WSR 07-11-118

PROPOSED RULES

COUNTY ROAD

ADMINISTRATION BOARD

[ Filed May 21, 2007, 11:09 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 136-400-010, 136-400-020, 136-400-030, 136-400-040, 136-400-050, 136-400-060, 136-400-065, 136-400-070, 136-400-080, 136-400-090, 136-400-100, 136-400-110 and 136-400-120, ferry capital improvement projects.

     Hearing Location(s): County Road Administration Board, 2404 Chandler Court S.W., Suite 240, Olympia, WA 98504-0913, on July 26, 2007, at 2:00 p.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: July 26, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: Karen Pendleton, 2404 Chandler Court S.W., Suite 240, Olympia, WA 98504-0913, e-mail karen@crab.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-0386, by July 20, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Karen Pendleton by July 20, 2007, TTY (800) 833-6382 or (360) 753-5989.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Chapter 136-400 WAC, Proposal for clean-up of current language to better explain process of county ferry capital improvement program.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 36.79 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: [County road administration board], governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Randy Hart, 2404 Chandler Court S.W., Suite 240, Olympia, WA 98504-0913, (360) 753-5989; Implementation: Karen Pendleton, 2404 Chandler Court S.W., Suite 240, Olympia, WA 98504-0913, (360) 753-5989; and Enforcement: Jay Weber, 2404 Chandler Court S.W., Suite 240, Olympia, WA 98504-0913, (360) 753-5989.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not applicable.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Not applicable.

May 21, 2007

Jay P. Weber

Executive Director

OTS-9725.2


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.

[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 county 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;

     (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 and fourteen-year plan submittal.   Each county's six-year program and fourteen-year long range county 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. The county's six-year program and fourteen-year county ferry capital improvement plan submitted in each odd-numbered year shall include all projects for which the county may request county ferry capital improvement funds during the biennium beginning on July 1((st)) of that year. 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.]


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

WAC 136-400-050   Project application.   The board will determine if a call for projects for county ferry capital improvement funds is required for the next biennium at the spring meeting of the odd-numbered year, based upon written requests from two or more eligible counties. Application forms and criteria will be determined and distributed to eligible requesting counties before the summer meeting of the odd-numbered year. Each application by a county for county ferry capital improvement funds shall be made no later than January 1((st)) of even-numbered years 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 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) The director of highways and local programs 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 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.

     The technical review committee's recommendations shall ((recommend)), as appropriate, include an appropriate local match on a project-by-project basis based upon the ((availability of)) local ((matching funds)) calculation under WAC 136-400-065. Written reports on each set of project ((recommended for approval)) recommendations 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   County ferry capital improvement funds local match calculation.   The technical review committee's recommendations shall include an appropriate local match on a project-by-project basis based on the following criteria:

     For county ferry capital improvement funds capital requests less than or equal to one million dollars, the local match rate recommendation will be a minimum of zero percent of the requested amount, but not to exceed twenty-five percent of the requested amount, depending upon the demonstrated availability of local funds.

     For county ferry capital improvement funds capital requests greater than one million dollars, the local match rate recommendation will be calculated as follows:

     (1) If the county has not formed a ferry district as authorized by chapter 36.54 RCW, the minimum local match rate recommendation will be sixty percent of the requested amount.

     (2) If the county has formed a ferry district as authorized by chapter 36.54 RCW, the minimum local match rate recommendation is ten percent of the requested amount, but not to exceed a maximum local match rate recommendation of fifty percent of the requested amount, based on two criteria:

     (a) An additional zero to twenty percent based upon the requesting county's ferry district property valuation percentage at the time of application:

     (i) County-wide district = zero percent additional local match.

     (ii) Island-only district = twenty percent additional local match.

     (b) An additional zero to twenty percent based upon the requesting county's ferry district levy percentage devoted to capital improvement at the time of application:

     (i) One hundred percent ferry district levy to capital improvement = zero percent additional local match.

     (ii) Less than fifty percent ferry district levy to capital improvement = twenty percent additional local match.

     Recommendations of actual additional percentages will be determined using actual percentages of valuation areas and levy capital dedication.

[]


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. At that time, it ((shall)) may approve those projects, which it finds:

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

     (2) Adhere to commonly held engineering practices and cost effectiveness, specifying the amount of approved funding which it recommends for such 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. On approved projects, the board shall determine a local matching percentage on a case-by-case basis, as described in WAC 136-400-065, considering the recommendation of the technical review committee. The board shall require evidence that each applicant has first sought funding through the public works trust fund((, and)) or 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) 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 ferry capital improvement projects, voucher forms for use in requesting progress and final payments for each approved 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 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 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.]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office