June 2003
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at April, 22, 2003 Meeting
75. Authorize the executive to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for ongoing maintenance of the climatological data collection station? The Nooksack River basin data (snow depth, snow water equivalent, temperature and other parameters) is used by the National Weather Service that help determine when flooding conditions are imminent. Approved 7-0
76. Authorize the executive to enter into a $100,000 grant agreement with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife for WRIA 1 projects? The Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA 1) grant will develop a pilot drainage-based framework for the involvement of stakeholders* that are affected by and with an interest in salmon recovery and produce a revised salmon recovery plan, revise the comprehensive habitat restoration strategy and watershed planning efforts. Approved 7-0
77. Authorize the executive to enter into a $20,000 contract with the Whatcom County Agriculture Preservation Committee for WRIA 1 support in 2003? The amendment will provide $10,000 for agriculture and $10,000 for diking and drainage districts for continuing ad-ministration, facilitation and communication. Approved 7-0
78. Authorize the executive to enter into a $70,000 grant agreement with the state Department of Ecology? The grant is for community education and outreach, website maintenance and development, and a marine summit for those interested in local marine issues. Also included is a pilot project to gather information on fecal contamination at Blaine marina and an inventory of creasote pilings for possible disposal. Approved 7-0
79. Uphold the hearing examiner’s decision regarding Mark Weinberg’s requested boundary line adjustments? The six parcels are located on Bray’s Way near Toad Lake. The planning division determined that the adjustments for the parcels did not comply with state law and local ordinances. The hearing examiner agreed with county planning. Approved 6-0, Sharon Roy out of room.
80. Uphold the hearing examiner’s decision regarding the proposed construction of a synagogue by Congregation Beth Israel? The appeal requested that the hearing examiner reexamine the decision concerning buffers. Approved 7-0
81. Approve the Kendall Community Resource Center application for a $24,000 block grant? The resource center will serve rural Kendall/North Fork area, which lacks facilities, and services for economic development, adult literacy, GED programs, computer training, English as a second language instruction and childcare. The project will analyze the possibility of a multi-agency shared use facility serving the low- to moderate-income households (Resolution 2003-35). Approved 7-0
82. Amend the county’s guidelines the for purchase of farmland development rights? Reinstate areas north of Badger Road and west of Guide Meridian originally included in the program. The council removed those parcels from the first round of buyouts. It now considers this farmland too valuable to be included in Lynden’s expansion plans. (Resolution 2003-36) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
83. Approve 2003 budget amendment request #4 in the amount of $886,6l0? This sum includes $12,979 for supplies and equipment for the sheriff’s office, $493,631 for retroactive pay increases for teamsters and Local l7 employees, $55,000 for installation of fiber optic connection between the Bakerview and Smith Road government facilities, $275,000 for jail and juvenile detention controls, and $50,000 for exterior repairs on courthouse due to water damage. (Ordinance 2003-25) Adopted 7-0
Action Taken at May 6, 2003 Meeting
84. Approve an agreement with the city of Bellingham for countywide Medic One emergency services? The property tax levy (see vote 92) will be 38.5 cents per $1,000 assessed evaluation for six years, or $57.75 per year for an owner of a $150,000 home. The agreement will provide a countywide consolidation of services, cover cost of first responders and add a stable funding source. Approved 7-0
85. Authorize the executive to award an $822,095 road construction contract to Whatcom Builders of Bellingham? The bid covers leveling the road and then resurfacing with asphaltic concrete at miscellaneous county locations. Approved 7-0
86. Authorize the executive to award bids totaling approximately $400,000 for the annual supply of asphalt for county road projects? Low bidders are: Jack Cewe of Coquitlam, B.C., Grandview Blacktop of Abbotsford, B.C., Imperial Paving of Delta, B.C., Rinker Materials of Burlington, Whatcom Builders and Wilder Construction. Job location, distance to plant and product availability determines which company will be used. Approved 7-0
87. Approve a 20-year bicycle plan for Whatcom County? The plan (submitted by the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee) provides a detailed non-motorized transportation system in the county, identifying high priority on-street and off-street bike routes. The first step will develop project proposals and grant applications and incorporate the bicycle plan into the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. (Resolution 2003-37) Approved 7-0
88. Change the name of Haxton Way Road to Lummi View Drive beginning at Mackenzie Road? About 20–25 addresses will be changed. (Resolution 2003-38) 5R Approved 7-0
89. Amend Title 20 zoning text (20.40) to allow secondary non-farm businesses? The businesses must primarily support commercial operations providing goods and services to farmers, be the same type and function, and remain subordinate to those businesses. Mushroom composting is specifically not permitted under this amendment. (Ordinance 2003-26) Adopted 7-0
90. Continue the interim conditional use criteria for commercial mushroom composting? The interim ordinance was passed at the 11/26/02 meeting (January 2003, page 11, vote 210). The Planning Commission is considering odor level problems and health impacts and will make permanent code recommendations to the council in the near future. (Ordinance 2003-27) Adopted 7-0
91. Authorize the refinancing of the 1993 general obligation bonds? The administrative finance committee (county treasurer, council chair and county auditor) recommended this action. It will lower interest rates saving the county $434,000. The 1993 bonds worth $4.2 million will repaid by using $700,000 from extra funds in the Civic Center Building Improvement Fund (permitted by Ordinance #98-84) plus $3.5 million from the refunded bonds. (Ordinance 2003-28) Adopted 7-0
92. Amend Title 20 zoning text to eliminate conflicts and duplication in existing language? Text changes will not alter regulations or policy, but are for clarification and consistency. (Ordinance 2003-29) Adopted 7-0
93. Change the election date for Medic One emergency services? The January 28 vote (March, page 14, vote 22) placed the tax levy on the primary ballot. The council changed the vote to the general election, assuming it would have a better chance of passage. (Ordinance 2003-30) Adopted 7-0
