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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2003 Adjourned Meeting 311 CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 4, 2003- 7:30 A.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL ROLL CALL Present: Council: Mayor Mary Place, presiding, Council Members Clarence Barnett, Lynn Buchanan (present after 7:37 a.m.), Paul George, Larry Mattson, and John Puccinelli (present after 7:32 a.m.) Staff: Dick Zais, City Manager; Kay Adams, City Engineer, and City Clerk Roberts Absent: Council Member Bernard Sims Consultants: Gary Phillips, Berger -ABAM; and Ross Widener, Widener & Associates` 2. STUDY SESSION ON RAILROAD GRADE SEPARATION STUDY • Introductions Kay Adams introduced Gary Phillips, consultant from BERGER/ABAM, and Ross Widener, consultant from Widener & Associates. • Council Members Discuss the Issue Council Member Barnett asked where is the economic impact report that was alluded to in the resolution adopted last April. The resolution stated that the economic impact report would be available with the final design report. Also, we were previously told that the economic impact report would be prepared simultaneously with the environmental report. This report says the environmental report has been submitted to the Federal Highways Department. Kay Adams responded that the design report does not affect the economic impact report. The Environmental checklist has been completed, but not the full -blown environmental report (Environmental Assessment). We will be doing that with the upcoming scope of work. Mayor Place stated we would talk about the economic impact after we decide on final design geometrics. Council Member Puccinelli expressed his thoughts on this issue. The current design is acceptable; however, he no longer believes there is a need to do this project because the large number of trains is not coming through this area as previously anticipated. He offered Kennewick's decision to not continue with their railroad grade separation project to substantiate his concerns. He further commented that Canada, Portland, Long Beach, and other cities all want the freight business, which could mean less trains coming through Yakima. Another concern he had was for the taxpayer who would be financing this project, as well as irrigation and stormwater improvements, and the wastewater odor case litigation costs. He would like to have the projection of 26 trains per day confirmed in writing by the railroad. He was told that it was highly unlikely to get any confirmation about the number of trains in writing from the Railroad. 312 MARCH 4, 2003 ADJOURNED MEETING Council Member Buchanan said that several years ago the railroad told us there would be 26 trains a day through here; that is what they planned and they are building to accommodate that level of traffic. Mayor Place stated we need to know the impact of the tracks bisecting the city with the two hospitals on one side of the tracks and a fire station on the other side. Kay Adams responded to Mr. Puccinelli's comment about the City of Kennewick deciding not to proceed with a similar grade separation project. Kennewick still intends to build their project; however, it was tabled until they had a better environmental assessment to put with their funding application. Their state transportation funds had been pulled because of that lack of environmental process. He needs to know if Council really wants to do this project. He commented that staff has contacted the Railroad in the past and has not received any firm information about train traffic. He does know that they have a marketing plan involving Stampede Pass and could implement it at any time. Mayor Place reported that we received a call last week stating that they will be sending more trains through. Council Member George spoke in support of the project. Council discussed the $25 million cost of the project and how it would be funded. City Manager Zais advised that we have approximately $1 million available from Gas Tax Funds. We will not be proposing bonds at this time. The funds would come from federal and /or state resources in addition to the 5% pledge from the Railroad. There is funding available for everything but the actual construction. We can't make a decision about construction until we get the design work done. Kay Adams discussed the recent changes in the at -grade design that eliminates the Yakima underpass and the "D" Street closure, leaving only the Lincoln and "B" Street underpasses in the design, along with keeping Front Street as a through street. Council Member Mattson pointed out that the Yakima Avenue at -grade crossing has the highest vehicular traffic volume in the city. The problem will not disappear and it can't be ignored. He doesn't want his children to have to wrestle with this issue. He stated he is cognizant of the impact on the local businesses in that area, however, there may be some possible mitigation. Council Member Buchanan agreed that the project should be done, otherwise the businesses in that area would be cut off when the trains come through. • Council Discusses Different Aspects of the Project Council Member Barnett asked if Yakima Avenue would be included in the economic analysis? Mayor Place stated that our funding package is limited to the two streets. Mr. Phillips clarified that the initial project included four grade crossings; however, after receiving input from the public and from Council, the project was reduced to the crossings at Lincoln Avenue and "B" Street. In the future, Yakima Avenue and "D" Street could be reconsidered. The first phase of this project would be the one -way couplet - "B" Street and Lincoln Avenue, with a re- alignment of Front Street. "A" Street would be turned into a two -way street, giving access to the businesses in that area. Upon being questioned, staff assured Council that they have been talking with the businesses in that area keeping them informed about this project. Mr. Phillips then 2 MARCH 4, 2003 313 ADJOURNED MEETING described how they would build a bridge for Front Street and use that to shoefly (detour) the railroad so they could continue their traffic during the construction zone. The bridge would remain. Mr. Adams interjected that this would keep Front Street open, except you would not be able to get off Front Street onto "B" or Lincoln. Having heard about the uncertainty pertaining to the relocation of utilities, Council Member Barnett reiterated his concern about the project still having too many unknown factors; we don't know what the impacts are. Council then discussed other details of the project including the materials used for the walls, which would have to be watertight because of the low water table level in that area. • The Economic Impact Analysis is Discussed Ross Widener explained that the economic impact analysis is needed in order to obtain federal funding. We need to know exactly what we would build, do the analysis, determine how we would route traffic, and then tell the businesses what would happen to their access. We are also considering what it would mean to pump $25 million into the City of Yakima; 40 % -60% of the construction money would be spent in the City for • contractors' lodging, meals, purchasing gas, the hiring of local workers, as well as buying local building materials. Council would have to decide if the benefits are worth the economic impacts for the region and not base their decision on one business that may have to be closed. He also reviewed the phasing for construction of the project that will allow continued train and vehicular traffic. Lincoln Avenue would be made a temporary two -way street while "B" Street is under construction, and vise versa when Lincoln Avenue is under construction; access to 1 Avenue will be available during construction. Discussion then focused on access to the local businesses during the construction phase, particularly to the Arco Service Station and to the Goodyear business and whether those businesses would have to be purchased or relocated during construction. We would have to provide some modifications to maintain access to Helliesen Lumber. • What Happens Next? Mr. Adams commented that staff needs direction from Council if they want to go forward with this project. We have money to start the full design and the right -of -way and environmental processes. We believe we have a viable project that will accomplish what Council wants. City Manager Zais asked if we should proceed with the environmental economic analysis, design work, and possibly the right -of -way acquisition? With each stage we will know more about the impact and design, and could then determine if we actually want to construct it. Council Members Buchanan and George spoke in favor of proceeding with the next step in the project. Although he expressed concern about the project, Council Member Puccinelli also expressed support to continue with the planning. Council Member Barnett requested that staff provide him with an update on the Kennewick situation. • Citizen Comments Clark Smith, representing Goodyear, asked Council what process will be used to get adequate input from the public, especially from those in the affected area? Mayor 3 314 MARCH 4, 2003 ADJOURNED MEETING Place replied that citizens had the opportunity to provide their input at the Open Houses that were held and another one will be scheduled. They can also send written comments to the Council. Mr. Adams also advised that citizens have access to staff at any time. Mr. Clark requested more than 14 days notification, and an evening Council meeting to discuss this issue was suggested. Eric McHenry, Elliott Tire, is concerned about the facts on the number of the trains and whether this project is necessary. He is not opposed to relocating the business, if it would work for both the City and their business. There was discussion about compensation_for the property owner versus the property owner's lessee when property is condemned. Mr. Widener stated they would try to move the property owner and the lessee to a location that would accommodate each of their needs. Del Matthews, Yesterday's Village and Track 29, commented that he made a commitment to his tenants that they would all be equally compensated. His property has already been impacted by the talk of a project. They are not fully occupied and some tenants are talking about moving because of this. Thinking an overpass on Washington Avenue might be needed before one on Yakima Avenue, Council Member Puccinelli asked if staff would provide him with a traffic count for Washington Avenue in the vicinity of the railroad tracks. Council Member Buchanan then asked staff to expand their map to show the new overpass being built for Valley Mall Boulevard. James Carmody, attorney representing Hellisen Lumber, asked that the economic impact analysis deal with three components: 1.) Property appraised at fair market value 2) Relocation for lessees 3) Impact on the businesses — viability of the business itself Kay Adams agreed with Mr. Carmody, but noted that some of the businesses may not want to voluntarily disclose their financial information to us in order to prepare a comprehensive economic impact analysis. (Council Member Mattson absent after 8:55 a.m.) Council Member Puccinelli stated that the value of equipment also needs to be considered; some equipment can't be moved and replacing it could be expensive and would not be necessary except for relocating the business. Mr. Widener responded that it is market value versus replacement. If you can't find a location with similar equipment, sometimes you have to go with replacement value. Council Member Barnett expressed doubt that the $800,000 budgeted for right -of -way is enough. Mr. Adams explained that there is over $3.8 million in the budget for right - of -way acquisition. When the City markets the property we have acquired we anticipate an $800,000 overall loss. Direction was given to staff to proceed with the next phase (Design and Right -of -way) of the project. 4 .315 MARCH 4, 2003 ADJOURNED MEETING 3. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: (J. ' /'�,�� 9 u IL MEMBER - D G2f/1 CA E 7 4°4 C• NCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: /611_5L- 2 CITY CLERK MARY PLACE, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Karen Roberts. An audio and video tape of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office 5