HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works March 10 19981
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
March 10, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Council member Barbara Brenner in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present:
Tom Brown
Marlene Dawson
Absent:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING VAN WYCK ROAD COMPLAINT FILED BY GREG
AND CINDY ANDERSON AND GEORGE LEONARD (AB97 -413)
Public Works Director, Jeff Monsen, stated that the currently maintained portion of Van
Wyck is segment 1, currently unmaintained up to the Bliss and Lewis property boundaries is
segment 2 and beyond is segment 3. In order to convert the entire length of segment 2 (2,000
feet) to the current lowest County road standard would cost $174,000.00. This would not
include work to segment 1, but would include some money towards the agreed minimal access
improvements to segment 3. Option A has a chip seal and option B is a gravel surface (no
surfacing). The use of asphalt would raise the cost by $10,000.00 to $15,000.00. In order to
move ahead with option A, the department would need Council direction to proceed with
finalizing design items, contract and bid estimates. At the time of contract award, the Council
would review for a CRP adoption. The minimum road standard for the County is 20 foot paved
surface, 3 foot gravel shoulders with the surface being asphalt /concrete. The present estimate
includes a chip seal surface because there are less than the required number of users to require
asphalt. If the Council were to reject the options, despite work accomplished, segments 2 and 3
would remain a privately maintained road.
Phil Serka, representative of homeowners, asked if the estimate of $80,000.00 had been
committed.
Brenner asked if the recommendation to the Council would be for $160,000.00 or
$80,000.00.
Monsen replied that Council approval is required to establish a project and the future
acceptance of the road into the system. To go through the appropriate approvals for county road
project, the full amount has to be stated.
Serka asked for clarification on width and cost of improvements.
Public Works Committee, 3/10/98, Page 1
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Monsen replied that segment 1 is approximately an 18 foot chip seal surface with an
approximate 1 foot shoulder. The agreement with Bliss and Lewis, in segment 2 and 3, is to
construct 18 foot wide roadbed for a cost of approximately $80,000.00. $30,000.00 of this was
designated for work at the end of the maintained road. An additional $15,000.00 was for a 2 foot
addition to segment 2. Half the increase is for additional width and half is for chip seal.
There was further discussion on present and future costs.
Brenner stated that the two main issues are to resolve Van Wyck and set up a committee
to draft a policy to cover road questions to avoid future problems.
Wareing stated that a standard needs to be established and adhered to.
Standards, funding, and legal issues were discussed.
Brenner moved that a recommendation be made to the Council that the Council approve
this project, together with information presented by Public Works, as stated in alternative A, and
that furthermore, this project is directed by past mistakes and is a onetime solution. A committee
should be formed to include experts in the field, County employees and private citizens, who
have been adversely affected, to arrive at a policy to prevent this happening in the future.
(Clerks note, end of side 1, tape 1)
The motion was discussed.
The motion passed with Tom Brown abstaining.
OTHER BUSINESS
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING RECREATION- RELATED CONCERNS RAISED BY
CITIZEN DOUGLAS (AB98 -116)
Brenner stated she felt it was long overdue for citizens to accept financial responsibility
when they are in the wilderness.
Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that one of the problems is that the area
around Mt. Baker is Federal jurisdiction and not County jurisdiction. However, the County does
have the ability to sue to recover costs.
There was a discussion on funding.
Brown made a motion that funding be discussed at budget cycle.
Public Works Committee, 3/10/98, Page 2
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The motion passed unanimously.
Brenner asked for a note to request that Chief Peterson and the Sheriff attend a Public
Works Committee meeting and give a presentation.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Valery W. Anderson, Transcriptionist
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Committee, 3/10/98, Page 3