HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works May 10 20051
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Safety Committee
May 10, 2005
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
L. Ward Nelson Sam Crawford
Also Present:
Sharon Roy
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Seth Fleetwood
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION BY THE BELLINGHAM- WHATCOM COUNTY
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS,
AND FARM FRIENDS REGARDING PLACEMENT OF DIRECTIONAL AND
EDUCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SIGNS ON COUNTY ROADS (AB2005-
191)
Derek Long, Sustainable Connections Program Director, submitted
information (on file). A meeting several weeks back was attended by farmers in
the county and folks who are trying to bring more customers onto the farm. John
Cooper from the Convention and Visitor's Bureau attended. Also attending were
representatives from Farm Friends and Sustainable Connections.
The idea of creating consistent attractive signage came up. Crop
identification signage is an effort to inform people of what is growing in Whatcom
County. Another idea is of more signage to attract people to the farm. An
interesting model is in British Columbia, where signage identifies artisan producers.
Because the program is so consistent province -wide, it's very noticeable. His
handout outlines tasks for this activity. Farmers think it is a valuable program.
The State will contract with a sign company. The sign company charges a
fee. If farmers choose to participate, they pay the fee for signage. In most states,
the program is open to any tourist - oriented business.
The purpose of this presentation is to let the Council know that the farmers
believe this is a valuable program. Getting people to pay retail at the farm is the
most profitable customer for the farm. In the interest of keeping farms profitable,
the farms need more of those customers. Sustainable Connections is pursuing this
Public Works and Safety Committee, 5/10/2005, Page 1
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
program to see if it's viable. There is a network of supporters to work on the
program.
Brenner stated she would like to obtain the potential cost to build and place
the signs if done by a contractor.
Dave Hower, Engineering Technician IV, stated that signs in the right -of -way
are primarily to command respect for traffic signs for safety reasons. The Council
must decide where to draw the line on advertising signs in the right -of -way. People
who want to post business signs in the right -of -way approach the department
regularly. It becomes a difficult issue because they want to support businesses,
but they also want to follow the specific guidelines of the uniform traffic control
device manual, which they must follow. If the Council opens the gate to
advertising signs in the right -of -way, staff needs to know how to manage the signs.
Brenner stated the difference between this program and general advertising
signs is that this County Council has made a commitment to do as much as it can
to promote agriculture in the community to make sure it survives and grows. That
could be the line they draw. The County Council doesn't promote businesses, but
promotes agriculture. Hower stated once a sign is out of the right -of -way, it's not a
Public Works Department issue. Certain farmers are leasing their lands to allow
advertising signs on their property. If signs are now allowed in the right -of -way,
those farmers lose that business.
Nelson stated he supports all businesses in the county. He is concerned
about the size of the signs. A 2 x 4 sign is not a large size. He asked what the sign
would say. Long stated the signs in B.C. only have six or seven words and a
symbol.
Nelson stated they could have signs showing designated routes where farms
are. Give people directions off major thoroughfares, then the farmers can provide
their own signs at their sites. The agricultural community would have to be
committed to welcoming people on their farms. Allowing all the requests for
signage depletes the County's ability to provide public safety.
Brenner stated Sustainable Connections is talking about the farmers putting
up signs on their own property and the County putting up directional signs to those
farms. They could offset the concern about picking and choosing businesses to
support by identifying the crop, not the business name. She agrees with not
hindering safety issues. The State approved memorial signs don't impede safety.
The signs can be very artistic.
Caskey- Schreiber asked for an example of a sign or design. Long submitted
a copy of last year's farm map. They've thought about doing semiannual farm
tours. This year's farm map will be out in two or three weeks. Sustainable
Connections has the think local, buy local, be local logo. For farms, they will do a
variation on that logo that is think local, buy fresh, be local. It will keep the look of
Public Works and Safety Committee, 5/10/2005, Page 2
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
the farm signs, farm map, and buy fresh campaign to be consistent. Because of
the driving speeds, the signs may not even have a logo, just colors and an icon.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she's seen directional signs for a winery that is very
tasteful and low -key. They are directional signs. There is no problem with having
a log on a sign. She understands the perspective of the Public Works Department,
but if they are going to have an agrarian county, give them special precedence in
rural lands. Promote them any way they can.
Brenner stated she likes the idea of getting people to the farms so the
farmers can retail their crops and other things also.
Roy stated she agreed that this industry is a major source of economics to
the county. There are many reasons to support the program. She asked how the
County Council could facilitate the program. The countywide tour of different art
studios in the county is well advertised. She can see something like that, a self -
guided tour of the farms in the county.
Brenner asked if anyone had an opportunity to look into the cost. Long
stated the cost to the business is $400 to $800 per year. He will continue to look
into the cost and pricing models. He will learn from the concerns of other
jurisdictions that have similar programs.
Brenner stated emphasize the tourists less and the farms more. There will
be more traffic from local residents.
Nelson stated the object of many ordinances and regulations is to limit traffic
to the communities, and now this spreads it out to the communities. It's nice to
support the farmers but this advocates spreading traffic out to the communities.
The reason the County supports the food coops and farmer's markets is because
they are already available and work effectively, rather than have everyone driving
around everywhere to pick up produce. Farmer's don't get enough business selling
directly to consumers. They make their money from stores and companies.
Brenner stated this isn't the only way for farmers to make money. They are
trying to find many ways for farmers to make money. She won't drive all over the
county to shop for produce, but if she is in an area, she will stop. It's nice to have
the ability to get produce from the farmer if they know where it is.
Caskey- Schreiber stated there is an educational component with the signs.
This land looks dormant for three - quarters of the year. Educate the public to
appreciate the fertile farmland so they don't turn it into residential land. Teach the
community to value the farmland.
Long stated that in the past 20 years, there have been significant shifts in
the economics of farming. There has been a lot of consolidation of middlemen and
retailers. It may bring efficiency and lower prices, but it also blocks access by
Public Works and Safety Committee, 5/10/2005, Page 3
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
smaller growers. The situation is changed. He's happy to see the growing trend of
people who recognize the value of an on -farm experience and are willing to pay for
it. It's important to facilitate that experience.
Roy stated one of the fastest growing areas in farming is the boutique farm,
which specializes in crops like lavender, for instance. That is a fast - growing area of
agriculture. People want that experience.
Brenner asked for information from the Public Works Department on ideas to
avoid safety problems and still do what they want with the signage. She asked Mr.
Long for ideas on cost per sign and how many signs they might be talking about.
She would also like information on sign locations.
Nelson stated they need to develop the strategy and focus that provides the
most benefit for the cost. Long stated they will think through all those things.
Brenner stated they also need to think about the maintenance of the sign.
Long stated some regulations require the sign for seasonal businesses come down
during the off - season.
Brenner thanked Mr. Long for the presentation.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Safety Committee, 5/10/2005, Page 4