HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2010-046 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2010 — 405
CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned to:
Originator 11 /23/2010 11 / 23 / 2010 Council
Division Head: _ C V D E
Dept. Head. f 1 • a-3 ` /p
NOV 232010
Prosecutor: q
Purchasing/Budget: WHATCOM TCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Resolution establishing a cititzen's task force for the Lummi Island ferry
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.)
Resolution establishing a cititzen's task force for the Lummi Island ferry
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COMMITTEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION:
11 / 23 / 2010 : Council Amended & Approved 7 - 0
Res . 2010- 046
Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res . 2010- 046
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
PROPOSED BY : Kershner
SPONSORED BY : Consent
INTRODUCED : 11 / 23 / 21010
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-046
ESTABLISHING A CITIZEN 'S TASK FORCE
FOR THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY
WHEREAS, a public ferry serving Lummi Island has been a long -standing and
important part of the infrastructure in Whatcom County ; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code 10 . 34 . 030 decrees that Lummi Island ferry fare
revenues recoup 55 % ferry operating costs ; and
WHEREAS, fare levels have increased significantly in the last 10 years, while in
recent years fare revenues have fallen short of the 55 % target ; and
WHEREAS, the funds provided by the State of Washington for the operation of the
Lummi Island ferry have become an increasingly smaller proportion of the ferry budget ; and
WHEREAS, ferry service remains important to the economy of Whatcom County and
to the public health and safety needs of Lummi Island residents ; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to promote a collaborative public process and transparency
in governance, Lummi Island residents have requested an opportunity to participate in
dialogue with Whatcom County in decisions regarding Lummi Island ferry service and fares .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council shall
appoint a task force with the mission of examining the future of Lummi Island ferry service
and making recommendations for its ongoing beneficial operation .
B E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of seven members and
will include at least four residents and/or landowners of Lummi Island and other Whatcom
County residents having knowledge or skills useful to fulfill the task force 's mission .
B E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County encourages representatives of Lummi
Island organizations to cooperatively provide the Council with recommendations for possible
task force members .
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the selection criteria for task force members shall
include expertise in governmental affairs, transportation , economics , finances , other
business related areas , and community experience .
B E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall specifically examine and
consider :
- Potential and current revenue sources for the Lummi Island ferry system ;
- Historical data and projections related to the ferry 's operation , costs , ridership, fare
levels and revenue ;
- Similar ferry operations, particularly county- operated ferries in Washington State,
and the cost structures, operational best practices and capital expenditures of such
operations as can be compared usefully to the Lummi Island ferry system ;
- The distinction between operating costs and capital expenditures for the ferry ;
- The accounting for ferry costs and applicable state revenues for the ferry system ;
- The capital needs of the Lummi Island ferry system ;
- The transportation needs of ferry users and the nature of trips taken on the ferry ;
- The impact of the ferry service on the economy and tax bases of Lummi Island and
the greater Whatcom County community ;
- Input from Whatcom County citizens and other forms of communications, as well as
such expert consultations as deemed relevant by the task force .
B E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall set its own organizing rules
with the goals of objective fact-finding and consensus .
B E IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the task force shall present a written report to the
County Council , the County Executive, and to the general public after the completion of the
lease agreement with the Lummi Nation , but in any event, no later than August 1St, 2011 ,
which shall address :
- The relevant facts and recommendations concerning fare levels with different fare
structure options presented and evaluated ;
- The relevant facts and recommendations concerning the classification of ferry
expenditures as operating costs , with different options or scenarios presented and
evaluated ;
- The relevant facts and recommendations, if any, with regards to potential new
revenues sources or changes in expenditures or both , with different options
presented and evaluated ;
- Recommendations, if any , on other policies to improve long - term fiscal balance in
the ferry fund the efficiency of ferry operations and/or the quality thereof;
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- SLr, �ie a� " Vbvjls of the data used to come to its conclusions .
P / eDHt.h � 3 day of November , 2010 .
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