January 2005
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at November 9, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
181. Authorize the executive to enter into a funding agreement with the federal government for the operation and maintenance of seven stream gauges on the Nooksack River? The county share of the flood warning system will be $48,160 ($11,320 is funded by the United States Geological Survey), which is an increase of $14,385 over last year, due in part to increased operating costs, but mainly because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers discontinued funding the project. (AB 2004-382) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
182. Authorize the executive to enter into a $104,225 contract with Walker and Associates of Seattle for topographic mapping of the Nooksack River? The three dimensional mapping will show sediment deposits and channel movement that occurred as a result of 2003 flooding. The mapping will provide a basis for the development of a long-term sediment strategy in accordance with the flood management plan. (AB 2004-383) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
183. Set November 26 as public hearing on tax delinquent property? Request 08-04. The property will be auctioned for not less than taxes owed, interest penalty, title search and foreclosure costs. The delinquent parcel in Blaine (too small for a building) will be auctioned for not less than $150.00. (Resolution 2004-59) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
184. Adopt the 2005 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 2004-56) Adopted 7-0
184. Adopt the 2005 property tax levy for county roads? There is no increase in the 2004 levy or in the amount the county diverts for traffic enforcement in unincorporated areas. The road fund for 2005 will be $24,644,500. The funds come from state and federal grants as well as property taxes. (Ordinance 2004-57) Adopted 7-0
185. Set the 2005 property tax levy at the same amount as 2004? Increases in revenue results only from new construction, property improvements or increases in assessments. (Ordinance 2004-58) Adopted 7-0
186. Adopt the 2005 and 2006 budgets? Total appropriations for 2005 are $140,359,388 and for 2006 are $119,232,77. The 2006 budget is amended to include an additional social work investigator for the public defender. (Ordinance 2004-59) Amended and adopted 7-0
187. Establish a speed limit on Lummi View Drive? The speed limit at the new Lummi Tribal School will be 20 miles-per-hour when children are present. (Ordinance 2004-60) Adopted 7-0
188. Extend the sunset dates for the Dayton Harbor and Portage Bay Shellfish Protection Districts from 12/3l/04 to 12/3l/06? The reduction of pollutants affecting the shellfish beds has allowed some approved harvesting and continued work is necessary to reopen the remaining areas. (Ordinance 2004-61) Adopted 7-0
189. Adopt the six-year (2005 to 2010) capital improvement program? Expenditures for 2005 are estimated to be $24,644,500. Road improvement projects: $15,487,000, new corrections facility: $5,850,000, existing building improvements: $2,965,500, park and trail improvement: $342,000. (Ordinance 2004-62) Adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
190. Amend the open space classification procedures? This change will allow the assessor and planning/development services to establish fees that reflect the time involved in processing all applications under the state open space law. (Ordinance 2004-63) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
Action Taken at November 23, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
191. Authorize the executive to enter into a $180,635 contract with Interfluve, Inc., of Hood River, Oregon to monitor two projects? The projects are the Saxon bank stabilization project on the south fork of the Nooksack River and a sediment trap and its fish bypass channel on Saar Creek near Sumas. The contract runs from 11/29/04 to 12/31/08. (AB2004-401) Approved 7-0
192. Authorize the executive to amendment an interlocal agreement with the city of Lynden regarding annexation within their urban growth area? The amendment allows Lynden to annex 8.5 acres south of the Kok Road. (AB2004-403) Approved 7-0
193. Authorize the executive to accept an $850,000 state grant for the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District? The vote also authorized the executive to forward the grant to the water and sewer district. The grant will be used to extend the sewer system to 85 households in the Birch Bay View Community. The project needs an additional $1,056,000 before it can proceed. (AB2004-404) Approved 7-0
194. Approve a $211,759 request for housing assistance? The Housing for Low Income People Advisory Committee (a health department committee) will distribute the money to 10 local agencies concerned with temporary housing for the homeless. (AB2004-407) Approved 7-0
195. Give conditional approval to the Pt. Roberts Water District #4 comprehensive sewer plan? Sewer service will be limited to areas where current lot sizes and development make the sewer service appropriate—exceptions are health, public safety or the environment. Also permitted is limited service to existing commercial development within the rural district west of Tyee Drive near the Canadian border. (Resolution 2004-60) Approved 7-0
196. Order an election to determine whether residents of Pt. Roberts wish to form a hospital district? Travel to a hospital in the United States is complicated by long delays at two border crossings. A hospital district has three elected commissioners with the authority to hold elections to levy taxes administer a hospital district. (Resolution 2004-61) Approved 7-0
197. Authorize 2005 tax levies for flood control districts? The funds are used to address flooding and to reduce flood damage. The only change is a more clearly defined use of the minimum fee. (Resolution 2004-62) Approved 7-0
198. Extend the flood control levy for the Lynden/Everson subzone (Resolution 2004-63); Acme/Van Zandt subzone (Resolution 2004-64); Sumas/Nooksack/Everson subzone (Resolution 2004-65) at the 2004 rate through December 31, 2005? Approved 7-0
199. Sell by negotiation tax foreclosure property? The sale will be for no less than taxes, interest, penalty, title search and foreclosure costs equaling $l50. The property is a small triangle in the Buckeye Addition of Blaine. Request 08-04 (Resolution 2004-66) Approved 7-0
200. Adopt a salary schedule for unrepresented county employees for the year 2005? This provides for an average 2 percent increase for non-union employees and 2 percent for elected executive positions. County councilmembers’ yearly salaries will increase from $15,492 to $16,152. (Resolution 2004-67) Approved 7-0
201. Order cancellation of uncashed county checks issued before August 1, 2003? The total amount is $5,602. The unclaimed property will be held for one year and then be transferred to the State of Washington as abandoned property. The funds will be available indefinitely to the payee. (Resolution 2004-68) Approved 7-0
202. Repeal current building codes and adopt new international codes? The new codes incorporate international building, residential, fire, plumbing, mechanical operations and barrier- free safety codes. State law requires the county to adopt the new international codes. (Ordinance 2004-64) Adopted 7-0
203. Authorize the county to impose an excise tax on timber harvests on public lands? The tax will be phased in over 10 years, beginning in January 2005, going from 1.2 percent in 2005 to 4 percent in 2014. The law enables the county to retain proceeds obtained from the tax. This ordinance extends the excise tax to public lands; the county has imposed a 4 percent timber excise tax on private land harvests since 1984. (Ordinance 2004-65) Adopted 7-0
204. Approve the 2004 budget request #14 in the amount of $194,792? It will transfer $118,413 from the Conservation Futures Fund to the flood control district to buy 11.2 acres of undeveloped land on the Nooksack River at Nugent Corner. A state grant of $2,714 is for building service vehicles. A federal grant of $73,665 from the Homeland Security department will purchase supplies, planning, training and evaluation of emergency response to terrorist attack. (Ordinance 2004-66) Adopted 7-0
