HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2025-033Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2026-672
File ID: AB2025-672 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 09/24/2025 Entered by: tradtke@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Public Works File Type: Resolution Requiring a Public Hearing
Department
Assigned to: Council Final Action: 10/21/2025
Agenda Date: 10/21/2025 Enactment #: RES 2025-033
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: sdraper@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution approving the Public Works Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
for the years2026-2031
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See memo
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
10/07/2025 Council INTRODUCED FOR Council
PUBLIC HEARING
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
10/21/2025 Council APPROVED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Staff Memo, Proposed Resolution, Attachment A - Program Additions and Removals,
Attachment B - Capital Project List, Attachment C - Cash Flow, Attachment D - Roadway Priority
Rating Program, Attachment E - 2024 Annual Bridge Report, Attachment F - Narratives, Notice
of Hearing after 10.7.2025
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1012212025
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-672)
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1012212025
PROPOSED BY: Public Works
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RESOLUTION NO. 2025-033
APPROVING THE SIX -YEAR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
FOR THE YEARS 2026 THROUGH 2O31
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.81.121, Whatcom County is required to prepare
and approve a Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program each year; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.54.015, Whatcom County is required to prepare
a Fourteen -Year Ferry Capital Program each year; and
WHEREAS, the Road Priority Array and the Annual Bridge Report were made available
to the legislative authority during the preparation of this program; and
WHEREAS, following approval of the Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program,
the law requires an annual review of the work accomplished under the program and a
determination of current transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, based upon the findings of the annual review, and after a public hearing,
a Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program shall be approved; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.81.121, the Six -Year Transportation
Improvement Program and Fourteen -Year Ferry Capital Program must be consistent
with the County comprehensive plan pursuant to RCW 36.70A; and
WHEREAS, the Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program attached hereto as
Exhibit "A" has been reviewed and determined to be consistent with the County's
comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS, the Fourteen -Year Ferry Capital Program attached hereto as Exhibit "B"
has been reviewed and determined to be consistent with the County's comprehensive plan.
Page 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council as follows:
1. That the Whatcom County Six -Year Transportation Improvement Program for the years
2026 through 2031, which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A", including the capital
elements of the first six -years of the Fourteen -Year Ferry Capital Program, which is
attached hereto as Exhibit "B", is hereby approved, and
2. That the County Engineer is directed to file a copy of the same with the County Road
Administration Board and the State Secretary of Transportation.
APPROVED this 21st day of October , 2025.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST:���)�� ,',u. WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
a
Cathy Halka, -Clerk,-o McCtcxun;cil Kaylee Kalloway, Chair of the Council
APPROVED AS TO,,rdf
By email on 09/24/2025
Christopher Quinn, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Page 2
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EXHIBIT "B"
Photo by Dan Ohms
WHATCOM COUNTY 2026-
2039 FOURTEEN -YEAR
FERRY CAPITAL PROGRAM
Overview
The Fourteen -Year Ferry Capital Improvement Plan (the "Plan") is a general guide for the
effective, efficient, and continuing operation of the Whatcom County ferry system. The Plan was prepared
with the assistance and advice of the County Engineer and supports the Public Works Ferry and
Engineering Divisions in long-range capital project planning for the replacement and improvement of the
Whatcom County ferry transportation system.
Whatcom County has evaluated major elements of its ferry system, providing specific data on its
estimated current value, replacement costs, and amortization periods. The county identifies future capital
needs and investments and reviews this report annually to adapt to changing fiscal and operational
conditions and circumstances. Strict adherence is not expected.
The Whatcom County Council has the authority to determine, prioritize, and authorize expenditures on
capital improvement projects. They collaborate with the Public Works Department and the County
Engineer to incorporate their recommendations. The capital projects listed in the Plan are the result of
determinations from the Public Works Engineering division, Maintenance division, the County Council's
ferry advisory committee, regulators, governmental agencies, residents, and citizen groups.
In order to comply with state and federal rules and laws and maintain eligibility for grant funding, capital
improvement projects must be listed and updated annually in the county's Six -Year Transportation
Improvement Plan and on a Fourteen -Year Ferry Capital Facilities Plan.
GOVERNING LAWS AND CODES
The Revised Code of Washington ("RCW") and the Washington Administrative Code ("WAC")
contain laws as they pertain to the Fourteen -Year Ferry Capital Improvement Plan and the Six Year
Transportation Improvement Program ("TIP"), as follows:
1. (RCW) 36.54.015 Ferries —Fourteen -year long range improvement plan —Contents.
The legislative authority of every county operating ferries shall prepare, with the advice and
assistance of the county engineer, a fourteen -year long range capital improvement plan embracing all
major elements of the ferry system. Such Plan shall include a listing of each major element of the system
showing its estimated current value, its estimated replacement cost, and its amortization period.
2. RCW 36.81.121 Perpetual advanced six -year plans for coordinated transportation program,
expenditures—Nonmotorized transportation —Railroad right-of-way.
(1) At any time before adoption of the budget, the legislative authority of each county, after one
or more public hearings thereon, shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive transportation program for
the ensuing six calendar years. If the county has adopted a comprehensive plan pursuant to chapter
35.63 or 36.70 RCW, the inherent authority of a charter county derived from its charter, or chapter
36.70A RCW, the program shall be consistent with this comprehensive Plan.
The program shall include proposed road and bridge construction work and other transportation
facilities and programs deemed appropriate, and for those counties operating ferries shall also include a
separate section showing proposed capital expenditures for ferries, docks, and related facilities. The
program shall include any new or enhanced bicycle or pedestrian facilities identified pursuant to RCW
-2-
36.70A.070(6) or other applicable changes that promote nonmotorized transit. Copies of the program
shall be filed with the county road administration board and with the state secretary of transportation
not more than thirty days after its adoption by the legislative authority. The purpose of this section is to
assure that each county shall perpetually have available advanced plans looking to the future for not less
than six years as a guide in carrying out a coordinated transportation program. The program may at any
time be revised by a majority of the legislative authority but only after a public hearing thereon.
(2) Each six -year transportation program forwarded to the secretary in compliance with
subsection (1) of this section shall contain information as to how a county will extend its moneys,
including funds made available pursuant to chapter 47.30 RCW, for nonmotorized transportation
purposes.
(3) Each six -year transportation program forwarded to the secretary in compliance with
subsection (1) of this section shall contain information as to how a county shall act to preserve railroad
right-of-way in the event the railroad ceases to operate in the county's jurisdiction.
(4) The six -year Plan for each county shall specifically set forth those projects and programs of
regional significance for inclusion in the transportation improvement program within that region.
3. RCW 47.56.725 County ferries —Deficit reimbursements —Capital improvement funds.
(4) The county road administration board may evaluate requests by Pierce, Skagit, Wahkiakum, and
Whatcom counties for county ferry capital improvement funds. The board shall evaluate the
requests and, if approved by a majority of the board, submit the requests to the legislature for
funding out of the amounts available under RCW 46.68.090(2)(h). Any county making a request
under this subsection shall first seek funding through the public works trust fund, or any other
available revenue source, where appropriate.
4. WAC 136-400-040 Six -year transportation program and ferry system fourteen -year plan submittal.
(1) Each county's six -year transportation program and ferry system fourteen -year long range capital
improvement plan shall be prepared and adopted in accordance with RCW 36.81.121 and 36.54.015,
respectively, and one copy shall be forwarded to the county road administration board no later than
December 31 of each year.
(2) Any proposed county ferry capital improvement project must be included in both the county's six -
year transportation program and ferry system fourteen -year capital improvement plan and must remain
on both during all of the phases of the project including:
(a) At the time a county requests a call for projects;
(b) At the time the county submits a project funding application; and
(c) Until the project is completed or the project is otherwise terminated.
(3) The county ferry capital improvement project cost estimates that are included in the county's six -
year transportation programs and ferry system fourteen -year plans shall be considered preliminary and
are not binding on actual county ferry capital improvement project applications.
-3-
CAPITAL PLAN ELEMENTS
Table 1: Ferry System Current and Replacement Values: This table meets the state requirements, by
including the current value, replacement cost, and amortization periods for the vessels and facilities. The
current value of the M/V Whatcom Chief is the insured value, the closest approximation of true worth.
The facilities' current value is book value, original cost less depreciation plus depreciated improvements.
Table 2: Projected Revenues: Lays out the known or anticipated operating and capital project funding
sources for the 14-Year Plan.
Table 3: Projected Expenditures: This table includes all other expenditures of the system that meet
Subsection (2) requirements. Operational expenditures are delineated between the vessel and non -
vessel costs. U.S. Coast Guard regulations currently require the ferries to be dry-docked every two years;
however, to extend the life, improve reliability, and protect our capital investment Whatcom County
schedules dry-docking or an out -of -service maintenance period every year for its vessel. The terminal
structures are inspected regularly, as required by the National Bridge Inspection Standards administered
through the Washington State Department of Transportation. The inspection report helps identify and
schedule major maintenance and replacement of these facilities.
-4-
Table 1
FERRY SYSTEM CURRENT AND REPLACEMENT VALUES - 2025
VESSEL
WV Whotcom
Current Statistics
Chief
LENGTH (ft)
94
BEAM (ft)
44
DISPLACEMENT (tons)
78
YEAR BUILT
1962
CAPACITY Passengers
100
Dolphins/W i ngwa II/Breakwater
Table 2
Lummi Island Ferry 14-Year Capital Program
All $ in 000's Revenues 2026-2032
Category
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
Multi -Ride Fares (3)
$ 1,107
$ 1,304
$ 1,429
$ 1,542
$ 1,646
$ 1,744
$ 1,836
Single -Ride Fares (4)
277
326
357
386
412
436
459
Supplement to fares (above existing rates)
549
439
351
281
225
180
144
(Memo 55% of Operating Cost) (1)
1,933
2,069
2,138
2,209
2,283
2,359
2,439
MVFT Subsidy & Ferry Deficit Reimb.
550
561
572
584
595
607
619
County Road Fund Operating Subsidy
1,581
1,693
1,749
1,807
1,868
1,930
1,995
Ferry Replacement Fund
160
163
166
170
173
177
180
CRAB Capital Ferry Funding
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
Federal Raise Grant
-
-
5,000
19,000
1,000
-
-
State Move Ahead Washington Funds
436
698
4,166
Federal Ferry Boat Program Funding
521
521
521
Bond or other funding (6)
12,000
5,000
Total Revenues
5,681
6,205
14,813
24,270
18,419
10,574
5,734
Total Expenditures (2)
7,549
27,149
27,076
9,717
11,949
5,676
5,833
Net Funded (Unfunded) (5)
(1,868)
(20,944)
(12,263)
14,553
6,470
4,898
(99)
Lummi Island Ferry 14-Year Capital Program
All $ in 000's Revenues 2033-2039
Category
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
Multi -Ride Fares (3)
$ 2,017
$ 2,085
$ 2,156
$ 2,229
$ 2,305
$ 2,384
$ 2,466
Single -Ride Fares (4)
504
521
539
557
576
596
616
Supplement to fares (above existing rates)
115
92
74
59
47
38
30
(Memo 55% of Operating Cost) (1)
2,521
2,606
2,695
2,786
2,882
2,980
3,082
MVFT Subsidy & Ferry Deficit Reimb.
632
644
657
670
684
698
711
County Road Fund Operating Subsidy
2,347
2,422
2,501
2,582
2,665
2,752
2,842
Ferry Replacement Fund
184
187
191
195
199
203
207
CRAB Capital Ferry Funding
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
Total Revenues
6,184
6,361
6,544
6,734
6,930
7,133
7,343
Total Expenditures (2)
5,996
6,164
6,339
6,519
6,706
6,900
7,101
Net Funded (Unfunded) (5)
188
196
205
214
223
233
242
Note 1: Fare revenue is not calculated on ridership and is instead calculated based on a 55% recovery of expenditures as outlined i
farebox recovery legislation. With this collection goal, actual ridership numbers will help determine fare prices.
Note 2: As Shown On Table 2, including capital expenditures.
Note 3: Equal to 80% of Fares
Note 4: Equal to 20% of Fares
Note 5: Unfunded ferry capital is generally covered using road fund revenue. In the case of years 2025 to 2027 various funding
mechanisms are being looked at supplement the road fund.
Note 6: Bond funding will likely be needed and has been added in to year 2028.
Table 3
umml island Ferry ear Capital Program
All in 000 s Table
2 Expenditures
2026-2032 Page 1
Category
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
Operating Expenses
Vessel Operations
Personnel
1,768
1,839
1,912
1,989
2,068
2,151
2,237
Fuel & Operating Supplies
1,328
1,368
1,409
1,451
1,494
1,539
1,585
Insurance
94
97
99
102
105
109
112
Other Operating Expenses
215
224
233
242
252
262
272
Total Vessel Operations
3,405
3,527
3,653 1
3,784
3,920 1
4,061
4,207
Other Operations
Administration
422
424
426
428
431
433
435
Parking Lots
Lummi Island
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
Gooseberry Pt.
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
Staging Areas
Lummi Island
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
Gooseberry Pt.
8
8
1 9
9
9
10
10
Docks
Lummi Island
71
73
74
76
77
79
80
Gooseberry Pt.
257
262
267
273
278
284
289
Total Operating Expenses
4,064
4,323
4,459
4,600
4,746
4,897
5,054
Capital Expenditures
Replacement of Whatcom Chief
2,750
22,092
20,226
150
-
-
-
Terminal Modifications
570
517
2,329
4,967
4,998
Upland Improvements
160
212
57
1,427
Relocation of Gooseberry Terminal
5
5
5
Potential Debt Service to Outside Fundini"
778
779
780
Total Capital Program Costs
3,485
22,826
22,617
5,117
7,203
779
780
Total Costs
7,549
27,149
27,076
9,717
11,949
5,676
5,833
Note 1: Debt Service was added for 2028 and beyond though it has not yet been determined what funding mechanism will be used.
Table 3 (continued)
ummi Islancl Ferry ear Capital Program
All in 000's Table 2 Expenditures 2033-2039 Page 2
Category
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
Operating Expenses
Vessel Operations
Personnel
2,327
2,420
2,516
2,617
2,722
2,831
2,944
Fuel & Operating Supplies
1,633
1,682
1,732
1,784
1,838
1,893
1,950
Insurance
115
119
122
126
130
134
138
Other Operating Expenses
283
295
306
319
331
345
358
Total Vessel Operations
4,358
4,515
4,677
4,846
5,021 1
5,202
5,390
Other Operations
Administration
437
439
441
444
446
448
450
Parking Lots
Lummi Island
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
Gooseberry Pt.
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
Staging Areas
Lummi Island
19
20
20
21
21
22
23
Gooseberry Pt.
10
10
11
1 11
11
1 12
12
Docks
Lummi Island
82
84
85
87
89
91
92
Gooseberry Pt.
295
301
307
313
320
326
333
Total Operating Expenses
5,216
5,383
5,557
5,737
5,923
6,116
6,316
Capital Expenditures
Replacement of Whatcom Chief
-
-
-
-
-
Terminal Modifications
-
-
-
Upland Improvements
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
RelocationofGooseberryTerminal
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Debt Service to Outside Funding
780
781
782
783
783
784
785
Total Capital Program Costs
780
781
782
783
783
784
785
Total Costs
5,996
6,164
6,339
6,519
6,706
6,900
7,101
Note 1: Debt Service was added for 2028 and beyond though It has not yet been determined what funding mechanism will be used.
Whatcom County Public Works
Project Narrative
Lummi Island Ferry System Modernization & Preservation Project
CRP # 919008 (Project Based Budget 399100)
Construction Funding Years : 2027, 2028 and 2029
Project Narrative:
This project includes replacement of the Whatcom Chief with a 20 car vessel, modifications of the existing ferry terminals
to accommodate the new vessel, upland improvements and mitigation work. This work will be accomplished as outlined
in the Lummi Island Ferry Service Level of Service Action Plan approved by the Whatcom County Council via Resolution
2018-026. This project is listed #F1 on the 2026-2031 Six Year Transportation Improvement Program.
Project Status:
Design, real estate and environmental permitting work is underway for the new vessel and terminal modifications. In 2022
Whatcom County received $25 million in federal funds via the RAISE grant program, $5.3 million in state funds via the
Move Ahead Washington (MAW) capital projects program. In 2023, through the County Ferry Capital Improvement
Program (CFCIP) administered by the County Road Administration Board (CRAB), the Washington State Legislation
approved an annual commitment of $500,000 over the next twenty years for a total of $10 million in state funds for this
project.
Environmental Permitting
NEPA (federal), HPA, Shorelines Permit, ACOE Section 404, DOE Section 401,
local permits
M/V Whatcom Chief
Whatcom County Public Works
Project Narrative
Relocation of Gooseberry Terminal
CRP # 919009
Construction Funding Years : TBD
Project Narrative:
This project involves relocation of the Gooseberry Point Ferry Terminal. This work will be accomplished as outlined in the
Lummi Island Ferry Service Level of Service Action Plan approved by the Whatcom County Council via Resolution 2018-
026. This project is listed #F2 on the 2026-2031 Six Year Transportation Improvement Program.
Project Status:
Early action items will likely include an EIS and real estate work.
Environmental Permitting I TBD
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Whatcom County Public Works
Protect Narrative
Terminal Hydraulic System Replacement
CRP #925009
Construction Funding Years : TBD
Project Narrative:
This project is located at the Whatcom County ferry terminals in Section 3, T37N, R01 E. This project will include
replacing the existing, aging hydraulic systems that operate the live load hanger pins and aprons at both ferry terminals.
This project is listed #F3 on the 2026-2031 Six Year Transportation Improvement Program.
Project Status:
Design and permitting work to begin in 2026.
Environmental Permitting I TBD