March 2004
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at January 13, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Authorize the executive to enter into a $642,448 juvenile probation contract with the state? The state Department of Social and Health Services will reimburse the county for expenses incurred in assessing the level of risk a juvenile presents to the community and treatment for juveniles charged with sex and substance abuse offenses. This contract (for the period of 7/1/03 through 6/30/05) also covers monitoring and administration costs. (AB2004-30) Approved 7-0
2. Authorize the executive to enter into a $102,122 contract with Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic of Bellingham? The clinic will provide treatment for homeless clients with mental health disorders and concurrent substance abuse issues, and assist them in obtaining housing. The extended contract runs from 5/1/2003-12/31/04. Reimbursement is from the state and Bellingham’s Block Grant program. (AB 2004–31) Approved 7-0
3. Authorize the executive to enter into a $275,203 contract with North Sound Mental Health Administration? The administration covers four north Puget Sound counties (Island, San Juan, Snohomish and Whatcom) and is certified by the state to regulate mental health client services. The contract runs from 1/1/04 through 12/31/05. (AB 2004–33) Approved 7-0
4. Authorize the executive to enter into a $250,392 amended contract with the state for health services? The contract with the state Department of Health provides services such as tobacco prevention/cessation, child health programs, immunizations, health status reports, urgent housing for homeless mentally ill, West Nile Virus planning/education/surveillance, and food handler training and testing. The amended contract (1/1/03 through 12/31/04) is funded through the state and federal government. (AB 2004-48) Approved 7-0
5. Authorize the executive to accept a $75,000 state grant to complete the comprehensive plan review? The funds will review and amend the comprehensive plan, shoreline management program, zoning and subdivision regulations, and the critical areas ordinance to meet the requirements of the Growth Management Act. (AB 2004-49) Approved 7-0
6. Authorize the executive to accept a $600,000 state grant to update the shoreline master program? The funds will complete an inventory and analysis of shoreline ecology and land use; develop goals, policies, environment designations, and land use regulations; and a formal adoption process. Public participation must be involved in all phases of the update. (AB 2004-50) Approved 7-0
7. Authorize the executive to spend $505,000 in 2004 to purchase road maintenance products? $375,000 to Alpine Products of Auburn for road striping paint and beads; $90,000 to UAP Northwest of Puyallup for herbicides; $50,000 to Goodyear Tire Factory of Bellingham for tires; $50,000 to Coral Sales of Milwaukee, Oregon for guardrails and installation materials; $30,000 to Special Asphalt Products of Portland, Oregon for rubberized asphalt. (AB 2004-53) Approved 7-0
8. Sell property on the Mosquito Lake Road by negotiation? The lot will be sold for no less than back taxes, interest, penalty, title search and foreclosure costs that total $1,047. The property is a 50-foot parcel west of the Mosquito Lake Road near the Nooksack River? (Resolution 2004-01) Approved 7-0
9. Amend the guidelines for the agricultural purchase of development rights program to clarify site selection language and appraisal? The Conservation Futures Fund finances the program. (Resolution 2004-02) Approved 7-0
10. Adopt the purchase of development rights oversight committee’s ranking of applications and authorize continuation of the program? The committee needs the County Council’s authorization to proceed with the acquisition of conservation easements. The Conservation Futures Fund finances the program. (Resolution 2004-03) Approved 7-0
11. Downzone areas* in the Lake Whatcom watershed? This downzones the North Shore to one home per five acres; reducing building by 1,400 homes. The transfer of development rights will not be attached to this ordinance, the program is not yet in place for a large number of requests. Urban growth areas (Geneva and Hillsdale Road) are within Bellingham, and for now will retain present zoning. (Ordinance 2004-01) Amended and adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.
*Open space reserve areas in Sudden Valley from UR3 to R5A. South of Geneva and East of Hillsdale including upland side of north Shore Road and Lake Whatcom Blvd. from R2A to R5A. Camp Firwood and Lakewood facility from UR3 to R5A. South Bay majority of R2A amended to R5A.
Action Taken at January 27, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
12. Authorize the executive to enter into a $206,622 contract with Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic of Bellingham? The clinic will offer various mental health services to: jail inmates for assessment, service coordination and discharge planning; offer evaluation for treatment and referral services for at-risk low income or indigent older adults; provide mentally ill clients receiving active mental health services with transitional housing; offer social and vocational activities for mentally ill adults and provide training for recovery. (AB 2004-68) Approved 7-0
13. Authorize the executive to enter into a riparian re-vegetation program with the state? The total cost of the program is $666,667. A state grant provides reimbursement for 75 percent ($500,000) of the cost of implementation and maintenance of new riparian restoration projects for river and flood division and drainage district projects. It utilizes labor from the county jail. The county’s cost is $166,667. (AB 2004-72) Approved 7-0
14. Authorize the executive to loan $500,000 to the Port of Bellingham to finance public infrastructure (water, roads, etc.) for the Wood Stone Corporation project? The local company located at the Bellingham Airport manufactures wood-fired and gas ovens for restaurants. The 20-year loan from the rural county public facilities fund will be at 1½ percent interest. (AB 2004-73) Approved 7-0
15. Authorize the executive to purchase seven sheriff’s department vehicles for $178,151? Purchase 4 four-wheel drive utility vehicles for $110,454 from Columbia Ford of Longview. They replace vehicles with 80,000—106,000 miles. (AB 2004-74) Approved 6-1, Dan McShane opposed. Purchase three pursuit vehicles for $67,697 from Frontier Ford of Anacortes. The vehicles are for three new deputies. (AB 2004-75) Approved 7-0
16. Cancel uncollectible property taxes totaling $18,889? These include taxes on 10 businesses that are bankrupt or out of business, totaling $15,307, and 14 destroyed or missing mobile homes, totaling $3,582. (Resolution 2004-04) Approved 7-0
17. Accept the Whatcom County Treasurer’s list of 722 property tax refunds totaling $420,366? Refunds for senior exemptions, errors, reclassifications, adjustments, etc. were $413,448 and flood control refunds were $6,918. (Resolution 2004-05) Approved 7-0
18. Revise the Whatcom County code on solid waste management and repeal the code on demolition and inert landfills? This action is necessary as the state legislature adopted tougher standards in the 2003 session and required local agreement within a year. (Ordinance 2004-02) Adopted 7-0
19. Double the real estate excise tax from 0.25 percent to 0.50 percent on real estate transactions in unincorporated areas of the county? The increase will add $375 in taxes to a $150,000 home. Under state law, the money can only be used for capital projects such as development and maintenance of parks and storm water management system. (Ordinance 2004-03) Amended and adopted 6-1, Ward Nelson opposed. §
