HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1993-071WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 93 -488
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office:
Agenda
date
Assigned to:
linator: Gordon Rogers
Division Head: Daniel W. Taylor
and Edwin R. Henken
11 -23 -93
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DEC I ' ���
WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
12/7/93
Finance Council
-911
11 -23 -93
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
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Purchasing /Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT. National Highways System (NHS) funds totalling $790,000 are available for local projects.
Planning proposes a land use and traffic 'circulation plan in cooperation with the Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT), County Engineering, the City of Lynden, and the Whatcom
Transportation Authority (WTA). County Engineering proposes a traffic control project near the airport.
Both projects meet the criteria for funding; the total cost for the two is well- within the total of available
funds. Council support for these important projects will enhance the probability they will be funded.
A TTACHMENTS.
Proposed Resolution with project descriptions
SUMMARY STATEMENT.- Please complete sections of box as appropriate & explain the item below.
Related County contract #: Should Clerk schedule a hearing? NO /X/ YES / / Requested date:
,count budgeted for this item /project: S Is it (or will it be) within budget? YES / / NO / / (Please explain below)
Budget line item number(s):
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) established the (NHS) system which has
been funded. Funding distribution is based on NHS miles per jurisdiction, but the NHS funds are not
required to be spent on NHS system roads. Bellingham has 4.90 miles, Whatcom County .59 miles, of
NHS roadway; the $790,000 available funding is based on those miles. The funding is subject to
competitive application, and while unincorporated Whatcom County contains a small proportion of NHS
roadway, a comprehensive Guide Meridian plan and traffic controls in the vicinity of Bellingham
International Airport would contribute greatly to regional and intermodal transportation coherence within
the County. The requested funds for the two projects total $405,350. Local matching funds will be
obtained from the County Roads fund, WSDOT, and the City of Lynden. The WTA will seek approval to
participate from their board. No new County funds are being sought in concert with these projects.
ORIGINATOR'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Director of Land Use and Economic Planning, and the
Whatcom County Engineer, recommend County Council adopt the proposed resolution supporting these
important intermodal projects.
COMMITTEE ACTION TAKEN:
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN:
12/7/93: Council approved the resolution. 7-0.
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only): Res 93 -071
guidmerid.res 10/12/93 SPONSORED BY: consent
PROPOSED BY: Planning
INTRODUCTION DATE: 12/7/93
1 RESOLUTION NO.93 -071
2 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF' NATIONAL HIGHWAY
3 SYSTEM FUND GRANT REQUESTS FOR GUIDE MERIDIAN
4 CORRIDOR LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
5 AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS FOR THE BENNETT / BAKER -
6 VIEW / AIRPORT ROAD INTERSECTION
7 WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA)
8 requires establishment of a Nationally Significant Highways (NHS) system
9 which has been funded; and
10 WHEREAS, funding distribution is based on NHS miles per jurisdiction, but the
11 NHS funds are not required to-be spent on the NHS system, Bellingham has.
12 4.90 miles, Whatcom County .59 miles qualifying for funds that are subject to
13 competitive application, and while unincorporated Whatcom County contains
4 a small proportion of NHS roadway, a comprehensive Guide Meridian plan and
5 traffic controls in the vicinity of Bellingham International Airport would
16 contribute greatly to regional and intermodal transportation considerations; and
17 WHEREAS, a group of concerned agencies, citizens, and elected officials,
18 organized by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission under the leadership
19 of Sheriff Dale Brandland and named the Guide Meridian Corridor Safety
20 Committee, has met regularly for one year and found a need to address
21 concerns for traffic safety on Guide Meridian, and as part of its public process
22 found a high level of concern among users of the road; and
23 WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has
24 expressed concern for traffic safety and management in the Guide Meridian
25 corridor, and land use in the vicinity of Guide Meridian will continue as a
26 growth management concern, and will continue to impact traffic circulation on
27 Guide Meridian; and
28 WHEREAS, the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) has expressed
29 interest in enhancing its ability to safely serve public travel needs along the
30 Guide Meridian corridor; and
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1 WHEREAS, the high vehicle volume on W. Bakerview through Bennett Drive
2 and Airport Road warrant strong consideration for traffic controls including
3 signalization; and
4 WHEREAS, the affected section of W. Bakerview is the sole road section within
5 the unincorporated County that is part of the NHS and those traveling it are
6 currently impeded by a lack of adequate traffic controls; and
7 WHEREAS, WSDOT and the City of Lynden will provide local match funds for
8 the Guide Meridian Plan, Whatcom County Planning will provide staff time, and
9 the County Road Fund will be used for local match funds for traffic controls in
10 the vicinity of Bellingham International Airport.
11 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that
12 1. Whatcom County supports the expenditure of NHS funds for traffic controls in
13 the vicinity of the Bellingham International Airport and development of a
14 comprehensive land use and traffic plan for the Guide Meridian corridor.
15 2. Whatcom County will act as lead agency and be the fiscal agent for receiving
16 the National Highway System funds from the Washington State Department of
17 Transportation ( WSDOT). Engineering will be the sub -agent for airport related
8 traffic controls; Planning will be the sub -agent for the Guide Meridian plan.
19 3. Whatcom County will enter into interlocal agreements with WSDOT and the
20 City of Lynden to disperse the Guide Meridian plan funds in accordance with
21 the attached summary of tasks and costs.
22 APPROVED this 7th day of Dec. , 1993.
23
24 ATTEST:
25 �
26 Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Marge idlaw, Chair
27 AP PRO D as to form & content:
28
29 Karen N. Frakes, Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
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