HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2008 04B-2 Minutes 04-16-2008 Council Transportation and Transit Committee4/- *8- Z
Minutes of
Yakima City Council Transportation and Transit Committee
City of Yakima Council Chambers
Yakima City Hall, 129 North 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
4:00 — 5:30 pm
City Council Members Staff Other
Micah Cawley Dave Zabell, Asst. City Manager Steve Caffery
Rick Ensey Chris Waarvick, Dir. Of Public Works Barbara Cline
Neil McClure Michael Morales, Dep. Dir. CED
Ken Mehin, Transit Manager
Brett. Sheffield, Chief Engineer.
Bob Desgrosellier, Senior Engineer
Jeff Cutter, Assistant City Attorney
Joan Davenport, Supr. Traffic Engineer
Councilmember Neil McClure called the meeting to order at 4:00. Chris Waarvick and Ken
Mehin opened the Transit matters on the agenda beginning with an update of the City of
Union Gap recent call for Request for Proposals for transit services. A grant application from
Yakima Transit was discussed that would fund a demonstration project for transit service to
the Osteopathic Medical School in Terrace Heights, which is currently under construction.
Other items discussed included the potential for fare adjustments due to rising fuel costs and
the possibility that Transit will no longer be able to provide free service on Wednesdays and
Saturdays, without finding a way to make Dial -a -Ride and related services also free on those
days.
Regarding the items under the "Transportation" portion of the agenda, Michael Morales
provided an update of the Grade Separation Project, including the Right of Way Certification
process and the preparations underway to get the next construction phase of the project out
to bid in mid -2008. He briefly summarized the phasing of implementation.
The next item discussed was the Chestnut Avenue Two -Way Conversion. Joan Davenport
summarized a short report that identified the current conditions on Chestnut Avenue and the
general conclusion that converting from the current one -way operation to a two -way street is
feasible. The cost of signal modifications, signing and striping is estimated to be
approximately $60,000 to $75,000. If the current "bulb -out" areas are removed for left turn
lanes, the cost will increase. Steve Caffery, Executive Director of the Capital Theater spoke
to the committee indicating the Capital Theater will be submitting a petition to vacate the
segment of 3`d Street adjacent to the Theater and will propose the two -way conversion to the
City Council at that time.
Chris Waarvick presented an update of the draft letter for the 401h Avenue Corridor study. A
preliminary Scope of Work has been drafted by Huibregtse Louman Associates that may cost
around $30,000 to implement. Chris spoke to the safety and capacity needs of the project.
The limits of the study were discussed regarding which street intersections may be included
in the project. It was noted that congestion on the 40th Avenue corridor is a concern. Q
Dick Zais provided an over -view of the City Street System Repair, Maintenance and
Sustainability report, beginning with background about the Street Bond projects in Yakima in
the last 23 years. Previous bond efforts funded several significant projects (Nob Hill
Boulevard, Tieton Drive and Summitview Avenue) and the City was able to retire this bond
early. Subsequent bond efforts have failed for various reasons. Zais summarized that the
City of Yakima needs significant re- investment in the city street system (as outlined in the
committee report of over $75 Million in unfunded needs). A Voter Approved Street Bond may
be the only source of revenue available that could provide the needed capital. The cost of a
$25 Million Bond would be approximately $80 a year to the property owner of a $200,000
home. Other local option funding programs, such as impact fees or the Transportation Benefit
District vehicle tab fee won't raise significant capital to address the system needs in the
future. Grant sources are less available from Federal and State funds.
The benefits of a Voter Approved Bond were discussed, including the opportunity to be
specific about the projects to be funded, so the public will know what they are voting for; and
the fact that a Bond would be subject to approval by a public vote. Some reservations by the
Council members were presented about a bond. Additional discussion focused on ways to
help build voter - confidence in government, which would be critical to a successful voter
approval of a street bond.
An independent, professional review of the current street maintenance, operation and funding
practices of the City of Yakima was discussed. This review might be conducted prior to
initiating any formal discussion on a street bond in order that the City of Yakima might be able
to share the findings with the public that either include new recommendations for
maintenance practices or confirm the current approach. Staff was directed to research
potential professional firms or qualified organizations to conduct the review and begin
preliminary work on an RPF to be presented to the committee at a future meeting.
Next regularly scheduled meeting is May 21, 2008 at 4:00 PM.
Approved by:
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