HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole August 6 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee of the Whole
August 6, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann and Pete
Kremen.
Absent: Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. CONSULTANT DLR GROUP TO PRESENT A JAIL PLANNING UPDATE (AB2013-
04213)
Bill Valdez, DLR Group Principal and Programming and Planning Study Project
Leader, submitted and read from a presentation (on file). Whatcom County has more
alternatives and programs within its correctional system than most counties in the state and
in the region. There isn't a lot more they can add to the program.
Knutzen asked the federal requirement of square footage per inmate. Valdez stated
the unencumbered space requirement is 25 square feet in a cell and 35 square feet in a day
room. There is additional square footage needed for support spaces.
Kremen asked the time between phase one and phase two. Valdez stated it depends
on growth and need. The total bed count of 649 is based on projections in 25 years. The
time frame would be 15 to 25 years.
Kremen asked about the impact from the legalization of the sale and distribution of
marijuana.
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, stated sale and distribution remains illegal. Many of those
sentences that were in the State prison will this year come back to the County jail. There
will probably be a higher percentage in the County jail based on statutory sentencing
schemes.
Valdez continued the presentation on the technical site information. The
archaeological assessment resulted in no significant archaeological material on the site. The
geotechnical assessment shows two dense clay layers that prevent drainage, but are good
for bearing capacity, allowing cost - effective building foundation techniques. The
environmental assessment result indicates there are no hazardous materials on the site.
There is no leaching or contaminant on the site. The traffic study indicates there will have
to be traffic mitigation and improvements along the LaBounty Road frontage. They will plan
for a three - quarters road, which includes improvement and widening on the west side of
LaBounty Road, but nothing on the east side of LaBounty Road. They always anticipated
this need. There are level of service issues at nearby intersections, but those level of
service deficiencies already exist. Developing this size provides only an incremental
lowering of the existing failing level of service. There is a two to six percent traffic load
Special Committee of the Whole, 8/6/2013, Page 1
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from development of the LaBounty site, which would cause mitigation fees on those
intersections.
Reid Shockey, Shockey Planning Group, continued the presentation on the
supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS). This is a supplemental EIS, meaning
they will use all the work done through 2010 that is still pertinent to the site. The
supplemental EIS process allows using an incomplete EIS to update it based on new
information and reissue it.
Mann thanked DLR Group for the presentation and meeting with him yesterday.
They now have a specific number of beds required at 521 beds. That's a good number.
He's happy to hear about the results of the technical analysis.
Kremen stated he agrees with Councilmember Mann. The presentation is detailed,
informed, and encouraging. He is concerned about a proposed large retail development in
that general area and whether they've considered that development in terms of traffic.
Valdez stated the traffic report does not consider any future development. The traffic
analysis looks only at the subject development.
Mann asked to hear an update about State law changes to sentencing requirements
that require the last 24 to 48 months of a State prison sentence being served locally.
Valdez described recent changes in other locations. The State is in the process of pushing
those inmates to the County level. This jail proposal allows additional capacity to be
developed quickly. If the State decides to implement a four -year local service requirement,
this jail proposal is designed to add additional beds. They tried to plan for current needs
and also for future growth and large policy changes. The County should be able to
accommodate those changes.
Kershner invited the public to mingle with the DLR Group representatives.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:47 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on September 10, 2013.
ATTEST:
Council Clerk
- Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Kathy Kershner, Council Chair
Special Committee of the Whole, 8/6/2013, Page 2