HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works January 28 19971
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
January 28, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 1:33 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara Brenner in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Tom Brown Marlene Dawson
Staff Also Present:
Ward Nelson, Council Member
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR (AB97 -021)
Brown nominated Brenner for committee Chair.
Nomination carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING FLOODING PROBLEMS IN THE TERRELL
CREEK AREA NORTH OF BIRCH BAY STATE PARK (AB97 -042)
(Clerk's Note: This was discussed as item #2 on the agenda.)
Maxine Beebe, 7394 Birch Bay Drive, stated there is a flooding problem, which has
worsened.
Brenner stated that she would like to see this issue dealt with during the annual road
project process.
Ed Henken, Public Works, Engineering Manager, stated that this area is Indian burial
ground. There was an annual program of cleaning the confluence of Terrell Creek into Birch
Bay, which is not now taking place because of the Army Corps of Engineer's permitting
requirements. He suggested Council request Administration to make it a priority on the annual
road program.
Nelson stated that part of the flood control tax funds may be used.
Public Works Minutes, 1/28/97, Page 1
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Brenner said she would send a note to Administration in hopes that it will be a higher
priority in the road program.
There was discussion about the unusual amount of rainfall, which is beyond anyone's
control.
2. STATUS REPORT REGARDING THE MAPPING OF ROADS WITHIN
WHATCOM COUNTY (AB97 -043)
(Clerk's Note: This was discussed as item #3 on the agenda)
Ed Henken, Public Works, Engineering Division Manager, stated that the ordinance, as
approved, has five responsibilities:
1. The address issuing on an on -going basis
2. The address corrections
3. Road naming
4. Road corrections
5. Mapping
Engineering has been attempting to resolve staff questions. Until those questions are
resolved, progress will be unable to be made. Addresses will be corrected except in instances
where extensive corrections would be required to make them correct.
There was discussion regarding GIS compatibility with computer systems. Henken
stated that the AutoCAD is compatible with GIS. The mapping software used by the fire
districts is not compatible.
Mary White, Engineering Division, stated that an intern collected data on many private
areas. That data was transferred to a map.
Henken stated that the problems with the data need staffing to correct those problems.
Recently, the union rejected a request to extend a temporary staff person. When making road
name changes, people are very unhappy. It requires a lot of manpower. A road name appeals
committee is being formed.
There was discussion regarding having a private firm do the mapping and all the
fieldwork.
Dave Wareing, Executive's Office, stated that staffing for this was brought forward as a
priority during the budget process but was denied. The union is trying to take a harder stance on
Public Works Minutes, 1/28/97, Page 2
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temporary staffing.
Brenner discussed having an outside company contract for the mapping services.
Wareing stated that one issue would be paying for a system that the County could not
maintain or update. There is also an incompatibility of the language used in the mapping
software.
Brenner suggesting issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP).
Wareing requested Public Works explore the development of standards to enable
completion of the mapping system.
3. DISCUSSION REGARDING A COMPLAINT FILED BY MR. BLISS (AB97-
044)
(Clerk's Note: This was discussed as item #4 on the agenda)
Brenner stated that this issue was brought forward because Mr. Bliss did not receive any
satisfaction in discussions with Administration. She did not receive a report from
Administration, even though it was requested.
Nelson stated that a broader issue committee can take on is the utilization of trail rights -
of -way on County roads and how those come into County roads regarding maintenance of
County roads. He is unsure of how an individual's problems can be handled legislatively, not
administratively. There was discussion regarding handling citizen complaints administratively v
legislatively.
Nelson asked Wareing about Administration's role in dealing with problems in the
County trail permits and road use. Wareing responded that the County Code may not address all
these issues. They are applying all the laws set forth in the County ordinances. Some
weaknesses will come forward. Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, will prepare ordinances to
address the weaknesses.
Bill Bliss stated that he had been working with the Public Works Department for two
years. He gave a history of the process he had been going through in that time. There has been
no answer to his questions since the trail permit went into effect.
Nelson stated that there are limited resources regarding how the money from the road
fund can be used. This case brings forward the issue of what to do with the short plats and road
improvements. Wareing stated that he discussed this issue at length with Jeff Monsen, Public
Public Works Minutes, 1/28/97, Page 3
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Works Director. There are substandard roads in the County. An upgrade needs to occur in this
specific instance.
Brenner stated another issue is how the costs should be divided among the landowners
for road upgrades.
4. REPORT FROM JEFF GRIFFIN, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES, REGARDING ALM ROAD GRAVEL PIT COMPLAINTS (AB97-
063)
(Clerk's Note: This was discussed as item #1 on the agenda)
Doug Goldthorpe, Planning and Development Services, gave an update on the activities
at the pit. One parcel has a County and state permits and is zoned for mining. Another parcel is
now owned by the same company, Aggregates West. They had stopped mining voluntarily. The
project is not going to go forward. However, mining is planned for the future.
Brenner stated there are complaints that activity continues. Brown also stated that he
received complaints that activity was occurring during the weekend hours.
Goldthorpe stated that a state permit is still valid, and the state's opinion is that the state
permit automatically prohibits a conditional use permit. He discussed the various methods to
access the parcel in question. There was discussion regarding the types of stop work orders.
David Grainger, Aggregates West, questioned the authority of committee to discuss the
issue. He stated there has not been any work done since his conversation with Goldthorpe;
gravel has not been hauled.
Saim Ural, 3431 Alm Road, explained his situation regarding access to his property. He
stated trucks were working on January 20, and the pit area was mined. That area is not in a
mining zone. The road is zoned in an R5A area. Grainger denied activity took place on his
property.
Dave Wareing, Executive's Office, stated that this is an administrative matter.
Brown stated that a system needs to be set up to convey complaints Council members
receive regarding administrative matters during evening and weekend hours.
Brenner requested a progress report on this issue from Wareing.
Nelson stated, procedurally, Council is also a quasi-judicial body and some of these
complaints could come up as an appeal.
Public Works Minutes, 1/28/97, Page 4
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ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Minutes, 1/28/97, Page 5