CITY OF SHORELINE
SHORELINE CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 8, 2008 – 6:00 p.m.
Shoreline Conference Center
Highlander Room
PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Terry Scott and Councilmembers Keith McGlashan, Chris Eggen, Janet Way, Doris McConnell, and Ron Hansen
ABSENT: Mayor Cindy Ryu
STAFF: Bob Olander, City Manager; Julie Underwood, Assistant City Manager; Mark Relph, Public Works Director
GUEST: Lorena Eng, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, Washington State Department of Transportation
Deputy Mayor Scott called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m.
Ms. Eng provided a brief overview of the projects that are currently underway in 2008 and those planned for 2009. A significant project for 2009 is the Pavement Rehab Project, which is planned to start in March 2009. Likewise, replacing the expansion joints on I-90, which would require closures of the center roadway bridge and westbound structure. A long-term project is a study that looks at lane continuity going through downtown Seattle.
Mr. Olander asked if the overpasses on I-5 running through Shoreline have been seismically retrofit. Ms. Eng said that she would look into it.
Councilmember Way asked how the detention facility located at the off-ramp of I-5 and 175th Street is functioning and whether it can accept more runoff. Ms. Eng would have to check and get back to us. Councilmember Way noted that about five years ago Fish and Wildlife thought that the culvert under I-5, which carries Thornton Creek, could be improved for fish passage. Ms. Eng said that she did not know where this fell on the list of priorities. She understands that it is a big issue and she isn’t sure where the Governor and Legislature ranked Thornton Creek with retrofitting it for fish passage.
Councilmember Way noted that the Mayor is concerned about 145th at I-5 in the case of the 520 Bridge being disrupted during an emergency/disaster. Councilmember Eggen stated that this was discussed recently at Seashore.
Mr. Olander asked Ms. Eng to provide an update on the Viaduct and 520 Bridge. Ms. Eng said that the Governor plans to make her decision on the Viaduct, or the “riddle in the middle,” by the end of this year. Likewise, the state is committed to constructing the 520 Bridge into six lanes by 2014. The state is struggling with the toll issue for the 520 Bridge. Does the toll start before the project starts or after? Does the state add a toll to I-90? Ms. Eng noted that the public is accepting of tolling 520.
Councilmember McGlashan said that reports seem to show that the Seattle Mayor and King County Executive are leaning toward moving the traffic from the Viaduct to surface streets in Seattle. He said that this would adversely impact the cities in the north end. Ms. Eng added that west Seattle would be impacted as well. Councilmember McGlashan asked if the Council should take an official position. Mr. Olander said that perhaps the Council should consider it. Ms. Eng noted that studies have been done on all of the alternatives. Mr. Relph noted that the easiest data to review quickly would be the level of service.
Mr. Relph asked if the state was experiencing a lack of asphalt polymer/binder availability. Ms. Eng said that they had an issue this summer with one particular contractor, but it was worked out. She is hopeful that this will correct itself. Mr. Relph noted his concern about having access to material.
Deputy Mayor Scott asked what the timeframes would be in replacing the 40-year old concrete on I-5 for night-time and weekend work. Ms. Eng said that these projects start roughly after 7:00 p.m. and end around 5:00 a.m.
Councilmember Way asked if the state had any plans for relocating the WSDOT office that is located in Shoreline. Ms. Eng said that while this building was built in the 1970s, it is one of the more modern facilities that WSDOT owns. For instance, their facilities in Yakima, Wenatchee, and Olympia were built in the 1930s. She said that they are planning to stay there; and in fact, they would like to expand their traffic management center and construct a new building on their 14 acre site.
Mr. Olander asked if the state had any data on whether the HOT lanes were working. Ms. Eng said that it is working especially for small businesses; it saves them time. Councilmember Hansen noted that the first time he saw this was in Los Angeles and was impressed with how it moved traffic.
Ms. Eng said that a question that is often asked is what’s going to happen into the future. The state is experiencing budget uncertainty, rising costs (for example the state uses an estimated one million gallons of gasoline per year), and diminishing revenues. The state has instituted a number of cost controlling measures such as establishing a hiring freeze, not allowing out-of-state travel, and all purchases are scrutinized, just to name a few. In terms of revenues, state and federal taxes on gasoline accounted for 30% in 2005; now it is only 10%.
Deputy Mayor Scott thanked Ms. Eng for attending and the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
/S/ Julie Underwood, Assistant City Manager