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Home My WebLink Aboutord2025-051Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 - Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2025-682 File ID: AB2025-682 Version: 1 Status: Adopted File Created: 09/26/2025 Entered by: MMiterko@co.whatcom.wa.us Department: Finance Division File Type: Ordinance Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 10/21/2025 Agenda Date: 10/21/2025 Enactment #: ORD 2025-051 Related Files: Primary Contact Email: atan@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Ordinance establishing the Silver Lake Lagoon Project Fund and establishing an initial budget for the Silver Lake Lagoon Bridge Fund SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: Establishing the Demolition of the Park Lagoon Bridge and Trail Renovation at Silver Lake Park Project Fund to facilitate removal of applicable structures and plan and construct a trail re-route to maintain internal park connectivity. The Demolition of the Park Lagoon Bridge and Trail Renovation at Silver Lake Park Project Fund seeks an initial budget of $300,000 as described in Exhibit A. Please see attached. HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To: 10/07/2025 Council INTRODUCED Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 10/21/2025 Council Finance and Administrative RECOMMENDED FOR Services Committee ADOPTION Aye: 3 Byrd, Donovan, and Buchanan Nay: 0 Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1012212025 Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2025-682) 10/21/2025 Council ADOPTED Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler Nay: 0 Attachments: Proposed Ordinance, Notice of Action Proposed on 10.7.2025 Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1012212025 Docusign Envelope ID: B30AE962-2AC7-4AB0-B529-B0247744535C PROPOSED BY: Executive INTRODUCTION DATE: 10/07/25 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-051 ESTABLISHING THE SILVER LAKE LAGOON PROJECT FUND AND ESTABLISHING AN INITIAL BUDGET FOR THE SILVER LAKE LAGOON BRIDGE FUND WHEREAS, the Lagoon Bridge at Silver Lake Park was constructed in the 1970s to provide internal park connectivity between the Park's cabin, lodge, and day -use areas; and WHEREAS, the Lagoon Bridge has reached the end of its service life has been closed due to recent failure of structural members; and WHEREAS, the existence of a structurally compromised bridge in a public area with 350,000 annual visitors presents a public safety issue; and WHEREAS, costs will include the design, permitting, demolition of the existing bridge, and investigation of pier structure as well as park renovations and trail rerouting work; and WHEREAS, costs may be initially funded by a transfer from the REET II 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 Silver Lake Lagoon Bridge Fund. This fund shall be used to account for the revenues and expenditures of the improvements described above; and Docusign Envelope ID: B30AE962-2AC7-4AB0-B529-B0247744535C BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that the Silver Lake Lagoon Bridge Fund is approved with an initial project budget of $300,000 as described in Exhibit A. ADOPTED this 21st day of �ctia„gib., ATTEST",I��w Ca y"Hafka, Council Clerk APPROVED A9 TOI ORW.. Approved byemail/B tiWaldron/A Tan Civil Deputy Prosecutor October 2025. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON —7�e�-A ii:� Kaylee alloway, Chair of thd Council G Apopmi mq, ( ) Denied satpaL S46 Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Date: 10/22/2025 EXHIBIT Supplemental Budget Request status: Pending Parks & Recreation „si,p r ro s rs9 l Fund Cost Center Originator: Bennett Knox Expenditure Type. One -Time Year 1 2025 Add1 FTE U Add'i Space ❑ Priority 1 Name of Request: Silver Lake Park Lagoon Bridge Removal X-- Department Head Signature (Required on Hard Copy Submission) Date Costs; Object Object Description Amount Requested 6190 Direct billing rate $30,000 6630 Professional services $85,000 7060 Repairs and maintenance $170,000 7199 — Other miscellaneous interfund $15,000 ------------------------- 8397.C.32402401 ----- Transfers in ----- -- — --- ($300,000) Request Total $0 la. Description of request: The lagoon bridge at Silver Lake Park (see attached photos) has reached the end of its service life and has been closed due to recent failure of structural members resulting in a public safety issue. Parks seeks to remove affected structures up to, and possibly including, the bridge piers. The lagoon bridge has historically served as both a popular park amenity and, functionally, the means for park patrons to travel between park's cabin, lodge, and day -use areas. This SBR will establish a project -based budget to consider options, remove applicable structures, and plan and construct a trail re-route to maintain internal park connectivity. 1b. Primary customers: Citizens of W hatcom County and particularly the nearly 350,000 annual visitors to Silver Lake Park. 2. Problem to be solved: The existing lagoon bridge was constructed as part of the original development of Silver Lake Park (1970s). Over the years, certain elements of the overall structure (e.g., overhead pergola structures) have been removed as those elements deteriorated. WCPR has had replacement of the lagoon bridge on the CIP for a number of years, but other priorities have pushed replacement into the future. Recent Departmental efforts to prioritize capital expenditures in light of the totality of Departmental capital needs have resulted in a focus on removal and rerouting of inter -park access rather than immediate replacement. Presently, the CIP identifies 2026 for removal with rerouting to occur in 2026 and 2027. Given recent structural failures WCPR has taken steps to close off the facility. However, due to its location within the lagoon, the public continues to find ways to access the structure from the water. In the interest of reducing county liability, the Department seeks to remove the unsafe structures as soon as possible. 3a. Options /Advantages: WCPR would preferably consider full removal and replacement of the lagoon bridge structure. However, replacement cost is estimated to be substantial and given overall capital priorities the Department, including a strategic utility project at Silver Lake Park, the Department cannot justify a request for replacement at this time. Given current public safety concerns, removal is the most responsible option. With the funds requested, the Department will investigate the structural integrity of the existing piers to determine whether adapted reuse of the piers is possible. Thursday, .September 25, 2025 Rpr: Rpi Supp! Rcaolai Supplemental Budget Request Status: Pending Parks & Recreation supp7lD # 5169 I Fund Cost Center Originator: Bennett Knox 3b. Cost savings: This request does not result in capital cost savings. It will, however, result in reduced liability exposure for the County. 4a. Outcomes: WCPR expects completion of the investigation and removal process in 2025 and design and permitting of a trail reroute by mid-2026 followed by construction by the end of 2026. 4b. Measures: Structure will be removed and public safety issue resolved. Trail connectivity will be restored within the park. 5a. Other DepartmentslAgencies: Permitting will be required necessitating coordination with PDS and WDFW 5b. Name the person in charge of implementation and what they are responsible for. No other agency is responsible, but there necessary coordination as referenced above. 6. Funding Source: REET II - WCPR is requesting a project budge. Funded through companion supplemental 5170. Thursday, September 25, 2025 Rpr Rpt Suppl Regular SILVER LAKE PARK - Lagoon Bridge