HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole June 7 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
June 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (1:31:48 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Sam Crawford, Bill Knutzen, Kathy
Kershner, Carl Weimer and Tony Larson.
Absent: None.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE FROM THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY TASK FORCE - AB2011 -187
Barbara Ryan, Lummi Island Ferry Task Force Chair, submitted and read from a
handout (on file). She described the qualifications of the various Task Force members and
summarized the topics researched. She asked if there is any information the
councilmembers want the Task Force to work on during the remainder of their time.
The following people answered questions:
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Dan Gibson, Prosecutor's Office
Brenner asked and there was discussion of needs -based fares.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Potentially reducing the level of service.
• The reason the ferry crew can't take credit cards for fare payment at this
time.
Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• The target revenue amount.
• Whether the Task Force will provide the County Council with a group of
recommendations and analysis of other ideas that weren't recommended.
Crawford stated they are getting to the upper end of the fare.
Kershner thanked the Task Force members for their work. She asked and there was
discussion of collecting revenues for ferry parking.
Larson thanked the Task Force members. He asked and there was discussion of:
• The general ideas from the members.
Special Committee of the Whole, 6/7/2011, Page 1
• Whether the Task Force is receiving all the assistance it needs from County
staff.
• Whether the Task Force will meet its August deadline.
Patricia Dunn, Lummi Island Ferry Task Force Member, described potential
improvements in fund transparency.
Jim Dickinson, Lummi Island Ferry Task Force Member, described upcoming
meetings with other ferry organizations.
William Lee stated he thanks the Council for creating the Task Force. The group has
already saved the County thousands of dollars. Allow the Task Force to make it's
recommendations, and make the community aware that the Council will make the decisions.
There are no easy solutions. Changing the level of service will change the community,
which they may have to do. Be careful in making that decision.
Rayma Blake stated she travels on the ferry mid -day. A mid -day break in ferry
service would change her ability to be part of the Bellingham infrastructure. The Task Force
seems to be trying to make its recommendations while maintaining island diversity.
Crawford described and there was discussion of the status of the lease contract.
OTHER ITEMS
There were no other items.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:17 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on June 21 , 2011.
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
Special Committee of the Whole, 6/7/2011, Page 2