HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2011-012 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2011 — 118
CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned to:
Originator Knutzen 3/22/2011 3/29/2011 Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head: Cf J'l,L`:KCA
Prosecutor:
Purchasing/Budget:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT: •
Resolution in support of maintaining the Olympic Coordination Center
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
COMMITTEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION:
3 / 29 / 2011 : Council Approved 6 -0 , Kershner
absent Res . 2011 - 012
Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res . 2011 -012
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County 's website at: www. co. whatcom. wa. us/council.
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Consent
INTRODUCTION DATE : March 29 , 2011
RESOLUTION NO . 2011 -012
IN SUPPORT OF MAINTAINING THE
OLYMPIC COORDINATION CENTER IN WHATCOM COUNTY
WHEREAS, in 2003 the International Olympic Committee announced that
Vancouver, British Columbia , would be the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics ;
and
WHEREAS, following this announcement numerous federal , state and local
law enforcement agencies began discussing the potential impacts of a major
international event in close proximity to the United States border ; and
WHEREAS, a capabilities assessment made clear that Whatcom County did
not have the facilities to support the management of such a significant event ; and
WHEREAS, a planning team evaluated the potential risks to the region and
determined that the Olympic Games were only one part of the equation ; border-
related crimes , terrorism , hazardous materials , extreme weather and health issues
could all trigger disasters in Northwest Washington ; and
WHEREAS, based on this assessment a team began planning for a
coordinated facility which evolved into the creation of the 2010 Olympic
Coordination Center ( OCC ) ; and
WHEREAS, the OCC was completed in June of 2009 and proved to be a well -
designed facility with good communications infrastructure , making it possible to
manage large and complex events such as the World Police and Fire Games , the
2010 Winter Olympics , and the 2010 Paralympics Games ; and
WHEREAS, these events tested both the facility and the Incident Command
System , proving that the efforts to develop the OCC were worthwhile ; and
WHEREAS, since that time the OCC has been in continuous use ; as a place
to train responders , a venue for law enforcement agencies to share intelligence ,
and where emergency managers can facilitate response to incidents ; and
WHEREAS, the OCC currently serves law enforcement, fire , medical , health ,
public works , and industry needs in relation to emergency planning and response ;
and
WHEREAS, the current lease for the OCC expires this June , 2011 ; and
WHEREAS, if the lease is allowed to expire , Northwest Washington will lose
a critical asset in disaster preparedness unless we can find other avenues to sustain
the facility ; and
WHEREAS, given the amount of resources originally dedicated to
establishing the OCC , it seems prudent to continue its operation rather than close it
down and try to establish a different, and likely inferior, emergency operations
center.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council
fully supports the maintenance of the OCC as a valuable resource to our region .
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Council officially requests that
the United States Department of Homeland Security allow Whatcom County to
retain all equipment used to support the OCC .
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the County Council requests assistance from the
Port of Bellingham in the form of a reduction in the rental rate for the facility .
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Dal ? Br . , .a ie, CIO'k of the Council Sa , Crawford , Coun it Chair
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EF FO am : WHATCOM OUNTY EXECUTIVE :
: � 7 / G
ivil Deputy Pros t r ate Kremen , County Executive
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF :Eatj,--
gin Bill Elfo , County h5 eriff