HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works March 8 2016-I
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
March 8, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Rud Browne, and Ken Mann
Absent: None
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, and Satpal Sidhu
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE
KENDALL /COLUMBIA VALLEY CONNECTIVITY PLAN (AB2016 -119)
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, stated the community, Council of Governments
(COG), and Health Department have put together a working group and connectivity plan.
The Public Works Department is planning to do some work in the area this summer.
Melissa Morin, Health Department, described the history of and participants in the
community working group. Their main objective is the trail along the highway. They have
gathered input from the community on the plan with help from the Health Department,
State Department of Transportation, and Council of Governments. There is a funding
request before the State legislature.
Brenner asked if the plan includes crossings at a roundabout. Morin stated there are
crossings at the roundabout.
Mann asked for a copy of the plan. Schroeder stated he will provide a copy of the
plan and a link to the plan on the group's website.
Browne asked if there is a crossing between the school and library. Morin stated
there is a crossing at the roundabout. A sidewalk only extends to the front of the grocery,
not all the way to the school.
Mann stated there is technically a crossing, but it's functionally bad.
Brenner asked if all roundabouts in the county have places for pedestrians to cross.
Morin stated there are two or three marked crossings within the roundabout.
Sidhu stated the ultimate purpose of a crosswalk is to be safe. There are crosswalks
at roundabouts on Guide Meridian, but there are no lights or other indicators that traffic
must slow down. People still cross at the crosswalks. He asked how this compares to other
roundabouts. He asked why a crosswalk has to cost $500,000 and how the crosswalks at
the roundabouts can be considered safe.
]oe Rutan, Public Works Department, stated roundabouts are controlled
intersections. As part of that control, design criteria require appropriate crossings. That's
different from stopping the traffic on Lakeway. There are crosswalks on Lakeway now. It's
about stopping the traffic on Lakeway. It's a level of service discussion for Lakeway and a
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 3/8/2016, Page 1
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safety issue. At roundabouts, pedestrian facilities are included in the design even if there
aren't warrants.
Schroeder stated there is a $77,000 funding request in the State House budget.
They are still talking about it in the State Senate budget. He and Executive Louws have
talked to the local State representatives. The Council could engage with Senators Erickson
and Rankor about this funding request.
Brenner asked if the School District has advocated for this. Morin stated the
Superintendent has participated with the working group and talked to representatives in
Olympia.
Browne stated he spoke to five of the six legislators from the 40th and 42nd Districts
in Olympia to encourage them to support this request.
Donovan asked if there is still time to get it in the Senate budget. Schroeder stated
there is. They have done all they can to reach out to the legislators at this point. The
representatives understand the County administration and Council's interest in this.
Browne moved to recommend that the Council send a letter supporting this project
to the legislators.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Browne, and Mann (3)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner asked if the councilmembers would like Council Legislative Analyst Forrest
Longman to draft a letter.
The councilmembers concurred,
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, stated the Public Works
Department is providing technical support with the COG in the Peaceful Valley community.
The County's regular maintenance program includes chip seal work in the area this summer
and general cleanup in the area.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The mee���ng,, q)pu/ned at 1:55 p.m.
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ATTEST:~
Dana 5r-awn'D6vis, Courr.t l.-
Jill Nixon, Minutes ranscription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 3/8/2016, Page 2