HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/1998 Adjourned Meeting / Study Session 56
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY 3, 1998
ADJOURNED MEETING - STUDY SESSION
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The City Council met in session on this date at 7:30 a.m., in the
Second Floor Training Room at the Police /Legal Center, 200 South Third
Street, Yakima, Washington, Mayor John Puccinelli, presiding. Council
Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp (present after 8:15 a.m.),
John Klingele, Mary Place, and Bernard Sims present on roll call.
Council Member Lynn Buchanan absent and excused. City Manager Zais,
Administrative Assistant to the City Manager Oliver, and Deputy City
Clerk Skovald also present.
Review Of 1998 Street Improvement Projects
Mayor Puccinelli called the meeting to order. It was the consensus of
the Council to review the Arterial Street Emergency Repair Program
first, out of sequence on the agenda.
City Manager Zais provided some background information about the
Arterial Street Repair Program, which the Council approved as part of
the 1998 Final Budget Decision. Fred French and Dave Hussell
entertained questions from the Council about the prioritized list of
streets critically needing repair. The list was created from the 1997
Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program and an analysis was done
for each street on that list. There was discussion about the
techniques and the process associated with the street grind and
overlay program. The proposed repairs would provide an additional 10
years of service life to the streets; however, long term funding
options need to be explored to pay for a comprehensive street
rebuilding program for the future. Council Member Place inquired as
to whether the asphalt industry agrees with the staff recommendation.
After reviewing the projects and making suggestions for various
projects, Brian Sims with Superior Asphalt and Bill Hammett with
Central Pre -Mix agreed the 10 years' additional service life is a
fair, basic assessment. In addition there was discussion about the
locations of the streets to be repaired, as well as maintaining. City
parking lots and grading alleys and dirt streets, along with the seal -
coating program. Also included in the discussion were the services
and programs citizens expect in newly annexed areas, as well as how
the increased workload affects existing services for the rest of the
city.
City Manager Zais introduced an alternative proposal to pay for the
street repair projects since there are a number of significant steps'
remaining in the GMA process. A conventional Council bond would be a
backup approach to the Public Works Trust Fund because money will not
become available from that source until the spring of 1999. There was
a lengthy discussion about the Councilmatic Bond process, as well as
the debt service to be incurred. Interfund Loans were also briefly
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ADJOURNED MEETING - FEBRUARY 3, 1998
mentioned. City Manager Zais anticipates an August 1998 timeframe to
begin construction for the grind and overlay program if the Council
decides to go forward with a Councilmatic Bond this spring. It was
the consensus of the Council to consider a 10 -year bond, tied to the
life of the 1998 Street Improvement Projects, and utilizing several
sources of funds that can be applied. This issue will be considered
during today's business meeting.
Transportation Plan Amendment
Council Member Barnett said the Transportation Plan Element reflects
exactly what Council directed at the public hearing, is strictly a
housekeeping measure, and should be accepted by the Council.
Council Member Place expressed concern about the impacts caused by the
closure of 10 Avenue and its impact to 11 Avenue. The Earth Tech
Report states some impacts to streets, and how those will be dealt
with.
Dave Zielinski, Transportation Planning Director with Earth Tech,
described how the level of service would be impacted due to the
closure of 10 Avenue and by not making any improvements to either
16 Avenue or 32 Avenue. Also included in the analysis is whether
the current construction project, which is adding a center lane
between Selah and Yakima, would have any significant impacts.
Mr. Zielinski also directed attention to the impacts from development
outside the city of Yakima, specifically in Terrace Heights. He
commented about the 16 Avenue LOS "D" and suggested that a safety
analysis on each development on this area be done. A strategy needs
to be developed. He explained the capacity would be affected if any
center turn lanes were to be put in. The 32nd Avenue collector will
continue to function at an acceptable level but needs safety features
such as sidewalks. There was discussion about the policy of no
improvements to 32 Avenue and 16 Avenue and how that affects future
development projects, such as required traffic studies and impact
fees. Since the LOS projections were based on 1994 figures, Council
Member Place feels more traffic counts are needed and direction
brought back to deal with the traffic flow problems this .year. Dave
Hussell explained there is a growing list of slowing intersections and
diverting traffic through residential neighborhoods. He pointed out a
yearly review process is needed to identify issues and work out
solutions, but more funding is needed to be able to do that.
Council Member Sims inquired about the Hearing Examiner's request that
traffic counts be done. Shelley Willson explained staff is limited
with only six counters. The City of Yakima also counts for citizen
complaints and most involve residential streets, not arterials. Dave
Hussell said the past data on traffic counts was done by outside
consultants. Physically there are not enough resources to do that
within the city. Up -to -date information needs to be determined and an
analysis is needed to determine what is needed.
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ADJOURNED MEETING - FEBRUARY 3, 1998
Council Member Beauchamp asked about the analysis process. Shelley
Willson explained the analysis process and how costs are estimated.
Council Member Beauchamp feels there is a lot of traffic and that more
traffic counters are needed. Council Member Sims asked whether crews
work the night shift. Dave Hussell explained not in terms of traffic
counting except under special circumstances. Council Member Sims
asked about road repair working at night. Dave Hussell explained
there are some special projects done at night, but not on a routine
basis. There are not enough people to run two full shifts. Dave
Hussell commended his crew for a good job with the limited resources
available.
Council Member Sims asked if it is competitive with the contracting
out of services, if we were to contemplate a cost reduction plan.
Dick Zais said cost reduction would critically impact public services.
We are going to Olympia to discuss street needs and the costs needs to
be shared with the state. We need a significant share of resources to
dedicate funds for street repairs -- matching dollars for the
magnitude of projects by renewal of federal and state money. Many
other cities are also seeking these funds and continued pressure on
the Legislature is needed. There was discussion about matching fund
requirements for financing.
Council Member Beauchamp inquired whether allocations could be given
from the bridge improvement program to include road repairs. There
was discussion about the possibility of including other improvements'
eligibility. Fred French explained the Bridge Program is separate
from the road improvement program.
It was MOVED BY PLACE, SECONDED BY SIMS, TO ADJOURN AT 8:50 A.M. The
motion carried by unanimous voice vote;�Buchanan abse .
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: `�.� 10/44
COUNCIL MEMBER DATE
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CO UN MEMBER DATE
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK JOHN PUCCINELLI, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk skovald. An audiotape of this meeting is
available in the City Clerk's Office
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