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CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Council Chambers - City Hall
March 17, 2015 — 5:30 p.m.
www.citvoffederalway.corn
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 5:35pm
Mayor Ferrell called the Regular Meeting to order at the hour of 5:35 pm
City officials in attendance: Mayor Jim Ferrell, Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge,Councilmember Lydia
Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember Kelly Maloney, Councilmember Susan Honda,Councilmember Bob
Celski, Councilmember Martin Moore and Councilmember Dini Duclos.
City staff in attendance: Chief of Staff Brian Wilson, City Attorney Amy Jo Pearsall and City Clerk
Stephanie Courtney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Flag Salute was led by Cathal Ridge.
3. SOUND TRANSIT—PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT EIS FOR THE FEDERAL
WAY LINK EXTENSION PROJECT
Sound Transit's Government and Community Relations Officer Chelsea Levy thanked the Mayor and
City Council for hearing their presentation tonight. She briefly discussed the possibility of ST3; then
handed over the meeting to South Corridor Development Manager Cathal Ridge, who distributed to
Council and audience members the Federal Way Link Extension Draft EIS Summary brochure for
route and station alternatives and impacts for review and discussion.
Mr. Ridge reviewed meetings and discussions Sound Transit has been a part of for Stakeholder and
Public Outreach including: 100 Property Owner Meetings; 5 Public Open Houses; 45 Community
Briefings; 40 neighborhood drop-in meetings; 200 technical coordination meetings; 25 Interagency
working group meetings;25 briefings to City Council/Committees; 5 Capital Committee Briefings and
1 Sound Transit Board Action. He noted once published there will be a 45 day comment period,and it
is imperiative comments are made on the plan during this time. He estimated the time frame thru the
end of May. All comments received will be review prior to the final EIS and the Sound Tranist Board
will make a recommendation on Final Design in 2017 and construction 2019.
He then reviewed each of the alternatives with the Council and highlighted the similarities between the
options and the differences. In response to Councilmember Celski question regarding which factors
are weighted more heavily, he state he selected the seven factors used for this report from a long list.
He noted he is not aware that any factor would be more important than the other.
Mayor Ferrell asked when the public comment period would open; Mr. Ridge estimated early April.
Councilmember Moore would like to encourage more public meetings. Mr. Ridge stated Sound
Transit will be having two upcoming public hearings in early May at Federal Way Community Center
and Highline Community College. Information will be sent out to all households within%mile of any of
these alternatives. He encouraged citizens to look at the information and make comments or email
comments during period time.
Councilmember Maloney thanked the representatives for the phenomenal presentation and clear
presentation of the options. She noted she continues to be concerned with the HWY99 alignment and
the impact on our city and the development we are encouraging. She stated her personal preference
would be the third alternative. She also stated she was asked by a community member if Sound
Transit is meeting with property owners regarding selling their properties. He noted they have been
proactive meeting with any property owners who are potentially affected by any one of these
alternatives. Now is the time to become aware and get on the record—ST has spent time with them to
walk them through this process and get comments on the record. He also commented on
conversations regarding the acquisition process and noted there are many, many years between now
and when the property would be impacted.
The next steps were outlined as the following:
• Early 2015 Public Draft EIS
• Early 2015 Public Comment Period —Public Input
• Mid 2015 Identify Preferred Alternative— Board Action
• Mid 2016 Publish Final EIS
• Late 2016 Select Project to Build — Board Decision
• Late 2016 Record of Decision — Federal Transit Administration Decision
• 2017 Final Design
• 2019 Construction
• 2023 Revenue Service to Kent/Des Moines
Councilmember Honda asked for clarification on what part of the project is currently funded. He noted
with the recession current funding covers the first 2.5 miles to Kent/Des Moines area.Councilmember
Assefa-Dawson thanked Mr. Ridge for presentation. She feels it is cost effective to go down 1-5. She
asked if there is a timeline difference for construction. He noted construction is largely based on cash
flow for project. Project timelines are pretty similar across the board.
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In response to Councilmember Celski's question regarding which factors are weighted more heavily,
he stated he selected the seven factors used for this report from 100's of factors the EIS brings
forward. The complete list is incorporated into the Environmental Impact Study. He noted there is no
weighting process or formulation criterion. It is simply in the eye of the beholder as to each factor and
their importance over the entire project.
Deputy Mayor Burbidge stated this is a very impressive snapshot,with a lot of helpful information. In
response to her question, Mr. Ridge clarified the mailing would go to 1/2 mile or any of the alternatives
or approximately 26,000 different households. This will also give citizens opportunity to make online
comments. Deputy Mayor Burbidge stated she would like to see this information added to city
webpage or a link directing citizens to the Sound Transit site.
Chelsea Levy responded to further questions about the south corridor, noting it is a high capacity
corridor from Federal Way to Tacoma. All discussions are currently at a higher level with possible
alternatives and possible cost estimates as that portion is not funded.
Mayor thanked both for their presentation.
No public comment was given.
4. BRIEFING — STUDY LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR TRANSPORTATION
Rick Perez briefly overviewed the Level of Service which is defined through letter grades (A best, F
worst). The Growth Management Act required a Level of Service Standard and also requires
concurrency for transportation including plan for growth, project prioritization;and determine need for
mitigation for development. Federal Way's History of Level of Service(LOS)was originally approved
in 1995 and amended in 1998. It's not just about measuring cars it's measuring people(cars, buses)
and factoring that in.
Fehr& Peers Consultant Chris Beiland, noted LOS is measured with city travel demand forecasts and
future traffic volumes. Traffic analysis software uses travel model data to calculate LOS. For example,
widening roads and how much land are you needing to use, along with additional factors such as
economic development, pedestrian friendly, and signal timing.
Mr. Beiland further noted regional assumptions in the 2040 model which include:
• Transit service double from existing conditions
• Light rail completed between Seattle and Tacoma
• Large percentage of growth contained in designated centers
• Major highway projects completed
a. SR509 Extension
b. SR167 Extension
c. I-5 HOT Lanes
d. Triangle project completion
e. New 1-5 City Center Access
f. All existing TIP projects completed
He also noted that despite those improvements vast majority of trips will still be using cars and the
failure to meet the demand on freeways will spill over onto city streets. Options for reconciling LOS
needs with available funding are:
• Increase level of funding
• Revise land use assumptions to lower travel demand
• Revise capital project prioritization to fund capacity needs, or
• Lower LOS standard to meet available funding
Although improvement in level of funding seems to be the best option; future growth results in
additional traffic so that maintaining the current LOS standard will not be possible without additional
widening on large roads such as 320th. This would include Right-of-way impacts; costs to provide
additional capacity; pedestrian environment(timing of crosswalks);signal timing;and urban form. He
provided information on Level of Service (LOS) methods used in the region and gave more site
specific information for various intersections and corridors in the city.
In conclusion of the presentation Mr. Perez reviewed the Mayor's recommendation. He also noted the
Draft Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element will go to the Planning Commission in early May;
to Land Use/Transportation Council Committee on June 1St; and come to Council on June 16h. The
overall goal is to meet the legislative mandate of adoption by July 1St to maintain transportation grant
funding eligibility.
Councilmembers thanked Mr. Perez and Mr. Beiland for their joint presentation and asked various
questions about traffic in the downtown core, emergency vehicles access; and signalization of the
lights on 320th
No public comment was given.
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION
• Property Acquisition Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b)
Due to the length of the Special Meeting, Council did not adjourn to Executive Session.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further on the agenda; Mayor Ferrell adjourned the Regular meeting at 6:53 p.m.
Attest:AI )-• a e D. Courtney, CMC
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Approved by Council: 011,01-1 y