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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works October 26 20101 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Public Works and Safety Committee October 26, 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 :06 PM) Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer. Absent: None. Also Present: None. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SIX -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR WHATCOM COUNTY FACILITIES (2011 -2016) AND RELATED AMENDMENTS (AB2010 -355) (1 :32 :16 PM) Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report. (1:35:25 PM) The following people answered questions: • Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department • Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator Discussion regarding parks included whether the Council has another opportunity to address specific projects when they come forward for approval; the reason the Planning Commission removed the South Fork Regional Park and its associated funding; the history of the Bay to Baker Trail; whether they could improve park projects if they weren't in the plan; the ongoing maintenance and enforcement requirements; the high cost of the Bay to Baker trail; lack of community support for the South Fork Regional Park conceptual plan; an adjoining property owner that doesn't want to allow public access; public access from the north end of the South Fork Regional Park; a developed park requiring additional Sheriff deputy presence; potential additional criminal activity in a developed and advertised South Fork Regional Park; the status of the Coast Millennium Trail; making the Comprehensive Plan, Economic Development Investment (EDI) plan, and budget align; the difference between the Parks Plan and the Comprehensive Plan; not developing more parks and trails in this economy, and; a comparison of projected project costs. Weimer moved to recommend that the Council reinstate the South Fork Regional Park and Bay to Baker Trail in the plan. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mann and Weimer (2) Nays: Brenner (1) Public Works and Safety Committee, 10/26/2010, Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Discussion regarding the jail included the level of service; projected jail bed needs; diverting jail funds to prevention and jail alternative programs; the cost of housing and caring for jail inmates; different formulas for level of service standards; which levels of service don't need to be stated in the plan, and; the discrepancy between a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for a new jail and this plan. Weimer moved to recommend approval with one approved amendment to the full Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Mann and Weimer (2) Nays: Brenner (1) There was discussion of scheduling a public hearing since there was a change to the Planning Commission recommendation. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Please contact the Council Office to obtain an official, signed copy: 360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair Public Works and Safety Committee, 10/26/2010, Page 2