HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works January 28 20031
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
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 Capital Projects Committee
January 28, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara
Brenner in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
L. Ward Nelson None
Sam Crawford
Also Present:
Seth Fleetwood
Dan McShane
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR (AB2003 -023)
Nelson nominated Councilmember Brenner.
Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION SETTING ELECTION DATE FOR PROPOSED POINT
ROBERTS SPECIAL RECREATION AREA (AB2002 -351A)
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Crawford stated he understood that this needs to be established to get
funding for the pier, but the concern is that the funding for the pier ought to be
established before the Council creates the special recreation area. He asked if that
has been resolved.
Brenner stated nothing is set in stone that requires the County to have the
funding in place to form the district. There is nothing else they can do to get the
pier. She's comfortable with it.
Fleetwood asked by what authority the special service area would be
established.
Terrie LaPorte, Pier Project Coordinator, stated that to move forward with
permitting with the Port of Bellingham, they must have a vehicle in place to pay for
maintenance. This is to make sure they have a way to look after the pier once it is
funded.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 1/28/2003, 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
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
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.
Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated the
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) allows the recreational special district to be
formed similar to a junior taxing authority. Funds are collected only for the
purpose specified on the ballot.
Nelson stated that when the pier gets put in, the revenue generated by the
property tax supports it. He asked what amenities the pier would have. LaPorte
stated a pedestrian pier would be a town focal point. It is between two parks.
DeSpain stated it would be along Gulf Road.
LaPorte stated there was a pier there originally.
Nelson asked what happens if taxpayers no longer want to support it.
DeSpain stated a citizen initiative could remove the levy.
Nelson asked who would maintain the pier if that happened. DeSpain stated
that is a question to be answered. The County may have to. The parks and
recreation district of the area may be willing to assume responsibility. There won't
be a lot of maintenance and operation until year 15. The dollars would go into an
account and generate $40,000 per year. That money would be there until
exhausted.
Brenner moved to amend the resolution to specify that the County will not
assume liability for ongoing maintenance of the pier in the future unless the
County Council approves it, "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Whatcom County
assumes no responsibility for future funding of the pier."
Nelson stated it would have to come to the County Council to do that
anyway.
Crawford stated that all they are doing is setting a hearing date. They need
legal counsel on how to structure this to limit the County's liability.
Brenner stated the amendment is just to insert the committee's intent into
the ballot measure.
McShane stated that whether or not the objectives of the service area are
feasible is a question. Look at how this is going to be funded and how the money
will be accounted for. A question is whether there is a capital fund of money
available for whomever to take it over in the future.
Nelson stated there would be some reserves available for a while.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 1/28/2003, Page 2
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
39
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.
McShane stated his concern is that no one becomes responsible for the dock
in a worst -case scenario, it falls into disrepair, and it becomes a hazard to the
community.
Steve Jilk, Port of Bellingham, stated the sole purpose of this is to set a
public hearing date. The Port is working with the community to get the funding in
place. He questions whether the County would be obligated to take on
maintenance responsibility. The service district will not take on the obligation of
ownership.
Fleetwood stated he is sure that the County attorney will take that question
into consideration.
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
Motion to approve the resolution as amended carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:20 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 Capital Projects Committee, 1/28/2003, Page 3