July 2004
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at May 18, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
93. Authorize the executive to enter into a $35,703 contract with the state to extend salmon recovery activities? State conservation corps crews will continue working with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association until September 30, 2004. (AB 2004-202) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
94. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $99,074 to DFM Associates of Irvine, CA, for a voter registration and election information management system? This is a statewide system compatible with the Secretary of State’s office and mandated by the federal Help America Vote Act. Annual maintenance costs are $48,000. (AB 2004-203) Failed 2-3. Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, Sharon Roy, Barbara Brenner opposed, Ward Nelson and Dan McShane absent. The vote was reconsidered at June 1 meeting (see vote 105) after citizens’ (Whatcom Fair Voting) questions were answered.
95. Authorize the executive to enter into a $66,799 agreement with the Northwest Indian College for a water quality-monitoring program? Twenty different sites will be monitored using a grant from the Centennial Clean Water fund. The agreement extends from 5/1/04 through 8/30/05. The Northwest Indian College already collects samples at many of the sites. (AB 2004-204) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
96. Authorize the executive to award a $767,500 contract to Pioneer Human Services of Seattle to treat alcohol and drug abuse? A facility will operate at 1211 Girard Street, along with Crisis Respite House for short-term detoxification. The two-year contract runs from 5/15/04 through 5/l4/06. (AB 2004-204) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
97. Authorize the executive to approve a $47,000 contract with Washington State University to begin an education and research project on dealing with dairy manure? The university will work with farmers to comply with water and environmental quality regulations, and as needed, expand composting facilities and livestock operations other than dairy farms. The eight-month contract runs from 6/1/04 through 1/31/05. (AB2004-206) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
98. Authorize the executive to approve a $37,000 contract with Washington State University for integrated pest management? The research and education project will use approaches that rely on less chemical controls for berry and apple crops. The eight-month contract runs from 6/1/04 through 1/31/05. (AB 2004-207) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
99. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $123,919 to Kenworth Northwest of Lynnwood for a dump truck? It replaces a dump truck with 394,488 miles that was purchased in 1991. (AB2004-208) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
100. Set June 1 as the public hearing date to consider the sale of surplus property? The surplus property includes cars and other vehicles used by the health and sheriff’s department as well as heavy equipment (tractor, street sweeper, caterpillar roller), miscellaneous office equipment, tools and computer components. (Resolution 2004-39) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
101. Adopt eleven open space applications?* The county planning commission recommended the adoption of all eleven. One application was for open space/open space, which contains natural, scenic or recreational resources, requires public access and an identifying sign to be posted. Ten applications were for open space/timber, which requires an acceptable timber management plan. If property is sold and removed from open space designation, seven years in back taxes must be paid. (Resolution 2004-40) Approved 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
102. Approve 2004 budget request #5 in amount of $233,155? It appropriates $3,130 for the jail, $45,233 for a special projects manager position in planning and development, $31,756 for the parks department and treasurer’s office, $93,036 for a design and construction manager position and a half-time assistant and $60,000 for a new voter registration database from DFM Associates of Irvine, California to be funded by a federal grant from Help America Vote Act. (Ordinance 2004-33) Adopted 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
103. Adopt a biennial budget process beginning with fiscal years 2005 and 2006? It will improve long-range planning and development and increase efficiency. Voters in 1997 approved a charter amendment changing the budget process from one year to two years. (Ordinance 2004-34) Adopted 5-0, Dan McShane and Ward Nelson absent.
*Open space/open space: Robert and Maryann Samms, four acres off Matz Road, the north side Ferndale. Open space/timber: Dick and Janet Gilda, 11.36 acres at 2727 Jensen Road, Lake Whatcom area; Don and Splendora Huizenga, 12 acres at 5481 Dinkel Road near Hannegan Road; Levorsen family tracts, 58.9 acres one mile southwest of Ferndale; Oglesby tracts, 38 acres on Burk Road; Bill and Merrilee Dodd, 17.5 acres at the Kickerville and Holtzheimer Roads; Steve Schulz, 20.6 acres at 5200 Mission Road by Mt. Baker Highway; David Grossman, 16.2 acres 5300 Reese Lake Road southeast of Sumas; Eric and Vanessa Nielser, 8.67 acres on Squalicum Lake Road; Richmond JPJ #1, 19.16 acres at 8600 Silver Lake Road; Timberline Logging Property #2, 18.5 acres at 8500 Silver Lake Road.
Action Taken at June 1, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
104. Authorize the executive to enter into a $100,000 contract with Larry Steele and Associates of Bellingham to insure accurate surveys? This project will take place in the northwest section of the county. It will locate land corner records and monuments (fixed known reference points that include elevations) and establish vertical benchmarks (elevation only). The project will insure accuracy for development and construction. (AB 2004-217) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
105. Authorize the executive to enter into a $99,074 contract with DFM Associates of Irvine, California for a voter registration and election information management system? The federal Help America Vote Act mandates it. The EIMS for Windows system includes installation, training and maintenance for a year. This will be part of a statewide system compatible with the Secretary of State’s office. Annual maintenance will be $48,000. (AB 2004-203) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
106. Authorize the executive to award the county legal notices contract to The Bellingham Herald? Advertising rates will increase 37 cents per column inch, from $11.07 to 11.44. Last year the rates increased 21 cents per column inch and the previous year it was seven cents per column inch. The contract runs from 7/1/04 through 6/30/05. Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
107. Authorize the sale of surplus county property? The surplus property includes thirty-eight vehicles used by the health and sheriff’s department as well as heavy equipment (tractor, street sweeper, caterpillar roller), miscellaneous office equipment, tools and computer components. (Resolution 2004-41) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
108. Exchange seven county-owned properties and a cash payment (vote 109) for city of Bellingham property on Division Street? The appraised value of the property is $850,000. The county would like to locate an interim jail for low-risk offenders on 6.5 acres of property in the Irongate Industrial area at 2140 Division Street. (Resolution 2004-42) Amended and approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
109. Approve 2004 budget request #6 in amount of $837,184? It appropriates $l72,526 for planning and development services; $63,658 for a deputy position in the public defenders office, $8,000 to fund advertising promoting tourism for the Baker Breakfast Cookie Triathalon, and $593,000 to purchase land (vote 108) from the city of Bellingham for an interim jail on Division Street. (Ordinance 2004-35) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
