HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works June 1 20041
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Safety Committee
June 1, 2004
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present:
Dan McShane
Also Present:
None
Absent:
Sam Crawford
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE SPEED LIMIT
FROM 35 TO 25 MPH FOR ROADS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF
WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2004-215)
Brenner stated this is specifically about Trigg Road and asked if the County
can legally set a speed limit of 25 miles per hour on a County road.
Joe Rutan, County Road Engineer, stated the County can sign a road at 25
miles per hour. They installed counters on Trigg Road last Friday, over the
Memorial Day weekend, which showed there are about 200 average daily trips.
That is not a very high volume. Eighty-five percent of the people were driving at or
below the speed limit. There doesn't appear to be a speeding problem. If the
County changed the speed limit to 25 mph, it would be an enforcement issue of
having the Sheriff's Office respond to a dead end low volume road.
Brenner stated her impression was that the problem was with the volume of
traffic. Rutan stated he is finding out from the City of Ferndale if a traffic study was
done for the development project.
2. UPDATE TO THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR SURFACE WATER QUANTITY
MODEL (AB2004-229)
Sue Blake, Senior Planner, handed out a memo from Bruce Roll dated June
1, 2004 (on file) on three updates regarding the surface water quantity model, plan
review schedule and strategy, and the instream flow selection and adoption plan.
They will discuss these items during the next water resources work session.
The main item is the surface water quantity model addition to the scope of
work. This is to have Utah State University (USU) add a drainage component to
Public Works and Safety Committee, 6/1/2004, Page 1
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
the surface water quantity model. The Council was unable to come to a decision at
the previous meeting. During the Planning Unit meeting, there was consensus to
move forward with doing that work conceptually, which the County Council also
approved of. There was concern about whether USU was appropriate for doing that
work. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) would work with USU on
the proposal to make sure that what USU did actually reflected local conditions
accurately. The Planning Unit was fine with the proposal with that condition. What
they are pursuing now is asking USU whether that is possible and trying to get the
two parties together. That's the new information on this project. If that
relationship can be established between NRCS and USU, the question is if the
County Council can approve of the project.
McShane moved to move forward with the water quantity study, contingent
upon addressing comments raised by agricultural caucus and that it is done within
the existing scope. The condition is basically that USU and NRCS agree to work it
out.
Brenner stated she can't support USU.
Motion failed 1-1 with McShane in favor.
Brenner stated she would bring it to the Council at the meeting tonight.
Blake stated the next item is the schedule and strategy for reviewing the
watershed management plan. The Planning Unit agreed on moving forward with
the existing schedule and strategy. They are still shooting for a similar timeline of
having a Planning Unit decision by the end of the year. The main twist is that they
are going to unofficially allow the public to see the document as it is now. The
public can provide comments to the author. The Planning Unit believes that the
most appropriate time for official public review is when it is before the Council.
Until then, the Planning Unit will work on a document it can support. The document
will be released to the public, but the Planning Unit won't have any outreach to the
public at this time.
Bruce Roll, Water Resources Division Manager, stated the handout includes
information on version six of the instream flow action strategy. This is slightly
different. It has a phased approach. The work group for the instream flows
continues to meet. Read the latest version. He will seek approval at the next work
session in June.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION ONLY
1. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WHATCOM COUNTY SIX -YEAR
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 2005
THROUGH 2O10 (AB2004-221)
Public Works and Safety Committee, 6/1/2004, Page 2
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Joe Rutan, County Road Engineer, stated this is the 2005 to 2010 plan. The
Winter Olympic games are in Vancouver in 2010. The State Department of
Transportation got money to improve the Guide Meridian in 2008 in preparation for
the games. Therefore, the County needs to have Hannegan Road up and ready
before 2008, so it can handle the additional flow from repair work on the Guide
Meridian. There are a number of intersection improvements, signals, and a bridge
project scheduled for Hannegan Road. The bridge project is fully funded. Everyone
who usually drives on the Guide Meridian will move to the Hannegan Road while the
State works on the Guide. The County should be done with Hannegan Road before
the State starts it work on the Guide.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated these projects are not specifically
for the Olympics. The County just doesn't want to be in the middle of its
construction on Hannegan Road while the State does it's construction for the
Olympics.
Rutan stated staff presented the six -year plan from the Planning Commission
and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The Planning Commission
discussed traffic calming policies. Some of the impacts they will see from the
Olympics they are already seeing. People are already moving in because of the
Olympics. There will also be an afterglow from the event.
Staff has hard dates on projects it wants to get done by 2008. The County
received $3 million from the federal government, which fully funds the bridge on
Hannegan.
Traditionally, they've kept a ten to twelve million dollar road fund balance.
As they get into 2005 to 2010, they will bring the reserve down to about $1.5
million. If they had the money, they could do $23 million dollars' worth of projects,
but he had to pick and choose which he really wanted to get done with the funds he
has. He hopes to get grant funding to accomplish a lot of the projects.
Brenner stated that if some of the projects were overkill, such as the work
done at West Smith Road and Northwest Road, they could save money. In the
future, focus on the fact that simple is better.
Rutan stated they've tried to make people aware of the projects by defining
the projects on the map better and also preparing a data sheet for each project.
He described the projects on Curtis Road/Rural Road. He did not take
construction funding away from that project. The Council of Governments provided
funding for that project. It is a bicycle corridor. There are dangerous intersections.
He is working with the Lummi Nation to get funds for the Red River Road
bridges, projects 26 and 33, and also on the Slater Road flood proofing, project 31.
Public Works and Safety Committee, 6/1/2004, Page 3
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Brenner asked the cost of project 31, the Slater Road flood proofing. Rutan
stated it depends. They've had to close the road twice during flooding. It depends
on how high they raise the road. The project ties into what they're doing with the
Lummi Nation to flood proof the west side of Ferndale Road. If it becomes a 100-
year levee, it affects where they would have to close the road. They are in the
initial stages of finding funding sources and developing a final plan.
McShane asked if flood proofing means that they would still be able to drive
on the road during a flood. Rutan stated that's correct. The question is the flood
frequency to which they will flood proof the road.
McShane asked what is driving this project. Rutan stated they had to close
the road a couple of times. The Lummi Nation is very interested in the project, and
is looking into Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds. The
industries and residents of the location are interested in the project. The Executive
has indicated that this is something the County should move forward on.
Brenner stated a closure also affects people to the north at the city of
Ferndale. She asked if they calculated the volume of traffic during the time the
Ferndale Bridge was closed. Rutan stated they did not. When they close Slater
Road, generally Marine Drive is closed also. That is a problem in terms of
emergency response, which must take quite a detour.
Brenner asked about why they postponed the Ferndale Road work. It's a
very dangerous intersection. At least put a traffic light in there. Rutan stated they
are going to put in a left-hand turn lane. It could potentially have a traffic light.
They will study the volume counts. At the minimum, they will install the lanes and
conduit for a signal in the future.
Brenner stated she's more concerned about people turning to go east from
Ferndale Road onto Slater Road. Rutan stated he will look at that issue. He
expects that the current construction on Main Street of Ferndale on the bridge is
affecting that increased volume.
The program is pretty much the same as last year, except they had to
change the timing of the projects. There are many projects in Birch Bay and Lake
Whatcom that he'd like to get done, but doesn't have the money now.
Another project is the Cable Street project. It is being funded in part to do
water quality and stormwater improvement projects.
McShane asked about the Slater Road flood proofing project. He asked if he
would be able to get off that peninsula currently if there were a five-year flood.
Rutan stated he would. One would have to get into Ferndale and go across the
bridge there.
Public Works and Safety Committee, 6/1/2004, Page 4
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Monsen stated the flood frequency doesn't close access on Haxton Way.
That closure is a result of a levee failure. It's not likely that failure would occur
during a five-year flood event. If there were a 50-year flood event, the right bank
levee would clearly overtop. It would probably overtop, but not fail, during a 20- or
25-year event. Failure of the levee closes Haxton Way, not overtopping.
Rutan stated there are a number of projects dedicated to getting on or off
the Lummi peninsula to deal with those issues.
McShane stated he's not that keen on pursuing flood -proofing Slater Road
and Haxton Way. He knows the reasons why they do it, but the worst case
scenario is that it is closed for just a few days. That's a lot of money for that little
of time. He's not inclined to pursue those repairs. Rutan stated this money is
simply to develop whether or not they do that work.
McShane stated he's not keen on doing the studies, either. Rutan stated
that if a federal agency decides to funding something 100 percent, it will change
their recommendation.
Brenner stated it's not about convenience. It's about safety and life -and -
death issues. They need to get emergency vehicles in and out of that area in a
timely manner. There are a lot of people who live out there. Hopefully the Lummi
Nation will contribute a lot of the funding. Monsen stated the Lummi's are
proposing to use FEMA pre -mitigation monies. The maximum grant would be $3
million, with a 25 percent match requirement. There could be as much as $4
million toward this project, which would only pay for a 50-year event. That being
said, the program is such that approval of any grant requires a cost -benefit analysis
to demonstrate the expenditure is valid. The number of days of closure
substantially influences whether there is a substantial benefit.
Rutan stated there is a lot of flexibility in the plan to move projects around
from year to year and to add projects at the last minute. Because the reserve will
get down to $1.5 million, they will have to consider the funding consequences of
moving projects around.
Ellen Barton, 1581 Marine Drive, Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee
member, stated the committee reviewed the six -year plan. She read from her
letter, which she submitted into the record (on file).
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Barton continued to read her letter.
Rutan stated the plan was done at the end of April, sent to the different
agencies and committees, and staff asked for comments by mid -May. The deadline
that he had was to get the comments in front of the Council for this meeting. The
Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting wasn't scheduled until May. The
Public Works and Safety Committee, 6/1/2004, Page 5
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
committee was told to provide individual comments sooner. This won't go before a
public hearing until July.
Regarding Lummi View Drive, a sidewalk is included in the project. It is
scheduled for completion in 2005. The old alignment has mostly been vacated. A
portion was retained down to Portage Point. He doesn't have a lot of ability to
make changes on the Lummi View Drive project.
Regarding Tyee Drive, the plan was to let the community choose from one of
four options. The different projects have different costs. Regarding Potter Road
Bridge, it's being modeled. Regarding Yew Street Road, the Public Works
Department will propose bike lanes. It will propose to eliminate the on -street
parking so it can designate that parking shoulder as a bike lane from Lake Padden
to Whatcom Falls Park. He agrees with the Curtis Road/Rural Road project and the
Lincoln Road project recommendations.
Barton stated some of the work was done in cooperation with the Lummi
Nation. One issue of the Coast Millennium Trail was to use Red River Road as part
of a loop for the Coat Millennium Trail. However, that hasn't been a priority of the
Lummi Nation. She asked the County to encourage the Lummi Nation to consider
that option and work together on that issue.
McShane referenced project number four, and stated there is no way he'll
support replacing the Frost Road bridge. He's impressed with the amount of federal
money that is going toward bridge projects. Regarding the Innis Creek Road, they
got a presentation about the area. He asked how badly they need this road. Rutan
stated some areas would be cut off without the road. They've worked with the
Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Fisheries, which have granted a permit
to do work to open the road, with the ultimate goal for the Whatcom Community
Land Trust to buy property downstream to develop a better solution to the
problem. When they look at what the costs and benefits are, it's worthwhile to
proceed with analyzing the project.
McShane referenced the Grandview/Point Whitehorn project number 24. He
asked the reason for the project. Rutan stated the road is beginning to show signs
of wear. There is a lot of growth in the area. There are drainage, site distance,
and other issues to address with that project. They have a lot of growth occurring
in that area. They pushed the schedule of that project back from the original
schedule. With only a $1.5 million fund reserve balance, cash flow during
construction becomes an issue. There is development happening in the area. He is
working in coordination with the developers in the area.
McShane asked if impact fees are possible given that the increase is
development -driven. Rutan stated the Council would have to pass an ordinance
allowing transportation impact fees. There are a lot of regional transportation
needs in that area.
Public Works and Safety Committee, 6/1/2004, Page 6
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
McShane asked if they want to hang onto the Grandview Road/West Pole
Road connector. Rutan stated he would. Many people would like to see that
project happen. It's a big project he'd like to achieve in his career. When the
County allows transportation impact fees, they can do modeling of what those fees
will gets them.
Brenner stated the Pole Road connector should not be funded from
transportation impact fees. Rutan stated he agreed.
McShane referenced the Whatcom connector. He is not in favor of it. The
fund balance is a little scary looking. Rutan agreed.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown -Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Safety Committee, 6/1/2004, Page 7