Councilmembers present: Dwight Thompson, Mayor pro tempore; Alan Kiest, Carolyn Armanini, Mary Jane Goss; Nate Herzog (6:25 p.m.), Roger Olstad, Ed Sterner (6:20 p.m.)

Staff present: Karen Haines, City Administrator; Dennis Peterson, Police Chief; Neil Jensen, City Engineer; Sarah Phillips, Community and Government Affairs Manager; Susan Stine, City Clerk

Others present: 21 visitors

Mayor pro tempore Dwight Thompson noted that Mayor Hutchinson was ill and would not be at tonight’s meetings.

Thompson called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

City Administrator Karen Haines introduced King County staff members, parks project manager Leslie McLean and trails coordinator Tom Eksten, and Larry Smart with Atelier ps Landscape Architects, the consultant hired by the county for the trail project.

Eksten gave a brief introduction of the history, design and development of the Burke Gilman Trail and noted that he was involved with the original trail project in 1974-75. He noted that the original design is over 30 years old, and a re-development study is underway. Eksten gave an update on the scope, budget and schedule of the project for the trail.

He discussed some of the elements and issues that came out of their agency’s public meetings. He discussed funding sources for the development of the trail that may include grants from the federal government and Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

Smart briefed the council on his firm’s work experience with various trail projects. He described design criteria and current standards for trails and noted that width, alignment, shoulders, signage, utilities, drainage, streets and private drives, sight distance, safety and other issues are included in the review.

In response to a question from Armanini, Smart noted that MUTCD is "manual uniform traffic control devices."

Smart discussed the public process for sharing and receiving information regarding the trail. He noted a concept plan would be prepared to determine compliance with current standards, and options would be presented at a public meeting or work session. A second meeting to present a schematic design would follow.

McLean discussed the project budget and the available funds for the remainder of the project. A notice will be included in the Town Crier for the preliminary concept plan meeting currently scheduled for October 8 at Brookside Elementary. A second preliminary plan meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2004. A revised plan will be presented to Lake Forest Park City Council on January 22, 2004. Sometime in April 2004 the final plan will be presented.

Armanini noted that the Fire Department was not included on the agencies listed and she was told that they will have the option to review the plans and any concerns they may have will be taken into consideration. In response to Armanini, McLean noted that traffic-engineering studies would be done as part of this project.

Armanini said that the Burke Gilman Trail should be viewed from a mixed use perspective rather than trying to create a bicycle freeway. She noted that the traffic rules are different for Interstate 5 as compared to Aurora Avenue. She said that different rules and speed limits should be considered for different areas of the trail rather than working toward consistency of regulatory signs and design.

Cmbr. Goss said the Burke Gilman Trail is a trail first rather than a transportation route for commuters. She expressed concern regarding signage on the trail and emphasized the need for better communications from the county with city residents. expressed her desire that the county not look at it like a highway or an expressway but as a trail. She expressed that the county should consider all users—not just the biking community. She also expressed her concerns about non-existence of written communication regarding stop signs and lack of communication of County regarding intended actions and LFP concerns. She stressed the need for King County to communicate in advance about work on the trail so that LFP knows what to tell residents. (Council approved 9/11/03)

Cmbr. Kiest said it is helpful to have continuity on the county staff working on the trail project. He said that it is important to pay attention to the human aspect rather than depending on professional standards and manuals in the re-development process. Kiest said it is important to find a way to build consensus and to work together in finding solutions to some of the concerns regarding the trail. He also noted that the project should not be designed to meet the conditions of potential funding sources.

Thompson noted that at a previous community meeting he attended in 2001, residents and bicyclists both agreed that the bollards were unsafe and should be removed or modified. (Council approved 9/11/03)

Eksten noted discussions at previous public meetings regarding the use of bollards and also noted that Northshore Fire Department has been consulted regarding bollard design. He noted that stop signs would not be removed with the exception of signs located at Ballinger Way and Northeast 170^th.

Goss requested that a letter from the county should be sent to the city stating that stop signs will not be removed. She noted that King County Cmbr. Carolyn Edmonds confirmed this at the recent council study session that she attended. Thompson and Armanini noted that the letter would have to come from the County Executive, rather than one member of the county council.

In response to a question from Thompson, Eksten said signage is part of the redevelopment study. Discussion followed regarding signage at intersections where traffic lights are located.

McLean noted she is the contact person if there are any questions regarding the trail.

Haines discussed a report from the police department regarding enforcement activity on the Burke Gilman Trail.

With the consent of the council, citizens were invited to comment or ask questions regarding the trail.

Sally Renn, 3934 NE 157^th Place, said she witnessed a white truck on the trail last Thursday at about 3:15 p.m. She noted that two men were trying to break off the yield sign on the trail.

Donovan Tracy, 15044 Beach Drive NE, expressed concern regarding the potential effect of widening the trail. He noted that this is a multi-purpose trail, and this should be kept in mind when considering any changes.

Herb Selipsky, 3828 NE 151st, commended the council member who stated that the trail was not designed as a "tour de France". He asked the county to consider undergrounding utilities along the trail.

Dean Peterson, 15034 Beach Drive NE, said that he is most concerned about the increased use of the trail by speeding cyclists and noted that the speed of cyclists must be controlled. He said this is a multi-purpose trail, and this should be kept in mind when considering changes.

Sam McKnight, 20304 42^nd Ave NE, said he is a long time resident of Lake Forest Park and a cyclist who uses the trail to commute to work. He noted that bicycle commuting reduces the number of vehicles on the road. He pointed out that Lake Forest Park has the reputation as one the least friendly stretches of the trail for cyclists. He said this is a very important resource for many cyclists who are not represented tonight.

There being no objection, the special study session meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Susan Stine, City Clerk

Dwight A. Thompson, Mayor pro tempore

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