Public Works Committee - Regular Meeting

Okay, good morning, everyone. Snohomish County Council is called to order for the Public Infrastructure and Conservation Committee. Today is Tuesday, July 7th, 2026. At 10 a.m., we're meeting in the Jackson boardroom and also remotely. I'll read the script for public comment, and then our clerk will take roll. We'll take public comment, beginning in person and then remotely. On Zoom, click on the hand icon to raise your hand. If you're calling in by phone, press star 9 to raise your hand, star 6 to unmute, and each speaker will have three minutes to speak. And please start your comment with your name and city of residence. Next is roll call. Committee Chair Lowe.

Present.

Vice Chair Dunn. Here. Committee Member Neering.

Here.

Committee Member Meade?

Here.

Committee Member Peterson?

Here.

Chair, there are five members present. Thank you. Next is public comment. Did anyone wish to provide public comment? There's no one in person. Are there any hands raised? No hands are raised. Thank you. So we'll close public comment and move on to our action items. First is Ordinance 26-029. Thank you.

Good morning, Council Members. For the record, Jim Martin, Council Staff. Closed Ordinance 26-029 adopts a 2026 commuter trip reduction plan repeals Snohomish County Code Chapter 32.40, renames Chapter 32 from Growth Management to Commute Trip Reduction, and adds new Chapter 32.10 to Snohomish County Code to comply with RCW 70A.15.4000 through 70A.15 through 4.4110, and to implement the county's commuter trip reduction plan by collaborating with major employers to reduce the number of drive-alone commute trips taken during peak hours. Requested action is to move to GLS on July 15 to set time and date for a public hearing.

Questions from council members? Okay, any objection to going on admin to set time and date? Okay, so hearing none, then Ordinance 26-029 will go on the administrative agenda for the 15th to set time and date. Next is Ordinance 26-025.

Opposed to Ordinance 26-025 grants a non-exclusive franchise authorizing limited use of public road rights away in Snohomish County to SQF LLC doing business as VRTA. Verda applied for the franchise to construct, maintain, operate, replace, and repair its personal wireless service facilities and county rights-of-way. The term of the agreement is for 10 years with one automatic 10-year renewal, subject to the county's right to renegotiate and or terminate the franchise at any time after the initial term expiration date. Requested action is to move to GLS on July 15th, set time and date for public hearing.

Questions from council? Objection to going on the administrative matters agenda? Okay, hearing and seeing none, this will move to the 15th to set time and date on the Administrative Matters Agenda. Next is Motion 26-253.

Opposed Motion 26-253 authorizes the County Executive to sign Amendment No. 19 to the Professional Services Agreement with Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. for the update with the latest climate change data to the tool created for public works staff that characterizes climate impact risks. Term of the agreement is extended to March 31st, 2027, and the not-to-exceed amount is increased by $9,969.05 for a new total of $97,103.17. Invested action is to move to GLS on July 15th for consideration.

Questions from council? Objection to consent? Hearing and seeing none, this will move to the consent agenda on the 15th. Next is item number four.

Proposed motion 26-252 approves and authorizes the county executive to execute critical area site plans for the North Creek Trail project. Five parcels are included in the two separate mitigation site areas. As part of the regulatory permitting process, a critical area study was required to construct the project. The study required areas for compensatory wetland mitigation site areas. Requested action is to move to GLS on July 15th for consideration.

Any questions from council? Objection to consent? Hearing and seeing none, this will move to the consent agenda. Next is item five.

Proposed motion 26-255 approves and authorizes the county executive to execute the right-of-way plan for North High Rock Road slide repair project. North High Rock Road provides a sole access route for hundreds of residents south of Monroe. Heavy rains during the December 2023 storm event caused a section of retaining wall and portion of the roadway to fail. Property from two parcels are to be acquired for the project. The right-of-way acquisition process is scheduled to occur in 2026 and 2027. Total cost is estimated at $172,000 and will be funded through the use of road funds. The requested action is to move to GLS on July 15th for consideration.

Questions from council? Objection to consent? Hearing and seeing none, this will move to the consent agenda for the 15th. Next is item number six.

Opposed motion 26-256 approves and authorizes the county executive to execute critical area site plans for the North Road corridor improvement project. As part of the regulatory permitting process, a critical area study was required to construct the project. The study identified an area for compensatory wetland mitigation that would be left permanently undisturbed in a substantially natural state. Requested action is to move to GLS on July 15th for consideration.

Questions from council?

objection to consent hearing none this will move to the consent agenda for the 15th next is item seven opposed motion 26-257 authorizes the county executive to sign change order number seven to progressive design build agreement pdb01-23 with cornerstone general contractors for the design and construction of the arlington operations center this change order adds items to the scope of work at the county's request namely the replacement of a 6-inch section at the existing gate valve to the nearest flange, upsizing to 8 inches to match new pipe to be installed. The change order is $4,979.47, bringing the total not-to-exceed amount for the contract to $29,609,820.33. Requested action is to move to GLS on July 15th for consideration. Questions from Council?

Will each change order come before Council, regardless of amount?

No, it depends on what the change order is and the amount. There have been two training orders that have been approved by the Public Works Director.

Okay. So I still would love to have a review to know if this process slows down projects, if there's anything that we can do to help streamline or make things more efficient. Any other questions? Objection to consent? Hearing and seeing none, this will move to the 15th for on consent. Next is item eight.

For the record, Cynthia Foley, council staff, Snohomish County has an existing agreement with Pictometry International slash Eagle View to obtain ortho imagery in support of the county's GIS functions. Both the county and the Tulalip tribes have agreed to shared space in the county's data center to provide the Tulalip tribes with ortho imagery services. Expedite, sorry, the request is to move motion 26-246 to the GLS agenda on consent for council consideration.

Any questions from council? Okay, any objection to consent? Hearing and seeing none, this will move to the 15th on consent. Next is item nine.

Motion 26-254 describes the history of the red cloud consulting contract and reaffirms executive authority to amend the contract. In particular, it reaffirms authority to execute amendment three Amendment 3 to the contract increases the contract maximum to $3.677 million. The amendment extends change management consulting and replaces business analysis with a project management resource through May 31, 2028. A summary of the contract contents and all amendments is shown in an exhibit to the staff report. The request is to move motion 26-254 to the GLS agenda for council consideration.

Okay, questions from council? Any objection? Consent? Hearing and seeing none, let's move to the 15th on consent.

Next is item 10. Snohomish County, through the Department of Conservation and National Resources, is seeking to enter into an agreement with John Hellridge and Margaret Davidson to accept a property donation. The property has an appraised value of $333,000, is a 2.35 acre parcel of undeveloped land. The property is adjacent to the Meadowdale Park and will become part of the park. Motion 26-234 approves, accepts, acceptance of the donation and authorizes the property officer to effectuate Snohomish County's acceptance of the property donation. The request is to move motion 26-234 to the JLS agenda for council consideration.

Okay, questions from council? Can this be used for parking?

My understanding is that it contains wetlands and so it hosts some habitat and then it also could be used for some passive recreational use.

Okay, thank you. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. But parking is an issue of Adeldo. Okay. Any questions? Objection to consent? Okay. Hearing none, this will move to the consent agenda on the 15th. So that concludes our agenda and council is in recess until our 11 o'clock committee meeting.