1969 01 14r
1328
COUNCIL MEETING -REGULAR SESSION January 14,1969
8 o'clock PM -City Hall
The City Council met in regular session with the following councilmen present:
Monte Holm,Gordon Ebbert,Otto Skaug,Jack Eng,John Jones,Dr.Lindell
and Michael Boyle.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jones.
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written on the motion of Otto
Skaug,second by Jack Eng.Passed unanimously.
BILLS TOTAL AMOUNT PAID
GENERAL FUND $2,770.23
LIBRARY 507.50
PARK AND RECREATION 3,069.04
STREET 3,275.69
EQUIPMENT RENTAL 333.16
WATER AND SEWER 3,6 73.41
SANITATION 6,645.87
URBAN ARTERIAL 698.75
Motion to draw warrants and pay the regular bills by Dr.Lindell.Second by
Michael Boyle.Passed unanimously.
SPECIAL BILLS
Washington State Highway Commission 583.85
P.O.Box 98
Wenatchee,Washington
Contract Payment on Stratford Road
Washington State Highway Commission 7,557.56
Department of Highways
P.O.Box 98
Wenatchee,Washington
Contract Payment on Pioneer Way
Motion to pay the special bills by Monte Holm.Second by Jack Eng.Passed
unanimously.
Warrants No.1841 through 1909 were approved in the amount of $29,115.06.
ORDINANCE -VACATION OF PLAT -LAKEVIEW TERRACE -SECOND READING
Mayor Jones explained that this had to do with the property in the neighborhood
of the mortuary.
Motion to adopt the ordinance by Otto Skaug.
Attorney John Moberg was present and asked what this ordinance was about.
The City Manager located the property as being near Laurel Drive,Olive and
Lark Streets and to the East of Laurel.He said the land is vacant at the
present time.The bond for street improvement and utilities has been in
existence for ten years.The bonding company has asked the owner of the
property to install the improvements so the bond can be cancelled.The property is
such that it looks doubtful that the improvements would be justified and the owner
does not wish to do this .He wants to vacate that portion of the plat and at
such time as the property is developed it would be replatted.
Mr.Moberg expressed opposition to the vacation of the plat as he had just
purchased the property,intends to make it his home and the street being vacated
is his front entrance.He did not feel it should be vacated just to get the bonding
company off the hook.
1329 January 14, 1969
The City Manager traced the steps taken by the Planning
Commission to investigate the situation and they had referred
it to the City Council so the street could be vacated.
Mr.Moberg said that to vacate this street would depreciate the
value of the property.There is no need to rush after ten years
because some bonding company requests it at this time.He said
he had just purchased the house and did not learn of the possibility
of the street vacation until 7:15 this evening.
Dr.Lindell,when asked for comments as a member of the Planning
Commission as well as the Council,said it was his opinion that
nothing would be gained by keeping the street and even though the
road is not there there is adequate room to be used for a road.
Motion to adopt the ordinance seconded by John Jones.Passed
unanimously.
AIRPORT LEASE WITH ARTHUR WINZLER
ooy A letter was read from the City Manager explaining that the lease
issued to Mr.Max Ott for utilization of facilities at the Moses Lake
Municipal Airport was assigned to Mr.Arthur Winzler and he has,
since that date,purchased the Moses Lake Air Service,Inc.All
obligations and responsibilities at the Moses Lake Municipal Airport
will be transferred to Mr.Winzler.The accompanying lease between
the City of Moses Lake and the Moses Lake Air Service,Inc.,has been
signed by Mr.Winzler and Mr.Waggener requests authorization from
the City Council to sign the lease on behalf of the City of moses Lake.
Motion by Monte Holm to grant authorization to Mr.Waggener to
sign the lease to Mr.Winzler for operation of the Moses Lake
Municipal Airport.Second by Jack Eng.Passed unanimously.
TRAFFIC ANALYSIS FOR PIONEER WAY -URBAN ARTERIAL BOARD PROJECT -
LEWIS AND REDFORD
lin Mayor Jones commented that six years ago on September 11,1962 the
motio n was made to table indefinitely the Broadway,Alder,Pioneer
Way Traffic Plan proposed by the City Engineers and State Highway De
partment.In August,1967 the Urban Arterial Board made available
90%matching money for qualified projects . At that time the City
Council instructed the City Manager to submit prospectuses to the
Urban Arterial Board.This,along with other prospectus'were
evaluated by the State and Federal Engineers and inspection teams
were sent in.This team considered the general feasibility of the
project in relation to other projects in the State and it was deter
mined by the preliminary estimate that the total cost of this project
would run in the neighborhood of $1,400,000.Professional help was
hired to assist.Lewis and Redford Engineers were retained to make a
thorough investigation of the feasibility of the project.Mr.Don
Munro has been working with the Council to explore the best way of
running the streets through the City of Moses Lake.He said we are
here to explore the best way of running the streets through the City
of Moses Lake.That Mr.Munro would be available tomorrow morning
to go over details with him.He suggested that the Public Hearing
Procedure be followed.
It was explained that Lewis and Redford are located in Bellevue and they
specialize in transportation studies and design problems.T here are
65 people in the firm and they have completed over 15 million dollars
worth of highway design and other studies.Mr.Munro is a graduate of
the University of Washington and has been with Lewis and Redford for
five years.Mr.Munro was introduced.
January 14,1969 1330
Don Munro said he was contracted through Lewis and Redford to perform
a study dealing with the location of an Urban Arterial Board Project and
came before this Council and it was made clear in his mind what was wanted -
and that the $1,400,000 improvement be placed in Moses Lake to do the
most good.Three proposals were submitted by the Public Works Department
of Moses Lake as to what could be done at the intersection of Broadway
and Pioneer Way,Balsam and Alder and in that area.The traffic flow was
analyzed relating to these three alternatives and evaluated as to how
they would move traffic in the future,where traffic patterns were emanating
from and to come up with any other recommendations that would be good in
the analysis of where an arterial of this sort should go and why it should go
there.Traffic counts were made as to where people will live in the future as
well as where they live now.
Mr. Munro presented diagrams showing the average daily traffic which
showed that most of the traffic is oriented toward the downtown area.Inter
state 90 has taken traffic from Broadway.Most of the traffic emanates in
the residences and goes back to the residences .Three proposals for re
alignment of the Broadway and Pioneer Way intersections are:
An extension of Alder Street Southerwesterly to an intersection with Pioneer
Way; and the use of Elder Street as a replacement for Pioneer Way North
of Fifth Avenue.They are not recommended because that would require the
major traffic movement from the South to negotiate a left turn at the inter
section of Pioneer Way and Broadway Avenue.Essentially,a variation of
these three proposals.We have left Pioneer Way open both inbound and
outbound and turned Broadway into it rather than turn Pioneer Way into
Broadway.The wisest thing is not to alter the flow of traffic and to
let the minor portion of traffic intersect with it.We have available to the
City a lot of money to do some construction work and Pioneer Way has drastic
problems especially at the intersection of Wheeler Road and at Broadway.
He expressed the opinion that Moses Lake has a very good street system.
Couple these two facts together and if you have $1,400,000 to spend why spent it
on a new facility in another location and leave the old facility in bad shape.
That is the rationale for not extending Alder Street.It is his opinion that
conditions along Pioneer Way warrant immediate remedial measures.It
is suggested that Date Street be closed as well as Chestnut Street.He
discussed at length the problem of the intersection of Wheeler Road and
Pioneer Way.
At this point,Mayor Jones said that many details have not been worked out.
The first question the council asked is "If you close Date Street,what would
happen."Details have not been worked out and will not be until the engineer
knows whether or not the council will go ahead with this study.
Mr.Munro said that specifics as to channelization and signals have not been
answered in this report.The intent of the report was to come up with a
schematic idea of what should be done and then determine whether or not the
idea is good,bad or indifferent.
K.O.Moos asked how the traffic count was made and how precise it was -
was it taken one day,two days or two weeks?
\
Munro said six special counters were down during 8 hour periods at each
'—location for a period of two or three years .
K.O.Moos asked if any count was taken during the harvest and processing
season.
Munro said all portions of the year were taken for an average annual daily
traffic count.
1331 January 14,1969
John Lewis quoting from page 4 of the report noted that "each inter
section surveyed was counted in two periods:6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM"which is before the stores are open and if this is
true then they should close the stores between the time when there is no
traffic.He also noted that 281 cars were missing from the count coming
from Knolls Vista to the Alder Street intersection.He also noted a
statement in the report that "the improvement of Pioneer Way will not
preclude the opening of new facilities should they be needed in the
future."He asked why it could not be designed to take care of the
future because one of the problems of citizens is the problem we have
had.He asked if Elder Street would be open.
Munro said this statement related to the proposed Alder Street rather
than Elder Street.
Lewis quoting from Page 7 of the report "The most notable feature of
this design is the prohibition of through traffic from Elder Street into
the intersection.This street closure is mandatory to improve the traffic
flow through the intersection and will not seriously inconvenience many
motorists who now use this intersection approach.The area served by
this portion of Elder Street will have access onto Pioneer Way at Third
Avenue and access to Wheeler Road from Fig Street."Mr. Munro agreed
that this was true.Mr.Lewis noted when plans were made in 1962
three different alternatives were present - one of which was to bring all
the traffic up Elder Street.Several factors were taken into consideration
and planning and experimenting was done for years.He discussed Fourth
Avenue and the Alder Street fill which should have cut over to Elder on Date
Street.The fact that inter-city traffic is the only thing that needs concern
us at this date.He cited the few accidents at five corners as compared to
attempting to cross Broadway.He noted the number of businesses that would
be seriously affected by the present plan to re-route traffic and it is felt
that they must have access from Elder Street.He expressed the opinion
that the intersection at five corners is causing no problem and until such
time as the growth of the City demanded a change it should be left as it is.
He said the Council,as elected presentatives of the people,have to take into
consideration the problems of the people on Elder Street.He felt the problem
was brought about by the 90%matching funds.He also discussed various
solutions to the problem but did note that it would be better to wait until
the town developes,see the direction it is going and then improve the traffic
situation.
Theo Hulbert owner of Bee-Line Frame and Axle said the gractethat heavy
duty traffic would have to hit if Fig and Block Streets are closed is almost
impossible to negotiate and if they are going out on US 90 they will have to
go up Broadway and come back on Pioneer Way because they cannot go up
the grade on Wheeler Road.He said the Elder Street grade was an easy one-
that they make the trip 2 0-3 0 times a day.
Clark Mattson representing Fred Mattson and himself,said he has heard no
real reason for any change in the downtown traffic pattern.
Lewis asked whether the whole package of the Urban Arterial Project had
to be taken.
Mr.Waggener said the Board had approved the Division area in the downtown
area.
Mr.Mulliken asked what the original plan was for the corner before the
Drive-in went in.
January 14,1969 1332
Mayor Jones said that Elder Street would come right straight out and T
right into Wheeler Road which would take some of the pressure off of
five corners and still allow people to get out on Wheeler Road.That
plan,as an alternative,would take the pressure off of five corners and
that was one of the suggestions made.
L.E.Thompson stated he had been in Moses Lake for a long time and had
served on the Planning Commission and since people have investments in
their businesses he thought they should be given consideration in any
plans for a change of ingress and egress.He does not want to see Elder
Street closed.He cited investments made by various business people
that would see their investment go to nothing if the ingress and egress
to their property was cut off.He suggested that people be considered.
He wished to register his objection to changing of any streets.He has
been in business on the same street for 17 or 18 years and does not want
to be cut off.
John Brodhead said he travels through the 5 corners intersection several
times a day and sees no problem with it.
Munro said perhaps the crux of the issue is what happens to the area if
you cut off the access .It is a bread and butter issue.It is necessary to
keep some semblance of fact of what really is happening there and what
we wish were happening there.He cited the plan developed in 1962 which
is impossible to use now because the Drive-In is located at the intersection
of Elder and Pioneer Way now.In the period of six years things have
changed to a point where we cannot do what would have be.en desirable
at that time.He expressed the opinion that the street should not go
through -that other things should be considered.To leave it open is
asking for accidents .
Mayor Jones said that a decision will be made based on facts.
Gordon Redmer of Moses Lake Auto Upholstery asked "How would you
like to have them close up the main street to your business?How would
you like to operate a business from the back alley?
Chet Paine of Chefs Drive-In did not see the need for any rush in going
ahead with the project.Get four lanes through on Pioneer Way and move
a lot more traffic.
Munro sai d a certain amount of green time on the signal is needed.
Mayor Jones said he would not like to have anybody think the only reason
why the Council is considering this is just so federal money can be spent.
Even in 1962 the Council very definitely felt it was necessary at that time.
Lewis It was a unanimous feeling of all the people that it should not be done.
Thompson asked if the development would go ahead if the Council and Planning
Commission concur that they want to leave things just as they are?
Mayor Jones said the development from Hill Street to the Highway but
nothing else.
The Public Hearing was temporarily closed to the public in attendance.
Comments were asked of Councilmen.
Gordon Ebbert asked Fire Chief Jensen what effect the closure of Elder Street
would have on access of fire equipment to Eagle Electric or other businesses
in that area?How much extra time would be taken?Is there extra hardships
in this route ?
Otto Jensen replied that the distance would be about the same and did not know
whether or not it would be a problem.
1333 January 14,1969
Otto Skaug said the whole thing simmers down to one affected area
and said he felt there is some justification for the feelings about
Elder Street.
Lewis said that Henry Boyle and Floyd Rigsby had not changed their
minds .That their concern goes back to the raised channelization because
cars coming from the Knolls Vista area should be able to turn and park in
front of Rigsbys.If they do this,the next step is the channelization.
Monte Holm said there is not much traffic on Elder and 90%of it is
customers for that area.They are going up Pioneer Way and 5%of that
traffic is customers for businesses on Elder Street.
John Jones asked -for Fred Faber -What about storm sewers -is that
included in the project?
Don Munro said he could not answer that.
Chester L.Waggener said that the storm drainage in Phase 1 of
Pioneer Way went down Hill Street to the lake and the storm drainage
intended for Phase 1 has been completed.Storm drainage would also
be included in the remainder of the project.
Mayor Jones thought perhaps Mr.Paine might be able to come up with
some kind of reorganization of his operation which might be better.
The Mayor asked how customers could get into the Ford Motor Company
if they could not turn left ?
Munro said the only physical restriction would be a raised curb down
the middle of the street.This is not planned for the project.
In answer to the question of whether the City or the State would retain
control of an island proposed to be built in front of Bestway Lumber,
Don Munro said it would not be a permanent blocking off and that
Bestway would gain a lot more room in front.
Monte Holm asked if you cut Elder Street to Wheeler Road would that
cause a lot of confusion and Munro said that,ideally,it should be
farther down than Elder.
Lewis asked for Lindell's opinion because of his position on the Planning
Commission.
Lindell said he had made no decision at this time.
Dean Hagerty -Chairman of the Planning Commission -was asked for
comments .He had none .
Lewis said there is nothing wrong with five corners .Leave it the way
it is.If you want to make a four lane,fair enough.People are willing
to pay the taxes for it.Leave five corners the way it is or close 5th
or some other street,but not Elder.
Jones said that Date Street might be made into a cul du sac so there would
be no access from Date Street to Third Avenue.Is there any object to
this particular part of the project.
Thompson asked what was the objection to Date Street as it is.He said he was
opposed to the change as he had property there.
Hagerty said he could see nothing wrong with closing Chestnut and would
recommend that the alley be left open to a right hand turn only.As you come
from Balsam to the alley,then a right hand turn should be permitted.
Meeting adjourned .)
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