CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE establishing the Seattle SR 520 Bridge Replacement Oversight Board to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on public policy matters of importance related to the impacts of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program on Seattle residents and commuters.
body
WHEREAS, the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program (Program) is a major construction project of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to rebuild and replace the SR 520 Bridge across Lake Washington and other large associated construction projects; and
WHEREAS, the Program is scheduled to last more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, Seattle residents, park users, boaters, wildlife, and the natural environment of the Portage Bay, Montlake, Roanoke Park, North Capitol Hill, Laurelhurst, and Madison Park and other neighborhoods near the construction are impacted by the noise and traffic of Program construction over an extended period; and
WHEREAS, Seattle pedestrian, bicycle, automotive, and public transit commuters crossing the SR 520 bridge, and traveling along City streets near SR 520 onramps and offramps are impacted by the design, traffic management policy decisions, and construction of the Program; and
WHEREAS, while policy decisions regarding the Program are under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Government, the project practically requires the agreement and cooperation of The City of Seattle; and
WHEREAS in October 2015 the City adopted Resolution 31611, “recognizing the completion of a design refinements effort and a recommendations report for the west side portion of the [SR 520] project and recommending actions by the City of Seattle and State of Washington based on results of this effort”; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle has a continuing duty to represent the needs of Seattle residents and commuters when coordinating with WSDOT to efficiently and effectively support the Program; and
WHEREAS, policy decisions regarding the Program have garnered ongoing interest from Seattle residents, especially with respect to impacts on the Montlake Market, noise impacts, and Bicycle Master Plan connectivity; and
WHEREAS, an oversight board of Seattle residents empowered to monitor the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program can provide valuable advice and feedback to WSDOT and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), and to the Seattle City Council and Mayor; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The 520 Bridge Replacement Oversight Board (the Board) is created. The Board shall advise the City Council, the Mayor, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and all departments and offices of the City on matters related to SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program (the Project) and the impact of the Project on residents and commuters affected by the Project construction.
Section 2. The Board shall be provided the opportunity to comment and make recommendations on City of Seattle Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with WSDOT, noise variances, easements, and other City policies, plans, and projects as they may relate to the Project.
Section 3. The Seattle Department of Transportation will provide staffing for the Board as needed to keep it informed of policy questions and progress of the Project. The City of Seattle requests WSDOT provide a liaison to attend meetings of the Board, and to provide the Board with timely and relevant information regarding the planning, progress, and policies of the Project.
Section 4. The Board shall help facilitate public engagement on the Project, to help ensure the most efficient and effective bridge replacement with the least impacts on neighboring communities.
Section 5. The Board shall make an annual report to the City Council on the status of its work program and the achievement of its goals.
Section 6. The Board shall be composed of 11 regular members, appointed to positions 1 through 11. Even-numbered positions shall be appointed by the Mayor and odd-numbered positions will be appointed by the City Council; all Mayoral appointments are subject to City Council confirmation. Initial terms for members in positions 1 through 6 shall be for three years; all other initial terms and all subsequent terms shall be for two years. Any vacancy in an unexpired term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A regular member whose term is ending may continue on an interim basis as a member with voting rights until such time as a successor for that position has appointed by the City Council or confirmed by the City Council.
In addition to the 11 regular members, one Get Engaged young adult representative shall serve as a member of the Board. The terms of service and the appointment process related to the Get Engaged member's role on the Board shall be as set forth in Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.51.
Section 7. Board members should be, to the extent possible, representative of:
- Geographic areas in Seattle near the construction work of the Project;
- Different commuter groups (persons with disabilities, public transit users, pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers);
- Labor unions representing people working on the Project; and
- Seattle residents with subject matter expertise relevant to the Project (environmental, engineering, traffic, "planning", "cultural and historic resources", "transit", bicycle and pedestrian circulation", "noise mitigation", "aquatic ecology", "recreation", "park design", "crime prevention through environmental design", and "community involvement"), and an interest in improving transportation conditions within the City and region.
Section 8. Upon completion of the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program, the Seattle 520 Bridge Replacement Oversight Board shall disband.
Section 9. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2019.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
____________________________________
Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)