Council Public Works & Health Committee

**School Zone Safety Expansion** The core issue involved expanding safety measures around Alderwood Elementary School beyond the existing 20 mph zone on Redwood Drive and Hollywood Avenue. Public Works staff explained that through communications with the school district, they identified additional walking routes on Bennett Drive and Alderwood Avenue that warranted speed reduction measures. Ryan Morrison, the Public Works Engineering Manager for Traffic Division, emphasized this as a low-cost immediate solution that could be implemented with county forces before the school year starts. The proposal includes signs and reflective post wrapping but excludes more expensive rapid rectangular flashing beacons, which would require ADA-accessible ramp improvements and more complex engineering. **Infrastructure Responsibility Questions** A significant policy discussion emerged about long-term infrastructure responsibilities in the Alderwood area. Council Member Donovan questioned whether the county is accepting permanent responsibility for providing urban-level services like sidewalks in an area that lacks such infrastructure, noting the contrast with Birchwood El…

**Ryan Morrison (Public Works Engineering Manager):** Supported the speed zone expansion as an immediate, low-cost safety measure that can be implemented quickly. Noted that more comprehensive improvements including flashing beacons and sidewalks could come later through grant funding. **Elizabeth Kosa (Public Works Director):** Emphasized the need for broader policy discussions about service levels and long-term maintenance costs if the county takes on urban-level infrastructure. Explained that Safe Routes are established by schools with input from community and advisory groups. **Jon Scanlon (Committee Chair):** Expressed appreciation for addressing community concerns about speed and safety on Bennett Drive received over the past year. Asked a…

**Ryan Morrison, on the immediate solution:** "This is kind of a low cost immediate approach that we can get in before the new school year starts." **Todd Donovan, on infrastructure responsibility:** "So are we at the county at the end of the day, slowing down the speed is a start. But are we accepting this is going to be going into the future, the county responsible for getting the level of service of sidewalks to the school? That would exist if it were in the city, but don't exist now." **…

After this meeting, the 20 mph school speed zone expansion for Alderwood Elementary moved forward in the approval process, with introduction scheduled for the evening council meeting. The county committed to seeking grant funding for more comprehensive safety improvements. The com…

### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Public Works & Health Committee met on July 8, 2025, to discuss a proposed ordinance establishing 20 mph school speed zones on Bennett Drive and Alderwood Avenue for Alderwood Elementary School. The committee reviewed expansion of existing school zone safety measures in response to coordination with the school district. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Speed Zone:** A designated area where vehicles must travel at a specific reduced speed limit, in this case 20 mph near schools for safety. **Retroreflective Material:** Special yellow material wrapped around posts that reflects light back to drivers, making crosswalks more visible especially in low light conditions. **Safe Routes to School Grant:** State funding specifically designated for infrastructure improvements that make walking and biking to school safer, including sidewalks, crosswalks, and flashing beacons. **Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB):** Flashing lights at crosswalks that activate when pedestrians press a button, alerting drivers to people crossing. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** Land designated for future urban development that may eventually be annexed by cities but is currently under county jurisdiction. **Transportation Improvement Program (TIP):** A multi-year plan identifying transportation projects and their funding sources. **ADA Accessible Ramps:** Curb cuts and pathways that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for wheelchair and mobility device access. **Annexation:** The process by which a city extends its boundaries to include previously unincorporated county areas. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jon Scanlon | Committee Chair | | Mark Stremler | Committee Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Committee Member | | Todd Donovan | Council Member (non-committee) | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member (non-committee) | | Kaylee Galloway | Council Member (non-committee) | | Ryan Morrison | Engineering Manager, Traffic Division | | Elizabeth Kosa | Public Works Department Director | ### Background Context Alde…