HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/02/2008 04B Minutes 11-03-2008 Council Intergovernmental Relations Committee 1 7 1 4 ‘8
' :4' Yakima C� `Gauncrl Committee Meeten n7
a % u.s. " k ' ' ....._-....- �F::.,.�U._..am�.- .»»..H<.�.J
• Council Intergovernmental Rfkitions Committee
Monday, November 3, 2008
2:00 p.m.
CED Large Conference Room
Council present: Neil McClure, Rick Ensey
Commissioner: Mike Leita
City staff present: Dick Zais, Dave Zabell, Michael Morales, Sue Ownby, Dan Ford
County staff present: Craig Warner, Vern Redifer, Steve Ekstedt
Invited guest: Bill Preston, Washington State Department of Transportation
Follow up to joint City /County purchasing agreement
Dave Zabell stated that staff has determined that outside expertise is needed to push this
very technical project through to completion. Some industry experts /potential consultants
have been identified. As soon as the memo of understanding (MOU) is ready, it will be
reviewed at a joint meeting of the City Council and County Commissioners. Craig Warner
recommended and it was agreed that County Legal will take the lead on drafting the MOU.
When the MOU is in place, the staff can begin to work with the industry expert to design
the strategy and the implementation process. Eventually the formal implementation
• process and an interlocal agreement will be adopted by both entities.. Mike Leita stated
that the County can support or reimburse the City for 50% of the cost of the temporary staff
person that is necessary to allow Sue the time to work on this project. The next steps are
to begin working on the draft MOU and to schedule the joint meeting to consider the MOU.
The draft MOU will be reviewed by the Intergovernmental Committee meeting at their next
meeting on November 19. Dick Zais said that due to the timing as it relates to the City's
budget cycle, funds may have to be earmarked for this project. Mike Leita said the project
is already included in the County's budget.
Coordination efforts between the Sawmill Redevelopment Area and Terrace Heights
Connector:
- Michael Morales began the discussion by noting that there are significant plans on the
County side for a Terrace Heights Connector, and on the City side, there is the Sawmill
Redevelopment Area. This is a long range project that concerns both the City and the
County. It would help to package it as a project for the entire upper County so that we can
take it that way to the legislature. We need to look at planning together and sharing
resources. Both entities have been working at the staff level with the Washington State
Department of Transportation (DOT), with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
and with property owners. Staff wanted to let the Committee know what the status is, and
to answer any questions that the Committee has at this time. Bill Preston (DOT) talked
about the need for further traffic study and analysis. He briefly discussed the
characteristics and distances between the existing nearby interchanges and the potential
• local improvements network, and the impact that those factors might have on the FHWA's
decision making process regarding the location of a new interchange. DOT has decided
they can do the traffic study and the report to FHWA with input from the local entities. It
makes sense for DOT to take the lead at this point because of their existing relationship
with FHWA. After the local bodies have had a chance to review and comment on the new
data, DOT will determine if the data will help with the interstate justification report that will
be done for FHWA. After DOT has completed the analysis and the report, they will step
back and see how the effort is going and how things are being coordinated by all the local
entities. Mike Leita said that we want to make sure that the developer doesn't shift uses
on us after the government entities have made commitments based on the current plan.
How do we make sure that doesn't happen? Vern Redifer replied that when the spot for
the interchange is identified by FHWA, then all the entities will individually and
cooperatively have to see what it means for us and the developer. When that happens,
then we will need solid commitments from everyone. Neil McClure asked about the FHWA
time frame. Bill Preston said that the analysis will probably take 6 -9 months and then the
interchange justification report will be submitted. He said he would be surprised if we had
an approved interchange justification report in less than two years. Gary Ekstedt added
that while the traffic study is going on, the County will be working on some bridge design
criteria for the report. DOT will keep the Committee informed on the process.
The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee will be November 19, at 1:30 p.m.
The agenda will include review of the City /County purchasing MOU.
Approued by
if 7
Neil Mc lure, acting Chair l ate
0