WSR 07-22-061

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

COUNTY ROAD

ADMINISTRATION BOARD

[ Filed November 1, 2007, 2:56 p.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: County ferry capital improvement program.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 36.78 RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To better define and establish new rules for the county ferry capital improvement program.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The proposed rule changes would affect Washington state counties.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study; and comments received will be presented to the CRABoard at their January 17-18, 2008, quarterly meeting.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by sending written comments to Karen Pendleton, 2404 Chandler Court S.W., Suite 240, Olympia, WA 98504-0913, or Karen@crab.wa.gov or fax (360) 586-0386, no later than December 17, 2007.

November 1, 2007

Jay P. Weber

Executive Director

OTS-9725.4


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-010   Purpose and authority.   RCW 47.56.725(4) provides that the county road administration board may evaluate requests for county ferry capital improvement funds by Pierce, Skagit, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom counties, and, if approved by the board, submit said requests to the legislature for funding. This chapter describes the manner in which the county road administration board will implement the provisions of the act.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-010, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 36.78.070 and 36.79.060. 96-17-013, § 136-400-010, filed 8/12/96, effective 9/12/96. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-010, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 85, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91)

WAC 136-400-020   Eligibility.   Counties eligible to apply for county ferry capital improvement funds are Pierce, Skagit, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom.

     Any county holding an approved and executed county ferry capital improvement program CRAB/county contract is ineligible for consideration of additional ferry capital improvement funds until such time that both parties have fully satisfied the contract terms or the contract is terminated in some other manner.

[Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-020, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 85, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91)

WAC 136-400-030   Definition of ferry capital improvement projects.   County ferry capital improvement projects shall include the following:

     (1) Purchase of new vessels;

     (2) Major vessel refurbishment (e.g., engines, structural steel, controls) that substantially extends the life of the vessel;

     (3) Facility refurbishment/replacement (e.g., complete replacement, major rebuilding or redecking of a dock) that substantially extends the life of the facility;

     (4) Installation of items that substantially improve county ferry facilities or operations; and/or

     (5) Construction of infrastructure that provides new or additional access or increases the capacity of terminal facilities((; and/or

     (6) Emergency repairs to correct damage to vessels or facilities caused by accidents or natural phenomena)).

[Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-030, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-040   Six-year transportation program and ferry system fourteen-year plan submittal.   Each county's six-year transportation program and ferry system fourteen-year long range ((ferry)) 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((st)) of each year. To be eligible for the county ferry capital improvement program, projects must be included in the county's six-year transportation program and ferry system fourteen-year ((ferry)) capital improvement plan ((submitted in each odd-numbered year shall include all projects for which the county may request ferry capital improvement funds during the biennium beginning on July 1st of that year)) at the time the county requests the county road administration board issue a call for projects and must remain on the programs and plans until project conclusion. Project cost estimates shall be considered preliminary until a project application is submitted.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-040, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-040, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 136-400-045   Call for projects.   Beginning at the 2009 regular spring meeting, and continuing once every four years thereafter, one or more of the WAC 136-400-010 named counties are invited to attend said meeting and request the county road administration board issue a call for projects. Based on the information provided by the counties and no later than the regular summer meeting the same year, the county road administration board, and at their sole discretion, may issue a call for projects and may include in the call additional or clarifying terms consistent with all other rules governing the county ferry capital improvement program.

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AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-050   Project application.   Upon a call for projects by the county road administration board, each application by a county for county ferry capital improvement funds shall be made no later than January 1((st)) of the next even-numbered year((s)) for the biennium beginning on July 1((st)) of the next odd-numbered year. The information submitted to the county road administration board shall include the application form and sufficient engineering drawings to accurately describe the complete project.

     Project applications shall be submitted on application forms supplied by the county road administration board and shall include the following information:

     (1) Project description and scope;

     (2) Engineering analysis and cost estimate;

     (3) Evidence ((of application for outside)) the applicant first sought funding through the public works trust fund or any other available revenue source;

     (4) Plan for utilization of outside funding that has been, will be, or may be awarded; and

     (5) Comprehensive project amortization and cash flow schedules.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-050, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-050, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-060   Technical review committee.   A technical review committee shall be created to review project applications for county ferry capital improvement funds composed of the following members or their designees:

     (1) Executive director of the county road administration board((, WSDOT assistant secretary for transaid,));

     (2) WSDOT highways and local programs director or a designated representative appointed by the director of highways and local programs;

     (3) A WSDOT marine division engineer((, and));

     (4) A public works department representatives from each of the ((four participating)) WAC 136-400-010 named counties.

     The county representatives shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the technical review committee. The technical review committee shall ((recommend)) make recommendations on approval of projects that have been submitted in a timely manner and that:

     (((1))) (a) Meet the applicable statutes and the standards of this chapter; and

     (((2))) (b) Adhere to commonly held engineering practices and cost effectiveness.

     (c) Include evidence the applicant has first sought funding through the public works trust fund, or any other available revenue source.

     The technical review committee shall ((recommend an appropriate local match)) develop a recommendation on a project-by-project basis based upon ((the availability of local matching funds)) WAC 136-400-065 guidance together with any additional or clarifying terms established by the county road administration board's call for projects. Written reports on each project ((recommended for approval)) application shall be submitted to the county road administration board no later than thirty days prior to its regularly scheduled spring meeting. Technical review committee meetings shall be convened on an "as needed" basis by the executive director of the county road administration board, who shall serve as chairperson.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-060, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 36.78.070 and 36.79.060. 96-17-013, § 136-400-060, filed 8/12/96, effective 9/12/96. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-060, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 136-400-065   Project financing.   The county ferry capital improvement program total share of any one project shall not exceed ten million dollars. The amount of annual reimbursement to one county shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars.

     Project cost sharing shall be as follows:

     If the county submitting a project application under the county ferry capital improvement program has formed a ferry district under RCW 36.54.110, and revenues generated by said district will be utilized to finance greater than thirty percent of the project costs, the ferry capital improvement program may be utilized for the remaining project costs, subject to the maximum share available through the county ferry capital improvement program; or

     If the county submitting a project application under the county ferry capital improvement program has formed a ferry district under RCW 36.54.110, and revenues generated by said district will be utilized to finance greater than five percent but less than or equal to thirty percent of the project costs, the ferry capital improvement program share shall be fifty percent, subject to the maximum share available through the county ferry capital improvement program; or

     If the county submitting a project application under the county ferry capital improvement program has formed a ferry district under RCW 36.54.110, and revenues generated by said district will be utilized to finance less than or equal to five percent of the project costs, or the county has not formed a ferry district, the ferry capital improvement program share shall be thirty percent, subject to the maximum share available through the county ferry capital improvement program.

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AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-070   County road administration board action.   The county road administration board shall review project applications, along with the recommendations of the technical review committee, at its regular spring meeting ((in even-numbered years)) the year following a call for projects. At that time, it ((shall)) may approve those projects, which it finds:

     (1) Meets the applicable statutes and the standards of this chapter; and

     (2) Adheres to commonly held engineering practices and cost effectiveness, specifying the amount of approved funding which it recommends for such projects; and

     (3) Includes evidence the applicant has first sought funding through the public works trust fund, or any other available revenue source.

     As a part of their deliberation the county road administration board may develop supplemental questions and criteria and refer the matter back to the technical review committee. Final action by the county road administration board on project applications must occur no later than at the regularly scheduled summer meeting during the year following any call for projects.

     ((The board shall determine a local matching percentage on a case-by-case basis, considering the availability of local matching funds and the recommendation of the technical review committee. Emergent projects may be considered by the county road administration board at any time upon recommendation by the executive director. The board shall require evidence that each applicant has first sought funding through the public works trust fund, and other available revenue sources.))

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-070, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-070, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-080   Funding by the legislature.   County ferry capital improvement project requests approved by the county road administration board shall be submitted to the legislature for funding out of amounts available under RCW ((46.68.100(3))) 46.68.090 (2)(h) as part of the biennial or supplemental budget request of the county road administration board.

     The county road administration board shall, within ten days of the signing of the transportation budget, notify each county having an approved project of such approval and of the amount of county ferry capital improvement funding allocated to each approved project. The county road administration board shall offer each county a contract for each approved project setting forth the terms and conditions under which funds will be provided.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-080, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-080, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-090   Limitation on use of county ferry capital improvement funds.   County ferry capital improvement funds may be used for project design, construction, and right of way costs incurred after legislative approval. ((Emergency project costs may be eligible for retroactive payment upon approval by the county road administration board.))

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-090, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-090, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-100   Terms of CRAB/county contract.   The CRAB/county contract shall include, but not be limited to, the following provisions:

     (1) ((Such contract shall be valid and binding (and the county shall be entitled to receive ferry capital improvement funds) only)) If such contract is signed and returned to the county road administration board within forty-five days of its mailing by the county road administration board, it shall be valid and binding and the county shall be entitled to receive county ferry capital improvement funds.

     (2) The project will be constructed in accordance with:

     (a) The information furnished to the county road administration board; and

     (b) The plans and specifications prepared under the supervision of the county engineer.

     (3) The county will notify the county road administration board when a contract has been awarded ((and)), when construction has started, and when the project has been completed.

     (4) The county road administration board will reimburse counties based on ((the basis of)) progress vouchers received and approved on individual projects, subject to the availability of county ferry capital improvement funds appropriated by the legislature.

     (5) The county will reimburse the county road administration board in the event that a project post audit reveals ineligible expenditure of county ferry capital improvement funds. Said funds will be returned to the ((county-wide)) county fuel tax account for distribution in accordance with RCW 46.68.120.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-100, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 36.78.070 and 36.79.060. 96-17-013, § 136-400-100, filed 8/12/96, effective 9/12/96. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-100, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-110   Voucher approval and payment.   The county road administration board shall prepare and distribute to all counties with approved county ferry capital improvement projects, voucher forms for use in requesting ((progress and final)) annual payments for each approved county ferry capital improvement project.

     ((The county constructing each ferry capital improvement project may submit vouchers monthly as the work progresses and shall submit a final voucher after completion of each project for payment of the approved and funded share of the project cost.))

     The county road administration board shall approve such vouchers for payment to the county submitting the voucher. County ferry capital improvement fund warrants shall be transmitted directly to each county submitting a voucher. In the event that project funds remain unspent after the final project payment has been made, the unspent balance will be returned to the ((county-wide)) county fuel tax account for distribution in accordance with RCW 46.68.120.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-110, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 36.78.070 and 36.79.060. 96-17-013, § 136-400-110, filed 8/12/96, effective 9/12/96. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-110, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-01-021, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99)

WAC 136-400-120   Audit requirements.   Audits of county ferry capital improvement projects may be conducted by the state auditor's office and will normally be conducted in conjunction with the county audits required by RCW 43.09.260 and 36.80.080. Special audits of specific county ferry capital improvement projects not required by these statutes may be accomplished at the request, and at the expense, of the county road administration board.

     An audit of any county ferry capital improvement project shall include, but not be limited to, a review of the county's compliance with the provisions of the statute and these rules. The audit shall also include a review of the financial accounting and reporting of those funds associated with and received for the county ferry capital improvement project.

     In the event that an exception is noted in the audit report, the county road administration board shall evaluate the noted discrepancy. Discrepancies may be cause for the county road administration board to order the payback of improperly expended county ferry capital improvement funds as provided in the county road administration board/county contract. Any such funds returned by a county to the county road administration board shall be returned to the ((county-wide)) county fuel tax account for distribution in accordance with RCW 46.68.120.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 36.79 RCW. 99-01-021, § 136-400-120, filed 12/7/98, effective 1/7/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 36.78.070 and 36.79.060. 96-17-013, § 136-400-120, filed 8/12/96, effective 9/12/96. Statutory Authority: 1991 c 310 § 1(4). 91-21-138 (Order 85), § 136-400-120, filed 10/23/91, effective 11/23/91.]

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