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AN ORDINANCE authorizing the execution of a new lease to support the operations of the marine division.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. In 1994, King County began a demonstration water taxi service to West Seattle during the summer season with operations contracted to Argosy Cruises.
2. In 2007, Ordinance 15739 created the King County Ferry District, with independent taxing authority as authorized in RCW 36.54.110 to manage the operation of King County passenger ferry services.
3. In 2008, the King County Ferry District contracted with the marine division to take over operations of the passenger-only ferry service between Vashon Island and Colman dock in downtown Seattle from Washington State Ferries, and to continue the West Seattle ferry service between Seacrest dock in West Seattle and Colman dock.
4. On December 8, 2014, the King County Ferry District approved a motion directing the chair of the district board to execute documents to allow King County to assume the powers and duties of the King County Ferry District.
5. At midnight on December 31, 2014, the power and duties of the King County Ferry District transferred to King County.
6. In 2015, the marine division submitted a ferry expansion options report to the council outlining a number of options under consideration for expansion of the King County passenger ferry system.
7. In 2017, Washington State Ferries expects to begin construction on Colman dock to update deteriorating pilings, make seismic retrofits and address safety conflicts between vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
8. To preserve multimodal access at Colman dock, Washington State Ferries and King County have been coordinating on construction planning for Colman dock to include a passenger-only ferry facility.
9. Washington State Ferries plans to construct a passenger-only facility at Colman dock, on tideland that King County will lease from the state. The agreement defines the terms and conditions under which King County will lease...
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