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HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2005-071WIMTCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2005 -362 CLEARANCES Initial Date Date Received in Council Ofrice Age a Date Assi ned to: Intro _ ..... _ OrWxator dig 08115/05 � U - `, ;�_ Lw U" " 5 Division Head SE n - 20, 05 Vi i ATk". (' 41 1, C .,: t,s ;' i Y 27 DgxHead: Ptomoaitor ORIK105 PM tee: .6�5 TITLE OFDOCUtNT: to p Water Owners Association Franchise Ordinance [proposed] ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance & Memorandum SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? (X) Yes ( ) NO SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Requested Date: September 27, 2005 SUlf(ARYSTATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public hearing, you wum?prepvide the language for use in the required public notice Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriates Be clear in cqdisilirg the intent of the action.) Pwnwxt to RCW 36.55.040 and Whatcom County Code 12.24.051, notice is hereby given of public hearing before the County Canned/ on a proposed ordinance that, if adopted, would grant a franchise for a period of twenty -five (25) years to the Hilltop Wooer Owners Association to use County right -of -way in certain locations generally within its service area for purposes of placiwg won ►&W sewer lines and associated facilities, those locations more fully described within the proposed ordinance on Jile with the Qav q+ CounciL The public hearing will be held during the County Council meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m., September 27, 2005, In CderaW Chambers of the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. Pursuant todRCW A51050, the hearing may be adjourned from time to time by order of the County Council until action is taken by the Council qa &*proposed ordinance. 00100 PEE ACTION: COUNCIL ACTION. 9/13/2005: introduced 9/27/05: Adopted 6 -0, Brenner absent Ordinance 2005 -071 Related County Contract #: Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number. Ord. 2005 -071 Xerae Nete: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are avallable for viewing and printing on the County's webske at wwmcawhatcom.wa.us/counciL a INTRODUCED BY: CONSENT PROPOSED BY: Consent DATE INTRODUCED: 9.113x105 ORDINANCE NO. 2005 -071 AN ORDINANCE IN THE MATTER OF GRANTING A NON- EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TO HILLTOP WATER OWNERS ASSOCIATION FOR A PERIOD OF 25 YEARS PURSUANT TO STATE LAW AND SECTION 9.30 OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER, AND TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN WATER LINES AND FACILITIES ALONG CERTAIN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF WHATCOM COUNTY WHEREAS, the Home Rule Charter for Whatcom County authorizes the County Council to grant non - exclusive franchises for a fixed term not to exceed 25 years for the use of any street, road or public place; and WHEREAS, R.C.W. 36.55.010 provides that the County Council may grant franchises to persons or private or municipal corporations to use the right -of -way of County roads in their respective counties for the construction and maintenance of water works, gas pipes, telephones, telegraph and electrical light lines, sewers and other such facilities and including cable television wires and other cable television facilities; and WHEREAS, the Hilltop Water Owners Association operates a system of water lines and facilities within a portion of Whatcom County (Lummi Island) and the District desires and needs a franchise for its use of the County's right -of -way; and WHEREAS, the Hilltop Water Owners Association has applied for a 25 -year nonexclusive franchise for installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of water mains and water distribution lines, fire hydrants, and associated equipment and facilities in and along certain roads in Whatcom County, Washington, and notice of this hearing having been duly published on Sept. 17 , 2005 and Sept. 24 , 2005 in the Bellingham Herald, the official newspaper for Whatcom County, and it appearing to the County Council that notice of Page 1 of 12 said hearing has been given as required by law and that it is in the public interest to grant the franchise for a period of 25 years; and WHEREAS, this matter has come on regularly for hearing before the Whatcom County Council at 7:00 p.m. on the _21&ay of Sepfembpr , 2005 in accord with the notice given; and WHEREAS, the Hilltop Water Owners Association has agreed to the various administrative provisions of the franchise as provided herein; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of Whatcom County, Washington: Section 1. Franchise Granted (a) A non - exclusive franchise for the Hilltop Water Owners Association, operating as a private association for the purpose of purveying water within the county of Whatcom, together with any successors and assignees, referred to herein as the grantee, is hereby granted for a period of 25 years, the non - exclusive right and privilege to construct, erect, operate, maintain, repair, and replace water lines and related facilities in, along and across county roads or portions thereof as named herein. (b) The rights and privileges granted herein shall apply to all roads and public ways listed, including all portions of rights -of -way abutting said roads and public ways, as follows: Within Sections 4, 5, 9, and 10, Township 37 North, Range 1 East, W.M., in Whatcom County, Washington. The rights and privileges shall also apply to the portions of roads and rights -of -way that are part of or that abut those portions of roads that lie just over the section lines that bisect or intersect the listed roads. Section 2. Acceptance of Franchise (a) No franchise hereunder shall become effective for any purpose unless and until written acceptance therefore shall have been filed with the Whatcom County Council and County Director of Public Works and such written acceptance shall be in form and substance as shall be Page 2 of 12 prescribed and approved by the County Prosecuting Attorney and operate as an acceptance of each and every term and condition and limitation contained in this ordinance, and in such franchise; (b) Such written acceptance shall be filed by Grantee not later than the thirtieth day following the effective date of the ordinance granting such franchise; and in default of the filing of such written acceptance as herein required, Grantee shall be deemed to have rejected the same. Section 3. Entering Rights of Way. The Grantee, its successors and assignees, shall, subject to the requirements of Section 5 below, have the right and authority to enter upon the above - mentioned county roads, rights -of- way and other county property as designated hereinbefore, for the purposes of constructing, operating, maintaining, repairing, and replacing water lines and facilities. Section 4. Construction Standards. All construction and installation work along and under county roads or rights -of -way or other County property outside the corporate limits of any incorporated town shall be subject to the approval and pass the inspection of the Director of Public Works and shall conform to all applicable County and State codes or regulations. [The County expressly reserves the right to prescribe how and where the facilities shall be installed, and from time to time, upon six months or otherwise reasonable notice, whichever is longer', the County may require the removal and replacement of water lines when in the public interest, at the expense of the franchise holder. Section 5. Construction Application. (a) Prior to commencement of construction of said water lines and facilities, Grantee shall first file with the Director of Public Works its application for permit to do such work, together with plans and specifications in duplicate showing the position and location of all such lines and facilities sought to be constructed, laid, installed or erected at that time, showing their 1 While the period of time is stated as "six months or otherwise reasonable notice, whichever is longer", the parties are generally willing to work to accommodate each other. Page 3 of 12 relative position to existing county roads, rights -of -way or other county property upon plans drawn to scale, hereinafter collectively referred to as the "map of definite location." (b) The water lines and facilities shall be laid in conformity with said map of definite location, or in conformity with design drawings by an engineer, except in instances in which deviation may be allowed thereafter in writing by the Director of Public Works pursuant to application by Grantee. The plans and specifications shall specify the class and type of material and equipment to be used, manner of excavation, construction, installation, backfill, erection of temporary structures, erection of permanent structures, traffic control, traffic turn -outs and road obstruction, etc. No such construction shall be commenced without the Grantee first securing a written permit from the Director of Public Works, including approval endorsed on one set of plans and specifications returned to the Grantee. All such work shall be subject to the approval of and shall pass the inspection of the Director of Public Works. The Grantee shall pay all actual and necessary costs of and expenses incurred in the examination, inspection and approval of such work on account of granting said permits. Section 6. Construction on Roadways /Other County Property. (a) In any work which requires breaking of soil of the county roads, rights -of -way or other county property subject to this franchise for the purpose of laying, relaying, connecting, disconnecting and repairing the said water lines and facilities, and making connections between the same to structures and buildings of consumers or making connections to other facilities of the Grantee now in existence or hereafter constructed, the Grantee shall be governed by and conform to the general rules adopted by the officers charged with the supervision and care of such county roads, rights -of -way, and other county property; and the Grantee at its own expense and with all convenient speed shall complete the work for which the soil has been broken and forthwith replace the work and make good the county road, rights -of -way or other county property and leave the same in as good condition as before the work was commenced. (b) Applications for permits referred to in Section 5 above shall be accompanied by specifications for the restoration of the county road, rights -of -way or other county property to the same condition it was prior to such breaking of the soil, and such specifications must be approved by the Director of Public Works before such breaking of the soil is commenced. Page 4 of 12 Provided, that the Director of Public Works may require a performance bond in a sum sufficient to guarantee that such county roads, rights -of -way or other county property shall be restored to the same condition as they were prior to the breaking of the soil. Said bond shall be in addition to any other such requirements contained herein. (c) The Director of Public Works may at any time order, or have done, any and all work that it considers necessary to restore to a safe condition any such county road, rights -of -way or other county property left by the Grantee or its agents in a condition dangerous to life or property, and the Grantee upon demand shall pay to the County all costs of such work; provided that, where reasonably feasible, the Grantee shall be provided prior notice of the condition and allowed seventy -two (72) hours to complete the necessary restoration work itself. Section 7. Construction — Other Lines and Facilities. (a) All construction or installation of such water lines and facilities, service, repair or relocation of same, performed above, along or within the county rights -of -way or other county property subject to this franchise shall be done in such a manner as not to interfere with the construction and maintenance of other utilities' lines, public or private, drains, drainage ditches and structures, irrigation ditches and structures located therein, nor change the drainage flow therein, nor interfere with the grading or improvement of such county roads, rights -of -way or other county property. (b) The owners of all utilities, public or private, installed prior in time to the line and facilities of the Grantee shall have preference as to the positioning and location of such utilities so installed with respect to the Grantee. Such preference shall continue in the event of the necessity of relocating or changing the grade of any such county road or right -of -way. Section 8. Construction - Public Safety and Inconvenience. All work done under this franchise shall be done in a thorough and workmanlike manner. In the laying of water lines and the construction of facilities within rights -of -way or other county property, the Grantee shall leave such trenches, ditches and tunnels in such a way as to interfere as little as possible with public travel and shall take all due and necessary precautions to guard the same, so that damage or injury shall not occur or arise by reason of such work; and Page 5 of 12 M where any of such trenches, ditches, or tunnels are left open at night, the Grantee shall place wanting lights and barricades at such a position as to give adequate warning of such work, per the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). The Grantee shall be liable for any injury to person or persons or damage to property sustained through its carelessness or neglect, or through any failure or neglect to properly guard or give warning of any trenches, ditches or tunnels dug or maintained by the Grantee. Section 9. CoInty Rights Reserved. The County of Whatcom in granting this franchise, does not waive any rights which it has now or may hereafter acquire with respect to county roads, rights -of -way or other county property and this franchise shall not be construed to deprive the County of any powers, rights or privileges which it now has or may hereafter acquire to regulate the use of and to control the county roads, rights -of -way or other County property covered by this franchise. This franchise shall be subject to the power of eminent domain, and in any proceeding under eminent domain, the franchise itself shall have no value. Section 10. Relocation of Lines and Facilities. (a) If the County of Whatcom shall improve or change any county road, right -of -way or other county property subject to this franchise by grading or regrading, planking or paving the same, changing the grade, altering, changing, repairing or relocating the same or by constructing drainage facilities, or in the event that such county road, right -of -way or other county property subject to this franchise shall become a Primary State Highway as provided by law, the Grantee shall, at its sole expense and within six months or a reasonable time, whichever is longer,2 following written notice from the Director of Public Works or the Director of Highways, change the location or readjust the elevation of its water lines and facilities so that the same shall not interfere with such County work and so that such lines and facilities shall conform to such new grades or routes as may be established. The County of Whatcom shall not be liable for damage to said Grantee that may occur by reason of any of the County's improvements, changes or works above enumerated; except in the event said damage is caused by the sole gross negligence or intentionally wrongful acts of the County or its agents. Page 6 of 12 (b) All work to be performed by the Grantee under this section shall be under the direction and approval, and shall pass the inspection of the Director of Public Works. The Grantee shall pay all actual and necessary costs and expenses incurred in the examination, inspection and approval of such work. Section 11. County Road Work Permitted. The laying, construction, operation and maintenance of the Grantee's water lines and facilities authorized by this franchise shall not preclude the County of Whatcom, its agents or its contractors from blasting, grading, excavating or doing other necessary road work contiguous to the said lines and facilities of the Grantee provided that the Grantee shall be given seventy -two (72) hours notice of said blasting or other work in order that the Grantee may protect its lines and facilities. Section 12. Monuments and Survey Markers. (a) Before any work is performed under this franchise which may affect any existing monuments or markers of any nature relating to subdivisions, plats, roads and all other surveys, the Grantee shall reference all such monuments and markers. The reference points shall be so located that they will not be disturbed during the Grantee's operations under this franchise. The method of referencing these monuments or other points to be referenced shall be approved by the Director of Public Works. The replacement of all such monuments or other points to be referenced shall be approved by the Director of Public Works. The replacement of all such monuments or markers disturbed during construction shall be made as expeditiously as conditions permit, and as directed by the Director of Public Works. The cost of monuments or other markers lost, destroyed or disturbed, and the expense of replacement by approved monuments shall be borne by the Grantee. (b) A complete set of reference notes for monuments and other ties shall be filed with the Whatcom County Director of Public Works. Section 13. Vacations. 2 See footnote 1. Page 7 of 12 If at any time the County of Whatcom shall vacate any county road, right -of -way or other county property which is subject to the rights granted by this franchise, then the Council of Whatcom County may at its option and by giving thirty (30) days written notice to the Grantee, terminate this franchise with reference to such county road, right -of -way or other county property so vacated and the County of Whatcom shall not be liable for any damages or loss to the Grantee by reason of such termination. Prior to vacation, the County of Whatcom shall, at the request of franchisee, reserve for the benefit of Grantee an easement for the water lines and facilities in the subject right of way or county property. Section 14. Indemnification. (a) The Grantee by acceptance of the privileges granted hereunder, does hereby agree and covenant to indemnify, defend, and save harmless Whatcom County and those persons who were, are now, or shall be duly elected or appointed officials or members or employees thereof, against and from any loss, damage, costs, charges, expenses, liability, claims, demands or judgments of whatsoever kind or nature, whether to persons or property, arising wholly or partially out of any act, action, neglect, omissions or default on the part of the Grantee, its subcontractors and/or employees which may occur by reason of construction, operation and maintenance of the Grantee's said water lines and facilities. In case that suit or action is brought against the County of Whatcom for damages arising out of or by reason of the above - mentioned causes, the Grantee will upon notice to it of the filing of a claim or the commencement of said action, appear and defend the same at its sole cost and expense, and in case judgment shall be rendered against the County of Whatcom in suit or action, the Grantee will fully satisfy said judgment within ninety (90) days after said suit or action shall have finally been determined, if determined adversely to Whatcom County. Upon the Grantee's failure to satisfy said judgment within a ninety (90) day period, this franchise shall at once cease and terminate and the County of Whatcom shall have a lien upon the water lines and all other facilities used in the construction, operation and maintenance of the Grantee's water system, which may be enforced against the property for the full amount of any such judgment so taken against Whatcom County. (b) Acceptance by the County of any work performed by the Grantee at the time of completion shall not be grounds for avoidance of this covenant. Page 8 of 12 Section 15. Non - Exclusive Franchise. This franchise shall not be deemed to be an exclusive franchise. It shall in no manner prohibit the County of Whatcom from granting other franchises of a like nature or franchises for other public or private utilities under, along, across, over and upon any of the county roads, rights -of -way, or other County property subject to franchise, and shall in no way prevent or prohibit the County of Whatcom from constructing, altering, maintaining, using or vacating any of said roads, rights -of -way, drainage structures or facilities, irrigation structure or facilities, or any other County property or affect its jurisdiction over them with full power to make all necessary changes, relocations, repairs, and maintenance as the County may deem fit. Section 16. Successors and Assignees. All the provisions, conditions, regulations and requirements herein contained shall be binding upon the successors and assignees of the Grantee, and all privileges, as well as all obligations and liabilities of the Grantee shall inure to its successors and assigns equally as if they were specifically mentioned wherever the Grantee is mentioned herein. Section 17. Transferability. Neither this franchise nor any interest therein shall be sold, transferred or assigned without prior consent in writing of the Council of Whatcom County, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Section 18. Incorporation. Whenever any of the county roads, rights -of -way or other county property as designated in this franchise, by reason of the subsequent incorporation of any town or city, or extension of the limits of any town or city, shall fall within the city or town limits, this franchise shall continue in force and affect as to all county roads, rights -of -way or other county property not so included in city or town limits. Section 19. Enforcement/Remedies. If the Grantee shall willfully violate, or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this Page 9 of 12 franchise through willful or unreasonable neglect, or fail to heed or comply with any notice given the Grantee under the provisions of this franchise, then the said Grantee shall forfeit all rights conferred hereby, and this franchise may be revoked or annulled by the Council of Whatcom County. In addition to any rights implied or set out elsewhere in this ordinance, the Council reserves the right to require the Grantee to specifically comply with the terms and conditions of the franchise ordinance, or any lawful order, statute, or regulation, and this franchise may be terminated at any time if the Grantee's lines and facilities are not operated or maintained in accordance with such ordinance, statute, order or regulation. Section 20. Reservation of Home Rule Charter Rights. This franchise is subject to the provisions of the Home Rule Charter for Whatcom County and, in particular, Section 9.30 thereof which provides as follows: All franchises granted by the County Council shall be for a fixed term not to exceed twenty -five (25) years and no exclusive fianchise shall be granted for the use of any street, road, or public place. All franchises shall be subject to the power of eminent domain and the right of the Council or the people acting for themselves through initiative or referendum to repeal, amend or modify the franchise in the interest of the public; and every ordinance granting a franchise shall contain a reservation of these rights. In any proceeding under eminent domain the franchise itself shall have no value. Section 21. Compliance with Laws and Regulations. This franchise is subject to, and the Grantee shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, County or municipal laws, regulations and policies affecting performance under this franchise. Section 22. Insurance. (a) Upon acceptance of this franchise, the Grantee shall, at the discretion and request of the County, file with the Whatcom County Council, and shall thereafter, during the entire term of such franchise, maintain in full force and effect, a corporate insurance policy or other adequate surety agreement in the amount of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) for property damage coverage, and ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) for general liability coverage, so as to protect the County against damages or costs as set forth in Section 14 above, Page 10 of 12 and there shall be recoverable, jointly and separately from the principal and surety, any such damages or costs suffered or incurred by the County, including attorneys' fees and costs of any action, or proceedings, and including the full amount of any compensation, indemnification, cost of removal of any property or other costs which may be incurred up to the full principal amount of such insurance policy; and said condition shall be a continuing obligation during the entire term of such franchise and thereafter until Grantee shall have satisfied in full any and all obligations to the County and any user which arise out of or pertain to said franchise. Neither the provisions of this section, nor any insurance policy accepted by the County pursuant hereto, nor any damages recovered by the County thereunder, shall be construed to excuse faithful performance by the Grantee, or limit the liability of the Grantee under any franchise issued pursuant to this ordinance. (b) The County reserves the right to have its legislative body review the dollar amount of said insurance policy and adjust the amount of coverage as deemed appropriate upon an annual basis. Section 23. License, Tax and Other Charges. No privileges or rights granted hereunder shall exempt Grantee from any future uniform rent, license, tax charge or impost which may hereafter be required by the Grantor, for revenue or as reimbursement for use and occupancy of public ways, and failure to timely remit any sums properly due thereby, shall be cause for forfeiture of rights hereunder. Section 24. Repealer. All other prior existing franchises granted by Whatcom County to the Hilltop Water Owners Association shall be repealed, and, the terms of the franchise granted hereunder shall become effective at such time as an acceptance of franchise is filed by the Grantee with the County in accordance with Section 2 herein. Section 25. Severabilitv. If any portion of the ordinance is deemed invalid the remainder will remain in effect. Section 26. Titles. Page 11 of 12 The section titles used herein are for reference only and should not be used for the purpose of interpreting this ordinance. Adopted this 27th day of September i OOUKTY : r ram i � • APPROVED AS TO FORM: Daniel L. Gibson, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 2005. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON 'e' ( - CHAIRPERSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE '27. .2-avc DATE Published on _ . 17 and aJ� . A!kl o2 &VS. This ordinance shall become effective on OdQL ,1- ! % aens- Page 12 of 12 Exhibit B ACCEPTANCE OF FRANCHISE Hilltop Water Owners Association The Whatcom County Council at its meeting of September 27, 2005, adopted Ordinance 2005 -071 approving the petition for franchise filed by Hilltop Water Owners Association. The petition and all related documents are available for review in the Council Office as file number 2005 -362. Hilltop Water Owners Association hereby accepts, subject to all the conditions contained in Ordinance 2005 -071, that certain non - exclusive franchise to construct, erect, operate, maintain, repair and replace water lines and related facilities in, along, and across county roads, or portions thereof. The rights and privileges granted herein shall apply to all roads and public ways listed, including all portions of rights -of -way abutting said roads and public ways, as follows: Within Sections 4, 5, 9, and 10, Township 37 North, Range 1 East, W.M., in Whatcom County Washington. The rights and privileges shall also apply to the portions of roads and rights -of -way that are part of or that abut those portions of roads that lie just over the section lines that bisect or intersect the listed roads. Granting of this franchise becomes official upon receipt from the petitioner of this signed and notarized document, and payment by petitioner of publication costs incurred by the County Council Office. This A T ,'k�, , shall be in effect for a period of twenty -five (25) years. J .'wHA •QE,' %� O: Dana BjownM bVJI,'7 Clerk oT4 e•eo*n%l 1t111111111"IM WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON `� curie Caskey -Sch eiber Council Chair I:\SHARED \FRANCHISES\Acceptance of Franchises \Hilltop Water Owners Assn.Oct 3,2005.doc for thq petitioner, Hilltop Water Owners Association: &AMM/ Date. State of Washington ) ss. County of Whatcom ) • • • 1 • • • • • . • r 11 • • ;...�I ! IT _. --" O.CAL� ASS r ♦ ; •'' IOij j'••Q, �4 - 0 t407-,4 U M: y N ' %13LIC y WASVA%V : r Notary Public in and forlte Sta-Ae of Was hi residing at -, —, &J4 n _ My notary commission expires I:\SHARED \FRANCHISES\Acceptance of Franchises \Hilltop Water Owners Assn.Oct 3,2005.doc 2051003531 Page: 1 of 15 10/19/2005 9 %42 AM FRAN $46.00 Whateom County, WA Request of= WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL RETURN DOCUMENT TO: MARINA ENGELS WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL OFFICE DOCUMENT TITLE: ORDINANCE 2005 -071 GRANTING A NON - EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TO HILLTOP WATER OWNERS ASSOCIATION FOR A PERIOD OF 25 YEARS PURSUANT TO STATE LAW AND SECTION 9.30 OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER, AND TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN WATER LINES AND FACILITIES ALONG CERTAIN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF WHATCOM COUNTY REFERENCE NUMBER(S) OF DOCUMENTS ASSIGNED OR RELEASED: ORDINANCE NUMBER 2005 -071 GRANTOR(S): Whatcom County GRANTEE(S): HILLTOP WATER OWNERS ASSOCIATION ABBREVIATED LEGAL DESCRIPTION (Lot, block, plat, or section, township, range) None Additional legal description can be found on page of document. ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NUMBER: None