HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/07/2002 Adjourned Meeting 16
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MAY 7, 2002 - 7:30 A.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
1. ROLL CALL
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett,
Lynn Buchanan, Paul George, Larry Mattson, John Puccinelli, and
Bernard Sims
Staff: City Manager Zais (present after 7:55 a.m.), Chris Waarvick,
Public Works Director, and City Clerk Roberts
Guest: Don Whitehouse, State Department of Transportation
Don Skone, Executive Director of the Conference of
Governments
Vern Redifer, Director /County Engineer
2. PRESENTATION ON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECTS
Chris Waarvick stated the purpose of today's meeting is to identify for the
community, from the City's perspective, five projects of economic significance that
we wish the State Department of Transportation to pursue through the
Legislature. Mayor Place provided some background information, commenting
that Don Whitehouse and Don Skone put together a transportation committee and
after their discussion they were supposed to identify five transportation
improvement projects that would encourage economic development in our area.
Don Whitehouse, DOT SW Region, gave a Powerpoint presentation on State
funding for transportation projects. Although the population is up and the number
of vehicles and vehicle miles driven is up, the gas tax revenue has not increased
at the same pace due to inflation and increased fuel efficiency of the vehicles. He
advised that 34% of the budget is used for maintenance of existing roads, 23% is
for new construction and 43% is for repaving. He stated that more than half of the
traffic congestion is caused by incidents. He then provided facts about the
proposed 9% gas tax ballot issue and projects in the eastern and central part of
the state that could be funded through gas tax allocations. Council Member
Puccinelli interjected that Mr. Whitehouse's presentation is a lobbying effort for the
proposed gas tax ballot issue, which is not appropriate without allowing the
opposing side the same opportunity to present their facts. Council Member Sims
commented that he viewed this presentation as informational, telling us what DOT
has in mind for our region. Mayor Place agreed with Council Member Sims, but
stated they could talk about making sure both sides have equal opportunity to
discuss the ballot issue.
MAY 7, 2002 - ADJOURNED MEETING /STUDY SESSION 17
Council Member Buchanan commented to Mr. Whitehouse that he noticed that
Snoqualmie Pass was never closed in the past, but now we have frequent
closures and asked why. Mr. Whitehouse said that research indicates the pass
was closed less last year than in the last ten years; the difference is that
commerce never before depended on getting goods overnight.
Don Skone distributed information regarding the Conference of Governments and
the Metropolitan Planning Organization. He noted that when Mr. Whitehouse first
came to our community he recognized the need for economic development and
asked how the state transportation system could help increase economic
development. That coincided with our regional planning this year. We are
partnering with DOT to ask Council what are your transportation needs that would
assist economic development.
Council Member Puccinelli asked if there is a long -range plan to connect the West
Valley area to the freeways without coming through town. Mr. Whitehouse stated
that they don't have one, but that is why he wants to get input from the
communities.
Chris Waarvick proposed five projects to be forwarded to the Yakima Regional
Area Transportation and Economic Vitality Commission.
• State Route 12 Interchange at North 40 Avenue and Fruitvale Boulevard
Needs improvement to the bottleneck on North 40 Avenue.
• State Route 12 Interchange at North 1 6th Avenue
Needs additional storage lane for vehicle stacking.
• 1 -82 Interchange at Fair Avenue and Proposed Terrace Heights Access
Needs on /off ramps for truck traffic ("J'!, ramps); also, Yakima County has
preliminary plans for an arterial street crossing of the Yakima River and we
may be able to combine the proposed projects.
• 1 -82 Interchange at State Route 24 and Nob Hill Boulevard
Needs additional capacity to the interchange system; add lanes for bridge and
interchange facility as well as ramp storage for vehicles. Update signalization
system.
• 1 -82 Interchange at Valley Mall Boulevard
Needs capacity and safety improvements. Aubrey Reeves, Union Gap Mayor,
gave a status report on the Valley Mall Boulevard Project, including the
funding aspect.
A discussion ensued regarding the benefit of selecting regional projects to submit
to the state for funding. The various entities would not be competing for the same
funds, particularly for projects that nearly duplicate each other.
Vern Redifer advised Council about the projects selected by Yakima County:
• Terrace Heights East/West Corridor
• State Route 24 / Nob Hill Boulevard Interchange project
• State Route 12 / Sun Tides Interchange •
• New north /south connectors from West Valley to State Route 12
The fifth project has not yet been selected; however, they are considering a
Selah/Wenas project. He agreed that submitting a regional funding application
would provide better lobbying power.
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MAY 7, 2002 — ADJOURNED MEETING /STUDY SESSION
Mayor Place stated that we would want to consider supporting the 1 -90 tunnel
project because it impacts our valley. Council discussed adding a loop from the
West Valley area to the freeways as a sixth project. Council Member Puccinelli
thought that Council should submit the five projects presented to them and add
the proposed sixth project as a long -range planning project.
Mr. Whitehouse stated that there is a meeting this Friday to discuss the projects
submitted by the cities in this area.
• Citizen Comments
Connie Little, 2002 Simpson Lane, suggested that the 1 -90/ Snoqualmie Pass
tunnel project be considered as the sixth gateway into our valley.
Trent Marquis, 1022 Gipson Road, Selah, supported the West Valley loop project,
stating it would be a boost to economic development.
Eric Beeker, Boise Cascade, was supportive of the "J" ramp project, but asked
that Boise Cascade be kept informed about any projects that would impact them.
Jamie Carmody commented that he would prioritize at least three of these
projects because they are of critical importance to this community, and they are:
1) Valley Mall Intersection
2) Nob Hill Boulevard and 1 -82
3) 40 Avenue and Fruitvale
Lynne Kittelson, 305 North 9 Street, Northeast Yakima Neighborhood
Association, wanted it entered into the record that putting a four -lane racetrack
through their neighborhood is unacceptable. She asked that an alternate route
besides "G" Street be considered.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:58 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: . oz.�// 4`7
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OUNCIL MEMBER DATE
C OUNCIL M' :ER DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK ARY PLACE, MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Karen Roberts. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office
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