PPW012120PARKS & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
January 21, 2020
Elected Officials Present
Councilmember Susan Paine (Chair)
Councilmember Diane Buckshnis
Staff Present
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Rob English, City Engineer
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.
1. Presentation of a Grant Agreement with Department of Ecology for the Seaview Park
Infiltration Facility Phase 2
Mr. Williams explained the first phase of the infiltration project, funded by an Ecology grant with a 25%
City match, was completed in 2018/2019. That project includes a flow splitter that is routed to four
underground injection control (UIC) wells to reduce peak flow velocities in Perrinville Creek. The City
applied for and received a second Ecology grant for a nearly duplicate project (Phase 2), that will provide
75% of the funding need for design and construction. The total project cost is estimated to be $742,700;
the City's required match is $185,675. The first project infiltrated flows up to the modelled 2-year storm
event which resulted in achieving full flow -control compliance for 10.6 acres of the 52.8 acre basin.
Phase 2 will accomplish flow -control compliance for another approximately 10 acres. The 2020 budget
included $241,000 for design and construction.
Discussion followed regarding stormwater regulations, measuring the sediment reduction, whether this
project would qualify for funding from a new Ecology grant project related to Streamflow Management,
and the possibility of a Phase 3 project.
Action: Schedule on Consent Agenda
2. Blue Star Gas Supply Agreement
Mr. Williams explained the City has converted 36 City vehicles to propane as their primary fuel; vehicles
have a dual fuel system that allows them to operate on diesel or gasoline . Propane powered vehicles
require less maintenance, perform better and propane is less expensive. In 2012 the City signed a 5-
year contract with Blue Start to provide propane; on -site fueling station; vehicle conversions; training;
and technical support. In the last 2 years, the City has continued purchasing on a yearly basis contract.
The option to sign a 5 year contract with Blue Star is being offered with a pricing guarantee of $1.00 per
gallon below the Weekly Retail Gasoline and Diesel Prices for the Seattle Metropolitan area. Propane
is currently $1.25-$1.50 less than gas although propone generates approximately 15% less BTUs which
is the equivalent of buying unleaded gas at $1.80/gallon.
Discussion followed regarding Blue Star being the City's sole supplier for propane fuel, Blue Star's past
performance, and Blue Star providing the supply tank, metering device and maintenance.
Action: Schedule on Consent Agenda
3. Authorization to Purchase (1) 2020 Elgin Crosswind J Street Sweeper
01/21/20 PPW Committee Minutes, Page 2
Mr. Williams recalled this purchase was discussed during budget. The City currently has one
regenerative air sweeper and one mechanical rear -broom sweeper. The proposal is to retire the
mechanical sweeper one year early and purchase another Elgin Crosswind J Street Sweeper. The
replacement was budgeted at $360,000; the current estimate is $337,000. The mechanical sweeper will
be surplused and sold at auction; he estimated revenue of approximately $20,000.
Discussion followed regarding the three vactor trucks the City owns, potential purchasers of the sweeper
at auction, life expectancy of the new sweeper, why the mechanical sweeper was being retired early,
purchase and maintenance cost paid by the Stormwater Utility, and whether a portion of cost could be
paid by the Street Fund.
Action: Schedule on Consent Agenda
4. Discussion regarding Impacts of 1-976
Mr. Williams explained Seattle, King County and others were successful in obtaining an injunction to
block 1-976 from taking effect which will allow time to determine whether the initiative is defective.
Discussion followed regarding whether the City's lobbyist was monitoring the situation, 1-976 eliminating
approximately half the Street Fund 111 revenue, impact of 1-976 on funding for State roads, the City's
current ability to adopt a $20 + $20 TBD vehicle fee without voter approval (which is eliminated if the
initiative is determined to be valid), putting TBD funding on the ballot, majority of Edmonds voters did
not support 1-976, the public's concern with inflated car values used to calculate Sound Transit funding,
other City funding sources for transportation, number of vehicles licensed in Edmonds, and allocation
of State gas tax by population.
Action: Discussion only
The meeting was adjourned at 6:28 p.m.