HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole July 24 20011
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Committee Of The Whole
July 24, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Council Chair L. Ward
Nelson in the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham,
Washington.
Also Present:
Dan McShane
Marlene Dawson
Connie Hoag
Barbara Brenner
Sam Crawford
Absent:
Robert Imhof
2. RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ADVANCEMENT OF WHATCOM COUNTY
FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT FUNDS TO THE ACME /VANZANDT
SUBZONE (AB2001 -263)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Brenner questioned whether this came from the people in the area. She
doesn't want to find out that no one in the area knew about it except the subzone
committee.
Paula Cooper, Special Projects Engineer, stated they readjusted the cost
estimates after they got the permits, because the design was changed. They have
enough money for the previous cost estimate. Based on the way things are going,
there is a good chance they will have enough money.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated this is a bank stabilization project
approved by the Flood Advisory Committee with a cost share of 85/15. The issue is
that the Acme /Van Zandt is the subzone project sponsor and will provide 15
percent of the cost. It is possible that the size of the project will go beyond their
available cash balance. This request is to allow the project to be completed, and
that the balance of any transfer needed occurs next year when they have money in
the bank.
Hoag questioned whether the cap is at $10,000. Cooper stated it is
approximately a $10,000 budget, depending on the amount of assessment that
comes in and how much they will actually need.
Dawson questioned how they are going to stabilize the bank. Cooper stated
the project consists of a tree revetment that will be cabled into the bank. Through
the permit negotiation, two downstream points are built into the bank with the root
Committee of the Whole, 7/24/2001, Page 1
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wads that are sticking into the river. Coincidentally, an hour after they installed the
first root wad, there were salmon.
Brenner questioned whether the community is involved. Cooper stated there
was a community meeting in June.
Hoag stated she approved of this. When she went to the National
Association of Counties (NaCo) conference, she expressed concern about what
happens if these root wads and logs break through. Someone from Oregon talked
about that happening. A number of bridges were taken out. She has some
concern. In their effort to provide habitat, they should not create risk.
Nelson stated that anything in the river is at risk. There are no guarantees.
Mother Nature has her own wicked desires.
Hoag stated the Department of Fisheries does not have the counties'
priorities. Cooper stated they do use the highest factor of safety that they can
develop.
Monsen stated they continue to support a bill to require, as a permit
condition, these types of (inaudible). They are still trying to get the permitting
agency to share the liability.
Motion carried unanimously.
1. DISCUSSION WITH CHIEF CIVIL DEPUTY PROSECUTOR RANDY
WATTS REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (AB2001 -018)
Hoag moved to go into executive session for approximately 20 minutes to
discuss this item.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
These minutes were approved by Council on September it , 2001.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
L. Ward Nelson, Council Chair
Committee of the Whole, 7/24/2001, Page 2