HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works July 24 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
July 24, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(1:33:25 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann and Pete Kremen.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Kathy Kershner, Carl Weimer, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROPOSED RESOLUTION AMENDING THE
WHATCOM COUNTY SIX -YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
FOR THE YEARS 2013 THROUGH 2018 (AB2012 -243)
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and submitted comments
from the Bicycle /Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Knutzen referenced item 12, the Slater Road intersection, on Council packet page
64. He asked and there was discussion of the funding source and getting a dollar- for - dollar
match from the Lummi Tribe.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of the high accident rate at this intersection
being a safety issue.
Mann stated he won't vote for funding this item unless the Lummi Tribe contributes
to the project.
Knutzen referenced the Gooseberry Point pedestrian project. He asked and there
was discussion of the funding source and getting a dollar- for - dollar match from the Lummi
Tribe.
Brenner referenced the Slater Road and Northwest Drive roundabout. She stated
and there was discussion of doing a traffic light at that intersection instead of a roundabout.
She moved to recommend Introduction to the full Council. She moved to amend the title
to "Slater Road and Northwest Drive" and change the description to "intersection
improvement."
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 1
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Kremen asked and there was discussion of the difference in cost between a
roundabout and signalization.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
Mann asked and there was discussion of the ferry queuing line project cost being
double than what he thought it would be.
Crawford asked for information from the Public Works Department Director on the
discrepancy. There was discussion about councilmember cost expectations during lease
negotiations.
Kremen stated the County did not expect or intend to construct an elaborate queuing
system. The design was just to alleviate congestion in that area.
Brenner moved to amend project 39 to remove all funding for the project other
than the cost for re- striping and $5,000 for incidental costs in construction only as a
placeholder.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of the actual striping cost.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
(2:12:10 PM)
Mann asked and there was discussion of a radar speed sign cost for $150,000, when
they expected to pay $40,000.
Kremen stated the County committed to four signs at a cost of $40,000. These signs
were requested by the Lummi Nation. They should exempt the County from any
archaeological restrictions. Give the Lummi Nation the signs and let them install it
themselves.
The motion to recommend Introduction as amended carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
Jeff Margolis, Bicycle /Pedestrian Advisory Committee Past Chair, referenced and
there was discussion of item 23, the Potter Road /South Fork Nooksack River bridge project.
Don't vacate the right -of -way that the old bridge occupies.
Brenner stated she would like to continue this discussion at another meeting.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 2
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2. DISCUSSION REGARDING ON -SITE SEWAGE SYSTEM OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE REGULATIONS (AB2012 -255) (2:27:15 PM)
John Wolpers, Health Department, gave an introductory staff report.
Kyle Dodd, Health Department, referenced and read through the memo in the
Council packet and gave a staff report.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of how much money is spent on the
homeowner education classes.
Dodd concluded his staff report.
(2:42:55 PM)
Mann asked and there was discussion of why the City of Bellingham decided to not
continue funding.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of where the $408,000 goes, the number of
septic tanks in the county, and whether they can extend the low income loan program to
low income folks who can't afford to have their systems pumped.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether these regulations have resulted
in improvements in Drayton Harbor and Lake Whatcom water quality.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether the new fee structure would
allow the Health Department to enforce in the entire county.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether people who've already paid their
system fee would get a grace period from paying the new annual fee.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of the majority of the funding deficit being
due to the City and State are withdrawing $183,000 annually. It becomes yet another
unfunded mandate from the State, and it's the City's water system.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated and there was discussion of the reasons for the
City withdrawing from the program and how he recommends making sure that there is
funding for the mandated program.
The following people spoke:
• John Kirk stated let septic pumpers do inspections.
• Jim Clay stated he paid over $500 for his tank to be inspected and pumped.
That's a lot of money. He's only had to pump it twice since 1977. His system
works great.
• Ty Asmus on the Smith Road stated he's concerned about more regulation
and cost to the citizens. They are losing farmland due to over - regulation.
He's not in either of these critical watersheds.
• Greg Brown stated he has many things taken with his property taxes. The
Council should figure out something in the County budget instead.
• Wendy Harris stated they need more regulation to counter the 22 percent
compliance rate. This recommendation will lower the cost to septic owners.
The classes don't provide enough education to do the job correctly.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 3
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OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 4