Input on New Ferry Advisory Committee

Here’s the latest from the PLIC Board (I haven’ t yet received the draft ordinance for a new Ferrry Advisory committee referred to in yesterday’s post):

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1. This is the 2nd official public notice of the PLIC Annual Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17 at The Grange. This is an important meeting for all islanders to give input into matters affecting ferry operations in 2012. The agenda includes:

–Nomination and ratification of the slate of Board Members and Officers. –Update and report on the Ferry Task Force Recommendations. –Report on the creation of a Ferry Advisory Committee.

2. Wednesday morning, Jan. 4, 10 o’clock, you are invited to participate in a working meeting to provide input for County Council into formation of a Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee.

Seven persons have committed so far to attend at the home of Rhayma Blake, 4275 Matia View Drive in Isle Aire. (see directions below)

Council members Carl Weimer and Barbara Brenner met with islanders in November to hear ideas, and Weimer has formulated the attached outline with his initial thoughts about the advisory committee, which now also includes some suggestions from islanders in public meetings. They have requested feedback and any additional ideas. He wants to write a resolution soon and present it for introduction in January and then, two weeks later, for approval by County Council — we hope as early as the first meeting in February.

The creation of an advisory committee was a recommendation by the Ferry Task Force last August. It is an all-island initiative, affecting everyone who uses the ferry. The PLIC Board is pleased to provide one means of relaying island input to County Council; send any suggestions to info@plicferry.org and we will collect and pass them on. You can also write directly to Carl Weimer, Barbara Brenner, and any or all of the other Council members, or to Public Works and/or the County Executive. Contact information appears on www.PLICferry.org under Links in the left column.

3. PLIC Board members met with individual Council members in December and spoke at the last Council meeting Dec. 6 about them supporting the immediate adoption (with a resolution) of several recommendations of the Ferry Task Force that Public Works, Executive, Legal, and Council all approved. We are continuing to work with Council members on preparing this resolution for introduction at their first meeting of 2012, Jan. 10.

In public discussion, some Council members suggested that there was no reason to wait to implement several suggestions that Public Works found acceptable. Those recommendations:

–Establish a Citizen Ferry Advisory Committee (#24)
–Institute several ferry rate changes: a. Children 18 and under ride free year-round (#57 and #63) b. Institute a $2-$3 summer surcharge on cash single-ticket pedestrians, bikes, motorcycles (#59) c. Replace current 10 and 25 trip vehicle/driver punch cards with a 10-trip card for $94 (#62)
–Contract with Opportunity Council to screen needs-based applicants and institute single HUDS-based standard (#23 and #54)
–Examine the Professional Services Account charges (#46) –Modify accounting practices for ERR Fund charges (#42)
–Transfer cash quarterly to Ferry Fund for increased interest (#10) –Eliminate the extra trip after midnight on Saturdays (#8)
–Reduce Safety Specialist FTE from .25 to .10 (#5)
–Modify the schedule for trips to leave the same time every hour (#22)

DIRECTIONS FOR THE WORKSHOP THIS WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4, 10 A.M. AT THE BLAKE HOME, 4275 Matia View Drive: 1. Just south of the Willows Inn on West Shore Drive 2. Turn up Melcher (dead ends into Taft) 3. Left on Taft (dead ends into Island View) 4. Left on Island View Lane (Stay right when you pass Cedar Pl) 5. Right on Matia View Drive. You will pass Nettles Farm on your left, then see a house and “Private Drive” sign ahead. Avoid that private drive. 6. Instead, turn right onto the unmarked driveway. 7. Enter the second driveway on your right….”4275″ on the blue marker.