HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole August 14 1986WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
August 14, 1986
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hansey at 7:30
p.m. at the Lummi Island Grange Hall on Lummi Island. Burton,
Johnson, Muenscher, Roehl, and Warner were present.
INPUT FROM WHATCOM COUNTY RESIDENTS REGARDING THE WHATCOM COUNT
Al Marshall
2781 W. Shore Drive
Challenged statistical basis for ferry study's contentions that
there is low relationship between fares and ridership, and that
economically disadvantaged Islanders cannot afford punch cards
and are subsidizing punch card users; said study should have put
more emphasis on annual revenue rather than focusing on
"ridership." Presented letter to Council.
Tom Doyle
3842 Legoe Bay Road
Challenged the contentions that Lummi Island receives a
disproportionate portion of County road funds, and that rates
have little connection with ridership; suggested explanations for
1982 -84 decline in ridership during period of stable ferry rates.
Presented letter to Council.
Steven Thomas
3321 Sunrise Cove
Stated that ferry study contained numerous false points and
premises; suggested that County look for other means to subsidize
ferry costs, such as state or federal government funding.
Anne Jewell
3881 Centerview
Noted that ferry fare takes 8% of her take -home pay, and this is
why more working people do not live on Island; stated that the
report was an embarrassment; report used 1980 census figures
which included only full -time residents of Island, excluding
Canadians and part -time residents.
Paul Davis
2297 Nugent
Said that the study's contention that low - income people find it
difficult to purchase punch cards, and the recommendation that a
single -fare policy be instituted, were derived from a comment
made by one person during a meeting of the Citizen's Advisory
Committee; said the claim that people who use ferry once a week
or less always pay cash is also false.
2
Howard Duff
2975 Hale Passage
Said that study's contention that there is no relationship
between fares and ridership was laughable; even people living on
Social Security buy punch cards; ferry rates are too high.
Ted Cooper
3721 Legoe Bay Road
Stated that County discriminates against Lummi Islanders; doesn't
spend money on Island except for slipshod road repairs; ferry
rates high compared to state ferry system; Lummi Islanders pay
higher taxes due to waterfront property.
Jerry McRorie
1284 Baker Ave.
Challenged the contention that there is no relationship between
rates and ridership; related his own efforts to cut commuting
costs; said he may not be able to keep his store open if rates
continue to increase.
Florence Konecke
1683 S. Nugent Road
Protested proposal to eliminate punch cards; can't afford $5.75
per trip.
Steve Luke
3342 Sunrise Cove
Suggested that ferry rates be accompanied by tolls on County
bridges.
Nina Ramsby
2966 Rosewood Terrace
Said if she had to commute to a job she would not be able to
afford fare; rate increases are making it impossible for low or
middle income working people to live on Island.
Carl Hanson
2781 W. Shore Dr.
Stated that his bed - and - breakfast operation was loosing business
because of high ferry rates.
Debbie Lynch
2523 Taft Drive
Stated that her family maintains summer residence on Island;
relatives will not attend son's birthday party due to high ferry
rates so party must be held on mainland; social activities
limited by cost of ferry.
3
Susan Dickinson
Village Point
Proposed trying out a later ferry run one night a week, with
higher fares if necessary, to increase revenues; said increase in
fares would cause more people to leave cars on the mainland and
walk onto ferry.
Willis Wright
1666 S. Nugent
Stated that the 75 -25% formula is arbitrary and unfair because
ferry is part of County road system; formula should be 50 -50.
Dave Barker
3816 Centerview
Said minimum -wage earners cant afford to live on Island; loss of
punch cards would compound the problem.
Bud Jewell
3881 Centerview
Said ferry study was so flawed it was worthless; questioned its
acceptance by County. Presented to the Council a proposal from
the Lummi Island Community Club to restructure ferry rates for a
5 -year period on the basis of a 50 -50 funding formula, and an
ordinance to implement the proposal. Stated that the proposal to
drop the frequent -user discount and implement an all -cash system
would result in higher fares for everyone, and that 50% fare
revenue /50% County road money funding was the most logical
formula.
The resolution was briefly discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 :45 p.m.
WHATCOM COUNT OUNCIL
WHA'TCOM COUNT SH GTON
l�
o-n d G. y, Chair /
ATTEST:
&14-1( yj_��
Carol Ebergson
Clerk of the Council