Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Jul 8 2025Whatcom County Council Public Works & Health Committee COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 • • �. r .. • Committee Minutes - Final Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:35 PM Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 1:55 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 7.7.2025 COUNCILMEMBERS Ben Elenbaas Jon Scanlon Mark Stremler CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final July 8, 2025 Committee Call To Order Roll Call Committee Chair Jon Scanlon called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. in a hybrid meeting. Present: 3 - Jon Scanlon, Mark Stremler, and Ben Elenbaas Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, and Kaylee Galloway Announcements Committee Discussion 1. AB2025-481 Discussion of ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Section 10.04.095 to establish 20 mph school speed zones on Bennett Drive and Alderwood Avenue for Alderwood Elementary School Ryan Morrison, Public Works Department, briefed the councilmembers and stated there is a current 20 mile an hour speed limit zone on Redwood Drive and Hollywood Avenue, and this ordinance would expand it to include other areas where students have been walking by adding signs for 20 mile per hour speed zones and wrapping posts in retroreflective yellow material by crosswalks on Bennett Drive and Alderwood Avenue. He answered whether they will also have the rapid rectangular flashing beacon they see in other school zones, and stated those cost more to install, so this is a low cost, immediate solution that they can get in before the school year starts. He answered whether there is anything on the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) regarding any other improvements at that crosswalk intersection, and stated they are looking at adding something to the TIP with regards to improvements in the Alderwood School District area but it would require some State funding support. He spoke about working with the school district to try to find funding sources, such as grants, to create an actual walking path like sidewalks. This ordinance just puts immediate changes in place to increase safety, but they are also looking at future projects. Donovan asked if the County will ultimately be responsible for level of service and getting sidewalks to the school which would exist if the area were in the city, and if the County is giving up on the City annexing that area. Elenbaas stated there are plenty of schools in the unincorporated county that do not have sidewalks and are on much busier streets, so he does not Whatcom County Page I Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final July 8, 2025 Committee think they will set any precedence by lowering the speed limit and not doing sidewalks. Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department Director, stated some of what they are talking about, as they talk about levels of service, is (if they are going to be bringing on curbs, gutters, and sidewalks with an initial up -front grant) what it would look like for the long term to maintain it and keep it functional if the area is not going to get annexed. That is why, as they look at what they are going to do for safety mechanisms for the future, they will be bringing those levels of service and conversations to the Executive's Office and then to Council to decide if it is the level of service they want to take on. That rolls into their discussion about cash flow as well. She answered how this came about and what the relationship is like between Public Works and school districts when it comes to Safe Routes, and stated Safe Routes are established by the school itself (with input from the community and advisory boards), and Public Works ultimately gets a recommendation on what would be the appropriate school route from the superintendent and from the Sheriff's Office. Morrison answered whether school districts go out and get the State funding for these types projects and stated both the districts or the County can apply for funding. He answered whether that money in the State budget is specifically for Safe Routes so it would not mean the County cannot get funding for some other project if they pursued it, and stated a Safe Routes grant is specifically for that purpose. Scanlon stated he is wondering if this would benefit families who might be crossing Bennet Drive to the East to get to a childcare facility there, and stated he would still be interested in the conversation with the City. Donovan stated they are waiting for the City to communicate what they want the County to do with zoning in the area in the Comprehensive Plan update, and he spoke about how this area is different from other areas in the unincorporated county (as discussed by Elenbaas), and what the City might propose for zoning. This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision Other Business There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business. Whatcom County page 2 Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final July 8, 2025 Committee Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 1:47 p.m. ATTEST:\````tti��tlulll���<�� Coo O• • kUN -- �a , Cathy Ha4k1,!CSgpq%Q -rrk . a . ii WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Jon Scanlon -via email 7/28/2025 Jon Scanlon, Committee Chair Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger Whalcom County page 3