Councilmembers present: Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog, Roger Olstad

Councilmembers excused: Ed Sterner, Dwight Thompson

Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Douglas Jacobson, City Administrator; Dennis Peterson, Chief of Police; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; Mike Ruark, City Attorney; Susan Stine, City Clerk; Evelyn Jahed, Deputy City Clerk

Others present: 55 visitors

Mayor Hutchinson called the study session meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Hutchinson noted that Cmbr. Thompson would be arriving late to the meeting.

Cmbr. Goss led council in the pledge of allegiance.

Hutchinson noted that the agenda includes a 10-minute executive session for discussion of potential litigation.

Cmbr. Herzog moved adoption of the agenda. Cmbr. Olstad seconded. The motion carried unanimously with five votes.

Director of Public Services Frank Zenk introduced Ron Loewen of Bucher, Willis & Ratliff, the engineering firm that prepared a report on the Forest Park Drive repair options.

Loewen presented information on the various alternatives available to the city for repairing the Forest Park Drive roadway and the cost associated with each alternative.

In response to a question from Cmbr. Armanini, Loewen discussed the stability of the roadway at the present time.

Tia Heim noted that her family owns the property where the landslide occurred on Forest Park Drive. She expressed concern regarding the upland property’s drainage system design and maintenance. She noted the possibility of future occurrences and damage, and she questioned the value to property owners if the city chooses the least expensive option and closed the road. She also noted her concerns regarding damage to the creek and would like to see the creek protected from future damage.

Lois DeVore, 18554 26^th Avenue NE, noted her concerns about safety and lighting on the alternate route of Perkins Way. She said that she would like to see Forest Park Drive repaired.

Warren Eckstrom, 19230 Forest Park Drive NE, H-226, said the road closure has been an inconvenience to Cherry Hill residents. He said that he would prefer either of the first two alternatives but questioned the overall stability of the site if the retaining wall option is selected. He asked if anything could be done to improve the sequencing of the traffic light on Ballinger Way and 25^th Avenue NE.

Keith Buell, 19209 Forest Park Drive NE, said that he prefers option 1 or 2 to provide access for emergency vehicles.

Kim Van Winkle, 19062 21^st Avenue NE, lives downhill from the slide area and still sees water coming down the hill. Van Winkle said the drainage problem should be fixed regardless of the option selected to repair the road.

Ron Ricker, 18987 Forest Park Drive NE, noted that it is the city’s responsibility to fix roads and culverts. He said that he could live with the third alternative—making a one-direction road.

Bill Ortega, 19012 Forest Park Drive NE, expressed concern regarding the estimated cost for the retaining wall option.

B. Richal Smith, 2016 NE 195^th Place, preferred the third alternative because of the cost.

Heather Kiest, 18810 26^th Avenue NE, strongly encouraged the city to fix the road and said she has found the closure to be inconvenient. She said that she believes this is a public policy issue, and the city is responsible for fixing the roads.

Sally Hamel, 18525 26^th Avenue NE, noted her concern about traffic not stopping when the traffic light changes at Ballinger and 25^th Avenue Northeast. She said she supports making Forest Park Drive one way westbound.

Jerry Heiam, 19411 Forest Park Drive NE, said he is in favor of closing the street. He noted that the sign has been moved and knocked down and suggested that the road remain closed for a year and that better signs be installed.

Eric Weissman, 18701 25^th Avenue NE, noted that when he heard that the city was contemplating closing Forest Park Drive permanently, he and several neighbors became concerned and started circulating a petition and a letter. He provided copies of the petition requesting the city to repair and reopen Forest Park Drive. He noted that the closure of the road has served as a traffic-calming measure but felt there are other ways in dealing with this situation. Also, there’s more traffic on Perkins Way since the closure of Forest Park Drive.

Don Warrick, 18210 26^th Avenue NE, said that it is an inconvenience to have the road closed. He prefers the retaining wall repair option but could live with a single-direction roadway. He believes that the city has a responsibility to fix the road and that the road should be open.

Al Delap, 19243 Forest Park Drive NE, said he has lived there for 54 years and noted that the same road had been washed out twice in that time. He was prepared to come here to say he would like the road to be closed, but changed his mind a little bit after listening to his neighbors. He requested that the repairs include some way of slowing traffic.

Bud Oberg, 19015 Forest Park Drive NE, said he was concerned about drainage issues related to the Cherry Hill apartments before construction began. He believes that Cherry Hill apartments should participate in the restoration of the road. He agreed with previous speakers tonight about the danger at the traffic signal on Ballinger Way. He said that the road being closed has been a great inconvenience, and he supports opening the road and prefers the retaining wall repair option.

Peg Oberg, 19015 Forest Park Drive NE, stated her concern regarding access to Forest Park Drive. She agreed that the traffic signal creates a dangerous situation and suggested that the city contact the Department of Transportation. She supports the retaining wall repair option.

Linda Radach, 2525 NE 191^st Street, stated her concern about the traffic light on Ballinger and 25^th Avenue NE. She noted Perkins Way is very dark and dangerous when driving at night. She said the barricade at the slide is continually moved and believes that making the street one-way or putting stop signs at both ends would not work. She believes that it needs to be fixed right the first time.

Jim Chorey, 18526 26^th Avenue NE, says he is a walker. He noted that Perkins Way has always been dangerous but believes it is more dangerous with increased traffic on Perkins. He said if he were to pick one alternative, he would prefer it to be a one-way road. He encouraged the city to open it one way but could live with two ways. He would certainly like the city to address traffic control.

George Levy, 18743 30^th Avenue NE, would like to see the road open. He would like to see it fixed as long as it fits within the city’s budget. He suggested that speed bumps be put on Forest Park Drive to slow traffic.

Juvann Wolff, 2546 NE 191^st Street, stated her concern is about doing nothing—doing nothing is not an option. She is worried about safety for her children and more landslides occurring in the neighborhood. She felt doing a one-way road would not work. She encouraged the city to fix the problem that caused the landslide in the first place and not just fix the road.

Kip White, 1869 41^st Avenue E, Seattle, said he works for the management company for the Cherry Hill apartments. He said their concerns are with traffic and accessibility for their residents. He said the least expensive alternative for opening the road would be preferred.

In response to a question from Cmbr. Armanini, Mr. White noted that he works for Equity Residential.

Peter Gunby, 18552 26^th Avenue NE, enjoys walking and running on Forest Park Drive. He said that pedestrian access on Forest Park Drive should be addressed and believes that the one-direction repair option is preferable.

Sally Hamel, 18525 26^th Avenue NE, said she believes that the last time a traffic ticket was issued on Forest Park Drive was back in 1979, and she encouraged more police patrols.

Erin Gordon said she agrees that the road must be fixed right and opened. She would like to see speed bumps installed on Forest Park Drive after it is fixed. She said she would like to see a dedicated turn light at 25^th Avenue NE and Ballinger Way.

Don Warrick turned in a letter to council and mayor for the record from a neighbor who could not attend the council meeting.

Ann Gillehand, 18534 28^th Avenue NE, spoke in favor of opening Forest Park Drive but did not have a preference regarding repair options.

Andrew Cheney, 19225 Forest Park Drive NE, said he is in favor of closing the road, but he understands that his neighbors may prefer to have it reopened. He supported more traffic control.

Jeffrey Slater, 19631 Forest Park Drive NE, said he would like to support what his neighbors have said and that he is in favor of keeping the road closed. He said that the speed limit has never been properly enforced on Forest Park Drive.

There being no further comments, Mayor Hutchinson closed the public comments on the Forest Park Drive repair options at 8:50 p.m.

A ten-minute recess was called for at 8:51 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 9:06 p.m.

City Administrator Doug Jacobson reviewed the information provided regarding the professional services agreement amendment. He said that a representative from Olympic Associates could be present at the September 12 meeting if the council has questions.

Jacobson noted that commission workplans are provided for council review in preparation for the 2003 budget process. Workplans have not been received yet from the Transportation Committee or the Web Team.

Jacobson said Resolution 727 was drafted by the city attorney in response to a council request for a policy for periodic review of certain professional service contracts and agreements. Jacobson suggested that some thought be given to the proposed time schedule for review.

Jacobson reported on various aspects of the Brightwater project and discussed construction method. He said more information would be provided to the council as it becomes available.

Kiest said he would also like to receive a template of an analytical framework for this project to help council with future policy making discussions.

Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda was the executive session to discuss potential litigation. Those not required to remain for the executive session exited the chambers at this time.

At 9:22 p.m., the meeting was recessed to executive session for approximately 10 minutes for discussion of potential litigation.

The executive session was extended for an additional 10 minutes at 9:35 p.m.

The meeting was resumed at 9:43 p.m.

Armanini moved to excuse Cmbr. Thompson’s absence from the meeting. Goss seconded.

Kiest said that excusing absences should not be automatic, and council members should provide an excuse for an absence. He discussed his understanding that a council position is vacated after three unexcused absences.

There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

APPROVED:

David R. Hutchinson, Mayor

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