HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2024-048Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2024-725
File ID: AB2024-725 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 10/25/2024 Entered by: SDraper@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Public Works File Type: Resolution
Department
Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 11/06/2024
Agenda Date: 11/06/2024 Enactment#: RES 2024-048
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: sdraper@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution establishing ferry level of service -decision on a replacement
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
None
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
11/06/2024 Council Committee of the Whole NOT ACTED UPON
11/06/2024 Council DISCUSSED
11/06/2024 Council APPROVED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Presentation, Memo - WCFAC
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 111712024
INTRODUCED:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-048
THE LEVEL OF SERVICE ACTION PLAN
FOR THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council approved a Level of Service Action Plan for
the Lummi Island Ferry Service with Resolution 2018-026; and,
WHEREAS, the Level of Service Action Plan established a desired level of service goal
of "no more than two sailing waits during average weekday peak periods"; and,
WHEREAS, in 2018 the anticipated size of vessel to meet the level of service goal was
a 34-car vessel; and,
WHEREAS, post-COVID pandemic ridership trends for the ferry indicate a reduced need
for a 34-car size vessel, with the ridership model showing that a 20-car vessel meets the
adopted level of service; and,
WHEREAS, the existing terminal and dock infrastructure on Gooseberry Point
accommodates an approximately 20-car vessel; and,
WHEREAS, full electric is cost -prohibitive because the necessary power supply is not
available or planned to be installed in the timeframe of this project; and,
WHEREAS, its fiscally responsible to minimize investments in permanent infrastructure
solutions on property not owned by the county,
WHEREAS, eliminating construction of terminal and dock infrastructure upgrades at
Gooseberry Point will reduce environmental impacts; and,
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WHEREAS, total cost estimates for the current 34 car vessel have doubled from the
originally planned amount in 2018 and the best use of public dollars is to scale down the scope
of the project; and,
WHEREAS, this level of service supports community needs and aligns with the
Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee's recommendations;
WHEREAS, procuring a new vessel has been a challenging, resource consuming and
delayed endeavor, with the County spending more than 20 years planning and deliberating;
and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County wants to avoid further delaying the ferry replacement
and terminal modernization project to ensure the continued provision of reliable and safe
transportation service at the appropriate level of need; and
WHEREAS, to address this capital investment predicament, approving a reduction to
the scope of the ferry replacement project is crucial to support a sustainable ferry system;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Whatcom County Council approves the
revised Level of Service Action Plan for the Lummi Island Ferry Service as shown on the
attachment hereto (Exhibit A).
APPy�C�V Mt �i�'� h day of November , 2024.
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�Q C,`WHATCOM COUNTY COUN IL
ATT;E T ATCOM COqc,
WAINGTON
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Cathy Halka,Oerkof ther'Council Barry hanan, Council Chair
APPROVED AS TO; FORM:
Approved Via Email -Chris Quinn
Christopher Quinn
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
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Exhibit A
Lummi Island Ferry Service
Updated Level of Service Action Plan
1. Vessel
A. Balancing capacity against operating costs (fuel, personnel, etc.) to ensure
affordable fares over the long run, including needs -based fares, while optimizing
vehicle demand, deck space and trip frequency to minimize wait times, the design
and construction of the new vessel should be approximately a 20-car vessel.
B. The design of the vessel shall best maximize the use of existing infrastructure and
be sized to utilize the existing Gooseberry Point terminal.
C. The design of the vessel shall accommodate all walk-on passengers during typical
peak times, accommodate legal loads of vehicles per Washington State Commercial
Vehicle Guide and comply with U.S. Coast Guard safety standards and the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
D. To provide flexibility for both future conversion and system reliability, and
reducing carbon emissions, Whatcom County should consider a hybrid diesel-electric
vessel design.
2. Terminals
A. In addition to improvements that may be required to accommodate a new vessel,
improvements to the Lummi Island terminal should also consider the addition of an
emergency passenger -only ferry float.
B. The Public Works Department shall continue working towards meeting a future
goal of securing dedicated funding sources for purposes of sustaining the Ferry
operations, building capital reserves, and allowing for new initiatives, such as remote
ferry queue monitoring, modernizing ticketing operations and self-service ticketing.
C. All infrastructures shall be designed to accommodate the 100-year sea level rise
prediction by NOAA.
3. Operations
A. The county will continue to evaluate options for additional ferry revenue, outside
of fares and Road fund, to provide more secure funding for the Ferry system and
support operations and capital improvements, including the establishment of
special taxing districts. Examples of such special taxing districts allowed under
state laws include a county wide ferry district, transportation benefit district, and
a local improvement district or other means.
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