May 2004
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at February 10, 2004 Meeting
The Feb. 10 meeting in the April issue did not include this resolution.
41. Support the landscape plan recommended by the Lake Whatcom Landscape Planning Committee? The state legislature established the landscape committee to make recommendations to the state on timber harvest in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. The landscape committee recommended establishing an advisory committee to make timber-harvesting decisions on a case-by-case basis, using community and new scientific information. An amendment to the plan (approved 7-0) requested that the Watershed Forestry Advisory Forum become the advisory committee. (Resolution 2004-07) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at March 9, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
42. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the six cities in Whatcom County for the use of low-income housing funds? A fee in the auditor’s office of ten dollars per recorded document will be used to fund low-income housing. (AB 2003–124) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
43. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement in the amount of $129,170 with Region 3 AIDS Service Network? The contract provides funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and education services for one year. The year begins January 1, 2004, and ends December 31, 2004. (AB 2004–125) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
44. Authorize the executive to enter into a $356,918 contract with KPFF Consulting Engineers of Seattle to replace a bridge on Lake Whatcom Boulevard? The second phase includes finalizing bridge #115 road designs, providing survey services, completing construction permitting, preparing construction bid documents and providing construction support services (AB 2004–127) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
45. Authorize the executive to accept a $50,000 grant from the state Department of Ecology? The grant will fund administrative support for the marine resources committee, community outreach and rockfish dive surveys. Inventories for submerged aquatic vegetation and hard-shelled clams in selected areas are also included in the project. (AB 2004–128) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
46. Authorize the executive to enter into a $379,072 contract for solid and hazardous waste management services? The 2004 Lakeway yard waste collection facility amount is $363,000 and $16,072 is the 2003 over-budget amount. (AB 2004–129) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
47. Authorize the executive to accept a $100,000 state grant for an analysis for the lower Nooksack River? The work includes development and calibration of a model encompassing the entire flood plain downstream of Deming, including the Everson-Sumas overflow corridor. The grant requires a local match of at least 25 percent. The estimate cost of the project is $185,000. The county’s share will be supplied by flood control zone district funds. (AB 2004-130) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
48. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $600,000 to McAsphalt Industries of Langley, B.C., for the annual supply and delivery of asphalt and road oil? (AB 2004-132) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
49. Approve the cancellation of checks more than a year old? The 387 unredeemed checks issued from the inmate trust account totaling $1,051 will be canceled and the money returned to the county budget. (Resolution 2004-20) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
50. Establish a 20 miles per hour speed limit on Northwest Road? This applies when Cornerstone Christian School children are present. (Ordinance 2004-12) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
51. Amend the introduction chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? The 18 amendments concern a projected county population of 234,917 by the year 2022. This mid-range forecast is based on land use patterns and population density in cities and rural areas, and will be used for growth management planning. (Ordinance 2004-13) Adopted 5-1, Sam Crawford opposed, Ward Nelson absent.
52. Amend the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance relating to essential public facilities? State law requires the county to provide regulations siting airports, state education facilities, state and regional transportation, correctional, substance abuse, mental health and group home facilities, secure community transition facilities for sex offenders, water treatment plants, water storage facilities, sewer treatment plants and communication towers. (Ordinance 2004-14) Amended and adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
53. Amend the forest resource lands chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? The six amendments are concerned with policies to maintain and enhance the timber industry, while encouraging conservation and discouraging incompatible uses of productive forestlands. (Ordinance 2004-15) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
54. Amend the environment chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? The 76 amendments ensure compliance and consistency with the Growth Management Act. Planning efforts such as the WRIA #1, salmon recovery, Shoreline Management Act and the Endangered Species Act can be used in future environmental planning efforts. (Ordinance 2004-16) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
55. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, which includes rural lands? The 12 amendments concern goals and policies relating to land use and rural areas, discouraging urban development and higher density zoning, and retaining rural identity. Also included is the new purchase of development rights program. (Ordinance 2004-17) Adopted 5-l, Sam Crawford opposed, Ward Nelson absent.
56. Amend the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan map at Hinote’s Corner? The adjustment to three-quarters of an acre will allow access to a renovated storage building. The original request was for approximately three acres. (Ordinance 2004-18) Adopted 4-1-1, Sam Crawford opposed, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber recused, Ward Nelson absent.
57. Amend the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and the urban fringe plan to allow increased density in urban residental zones? These changes will increase density from six dwellings per acre to 18-24 dwellings per acre, if property owners qualify by purchasing transferable development rights in the Lake Whatcom watershed. (Ordinance 2004-19) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
58. Amend the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan for the urban subarea plan and create a new area? This new area of approximately 75 acres (East Bakerview/James Street residential area) will allow development under specific circumstances: providing required site plans, sufficient transfer of development rights from the Lake Whatcom watershed based on the ratios in the Whatcom County Code; meeting city of Bellingham development standards and utility extension requirements; and application to the county for a site specific rezone. (Ordinance 2004-20) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
59. Amend the Whatcom County Zoning Ordinance for urban residential medium and urban residential mixed zones? This amendment establishes the transfer of development rights program and requires city of Bellingham development standards in the urban growth area. (Ordinance 2004-21) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
As a group, the comprehensive plan amendments (votes 51–58) were adopted 5-1, Sam Crawford opposed, Ward Nelson absent.
Action Taken at March 23, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
60. Approve an interlocal agreement on salmon recovery? The agreement is between the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Whatcom County and the cities of Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack and Sumas. A board will be formed under Water Resource Inventory Area #1 to protect and restore chinook salmon runs. It will consist of one representative from each of the above parties and replace Whatcom County as lead entity on chinook salmon recovery. (AB 2004-115) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
61. Authorize the executive to enter into a $47,333 contract with EES Consulting of Bellingham to assist with salmon habitat projects? The county is responsible for coordinating, facilitating and ranking salmon habitat projects for the Water Resource Inventory Area #1, then presenting and defending the final report before the salmon recovery board. (AB 2004–142) Approved 7-0
62. Authorize the executive to sign a $257,000 contract with VP Consulting of Eugene, Oregon, for a countywide document imaging system? The county department records are currently stored in a variety of places and systems. The Laser-Fiche imaging software and hardware will lower costs, improve accessibility and preservation. (AB 2004–143) Approved 7-0
63. Set April 7 as the public hearing date to sell 73 lots in Sudden Valley? Request 01–04. An agreement between the Sudden Valley Community Association, the city of Bellingham, Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District and Whatcom County limits the amount of building on the properties. (Resolution 2004-21) Approved 7-0
64. Support fair housing in Whatcom County? It is the intent of Whatcom County to ensure equal opportunity in housing for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status. In order to receive federal block grants the county must have a resolution on non-discrimination for housing services. (Resolution 2004–22) Approved 7-0
65. Support a reminder to Washington State Department of Natural Resources? Whatcom County has a contract with the state regarding the planning process on state land in the Lake Whatcom watershed. This is a reminder to the state that it has to work jointly with the county on the plan recommended by the Lake Whatcom Landscape Planning Committee. (Resolution 2004-23) Approved 7-0
66. Amend the Whatcom County Code on franchise requirements? The revised code more clearly defines the process for obtaining a franchise from the county by persons, private or municipal corporations, and use of right-of-way county roads for construction and maintenance of water works, gas pipes, telephone, telegraph and electrical light lines, sewers, cable television facilities and wires. (Ordinance 2004-22) Adopted 7-0
67. Approve 2004 budget request #3 in the amount of $665,682? Under the general fund it appropriates $64,149 for the sheriff’s office, prosecuting attorney’s office and the jail, and $296,494 from the non-departmental section. Under the administrative services fund it appropriates $8,565 for courthouse, jail and civic center roof, and $296,494 from the non-departmental section. Anyone with questions about why the same $296,494 is being counted twice should contact Brad Bennett at 676-6734. (Ordinance 2004-23) Adopted 7-0
