HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works August 9 2016WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
August 9, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner and Rud Browne
Absent: Ken Mann
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, Satpal Sidhu, and Carl Weimer
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING JAIL BOOKING RESTRICTIONS AT THE WHATCOM
COUNTY JAIL (AB2016 -243)
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, gave a staff report on jail population control measures, including
booking restrictions. He described the jail history; operational capacity; failing jail
infrastructure; inadequate space in the jail for violently mentally ill inmates; correction
officer assaults; and communication with municipalities, other jurisdictions, and the County
Council about the need to reduce the jail population. He also described the two jail options
presented to the Cities. He answered questions about the decision to impose booking
restrictions; limitations at the work center that prevent it from being used to book inmates;
increased County liability due to overcrowding, and; the number of transient inmates.
2. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING REGULATIONS
RELATED TO SMOKING AND VAPING IN PUBLIC PLACES (AB2016 -253)
Amy Hockenberry, Health Department, gave a staff report about increased vaping
use in the community, schools, and public places. Staff proposes that regulations for
smoking be extended to vaping.
Joe Fuller, Health Department, referenced and read from the community feedback
information in the Council packet.
Regina Delahunt, Health Department, answered questions on hookah bars, vaping
establishments operating as private clubs, being regulated by smoking regulations, and
raising the Statewide smoking age to 21.
vaping.
Hockenberry and Fuller answered questions about State regulations on smoking and
John Wolpers, Health Department, answered questions about enforcement.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 8/9/2016, Page 1
1 3. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WHATCOM
2 COUNTY SIX -YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE
3 YEARS 2017 THROUGH 2022 (AB2016 -251)
4
5 Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report on the list of projects that
6 have been removed and projects that are new, the annual approval and budget processes,
7 and including projects on the list to allow grant fund applications.
8
9 He answered questions on the impacts from a proposed new purchasing policy,
10 which projects have project -based budgets, identifying non - motorized options for each
11 project, funding for non - motorized crosswalks and trails, creating a priority list for non -
12 motorized projects, and assigning a small amount of funding to certain projects as a
13 placeholder.
14
15 He gave a staff report on several projects, including the Jordan Creek culvert /bridge
16 and projects along Marine Drive. This will come to the Council in September for
17 introduction.
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20 OTHER BUSINESS
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22 There was no other business.
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25 ADJOURN
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27 The meeting adjOUrned at 3:05 p.m.
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30 ATTEST: 'qGO ! WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
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36 Dana Brown -'D :Council Clerk Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
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42 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 8/9/2016, Page 2