HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works July 29 19971
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
July 29, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 11 a.m. by Committee Chair Barbara Brenner in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Marlene Dawson None
Tom Brown
Staff Also Present:
Ward Nelson, Council Member
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Department Director
Ed Henken, Engineering Division Manager
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CODE OF ETHICS REGARDING CONTRACT
INTERESTS FOR WHATCOM COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS (AB97 -187)
Dave Wareing, Executive Office, Deputy Administrator, brought forward a draft
ordinance that he, the County Executive, and legal staff created which incorporates all the
suggestions that have been brought forward to date. Committee concurred that this item is
scheduled for Council introduction at the regular Council meeting this evening; committee will
discuss this at its next scheduled meeting.
Brenner moved to hold this in committee until the next committee meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. DISCUSSION OF SWIFT CREEK FLOODING CONCERNS (AB97 -275)
Ed Henken, Engineering Division Manager, stated that there is no chance the Army
Corps of Engineers will issue permits to do any proactive work this season. There is an
extensive amount of surveying and engineering that needs to be done. Nothing can be done
before the flood season. A stream modification permit would be required, as well as a permit
from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Those who spoke included:
Public Works Minutes, 7/29/97, Page 1
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Fred Nowicke, 3341 Burton Road
Steve Hood, Department of Ecology
Gerard DeKoekkoek, 7480 Oat Coles Road
Mike Barton, 3421 South Pass Road
Topics of discussion included creek clean -up work prior to the Corps clean up activities;
negative press coverage of the Corps activities in the past; and Corps permitting procedures.
There was discussion regarding approving a resolution or sending a letter asking federal
officials to expedite the permit application once the application has been received. Jeff Monsen,
Public Works Department Director, suggested asking the Corps about their jurisdiction.
DeKoekkoek asked why a County does not have the jurisdiction to take proactive
measures to avoid an emergency situation when federal or state permits are required.
Dawson moved to recommend sending a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers and
copied to federal representatives to fast track the Swift Creek permits.
Motion carried unanimously.
Brenner asked if Council could declare an emergency proclamation. Monsen stated that
generally the authority of a County to declare an emergency is granted by the state. There is
nothing that a County could do to supersede federal law.
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING SAFETY OPTIONS FOR LAKE WHATCOM
BOULEVARD (AB97 -272)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated they are pursuing spot safety improvements
and roadway reconstruction along the Boulevard to deal with the safety issues, regardless of
decisions regarding the longer term plans for the Whatcom Connector.
Brenner suggested requesting more city police officers patrol the area.
Those who spoke included:
Mr. Johnson, President, Lake Whatcom Boulevard Safety and Preservation Association
Roger Bourm, 623 Lake Whatcom Boulevard
Donna Clark, 1041 Coronado
Topics discussed included hours of police patrol; changing traffic pattern by adding stop
signs; new developments on Lake Whatcom; deer crossings; irresponsible drivers along the
Public Works Minutes, 7/29/97, Page 2
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Boulevard; and children walking along the Boulevard.
Brenner asked if sidewalks could be installed at certain areas along the Boulevard.
Monsen responded in the affirmative. The issue would be where those improvements should be
made. Brown stated that stop signs could also be installed at certain spots.
There was discussion regarding improvements to Lake Louise Boulevard and areas for
stop sign installation.
Brenner moved to recommend requesting information from staff on various streets that
might be appropriate for crosswalk designation.
(Clerk's Note: There was no vote on the motion)
Monsen clarified that installing stop signs and crosswalks without doing any other
improvements may be futile. Other traffic control changes need to be assimilated. He will
provide information on traffic usage in the area.
Brenner requested the Sheriff's Department assign an officer to the area to determine
how many warnings and tickets need to be issued to control traffic.
3. DISCUSSION REGARDING FLOOD PROTECTION WORK ON THE SOUTH FORK
OF THE NOOKSACK RIVER IN ACME (AB97 -267)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, gave a summary of the situation. A petition was
received from residents in the area (on file). The Flood Advisory Committee reviewed the issue.
Monsen's recommendation was to go forward as indicated.
Brenner moved to recommend to full Council that the protection work on the south fork
of the Nooksack River go forward as recommended by the Public Works Department.
Nelson stated that he is concerned with the impacts down river and other proposals that
may come forward. Also, he asked how the work should be done so that maintenance will not be
required in the future. Monsen gave technical information on the possibilities of flooding and
the effects of the work that is proposed.
There was discussion about forming subflood districts, the 70/30 split program,
maintenance agreements, and the flood control tax.
Monsen stated that he will bring forward a list of policy issues that need to be clearer.
Motion to forward to full Council carried unanimously.
Public Works Minutes, 7/29/97, Page 3
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4. STATUS REPORT REGARDING RIVERBERRY BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT
(AB97 -196B)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, gave a staff report on the project. He stated the
preliminary proposal that was brought forward earlier was extremely early regarding costs. The
revised estimate is just over $1 million. This includes an additional item, old riprap removal
from the river. Monsen reviewed the items and discussed the differences in funding estimates.
Bob Andersen, R.S. Andersen, Inc., stated that the merits of the project must be weighed
against the larger picture. This project takes up 20% of the reserve account which would be
applied to less than 1% of the length of the river. This is a three -year fix for a ten -year storm
event. No cost - sharing is involved. Brenner stated that cost - sharing would happen. Subflood
districts could be created.
Brown offered using Flood Control Funds as an alternative funding source. He would
like to reimburse those Flood Control Funds with Conservation Futures Funds and provide
public access to the river.
Ed Henken, Engineering Division Manager, stated that County staff is currently working
on forming the subflood districts. This will probably come forward in September.
There was discussion regarding the possible costs of the program, Council's willingness
to fund the project, and the various costs of different levels of repair.
Brown moved to recommend bringing this issue forward to full Council for its
consideration and include as an option the use of the Conservation Futures tax money and to
open up river access to public use.
There was discussion regarding using the Conservation Futures Fund money to fund the
program.
Brenner restated the motion to bring this item forward to full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
Brenner moved to request a legal opinion regarding the possibility of using Conservation
Futures Fund money and, if so, what portion of that money could be used.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
Public Works Minutes, 7/29/97, Page 4
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The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary
8 ATTEST:
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Minutes, 7/29/97, Page 5