LUTC MINS 06-02-2014City of Federal Way
City Council
Land Use /Transportation Committee
June 2, 2014 City Hall
5:30 p.m. Council Chambers
MEETING SUMMARY
Committee Members in Attendance: Committee Chair Bob Celski and Committee members Kelly Maloney and Lydia
Assefa- Dawson. Council members in attendance: Deputy Mayor Burbidge and Susan Honda.
Staff in Attendance: Interim Public Works Director Marwan Salloum, Interim Deputy Public Works Director William
Appleton, City Traffic Engineer Rick Perez, Senior Traffic Engineer Erik Preston, Assistant City Attorney Peter Beckwith, and
Administrative Assistant II Shawna Upton.
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Celski called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT (3 minutes)
Chair Celski noted that due to the number in attendance who desired to make public comment, he would like staff to
present the information first and then allow those wanting to comment a chance to do so after the staff presentation.
3. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Topic Title/ Description
A. Approval of Minutes: May 5, 2014
Committee approved the May 5, 2014, LUTC minutes as presented.
Moved: Maloney Seconded: Assefa- Dawson Passed: Unanimously, 3 -0
Panther Lake 2013 NTS — SW 330th Street (W Campus Trail to 10th Ave SW)
Mr. Preston provided a timeline of this topic as it's progressed since October 2013 when the
initial petition was submitted. The City collected speed volume collision data for that section
of roadway. The area scored 9.0 severity points which exceeds the minimum of 3.0 severity
points to be eligible for traffic calming devices. A neighborhood meeting was held in
January 2014 and the consensus was to install two traffic circles, one at 3rd Ave SW, one
at 6th Ave SW and one speed table mid -block between 3rd Ave SW and 6th Ave SW. In March,
the topic was brought forward to Land Use and Transportation Committee and there were
many comments both for and after the proposal. The Committee asked staff to expand the
study and include 10th Ave SW in the study and to increase public outreach before bringing
the topic back to Land Use. Mr. Preston noted 10th Ave SW does not qualify for the NTS
program because of the present speed limit of 35mph, however staff conducted traffic
studies in that location in an effort to be comprehensive and held another public
neighborhood meeting in April. Staff presented five additional traffic calming options and
Forward to
Council
N/A
June 17, 2014
Consent
Committee Members City Staff
Bob Celskl, Chair Marwan Salloum, P. E., Public Works Director
Kelly Maloney, Member Shawna Upton, Administrative Assistant H
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 253- 835 -2703
an informal vote of all the options showed the strongest support was for Option 1A which
would construct two mini - roundabouts at the SW 330th St intersections with 3rd and 6th Ave
SW. These roundabouts provide pedestrian refuge islands which would allow pedestrians
to safely cross SW 3301h Street and reduce entry speed to 25mph or less and would allow
future bike lanes on the corridor as part of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Preston provided
additional information on the other alternatives considered and noted estimated costs for
Option 1A which would include two mini - roundabouts being installed at 3 d and 6th Ave SW.
Susan Evans is against the roundabouts. She noted a small dip in the road just west of
3 d Ave SW in which small cars disappear and recommended the City lowers the speed limit
to 25mph the whole length of the road or 30mph on the 10th Ave SW portion and increasing
enforcement, place additional speed signs along the road, adding left turn lanes for 3rd Ave
SW, 6th Ave SW and down to SW 334th St near Latitude and put in pedestrian flashing lights
at the three intersections. Her concern is that with roundabouts drivers will be looking for
other cars, not pedestrians, and believes it will be an increased danger to pedestrians.
Pat Simmons expressed thanks to staff for doing such a good job and is in favor of
Option IA.
Kay Pope thanks staff that have worked on the project and citizens that have been involved
in the process. She lives on the corner of SW 330th and 6th Ave SW and is in favor of
Option 1A.
Ann Woolman, President of Latitude Home Owners Association, noted this is the only access
road to both entrances of their community. She urged the Committee to make sure
whatever they do is done right, protect the beauty of the trees along that road and make
the improvements looks nice. She noted she's concerned with slick winter weather and the
effect that the roundabouts will have on traffic trying to get up the hill and would like safety
to be considered.
Bruce Kannenberg is against the roundabout proposal and feels it's a shortcoming to say
that is the solution to the problems there. He's concerned about the lack of driver
understanding of how to properly yield in roundabouts and would rather see elevated
crosswalks that would help slow speeds down but would not alter the basic rules of traffic
already in place there.
Scott Chase, President of the West Campus Division II Home Owners Association, stated
all seven Board Members support Option IA. He's lived in the neighborhood for years and
it's a dangerous area for pedestrians. He feels it's very important to make these
improvements and would like to see full landscaping provided in the roundabouts so they
are not an eye sore.
Sue Ellehecht spoke in favor of Option 1A. She noted speed is a big problem and believes
it will increase safety.
Margaret Nelson lives in West Campus and supports Option 1A. She noted this process
started in January and it's now June. She notes City engineers have provided the outcomes
of the studies performed and noted roundabouts are in several other cities and traffic can
safely navigate roundabouts if traffic laws are followed. She asked the Committee to
support Option 1A to improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians.
Debbie Harvey noted her top concern is safety and believes that reducing the speed limit
will not work. She supports Option 1A and would like to see concerns on 10th Ave SW be
considered separately from the other areas so that we can reach a solution more quickly.
Allen Nelson complimented the staff on their patience and understanding and believes they
came to a good solution to the issues. He notes he's been all over this country and others
throughout his travels and mentioned roundabouts are everywhere and are effective.
Committee Members City Staff
Bob Celski, Chair Marwan Salloum, P. E., Public Works Director
Kelly Maloney, Member Shawna Upton, Administrative Assistant II
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 253 -835 -2703
Rob Graf, President of the Ridge Home Owners Association, agrees that there is a sight
distance issue at 3`d Ave SW and a speeding issue at 6th Ave SW. He feels that a speed table
with a pedestrian crossing at 3`d Ave SW and a traffic circle at 6th Ave SW would be the most
effective combination. He mentioned if two roundabouts are installed, they should be
designed within the context of the communities neighboring those intersections.
Peggy Bolf has lived in the Ridge for 17 years and agrees that residents in the area love their
homes and also agrees there is a speeding issue. She would like to see something that is
complimentary to their neighborhood and not a yellow circle.
Terry Quinn is strongly opposed to traffic circles. He does not see the need for a traffic circle
at 6th Ave SW but feels there may be a need for a pedestrian crossing at 3`d Ave SW.
Harold Nyberg likes roundabouts but feels they work best in areas where there are equal
amounts of traffic approaching it. He feels there is heavy traffic coming towards it on the
main street that will be slowed down at the expense of a lesser volume of cars that
approach it from the side streets.
Jammal Cowan doesn't support any of the options that have been presented. He
understands there is a documented safety issue at 3`d Ave SW but frankly doesn't feel a
roundabout is going to improve safety. He would also like to see the improvements limited
to 3`d Ave SW and would like to see landscaping done so it looks nice.
Victor Vasali expressed concerns with the speeding and notes several occasions where cars
have taken out fences. He urges the Committee listen to staff and move forward with their
recommendation.
Bonnie Sagiao, representing Glen Park Apartments, and drives SW 330th everyday. She
believes something has to be done as their fence has been taken out several times. They
got approved funds to replace the wood fence with a wrought iron fence but they are
hesitant and concerned over future damage caused by speeding cars.
Gary Morris lives in West Campus. His son was involved in the latest accident there and
he believes he is lucky to be alive. Mr. Morris is concerned about the speeding in the area
but doesn't believe that a roundabout or a speed table is an appropriate solution.
James Kokimodo fully supports Option 1A.
Gerry Laudis lives in the Ridge. She's concerned about cars trying to get up that hill with
the addition of roundabouts given the challenging nature of that area in inclement weather
as it is. She also feels that drivers will be paying more attention to the roundabout instead
of pedestrians. She does not support the option for roundabouts.
Further discussion was held regarding the traffic calming options considered, results of the
traffic studies, the effectiveness and purpose of the particular types of traffic calming
devices, driver behavior, and challenges related to the physical composition of the road as
it was inherited from King County. When asked if landscaping the roundabouts was
considered in the estimate, Mr. Perez replied no and explained staff felt it was important
to treat all neighborhoods consistently and felt the decision to alter from past practice
should be left to Council. Mr. Salloum added that to add landscaping would require removal
of the asphalt within the circle, utility access issues and surveying work. If irrigation was
supplied for the landscaping, costs would increase considerably due to permit costs, utility
connection fees, meter installation as well as monthly fees for the meter and water
consumption. The cost for initial installation of a roundabout with landscaping is
approximately $16,000. If drought intolerant plants are used, watering would still be
required for the first few years as the plants establish themselves. In some cases, the home
owners associations or residents who live near the roundabout have taken care of the
Committee Members City Staff
Bob Celski, Chair Marwan Salloum, P.E., Public Works Director
Kelly Maloney, Member Shawn Upton, Administrative Assistant H
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 253- 835 -2703
C.
E
watering for the first few years until the plants are established. Mr. Salloum reiterated that
staff elected to estimate the project costs without landscaping in the roundabout and allow
Council to direct staff to provide the landscaping if they desired. Councilmember Honda
asked how the additional costs for landscaping would impact the budgeted for future NTS
studies and improvements in other neighborhoods. Mr. Perez commented that it comes
down to a policy question such as to consider increasing the budget allowed amount per
location, name this as a special case due to the traffic volume on this road compared to
other NTS locations or would new criteria be identified to distinguish this case from all other
NTS projects. Councilmember Burbidge asked for clarification on the roundabouts related
to stacking of vehicles and asked if RRFB's would be beneficial in that area. Mr. Perez noted
there should not be stacking encountered at the roundabout locations regardless of size and
further noted he felt RRFB's in this particular location, given all the factors, would not be
beneficial. Councilmember Maloney suggested to the public attending that if there is
interest by the residents or the HOA to have the roundabouts landscaped to their
expectations, to consider contacting staff and express a willingness to water plants for the
first couple years so low- maintenance plants can be established. Councilmember Celski
mentioned his first concern is safety of the area but agrees landscaping would look nice but
would like to see low -lying plants so sight distance is not affected.
Committee forwarded Option #1 as presented.
Moved: Maloney Seconded: Assefa- Dawson
Approval to Submit Applications for Transportation Grants
Passed: Unanimously, 3 -0
Mr. Perez provided information on the current status of new grant funding programs
available. This year a 10% match is required. Mr. Perez discussed each of the three
potential projects that will likely be competitive in the competition for grant funds. Brief
discussion continued.
Committee forwarded Option #1 as presented.
Moved: Assefa- Dawson Seconded: Maloney
2015 -2020 Transportation Improvement Plan
Passed: Unanimously, 3 -0
Mr. Perez stated the City is required to annually adopt a transportation improvement plan
(TIP) which outlines the six year plan for all transportation capital projects. The projects
are required to be listed on the plan in order to be eligible for grant funding. Mr. Perez
provided additional information on how the projects are selected for addition to the TIP.
Brief discussion was held regarding specific locations shown on the TIP map related to
challenges, length of construction time and funding.
Committee forwarded Option #1 as presented.
Moved: Maloney Seconded: Assefa- Dawson Passed: Unanimously, 3 -0
2015 -2022 Surface Water Management Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Appleton provided an overview of the proposed 2015 -2022 Surface Water Management
Capital Improvement Plan and summarized accomplishments over the last 20 years. Mr.
Appleton noted that as a result of this plan, all major conveyance capacity and flooding
issues have been resolved, stormwater quality has improved, critical habitat has been
preserved, stream functionality restored and complied with NPDES permit requirements
have been met. He summarized the criteria used to determine which projects end up on
the list and touched briefly on each project. Further discussion was held regarding priority
order of the projects, future trail connections including connection to the existing trails in
the Hylebos Wetlands and improvements near Brooklake on S 356th Street.
Committee forwarded Option #1 as presented.
Moved: Assefa- Dawson Seconded: Maloney Passed: Unanimously, 3 -0
June 17, 2014
Consent
June 17, 2014
Resolution
June 17, 2014
Consent
Committee Members City Staff
Bob Celski, Chair Marwan Salloum, P.E., Public Works Director
Kelly Maloney, Member Shawna Upton, Administrative Assistant II
Lydia Assefa- Dawson, Member 153 -835 -1703
4. OTHER
5. FUTURE MEETINGS /AGENDA ITEMS:
The next LUTC meeting will be Monday, July 7, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.
COMMITTEE APPROVAL:
ME v
`1S
Committee Members
Bob Celski, Chair
Kelly Maloney, Member
Lydia Asseta- Dawson, Member
Attest:
a Upton, Ad nistrative Assistant II
1-6a"-h'kW'
Kelly Malo , Member
L ' Assefa -Daw n, Member
City Staff
Marwan Salloum, P.E., Public Works Director
Shawna Upton, Administrative Assistant II
253- 835 -2703