Transportation Improvement Board Location

Transportation Improvement Board Location: Webinar

Log in information available at www.tib.wa.gov

March 26, 2021 – 9:00 am BOARD AGENDA

Page 9:00 am 1. CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME Chair Low

9:05 am 2. GENERAL MATTERSA. Approval of January 22, 2021 Minutes Chair Low 2 B. Lighting Round: COVID-19 Updates Board members C. Communications Ashley Probart

1. Lynnwood Times - Sam Low unanimously elected as Chair of the State TIB 33 2. The News Tribune - ‘Mr. Steilacoom’ has stepped down. Longtime mayor worked… 353. Mass Transit - Pierce Transit CEO Sue Dreier announces retirement 37 4. Elkhorn Media Group - Millions in grants coming to Poplar project 38 5. The News Tribune - Sumner’s ‘hidden snarl’ is no more as $17 m road project nears… 396. Kent Reporter - Construction along 76th Avenue South in Kent nears completion 41 7. Auburn Reporter - 4th Street Northeast will finally see fixes and repairs 42 8. The Courier-Herald - Council awards bid for roundabout in front of Enumclaw High 439. North County Outlook - Work continues on roundabout project 45 10. The Star - Legals for February 3, 2021 47 11. Quad City Herald - Pateros council appoints new member, approves sidewalk bid 49 12. Statesman Examiner - City of Colville prepares for major construction projects 51 13. Wenatchee World - Virtual open house introduces planned Knowles Rd imp… 52 14. Whidbey News-Times - Town mayor updates residents with annual address 53 15. The Port Townsend Leader - Car tab fees could be in PT’s future 55 16. The Reflector - Mid-block crossing coming to Battle Ground’s Old Town 57

9:35 am 3. NON–ACTION ITEMSA. Executive Director’s Report Ashley Probart B. Financial Report Vaughn Nelson C. Call Size Preview Vaughn Nelson 14 D. Project Activity Report (1/1/21 – 2/28/21) Chris Workman 15 E. Preservation Update Chris Workman

10:10 am 4. ACTION ITEMS A. Criteria – Update and Adoption Chris Workman 22 B. Springdale – Scope Change Chris Workman 31 C. Langley – Project Termination Chris Workman 32

11:00 am 5. ADJOURNMENT Chair Low

FUTURE MEETINGS May 28, 2021 (WebEx) September 23-24, 2021 (Yakima - 2020 location) November 18-19, 2021 (Everett)

http://www.tib.wa.gov/

Transportation Improvement Board

January 22, 2021 WebEx

TIB MEMBERS PRESENT Councilmember Sam Low, Chair Mayor Glenn Johnson, Vice Chair Ms. Amy Asher Mr. Aaron Butters P.E. Ms. Barbara Chamberlain Ms. Elizabeth Chamberlain Mr. Chad Coles, P.E. Mr. Mike Dahlem, P.E. Commissioner Al French Commissioner Scott Hutsell

Mr. John Klekotka, P.E. Mr. John Koster Ms. Colleen Kuhn Mayor Ron Lucas Mr. David Ramsay Mr. Steve Roark, P.E. Ms. Ruth Roberson Mr. Peter Rogalsky, P.E. Councilmember Jan Schuette Ms. Jennifer Walker

TIB STAFF Ashley Probart Chris Workman, P.E. Greg Armstrong, P.E. Vaughn Nelson Kelsey Davis/recorder

1. CALL TO ORDER

Vice Chair Glenn Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Board Members Ms. Sue Dreier, and Ms. Ruth Roberson were excused.

4. ACTION ITEMS (Item moved per Vice Chair Johnson)

A. TIB Chair Special Election The Chair and Vice Chair of the TIB are elected every two years by the members of the Board. Both are selected from among the six elected officials serving on the Board (TIB Bylaws, Article II, Sections 1(a) and 1(b)). One is to be a county official and one a city official (TIB Bylaws, Article II, Section 1(c)). Chair Richard Stevens retired from his service as Grant County Commissioner and became ineligible to remain on the board January 1, 2021. The position as Chair needs to be filled by a county elected official from among the Board. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Al French with a second by Mayor Johnson to elect Councilmember Sam Low as Chair, effective immediately until June 30th, 2022. Motion carried unanimously.

2. GENERAL MATTERS

A. Approval of November 20, 2020 Minutes

MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Johnson and seconded by Ms. Kuhn to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2020 board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

B. New Board Member Introductions

• Jan Schuette from the City of Arlington, representing an elected official of a city that serves on a transit board.

• Al French, Spokane County Commissioner, representing a county executive, councilmember, or commissioner that serves on a transit board.

pg 2

Transportation Improvement Board January 22, 2021 Page 2

• Scott Hutsell, Lincoln County Commissioner, representing a county executive, councilmember, or commissioner of a county with a population of less than 125,000.

• Ruth Robertson the Budget Assistant to the Governor, representing a state employee responsible for transportation policy, planning, or funding.

C. Lightning Round: COVID-19 Updates

Ashley Probart invited Board members to speak about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting their business areas.

• Ron Lucas, Mayor of Steilacoom • Pete Rogalsky, P.E., Public Works Director for the City of Richland • Jennifer Walker, PMP, Public Works Director for Thurston County • Elizabeth Chamberlain, Development Services Director for the City of Walla Walla • Glenn Johnson, Mayor of Pullman • Sam Low, Councilmember for Snohomish County

D. Communications - Ashley Probart shared the following articles from the Board packet

• Airway Heights nabs $2.5 million transportation grant. Cheney Free Press. Page 22 in the January 2021 board packet. One of the new board members, Commissioner Al French, was quoted in the article. This is the sort of project that is bigger than the city; it is a regional route that is used regularly by members of surrounding communities.

• Bad soil, concrete and COVID added to Rucker project costs. Herald Net. Page 23. Rucker is one of the major streets in Everett and this project is a great benefit to the city. Everett is typically good at getting projects done on time and within budget. However, this project had a number of unanticipated issues due to Everett being an old city where records do not always exist for officials to know exactly what is under the streets. Cost increases have been borne by the city and not TIB. Everyone is looking forwarded to its completion.

• 4th Street Northeast will finally see fixes and repairs. Auburn Reporter. Page 38. Mr. Probart said it saddens him that Deputy Mayor Bill Paloza passed away before this project could be completed. Deputy Mayor Paloza was a long time champion for 4th Street far before the city secured funding for the project. Its completion will be part of a good legacy, along with his other work for Auburn.

• City of Walla Walla awarded $2.5 M grant for the Poplar/Alder project. Fox 11 & Fox 41. Page 27. Everyone is looking forward to getting the next phase of this project off the ground. The city is already seeing multiple benefits not for vehicle traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

• Dayton City Council meeting for December. The Times. Page 44. This article talks about the Dayton City Council meeting where the resolution accepting the TIB grant was approved. This is just one example of how many cities and counties accept TIB grant funding. The next step in the life of a project is for the city to sign the agreement accepting the grant and committing the portion of city funds required, for agencies that have a match requirement. Staff is glad to see the Dayton City Council streamline things to get the grant moving quickly.

3. NON-ACTION ITEMS A. Executive Director’s Report – Ashley Probart reported on the following:

• The first monthly Executive Director Report from December 2020 was presented. This monthly report was requested by the Board at the November 2020 Board

pg 3


meeting. Mr. Probart confirmed the report met with the Board members’ expectations and that the report will go out only on months when there is not a Board meeting.

• Fuel tax agreements for projects awarded funding in November are coming in, Mr. Workman will discuss this further in the Project Activity Report.

• Bonding discussion: Since its inception, the TIB has been granted bond authorization. Currently, TIB has eight different bond issuances with some bond capacity remaining. One bond was issued in 1991 when TIB was given a book of projects as part of a state revenue package---without accompanying revenue to fully fund the projects. The other issued bonds over the last 10-20 years tended to occur when TIB had a cash flow shortage. In general, Mr. Probart stated his preference is to not issue bonds. • The first reason is that TIB should be able to cash flow all of its projects. • The second reason is because of what TIB funds. TIB projects tend to be

pavement related and will need to be replaced before a bond would be paid off. As part of the 2021-23 budget building process, TIB staff was in contact with Governor’s staff regarding TIB finances and its cash flow situation. TIB staff was asked to explore retiring some of its existing bonds and freeing up monthly cash flow. Currently about $400,000-$500,000 of the approximately $8 million monthly deposit goes directly to bond payments. Therefore, paying these off would free up a significant amount of cash each month. Mr. Probart reached out to the State Treasurer regarding paying off these bonds 3-4 years ago when our cash balance was high. However, the early payoff penalty made this infeasible. Today, there is an option to retire three (3) bond series without penalty. These series are eligible on July 1 of 2021, 2022, and 2023. TIB staff would need to notify the State Treasurer in March of each year to retire a bond on July 1 of the same year.

Bond Series: R-2012B

Early pay off Date: 7/1/2021

Ends: 7/1/24 3 Year Benefit

Principal Payoff Interest Saved Annual Cash Flow Increase

Monthly Cash Flow Increase

$ 1,490,000 $ 114,500 $ 200,563 $ 16,714

Bond Series: R-2012D





$ 2,330,000 $ 391,625 $ 170,101.56 $ 14,175.13

Bond Series: R-2012D





$ 4,140,000 $ 483,150 $ 170,515.91 $ 14,209.66

Total Principal Payoff Total Interest Saved $ 7,960,000 $ 989,275

pg 4


Currently TIB is very cash poor; the current fund balance is less than $500,000. If the decision were to be made to pay off the $1.5M bond in 2021, the backlog of payments to customers would get longer. Mr. Probart stated he is averse to this option. However, plans could be made to pay off the 2022 series and 2023 series with minimal negative impact to TIB customers in the short term. Mr. Rogalsky asked what the interest rates are for the bonds. Mr. Probart stated the rates are fairly low-- about 2-3% ; the payoff option would be improve cash flow rather than net interest savings. Mr. Butters stated he generally likes early bond retirement but when the time comes for TIB to make these decisions he would like the Board to have a discussion regarding what the short term program impacts would be and if the annual call may be reduced to cover that cash payment. Mr. Probart said in a perfect world he would hope to bring to the Board a draft proposal such as: is the Board comfortable with reducing the fund balance with no harm to the “call for projects” program proposal, rather than shrinking a program? Further, he sated he would rather incur the $14,000 a month bond payment if that was what it took to keep the program whole. Mr. Lucas stated TIB staff has been good at showing the income dip that has occurred over the last several months and asked about the projection of monthly income going forward. He said the dip in monthly income appears to be the problem to solve. Mr. Probart stated Mr. Nelson would walk through the topic of income more in the financial report but he was bringing up this option now so it can be part of the conversation and decision making process coming up. Chair Low said while this decision does not need to be made this year, it will likely be revisited next January. He thanked Mr. Probart for bringing this to the Board’s attention.

• Regarding staffing, one of the TIB engineers, Jason Phelps, left TIB to pursue his

dream career. We wish him the best of luck. • There are no immediate plans to refill the position Mr. Phelps just vacated. This is in

large part due to uncertain budget times. Also, the Governor’s proposal includes a one day per month furlough for all state employees or for agencies to manage around the equivalent fund reduction in their operating budget. Although TIB is not a cabinet agency, staff will be looking into what can be done to comply with this proposal. This may include not refilling this position. Alternately, we may decide to reallocate that Full Time Employee (FTE) position for other needs.

• There have been no ribbon cuttings or ground breakings over the last few months. • Legislative Session:

Mr. Probart has been attending the Governor’s sub-cabinet meetings. He has also been receiving about one or two introduced bills each day to review for fiscal impacts to TIB’s budget. A “fiscal impact” is defined as something that costs $50,000 or more to the agency. Fortunately, so far everything has been benign. This week has been a week for local agency/local government “101”style presentations in the House, Senate, and Transportation Commission. Mr. Probart gave the same fifteen minute presentation to both committees and the commission. In past years, Mr. Probart has provided a TIB 101 that focuses on the grant

pg 5


programs. This year, the primary emphasis Mr. Probart went over was the TIB budget situation and the fact that there are several customers TIB is unable to pay in full at this time. He closed the presentation with a list of the agencies and projects being impacted in this way. The goal of this presentation was to show that this is not a faceless budget issue. Real communities in legislative districts cannot be fully reimbursed. Further, regarding the conclusion of the current biennium and the (Second) Supplemental Budget, he requested:

• Reinstating the $4.7 million reduction incurred in the wake (of the now overturned) I-976.

• Include a one-time disbursement of $15 million to TIB to reimburse TIB customers.

Moving forward, Mr. Probart showed support for the Governor’s 2021-2023 budget proposal. The Governor’s proposal included the TIB requests for reinstatement of the previously suspended I-976 revenues: $14.6 million for the Complete Streets Program and $9.67 million in Connecting Washington funding.

Over the summer and fall, the House Democratic Caucus Transportation Committee held over ninety listening sessions to inform their future budget proposal. Mr. Probart was given an hour and a half to present and accept questions from the committee. He provided an historical look at TIB funding since 1990. Over the past 30 years, the portion of the gas tax TIB receives, 3.04 cents, has not increased. The TIB budget has grown nominally, less than1% per calendar year. Over the same time period, the DOT construction cost index has gone up 280%. This may understate the cost of construction for our customers because DOT has significantly more purchasing power. This is a key challenge as TIB revenues are not keeping up with construction costs, resulting in fewer or smaller grant sizes. Along with reinstating I-976 revenues, it is clear that TIB cannot continue to be 100% gas tax dependent and there is a need to keep up with inflation. One option is for TIB to be included in the future road user charge revenue stream. The House Democratic Caucus Transportation Committee 16 year proposal includes an increase of $828 million, or approximately $51.75 million per year. For comparison, the annual TIB program is typically $100 million. This is dividing the proposal into annual installments. The actual plan is to be indexed to inflation and that level of detail has not been provided to date. Mr. Probart stated on the one hand, this can be looked at as a 51% increase and on the other, it could be seen as catching up with inflation. For Board informational purposes, there is typically two and a half to three dollars requested in funding for every dollar TIB has available for grants. For the Complete Streets Program, which is typically $l 4.7 million per biennium there was also an increase of about $7.4 million per biennium.

Funding for the House Democratic proposal includes an 18 cent gas tax increase over two years and also proposing to index this starting the biennium after introduction. The rational for adjusting for inflation is that other states have successfully implemented this and it has helped to stabilize their transportation funding. In addition, this creates upfront cash and negates the need for bonding. They also include a carbon fee. Both the gas tax and carbon fee are always controversial and there is still many weeks left in the legislative process.

There is a $6.7 billion funding bucket identified as being for “State and local projects including freight projects.” A comprehensive list of identified projects will be finalized after sufficient support for the overall bill has been established. The only

pg 6


project specifically identified for funding was the Columbia River crossing/ I-5 bridge due to our partnership with Oregon and to indicate to Oregon that this is also a priority for Washington. The House Democratic Caucus Transportation Committee is led by Chair Fey and his team has many different assignments. Rep. Ramos, a former Issaquah council member, is on task for promoting and ensuring environmental justice requirements, social equity/equality requirements, and OMWBE requirements as a pillar of this package. Representative Ramos conference called with Mr. Probart asking about TIB programs, what is currently being done, as well as what and how these things can be incorporated into the TIB book of business in the future. Staff is currently working on figuring out what this could mean for TIB. There are multiple definitions for environmental justice and social equity. TIB is not positioned to be in a regulatory role. TIB’s long-standing position is that when an agency signs a contract with us, they agree to adhere to any and all relevant state or federal laws. The local agency is to certify they are in compliance. Depending on the outcome of this proposal, TIB may be in a future regulatory role. Mr. Probart expects this to be a significant part of his director’s report for the March board meeting. Mr. Klekotka, regarding funding for TIB and CRAB showing up as individual line items, he noticed that he didn’t see the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) on the list and wondered where the funding is for FMSIB. Mr. Probart stated his colleague Mr. Ziegler and FMSIB Director, asked a similar question to Chair Fey. He asked if FMSIB funds were part of the item “State and local projects, including freight projects” or if there should be an individual line item for FMSIB. Basically it was couched as a work in progress and Mr. Zeigler has been asked to respond and flesh out a proposal to Rep. Fey. Mayor Lucas, as a hypothetical, let’s say the United States Congress gives a trillion dollars for infrastructure. The state of Washington should get about 2% of that by population. How does Mr. Probart see something like that being spent and how would the mechanism work without a bill or any approval by Congress? Mr. Probart said those exact questions came up in the House Democrats debrief sessions over the week. Their position is, until there actually are federal funds to worry about, they should carry on as if there will not be any additional funds. For example, there has not been a federal gas tax increase since 1991. The way the transportation budget has been written since about 1994, there is a mechanism in the budget that says if there are unanticipated federal funds granted after the legislative session has concluded, those funds are to go to WSDOT preservation, maintenance, and/or improvement activities. Mr. Rogalsky said he attended one of Representative Fey’s debriefs and noticed it appears as though the money in the budget directed to TIB is specific to TIB preservation programs. It looks like perhaps an alternative approach to what would typically be a direct allocation for preservation. How much does this money really enhance TIB program capacity and how much is another way to fund local preservation? Mr. Probart, the internal thinking, so far, is TIB has an arterial preservation program that is currently constrained to cities with a population of 5,000 or less or less than $2 billion in assessed value. These thresholds are determined by the board and not state law. The thresholds could be changed if TIB was enriched with additional preservation funds. Based on previous grant requests, Mr. Probart said he has no doubt TIB could easily incorporate an additional $50 million for

pg 7


preservation statewide. Mr. Rogalsky, it seems indisputable to me that there is a statewide preservation need; however he is concerned this money may have just been moved from one distribution path to another. Mr. Probart from 1991-2015 package there have been 3 increases, in 2003 there was a 5 cent gas tax increase completely bonded for state transportation projects, in 2005 there was a multibillion dollar package where collectively all Washington cities received a half a cent of gas tax and all counties had half a cent of gas tax divided among all the agencies in each group. For cities, a half cent of gas tax generates $16 million a year which was split up per capita equaling about $4 per person. In the 2015 package there was no gas tax but rather multi-modal funding. Here, specific to TIB this $51 million is about one and two thirds cents in gas tax. Counties have also gotten an increase. Ultimately this is triple to quadruple what cities and counties has seen since 1991. Chair Low said this package from Representative Fey is proposed to be $26 billion and it is expected that Senator Hobbs will come out with the Senate package next week which is expected to be around $17 billion. Is there any inkling about if there will be additional money for TIB in this package? Mr. Probart said it sounds like Senator Hobbs heavily borrowed from the Connecting Washington proposal from 2015. Ultimately it will not be at this scale. Chair Low concluded the discussion and directed Board members to reach out to Ashley after the meeting if there are any more questions.

B. Annual Assessment Report– Vaughn Nelson reported on the following: • This Annual Assessment started in 2012 when TIB completed the 2013-2023, 10 year

strategic plan with the various measures TIB decided to focus on. • This Strategic Plan will expire in 2023 so that is something that will be coming up in

2022. • Mr. Nelson highlighted the following metrics: • Percent of Small Cities with an Average PCR Score above 70 – this metric went

down and is on TIB staff radar. Mr. Nelson stated this is a topic Mr. Workman will be discussing in depth at the March Board Meeting.

• Miles of Roadway Awarded with Sidewalk Added – Despite not offering the sidewalk program in the last call, TIB was still able to fund over 8 miles of sidewalk which is higher than it was in 2019. TIB staff made a promise to the Board in January of 2020 when it was noticed that the sidewalk mileage was low and again when the sidewalk program was cancelled, that staff would look at the other programs and make sure sidewalks, bike lanes, etc. were well represented in those programs. Although it is a lower number than in the past, staff still thinks this is a pretty good outcome for this year.

• Miles of Urban Roadway Awarded with Bikelanes Added – Even though the programs were funded at 60% of normal, there were still 8.2 miles of bike lanes or separated shared use paths that function as bike lanes.

• Number of Projects not Billing in Last Calendar Year – Most projects do bill at least quarterly but some agencies will hold on to bills and some wait to submit them all until the end. This isn’t a problem when the projects are small and especially small preservation projects are commonly invoiced as one bill. This year, the number of projects that have not billed in the last year is significantly down at 22 as compared to the typical level in the 60s or 70s. This shows communities are looking for funds in 2020 by not holding onto their invoices and seeking reimbursements. Mr. Nelson

pg 8


stated he would talk more about that in the Financial Report and how that has impacted TIB.

• Number of Active Projects and Total Outstanding Obligation – these two metrics go hand in hand. Both of these have gone down, mostly due to smaller call size. While this is not a particularly desired outcome, it is a necessary outcome given the lost revenue in 2020.

• This report is on the TIB dashboard under Planning > Agency Assessment and is available to the Board and the public. Clicking on any category gives additional information about the metric and historical data going back to 2012. Mr. Ramsay said he appreciates the ongoing attention to bike and sidewalk projects and is looking forward to the funding for these specific programs in future years.

• Ms. B. Chamberlain stated sidewalk condition is an element of preservation and physical condition that the board could also consider approaching differently if additional funds were available. That backlog was discussed in the local funding needs report done for JTC.

C. Financial Report – Vaughn Nelson reported on the following: 2020 Revenue overview:

• The COVID Stay at Home order has had a significant effect on gas consumption and thus gas tax collection.

• Possible long term behavior changes and the possible effects the gas tax moving forward.

• Legislative revenue reduction due to I-976. • Expect to be down $17-20 million over previous years • Mr. Nelson showed a chart with the four year average of deposits by month

compared to the deposits in the same months of 2020. • Overall in 2020 gas tax deposits were down 13%. • Internal assumption is that deposits will be down 10% over the next several years. 2020 Expense overview: • “Run on the bank” only 22 projects did not invoice in 2020, and most projects sent in

invoices as soon as the agency received a bill. • Increased billing combined with low revenue has meant TIB has been behind on its

payments, in December the backlog totaled $34 million, currently it is down to $26 million.

• Dec and Jan reimbursements requests were down, likely due to invoices coming in earlier in the year.

• The slowing of invoices has allowed for the catch up in payments and staff is hopeful that it will be completely caught up by mid-summer 2021.

• Mr. Nelson showed a chart showing the total grant reimbursements requests per year over last five years and the fund balance line over the same period.

• In 2017 and 2018 TIB had a significant fund balance and as a result programmed higher call sizes to right the fund balance to a lower level.

• The chart shows larger than average grant reimbursements in 2017and 2018 and a corresponding decline in fund balance.

• In 2020 the grant reimbursement requests are even higher than in those years and the fund balance which was already lower due to the larger programs in previous years has continued to decline with the decrease in deposits over the year.

pg 9


Mr. Probart stated staff had forecasted 12 months ago that the fund balance would be very low, but everyone would be paid and the fund balance would begin to recover in 2021. This was before COVID-19 and before the $5 million legislative fund sweep. Ms. Kuhn asked what the communication looks like with agencies and what had the impact been downstream. Mr. Nelson said staff closely monitors the list of agencies TIB currently cannot pay in full. When there is not enough funds to pay all the invoices, there is a priority protocol: • The agencies that get paid immediately every time or almost every time are small

cities. It has only happened 3 times over the course of the year that a small city has had to have a payment broken into two months.

• Next, any smaller invoices TIB is able to pay in full are paid to keep as many agencies whole as possible.

• Lastly, are the large agencies with significant projects that are invoicing millions of dollars per invoice. At that time, Mr. Nelson contacts those agencies to explain why they cannot expect their entire payment at once and sets up a monthly payment plan that will vary a bit each month based on the income and expenses for that month. Even within those agencies there are two categories, those who do not need the funds immediately, and those who if we have any extra we send it to them. Fortunately, there has been no feedback from agencies that they are in a fiscal crisis as a result of payment plans. Even so, staff has offered to work with any agency who informs TIB they need additional funds.

Mr. Probart commented further that some of the agencies with these payment plans are on an every month or every other month schedule for him to check in with them directly. It seems everyone understands the situation.

Ongoing cash flow strategy: • Moving forward, the first priority is catching up all outstanding payments. • The next priority is building a fund balance reserve. • Lastly, regarding the bond conversation, staff is helpful this will be a helpful tool

moving forward to help smooth out monthly cash flow after the first two priorities are settled.

D. Project Activity Report 11/1/2020 – 12/31/2020) – Chris Workman reported on the following:

• It is early in the season and staff has seen a few good bids come in. This is common for this early in the season and is good to see.

• About 80% of projects the Board awarded in November have already been executed; agencies have until November of 2021 to get those executed.

• Looking at the three year activity chart, the drop in project actions from 2020 is clear. • Some agencies have decided to put off projects due to COVID. • Construction approvals and bid authorizations have significantly changed in 2020.

Typically there is a spike of these actions in December. For comparison, over the last three years, there are 20 to 30 actions each year. In 2020, there were three. Staff thinks it is possible there will be more of these actions coming up. However, in January, there have only been seven. Staff will continue to watch these actions and the schedules for projects such as when they should go to ad. We do not want them to fall behind. We encourage agencies to try to go to ad early to increase their chances of getting good bids.

• Hopefully staff will have a better picture by May to present to the Board.

pg 10


E. Pilot Project Review – Chris Workman reported on the following: • Two years ago, TIB did a pilot project in Ilwaco. The Board asked staff to see if a

pilot project could be done on the East side as well. • Staff watched for potential possibilities and came up with a couple of options:

Treatment Analysis Projects: • Leavenworth • Sprague Crack Seal Projects: • Waverly • Fairfield • Rockford • Spangle • Millwood

• The crack seal projects were all located in Spokane County to keep them in the same

geographic area to more accurately compare results. • TIB staff managed each of these projects. This is unusual for staff to serve as the

Lead Agency. Agencies typically manage their own projects including the previous pilot projects.

• For the Treatment Analysis Projects, both projects originally came in as grant applications and did not rate as well or staff felt the requested treatment was mismatched for the project.

• Leavenworth: • Staff felt more treatment was needed in this case. • This project was a low volume residential road in very poor condition, about

750 feet long, which abutted a different TIB project from 2 years before. It was a full-depth reclamation (FDR) project where they grind up the existing material to make a good base and then pave over the top. For this project, the agency applied for a double chip seal which did not seem enough to solve the problem for this road.

• August 2019: the agency requested $71,374 for pavement repair and a double chip seal. This project was not brought to the Board for funding.

• January 2020: the Board approved $300,000 for staff to fully investigate options and manage the project through construction.

• November 2020: the project was completed. The total cost was $132,212. • Staff selected two inch hot mix over paving fabric. Traditionally TIB has not

used a lot of paving fabric but it was determined to be a good option and would save some costs.

• The plan was to compare this treatment to the FDR treatment from the abutting project.

• Unfortunately the contractor did not always hold to two inches and in some places the paving was four inches.

• The inspector did notice right away but being such a short project by the time the issue was corrected there was only about 700 feet remaining.

• Due to this inconsistency it will not work well for comparison as an example of a two inch overlay.

• Fortunately the project turned out well for the city.

pg 11


• Sprague • Similar to the Leavenworth project, this road was in poor condition with

alligator cracking and pot holes all over. • The original pilot project started as one segment. However, Sprague received

a TIB grant the previous year on an abutting section that was of similar length.

• A designer was working on that previous grant when TIB staff came out to work on the pilot project.

• The idea with this application was to examine a case where the whole city is full of cobbles. Cobbles are larger rocks that cannot be ground up in a normal process and are close to the surface. This makes projects bad candidates for full depth reclamation. (FDR). Typically, this means projects require full reconstruction and it is very expensive. This is especially true for small, low volume roads.

• TIB hired a consultant and ultimately came up with an alternate option using FDR. Typically with FDR the treatment goes down 8-12 inches but this treatment would only go down and mix the top four inches, put down rock and then asphalt. This more shallow depth would mean more of the cobbles would stay in the ground making removal of the remaining cobbles more manageable.

• August 2019: the agency requested $290,000 for full reconstruction. • January 2020: the Board approved $300,000 for the pilot project from

investigation through construction. • May 2020: TIB was notified the adjacent project had design concerns and

was not moving along. They had decided they would see what the pilot project decided on and to do the same treatment. Internally TIB staff thought it was a good idea to use the same solution for both projects but a bad idea to have two separate contracts. TIB staff made the decision to incorporate the other project into the pilot.

• September 2020: both projects were completed for a combined $402,000. • When combined, the other project had $302,000 budget and made the

original pilot budget $602,000. • This project was also good for the community and it was a good value to

combine the two projects. • The projects are near schools but without buses running there has not been

loading and unloading to observe yet. TIB staff will continue to monitor the life of the completed project and see how it ages.

• Regarding the Crack Seal Projects, TIB would like to encourage agencies to engage in more preservation to lengthen the life of their streets. Crack Seal is the least expensive form of preservation and is a treatment that agencies can do early to extend the life of road. Some cities are doing this but many are not. One problem is that Crack Seal is not especially attractive to consultants due to the low cost. It was decided to look outside the box and see how TIB can better encourage preservation.

• The pilot looked at 5 agencies in Spokane County and met with them all together. • Two cities, Fairfield and Waverly volunteered their own staff to go out do their own

work. As a reminder, these are very small cities so the “staff” is their clerk who works part time and their maintenance person. TIB staff gave them the material they would need and a tutorial.

• Rockford ended up not being able to do the project. • Millwood was getting the project done with a bit of a delay.

pg 12


• Spangle opted to use a consultant to do the work. • This gave a good group of Fairfield, Waverly, and Spangle to compare the

differences of cost using a consultant versus city staff. • The cost per linear foot plus engineering for each was; Fairfield $1.13, Spangle

$1.63, and Waverly $1.04. • These were the costs for doing Crack Seal on the whole system at once rather than

just a small section at a time. • Mr. Probart noted that small cities have 3-10 miles of streets at most which is how

some of this is manageable for a city to do on its own.

F. Program Changes Discussion – Chris Workman reported on the following: Each year, program criteria are reviewed and, if needed, proposed changes are brought before the Board for consideration.

• Small City Preservation Program (SCPP) - Staff would like to further continue a more formal crack seal option within the SCPP. The Board will be presented with some ideas for “soft launching” an option for crack seal projects, which is currently not offered. The intent is to encourage agencies to use crack sealing as an early, low cost preservation treatment.

• Small City and Urban Sidewalk Program (SCSP/SP) - For the 2021 call for projects, staff proposes to restore the sidewalk program criteria as they were prior to the suspension of the programs in 2020. The Board will be presented with some concepts and a timeline for changing this to a more inclusive “Active Transportation” program. These anticipated changes will require the need for revising the Washington Administration Code (WAC) criteria for these programs. More information will be brought to the Board during the March and May meetings.

• Mr. Ramsay said he hopes expanding the scope of criteria will not decrease funding. • Ms. B. Chamberlain said she was encouraged to see discussion around the sidewalk

program. She said the primary concern should be pedestrian and bike safety. Pedestrian improvements are important and in some locations a shared use path may be best to make sure we extend a complete network.

4. ACTION ITEM

A. TIB Chair Special Election Moved per Vice Chair Johnson, to the beginning of the meeting.

5. ADJOURNMENT Chair Sam Low adjourned the meeting at 11:05 am

pg 13

State of Washington Transportation Improvement Board

2021 Program Call Size Preview March 26, 2021

BACKGROUND At the March Board meeting of each year, a preliminary review of the proposed program sizes is given. The annual call for projects and call size is announced to customers after formal Board action at the May meeting. STATUS Assumptions and considerations made in the calculation for call size include:

• Outstanding obligations for current active projects (projection of annual expenditures); • Legislative budget (potential provisos or new law revenue); • Most recent revenue forecast for each account (Transportation Improvement Account and the Small City

Pavement and Sidewalk Account) plus any other appropriations; and • Projected schedule of expenditures for new commitments. • 10% below four year revenue average.

Adjustments may be made before the staff recommendation to the Board in May based on changes to the information above. Preliminary 2021 Program Size

Program Proposed 2021 Call Size

2020 Approved Amounts

Urban Programs • Urban Arterial Program (UAP) • Arterial Preservation Program (APP) • Urban Sidewalk Program (SP)

$60 Million $8 Million $5 Million

$45.6 Million

$3.4 Million SUSPENDED

Small City Programs • Small City Arterial Program (SCAP) • Small City Preservation Program (SCPP) • Small City Sidewalk Program (SP)

$10 Million $4 Million $3 Million

$6.9 Million $2.8 Million SUSPENDED

TOTAL $90 Million $58.7 Million

Note: Relight Washington projects and Complete Streets awards are separate programs and are not administered or considered in the normal call for projects.

RECOMMENDATION No action needed. Information Only.

pg 14

APP Program3-E-177(005)-1 COLLEGE PLACE FY 2021 Overlay Project Bid Award 272,027 -15,867 DirectorBA

3-P-124(009)-1 ENUMCLAW FY 2022 Overlay Project Construction 8,500 0 DirectorCN

3-E-164(005)-1 EPHRATA FY 2020 Overlay Project Construction 159,093 0 DirectorCN

3-E-164(006)-1 EPHRATA FY 2021 Overlay Project Withdrawn 0 0 DirectorCN WD

3-E-988(003)-1 LIBERTY LAKE FY 2021 Overlay Project Contract Completion 274,961 -47,450 DirectorCC

3-W-839(003)-1 LYNDEN FY 2019 Rehabilitation Project Contract Completion 750,000 0 DirectorCC

3-P-112(005)-1 NORMANDY PARK FY 2019 Overlay Project - 4th Avenue S Contract Completion 315,552 0 DirectorCC

3-P-142(007)-1 SNOHOMISH FY 2022 Overlay Project Withdrawn 0 0 DirectorWD

3-P-823(007)-1 STANWOOD FY 2022 Overlay Project Design 22,500 0 DirectorDE

3-E-172(004)-1 WEST RICHLAND FY 2022 Overlay Project Design 6,800 0 DirectorDE

3-W-954(003)-1 WOODLAND FY 2021 Overlay Project Bid Award 371,296 0 DirectorBA

Total APP Change -63,317

CSP ProgramC-P-113(001)-1 FEDERAL WAY Complete Streets Award Audit 100,000 0 DirectorCC AD

C-W-985(001)-1 FERNDALE Complete Streets Award Audit 300,000 0 DirectorCC AD

Washington State Transportation Improvement BoardProject Activity Report

Reporting PeriodFrom 01/01/2021 to 02/28/2021

Project ID Agency Project Description Current PhaseTotal TIB

FundsChange inTIB Funds ApprovalPhases

C-E-183(001)-1 GRANDVIEW Complete Streets Award Audit 100,000 0 DirectorCC AD

C-P-106(002)-1 KENT Complete Streets Award Audit 250,000 0 DirectorCC AD

C-E-180(001)-1 YAKIMA Complete Streets Award Audit 500,000 0 DirectorCC AD

Total CSP Change 0

LED ProgramS-W-153(001)-1 PORT ORCHARD LED Streetlight Conversion Bid Award 200,000 0 DirectorDE CN BA

Total LED Change 0

SCAP Program6-P-808(015)-1 BUCKLEY River Avenue Bid Award 215,441 -69,622 DirectorCN BA

6-E-894(I15)-1 DEER PARK Crawford Avenue Bid Award 101,972 0 DirectorCN BA

6-W-838(008)-1 EVERSON Reeds Lane and Emerson Road Audit 909,206 0 DirectorCC FV AD

6-W-831(007)-1 FRIDAY HARBOR Mullis Street Bid Award 685,090 -11,468 DirectorBA

6-W-956(I04)-1 MCCLEARY South 3rd Street Improvements Contract Completion 283,731 10,975 DirectorCC

6-E-891(005)-1 METALINE FALLS Pend Oreille Blvd and Lehigh Circle Audit 429,140 76,841 DirectorCC FV AD

6-E-929(I04)-1 POMEROY 6th Street Bridge Audit 264,411 60 DirectorCC FV AD

6-P-135(004)-1 RUSTON 53rd St Improvement Project Design 43,700 0 DirectorDE

6-E-865(005)-1 SOAP LAKE West Beach Park Access Improvements Design 39,091 0 DirectorDE





6-E-918(007)-1 ST. JOHN Park Street and Nob Hill Street Audit 151,110 5,000 DirectorCC FV AD

6-W-977(003)-1 TENINO Ritter Street S. Improvements Design 68,206 0 DirectorDE

Total SCAP Change 11,786

SCPP Program2-W-832(007)-1 CONCRETE FY 2022 Overlay Project Design 7,599 0 DirectorDE

2-E-926(004)-1 CONNELL FY 2021 Seal Coat Project Audit 38,346 0 DirectorFV AD

2-E-856(004)-1 COULEE CITY FY 2022 Overlay Project Design 23,000 0 DirectorDE

2-E-878(005)-1 COULEE DAM FY 2022 Seal Coat Project Design 14,161 0 DirectorDE

2-E-924(008)-1 DAYTON FY 2022 Overlay Project Design 27,900 0 DirectorDE

2-E-895(003)-1 FAIRFIELD FY 2019 Seal Coat Project Audit 86,708 171 DirectorCC FV AD

2-W-831(006)-1 FRIDAY HARBOR FY 2021 Seal Coat Project Audit 47,864 0 DirectorCC FV AD

2-E-859(005)-1 GRAND COULEE FY 2022 Seal Coat Project Design 10,400 0 DirectorDE

2-E-940(006)-1 GRANGER FY 2020 Rehabilitation Project Audit 111,896 -3,719 DirectorCC FV AD

2-E-940(007)-1 GRANGER FY 2021 Overlay Project Audit 269,492 -3,352 DirectorCC FV AD

2-E-927(003)-1 KAHLOTUS FY 2021 Seal Coat Project Audit 66,532 3,498 DirectorCC FV AD

2-E-943(005)-1 MOXEE FY 2021 Seal Coat Project Audit 13,222 -5,778 DirectorCC FV AD

2-W-973(003)-1 NORTH BONNEVILLE FY 2022 Seal Coat Project Design 6,325 0 DirectorDE





2-E-872(003)-1 ODESSA FY 2019 Rehabilitation Project Bid Award 44,988 -88,311 DirectorCN BA

2-E-987(005)-1 OMAK FY 2022 Seal Coat Project Design 0 0 DirectorDE

2-E-864(004)-1 ROYAL CITY FY 2020 Rehabilitation Project Contract Completion 133,003 -3,509 DirectorCC

2-E-864(005)-1 ROYAL CITY FY 2021 Seal Coat Project Audit 17,491 -24,129 DirectorCC FV AD

2-E-899(004)-1 SPANGLE Spokane County Managed Preservation Pilot Design 20,000 0 DirectorDE

2-E-874(007)-2 SPRAGUE FY 2020 Rehabilitation Project Audit 30,699 -2,142 DirectorCC FV AD

2-E-885(003)-1 TONASKET FY 2020 Rehabilitation Project Audit 231,803 757 DirectorCC FV AD

2-E-846(004)-1 WASHTUCNA FY 2021 Seal Coat Project Audit 94,106 13,000 DirectorCC FV AD

2-W-951(006)-1 YACOLT FY 2022 Seal Coat Project Design 2,375 0 DirectorDE

2-E-947(003)-1 ZILLAH FY 2022 Overlay Project Construction 28,620 0 DirectorCN

Total SCPP Change -113,514

SP ProgramP-E-201(P03)-1 EDGEWOOD Meridian Avenue and 24th Street E Bid Award 520,849 -229,151 DirectorBA

P-W-955(P06)-1 ELMA Young Street Audit 240,270 -19,740 DirectorCC FV AD

P-E-879(P02)-1 ELMER CITY Elmer City Access Road and Front Street Construction 14,676 0 DirectorCN

P-E-862(P02)-1 MATTAWA Government Road Construction 26,000 0 DirectorCN

P-E-892(P02)-1 NEWPORT Pine Street and Idaho Hwy 41 Audit 205,991 -21,631 DirectorCC FV AD





P-E-881(P04)-1 OKANOGAN Second Avenue S (SR 215) Audit 348,635 754 DirectorCC FV AD

P-W-195(P04)-1 OLYMPIA 4th Avenue and State Avenue Bid Award 342,338 -57,662 DirectorCN BA

P-E-208(P07)-1 SPOKANE VALLEY Park Road Construction 30,000 0 DirectorCN

Total SP Change -327,430

UAP Program8-1-105(037)-1 AUBURN 4th Street SE Design 150,000 0 DirectorDE

8-2-156(040)-1 BELLINGHAM Mahogany Avenue/Artic Avenue Contract Completion 1,574,056 -44,719 DirectorCC

8-2-156(043)-1 BELLINGHAM Meridian St Design 10,000 0 DirectorDE

8-2-837(004)-1 BLAINE Boblett Street Design 50,000 0 DirectorDE

8-5-006(043)-1 CLARK COUNTY NE 99th Street Design 0 0 DirectorDE

8-1-204(006)-1 COVINGTON SE 256th Street Design 0 0 DirectorDE

8-1-110(008)-1 DES MOINES S 216th Street Audit 3,157,245 0 DirectorCC FV AD

8-3-161(013)-1 EAST WENATCHEE 10th Street NE Construction 30,000 0 DirectorCN

8-4-175(020)-1 ELLENSBURG Alder Street Design 120,250 0 DirectorDE

8-1-138(035)-1 EVERETT Rucker Avenue Contract Completion 4,103,982 0 DirectorCC

8-1-113(013)-1 FEDERAL WAY S 288th Street Design 205,715 0 DirectorDE

8-1-127(008)-1 GIG HARBOR Stinson Avenue Bid Award 459,400 0 DirectorCN BA





8-1-146(002)-1 LAKE STEVENS 91st Avenue SE / 24th Street SE / S LakeStevens Road

Construction 0 0 DirectorCN

8-1-199(015)-1 LAKEWOOD Gravelly Lake Drive and WashingtonBoulevard SW

Construction 0 0 DirectorCN

8-3-988(004)-1 LIBERTY LAKE E Appleway Avenue Contract Completion 282,930 0 DirectorCC

8-1-143(011)-1 MARYSVILLE State Avenue Design 0 0 DirectorDE

8-2-155(018)-1 MOUNT VERNON Hoag Road and Laventure Road Design 302,124 0 DirectorDE

8-1-117(007)-1 PACIFIC Stewart Road (8th Street East) Bid Award 4,877,200 100,000 DirectorCN BA

8-1-027(070)-1 PIERCE COUNTY Canyon Rd E Design 0 0 DirectorDE

8-2-153(002)-1 PORT ORCHARD Tremont Street Contract Completion 8,000,000 0 DirectorCC

8-2-151(004)-1 PORT TOWNSEND Discovery Road Design 401,643 0 DirectorDE

8-3-167(018)-1 PULLMAN Terre View Drive Design 39,950 0 DirectorDE

8-1-107(022)-1 REDMOND NE 51st Street Audit 1,042,494 0 DirectorCC FV AD

8-1-102(037)-1 RENTON Duvall Avenue NE Construction 266,792 0 DirectorCN

8-1-207(002)-1 SAMMAMISH SE 4th Street Contract Completion 4,000,000 0 DirectorCC

8-1-121(009)-1 SEATAC 34th Avenue S Design 0 0 DirectorDE

8-2-126(012)-1 SEDRO WOOLLEY Cascade Hwy (SR 20) Audit 259,321 -20,691 DirectorCC FV AD

8-2-826(006)-1 SEQUIM N Sequim Avenue Design 175,665 0 DirectorDE

8-1-031(015)-1 SNOHOMISH COUNTY 35th Avenue SE/39th Avenue SE Bid Award 5,000,000 0 DirectorBA





8-3-165(091)-1 SPOKANE Thor / Freya Couplet Design 0 0 DirectorDE

8-3-032(073)-1 SPOKANE COUNTY Lincoln Road Design 112,457 0 DirectorDE

8-4-946(003)-1 WAPATO S Camas Avenue Design 0 0 DirectorDE

8-3-160(030)-1 WENATCHEE Tacoma Avenue Construction 361,040 0 DirectorCN

Total UAP Change 34,590

-457,886Total Change

PND - PendingPD - Predesign

DE - DesignCN - Construction

BA - Bid AwardCC - Contract Completion

FV - Final VoucherAD - Audit

WD - Withdrawn






Program revision updates March 26, 2021

BACKGROUND Over the past few Board meetings, TIB staff has updated the Board on anticipated program revisions and updates concerning the Small City Preservation (SCPP), Sidewalk (SCSP/SP), and the Small City Arterial (SCAP) programs.

STATUS Small City Preservation Program (SCPP)

In January, staff presented ideas for potential future revisions and coordination. This is a continuous effort to improve and make our preservation funding efficient and effective. For the 2021 grant cycle, we plan to “soft launch” grants to allow lower cost, earlier treatments. This will include crack seal, pavement repair, fog seal, etc. We will analyze the response from agencies and report the conclusions in our annual Priority Array presentation in November. No Board action needed at this time.

Small City and Urban Sidewalk Program (SCSP/SP)

We continue to work on a wholesale revision to this program and transitioning to “Active Transportation”. This is a yearlong effort that requires WAC revisions and will have regular updates to the Board. At the January Board meeting, we identified types of projects and a revision timeline to ensure the new program is ready for the 2022 grant cycle.

At this Board meeting, we will provide the draft criteria and banding structure (attached pages 23-26). This will enable the WAC revision process to begin. Board action of moving forward using draft criteria and banding structure requested.

Small City Arterial Program (SCAP)

Staff identified a need to add criteria within the current banding structure for new streets that will benefit a small city network. Recommended draft criteria are added to the attached SCAP criteria under the Physical Condition band (attached pages 27-30). Board action of draft criteria is requested.

RECOMMENDATION Board action is requested for:

• A motion to authorize staff to move forward with changes to the Small City and Urban Sidewalk Program (SCSP/SP), creating the “Active Transportation Program,” using draft criteria and banding structure for continuing program revisions as presented.

• A motion to adopt changes to the Small City Arterial Program (SCAP) - Revised criteria adding new streets to

the physical condition band as presented.

pg 22

Banding Structure

+

Nature of project (30pts)

Considers purpose and needs

Sustainability (10pts)

Improves project quality through

sustainable design

Constructability (10 pts)

Provides a reasonable

expectation of completion

Safety (50 pts) Improves safety conditions. Reduces Active Transportation crashes.

Potential for crash

reduction

Existing Hazards Speed

New facility

Complete Streets policy Federal funding

Mobility (50 pts) Improves modal capacity and connection of healthy systems.

Accessibility Network development

Existing facility

Low impact design WSDOT facility

Physical Condition(50pts) Corrects physical deficiency or failure of existing system.

Facility condition

Modal crossing improvement Repair and

maint. cost consideration

Utility impacts

Facility lighting

Greenhouse gas Local match

pg 23

Active Transportation draft criteria Safety Band (50 points)

• Documented crash involving pedestrian or cyclist • Existing Hazards (high/medium/ low)

o Obstructions o Sight distance o Speed

Existing Approved speed reduction

o Volume (AADT) o Exposure (Number of Users) o Population (old, young, disabled and low income)

Mobility Band (50 points)

Accessibility (direct or indirect access)

• Schools (pts per school direct, per school indirect) o Number of students (OPI has number for each school) o On school walking route

• Public facility (pts per facility, pts per facility indirect) o Post Office o City Hall o Community Center o Fire Station/Police Station o Senior Center o Parks

• Business access (high, medium, low) • High density housing (high, medium, low) • Identified Community Need (high, medium, low)

Network development

• Completes gaps (high, medium, low) • Extends improvements (high, medium, low) • Restores network (high, medium, low) • Identified in agency bike/pedestrian plan (high, medium, low)

pg 24

Active Transportation draft criteria Nature of project (30 points) (Choose the type which best fits your project)

New Sidewalk (high, medium, low)

o Existing Shoulder width (zero to 3ft, 4 to 6ft, > 6ft) o # ADA barriers removed o Adds physical separation o Cost/mile

Existing Facility (high, medium, low)

o Surface condition o Existing width o # ADA barriers removed o Cost/mile

Bicycle Facility (bike lanes or multi-use path) (high, medium, low)

o Existing Shoulder width (zero to 3ft, 4 to 6ft, > 6ft) o # ADA barriers removed o Adds physical separation o Cost/mile

Pedestrian or Bicycle Crossing (high, medium, low)

o Increases visibility o Shortens crossing distance o Adds pedestrian/bicycle signal o #ADA barriers removed o Adds pedestrian refuge o Cost/mile

Pedestrian Lighting (high, medium, low)

o Increases visibility o #ADA barriers removed o Cost/mile

pg 25

Active Transportation draft criteria Constructability (10 points)

• Adopted TBD or locally dedicated transportation funding by ordinance

• No federal funding

• No WSDOT Facility Impact

• Utilities relocated previous to project, or no relocation required

• Local Match o X points for each X percent above minimum local match

Sustainability (10 points)

• Adopted Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy

• Adopted Complete Streets ordinance

• Appropriate sidewalk cross-section

• Hardscaping or climate-appropriate plantings

• Solar powered signage

• Low Impact Drainage Practice o Use bio-swales, rain gardens or other low impact drainage

practices

pg 26

SMALL CITY ARTERIAL PROGRAM Staff Rating Guidelines

PHYSICAL CONDITION (60 pt max) Corrects physical and structural deficiencies and prevents failure or add new street.

EXISTING CONDITION (30 pt max) • TIB engineer PCR score rating 0-30

Or • Bridge condition (Federally funded bridge only) 0-30

Or • New street 0-30

NON-PAVEMENT CONDITION (15 pt max)

• Storm water conveyance 0-10 • ADA ramps 0-5

• Existing sidewalk condition 0-5 LOADING/SIGNIFICANCE (15 pt max)

• Heavy Load Route 0-5

• Bus route (trips/day) 0-5 • Significance

o Residential 0 o Business corridor 0-5

__________________________________________________________________________ ECONOMIC VITALITY- (60 pt max) Improves central business district area considering all users.

ACCESS FOR ALL USERS (30pt max)

• Considers all users (bike, ped, transit, auto/freight) 0-10 • Pedestrian scale lighting 10 • Curb extensions (bulb-outs) 10 • Other traffic calming (medians, refuge islands, etc) 10 • Community/business support 5

AESTHETICS (30 pt max)

• Gateway signs/Wayfinding/Decorative signs 5 • Decorative surface treatment 5 • Decorative lighting/ street furniture 5 • Other streetscape improvements 5 • General appearance/feel 0-10

Deleted:

Deleted:

pg 27


SAFETY (60 pt max) Makes safety improvements.

CRASH HISTORY* (25 pt max)

Incidents must occur within the project limits

• Property damage only incidence 2 points per incident

• Incidences with injuries 5 points per injury

• Incidences with fatalities 15 points per fatality *Crashes must be correctable by project to receive points

POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS** (35 pt max) **Proposed project must eliminate or minimize hazard to receive points

Safety Hazard Checklist

• Signal warrant with Engineering study or Roundabout 10

• Sight Distance- Physical features that impair what driver sees o Visibility affected by horizontal, vertical or intersection alignment 0-3 o Skewed Intersection 0-3

• Railroad Crossing- Must improve crossing to receive points o Multi-track 5 o Single Track 3 o Spur line 1

• Control Access o Entire project on both sides 5 o Portion of project (1/3 of length minimum) 3

• Obstructions- Must be moved, protected or eliminated by project 0-3 Evaluate permanence & magnitude of object. Examples of obstructions are power poles, mailboxes, parked cars

o Over 50 percent of project length 5 o 25 to 50 percent of project length 3 o Less than 25 percent of project length 1

• Adjacent Terrain o Unrecoverable Bank/Slope 0-5

• Pedestrian Safety 0-5 Reducing crossing distance, bulb-outs, RRFB’s, etc.

pg 28


Truck Route

• T1-T2 5 • T3-T5 3 • Delivery Truck or Bus Route 1

________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SUSTAINABILITY (20 pt max) Improves project quality through a sustainable design.

ADOPTED COMPLETE STREETS ORDINANCE 1 MODAL MEASURES (10 pt max)

• Appropriate sidewalk cross-section 0-5 • Bicycle facilities when included in an appropriate cross section 0-5

ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES (10 pt max)

• Adopted greenhouse gas emissions policy 1 • LID or enhanced treatment storm water controls 0-5 • Hardscaping or native planting (no permanent irrigation) 3 • Appropriate roadway cross-section 0-5

ENERGY MEASURES (5 pt max)

• Construct roundabout 0-5 • Solar powered signage 1

PAVEMENT (5 pt max)

• In-place recycling 3 • Appropriate treatment type 3 • “No Cut” ordinance 2

__________________________________________________________________________

pg 29


CONSTRUCTABILITY (20 pt max) Provides a reasonable expectation of completion. FULL FUNDING (5 pt max)

• Over match (1pt for every 1% above minimum) 0-5 • Adopted TBD or locally dedicated transportation funding by ordinance 2

CONSTRUCTION READINESS AND EASE OF IMPLEMENTATION (10 pt max)

• Plans, Specs, and Estimate complete 5 • Cultural resources complete 2 • Right of way certified or not required at application 3 • No federal funding 3 • No railroad impact 3 • Utility upgrades not needed or already funded 0-2

Agency Performance (5 pt max)

• Agency performance 0-5

pg 30


Scope Change Request Town of Springdale – SR231 (Main and Shaffer)

March 26, 2021 BACKGROUND In 2017, the Town of Springdale, population 320, received $311,400 of Small City Sidewalk Program funding for multiple sidewalk installation and repair areas throughout the main street. This is also a state route. The original scope as awarded is as follows: The project installs curb and sidewalk on the east side of SR 231 from Shaffer Avenue across the railroad tracks and the intersection of SR 292 and extends south to Aspen Avenue. Near the town hall, it provides a crossing with handicap ramps on the west side of SR 231 at Aspen Avenue, installs 300 L.F. of sidewalk with curb and gutter from the newly located crosswalk on Shaffer Avenue to W School Avenue. Repair of cracks and buckling on the existing Shaffer Avenue sidewalk is included in the scope. This project was also discussed in our May 2020 delay list report to the Board.

STATUS In July 2020, the bids came in about $8,000 over the approved grant amount. Without the knowledge of TIB staff, the town awarded the contract based on reducing the scope to get back within the approved TIB funding. During the review of the closeout of the project, TIB staff reviewed an increase of $5,498 for change orders that were performed during construction. TIB staff also discovered the original scope was revised without prior Board approval. The scope revisions will be shared in the Board presentation. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the post construction scope change with an increase of $3,000 to the currently approved TIB funding, leaving the town to fund the remaining $2,498.

pg 31


Project Cancellation City of Langley – Saratoga Road

March 26, 2021

BACKGROUND The city received Small City Arterial Program (SCAP) funding for the reconstruction of Saratoga Road between Tompkins Road and DeBruyn Avenue in November 2018. The roadway has significant pavement failures and a Full Depth Reclamation was planned for the entire length of the road. The city has a match of $27,200 and the project goes on delay status on July 1, 2021.

PROJECT FUNDING

Phase TIB anticipated Langley anticipated Total

Design $51,581 $2,719 $54,300

Construction $464,319 $24,481 $488,800

Total $515,900 $27,200 $543,100

STATUS This project went to advertisement in June 2020 and bids were opened in July, coming in about $30,000 above the Engineer’s estimate. The project was not awarded as the city is currently experiencing cash flow issues related to the pandemic. The city has stated that re-advertisement of the project would be delayed until 2022 or beyond, without being able to give a firm date. The table below displays incurred project costs.

Phase TIB actual Langley actual Total

Design $40,554 $2,138 $42,692

Construction $0 $0 $0

Total $40,554 $2,138 $42,692

RECOMMENDATION • Staff recommends canceling the construction phase of the project since the city cannot provide an

acceptable timeline or required matching funding. • Staff also recommends requiring the city to submit this project as a construction only project for

their next TIB application.

pg 32

Sam Low unanimously elected as Chair of the State Transportation Improvement Board by Mario Lotmore January 22, 2021 SNOHMISH COUNTY, Wash., January 22, 2021 – Today, Snohomish County Councilman Sam Low was unanimously elected as the 2021-2022 Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Chair by the 21 member Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. The Legislature created the Transportation Improvement Board to foster state investment in quality local transportation projects. According to its mission, the TIB funds high priority transportation projects in communities throughout the state to enhance the movement of people, goods and services. Recently, the TIB board awarded locally over $7.5 Million in grants to the cities of Gold Bar, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Snohomish, and Stanwood for project year 2022. The money is used toward pavement overlays, road preservation, sidewalks, road widening and new roads. Currently there are 25 active projects in Snohomish County funded by TIB in the amount of $33,887,450.

Municipality Active Projects ARLINGTON

8-1-817(007)-1 – 204th Street Roundabout 8-1-817(008)-1 – 172nd Street (SR 531) C-P-817(001)-1 – Complete Streets Award

BRIER 3-P-144(004)-1 – FY 2021 Overlay Project EDMONDS C-P-139(002)-1 – Complete Streets Award EVERETT 8-1-138(035)-1 – Rucker Avenue GOLD BAR 6-P-819(004)-1 – 1st Street

2-P-819(004)-1 – FY 2022 Overlay Project GRANITE FALLS 6-P-820(009)-1 – Jordan Road and Galena Street LAKE STEVENS 8-1-146(001)-1 – 20th Street SE

8-1-146(002)-1 – 91st Avenue SE / 24th Street SE / S Lake Stevens Road LYNNWOOD 8-1-140(021)-1 – Beech Road MARYSVILLE 8-1-143(009)-1 – State Avenue

8-1-143(011)-1 – State Avenue MILL CREEK C-P-148(001)-1 – Complete Streets Award MOUNTLAKE TERRACE 8-1-141(007)-1 – 236th Street SW

8-1-141(008)-1 – 66th Avenue W MUKILTEO 8-1-145(004)-1 – Harbour Point Boulevard

8-1-145(005)-1 – Harbour Reach Drive P-P-145(P02)-1 – Mukilteo Speedway (SR 525)

SNOHOMISH 3-P-142(006)-1 – FY 2021 Overlay Project 3-P-142(007)-1 – FY 2022 Overlay Project

SNOHOMISH COUNTY 8-1-031(014)-1 – 180th Street SE 8-1-031(015)-1 – 35th Avenue SE/39th Avenue SE

STANWOOD 3-P-823(007)-1 – FY 2022 Overlay Project

Sam Low, Snohomish County Councilman

pg 33

When asked about the added responsibility, Councilman Low stated, “Helping our cities, and our county, with transportation needs and safety has always been one of my priorities. Now, on TIB I am also able to help with those needs across the state.” Low, who is also the Snohomish County Council Public Works Chair, went on to say, “Snohomish County has a $3.8 Billion dollar transportation ask for the State Legislature this year, including $2.5 billion in Council District 5. It is my hope my new role will draw attention statewide to the great need we have here in Snohomish County around transportation, while also continuing our partnership with our cities and counties on local projects from TIB.” Over the past 5 years, local road projects across the state have received funding to the tune of about half a billion dollars from TIB with almost every city in Snohomish County receiving some grant funding. The recently completed Rucker transportation project in Everett, as reported in its January 22nd board meeting, received approximately $4 Million in TIB funding. The funding comes from a small portion – about 3 cents per gallon – of the state gas tax to be used toward local transportation projects. This is separate from the money Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) uses for State Highways. According to the TIB website: The Board is composed of six city members, six county members (County Road Administration Board [CRAB] member is ex officio), two WSDOT officials, two transit representatives, a private sector representative, a member representing the ports, a Governor appointee, a member representing non-motorized transportation, and a member representing special needs transportation. Lynnwood’s Beech Road TIB funded project in the amount of $1.9 million dollars to ultimately be to create a continuous alternate route from Alderwood Mall Parkway (AMP) to Maple Road generally along the existing Beech Road alignment. Board members are appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to four-year staggered terms with the exception of the CRAB representatives and the Governor’s appointee. With the added responsibility of chair for the state TIB board, it will not change the other council responsibilities and assignments of Councilman Low for 2021. In addition to Public Works Chair, he will continue serving on the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Committee and Operations Committee, The County Board of Health, Chair of the County Conservation Futures Board, and the County Elections Canvassing Board.

Lake Steven’s 20th Street SE TIB funded project in the amount of $4.2 million dollars to provide multimodal connections through the corridor. The project includes construction of sidewalks along both sides of the roadway, combined road/bicycle lanes, and 4 travel lanes with a two-way left turn lane.

pg 34

‘Mr. Steilacoom’ has stepped down. Longtime mayor worked hard for his town, region by Josephine Peterson March 16, 2021 Steilacoom has said goodbye to its longtime mayor after he announced his resignation for medical reasons earlier this month. Ron Lucas held the mayoral seat for more than two decades. Town Administrator Paul Loveless said the symptoms of Lucas’ illness appeared in January. Loveless did not disclose details of Lucas’ medical condition, and Lucas declined to be interviewed for this article. Town council members and community leaders agreed that his successor has big shoes to fill. “He was always high-energy and involved in so many wonderful things in this town. It’s difficult to imagine this town without him,” council member Nancy Henderson told The News Tribune. “This is Mr. Steilacoom.” Henderson said when the Abitibi paper mill closed in 2000, the town was in debt with few ways to pay it off. Steilacoom is a bedroom community with the tax base of homes and a few businesses. In 10 years, Lucas steered the town to pay off $15.7 million of revenue debt and debt related to utilities, Loveless said. The total town budget in 2019 was $22 million. “We are in firm financial footing,” Loveless said. Council member Peter Franklin said Lucas, as mayor, had time for everything and everyone. “If there was going to be a street repair, he would go and talk to neighbors about their concerns and he would be knocking on doors,” Franklin said. Mayor pro tempore Fred Crumley said Lucas is loved by most and respected by all. Some of his decisions were not widely supported. Crumley mentioned the beaver debate, in which Lucas decided to hire a trapper last year to lethally remove beavers in the Farrell’s Marsh Wildlife Area. “You can’t be a good leader without unpopular decisions,” Crumley said. ”There are a handful of those he made.” The town council has 90 days to choose a replacement. If they fail to appoint a new mayor, the Pierce County Council will. “We do have several people who have given indications of interest,” Crumley said. Lucas, 75, was born in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Madison High School and received a baseball scholarship from Oregon State University, where he played shortstop for four years. He graduated with a degree in political science.

Medical issues have caused Ron Lucas to resign as mayor of Steilacoom. Courtesy

pg 35

Lucas joined the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in his final assignment, where he commanded the 3/11 Field Artillery Battalion. In 1995, he graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a teaching degree and retired from the army as a colonel. He taught at Stewart Middle School in Tacoma for over a decade as a math teacher. He was elected to the Steilacoom Town Council in 1993 and served two terms before he was elected as the mayor in 1999 and served until this month. Mayoral work Lucas was involved in issues beyond his town, particularly with infrastructure. Doug Richardson called Lucas “Mr. Transportation.” “When you think of (Lucas), you think about those (Interstate) 5 interchanges near JBLM. Getting that done was top of the list for him,” said Richardson, a former Pierce County Council chairman who also served as Lakewood mayor. Richardson, who represented Steilacoom on the County Council, describes Lucas as a best friend who worked with both sides of the aisle to benefit Steilacoom and Pierce County. Lucas was on several local boards and committees for transportation, including the Washington Transportation Improvement Board member and the Sound Transit Board. As a veteran, he built relationships with Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Steilacoom became a “community connector” with the base and partners with the 42nd Military Police Brigade, Loveless said. The brigade provides updates about the base, participates in town events, and the town helps soldiers during deployments. Lucas was inducted into JBLM’s Civilian Hall of Fame in 2004 for his work. As mayor, Lucas could be spotted picking up litter from the side of the road or after the Fourth of July, attending various festivals and cook-offs, or supporting the local chapter of the Kiwanis Club. He and his wife, Jan, were involved in the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association and local food banks. Ties to China were another strong interest for Lucas. He worked to bring Chinese exchange students into local schools, Richardson and Loveless said. Lucas and Ron Chow co-founded and co-chair the Washington State Panda Foundation, which looks to bring Chinese giant pandas to Washington. Spokesperson for Metro Parks, Hunter George, said Lucas and Chow approached the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium’s about adding a panda exhibit. George said getting a panda on loan from China is “expensive and incredibly complicated,” and discussions stopped under the Trump administration. Also the mayor or Fircrest, George added that Lucas’ tenure helped small towns and cities have a seat at the table on regional issues. “We aren’t going to run South Sound 911 or Sound Transit, but those serve our constituents as well, and together we have a larger voice,” George said. The Steilacoom Historical School District said he is a frequent spectator at sporting events, and the school board plans to name a fastpitch field “Lucas Field” during its March 24 meeting. “We are grateful for Ron Lucas and his ongoing commitment to our community, our students and our schools, and we are excited to honor his life-long dedication to serving others,” superintendent Kathi Weight said in a statement. Read more here: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article249977689.html#storylink=cpy

pg 36

Pierce Transit CEO Sue Dreier announces retirement Dreier has served as Pierce Transit CEO since May 2015, overseeing an agency of 971 employees with a $154-million budget. Pierce Transit January 15, 2021 Pierce Transit CEO Sue Dreier announced plans to retire in summer 2021 after 30 years in the transit industry. Dreier started as a bus operator and will complete her career as CEO. “Sue Dreier has been an excellent leader for Pierce Transit these past six years,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, who serves as Pierce Transit Board chair. “Her deep knowledge of the industry, ability to form strong partnerships, innovative thinking and success in bringing Pierce Transit back to a thriving, community-focused agency following the Great Recession has set the agency on a very positive course for the future. She will be greatly missed, but the board wishes her well as she moves on to a new chapter of her life.” Dreier has served as Pierce Transit CEO since May 2015, where she oversees an agency of 971 employees with a $154-million budget. Dreier came to Pierce Transit from Salem-Keizer Transit in Salem, Ore., where she served as chief operating officer. Prior to that, Dreier served at Lane Transit District in Eugene, where she began her career as a transit operator. She held several positions at Lane, ending her tenure as transit services manager. Dreier has been a member of the American Public Transportation Association Board of Directors since 2016. She also serves on several other boards, including the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board and The Grand Cinema. As a member of the United Way of Pierce County Board, she is serving as co-chair of the 2020 Annual Campaign. Under Dreier’s leadership, Pierce Transit redesigned its entire bus route system to be more efficient and added 16 percent more bus service, the largest single service enhancement in Pierce Transit history. The agency has developed innovative new services, such as a partnership with Lyft to provide on-demand rides to access transit, and has created a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to advance those pillars across the agency. Pierce Transit is on track to build one of the biggest projects in its history with the new Bus Rapid Transit line, and the agency is moving into the future with new technologies and a robust professional development program for agency employees. “It has been my honor to serve in the role of chief executive officer at Pierce Transit,” said Dreier. “My thirty-year career in transit has been rewarding and satisfying. I am confident that the extraordinary employees at Pierce Transit will continue to move forward with their innovative and dedicated service to the community. My husband and I look forward to the next chapter in life, traveling and spending time with our five adult children and four grandchildren.” In the coming weeks, the Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners will begin the recruitment process for a new CEO. Dreier has committed to remaining at the agency until a transition plan is in place, likely in late May or early June.

Pierce Transit

pg 37

Millions in grants coming to Poplar project by tmurry January 27, 2021 WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla City Council meets today at 6:30 p.m. and the active agenda includes resolutions that will bring millions of dollars to the city’s Poplar corridor project. The meeting is streamed live on the city’s website. One resolution is to accept a Surface Transportation Block Grant for the Poplar-Colville to Fifth project for $1,323,615. The federal grant passes through the Washington State Department of Transportation and the required local match is $206,576. The city intends to design the project throughout this year with construction in 2022. Another grant is for Alder Street and Poplar Street and Merriam to Colville. The grant, up to $2,554,000, is through the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. The city match is $2,351,175, which has been budgeted. The third grant is from the Washington Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Assistance Program to cover up to $1,232,216 of the construction costs for Poplar-Colville to Fifth. The required local match is $410,739. The fourth grant for the Poplar-Colville to Fifth project is federal funding through WSDOT’s City Safety Program to cover engineering costs of up to $1,050,00 in construction costs and up to $200,000 with a 10 percent local match for engineering costs. People who want to comment at the meeting may call 253-215-8782 and enter meeting ID 834 6443 0544# and dial *9 to raise a virtual hand. Comments may also be provided by emailing the city clerk at [email protected].

pg 38

mailto:[email protected]

Sumner’s ‘hidden snarl’ is no more as $17 million road project nears completion by Josephine Peterson January 31, 2021 The $17 million road project took four years, but Sumner has largely completed the state Traffic Avenue/Route 410 project to prevent bottleneck. The overpass to state Route 410, once a two-lane road and a narrow sidewalk, has become a double overpass with four lanes and a separated 14-food pedestrian and bike lane. The initial overpass was built in 1967, but it was built really well and considered safe, Sumner communications director Carmen Palmer said. “We built the new overpass in such a way that whenever the old overpass goes away, we can add on to it,” she said. Before the project, Palmer said a car could be at standstill on Traffic Avenue for 20 minutes. “You knew that just changed your ability to get out of town probably by up to 20 to 30 minutes,” Palmer said. “It was really backed up with a mile over to the Cannery; it would back up into the industrial area for a few hours, and it would back up to Shaw Road in Puyallup. It was kind of the hidden snarl.” When the new overpass opened Nov. 2, Palmer said there was an overnight reduction in traffic. “The second the overpass opened, the change was so dramatic,” she said. “If you’re in Sumner, you can now run an errand over into Puyallup at 4:30, and you don’t have to factor in an extra half hour.” In the last few months, the separated pedestrian/bike section has been completed. Only a few side projects remain, like the street lighting and landscaping, Palmer said. East Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief Bud Backer said firefighters at the Sumner station have been able to tell a difference. “The expanded traffic flow heading south provides more room for other vehicles to move over and allow emergency vehicles to pass them,” he said in an email. “A definite improvement, but difficult, if not impossible for us to measure as it’s such a small part of any response route.” The City of Sumner hopes the improved traffic will be easier for commuters taking the Sounder commuter train. “It happened quite frequently where someone would be stuck in the backup watching their train go by without them,” Palmer said. “Once it’s back to normal, we want to be able to provide that dependability as well be able to get commuters in and out of our city.” The overpass belongs to the Washington state Department of Transportation. Because the overpass did not pose any safety issues, it was low on the priority list for WSDOT, Palmer said, so the City of Sumner raised funds and asked to take lead on construction.

Cars drive along the Traffic Avenue and state Route 410 interchange in Sumner on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. JOSHUA BESSEX [email protected]

pg 39

Sumner held an open house on the project in Fall 2016, and the project was fully funded by December 2018. The total allocated amount for the project was $17.5 million. The project came in under budget, and Sumner has asked the state to reallocate the unused $500,000 for the 166th Avenue East interchange on state Route 410. Sumner is looking at the two other state Route 410 interchanges: 166th Avenue East and state Route 162. Palmer said the 166th interchange project was included in the city’s list of priorities to the state Legislature this session. The work is estimated to cost $7 million. Sumner wants to widen the two-lane road north of the state Route 410 interchange, build two roundabouts at the on and off westbound ramp of state Route 410, and replace a fish passage on Salmon Creek near the intersection of 64th Street. There are a couple of reasons the city has chosen to work on that interchange first. More dangerous accidents occur on 166th Avenue East than on state Route 162. There are more “turn movement accidents,” like T-bone and head-on collisions, on 166th Avenue East than on state Route 162, according to traffic data from WSDOT. From 2014 to 2018, the 166th Avenue East interchanges saw 42 “turn movement accidents” and state Route 162 had 23. “The second reason is that the 166th had some pretty easy fixes. So we can fix it faster, for less money than it’s going to take with (state Route) 162,” Palmer said. Construction on the 166th Avenue East interchange is slated to begin in 2022.

pg 40

Construction along 76th Avenue South in Kent nears completion Road was raised 3 feet to help reduce flooding by Steve Hunter January 22, 2021 The raising of 76th Avenue South in Kent to reduce flooding is nearing completion. The section of the road between South 228th Street and South 212th Street has been raised by about 3 feet, which is above the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year flood elevation, according to city Public Works staff. Crews also are installing sidewalks with planter strips, new streetlights and new storm drainage. The raised section of the road was done in concrete to help the street last longer. The street serves about 5,800 businesses and more than 77,000 employees. A high number of trucks use the road daily. Aerospace company Blue Origin opened a new headquarters, a large blue building, along the road in January 2020. Lanes are open to both southbound and northbound traffic after northbound lanes were closed for several months due to construction. Work is expected to be completed in the spring, according to city staff. The City Council awarded a $4.4 million contract in May to Puyallup-based Northwest Cascade Inc., to complete the work. The city received a $2.5 million grant from the state Transportation Improvement Board to help pay for the project. Additional funds are from the city B&O tax and utility funds.

Construction is expected to wrap up this spring along 76th Avenue South in Kent. Crews raised the road 3 feet to help reduce seasonal flooding. City staff used a drone to take this photo. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

Aerospace company Blue Origin, blue building on the left, is one of the many businesses served by 76th Avenue South, which has been raised 3 feet to reduce flooding. City staff used a drone to take this photo. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent

pg 41

4th Street Northeast will finally see fixes and repairs by Robert Whale January 9, 2021 In and out of season, former Auburn Deputy Mayor Bill Peloza seldom failed to mention the woeful condition of 4th Street Southeast and to urge, urge, urge the city to do something about it. City engineers have known about that need for years. But as they reluctantly and patiently reminded Peloza time and again, the city did not have the money to do what had to be done without grant funding. Peloza, who died on April 29, 2020, didn’t live to see it launch. But when city leaders accepted a $1.7 million state grant Jan. 4 to complete the road’s rehabilitation from Auburn Way South to L Street Southeast, it was of him they were thinking. “I have no doubt that former Deputy Mayor Bill Peloza would be happy with the receiving of this grant funding,” said Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus. The $4.86 million price breaks down as follows: $2.2 million funded by the city’s water and sewer utilities for normal repair, replacement and maintenance; $1.75 million in grant funds from the state Transportation Improvement Board, a sum that is comprised of state gas tax revenues; and money from from the city’s street preservation funds. What residents will get for their money is the repair and replacement of the water and sewer utility line and a rebuilt roadway pavement between D Street Southeast and L Street Southeast with new pavement to its full depth. From Auburn Way South to D Street Southeast, the project will grind down the top surface of the existing pavement and will replace it with an overlay. The project should begin its design and permitting phases in 2021 with construction anticipated to start in early to mid-2022. It should be finished by late 2022 or early 2023, depending on weather conditions during the construction phase. The city has had a continued goal of maintaining its streets at an average pavement condition index of 70 out of 100 — 100 being a brand new street, and zero being a street that has failed. Although in recent years the city has made significant progress toward this goal, 4th Street Southeast had been among the projects that remained to be reconstructed. “The city’s available funding without grant supplements will not allow us to sustain this goal for our streets’ condition over the long term,” Public Works Director Ingrid Gaub said recently. “Winning this highly competitive state grant helps the city to stretch the limited funding for street preservation further and allows us to do more.”

Thanks to a state grant, the city expects to begin work on the rehabilitation of 4th Street Southeast from Auburn Way South to L Street. as shown here. Map courtesy City of Auburn.

pg 42

Council awards bid for roundabout in front of Enumclaw High Also, 23 more homes could be coming to Roosevelt Avenue. by Kevin Hanson January 21, 2021 A dramatic change to the busy intersection at Enumclaw High School moved a significant step closer to reality last week. Members of the City Council approved a contract that will see a roundabout installed at the intersection of Semanski Street and Warner Avenue. Aside from the traffic generated by students and staff, the intersection is home to apartment buildings on the other three corners. The result, for years, has been traffic congestion that reaches its peak during morning and afternoon hours. Presently, Semanski Street traffic moves unimpeded through the intersection, while drivers on Warner Avenue face stops signs. Early in the planning stages, it was figured that work would be done during the summer months when school was not in session. The ongoing pandemic has altered high school sessions and prompted an earlier timeline. The action taken last week calls for construction to begin March 1 and be completed by early May. Talk of improvements to the Semanski/Warner intersection picked up steam in 2018 in conjunction with the expansion and renovation of Enumclaw High. In a memo to the council, Public Works Director Jeff Lincoln noted that, at that time, “traffic studies analyzed the intersection and determined that a roundabout would be the appropriate improvement.” An engineering consultant was brought on board by the city in 2019 to produce design plans, a process that was completed in August 2020. The city sought bids in December and received 15 responses. The contract was awarded to R.W. Scott Construction. Lincoln’s memo highlighted the fact that bids were “very competitive,” with many coming in under the engineer’s estimate of $453,338. The city had allocated more than $584,000 in the 2021 budget, much more than Scott Construction’s winning bid of $338,597. Addressing another road project during their Jan. 11 session, council members formalized an agreement that will deliver $238,000 for Roosevelt Avenue improvements. Last August, the city had applied for grant money through the state’s Transportation Improvement Board. Touting plans to overlay Roosevelt Avenue between Semanski Street and 244th Avenue, the city was successful in its effort. The only catch is that the city must contribute a matching sum of at least 15 percent. So, to get the $238,000 the city will be putting up an additional $42,000.

A parcel of land on Roosevelt Avenue would be developed into lots for 23 single-family homes if the city approves. Photo by Kevin Hanson

pg 43

While seeking grant money for the Roosevelt Avenue project, the city had also sought funding for similar work on Warner Avenue. That request was denied. Work on Roosevelt Avenue is expected to begin this summer. In other action during on Jan. 11, members of the Enumclaw City Council: • Announced there would be a second public hearing dealing with an annexation request made by Mount Rainier Christian Center. The church, located at the intersection of 244th Avenue and state Route 164, abuts the city limits and is on the city water system, but is in King County jurisdiction. A first public hearing on the matter took place in December. The second and final hearing is slated for the council’s regularly-scheduled meeting of Jan. 25. A decision will likely be rendered at that session, which begins at 7 p.m. • Considered a request for a 23-home development on Roosevelt Avenue. The Rosenbauer Lane project calls for single-family houses to be built on two parcels of land sitting on the north side of Roosevelt. The 6.49 acres sit between Semanski Street and 244th Avenue, surrounded by neighborhood homes. Plans call for the demolition of existing structures on the land, the addition of a new road to serve the homes and a stormwater retention pond at the far north end of the tract. The project has made its way through city channels and is expected to land on an upcoming agenda for final approval. • Were reminded about ongoing efforts to generate visitors to the heart of downtown, thus boosting the local economy. Fire pits will continue to be placed on Cole Street (which is closed to traffic) every weekend of January, from 2 p.m. Friday until 9 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, a “Friday Night Market” will continue Jan. 22 and 29 in the Cole Street building that, until recently, housed Kelly’s Mercantile. The market, with assorted vendors, will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. on the two remaining Fridays. • Appointed Carlie Hendrickson to a seat on the city’s Planning Commission. The Position 3 term expires with the close of 2022.

pg 44

Work continues on roundabout project by Christopher Andersson January 12, 2021 The city of Arlington’s work on a new roundabout for the 204th Street and 77th Avenue intersection is expected to be complete early this year. “Contractors will be off the street by January,” said Jim Kelly, Public Works director with the city of Arlington. Although they will still be doing some landscaping work and return in the spring for an asphalt lift. After that the city plans to hold a grand opening for the new intersection. The project was meant to begin this summer but was delayed for three months, said Kelly. While construction is going on commuters may have to take detours around the area as some routes will be blocked off. “A flagger will control traffic during workday hours,” said Kelly. The roundabout is meant to make the intersection safer and easier to navigate for cars. The site has seen two fatalities and numerous car crashes in recent years, said Kelly. “Mostly it is due to the increase in traffic. There are so many cars going on that east-west route,” said Kelly. It is hard for cars turning onto the street for that east-west route to find an opening, he said, “so they end up having to take some risky maneuvers.” A decade ago the intersection didn’t have a lot of traffic, however it has seen increased car numbers because of business and residential growth in the area. “There is a lot of traffic for the grocery, restaurants and businesses in that area,” said Kelly. Growth in the county also resulted in and increase in traffic using that route to get into the city, he said, which has further increased the number of cars using 204th Street. “We always planned to do safety improvements for this road,” said Kelly, and the increased traffic has made the project necessary. The roundabout will make it easier to turn on the road for those trying to get onto 204th Street and roundabouts also tend to slow traffic down, said Kelly, which will also help with safety. The city considered a four-way stop and a streetlight intersection as well, but those options wouldn’t have moved cars through the intersection fast enough, said Kelly. “The cars would back up onto SR-9 with both of those,” he said.

pg 45

The construction is projected to cost $3.6 million, with the biggest portion of that funding coming from a $1.6 million grant from the Transportation Improvement Board of Washington state. The Puget Sound Regional Council and city of Arlington funds are also going into the project, as well as Arlington growth impact fees, which is largely money paid to the city by incoming new development to pay for new infrastructure. Pedestrian lights are also going to be added as part of the project, which are meant to improve pedestrian safety. New streetlights are expected to be brighter as well, said Kelly. The Arlington Arts Council is assisting with artwork planned for the center of the roundabout. “That will serve as an entry point into the community there,” said Kelly.

pg 46

Legals for February 3, 2021 Febuary 3, 2021 CALL FOR BIDS town of elmer city MULTI-USE PATH PROJECT PHASE 2 Sealed Proposals will be received by the undersigned at the Town of Elmer City, 505 Seaton Avenue, Elmer City, Washington 99124 up to 10:00 a.m .; Pacific time on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, for furnishing the necessary labor, materials, equipment, and tools, thereof to construct the Multi-Use Path Project Phase 2. This Contract provides for the construction of approximately 1,400 LF of multi-use pathway along Elmer City Access Road, from the Phase 1 improvements to Front Street including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing, excavation, grading, subgrade preparation, crushed surfacing materials, hot mix asphalt, pavement markings, miscellaneous surface restoration and utility adjustments, and other work all in accordance with the Contract Plans, Special Provisions, and the Standard Specifications. The Work shall be physically complete within 45 working days after the commencement date stated in the Special Provisions. All bidding and construction is to be performed in compliance with the Contract Provisions and Contract Plans for this project and any addenda issued thereto that are on file at the office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, 505 Seaton Avenue, Elmer City, Washington. The proposals will be publicly read aloud by conference call only, at 11:00 a.m. on the date stated above. Call Gray & Osborne, Inc. at (206) 284-0860 to join the conference call. Proposals are to be submitted only on the form provided with the Bid Documents. All Proposals must be accompanied by a certified check, postal money order, cashiers check, or Proposal bond payable to the “Town of Elmer City” and in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the total Proposal amount. Bid Documents for this project are available free-of-charge at the following website: http://gobids.grayandosborne.com. Bidders are encouraged to “Register” as a planholder in order to receive automatic email notification of applicable addenda and to be placed on the “Planholder List”. For assistance, please call (509) 453‑4833. Contract questions shall be directed only to the office of the Project Engineer. The Town of Elmer City in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex in consideration for an award. Financing of the Project has been provided by Town of Elmer City, Washington, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board, and the Washington State Department of Transportation. The Town of Elmer City expressly reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals and to waive minor irregularities or informalities and to Award the Project to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder as it best serves the interests of the Town. (Signed) gary benton TOWN CLERK-TREASURER (Publish February 3 and 10, 2021)

pg 47

CALL FOR BIDS town of elmer city FRONT STREET SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS ENGINEER’S ESTIMATE $100,000 Sealed Proposals will be received by the undersigned at the Town of Elmer City, 505 Seaton Avenue, Elmer City, Washington 99124, up to 2:00 p.m .; local time on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, for furnishing the necessary labor, materials, equipment, tools, and guarantees thereof to construct the Front Street Sidewalk Improvements. This Contract provides for the construction of approximately 490 LF of sidewalk along Front Street, from the existing sidewalk on Front Street to Elmer City Access Road including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing, excavation, grading, subgrade preparation, crushed surfacing materials, hot mix asphalt pavement repair, cement concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk, pavement markings, miscellaneous surface restoration, and other work all in accordance with the Contract Plans, Special Provisions, and the Standard Specifications. The Work shall be substantially complete within 40 working days after the commencement date stated in the Notice to Proceed. All bidding and construction is to be performed in compliance with the Contract Provisions and Contract Plans for this project and any addenda issued thereto that are on file at the office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, Elmer City, Washington. The proposals will be publicly read aloud by conference call only, at 3:00 p.m. on the date stated above. Call Gray & Osborne, Inc. at (206) 284-0860 to join the conference call. Proposals are to be submitted only on the form provided with the Bid Documents. All Proposals must be accompanied by a certified check, postal money order, cashiers check, or Proposal bond payable to the “Town of Elmer City” and in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the total Proposal amount. Bid Documents for this project are available free-of-charge at the following website: http://gobids.grayandosborne.com. Bidders are encouraged to register in order to receive automatic email notification of future addenda and to be placed on the Bidders List. For assistance, please call (509) 453‑4833. Contract questions shall be directed only to the office of the Project Engineer. Financing of the Project has been provided by Town of Elmer City, Washington and the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. The Town of Elmer City expressly reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals and to waive minor irregularities or informalities in any Proposal. (Signed) gary benton TOWN CLERK-TREASURER (Publish February 3 and 10, 2021) GCD School District 301J NOTICE OF SMALL WORKS ROSTER OPENING The Grand Coulee Dam School District is updating their small works rosters for general contractors for future construction, alteration, repair or improvement of public works projects. If you are interested in being included on the roster, please email a letter of intent to [email protected] or to the following address and we will send you a small works roster application: Grand Coulee Dam School District Attn: Sandy Davidson 110 Stevens Avenue, Coulee Dam, WA 99116 (Publish February 3 and 10, 2021)

pg 48

Pateros council appoints new member, approves sidewalk bid by Mike Maltais March 1, 2021 PATEROS – The city appointed a replacement for departing council member Christine Perry, heard updates about the volunteer fire department, the museum, Pop-up Market, and green lighted the city engineer to begin the bid process for a major sidewalk addition at its February 16 virtual Zoom meeting. Warren Avenue Sidewalk Project The Warren Avenue Sidewalk Project is being funded by a nearly $400,000 grant from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). The sidewalk will extend along the north side of Warren from approximately Chris Street west to the tennis courts on Riverside Avenue. “Adding sidewalks for a safe route to the school has long been a priority of the city,” said City Administrator Jord Wilson in a Feruary. 8 letter to Pateros residents. Features and advantages of the new pedestrian addition will include: ● Pedestrian safety with curb and gutter and eight-foot green space. ● Reduce the width of Warren to help reduce traffic speed. ● Minimize use of city right-of-way to reduce private party conflicts. City engineer Varela & Associates will initiate the bid process. Pateros Museum at City Hall With Museum Week just around the corner on May 11-17, Wilson reported on some upgrades at the Pateros Museum at city hall to get the facility ready for visitors. An old restroom in the annex has been converted into a storage room, locks and glass were repaired or replaced on display cases, and artifacts and photos held in storage have been hung on the block and concrete walls. Eight draft interpretative boards covering topics including Town History, Carlton Complex at Pateros, The Confluence, and Hydroelectric Project are ready for review and editing by the Museum Committee. “We try to spend a little bit of time each winter on museum repair and maintenance projects,” Wilson said in his report. Pop-up Market A request for applicants interested in being the city’s new Market Coordinator has yet to draw any responses. “I have continued to have discussions with people about the opportunities available,” said Wilson in his report. “

Mike Maltais/QCH Pateros Fire Chief Kerry Heen, (right, front), poses with members of the Douglas-Okanogan Fire District 15 crew at the retirement of Chief Keith Zweigle, (center, front) last September.

pg 49

Fire Department Pateros Fire Chief Karry Heen and Assistant Chief Matt Coffman reported that the all-volunteer department has five new recruits who, added to three returning firefighters, brings the total number of volunteers to nearly 20 this year. The new recruits include Pateros High School students Aleeka Miller-Smith, Josh Smith, recent Pateros graduate Abigail Harrild, and Brewster High School students A.J. Garcia, and Kaitlin Garcia. Chief Keen’s son, Ricky, a former volunteer, has moved back to the area and has rejoined the crew. Pateros School Superintendent Greg Goodnight is also one of the volunteer firefighters. Chief Heen said the department will host a training burn of a donated double wide manufactured home at 128 Independence Street., on Saturday, March 6. “We are always looking for new volunteers anywhere from high school age to retired,” said Heen. “There’s a spot for everybody and each volunteer brings something to the table.” District 15 fire personnel meet at 7 p.m. every Thursday at stations in Pateros, Methow, Brewster, and Rocky Butte. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can attend one of the Thursday night meetings or call Chief Heen at 509-733-2395. New councilman Council members interviewed four candidates who applied to fill the seat of Christine Perry, who announced her resignation effective March 2021 at the January meeting. The candidates were Chantel Poole, Greg Wagg, Bruce Henne, and Frank Herbert. Following the interviews Herbert was selected by the council voting in executive session. He will be sworn in on or before the council’s March 15 meeting.

pg 50

City of Colville prepares for major construction projects by Staff Writer March 9, 2021 COLVILLE, WA The City of Colville is gearing up for two major construction projects this summer; redesign of the Astor and Main Street intersection and rehabilitation of 7th Avenue between Cedar and Madison streets. In late February, the city council approved the use of funding from multiple reserve accounts for the two projects. For Main and Astor, $30,00 was taken out of the street reserve, $20,000 out of the stormwater reserve, and $480,000 (including a 5% contingency) from the water/sewer reserve. The 7th Street work will be funded by $35,100 from the street reserve and $425,000 (includes 5% contingency) from the water/sewer reserve. The city received a $667,644 grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for that work and the local reserve funds make up the required match.

pg 51

Virtual open house introduces planned Knowles Road improvements by Nevonne McDaniels February 8, 2021 WENATCHEE — Sunnyslope’s Knowles Road, from School Street to American Fruit Road, will get wider, smoother and have curb, gutter and sidewalks in a 10-week, $2.5 million project expected to start in summer 2022. Chelan County Public Works is hosting a virtual open house on the first phase of the project from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday. The second phase — improving the stretch of roadway above American Fruit Road — does not yet have funding or a start date. The project’s first phase, which has yet to go out to bid, will widen Knowles Road below American Fruit Road to 32 feet, with 11-foot lanes and 5-foot shoulders. It also will add 5-foot sidewalks, along with curb and gutter on the west side of the road. Improvements to the intersection with School Street also are planned, as is a stormwater system that will correct current drainage problems that have led to road and shoulder damage. A detention pond, as part of the drainage system, is planned across the road from the northern half of the cemetery. Details on the project posted on the county’s website, wwrld.us/3q62eyA. In addition to the roadwork, Chelan County PUD will install about 2,200 feet of 8-inch steel water main, replacing and adding to the current 1,400 feet of 4-inch pipe. That project will include adding four new fire hydrants and replacing six customer connections. The project is designed to meet current needs for road use and provide capacity for what the county describes as one of the fastest growing residential areas. Funding for this first phase of the project is coming from a $1.4 million grant from the state Department of Transportation, county road and stormwater utility funds and voluntary mitigation paid by developers in the area. For questions, call the Public Works office at 667-6415 or email [email protected].

The view of Knowles Road, looking south, shows the narrow lanes and no shoulder. A $2.5 million project in summer 2022 will widen the road and add sidewalks. Provided photo

pg 52

Town mayor updates residents with annual address Coupeville Mayor Molly Hughes took a look back on the year. by Kira Erickson January 22, 2021

Despite the pandemic, Town of Coupeville staff members found ways to increase efficiency and customer service, but next year may see the first utility rate increase in two decades. according to Mayor Molly Hughes.

The mayor presented her annual “state of the town address” this past Tuesday during a teleconferenced Coupeville Chamber of Commerce meeting.

“This has been a year of all work and no play,” Hughes said. “No festivals, no fundraisers, no public meetings, no parties, no events. The rec hall’s been closed for nine months. We’ve all just had our noses to the grindstone.”

She acknowledged the accomplishments of the previous year and updated listeners on what’s next for the town in the new year.

Subtle changes that were made at the administrative level of the city have helped streamline certain processes.

Hughes said a company was hired to process utility bills and city staff no longer has to stuff 1,100 utility bills every billing period.

In addition, for the first time, public meetings and building permit applications went online and as a result, which turned out to be a more efficient way to handle business.

A consultant was hired at the end of the year to perform a formal utility rates study for all three utilities in Coupeville. Hughes said she expects utility rates will rise, something that hasn’t happened in nearly 20 years. Recommendations from the study will be presented at the end of February.

Business With the help of CARES funds, Coupeville was able to award a total of $124,000 to 27 small businesses.

Hughes shared that she was “surprised and happy” to report for the first three quarters of the year, sales tax revenue was down by only 7 percent.

She said she had planned for it to be down by 50 percent after the second quarter, but by then it was down by only 14 percent.

Construction projects that continued, as well as online ordering, helped bolster sales tax revenue for 2020.

She commended small businesses for being both creative and flexible in their business models.

“Coupeville has just been a shining star on the island,” she said, adding that residents have taken the “shop local” motto to heart.

Planning Coupeville hired a new planning director in 2020 who, Hughes said, is appreciative of the town’s historic heritage and is familiar with its comprehensive and shoreline plans.

The department is receiving more building permits than ever before, for both new construction and renovations.

pg 53

The Shoreline Master Plan is required to be updated this year. Ebey’s Reserve design guidelines will also need to be updated. Hughes said about 15 small “housekeeping” changes will be made to update the town’s building code. Public Works Last year, Hughes said, was all about the street work. Coupeville received around $750,000 in grants from the Transportation Improvement Board. The mayor explained that the town only had to match 5 percent of that total. Overlay work was completed on all of South Main Street and many residential streets in town. An additional grant helped to finish off a sidewalk project at the intersection of Coveland and Alexander streets. Hughes said the intersection had previously been a site for illegal parking. With the new sidewalk, the corner has been cleaned up and new pedestrian lights have been installed to help dispel any confusion about the intersection. Floors were refinished in the town’s rec hall. Next up, the parking lot will be re-striped, depending on the weather. A bright spot in the year, the community garden was reopened and was accessed by 40 gardeners, the most the town has ever had. “With COVID, there were so many people working from home and children at home that we had several families rent a plot,” Hughes said, adding that kids have integrated gardening into their school curriculum. There was even a wedding held in the community garden this summer. Perhaps the biggest public works project, one Hughes is hopeful will finally begin in 2021, is the FEMA water line. The project received a $1.2 million grant, she explained, and consists of about one mile of line out by Fort Casey and the Coupeville ferry terminal. The town signed a contract with FEMA in December. Utilities As the weather changes and more large storm events occur, there has been concern about the danger of overwhelming the town’s utility systems. “This coming year is all about stormwater,” Hughes said, adding that residents have been having issues with culverts causing overflow, which will need to be addressed. A big rainstorm in February 2020 sent “hundreds of gallons” of water rushing through the sewer plant. Hughes credited the utilities crew for preventing spillage into Penn Cove that night, because workers vacuumed up sewage with a truck from the lift stations around town that were being overwhelmed. There was damage to the plant’s two pumps and headworks. The town applied for funds from FEMA to replace the pumps. The headworks, a hefty piece of equipment in the plant, still needs to be repaired. The mayor shared that the wastewater treatment plant operators received an award from the Department of Ecology for outstanding performance. In 2021, the utility crew will be conducting a stormwater quality study, focusing on the stormwater coming from the outfalls into Penn Cove. The study will result in recommendations to the town if any treatment needs to be added. “We always want to do as much as we can to protect the Cove,” Hughes said.

pg 54

Car tab fees could be in PT’s future by Nick Twietmeyer January 21, 2021 Funding for transportation infrastructure projects in Port Townsend could receive a boost if the city decides to impose a car tab fee for city residents. At a recent meeting of the Port Townsend Transportation Committee, Public Works Director Steve King said the city could look to create a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) to help pay for its lengthy list of transportation improvement projects. Commonly referred to as a “car tab” fee program, the Transportation Benefit District allows cities to impose car license fees of up to $20 at first. The fee can be raised to $40 after the initial fee has been in place for two years. The maximum allowable licensing fee is $100, but all fees over $50 would require a public vote with a simple majority. “The funds can only be used for transportation purposes, they’re very specific,” King said. “The use of funds must be applied to a priority project list and that project list must be kept up to date.” “TBDs can be formed to sunset if you wish, after a project list is complete, or the project list can continually be updated and continue on,” King added. “It’s hard to imagine that projects will ever go away; we seem to have a massive backlog of projects.” King explained that TBDs can be administered by multiple agencies by creating a board. “A good example of how these funds could be used would be augmentation of WSDOT investments,” King said. “Grant matching for capital projects; they’re a great funding source for leveraging capital projects like the city’s match for Discovery Road for example — which we are currently borrowing money for.” A portion of the Discovery Road project — which will reconstruct the roadway and add curbs, enhanced crosswalks, stormwater drainage and treatment, lighting, and intersection improvements between Rainier Street and McClellan Street — was recently selected for grant funding from the state Transportation Improvement Board. The project was awarded more than $2.6 million through the board’s Urban Arterial Program. The total cost has been estimated at more than $5.2 million and would require a local match of 49.6 percent from the city, to the tune of about $2.5 million. City officials estimate that based upon 9,417 vehicles being driven by residents within city limits a potential transportation district could bring in: $186,000 per year from a $20 license fee; $372,000 per year from a $40 license fee; $466,000 per year from a $50 license fee; and $932,000 per year from the maximum allowable $100 license fee.

pg 55

Subject to voter approval, the city of Port Townsend could also propose a 0.2 percent sales tax to benefit transportation projects in town. That would bring in an estimated $550,000 annually. The next virtual meeting of the Council Transportation Committee will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. For more information, visit cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/agendasminutesvideos Comments 2 COMMENTS ON THIS STORY | PLEASE LOG IN TO COMMENT Robert Gray There are 9,417 vehicles driven by residents that could pay this fee. However, it is estimated that 1,000,000 visitors come to Port Townsend each year and most are driving cars or large recreation vehicles. To require residents to pay for street repairs while most of the damage is caused by out-of-town drivers is very unfair. If the city enforced paid parking for visitors it would probably generate much more revenue than car tabs would. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 ...---... Once again, low-income, homeless, disabled and elderly people will be kicked in the teeth for going through the great effort and expense to own and maintain a vehicle. This city has gone insane. Furthermore, the people who live and work downtown will have to pay these fees, and STILL have nowhere to park because the city refuses to give presedence to people who pay rent and work at the hotels, restaurants, and as caretakers for the elderly and disabled people who live downtown. If the wealthy of this state would simply do their due diligence of paying their taxes like everyone else does, we wouldn't even have these problems. Stop making the poor, elderly and disabled shoulder the financial burden for the likes of Boeing and Bezos. SUNDAY, JANUARY 24

pg 56

Mid-block crossing coming to Battle Ground’s Old Town by The Reflector February 3, 2021

Installation of a new mid-block crossing on East Main Street in Old Town Battle Ground is designed to create a safer environment for pedestrians in the city, according to a release from the city.

The release said two crosswalks at Clark and 4th avenues serve one of the busiest sections of main street but are separated by a length of 240 yards, which leads many pedestrians to cross the street mid-block.

To increase safety for pedestrians, the city is installing a mid-block crossing, about half-way between Clark and 4th Avenues. The crossing will include crosswalk markings on the roadway and a flashing light, referred to as a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, activated by a pedestrian preparing to cross the street. Its bright yellow flashing lights will serve as a clear sign and warning to motorists to stop for the pedestrian.

According to the release, construction to install the crossing is set to begin this month and will be completed in March. At times, construction may require the closure of one lane of traffic; flaggers will be on hand to direct the safe flow of traffic.

According to the release, the total cost of the project is $53,566. The city obtained $50,000 in grant funding to cover the majority of the cost.

The proposed mid-block crossing on East Main Street in Battle Ground will come with flashing lights Courtesy photo

The mid-block crossing on East Main Street in Battle Ground will be located just east of Music World in Old Town. Courtesy drawing

pg 57