HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole October 26 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
October 26, 2010
CALL TO ORDER (9:32 :37 AM)
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann, L. Ward
Nelson and Carl Weimer
Absent: Bill Knutzen
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. CONTINUED DISCUSSION REGARDING FERRY FARES (AB2010 -354)
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated a result of the last meeting is
new rate increases options 7 through twelve. He is looking for direction to develop an
ordinance, including the rate structure and supporting ordinance language.
Discussion included dropping the level of service and leaving the rates the same, so
they achieve 55 percent of the overall operating costs.
Kershner moved to request the administration bring forward an ordinance based on
option six, presented at the last meeting, without the needs -based programs. The Council
increased the rates for the larger vehicles in the past, disproportionate to other rate
increases. That's already been done. The bulk of the ferry operating costs come from
vehicles under 8,000 pounds with drivers. They need to preserve that ridership. They've
heard testimony that they don't have the money to administer that program effectively.
They must rely on communities to step forward and offer solutions. Community centers
may offer an assistance -based program. The County Treasurer says he doesn't have the
staff to administer a needs -based program, and they must listen to that.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Steve Oliver, County Treasurer
• Karen Frakes, Prosecutor's Office
There was discussion about whether they can delay choosing an option; taking time
to review written suggestions from the public; the costs of delaying a decision; not including
the docks in the ferry fund costs; the cost impact of eliminating the needs -based fares; the
ability of the Treasurer's Office to administer the needs -based fares; working with a
community committee on any potential fare changes; whether recent repair and
maintenance costs and other costs are appropriate to pass on to the Islanders; making sure
the ferry is full at all times; charging a parking fee; costs compared with bridge costs;
whether a third party could take on the cost of providing a needs -based program; whether
they can keep the current needs -based customers and not add any new ones;
Councilmember Mann's proposal (on file); pedestrian riders who use the free parking;
people who park on both sides compared to people who carpool, and; whether they would
Special Committee of the Whole, 10/26/2010, Page 1
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need to have a second public hearing if the Council tweaks fares based on the first public
hearing.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Kershner and Nelson (3)
Nays: Brenner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Absent: Knutzen (1)
Kershner moved to request the administration bring forward an ordinance based on
option six, including the needs -based fare.
Brenner suggested a friendly amendment to look at the style of option six, but
remove the costs of the docks in the formula.
Kershner stated she does not accept the friendly amendment because it is a
separate issue. They can make adjustments to the ordinance when it comes forward. This
is just direction to create an ordinance.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Kershner and Nelson (3)
Nays: Brenner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Absent: Knutzen (1)
Weimer moved to request the administration bring forward an ordinance based on
option 11. It seems to be a compromise.
Nelson suggested a friendly amendment to remove the needs -based discount
until they can review it.
Weimer did not accept the friendly amendment.
Brenner suggested a friendly amendment that the committee consider
eliminating or changing the needs -based discount and eliminating the cost of the docks.
Weimer accepted the friendly amendment. People on the Island need to realize
that as long as there is a needs -based discount, others will have to pay a little higher.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Crawford and Weimer (4)
Nays: Kershner and Nelson (2)
Absent: Knutzen (1)
Crawford stated he would also like to discuss lowering the level of service.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION - COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
1. DISCUSSION WITH SENIOR DEPUTY PROSECUTOR KAREN FRAKES
REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (AB2010 -018) (10:39:38 AM)
Crawford stated that discussion of this item may take place in executive session
pursuant to RCW42.30.110. Executive session will conclude no later than 12:00 p.m. If the
meeting extends beyond the stated conclusion time, he will step out of the meeting to make
a public announcement.
Special Committee of the Whole, 10/26/2010, Page 2
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Kershner moved to go into executive session until no later than 12:00 p.m. to
discuss the first two agenda items, pursuant to RCW citations as announced by the Council
Chair.
a.m.)
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Kershner, Mann, Nelson and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Knutzen (1)
(Clerk's Note: The Committee went into executive session from 10:40 a.m. to 11:27
Brenner moved to adjourn and discuss this in two weeks.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Nelson and Weimer (4)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann, Knutzen and Kershner (3)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION - COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING A DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM
COUNTY ZONING CODE TITLE 20, THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING
MAP, AND THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND MAPS, TO
IMPLEMENT CHANGES RELATING TO RURAL LAND USE PLANNING (AB2010-
072A)
(Clerk's Note: This item was not discussed.)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.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
Sam Crawford, Council Chair
Special Committee of the Whole, 10/26/2010, Page 3