS meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.