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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03/15/2004 CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL MEETING: ROLL CALL: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: 8th Street Bridge Replacement Workshop and Selection of Preferred Alternative 5200 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington March 15, 2004 Mayor Headrick called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Headrick, Councilmembers Braun, Erickson, Munro, Pittis, and Williams. Members Absent: Councilmember Rogers. Staff Present: Manager Quinn, Acting Attorney Dickson, G. Cutler, C. Hagar, J. Mahlum, G. Kenworthy, and T. Partch. Public Present: R. Peterson, A. Bentley, A. Holzschuh, L. Nutter, and 1. Wengler. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Attorney Dickson. 8th Street Bridge Replacement Workshop and Selection of Preferred Alternative. Public Works & Utilities Director Cutler reviewed the background for this issue and introduced the Exeltech staff: Santosh Kuruvilla, Bernie Chaplin, Gerry Wilhelm, Trina Semken, and Leah Jones. Mr. Kuruvilla thanked Council and staff for the opportunity to give a presentation on the project and, using Power Point slides, he reviewed the steps taken to date. Mr. Kuruvilla then deferred to Mr. Chaplin, who reviewed the project schedule, the needs and objectives of the project, such as minimizing disruption to locals businesses, accommodating future growth and economic vitality, environmental studies, aesthetics, and community access during construction. He also reviewed the bridge types under consideration. Mr. Chaplin deferred to Ms. Semken, who addressed the Public Outreach portion of this project. Ms. Semken explained that the process started with a stakeholders meeting and a meeting with local interest groups, including staff members from the City and Clallam Transit, representatives from the Lower Elwha Tribe, the Chamber of Commerce, and Peninsula Daily News, as well as others with a serious interest in the project. In January, Exceltech's project website went live as a link to the City's website and is updated on a regular basis. This medium allowed for the dissemination of information to all the citizens of Port Angeles interested in the progress of this proj ect. Also, on January 15, 2004, an open house was held and post cards were sent to residents living in the area of the bridges to ensure they were given the opportunity for input. Posters and fliers were also used to get the information on the open house out to the public. Ms. Semken stated that interviews were conducted with businesses located directly on the 8th Street corridor, focusing on the section between the two bridges that will be most - I - 5201 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING March 15, 2004 8th Street Bridge Replacement Workshop and Selection of Preferred Alternative (Cont'd) severely impacted by the construction. Of concern to most of those participating in the open house was construction impacts, constructability, and of highest concern was traffic management. She stated that Exeltech planned on having a formalized response to the public comments in June, another open house will be held in July and another open house in early 2005, when construction is anticipated to begin. There will be ongoing communication with the public throughout the construction process to alleviate concerns. Ms. Semken then deferred to Mr. Wilhelm for discussion of traffic management issues. Mr. Wilhelm explained that there are two construction options for each bridge and, regardless of which option is chosen, three temporary signals will be installed to facilitate pedestrian crossing and movement of traffic during construction. Alternate signage will also be used to help alleviate delays in traffic. Mr. Wilhelm stated that the use of web cameras has also been discussed, which would provide real time conditions through the construction site. Mr. Wilhelm stated that, during construction, staff will work actively with all adjacent businesses and residents to ensure that all concerns are heard and construction impacts minimized. Mr. Kuruvilla then stated that the next series of slides would provide more engineering detail. First he would demonstrate Option One, which is the construction sequencing of the bridges with one lane open for traffic. Next, he would demonstrate Option Two, which would allow for two lanes of traffic to be open. Under Option One, Mr. Kuruvilla showed construction sequencing assuming the Tumwater Creek Bridge to be the first constructed. The constructing sequence for Option One would include Phase 1, construction of foundations and piers; Phase 2, construction of the south half of the bridge; Phase 3, construction of the north half of the bridge, and Phase 4, sidewalk construction and opening of the new structure. Mr. Wilhelm described traffic management for each of the four phases, to include pedestrian access. Mr. Kuruvilla addressed Option Two, which allows for both lanes of traffic to remain open during construction, again describing construction sequencing with Mr. Wilhelm providing detail regarding traffic management. He stressed that Option 2 could only be used on Bridge Types 2, 3 and 4. Mr. Kuruvilla proceeded to review the eight bridge types, the anticipated construction duration, construction cost estimates, and the advantages and disadvantages of each bridge type. Mr Kuruvilla introduced Mr. Neil Campbell of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), who was present to answer any questions regarding funding. Discussion followed, and Councilmember Erickson stated that bridge types 4 and 6 were the most likely candidates and asked about future bridge maintenance costs if a steel bridge is selected, as painting could be quite costly. She asked if the DOT would be responsible for this expense or if the City would have to budget for it. Mr. Kuruvilla stated that typically this expense would be the City's. When asked how often a bridge needs to be repainted, Mr. Kuruvilla responded that it varies due to many factors such as the proximity to salt water. He felt the paint could last from ten to twenty years and this detail will be scrutinized if a steel bridge is chosen. He estimated it could possibly cost between $500,000 to $750,000 to paint both bridges in the future. Discussion continued, and Mr. Kuruvilla responded to various questions posed by the Council. Councilmember Munro expressed concern as to the impact on the homes close to the bridges, and Mr. Chaplin addressed this issue and stated a plan will be formulated to minimize impacts. Councilmembers Erickson, Braun and Williams expressed concern over traffic issues, which were addressed by Deputy Director of Engineering Services Kenworthy and Mr. Wilhelm. Break Mayor Headrick recessed the meeting for a break at 5:02 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 5:23 p.m. - 2 - 8th Street Bridge Replacement Workshop and Selection of Preferred Alternative (Cont' d) ADJOURNMENT: CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING March 15,2004 5202 Mr. Kuruvilla explained that the next part of the presentation would address the detail of the evaluation criteria and the suggested methodology for the selection of the bridge type. He deferred to Mr. Chaplin, who briefly reviewed the evaluation criteria, which included construction impacts, environmental impacts, constructability, aesthetics, and cost. Mr. Chaplin described the weighting process used to rate the bridges and reviewed the impacts common to all bridge types. Ms. Jones concluded the presentation by describing the subtopics of the evaluation criteria on which the bridges were scored, to include construction duration, delays and access for vehicles, bicycle, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles, the various environmental impacts to wetlands and streams, and the constructability impacts that included foundation, specialized construction and risk, and the views from below and on the bridge. The final slide demonstrated the total weighted scores for each of the eight bridge types, with Bridge Type 6, the Slant Leg, having the highest score. Mayor Headrick then offered to take public comment; however, there was no one present who wished to address the issue. At Mayor Headrick's request, Deputy Director Kenworthy explained that ifthe bridge that is chosen substantially varies from the lowest, reasonable recommended cost, the State can deny full funding. Neil Campbell, WSDOT, explained that, within reason, some State monies may be used toward some aesthetics additives. However, as the State is 100% funding this project, aesthetics will be very carefully scrutinized and must be deemed reasonable. Following brief discussion and clarification, Councilmember Braun moved to approve Bridge Type 6, Concrete Slant Leg Bridge. Councilmember Williams seconded the motion. Discussion ensued, and Mr. Kuruvilla clarified that, in the past, bridges of this type were built of high strength steel and were simply painted, with eventual peeling of paint and a rise in rust problems. However, in the past few years, there was been a lot of development in the products to coat steel members. Therefore, steel may become comparable to concrete due to the new coatings available. The painting issue may not have to be addressed for the next thirty to forty years. Mr. Kuruvilla suggested Council leave the motion open to both steel and concrete and allow Exeltech to evaluate this issue in detail and bring further information back to the Council. Therefore, Councilmember Braun amended his motion to approve Bridge Type 6, Concrete or Steel Slant Leg Bridge. Councilmember Williams agreed as seconder ofthe motion. Staffwill report back to Council in about six weeks regarding which is a better choice, concrete or steel. A vote was taken on the motion, which carried unanimously. Council thanked the Exeltech staff for the presentation. The meeting was adjourned at 5:46 p.m. ~cOO~~ Richard A. Headrick, Mayor - 3 -