HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 99-033-CC BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Grant County, Washington
A RESOLUTION DECLARING AN )
EMERGENCY FOR THE TOWN OF ) RESOLUTION NO. 99 -33 -CC
GRAND COULEE )
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WHEREAS,the Grant County Department of Emergency Management,by and through the
Prosecutor's Office,has reported to the Board of County Commissioners at 11:00 a.m.,on March 19,
1999,that a hazardous situation exists within the Town of Grand Coulee,due to a potential land slide;
and
WHEREAS, current movement within the slope has not damaged property or caused injury
or death to humans;however,an emergency does exist because of the potential for future movement
because of the water table and type of earth involved, according to geologists; and
WHEREAS, Grant County Mental Healthcare has had to move its facility to avoid total
destruction; and
WHEREAS,the effects that a slide could cause must crate a state of readiness in emergency
services agencies within the County of Grant, the communities of Grand Coulee and Electric City,
Fire District Fourteen, for potential disruption of the travel ways through and into Grand Coulee,
creating hardship and possibly denying access to the public in need of emergency assistance; and
WHEREAS,water supplies for sanitation,drinking and fire services are at rislc should a slide
occur and failure of the community water main is lilce to occur; and
WHEREAS,damage to roadways within tha community could diminish the capability of the
public tio access general health care, services of businesses, supplies,materials and goods necessary
for life, economic hardship could begin and impact the lives of citizens; and
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WHEREAS, mitigation efforts by the communities of Grand Coulee and Electric City and
County of Grant to reduce impacts or losses need additional time for implementation,prior to a slide
occurring; and
WHEREAS, the capability of the County to assist the communities of Grand Coulee or
Electric City are greatly impaired by budget limitations and accessability of funds to mitigate
potentials of a land slide are unavailable; and
WHEREAS,the legislative authority of a county is empowered with the authority to delcare
an emergancy pursuant to the provisions of chapter 36.40 RCW; and
WHEREAS,the Board of Commissioners finds and declaras that an emergency exists in the
community of Grand Coulee due to uncontained water; and
WHEREAS,expenditures are necessary to meet such emergency to protect private and public
property, including without limitation, public worlcs; and
WHEREAS,this public emergency could not have been reasonably foreseen and its existence
is not debateable as reasonable minds could not disagree as to its existence.
BE IT RESOLVED FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT,
SECTION 1
It is hereby declared that an emergency exists due to conditions of a slope with a risk of
potential failure, within the community of Grand Coulee located along and on properties between
Midway Avenue(Washington State Highway 155)and Fortuyn Street. Failure of the slope will cause
extreme damage to property, transportation routes,water systems for public and fire service needs,
disruption of emergency services to citizens within and outside the corporate limits of Grand Coulee
and Electric City. Damage and disruption of vital services demand a period of readiness on the part
of county and municipalities, to best serve the citizens should a slide occur.
SECTION 2.
Grant County offices and departments are permitted, as authorized by law, to enter into
contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat the effects of the failure of the slope,protecting
the health and safety of citizens and providing emergency assistance to victims of any occurring
disaster related to the slope of land located between Midway Avenue and Fortuyn Street in Grand
Coulee. Said offices and departments must clear said expenditures with the Board of Commissioners
prior to the commitment of county resources.
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SECTION 3.
Departments and offices are authorized to exercise the powers set forth herein,in light of the
problems of an extreme emergency situation without regard to time consuming procedures and
formalities prescribed by law (excepting mandatory constitutional requirements).
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Grant County,
Washington, this 19t''day of March, 1999.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON
( �..i!
Tim Snea C ai
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LeRoy C. Allison, Member
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Deborah Kay M or Member
ATTEST:
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Peggy Gr' �Clerk of tYz oard
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03-11 -99 10 :55 COULEE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ID=+ P.01
� GOULEE CQMMUNII`Y HOSPITAL � �JA'
�� .�...� Douglas,Grant, Linc�ln&Okanogan Coun4ies ���
' � � Public Hospital district No. 6
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U� � 411 For�Uyn Road • Grand CoUlee, WA 9913�-����
� PHONE SDg 633-1753 • FAX 509 633-0951
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March 10, 1999
The Honorable Gary Lp�ke
Gavernor, VVashin�ton St�te
Legislative Building
P.p- Box 40UO2
Ol�rnpi�, WA 98505-0002
RE: Err�erge�cy ian CJrand Caulee
I>ear Govemor Locke:
By now your office h,ass r�ceived correspondence from Mayor HDb Seiler of Grand Coulee, �tate
Representative Li�da�arlette, and 1H(ouse Speaker Clyde Ballaxd about the unstable hillside ia�
Graand Coulee. 'W`e are naw six months into this emergency and during tlus tim�we have lost tons
of dirt. That dirt is now pressing against t,he walls of buildin�s below the hill and some has spilled
inYo the parkin� lat below. The first slippa�e was so unmense tt�at�we were unable to rneasure the
total area. In February 1999,the slippa�e be�an to accelerate and included a 10'� 30'section of
hillside. WitPun the last two weeks another very large section has slipped against the buildings at
ih�foot ofthe hill. My point is that ihe hillside is continuing ta mcrve and the slippage is steadily
accelcrating.
My coneern is that no or��understands the�grutude�f this emergency. There is the impression
that a d�st�r has nat occurred because the hospital has not been lost and the city w�terlin�has
not rvptured. �--Io�c�ve�ver, the disaster i�occur�in�becausc a l�rsze�ortion of hillside is now sl�ding
and the cit�y's cement waterline lies in the path ofthe.unstable�i(lside. Not only will local
residents t+e a.ff�ct�d, but surrounding communities,the Colville Indian Rese�vatiaca and
High�uuay I SS �rrill alsa be severely impacted. The potent'sa1 for injury also exists with the sGppage
of the lullside.
Coutee Community Hospita) has d4ne all that it can ta be proactive in addressing this disast�r.
On the ad�rise of geologists, and at great expens�to the hs�spatal, +�e ha`��mo�ed our transfoa-cYters
and crnergency generator away from th� affected area. The Grant Ivlental Healthcare building,
located on hospital pro�ert�, is in the process of being moved to a safer location.
Y have been in touch with eounty�nd state agcncies including Grant Counry]�epartm�nt of
Emergency Man�gement, State O£�ice of Emergency Managernent, Public Works Board,
Department of I�datural Resources, ac�d Camtnunity Trade an�d Economic Development. Y have
been told chat they ur►derstand our dilemcna and I have received lots of inforniation. T�owever, i
have not received aray sotutions ta urunediately r�rr►edy this emergency,althou�h Fiepresent�tiv�
Parlette and Speaker Ballard recognize the proble�a.nd have been sxtremely helpful.
03-11 -99 10 :56 COULEE COMMUNITY NOSPITAL ID=+ P .02
Geola�ists tell us that an unknov�m water source in the hillside wi11 oause th�problem to contintae.
Until the hillside is Stahilized, the city waterline and businesses below the hill wil) be in jeopardy.
Geologists sa�it is only a matter pi'time before the hillside completely gives way, ea�.sing
hundreds of yards of dirt to move. That Would result in business closures, closing State Highway
155, �vac�aation of aur nuasir�horn�e,and the closure of the only so�arce of inedical care(hospital,
clinic, dental care and dther medical services) and emergency c2ire in the area.
Our hospital atad clinic provide critical ser�vice to a broad area. We are the only haspital for a
sixty�ile radius(a�proximately 3,6b0 sq. miles), servin�the health and emergency needs of a
population of about seven thousand. The area is also a tourist attr�ctio�,with the Crand Coulee
Dam alone dra�uving over 400,000�isitors a year,most of whann vacation May through
5ept�rnbez�. That is only t�ro months fr�iaa no�u, vvith ihe first lar�e ho�iid�y visitor draw being
Memari�l Uay! Su�tnrz�er usage of the hospital and clinic will compound the problem when the
hi�lside slips completely.
,As Y see it, the decision ultimately boils down to tkais: The State can either spend the estimated
$300,000 to �uc the problem naw or spend millions to clean up something tha.t could have been
avoided in the first place. Yt is crucial that we locate funding to remedy this immed�aitely. Our
community and surrounding service area cannot afford to address the problem without h�lp from
the Stat�and canr9at risk lasing its only source o�'medical care and the economic dollars that are
generated locally by the townist indusery.
'Y'our help and attentaon to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfull�,
;%t`y�'` .�-�..�Z�.�,....v�
M�ry��i�Winn
Cotnrnw�uty Relations
�nclosures: City of Grand Cou.lee 1Z�solution No. 99-6 Declaration of EmergenGy
Department of Natural�esources Report
Cc: Coulee Community Hospit�l Adrn.inistrator, Charlotte Lan�
Representa.tive Linda Evans Parlette
iLepresentative Clyde Ball,ard
Senator �lade Gor�on
Senator Patty Murra�
Crrant County Carnrnissioner,Tim �n,ead
M�yor Rota�ert Seiler,Gr�nd Cuulee
WA State Dept. of Natural I�esources, Steve Pa�ner
Grant County Dcpt, of Emergenc�r Ma��gement, 5am Lorenz
State Office of Lrner�ency Maa�gernent,Mart�Best
State+DtTice of Emergency Management, Ben Dew
Community Tr3de$Economic Development, $tephen l�uxb�un
l�ublic 'uVorks Board, Enid I�Ielendez
03-11 -99 10 :56 COULEE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ID=+ P.03
� ��.Un4� N�. 9� - �
A R�041JT�0l11 DECLARIiAlG AN EMERGENCY�iO AUTMQRIZt1�C�1�� MAYLIR TO TAKE
NE ST�pSi Tp M11TGA'fE IMPA�TS
WH�, �ube Commtutity Haspital o�nmS �I �quipm�tt anc9 ottter improvement5 behind tt�ir
fadl'�tj+, ' tiv a hiPl�ele stope; and,
iAIHEREAS, ��.ttY of G�'d�d CUulee owns�w�Ger�fiai�t line withtn tlte gravel no�adw�y imrr�edi�r nortri
of Cvute+e Cammun'�ty - ,s�I�quiprr�ent; and,
Vrl�°I ,the hil�ide s�op� ' t��e�I 9`adlide�s�s unsrable��d sliding and,
WH�tEA5,s�d hiils�pos�s an immec�e tfi�t�� " loc�d vn or t�a��
(1�riM,TH be it res�alved tf'�t tt�e t�.y CouncD vP 1�e (Sty of Grar�d C�oul�e t�by de�r� ttris
the ur�e hf�may hatie on faa'C�loe�ed a�j�t to�id hil�e. � fn midgaGe arry imp�ct
PAS�p► AND B1P THE CTi'1' �DI,1Nt�L 0� THE CT1Y �� GRAIVD C�?Ulk� th� 16�` day of
Fe�irt�ty 1999.
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03-11 -99 10 :56 COULEE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ID=+ P.04
Trip Report —Gr�nd Coulee Landslide Febcuary 17, I999
On Febnuary l0, 1999�Y made a one-day field re�iew af an active landslide affecting che slape on t�e sauth
side of the Coulee Communiry Hospital in T.h�ciey af Grand Coulee. After concluding my field review Y
discussed my observations of the landslide situation with Mayor Robect Seiler of C'irand Coulee,Charlotte
I.ang,Admistrator of the Coalee Carrarr�uraity�-iospital, �d Dennis Francas of the Grrand Coulee PubIic
'Works Department.
The slop�is composed of unconsalidat�d cla�ey-silty soils deposited as lake sedimenes during the last
glaciation(approximately 13,000 years ago}. A spring line is visible about I O to 15 ft belaw tD�e ta�of the
slope,and�xtends la[erally for a few hundred feet(see�'igure 1). Water fram this spring saturates the
clayey-silt�sails,causing them to lase sfaength and move downsloge under their own weight. 'I"he
downslope movement of the slide mass undermines the steeper bank at the top of the slope. L�x�ge bloCks
of ihe dry lake sediments forming this bank f�ll onto the top of the slide mass wh�re they are incorporated
into thc m��ring debcis(see Figure 2). 'I'hese block failures resuit in the retreat of the top of the slope
toward the hospit�l. Downslope mavem�nt of che landslide debris ar�d re�eat at the top of the Slope has
accelerated in[he last 6 to 12 rnonths according to the observacions of oity and hospital staff.
Retreat of the slop�is jeopardizing a number of important public facilities, ictcluding the hospital's
�rnergency generator, eleckrical transformer, and helicopter gad,and one of two city-aperated w�ter suppl�
lines serving the northern part of Grand Coulee, including the hospital. In f�ct,relocaeion of the ho�pital's
emergency generator and trarasfornn�r is currently underway. Concinued retreat af the slope will rcquire
the relocation of the city's water lin�and the hospital's helicopter pad,and e�ventually th�Mental H�alth
ward. One approach to carrecting ihe lar�dslide�uvould involrre placement of a keyed retaining structure at
the base of ti��slvpe and regrading the steep bank at rhe top of the slope to prever�t further failure of the
dry lake sediments. At the presenc time there is sufficient set-back of the waeer line and helicopter pad to
aIlow fas regrading at the top of the slope. If this landslide is altowed to progress for an extended p�riod
then the top of the slope will continu�co retreat. At a certain poine it will not be possible to regrade the
top of the slope r�uithaut intersecting the helicoptEr pad and the eity's water lin�,
A large circular failure at ehe west enc�af ehe sloge has deposited a mass of landslide debris 6 to 8 ft high
against Yhe rear wall of a hardware stc�re{see Figure 1). This wall was nat designed to accommodate the
earth pressures�aused by this stide debris, and therefore thi�r�presents a potentially hazardous condition.
The following are my recommcndatians reg�rding the cu�ent landstide situatian in Grand Coulee:
• Ie is criticat eo move q►�iekly to stabilize this landslide in order to a�void the large expense of
r�el�cating the ciey's�ater line and helicopter pad and the potential for disruption of hospital
�speratians.
• Promgc a�tion ca addr�ss the landslide debris mass lodsed against th�rr�ar w�all di the hardware
store should be taken to ensuce that no permanent harm co the building or its occupancs occurs.
.� ������
Stephen P.Palmer, Ph.D.
WA I�epartment of Natural Resources
Gcalogy and Earth Resauro�s Division "
(36p)902-1437
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March 9, 1999 �=�-`�-�',�
TC?: l.ocal Emer enc �ana em�nt(�ffic�s � `��
9 Y 9 �
FRC1M: JQan Sterling, �,egisl�tive and Policy Ar►�lys i ._
W�shingk�an fYfilitary Department
�m�rgericy Managem�nt Division
SU�JECT. L.egislat�ve and Budget Mess�ge
Today Govemor Locke held a press cc�nference urging the Legisiature address the
suppiem�ntai budget tF�at has yet to be approved, The bud�et r�quest is to fund current and
fufut'e emergencies, This pi'ess reieas� is being shared to make y0u aware of his messag� �nd
shauid iegi�tators Cali, you have current information. Shouid yau have any quest3ons, pieas�
caEl me at {253j�92-7047. �
OFFICE C?F TME GaV�RNC}R
FC}R lMNIEDIAfiE FtELEASE• ivl�rch 9. 1999
l.ocke urges passage of supplement�! state budget
QLYMP#A- Cov. Gary Lacke tod�y said s#ate emergency servic�s, Cs�ur�ty fairs and
s�hoo! construction schedules aU could face funding shortages un(ess ths �e��sl�ture adopts a
1959 supplementa!budge�
Lo�ke said that without the Legisiature's speeQy action ta approve the supplemental
budget, he wili h�ve fa make sure tha#the Mili#�ry Department,which oper�te� the�mergency
Manageme�t�ivi�ion, daesn't run out of funds in late Aprii, two manths befare the end af the
current bientlit�t�1.
T�e departrr�nt alreaciy has reim�ursed Iacal governments for t��ir costs in fighting wild
fires iast sumt�r. The�gency tnok�at rrwney€rom its aperatir�g buc#gtt, so it wili depfete its
fe�r�ding before the snd�f the biennium, untess the svpplement�� budge#is a�prt�vsd t�r the
gov�mor takes emergett�}r�c#ion to er�sure furtdirtg.
The gt�vernor is sendirtg a I�tter to lead+�rs t�f the House Appropri�tians and 5enate
W�ys�nd Nfeans cammitte�s tQ stress the impo�kance of th� supplementa#budget. He said he
!s prepar�d ta#ransfer generat-fund dolla�s to a Special, non»�gprvpriated �Ccount that c�n be
used ta pay bills for fighting l�st summer's wildfires.
Without supplemental fundir�g, steps would have to be taken now to begin layoffs�nd
shut down prog�ams in the �mergency Mana�ement Division. But �ocke said he wii( not�i1ow
the agency to curt&ii its aperations, especlally since this win#er's he�vy rainfali and snowp�ck
ccauld resuit in even gr'e�ter demand for emerg�ncy�ervices.
"On my w�tch, r�o essential part of this 5tate government wiil shu#down beGause of
p�r#i�an disagreemettts ovsr budget issues,"the gc�vernor sald. "There will be no showdow#�,
�o thr�at#o CIpSe down the governr'�ent. i will simply t2�ks�ction tc�fulf�ll our obligations."
�.ocke saic3 an additiortal $2.�million still would be needed to meet the state's shars t�f
disas#�r fvr�ding#or the Kelso I�nds�ide, flc�od reli�f ir� Ferry ar�d Stevens caus�t�es, and
acc�±ler�ted payment ft�r older dlsaster cpsts. Without a sup�l�ment�l budget, flood-damaged
�c�mmunitfes wlll be farced to wa�it for cr��cal funding, he s�id
� — --. .. .... �,...� �..., _,,.,
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l.vck� sald the supplemer�tai budget approved by the Senate addr�sses
the criticai needs iderttifed in h�s s�ppiemer�tal budget pla�.
"Now, the Nouse needs ta act-be�aus�every d�y of del�y puts t�ur
emer�ertcy serviGe�syster�'►at risk, ht�rts school construc#ican schedules, and hinders coun#y
fairs," he said.
The Senate cancurred with l.aake's prapasal t� make a one-time appcopria#ion Qf$6
mi(lion to the Fair Fund tp heip state and county f�rrs ov�r the ne,�ct three years. It also agreed
fo provide $13.8 million tp cover a shortfa!! th�t occurred +'n schoal-constructi�rr funding in th�
1997-99 biennium becaus� mc�re prc�jects than expected became ready fc�r constructivn.
�unding for county fairs, fighting forest fires, fload relief,.and scho4l construction is part
o€tFte govemor's supplemental budget pian for tying up Ioose ends in th� current biennial
budget. The Legisf�ture is cansidering Locke`s budget proposal for the 1999-01 biennium,
which begins,lu�y 1.
„!n the �Qlympia world t�f$2a billi�or► bienr�ial budgets, the supptertiental budget far the
remair�ing fc�ur months of th� 1999 Fiscai Year might not s�em important, but I can assure you
that it has reaf im�act ort reai p�ople - partictrlarly childr�n," Lock�e satd.
In eastern Washington, tkte Asgtin County Fair is the frrs#of ctozens of county fairs this
year. Fair planner�are considerin�cut�acks !n livestock show�and entertainmertt programs
because they can't COuc1t+DI� St�te's t�8dltl0fl Of pr4Vtdit1g heip 1`4C County f�i1�St �he goV8�t10f said.
"These fairs need to know what their resaurce5 wi!! b� bef�re they catl sch�du(e ev�nts,"
l.aake said. "When fairs have to cut programs that affect rura! fam!lies involved in 4-N Club and
Future Farmers af America, that hurts children, and that hurts aur state."
In w�sterrt Washington, the Su(t�n Schaol t?istnct in Sn4hamish County is in dir� nesd
of$2 m�llion in stat� matching funds tv complete renovation of the 5ultan �lementary Schoal.
"We can't leave the Sultan Ei�ment�ry Sch�oi stranded," Locke said. "Wifhout the state
fund'mg, st�,dents will coniinue ta attend a�chcJal that's a mucfdy constru�tion site with no
adequais pfay spac�."
The�5�! rni!lipt�, 'f 999 supp(emental budget woufd feave tttt�l sp�nding in #he curret�2
1997-99 biennlum$22 mf!{ion b�lovu the Initiat�ve 601 spendir�g limit, but add;
"$13.� mil4it�ra t� the�c�rrammt�n>��hc�al �o�struc4�����s�d Q���ver currertt shc�r'ffafls.
*$34.5 millian #o the schop!COns#cuc#on t�udg�t it� the next biennium.
"$6 millian as � one�time�ppropriation to the Fair �und to su�t�in i##�r thres years.
"$1� mi11i4n tp ilelp 5tate Community ar1� techniCal colleges make mir►ot repairs t4 facilities,as
weil as replace deteriorating portable classroom�.
*$12.8 miltiart to improve schaai-bus saf�ty by reducing by one year the replaCement�chedule
for bus�s that sti)i wc�uld be @riven for as iong as 17 years.
*$7.8 mitlion ta pay for fire suppression costs and relmburse io�al gavernments for fire
m��ifization cvsts in F€scal Year 1999.
"$3.0 mifliort far� contingency f�rnd fc�r future wiidfires.
��2.9 millitin for the stat�share of d3s�st+�r relief cc�s#s, including the Kelso iandsiide, flooding in
F�rry and Stevens counties�ar�d accelerated disaster paymer�ts for prior disasters.
�
Con#act: Governor's Commu+��catlt�ns Office, 360�942-4136