HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2024-051Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2024-597
File ID: AB2024-597 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Adopted
File Created: 09/03/2024 Entered by: MMiterko@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Finance Division File Type: Ordinance
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 09/24/2024
Agenda Date: 09/24/2024 Enactment #: ORD 2024-051
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: atan@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance establishing a project -based budget for the Governor's Point Project Fund
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
The Governor's Point Project involves the acquisition of 98 acres of wooded shoreline within
Bellingham Bay to be executed in three phases: pre-acquisiont, acquision, and park development. The
Governor's Point Project Fund seeks an initial budget of $100,000 as described in Exhibit A. Please
see attached.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
09/10/2024 Council INTRODUCED Council Finance and
Administrative Services
Committee
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
09/24/2024 Council Finance and Administrative SUBSTITUTE
Services Committee RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION
Aye: 3 Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
09/24/2024 Council SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED
Aye: 5 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Galloway, and Scanlon
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 101212024
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2024-597)
Nay: 2 Elenbaas, and Stremler
Attachments: Proposed Ordinance, Substitute Proposed Ordinance
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 101212024
PROPOSED BY: Executive
INTRODUCTION DATE: September 10, 2024
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-051
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROJECT BASED BUDGET FOR THE
GOVERNORS POINT PROJECT FUND
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has the opportunity to acquire 98 acres or
wooded shoreline adjacent to Pleasant Bay; and
WHEREAS the first phase of this acquisition is to perform an engineering
analysis to establish the parking lot location and trailhead design parameters to
inform acquisition and development; and,
WHEREAS, the initial phase will be funded with a $100,000 transfer from
the REET I fund; and,
WHEREAS, Section 6.80 of the Whatcom County Home Rule Charter
allows for project -based capital budget appropriation ordinances that lapse when
the project has been completed or abandoned or when no expenditure or
encumbrance has been made for three (3) years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council
that a new fund is hereby established effective immediately, titled Governors
Point Project Fund. This fund shall be used to account for the revenues and
expenditures of the acquisition and improvements described above.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that the
Governors Point Project Fund is approved with an initial project budget of
$100,000 as described in Exhibit A.
taS9.iB�ay .
ADOP.,TP- t5re�ay of September, 2024.
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®,� WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTE COOS`' TCOM CU
SHIN
Cathy,HallIrl� o the ouncil a y BB a n a leouncil Chair
WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE
-W �TCOMCOUNTY, ASHINGTON
APPROVED AS*tO FORM:
Approved by email/B Waldron/A Tan
Civil Deputy Prosecutor Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: �� *
Supplemental Budget Request Status: Pending
Parks & Recreation
& W Cost Center Originator. Bennett Knox
Expenditure Type: One -Time Year 2 2024 Add'I FTE ❑ Add'1 Space ❑ Priority
Name of Request: Governors Point- Acquisition and Trailhead Dev
X
Department Head Signature (Required on Hard Copy Submission) Date
Costs: Object Object Description Amount Requested
6190 Direct Billing Rate $7,500
6630 Professional Services $92,500
8301.326 Op Transfer In-REET 1 ($100,000)
Request Total $0
1a. Description of request:
The Governors Point Project involves acquisition of 98 acres of wooded shoreline adjacent to Pleasant
Bay within larger Bellingham Bay followed by development of associated recreational facilities in
partnership with the Whatcom Land Trust (WLT). WLT secured donation of this shoreline acreage as part
of the development proposal for Governors Point in 2023. WILT seeks to transfer the property to Whatcom
County for the value of their expenses incurred, and at significant discount to the County, so that the
County may construct trailhead facilities to support recreational use of the property. The project involves
three phases: pre -acquisition, acquisition, and development. This SBR is for the first phase to perform
engineering analysis to establish parking lot location and trailhead design parameters to inform
subsequent acquisition and development. The acquisition phase will result in addition of approximately 2.6
miles of hiking trails and two public kayak launch areas to the Whatcom County Parks inventory.
Subsequent development will add a trailhead with a 30-vehicle spaces and a restroom facility.
1b. Primary customers:
Recreating community of Whatcom County including local resident and tourist hikers and kayakers
2. Problem to be solved:
This project protects one of the last remaining undeveloped shorelines in Whatcom County, In addition,
this project is responsive to Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan Policy PE-1 that the county should
acquire for public access a minimum of 15% of the saltwater shoreline and adjacent tidelands in Whatcom
County. The addition of approximately 2.6 miles of trail will provide a slight increase in the LOS for miles of
trail per 1,000 residents from 34.0 to 34.2 by 2026.
3a. Options /Advantages:
The no action option, i.e., not moving forward in partnership with WILT, was considered. Partnering with
WILT and implementing this phase approach is the preferred option given the overall benefit to the
community in terms of conservation and recreation value.
3b. Cost savings:
This initial phase informs the subsequent acquisition and development phases in order to identify the most
desirable and cost-efficient location of parking lot and trailhead facilities. In addition, pursuing this work
sooner rather than later will result in cost savings by avoiding future cost escalation due to potential
inflation.
4a. Outcomes:
It is anticipated that this engineering analysis phase will take approximately six months, followed by
acquisition by mid -to late-2025. Development is expected to occur in 2026.
Friday, September 20, 2024 Rpr: Rpt Suppl Regulur
Supplemental Budget Request Status: Pending
Parks & Recreation
Cost Center Originator: Bennett Knox
4b. Measures:
Project will move to completion with public access available by the end of 2026.
5a. Other Departments/Agencies:
n/a
5b. Name the person in charge of implementation and what they are responsible for:
n/a
6. Funding Source:
REETI
Friday, September 20, 2024 Rpt Rpi Suppl Regular