HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works July 13 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Safety Committee
July 13, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:54 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Sam Crawford.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION WITH PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION REGARDING QUIET
TITLE OF COUNTY RIGHTS -OF -WAY (AB2010 -235) (1:54:23 PM)
Dan Gibson, Prosecutor's Office, gave a staff report and described the legal process.
It may not be a good use of the Council's time to review these items, but he can bring it to
their attention if they wish. Councilmember Brenner expressed a wish to review these in
case property may be valuable for future stormwater detention use, particularly in the Lake
Whatcom watershed. The plat in question is appropriate for a quiet title action.
Discussion included whether the Public Works Department analyzes potential future
use of the right -of -way; formally recognizing what has happened in the past rather than
approving a vacation now; the petitioner's responsibility to prove an area was never used;
the benefit to citizens to acquiesce to quiet title; a 1909 law regarding unopened roads; the
lack of any aerial evidence until the 1950's; the impossibility of proving whether a right -of-
way has ever been used; whether the County would ever have to prove that the right -of-
way was open at some point, and; a change of boundary lines and tax roles if the right -of-
way goes through quiet title.
Brenner stated there is no way anyone can prove that the right -of -way has never
been used for some kind of traffic. Don't vacate rights -of -way in the Lake Whatcom
watershed. Gibson stated the practical effect is that these would all go to trial.
Brenner moved to recommend to the full Council that the County no longer vacate
any more rights -of -way in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Public Works and Safety Committee, 7/13/2010, Page 1
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Ayes: Brenner and Mann (2)
Nays: Weimer (1)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WHATCOM COUNTY SIX -YEAR
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 2011
THROUGH 2016 (AB2010 -269)
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, submitted a map (on file) and gave a staff
report.
Discussion included traffic calming devices; (2:21:18 PM) developing a process to
deal with projects on a worst first basis; using the City of Bellingham's traffic calming
regulations and process; how realistic the projected revenues are; whether the projections
take funding reductions into account; whether the State will contribute to the Birch Bay
Lynden Road and Blaine Road intersection; which projects have secured versus anticipated
funding; projected revenue increases in 2015, and; how they developed estimates for the
ferry.
The following person answered questions:
• Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director
Brenner moved to recommend introduction to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner and Weimer (2)
Nays: None (0)
Abstain: Mann (1)
2. REQUEST REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE 2010 -2011 INTEGRATED
ROADSIDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN (AB2010 -268)
Brenner stated that in the future, indicate changes from the previous year.
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated the program hasn't changed.
Brenner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Public Works and Safety Committee, 7/13/2010, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�o.w hatcom .w a.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Safety Committee, 7/13/2010, Page 3