City Council Committee Agendas

Public Works/Library Committee Meeting April 14, 2021, 6:00 pm Attendees Present: Mayor Boudreau Council Members: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Hulst, Morales, Molenaar Staff Members: Public Works – Bell, Bullock, Chesterfield; Solid Waste - Hanson; Library Director – Huffman; City Attorney – Rogerson; Project Development Manager – Donovan; Police Chief – Cammock 1. Program Coordination Division – Blaine Chesterfield a) Boy Scout Stream Planting: On Saturday, March 27th, the Boy Scouts did a riparian corridor planting project along Maddox Creek just west of S 27 th Street. The Boy Scouts planted 46 plants of several varieties to help establish vegetation and improve the habitat by increasing shade along this section of Maddox Creek. 2. Project Updates – Bill Bullock a) Brief on Council Items:  2021 Pavement Evaluation: This evaluation is performed every two years; however, was skipped last year due to covid. These pavement evaluations provide valuable information used to plan and budget for maintenance and replacement of city streets. Proposal for 2021 evaluation is on tonight’s Council agenda for approval.  Solid Waste Building Addition: Though construction costs are currently high, staff is recommending moving forward with awarding the construction contract for the much needed Solid Waste Building Addition to R&R Excavating in the amount of $129,650.84.  2021-2026 Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): The public hearing presentation will highlight the projects slated for the next 1-3 years as well as any new projects added during the latest planning cycle. The final version will be up for adoption at the April 28, 2021 council session after the public hearing takes place. Mayor Boudreau further explained that the TIP will be included as part of the CIP, due to federal funding requirements recognizing the TIP rather than the CIP.  Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with Skagit PUD: Skagit PUD has been replacing a major water line on Fir Street between Laventure Road and Apache Drive. Their project included restoration/repaving of the north lane of Fir Street. As the south lane of Fir is also approaching the end of its lifecycle, it would be prudent to rehabilitate the full width at the same time in a combined PUD/City effort. It was determined the best way to proceed for both parties is to incorporate the Fir Street paving into the City’s 2021 Street Improvement Project with the Skagit PUD April 14, 2021, Public Works/Library Committee Minutes Page 1 of 3  contributing the value (fair share contribution is $102,272.40) of their restoration scope on a reimbursable basis to the City. Paving is anticipated to occur late July or August as the City needs to first complete the Curb Ramp Improvement project that is currently under way. b) Freeway Drive Project Funding Advanced The City has designed a project to build pavement, sidewalks, and lighting on Freeway Drive between Cameron Way and College Way originally scheduled for 2023-2024. Federal funding for this project was successfully advanced by SCOG ahead of other regional projects that were not ready to go to construction yet. As design is complete, $1.6 million is now available for this project. Construction authorization has been sent to WSDOT for approval; construction is anticipated to begin mid-July and includes both the Cameron Way and the College Way intersections. 3. Public Works Director Comments – Esco Bell a) Consider Removing 3rd Street Parking Restrictions Parking limitations were restricted on S 3rd Street, from Section to Blackburn, in 2009; No Parking 9:00 am to Noon Mondays on the west side of the road and Tuesdays on the east side. Restrictions were placed primarily because (1) some cars and trucks were not being moved (this would improve street sweeping) and (2) some people were parking (and staying in) motor homes and trucks with campers for extended periods. Police staff noted it is difficult to enforce these restrictions and Public Works staff has concluded the restrictions aren’t essential in order to sweep the streets acceptably. Chief Cammock described to the Committee how the neighborhood dynamics have changed since 2008-2009 and they now have tools to better enforce both abandoned vehicles and overnight camping. On balance, the restrictions are no longer necessary and Kevin Rogerson will begin the process of repealing the ordinance governing these restrictions. b) Waste Management Recycle Contract Esco provided Committee with a rundown of what it would take for the City to take over recycle collection in-house; 3 trucks, 4 operators, 10,000 carts, vehicle storage and space (capital costs of trucks alone would be $2 million). It will be difficult to assume that the City would be able to beat Waste Management on pricing, and furthermore, in- house service provision is not feasible in the immediate future since this option would take time to properly develop and consider further. Cost effects of low income senior discount would result in approximately 320 residents qualifying for 75% of the base cost (consistent with all other City utility rate discounts); this discount would cost remaining residents an increase of 8 cents per month. The consensus of all councilmembers was to implement the discount. April 15, 2021, Public Works/Library Committee Minutes Page 2 of 3  Esco explained that the other options backing away from mandatory curbside recycle will not save costs to the public nor improve recycling amounts. Staff recommends continuing the City’s long standing practice of requiring curbside residential recycle service and proceeding with a new Waste Management agreement for these services adding in the low income senior discount. 4. Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) Update – Esco Bell The last Traffic Safety Committee was on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The next Traffic Safety Committee is on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. 5. Library Committee – Isaac Huffman a) Library Commons Update The Commons project received nine very diverse applications and staff narrowed it down to three qualified firms; Integrus Architecture, HKP Architects, and Miller Hull. Interviews are scheduled for April 20, 2021. Committee was briefed on funding efforts; City is advocating to the Senate to fund at the House level up to $2 million. Staff is also applying for $250,000 in EV design funding at the State level. An application has been submitted to the County for .09 and an application for $15 million has been submitted to DelBene and Murray for Federal dollars. It was noted establishing an EV charging place would be beneficial for the community as well as tourists as there are not many charging stations available yet. b) Staffing Model The largest barrier to reopening the library at this time is staffing. The hiring process is a lengthy process that has been redesigned and is currently underway. Targeted date for opening is July 6, 2021; being sure staff is ready rather than just opening up quickly is important. A grand reopening may be planned for the occasion. c) Technology Planning RFID (radio-frequency identification) will be an important part of the plan when the library is reopened. This will allow library patrons the ability to do more than they could before and affords a “wow” experience to be added to their involvement. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Submitted by: Sherri Pritchard Sherri Pritchard, Public Works Department April 15, 2021, Public Works/Library Committee Minutes Page 3 of 3