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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Meeting July 8 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Special Council Work Session July 8, 1997 The meeting was called to order at 1 p.m. by Council Chair Ward Nelson in the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue. Also Present: Absent: Marlene Dawson None Tom Brown Alvin Starkenburg Kathy Sutter Robert Imhof Barbara Brenner Staff Present: Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director Nasser Mansour, Engineering Ed Henken, Engineering Bruce Mills, Engineering Michael Knapp, Planning and Development Services Director WORK SESSION REGARDING THE COUNTY'S SIX YEAR ROAD PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 1998 THROUGH 2003 (AB97 -215) (Clerk's Note: This section of the discussion was convened at 1 p.m.) Jeff Monsen, Public Works director, gave a staff report. He noted during the public hearing, three roads were of particular interest: Yew Street, the Whatcom Connector, and Park Road. He spoke first to Yew Street and Park Road, stating that in order to achieve acceleration of these roads, between now and the end of the year consultant support would need to be hired for the design work. The next process would be doing the construction drawings and acquiring the rights -of -way; financing would then be the next order of business. There is a possibility these two projects could move ahead more rapidly than the way they are indicated in the Six - Year Road Program. However, this will not be known until the engineering has been completed. Monsen expected a consultant could be selected by this fall. Regarding the Whatcom Connector, it is listed for engineering purposes only in the Six - Year Road Program. This engineering work is planned for 1998 -99, depending on what is found. The engineering work to finalize the route to establish the right -of -way needs may approach Special Work Session Minutes, 7/8/97, Page $0.25 million to complete just the engineering. It is estimated building the road will be approximately $15 million (due to the terrain, etc.). The completed study selected two proposed routes, which have not been finalized. Discussion followed. Topics discussed included: the proposed road; the dollar estimate; the road length (2.5 miles); a possible L.I.D.; budgeting for this project; the role played by the properties that will literally touch the proposed route in either dedication or contribution toward the project; level of service; traffic counts; growth potential to justify any cost for this project; the city of Bellingham's involvement; Monsen's memo regarding funding options (on file); completion date (at least a year); the need for the study; general road tax monies; politics; R.I.D.; toll road; Bellingham's level of service; and cost for two and four lanes. Nelson moved to recommend for full Council vote next Tuesday (July 15) moving the $200,000 that has been allocated over two years into the first year to get this done as quickly as possible. Motion carried 6 -1 with Brenner opposed. Nelson spoke to concerns regarding safety on the Boulevard and spoke to directing traffic more to the Lake Louise route. Discussion followed. Topics discussed included: speeding; temporary improvements to Lakeway; Austin and Cable Streets; (Clerk's Note: Tape 1, side B) diversion to Lake Louise; putting this item into Public Works and Capital Projects Committee to examine the options; request the Sheriff's Office to police this area (to be done through Public Works and Capital Projects Committee); and safety alternatives. Monsen pointed out that after the engineering has been done, a decision will then need to be made whether to proceed with a financing package. Nasser Mansour, Public Works, Engineering, addressed Park Road. The funding has been maximized after the year 2000, so this will become a 100% locally financed project. Monsen pointed out this project is not on the rating list so it can be switched to a higher priority. However, Mansour stated Park Road can be bumped up on the County's Six -Year Road Program, noting the design work will be done next year. Monsen stated this project is based on the assumption the County will request state grants. Discussion followed regarding standards; increased traffic; reprioritizing Park Road; impact fees; maximizing local dollars; trust fund monies; committing dollars; and the safety factor. Mansour stated Park Road can be moved up to next year (1998) with $200,000 for Special Work Session Minutes, 7/8/97, Page 2 construction design and right -of -way. Monies have been funded for portions of Yew Street, some of which is match money in grants. Discussion followed on funding specifics -- $300,000 for the entire length of Yew Street, which does not include the right -of -way. Starkenburg suggested further discussion is needed on this topic. He inquired if another work session would be held to discuss various roads and long -range economic issues. Gordon Rogers, Council of Governments (COG), commented regarding funding programs. Nelson stated a work session may be held either with full Council or through the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee regarding state highway concerns, economic development, and other items related to state dollars. This would then be directed to Council's representative on COG for consistency as well addressing the County's needs at the state level. Imhof pointed out the County has done well - -as well or better than other counties - -in obtaining CRAB monies and various grants. Brown stated there are various funds "out there ". Monsen requested clarification regarding a specific map of all- weather roads, as well as roads built to current standards. (Clerk's Note: This section of the agenda was adjourned at 2:35 p.m) 2. WORK SESSION REGARDING THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE FLOOD HAZARD MANAGEMENT PLAN (AB96 -099A) (Clerk's Note: This section of the agenda convened at 2:45 p.m) Present: Absent: Marlene Dawson None Barbara Brenner Tom Brown Alvin Starkenburg Kathy Sutter Robert Imhof Ward Nelson Staff Present: Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director Nasser Mansour, Public Works, Engineering Ed Henken, Public Works, Engineering Special Work Session Minutes, 7/8/97, Page 3 Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, distributed an outline of his presentation (on file). He gave background information and highlighted issues he thought were particularly significant relative to the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). These included: identify immediate projects; deal with underlying policies; and incorporate work done in the Comp Plan into the Flood Plan for consistency. Monsen noted the 1997 budget for the Flood Control Zone District was built under the assumption that the County is nearing the end of the planning process and policy implementation will soon begin. As a result of preparation for that implementation process, there were requests for an increase in a number of expenditure categories -- cost - sharing projects, direct projects, and any necessary studies. The Plan was built very generally because it needed to reach a point of becoming more focused. The majority of the work since the first of the year has been in flood damage restoration only. The restoration has been accomplished through state and federal grants, as well as private contributions. In reviewing and implementing this Plan, his department continues to reflect what needs to be further considered rather than replacing in kind. Also being considered is the potential formation of a special purpose district or a diking district. Starkenburg wondered how far Council wanted to go with the Plan before any funds are expended. Monsen replied the ties to the consultant have been severed; what has not been resolved are the politics of potential mitigation issues. The missing piece is whether the district will prioritize ideas or will the County continue to seek local sponsors. The Board of Supervisors needs to deal with this issue of who is in charge. Discussion followed. Topics discussed included: a diking district; funding mechanisms; mitigation; channel location; County liability; prioritization; management of water resources; County's responsibility; jurisdiction; and authority. Monsen stated the Plan can be used as a resource document regarding policies. Future discussions can be focused on the general policy issues or research project -based evaluation can be done for a better understanding of all the work completed by the Advisory Committee regarding a list of potential activities. He proposed focusing on the policy issues; the Advisory Committee would suggest potential proactive projects. There was further discussion. Monsen then gave a brief history of SEPA's involvement in this Plan. His department has requested and was anticipating a declaration of non - significance from SEPA; however, this has been reversed. He stated the proposed Plan can be implemented before completion of the EIS if the appropriate environmental review based on projects has been completed. The Plan, however, cannot be formally adopted until completion of the EIS. There was further discussion. Bob Andersen, Land Use Consultant, commented regarding categorizing projects. Topics discussed included: expansion of the Plan; putting this issue in Public Works and Capital Projects Committee or the Flood Control Advisory Committee; potential emergencies and their impacts to other areas in the Plan; funding deadline through the end of this year; and proposed language regarding expansion. Special Work Session Minutes, 7/8/97, Page 4 (Clerk's Note: Tape 2, side B) Discussion continued regarding a project Plan; prioritization criteria; and flood taxes collected. Council requested Monsen obtain a priority list of projects from the Advisory Committee by budget time for the following year to be accomplished - -what has been done, what is currently being done, and what is proposed. Ed Henken, Public Works, Engineering, pointed out a concern of SEPA's is sediment management and removal. There was consensus regarding leaving the SEPA policy broad enough so if it were appropriate, Council can move forward. No limitations would be applied to certain elements of this Plan if the policy were left sufficiently broad. Monsen clarified Council wished the Advisory Committee to examine this situation specifically now and then as a broader issue. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m. Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary These minutes were approved by Council on , 1997. ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk L. Ward Nelson, Council Chair Special Work Session Minutes, 7/8/97, Page 5