04-29-15 Study SessionYELM CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 5:00 P.M.
Mayor Harding called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers: Bob Isom, JW Foster, Jennifer Littlefield, Ken Garmann, and
Russ Hendrickson.
Staff: Shelly Badger, Tami Merriman, Grant Beck, Ryan Johnstone
4a. Presentation: Telecommunication Franchise application from Astound
Broadband, LLC dba Wave
Vic Peterson, Vice President Project Implementation, Astound Broadband was present
to explain the proposed route and scope of their telecommunication project. Astound
has a large project underway to install fiber optic strands on a route from Canada thru
Oregon that will utilize Yelm rights-of-way on SR 507 from the south to the easterly city
limits. They plan to utilize existing utility poles wherever possible and are currently
working with PSE to obtain the agreements necessary. The telecommunications project
requires a franchise agreement with the City of Yelm, which has been drafted and
reviewed by legal counsel for both the City and Astound. Shelly Badger presented a
summary of the franchise ordinance. The franchise ordinance will be the subject of a
public hearing before the Yelm City Council on May 26h.
4b. Yelm East Gateway Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Tami
Merriman presented a power point presentation on the Yelm East Gateway Planned
Action EIS, beginning with an explanation of the what an EIS is and the process. A
planned action is proposed development in a specific area or subarea whose impacts
are reviewed in an EIS and provides mitigation measures for those impacts. The Yelm
Gateway Planned Action area includes 7 parcels of land on the north and south side of
SR 507 between Grove Rd. and Walmart Blvd. The EIS provided in-depth study on
transportation and groundwater, and provides mitigation for anticipated impacts. The
main focus is transportation, with mitigation measures including a complete 4 -leg
intersection at Walmart Blvd, including a portion of the Y2c road connection, a 4 -leg
roundabout at Grove Rd. and requirements for internal connections between uses and
developments. These improvements are based on build out over 10 —15 years, and
takes into account future transportation projections. The EIS provides early
environmental review, which speeds the permit process at time of development, and
gives prospective purchasers/developers upfront knowledge of expected improvements
required of the development. The Draft EIS was issued on January 5, 2015 and the
Final EIS issued on April 7, 2015. The EIS was funded by private property owners.
The next step is for Council to hold a public hearing to consider the adoption of an
ordinance establishing the Yelm East Gateway Planned Action area, and adopting the
mitigation measures as described in the Final EIS. The hearing is scheduled for the
May 26, 2015 Council Meeting.
Mayor's Report: No Mayor's Report
Council Initiatives: No Council Initiatives
Adjourn: 7:15 PM.
Attest
Ron Hardi ayor JaninPchnep_f,CitClerk
04/29/15 Study Session