HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works September 11 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
September 11, 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 :35:03 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann and Pete Kremen.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Carl Weimer.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. REPORT FROM THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON FERRY
RE- QUEUING PLAN AND UPDATE ON THE 55/45 FUNDING SPLIT AND
ELECTRONIC TICKETING (AB2012 -070A)
Mike McKenzie, Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee Chair, submitted and read
from a handout (on file) and gave a committee report. The Advisory Committee
recommends two queuing lanes, which meets the contract with the Lummi Nation, which is
to reduce the backup on the roadway. Two lanes are sufficient to handle about 95 percent
of the ferry runs. The Committee also recommends language for signage.
Next, the former Ferry Task Force recommended in 2011 an immediate technology
solution for ticketing that was aimed at using credit cards and more effectively collecting
data. The Advisory Committee had a great report from Committee Member Josh Zender,
and would like to further study options for electronic ticketing. In the short term, find a
way to use credit cards to purchase tickets online and continue using punch cards. In the
middle term, investigate evolving technology that is becoming cost effective and easier to
use. The committee sent out a request for information (RFI) and received one response,
which was very useful. The Committee will make a more formal recommendation and
proposal.
The Advisory Committee formally recommends that there be security on site at
Gooseberry Point after dark when the ferry is operating. Security was also a
recommendation of the Task Force. Access to the parking lot and security will go away mid -
November. After November, there is no more security, and no budget for it.
Kremen asked what kind of security they would like. McKenzie stated security was
discussed in the context of personal safety security rather than personal property security.
The concern is about the long, dark nights in the fall and winter, including walking alone on
a public road from the public parking. The Committee has talked about it in terms of risk
management for the County.
Kremen asked if they are talking about lighting, video recording, or a personal
security presence. McKenzie stated they haven't discussed it to that detail, yet. That's the
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 1
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next step to explore, and then the Committee will bring forward a recommendation on what
may work best for everyone.
McKenzie stated the last issue is that the Committee is still reviewing the 55/45
operating cost distribution. The Committee needs more time on this complex issue. The
number one thing will be to make sure it's reviewed annually, as it states in the ordinance.
It hasn't been looked at it for several years.
2. UPDATE ON STATUS AND ASSOCIATED COSTS OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT LUMMI FERRY LEASE
AGREEMENT (AB2012 -294) (1:44:45 PM)
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, referenced and read from Council packet pages
166 to 167, the summary of the Lummi ferry lease agreement action items, and gave a staff
report.
The radar speed signs will require conical shaft foundations, according to a geo-
technical structure engineer. One reason is that they are cheaper than a standard concrete
shaft. Another reason is that the signs have to be installed by the end of November. There
must be permits and archeological review. He described the process of drilling for a
foundation. They intend to have four of the radar signs installed in October.
Mann asked who will maintain the radar speed signs. Rutan stated the County will
maintain the signs.
Kremen asked if the signs are solar powered. Rutan stated they are. Staff had to
videotape each location to determine the appropriate solar panel sizes, which are very
different for each location.
Brenner asked what happens if there is bad weather for a long time. Rutan stated
the panels are sized for this environment and shade. The panels charge a battery. The City
and State Department of Transportation (DOT) have installed solar signs, and have not had
problems. The lighting on the pedestrian walkway is also solar.
Kremen asked if there is any electrical backup. Rutan stated there is not.
Kremen asked if they work all the time. Rutan stated they do. The technology has
evolved. The City - installed signs on 30th Street have had no issues, and they've been in for
three or four years. They charge a battery during the day, so they work at night. The sign
only illuminates when a vehicle approaches. The technology is new for Whatcom County,
but not new for other jurisdictions in the area. The County is learning from the other
agencies.
Regarding the installation of traffic calming measures, the County and Lummi Nation
have agreed on a project map. He described the project.
The work on the queuing project is happening right now.
The County committed to doing the engineering necessary for scoping the
Gooseberry Point pedestrian project and coming up with a project estimate. A lot of the
issues will be regarding alternatives analysis. Since it's not the County's project, the Lummi
Nation needs to make decisions on how to do this. The result of the preliminary engineering
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is alternative analysis with associated costs. At that point, the project transfers to the
Lummi Nation, which will decide on moving forward.
Mann asked if there is protection from dragging out the process and for limiting the
available alternatives in the draft alternative analysis.
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated it's in the best interest of the
Lummi Nation to make a decision, since the County is holding the money until they make
their decision. The County is not in a hurry to spend the $1 million or $2 million that it is
holding for this project. The County just wants to be in a position where the Lummi Nation
can't blame the County for holding up the project.
Mann stated it sounds like the County staff are communicating efficiently with them.
Rutan stated there is a lot of coordination between the two agencies. The County will
present the draft to the Lummi Nation in October, for initial feedback.
Mann asked to be informed when that will be done.
Kremen stated this project is primarily engineering work. Rutan stated it is just
preliminary engineering.
Kremen asked if the County is paying for any of the construction. Rutan stated the
construction project belongs to the Lummi Nation. If the Lummi Nation chooses expensive
and intricate features, the County won't be responsible for it. The County will give them the
preliminary engineering work, and they will have to make a lot of decisions on some of the
features they want, such as landscaping and lights.
Abart stated the County is pretty much done with its preliminary engineering. They
may have a few things to do yet, but the plans are developed. The County has met its
commitment.
Rutan stated that is correct. The commitment was to do preliminary engineering so
the project could compete for project funding.
Mann asked if they can use the $2 million that is part of the six -year plan. Rutan
stated they can. The Lummi Nation can release that money dollar- for - dollar, if the County
agrees on it. The County probably wants a memorandum of understanding that the County
won't maintain expensive extra concrete work, if they want it. The County will maintain the
types of features it already maintains.
Mann asked if any checks written for that project will come through the Council.
Rutan stated it is on the six -year program. He will prepare a project -based budget for the
project to account for the money. The County will look at the safety issues of a project, but
not things such as extensive landscaping.
Abart stated he will bring all this back to the Council. It will be a sensitive issue. He
wants to make sure everyone knows up front.
3. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE WHATCOM
COUNTY 2013 ANNUAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM (AB2012 -299)
(1:59:02 PM)
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 3
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Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and submitted the annual
construction program packet.
Mann asked if it's based on the six -year plan the Council already approved. Rutan
stated it is. This is the first year of the six -year program, except for item three, the Birch
Bay pedestrian facility. The County received $374,324 in Surface Transportation Program
(STP) enhancement funds for the design.
Brenner asked if the costs are taken care of. Rutan stated he expects to expend
$100,000 this year, which leaves available grant funds of $274,000 after that. The grant is
100 percent, with no match required. The amount they ask for in terms of budgetary
authority will be the same.
The second item is about a $400,000 grant the County received for item 37, ferry
dock improvements. They expected to spend $1.5 million for the project overall, to upgrade
and improve the docks. They were going to split that over two years. With this grant, they
can move the full project up to this year. The overall cost of this project isn't changing,
they are just moving year two work into year one.
Abart stated the work was originally scheduled this year, and then it was delayed to
next year.
Rutan stated the program is shown in the six year program as unfunded for 2014.
Now it is funded in year 2013.
Kremen asked if they will contract out the work. Rutan stated the project is
contracted out.
Mike McKenzie stated the striping at Gooseberry Point is not yet done. There are
concerns about temporary disabled parking and service vehicle temporary parking during
dry dock. They are one -third of the way through dry dock without having those things.
Bill Lee stated the striping trucks were out there today.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:06 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.whatcom.wa.us
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 4