HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works July 13 19991
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
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
July 13, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara
Brenner in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
L. Ward Nelson None
Tom Brown
DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE ON THE WHATCOM CREEK /OLYMPIC PIPELINE INCIDENT
(AB99 -252)
Neil Clement, Whatcom County Sheriff's Department Emergency
Services Manager, stated for the past month, they've been buried in specific
emergency operations center (EOC) operations, but haven't had the time to
review the news reports. Also, they have not conducted any debriefings yet.
They opened June 10, after the ignition. Don Boyd was on the scene during
the ignition. It began as a complaint regarding an odor, and was upgraded
to a hazardous materials level 1. Then, the status was upgraded to a
hazardous materials level 2, and the State became involved. EOC remained
open for 21 days. There were on -scene coordinators from various agencies.
There were 286 hours of operation. 3,000 people signed in throughout the
event. 500 security badges were issued. The EOC took over the basement
of the courthouse. There were 76 volunteers, including many County
employees. Other activities went on in which Emergency Management had
to deal with. Following the explosion, they operated 24 hours per day for the
first three or four days. The EOC often had more than 200 people. The
emergency phase ended July 1. They have moved into a project phase,
which would last for at least six months and probably a year or more.
Whatcom Falls Park remains closed. There is a great psychological impact to
the community. The pipeline remains out of operation, and there are
multiple investigations on- going.
There were a number of items to bring to the Council's attention.
First, in 1992, the Department of Emergency Management (DEM)
documented that the allocated space was insufficient. Since that time, there
was a capital improvement project on the six -year plan to put forward a new
emergency operations center. They will need Council's support in the future.
There is only a staff of three in the department, and they activate several
times a year. They will need 7,000 square feet total. Now they have 1,800
square feet. This could be a dual -use space, such as for a training center.
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, 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
46
47
48
The next item is staffing. The DEM, in a four -year strategic plan, has
been aiming for another full time equivalent (FTE) employee request during
the 2000 budget. They have not had a staffing increase in more than 20
years. EOC support is needed from other County workers.
Finally, communications were difficult. Cellular phone communications
were very difficult. They were lucky to have Don Boyd on scene to develop a
liaison with the incident commander and the EOC. He kept the phone line
open for that purpose. If they had not done that, the cell phone
communication would have suffered. They will look at interim measures.
They want communications available to critical personnel. They are currently
conducting long -term communications studies for all emergency personnel.
He will come forward to the Council to conduct a budgeted long -term
communication study. Hopefully, they will get ideas on how to fund new
communications system for the aging infrastructure. On the day of the
incident, prior to the explosion, he met with key leaders regarding early
warning system. It is a telephone service to allow the County to initiate a
warning via telephone to any designated area in the County. It would be a
multi - layered warning system. There is an opportunity to have industry fund
it, through contracts, with Emergency Management, who would then
administer the contract. Local industries seem eager to get this in place.
There are multiple uses for this system, including law enforcement and
schools. The warning service would include grid maps that coincide with
maps the DEM would have. They would telephone the information into the
area.
Brenner questioned whether they will provide training for residents for
the future. Clement stated there is a program called the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. It provides everyday people
with disaster skills. Those trained people were a vital help in the EOC. Their
training is to be on- scene. Those kinds of programs are the ones they hope
to have more of in the future. Day to day staffing cannot support everything
that should be done.
Brenner stated it would be nice if people could call a number that is
not 911 to get specific information on whether or not they are safe. Clement
stated people call the DEM office. There was an extraordinary high level of
stress. EOC has counselors on -sight to be available to the citizens who call
and as support for the staff and volunteers. Everyone looks after each other.
Dale Brandland, County Sheriff, stated the County phone systems turn
off after 4:30 p.m., the only point of contact after that is through 911.
Brenner suggested having a staff person on -call for phone answering.
Hoag asked if there were people available 24 hours per day.
Brandland stated only the jail is open 24 hours per day.
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, 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
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Hoag suggested an outside line for the Sheriff that goes into a 24 hour
call center.
Brenner stated people want to be able to call someone in charge,
without calling 911, during off - business hours.
Hoag stated the 911 center was swamped during the event, but it
didn't take many calls to swamp the system. Clement stated there is a
second dispatch center being set up now. Fire calls will be at the fire station,
and law enforcement will remain at the current dispatch. The best answer to
Hoag's concern is public information. 911 should not be used to gather
information.
Brandland stated there is an experimental system called 311, for those
types of non - emergency calls.
Hoag stated there needs to be enough within the system to handle an
emergency.
Brenner stated people who are looking for a family member would not
dial 911 if there were another route that was open to them.
Brandland stated the issue of communication is not unique to
Whatcom County. Phone lines become swamped not only due to technology,
but also because of a lack of people to answer the phone calls.
Hoag stated that is why she suggested it divert to fire departments
and police departments. Clement stated most agencies are not going to be
available 24 hours per day. There are not enough bodies on a 24 hours basis
to be able to accommodate every scenario. He and Don Boyd are available
24 hours per day, 365 days per years, through 911. Neither of them are
ever both out of the jurisdiction, by design.
Brenner questioned whether another full -time employee in the DEM
would relieve staffing. Clement stated he would have to have another person
like Don Boyd to share that duty with.
Dawson stated people need to have family members coordinate with
people out of the area. Also, she received a call that someone is posting a
notice for people to call 911 if they have a problem with their local sewer or
water.
Hoag stated it would be worthwhile to explore the 311 option. Also,
Clement should look into the sequencing and diverting. When anything
major happens, lots of other communities activate their emergency forces,
even if they are not there 24 hours per day. Within minutes, there could be
people available to answer phones, if the system were set up ahead of time
for that. Clement stated it does happen here. Dispatch gets an immediate
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, Page 3
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
46
47
48
influx of people as soon as an event is identified. A part of the problem is
that information gathering on an incident has to take place before there is
information available to the public. There is lag time between an event
happening and having someone who can say what is going on.
Brandland stated the DEM dealt with this through the CERT teams.
The trained CERT team came immediately to EOC to help out.
Nelson stated the pipelines are extensive throughout the County. His
concern is that the two major pipelines are coming across an undefended
border. Brandland stated there are a multitude of agencies interested in the
regulation of the pipeline industry. A lot of questions about the industry
have come up since this explosion.
Nelson stated he was more concerned with national security. He
questioned whether the federal government was looking at that. Brandland
stated probably not. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is spending a
lot of time on terrorist activity, but are probably not looking into this
particular issue.
Clement stated there is quite a bit of activity regarding terrorism
response at all levels, although it is not an appropriate for this forum. The
DEM and Sheriff are involved in County measures.
Nelson also asked how the County, through the Comprehensive Plan,
will plan around pipelines and other utilities that may impact the community.
He questioned whether the county was planning around these hazards.
Clement stated the Critical Areas Ordinance and growth management
planning provide tools to do effective planning for all hazards, including utility
corridors. It is a provision that needs to be applied. Those are policy
decisions.
Michael Knapp, Planning and Development Services Director, stated
most of the pipelines are in place have been there 30 years or longer. They
have been grandfathered in to their locations. Most of the locations go
through major population centers. How they look at that in the future would
be related to relocation. The question is going to be policy about how to
relocate those to places where people aren't living or working. Depth would
be one method.
Brenner stated if people had known there was a pipeline, and then
smelled the smell, they would have moved away from the area more quickly.
They may need more and clearer signage. Knapp stated they are looking at
land use activities in relation to location of pipelines or earth movement. In
the future, the County needs to do more in -depth geological work.
Clement stated someone is responsible for providing the database for
hazardous materials. They have that. However, there is no such file for
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, Page 4
1 pipelines. They recently excluded gas stations from the requirement, which
2 is fine, but people need to know about pipelines. He is proposing a change
3 to the Community Right to Know Act.
4
5 Hoag stated there is talk about the easement information to be
6 supplied to the neighbors. There is discussion about extending that
7 notification to an impact area. Clement stated that would be good
8 emergency management, but didn't know how they could do that.
9
10 Brown asked for clarification on the project phase. Clement stated the
11 phase involves remediation efforts. He wouldn't be involved. The
12 emergency phase was to deal with fires, trees, Bellingham water system, and
13 to get the pipe out of the ground. Once the pipe was removed, it ended the
14 emergency phase. Everything else was recovery.
15
16 Carl Weimer, Safe Bellingham, stated they are a recently formed
17 coalition to deal with pipeline safety issues. He noticed the City of
18 Bellingham is pushing for greater pipeline safety because of this incident. He
19 distributed information (on file). There are a lot of agencies looking at these
20 pipeline safety issues. The main investigator of the Bellingham explosion is
21 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He submitted an article
22 quoting the NTSB on what a dismal record Olympic Pipeline has for enforcing
23 and putting in new pipeline safety measures. The pipelines in this
24 community cross the Nooksack River, Silver Creek, runs along the soccer
25 fields at Northwest Road, and runs past schools in the County. Pipeline
26 safety is an issue for the entire County. He encouraged the Council to review
27 the documentation. There are new technologies that can be installed on the
28 pipelines in the County to help with the safety factor. He urged the Council
29 to join with Bellingham in pushing these issues. He suggested the Council
30 contact Representative Jack Metcalf.
31
32 Brown asked about the number of automatic shut -off valves and where
33 they are placed. Weimer stated he didn't know for sure. The NTSB has
34 called for them to be closer together.
35
36 (Clerk's Note: End of Tape one, side A.)
37
38 Sue Tommervik, Pipeline Survivors Association, Everson, stated they
39 live in the vicinity of the proposed Goodwin Quarry. According the research
40 of another company, only 10% of the pipeline has automatic shut -off valves,
41 and only in urban areas. It took the explosion in Everson over an hour to
42 shut down. This company hadn't followed those recommendations. During
43 the previous explosion, it was bumper -to- bumper traffic from people wanting
44 to see what was going on. An aid car could not have gotten through if
45 needed. Also, they were not educated about whether they were in danger or
46 whom they should call. She had no way to get information on their safety
47 level.
48
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, Page 5
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
46
47
48
Nelson stated radio stations may be a route to inform people of the
incident. Clement stated that is the education message.
Nelson suggested a team at the station. Clement stated they need a
flow of information to the radio station. Gathering information is the issue.
Getting to the analysis of the situation, is what is important. The community
alert system that he discussed earlier would have been a mechanism to
reach out and inform the people in the community about whether they are in
danger. He went door to door to talk to people in the area. He found
concerns that needed to be brought to the pipeline or to his office, to discuss
the concerns and issues. There were multiple things that occurred that
needed de- briefing. They need to look at pipeline safety as a whole. The
Governor has a task force that is looking into pipeline safety. He will
continue to look at things such as the Community Right to Know Act, internal
inspections devices, land use planning, and a variety of issues that need to
be reviewed from a local perspective and a national perspective.
Marian Beddill, 3600 Seeley, Bellingham, stated she inquired of
Olympic Pipeline where the nearest shutoff valves are. The nearest one to
the south was at Skagit County. There was one, either automatic or manual,
at Iowa Street, near the park boundary. She understood that valve failed to
close, if it should have closed. The next one to the north is five or six miles
into the County. That factor contributed to the large volume of flow that
came out before anything could be done.
Tommervik stated the other issue is leak- detection and associated
systems. The pipe under the quarry was installed in 1956. She was
concerned about placing a quarry near the pipeline. There is a history of
landslides during the winter in that area. There has already been one
rupture in the area.
Beddill stated she supported the communication efforts locally. She
suggested several of the broadcast stations. She asked whether the County
Council had brought forward a resolution as the County Council in relation to
this event. Brenner stated they are trying to figure out what their
jurisdiction is.
Beddill suggested a formal resolution to the federal government taking
a position.
Brown stated he needed to learn more information first.
Brenner stated she would propose a resolution supporting the efforts
to keep people informed and doing whatever is necessary for safety.
Hoag stated the committee talked about asking the pipeline companies
to attend a meeting and discuss monitoring. The committee would first like
to talk to the company about what is being done, then determine as a
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, Page 6
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
46
47
48
49
50
51
Council what they feel should be done that is not. They will then send in
their comments.
Beddill stated she spoke to the Olympic representative, who informed
her it is their desire to open a temporary, aboveground pipeline right next to
the water plant.
Brenner stated they shouldn't reopen it until they can determine what
caused the initial explosion.
2. DISCUSSION OF THE 2000 INTEGRATED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE #94 -044 (AB99 -260)
Brown stated there is an approval for a biennial budget. It takes a lot of
work to prepare this plan every year. He suggested they do this report every two
years, with the biennium budget.
Dick Prieve, Public Works Maintenance & Operations, stated he would be
receptive to that suggestion. They prepared two plans last year, but the biennium
plan didn't go forward. He believed it could be done. The plan is part of their
budget process. He did take the monetary information out of this one, because the
budget won't be done until November.
Nelson stated they could just do the plan for two years.
Prieve stated he was all for it.
Brenner asked about roadway shoulders and standard widths. Prieve stated
if there are shoulders over a foot or two, then they are usually paved and on an
arterial, but not in every case. They vary.
Brenner asked if there are public roads without shoulders. Prieve stated the
shoulder width is zero on some of the roads.
Brenner asked if there are shoulders that are wider than 8 feet. Prieve
stated there are.
Brenner asked if some of the ditches are reconstructed creeks and whether
the County was allowed to put heavy equipment into them. Prieve stated they try
to use the long -arm, so they don't need to put equipment in. They are starting to
need environmental checklists and are getting into Endangered Species Act (ESA)
issues.
Brenner asked about hazard trees. Prieve stated they determine whether a
tree is a hazard to the traveling public. If it is a hazard, then they contact the
owner or take it down themselves.
Brown stated there is a State law that property owners have to be notified
and the property owner has to take immediate action, or else the State will take it
down and bill the property owner.
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, Page 7
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
46
47
48
49
50
51
Brenner asked about selective vegetation control and selected chemicals.
Prieve stated they are trying different chemicals to reduce the required amount of
mowing. It isn't totally successful. They are not to the point of being satisfied, but
will keep looking into it.
Brenner asked about treatment to chip seal areas.
Ken Hudson, Public Works Maintenance and Operations Vegetation Leader,
stated the product is Casron. There is a commercial grade licensed specifically for
right -of -way use, which is called Norsac.
Prieve stated they spray the area to prevent germination.
Brenner asked about whether they could put the area in perennial flowers
instead of re- seeding wildflower areas. Prieve stated they seed perennial flowers
currently, but have to re -seed every few years.
Brenner questioned whether there is an opportunity for work release crews to
do manual removal of vegetation. Prieve stated they can't train them to do all
kinds of work, such as using the mechanical equipment. They can pull weeds
manually or plant trees. Wherever there is manual labor needed, they will be used.
Brenner asked about interconnecting root systems of stump removal.
Brown stated stump roots may be connected to a live tree farther off.
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Brown stated he will see if they can change the plan to last for two years.
Prieve stated they need to make sure it's on the same schedule as the two -year
budget.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works Committee, 7/13/99, Page 8