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Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Report
File Number: AB2023-736
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
File ID: AB2023-736 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 11/01/2023 Entered by: SMurdoch@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Public Works File Type: Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing
Department
Assigned to: Council Final Action: 12/05/2023
Agenda Date: 12/05/2023 Enactment #: ORD 2023-077
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: SDraper@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 3.72, Construction projects - apprentice
requirements, to align with RCW 39.04.320
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 3.72 (Construction Projects - Apprentice Requirements)
to align with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 39.04.320 (Apprenticeship training programs)
which was amended to include municipalities
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
Sent To:
11/21/2023 Council INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC Council
HEARING
Aye: 5 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 1 Elenbaas
Absent: 1 Byrd
12/05/2023 Council ADOPTED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 121612023
Agenda Bill Report Continued (AB2023-736)
Attachments: Staff Memo, Staff Report, Proposed Ordinance, Substitute Ordinance (reformatted with current
code language) for 12.5.2023, RCW 39.04.320
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 121612023
PROPOSED BY: Public Works
INTRODUCTION DATE: 11/21/2023
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-077
AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 3.72 (CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS -
APPRENTICE REQUIREMENTS) TO ALIGN WITH RCW 39.04.320,
WHEREAS, on November 19, 2019, Whatcom County Council adopted Ordinance
2019-079 establishing apprenticeship utilization requirements for publicly funded
construction projects; and
WHEREAS, on December 12t", 2022, Whatcom County Council amended Ordinance
2022-673;and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council remains committed to training the next
generation of skilled workers and urges the timely implementation of this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, a new program specialist position was created and filled in September of
2023 to create systems and fulfill much of the CAP Coordinator role; and
WHEREAS, Washington state amended RCW 39.04.320 to include Municipalities
effective 7/1/2024; and
WHEREAS, amending this ordinance to align with RCW 39.04.320 will provide
Whatcom County the opportunity to create a consistent message for local workers, and
provide opportunities for equity and training; and
WHEREAS, adjusting the language of the code will allow for more equity and clarity
for local bid processes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that Chapter 3.72 of the Whatcom
County Code is hereby 'amended as provided for in Exhibit A attached hereto.
day of December 2023.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTE 4GOB a HATCOI TY, W SHINGTON
a F
bari—aBrown-'tivi's;'d'6A of the Council Bar chanan, Council Chair
APPROVED
�A/STO FORM:
11/30/23.`,'
LrYN" 'elecfYonically signed
and authorized
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ms—AZ4-4
Satpal Sidhu, Co my Executive
(uAj Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: 1Z1'b1 3
EXHIBIT A
Chapter 3.72
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS — APPRENTICE REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
3.72.010
Definitions.
3.72.020
Minimum apprentice labor hours required for public work.
3.72.030
Administration.
3.72.040
CAP Utrtilization Plan.
3.72.050
Exceptions and waivers.
3.72.060
Monitoring.
3.72.070
Reporting.
3.72.080
Remedies.
3.72.090
Emergencies.
3.72.100
Severability.
3.72.010 Definitions.
Where used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following
terms shall have the meaning and construction set forth herein:
A. "Apprentice" means an apprentice FegisteFed in an apffeved appFeigtieeship pFegFaffi.as
defined by RCW 39.04.310.
B. "Bid" refers to an offer as defined by RCW 39.26.010.
C. "Contractor" means a person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or joint
venture entering into a contract with the Ceounty to construct a public work.
DF. "Contractor apprenticeship program (CAP)" refers to the requirements of this chapter
and any administrative regulations applicable thereto.
EG. "CAP Ceoordinator" refers to the person designated by the Ceounty Eexecutive to
administer and coordinate the CAP.
FH. "CAP Utrtilization Pplan" refers to the description of how the contractor will meet or
exceed apprentice labor hours as required by this chapter and RCW 39.04.320.
GI. "Cost estimate" shall mean the anticipated cost of a public work project, as Elete w ined
based upon the expected costs of materials, supplies, equipment,
and labor, but excluding taxes and contingency funds.
H. "Labor hours" is defined by RCW 39,04.310 and shall include additional hours worked as
a result of a contract or project adjustment or pursuant to an agreed -upon change order.
I. "Minimum apprentice labor hours" refers to labor hours actually worked on a public works
project by apprentices expressed as a percentage of total labor hours.
J. "Notice to proceed" refers to the written authorization to the contractor under the public
work contract to commence work.
K. "Public work" refers to all eeunt_-publicly_funded construction projects that constitute a
public work leas defined in RCW 39.04.010 as new eF heF -.FteF amended andwith
a cost estimate of estimated to eest $1,000,000 or more.
L. "Registered apprenticeship program" means an apprenticeship training program that is
approved or recognized by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.
M-L. "Subcontractor" means a person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or
joint venture that has contracted with the contractor to perform all or part of the work to
construct a public work by a contractor. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A; Ord. 2019-079 Exh. A).
3.72.020 Minimum apprentice labor hours required for public work.
Apprentices shall be utilized on the construction of all public works in accordance with this
chapter, except when requirements of this chapter conflict with funding agreements in
place. The minimum percentage of apprentice labor hours by project shall be:
A. For eentFaets-a total cost estimate of less than $1,000,000 there shall be no requirement;
B—r-vrE6r=rt-Faed-f9F- bid --bcrvrc JaiyT202-3, tiFi-sn-cn-rvefl$F-1I-F1 c rrrc 1 r/
FAeFe, /
BB. For eE)ntr-a t-s-public work projects advertised for bid on or after gaRuary-Ig 1, 2024,
with a total cost estimate of $1,000,000 or more, no less than 15 percent of the labor hours
shall be performed by apprentices. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A; Ord. 2019-079 Exh. A).
3.72.030 Administration.
Apprentices shall be utilized on the construction of all public work in accordance with this
chapter, except when requirements of this chapter conflict with funding agreements in
place, and when emergencies are present as referenced in WCC 3.72.090.
A. Apprenticeship Program Goal. All contractors and subcontractors constructing or involved
with the construction of public works, and all service providers involved with the
construction of a public work, shall ensure that the total labor hours thresholdeE)FHb'ReEl-
are
performed by apprentices and meet all requirements of this chapter.
B. Bid and Contract Requirements. Bid and cEontracts for public work construction projects
subject to this chapter shall include provisions detailing the apprentice labor requirements.
Bids and cGontracts shall not be
intentionally underestimated or fragmented to avoid the requirements of this chapter.
C. Submission of CAP Utilization Plan. All contractors shall submit a CAP UtAilization Pplan
and shall meet with the CAP c-Coordinator to review said CAP tfUtilization Pplan prior to
being issued a notice to proceed. Failure to submit a CAP tfUtilization pPlan may be grounds
for the Ceounty to withhold remittance of a progress payment until such plan is received
from the responsible contractor. A meeting with the CAP Ceoordinator prior to issuance of a
notice to proceed shall be excused with administrative approval only when the CAP
Ceoordinator is unavailable to meet prior to the scheduled date for issuance of the notice to
proceed and the `eHtFaeteF and the CAP Ceoordinator
has reviewed the contractor's plan. The eentF et _ hall be
appFentiees fFem multiple trades eF 6Fafts. AppFentiees utilized in aceerdanee with t
D. Bid specifications for construction projects that are subject to minimum apprentice labor
hours requirements shall include a responsible bidder criterion that allows the purchasing
manager to find a bidder nonresponsive if the bidder fails to meet the requirements under
WCC 3.72.020 and RCW 39.04.320. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A; Ord. 2019-079 Exh. A).
3.72.040 CAP tiMilization pPlan.
Unless waived, cGontractors shall submit a CAP trUtilization pPlan when the cost estimate of
a public work meets thresholds established in WCC 3.72.020.
A. The CAP Uetilization Pplan shall be approved by the CAP Coordinator and meet the
following requirements:
1. Shall be submitted on forms prepared or approved by the CAP Ceoordinator;
2. Shall specify the planter to meet or exceed the total labor hours threshold for each
trade or craft;
3. Shall include a description of .how the contractor will satisfv the CAP utilization aoal
on the particular public work project and include a summary of outreach and
recruitment procedures to hire apprentices to work on the project.
34. Shall be reviewed on a monthly basis for compliance through the electronic system
developed by the Washington State Department of Labor & Ind ustries.pfev+de#er—
ate
45. Contractors may submit an amended CAP Utilization Plan if changed conditions or
circumstances affect the method or schedule of the contractor's previously submitted
plan to meet the apprenticeship program goal.
en the pFejeet-.
6. Failure to meet minimum apprentice labor hour requirements or targets outlined in
the approved CAP Utilization Plan may be deemed a breach of contract under WCC
3.72.080 and RCW 39.04.320.
B. The contractor shall be responsible for meeting the CAP utilization goal requirements of
the contract, including all amendments and change orders thereto, and shall be responsible
for overall compliance for all hours worked by subcontractors. To the extent practical, the
contractor shall recruit apprentices from multiple trades or crafts. Apprentices utilized in
accordance with this chapters must be approved or recognized by the Washington State
Apprenticeship and Training Council.
eeeFElmnateF.
C. Prior to final project acceptance, a final report of apprenticeship labor hours will be
reviewed through the electronic system developed by the Washington State Department of
Labor & Industries. Gent..-,,.t,,,.s n ..bngmt an amended GAP ut;1'zat;en alan if ,.h.,.,eed
3.72.050 Exceptions and waivers.
At any time prior to acceptance of fegtK-- F� bids or proposals on construction projects
covered by this chapter, or at any time during the term of a covered contract, the eCounty
may reduce or waive the apprentice labor hour goals upon determination by the CAP
Ceoordinator that feF emtheF sHbseetmen A OF B of this etmen:
A=4at least two of the below conditions are met and documented:
A. -1—The contractor has demonstrated that it has utilized best efforts to meet the
established 15 percent apprentice labor hour requirement but remains unable to
fulfill the goal;
B. 2—.In order to meet the requirement, the contractor will be forced to displace members of
its workforce;
C. 3—The contractor or agency has demonstrated that it has contacted multiple state e--
feEleFal registered apprenticeship programs, yet an insufficient number of apprentices are
available to meet the CAP utilization requirements;
D. 4—The reasonable and necessary requirements of the contract render apprentice
utilization infeasible at the required levels;
E. §—There exists a disproportionately high ratio of material costs to labor hours, which
does not make feasible the required minimum level of apprentice participation;
F. 6-.-The contractor or the agency has demonstrated that meeting the requirements would
significantly delay an urgent public work project; or
G. For other reasons deemed appropriate by the Ceounty Eexecutive, and not
inconsistent with the purpose and goals of this chapter.
,
state eF feEleFal funded
r in eeRneetieR with publie weFk;
r state,
3.72.060 Monitoring.
The Ceounty shall monitor the actual use of apprentices
in construction projects subject to this chapter. Such monitoring shall include identifying
individual apprentices by name and Washington State ^apprenticeship registration
number; reviewing documents provided by the contractor showing total apprentice labor
hours; ,-and
assessing whether the contractor has complied with the apprenticeship requirement
established in its contract. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A; Ord. 2019-079 Exh. A).
3.72.070 Reporting.
The Ceounty Eexecutive shall report to the Ceounty eCouncil annually upon the use of
apprentices for public work projects. The report shall include, to the extent it is available:
A. The percentage of labor hours actually worked by apprentices on each project and the
total number of labor hours on each project;
B. The number of apprentices by contractor broken down by trade and craft category;
r veteFaigs,
en eaeh rejeet;
FC. All exceptions and waivers granted under WCC 3.72.050 as well as any contractors who
have violated the requirements in this chapter; and
6D. Recommendations for maintaining, enhancing, or otherwise amending the existing
minimum apprentice labor hours required for public work under WCC 3.72.020 and the
exceptions and waivers under WCC 3.72.050. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A; Ord. 2019-079 Exh.
A).
3.72.080 Remedies.
In addition to RCW 39.04.320 (4c),-Ffailure by a contractor to comply with established
apprenticeship requirements, unless otherwise waived or excused in writing by the Ceounty
eExecutive or CAP Ceoordinator pursuant to WCC 3.72.050, shall be deemed a breach of
contract for which the Ceounty shall be entitled to all remedies allowed by law and under
the contract. Failure to comply with the apprenticeship requirements may also be
considered evidence bearing on a contractor's qualification for award of future contracts
with the Ceounty. Contractors who are found to knowingly violate the requirements under
this chapter twice shall be deemed ineligible to bid for Ceounty projects for at least one year
and added to a list maintained by the CAP Ceoordinator. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A; Ord. 2019-
079 Exh. A).
3.72.090 Emergencies.
This chapter shall not apply on public work projects affected by local, state, or federally
declared in the ,-.vent of an emergency event.
net taken. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A; Ord. 2019-079 Exh. A).
3.72.100 Severability.
The provisions of this chapter shall be effective in all cases unless otherwise provided by
federal or state law. The provisions of this chapter are separate and severable. The
invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or other portion of this
chapter or the invalidity of the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall not
affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter or the validity of the application to other
persons or circumstances. (Ord. 2022-091 Exh. A).