Committee advances nine consent items including stormwater grants, paths, pavement and ARCH funding

The Planning and Community Development and Public Works Committee of the Whole on March 4 advanced nine administrative and funding items to the March 18 consent agenda, asking council to later formalize grant acceptances, consultant agreements, a code update and an allocation to a regional housing coalition.

The most substantive funding items include acceptance of a $338,603 planning grant from the Washington Department of Ecology to develop a stormwater facility retrofit plan for the High School Creek watershed and a related consultant agreement with Osborne Consulting for $397,169 to produce technical work and 30% designs on top retrofit projects. Deputy Director Chris Stenger said the Ecology funds will be used “to hire a consultant to evaluate and complete preliminary designs for 4 construction projects that will improve performance of existing stormwater management facilities in the High School Creek Watershed.” Senior planner Peter Holt added that the watershed “feeds directly to the Sammamish River, which then feeds to the — is a migratory route for Chinook salmon.” The city will provide a local match of just under $60,000 and staff said the grant expires Jan. 31, 2027; the contract and design schedule include an allowance for closeout…