Whatcom County Council

187. Authorize the executive to enter into a $3,008,630 contract with the state to support programs for the developmentally disabled? This amount is less than former contracts because some money is now being paid directly to clients. The contract runs from 7/1/03–6/30/05 and provides services for child development and administration, employment, community access and community information. (AB2003-356) Approved 7-0

188. Authorize the executive to amend the state contract in the amount of $381,373 to fund outpatient substance abuse treatment for pregnant women and children, and for adult drug court and prevention? The contract runs from 7/1/03– 6/30/05. (AB2003-357) Approved 7-0

189. Authorize the executive to amend a state contract in the amount of $138,950 to prevent bioterrorism and for drinking water programs? The bioterrorism funding of $119,000 runs from 8/31/03–8/30/04 and is part of a statewide system to provide coordinated emergency response plans. The drinking water funding of $19,950 includes site visits to systems to improve safety and reliability, and monitoring for bacteria and nitrates. This contract runs from 1/1/03–12/31/04. (AB2003-358) Approved 7-0

190. Authorize the executive to accept a $993,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for computer compatibility throughout Whatcom County? This grant is the first phase of a project to make all records held by the police, sheriff, courts and jail accessible by departments and agencies. (AB 2003-360) Approved 7-0

191. Order an election to determine whether residents of the Bertrand Watershed wish to form an irrigation district? For proposed location see the 10/21/03 meeting, vote 184. The state Department of Ecology approved the district formation with the expectation it will enhance water quality, riparian habitat and salmon recovery. (Resolution 2003-64) Approved 7-0

192. Change the way flood control districts are funded? The funds are used to address county flooding and reduce potential flood damage. Starting in 2004, flood control and water resource programs will be funded by a tax instead of an assessment. The tax will be $0.1937 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Property taxes for flood prevention and water resource projects will decrease for 98 percent of property owners. (Resolution 2003-65) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed (see page 2 for explanation).

193. Adopt the 2004 six-year (2004-2009) capital improvement program? Expenditures for 2004 are estimated to be $24,889,500. Broken down: new structures $16,150,000; existing structures $7,018,500; parks $947,000 and trails $774,000. (Resolution 2003-66) Approved 7-0

194. Adopt the final 2004 budget? Total appropriation is $125,433,863, of which $59 million is for the general fund. An amendment added one more deputy sheriff to the two already proposed, allowing two to concentrate on illegal methamphetamine labs and one to cover Kendall. Additional requests may be considered at future meetings. (Ordinance 2003-56) Amended and adopted 6-l, Barbara Brenner opposed (see page 2 for explanation).

195. Approve Planning Commission recommendations for seven* open space/timber applications? State law gives property tax relief and decreases any conversion to non-rural uses. To qualify for open space/timber, the owner must show wildlife habitat enhancement, forest management, and, if timber is harvested, a replanting program. (Resolution 2003-67) Approved 7-0

196. Set the 2004 property tax levy ? The council watcher could not get a definite answer on this vote. There is a difference of opinion on whether this vote will raise property taxes. The exact levy will be established when the state provides the necessary figures. (Ordinance 2003-53) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed (see page 2 for explanation).

197. Adopt the 2004 property tax levy for county roads? The road fund of $27.9 million is the second largest budget category in the $59 million general fund. Road funds come from state and federal grants as well as property taxes. The money finances designing, constructing, altering, repairing, improving and maintaining county roads, bridges and the ferry. (Ordinance 2003-54) Adopted 7-0

198. Adopt the 2004 property tax levy for the conservation futures fund? The levy (no change from the previous year) is 6.25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation of real property. The funds can only be used to acquire land or interest in land for conservation purposes. (Ordinance 2003-55) Adopted 7-0

199. Continue the interim zoning map for the Lake Whatcom Watershed for six months? The interim ordinance was first passed at the 5/20/03 meeting (vote 103). This ordinance expires on May 20, 2004. (Ordinance 2003-57) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

200. Continue the interim gift exemption exclusion provisions of the land division regulation for six months? This exclusion of the gift exemption was first passed at the 5/20/03 meeting (vote 105). This ordinance expires on May 20, 2004. (Ordinance 2003-58) Adopted 4-3, Sam Crawford, Barbara Brenner (see page 2) and Ward Nelson opposed.

201. Continue the moratorium on permits for power transmission lines for six months? The moratorium was first passed at the January 15, 2002 meeting (vote 11). It was continued at the June 18, 2002 meeting (vote 115), the December 10, 2002 meeting (vote 228) and the May 20, 2003 meeting (vote 106). This ordinance expires on June 3, 2004 (Ordinance 2003-59) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

202. Authorize the executive to purchase 10 police vehicles for $226,348? The Ford Crown Victoria pursuit vehicles will be purchased from Frontier Ford of Anacortes. They will replace vehicles with over l00,000 miles. (AB2003-372) Approved 7-0

203. Adopt a salary schedule for unrepresented county employees for the year 2004? This is a 2 percent increase for non-union employees, 3 percent for those at the “top step in the salary range” and elected executive positions. County councilmember’s salaries will increase from 14,786 to 15,492 (Resolution 2003-68) Amended and approved 6-l, Barbara Brenner opposed (see page 2 for explanation).

204. Set December 9 public hearing to declare property surplus? Following the public hearing, various cars, trucks, tractors and miscellaneous equipment and parts may be declared surplus and sold at public auction. (Resolution 2003-69) Approved 7-0

205. Order the cancellation of uncashed county checks over one year old? The total amount is $10,229. Of that amount, $5,261 is from county funds and $4,969 is from fire districts and the Northwest Regional Council. (Resolution 2003-70) Approved 7-0

206. Establish Whatcom County Council meeting dates for 2004? The council will meet every other Tuesday. Exceptions occur in August and December when only one meeting is scheduled. (Resolution 2003-71) Approved 7-0

207. Approve 2003 budget amendment #12 for $122,344? The amount includes: $74,000 (grants from Washington state and the U.S. Forest Service) to develop a feasibility study for a community resource center in the Kendall/North Fork area; $25,551 to implement an integrated information system for county law and justice agencies; $22,793 (U.S. Department of Justice grant) will fund the sheriff’s department mobile command vehicle. (Ordinance 2003-60) Adopted 7-0

208. Amend the mineral resource land disclosure requirements and notification for mining permit? People who are buying property or obtaining permits for property within 500 feet of a mineral resource land designation must be notified of impacts. All property owners within 1,000 feet of a mineral resource land must be notified by mail of proposed mining operations. (Ordinance 2003-61) Adopted 7-0