HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works May 25 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Safety Committee
May 25, 2010
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 :32 :30 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner and Ken Mann.
Absent: Carl Weimer.
Also Present: Sam Crawford and Bill Knutzen.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE FROM BRIAN HOBI, THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S APPOINTED
REPRESENTATIVE ON THE WHATCOM COUNTY LAW AND JUSTICE COUNCIL
(AB2010 -216)
Brian Hobi, Law and Justice Council, stated the Law and Justice Council doesn't have
any direction or means to dialog with the County Council at this time. They are looking for
direction and dialog from the Council about what this group can do in a more coordinated
manner, to be more helpful to achieving their mission.
Brenner stated she would like to take a break to await the arrival of other
councilmembers.
(Clerk's Note: The Committee took a break from 1 :34 to 1 :42 p.m.) (1 :42 :43 PM)
Hobi stated he sent an email to the Council. He read the email (on file). The
members are quality people doing the best they can with the resources available. The
group is looking for a project and specific purpose. The main issue in the group is the jail.
The group would like to have formal structure and dialog to be engaged in the process of
getting the jail built.
Discussion included meeting on a quarterly basis instead of monthly basis; past
committee recommendations and priorities; a 2008 report that was prepared and never
approved; possibly duplicating efforts with an administrative committee on the Superior
Court; the requirements of Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 72; using the group
to make recommendations for budget cuts and reorganization in the criminal justice
system; the Executive's role in negotiations with department heads and creating the
budget; an upcoming presentation on the status of the jail; the potential size of the new
jail; reviewing triage procedures for incoming inmates, and; the Law and Justice Council
membership.
Public Works and Safety Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 1
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Mann stated he would like the Law and Justice Council to discuss and advise on jail
issues such as size, design parameters, mental health and substance abuse triage, capacity,
necessary features, and similar issues.
The following person answered questions:
• Richard Maneval, Law and Justice Council Chair
Brenner stated the committee can't answer questions for the Law and Justice Council
today. With the jail presentation, the County Council may decide what it wants the Law and
Justice Council to do.
2. PRESENTATION BY JOSEPH HUGHES, STATE DIRECTOR (WA) FOR G021, ON
THE NATIONAL NON - PROFIT'S MISSION TO BUILD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR
FREIGHT RAIL (AB2010 -217) (2:14:39 PM)
Joseph Hughes, Go21 State Director, gave a report on Go21 funding sources,
building support for pending federal legislation to build freight rail capacity, and influencing
Representative Larsen. He described a pending federal Act regarding freight rail and
associated economic benefits. They need 120 co- sponsors of the Act in Congress.
Discussion included how this could benefit the Port of Bellingham; working with the
Council of Governments (COG); whether this could be of use at Cherry Point and in other
County locations; the current demand for freight rail use; the economic benefit of using rail;
British Columbia (BC) development of Prince Rupert as a major shipping receiving hub,
which will divert economic benefits from this area; keeping traffic around the trains flowing
when trains stop at the border; why these for - profit companies need a tax credit, if they're
in business to make money and provide a service; not getting cooperation from the railroad
on certain issues; lack of capacity to move goods efficiently, and; integrating rail
transportation in growth planning.
The following people spoke:
• Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, answered questions.
• Bob Wiesen, 3314 Douglas Road, stated rail is the most efficient way to move
long distance freight. However, rail isn't melding well with small business
truckers. Rail can't deliver services. Material often doesn't arrive on time.
That's why railroads keep getting beat by truckers. The State made
investments in rail quality between Seattle and Bellingham to accommodate
passenger trains. Highway use funds are subsidizing mass transit and
passenger rail. The rail companies have problems they need to solve. The
proposal isn't necessarily improper. It's a tax break for industry. He's not
necessarily against it. Railroads and truckers must work together. The public
hates railroad.
Crawford asked for a model letter or resolution for the Council to consider. Hughes
stated he can provide that model document. Because they need support from
Representative Larsen fairly soon, he won't have time to work with COG.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Public Works and Safety Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 2
1 ADJOURN
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3 The meeting adjourned at 2:51 p.m.
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Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council4o.w hatcom .wa.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Safety Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 3