HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works March 11 19971
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
March 11, 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:
Marlene Dawson
Tom Brown
Absent:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CREATION OF A COUNTY ADOPT -A-
ROAD PROGRAM POLICY (AB97 -111)
Dick Prieve, Public Works Department, Maintenance and Operations Division, stated that
this program was not advertised. This project is being promoted by word -of -mouth only. There
are eight organizations that are interested and five more that are potentially interested. The areas
are from Point Roberts to Lake Samish. Roads all over the County have been adopted.
The program requires spring and fall clean -up. Interest tends to fall off during the fall
season. There is an agreement with the group in the program. The County provides vests, hard
hats, strobe lights, bags, and signage. The County road workers will pick up the bagged litter
during their shift.
Brenner stated that this program should be publicized. Also, signs should be put on
existing posts, and the program should be opened to citizens and neighborhood associations.
However, the costs would be prohibitive to provide the equipment for a lot of organizations.
Prieve stated that the County is required by law to provide the equipment, which is
available. The County is not purchasing new equipment. One person in the group is in charge of
educating the entire group.
Brenner asked for an estimate of costs per group.
Prieve stated that this is not the only litter pick -up program; there is an inmate litter pick-
up group. Also, County work crews pick up litter in County rights -of -way.
Collette Gutierrez, citizen, stated she moved here from the east coast noted there is an
incredible amount of litter on all the roads. The trash is an environmental and safety issue.
Public Works Minutes, 3/11/97, Page 1
2 Prieve stated the only budget authority he has is for litter control and removal. He
3 routinely spends more on litter control than what is budgeted, even if the budget for that line
4 item is increased.
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6 Brenner suggested that interested associations provide part of the costs associated with
7 litter control, as well as the possibility of the local garbage company picking up the litter bags.
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9 Ward Nelson, Council Member, stated that there are larger issues that need to be
10 considered, which included sufficient fines for littering and program funding. There are different
11 sources for funding that could be explored.
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13 Brown stated that people deserve recognition for their efforts, so the signs should stay.
14 Funds from the solid waste fund could also be used to fund the programs. Funds could be
15 diverted from the solid waste fund to fund a deputy to ensure enforcement of litter laws. He
16 questioned whether there was a mandatory amount of roadway that has to be covered. Prieve
17 stated that there is no requirement, but generally the average roadway amount is one or two
18 miles.
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20 There was discussion about the different organizations that are allowed to participate in
21 the programs. Gutierrez stated that businesses participating could promote the program. Also,
22 sings need to be on the state highways announcing the littering fines and more education for
23 children and adults regarding littering. The County needs to prevent as much littering as
24 possible and pick up the rest. Legislation, enforcement, and zero tolerance are what will control
25 the problem.
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27 Brenner stated she would like to create mandatory fines that would cover court costs,
28 manpower, and punitive damages for littering. Dawson suggested Earth Day would be an
29 appropriate time for the Public Works Department to advertise the program. Brenner suggested
30 that RESources would be an appropriate organization for educating the public and the
31 participants in the program. Nelson suggested promoting the program through Council
32 resolution or requesting Administration do an awareness presentation which could highlight
33 recycling programs and the need for further enhancement of the programs.
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35 Brenner moved to accept Nelson's recommendation to create a resolution by Earth Day,
36 send a draft to the Executive, and have public process.
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38 Motion carried unanimously.
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40 Brenner moved to form a subcommittee of the Public Works Committee to work on a
41 program, have a contact person in the Engineering Division of Public Works, and request
42 volunteers to do research on possible funding sources.
Public Works Minutes, 3/11/97, Page 2
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Motion carried unanimously.
Brown asked if the community service workers could be kept busy picking up litter.
Prieve stated that he is willing to have people out during the summer months. There was
discussion regarding the use of community service workers to pick up litter.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
W14ATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Minutes, 3/11/97, Page 3