LUTC MINS 12-18-2006G:\LUTC\LUTC Agendas and Summaries 2006\12-18-06 LUTC Minutes.doc
City of Federal Way
City Council
Land Use/Transportation Committee
December 18, 2006 City Hall
5:30 pm City Council Chambers
MEETING MINUTES
In attendance: Committee Chair Jack Dovey, Committee Member Dean McColgan, and Committee Member Eric
Faison; Council Member Linda Kochmar and Council Member Jeanne Burbidge; City Manager Neal Beats; Public
Works Director Cary Roe; Public Works Deputy Director Ken Miller; Street Systems Manager Marwan Salloum; Traffic
Engineer Rick Perez; City Attorney Patricia Richardson; Administrative Assistant II Tina Piety
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Dovey called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The December 4, 2006, minutes were approved.
Moved: Faison Seconded: Dovey Passed: Unanimously
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
4. BUSINESS ITEMS
The business items were amended to the following order: C, D, E, F, G, B, and A.
C. Pacific Highway Phase II – Project Acceptance
Brian Roberts provided the background information on this item. There was no discussion.
Moved: Dovey Seconded: Faison Passed: Unanimously
Committee PASSED Option 1 on to the January 2, 2007, City Council Consent Agenda for approval.
D. South 320th Street at 1st Avenue South Intersection Improvements Project – 100% Design Status Report
Marwan Salloum provided the background information on this item. Council Member Faison expressed his
concern that there are other city projects that are of a higher priority and the city should consider funding one of
those projects instead. Council Member Kochmar asked what this project will accomplish. Mr. Roe replied that
it will improve the traffic flow that is often backed-up on the weekend due to turning traffic. Council Member
Burbidge expressed concern over the size of the intersection due to these proposed improvements. She asked if
staff has considered any alternatives. Mr. Roe stated that staff has considered South 328th Street/5th Avenue
South as an alternative, but use of this street would send more traffic into a residential neighborhood and would
require a traffic light at the intersection of 1st and 328th. The Committee discussed this project in regards to the
level of service. Council Member Faison commented that the overall question is what so we want our
community to look like. You cannot always build your way out. Council Member McColgan commented that
we are always building our way out. The only alternative is fewer cars. Because further discussion dealt with
level of service issues, it was decided to table this issue until after the discussion on the Transportation Level of
Service Standard.
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Once discussion returned to this issue, Council Member Faison asked if it would be possible to not purchase
the right-of-way at the northeast quadrant at this time. Mr. Salloum commented that this issue would return to
the Committee for authorization and a decision could be made at that time about what parts of the project to
purchase or not. Council Member McColgan expressed his concern that with only part of the project right-of-
way purchased, the city would not be well situated for grants. Council Member Faison asked that when this
project returns for final authorization, that alternatives for the funding be provided.
Moved: McColgan Seconded: Dovey Passed: Unanimously
Committee PASSED Option 1 to the January 2, 2007, City Council Consent Agenda for approval.
E. 21st Avenue SW extension – SW 356th Street to 22nd Avenue SW Improvements Project – Bid Award
Marwan Salloum provided the background information on this item. There was no discussion.
F. Lakehaven Utility District Interlocal Agreement: 21st Avenue SW Extension Project
Marwan Salloum provided the background information on this item. There was no discussion.
G. Acceptance of Grant Funding for Transportation Improvement Projects
Marwan Salloum provided the background information on this item. There was no discussion.
Moved: Dovey Seconded: Faison Passed: Unanimously
Committee PASSED Option 1 for items E, F, and G on to the January 2, 2007, City Council Consent
Agenda for approval.
B. Amendment to the Sound Transit Agreement
Patricia Richardson provided the background on this item. Sound Transit brought this proposed amendment to
the city without staff input. The version provided to the Committee has been reviewed by staff. Council
Member Faison suggested that a decision be tabled until the Committee can have a Sound Transit
representative present. He asked to what extent the city was involved in the request for proposal. Council
Member McColgan asked if Sound Transit would rather the city handled this project. Ms. Richardson
commented that she has not talked to Sound Transit about this issue. Chair Dovey asked what the timeline for
this project is. Ms. Richardson responded that Sound Transit has 18 months from February 2006 to find a
developer, and then five years to start construction. Chair Dovey asked why they need more time. What are
they offering the city for this change? Council Member McColgan asked if the city would be better off to
control this property. Would the city have a better result if Economic Development Director Doherty were in
charge? Council Member Faison asked what the technical limitations are. Council Member Kochmar requested
a copy of the request for proposal and original agreement. It was decided to table this issue to the first meeting
that a representative from Sound Transit could attend.
A. Transportation Level of Service Standard
Rick Perez provided the background on this item. Council Member Faison thanked the staff for the education
on this subject. He stated that level of service is a means to an end. The question is what we want our
community to look like. Widening streets changes the feel and look of our community, but he recognizes that
not widening streets can lead to more congestion. Council Member McColgan commented that quality of life is
important, but citizen’s top two concerns are public safety and traffic. He stated that citizens had concerns
about the median on 99, but now many say it has improved traffic flow. Chair Dovey asked about how much
land is available for development west of 99. Mr. Roe commented that there is some land available for
development, but not much. Development in Northeast Tacoma has a big impact on our traffic corridors. We
will see continued growth in Northeast Tacoma and we do not have much control over that development. Chair
Dovey commented that he is also concerned with the quality of life, but we have to deal with the traffic.
Council Member Faison commented that most complaints he has heard deal with getting off the freeway and to
99. It seems our time would be better spent focusing on how to get people off the freeway.
Staff is seeking the council’s direction on whether the level of standard should be revised. The 2030 forecasts
are being developed and that makes this a good time to consider what if questions. How would a change in the
level of service change the Transportation Improvement Plan list? There is software that can graphically show
what a different level of standard would do. Staff also suggests the council reconsider a Transportation
Improvement Fund (TIF). A TIF is more predictable, captures all trips (rather than just one peak), would not
have to direct the funds to a specific project, and generates more revenue. Council Member Faison expressed
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concern that TIF funds must be used within six years. He suggested the city stay with the current level of
service and reprioritize the funds. Mr. Roe commented that the city likely would not be concurrent if we
reprioritize the funds. Council Member Faison commented that we are not concurrent now and are unlikely to
be concurrent in the future.
Chair Dovey commented that the city needs to fund projects where people live so they can get to and from the
freeway. Council Member Faison suggested a survey be done of what citizens’ feel is important to fund for
transportation. Council Member McColgan commented that we would eventually need additional access off
the freeway, given how long that would take; we need to start the process now. The Committee showed no
interest in changing the level of service at this time. Chair Dovey would like additional information on the TIF,
in addition to land available for development to the west of 99. Council Member Faison commented that any
legal questions regarding a TIF should be answered before any further discussion on a TIF.
5. FUTURE MEETING
The next meeting will be scheduled at a later date.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.