October-November 2004
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at August 10, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
145. Amend Whatcom County Code relating to the transfer of development rights within the Lake Whatcom watershed? The amendment would decrease density and reduce impervious surfaces to a minimum of 2,000 square feet on the original property in the watershed and permit an increase of density and impervious surfaces on TDR receiving areas in the watershed. The council felt the adoption of Ordinance 2004-44 (see vote 152) makes this amendment unnecessary. (AB 2004-289) Failed 0-6, Barbara Brenner, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, Seth Fleetwood, Dan McShane, Ward Nelson, Sharon Roy opposed, Sam Crawford absent.
146. Authorize the executive to enter into a $191,506 contract with The Invironmentalists (formerly DuPont Flooring Systems) of Seattle for carpet? The Juvenile Detention and Juvenile Probation carpet on the 5th and 6th floor of the Courthouse will be replaced. The work involves the removal and recycling of the base and carpet, installing a new base and carpet. The contract does not involve the bid process, it is a direct purchase from the manufacturer. (AB 2004-290) Approved 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
147. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $147,197 to Foss Maritime of Seattle for the annual dry-dock of the Lummi Island ferry? This vote is an accidential duplication of a vote at the 6/29/04 meeting. Vote 125 approved the same amount of money for the same company. (AB 2004-292) Approved 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
148. Authorize the executive to enter into an amended contract of $348,123 with Bosman Fuels of Bellingham for petroleum fuel? This is the annual purchase of diesel and unleaded fuel for use in county equipment and vehicles. This is a continuation of last year’s contract; approved at the 9/9/03 meeting, vote 150. The $107,092 increase over last year’s contract reflects the increase in fuel prices. The contract runs from 9/1/04 through 8/31/05. (AB 2004-293) Approved 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
149. Authorize the executive to enter into an agreement with Snohomish County for homeland security? Snohomish County Emergency Management will develop a strategic plan for Whatcom County Homeland Security. The plan will develop responses to terrorist attacks, purchase equipment, train for emergencies, stage exercises, etc. It is being funded by a $530,454 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (AB 2004-295) Approved 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
150. Appropriate $514,350 to purchase a conservation easement on the Holz dairy farm? The easement buys the development rights on 35 acres of the 40-acre farm. A federal grant will cover $240,000 and the county Conservation Futures Fund will cover the remaining $274,350. This is the first acquisition under the agriculture purchase of development rights program. (Resolution 2004-54) Approved 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
151. Accept the 2004 list of economic development projects? This updates and revises the 2002 list (8/13/02, vote 154). The plan sets goals and specific projects for business expansion in Whatcom County and requires approval from the federal government before the projects are eligible for federal grants. (Resolution 2004-55) Amended and approved 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
152. Amend the Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance relating to transfer of development rights in the Lake Whatcom watershed? The amendment to Title 20 will decrease overall density in the watershed and permit an increase of impervious surfaces outside the watershed. The motion was amended to drop changes recommended by the planning commission. (Ordinance 2004-44) Amended and adopted 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
153. Approve 2004 budget request #11 in the amount of $1,126,529? It appropriates $25,000 for the county’s share of the regional growth forums; $4,409 to increase a land-use clerk from three quarters time to a full-time position; a federal grant of $418,416 to fund training and equipment for the Whatcom County Homeland Security program; $514,350 to purchase a conservation easement for the Holz dairy farm property (see vote 150 for details) and $164,354 for professional help to update and develop the county’s comprehensive parks and recreation open space plan. (Ordinance 2004-45) Adopted 6-0, Sam Crawford absent.
Action Taken at September 14, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
154. Authorize the executive to enter into a $118,056 contract with the state of Washington for drug enforcement and prosecution? The funds will pay the salaries of two detectives (one from the sheriff’s office and one from the Bellingham Police Department) and $12,000 will go to the Whatcom County prosecutor. The contract runs from 7/1/04 through 6/30/05. (AB 2004-308) Approved 7-0
155. Authorize the executive to extend a contract with Michael Bobbink as Whatcom County Hearing Examiner until December 31, 2004? Mr. Bobbink will be paid $5,748 per month for the extension. Michael Bobbink was awarded the hearing examiner contract in 2000 and it was renewed for three years; the contract had a four-year limit. The process will start over, the council will advertise for a hearing examiner. (AB 2004-309) Approved 7-0
156. Authorize the executive to enter into a $27,995 agreement with the city of Bellingham and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District for monthly monitoring of tributaries in the Lake Whatcom watershed? The money will help identify priority areas and management options for the protection of Lake Whatcom. (AB 2004-311) Approved 7-0
157. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,142,154 grant from the federal government to protect farmland? The grant is for the purchase of development rights on farms* and long-term maintenance of the conservation easements by the Whatcom Land Trust. The first acquisition under this program was the Holz dairy farm at the 8/10/04 meeting, vote 150. (AB 2004-312) Approved 7-0
158. Allow $35,000 in flood control zone funds to deviate from the established formula? The funds will be used to repair the east portion of the Hovander Park levee upstream of Slater Road. These funds replace the cost share formulas, due to the limited resources of the Whatcom County Parks Department. (AB 2004-313) Approved 7-0
159. Authorize the executive to award the sole bid of $569,152 to Bayside Services of Bellingham, for street sweeping in the Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish watersheds? Two machines will sweep the streets in the watersheds, one county sweeper and one from Bayside Services. The contract runs three years; it has not been signed as of 9/30/04. (AB 2004-315) Approved 7-0
