HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works October 10 20171
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
October 10, 2017
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, Todd Donovan, and Ken Mann
Absent: None
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Rud Browne, Satpal Sidhu, and Carl Weimer
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
2. REPORT FROM SUPERIOR COURT (AB2017 -068)
Dave Reynolds, Superior Court Administrator, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file). He answered questions on sentencing decisions from the judges, the
advantages and disadvantages of having a County Clerk that is not elected, civil cases in
Superior Court, workload, time spent on each type of charge, and improvements in
efficiency of case processing.
1. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COURT (AB2017 -068)
Bruce Van Glubt, District Court Administrator, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file). He answered questions on the status of home monitoring and a
federal program to provide free smart phones to indigent people who need them.
Other programs in progress:
• Phone call reminder program for arraignment and probation violation using
volunteers. There have been 11,000 calls since inception. The approximate
reduction in failures to appear (FTAs) is 20 -22 percent.
• Out -of- custody work crew for probation violations in lieu of jail. It is
independent of the jail alternatives program, and is a type of swift -and-
certain consequence.
• New case management system that is cloud- based, which includes a text
message reminder program for probation clients prior to every hearing,
appointment, or substance testing appointment. They will begin to work on
email notification as a next step.
• New pretrial risk assessment for misdemeanants
Jack Louws, County Executive, spoke about the success and dedication of Mr.
Reynolds and Mr. Van Glubt and the political implication of implementing an electronic home
monitoring system.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 10/10/2017, Page 1
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I. DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
WHATCOM COUNTY 2018 ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM (RESOLUTION
SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION THIS EVENING) (AB2017 -294)
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and answered questions on
why there aren't culverts on the annual construction program. It is scheduled for
Introduction at the evening Council meeting.
2. DISCUSSION OF TWO PROPOSED ORDINANCES (COMMITTEE TO
RECOMMEND ONE OF THE TWO VERSIONS TO COUNCIL FOR INTRODUCTION
THIS EVENING) TO AMEND WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 10.04,
SPEED LIMITS, TO ESTABLISH THE SPEED LIMIT FOR A PORTION OF NORTH
SHORE ROAD (AB2017 -196A)
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report, submitted a map (on file),
and answered questions on the different versions recommended by petitioners, staff, and
other neighbors; how the staff calculates speeds and the 85th percentile, and; the citizens'
fears regarding the 40 mile - per -hour speed limit, despite accident data showing that speed
limit is more dangerous. He recommends a speed limit of 40, but is willing to go down to
35 miles per hour for consistency.
Mann moved to move forward the ordinance as presented, except amend the 25
mile per hour zone, which should be a 30 mile per hour zone that goes all the way to Smith
Creek; include a no passing zone, and; a reduction from 40 to 35 miles per hour as
recommended by staff.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner and Mann (2)
Nays: Donovan (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
ATTEST: \\0,` l q w r0r
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Dana-Brm4n- pact - '1C6u,neR Clerk
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 10/10/2017, Page 2