Whatcom County Council

Shall the council:

1. Enter into a $68,970 contract with Michael Bobbink for the position of Whatcom County Hearing Examiner? The one-year contract runs from 1/1 through 12/31/05. (AB 2004-414) Approved 6-0, Sharon Roy was out of the room.

2. Authorize the executive to enter into a $139,665 contract with Norstan Communications of Minnetonka, MN, for maintenance of the county’s phone switching and voice mail systems? The contract is for two years, 2005 and 2006. (AB 2005-37) Approved 6-0, Sharon Roy was out of the room.

3. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,314,325 grant for health services in Whatcom County? The federal and state grant provides immunizations, WIC (women, infants, children) supplemental nutrition program, maternity and public information services. (AB 2005-43) Approved 6-0, Sharon Roy was out of the room.

4. Authorize the executive to accept a $388,370 grant for health services in Whatcom County? The state and federal grant provides medicaid outreach, vaccine for children, dental and interpreter services. (AB 2005-44) Approved 6-0, Sharon Roy was out of the room.

5. Authorize the executive to accept a $100,000 state grant for the Integrated Pest Management education and research project? The Washington State University project develops knowledge and skills for integrated pest management in the county and on-site research. The grant is for two years. (AB 2005-58) Approved 6-0 Sharon Roy was out of the room.

6. Limit the size of all county voting precincts to less than 200 registered voters? This will allow the county auditor to designate all of Whatcom County as a vote-by-mail system, eliminating poll voting except for disabled voters. It will save over $1.6 million by not requiring the purchase of 300 electronic voting machines. (Resolution 2005-01) Approved 7-0

7. Authorize the purchase of a conservation easement on the Dale Gorsegner dairy farm for $230,000? The 39.4-acre easement will protect the farm from conversion to non-agricultural uses under the county’s Purchase of Development Rights program. Federal funds will cover 50 percent ($115,100) of the purchase and the county’s share is from the conservation futures fund. The total cost was $254,408, see vote 40 on page 15 for approval. (Resolution 2005-02) Approved 6-0, Sharon Roy out of the room.

8. Accept the Whatcom County Treasurer’s list of 639 property tax refunds totaling $326,498? Refunds were for senior exemptions, destroyed property, overpayments and billing errors. (Resolution 2005-03) Approved 6-0, Sharon Roy was out of the room.

9. Amend the Bellingham/Whatcom County Commission on Domestic Violence? Currently only the chief executive officers of small cities can serve on the commission. Some of these officials find it difficult to participate; this amendment will allow them to designate a representative. (Ordinance 2005-01) Adopted 6-0, Sharon Roy was out of the room.

10. Amend the county zoning map establishing transfer of development rights areas within the Birch Bay/Blaine subarea? The Point Whitehorn/Birch Bay area was the first location for transferral of development rights; the council was given authority to establish more receiving areas as necessary. (Ordinance 2005-02) Adopted 7-0

Shall the council:

11. Impose a emergency moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for subdivisions and new building permits within the Lake Whatcom Watershed? This action is taken to avoid further degradation to half the county’s water supply. During the six-month moratorium the council will have time to evaluate actions to meet TMDL* goals and readjusting the restrictions. (AB2005-072A) Failed 3-4, Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Ward Nelson and Sharon Roy opposed.

12. Amend the annual six-year (2005-2010) transportation improvement program? The Lummi Island ferry will be replaced at a cost of $5,200,000 ($4,650,000 will be in state and federal loans and grants), $200,000 to improve Lummi Island parking (local funds) and a $300,000 relocation feasibility study of the Gooseberry ferry dock ($250,000 in federal grant funds). (Resolution 2005-04) Approved 7-0

13. Amend the 2005 annual construction program? This vote was required to take immediate steps to improve Lummi Island ferry operations, see vote 12 for details. (Resolution 2005-05) Approved 7-0

14. Complete the first seven-year review and update of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? The state Growth Management Act requires the review. (Resolution 2005-06) Amended and approved 7-0.

15. Remove the Lake Whatcom Connector from the six-year transportation improvement program? Reductions in potential development in the area, the high costs for design and engineering and adverse environmental impacts are the reasons for the removal. (Resolution 2005-07) Approved 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

16. Set February 3 as the public hearing date on declaring a county-owned house surplus property? The house is located at 2158 S. Nugent Road on Lummi Island. (Resolution 2005-08) Approved 7-0

17. Continue to update of Whatcom County Urban Fringe Subarea Comprehensive Plan? Planning was delayed in 2004 until completion of the update of the rest of the county plan. In the interim, the planning dept. is to resume the update for the subarea plan and will form a committee to provide assistance for coordination between the county and the city of Bellingham. (Resolution 2005-09) Approved 7-0

18. Amend the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and zoning maps on the southwest corner of North Star and Brown Roads from rural to mineral resource lands? This amendment adds 20 adjacent acres of mineral resource lands to the 16-acre site permitted in 1971 for sand and gravel deposits. (Ordinance 2005-03) Adopted 5-2, Sharon Roy and Laurie Caskey-Schreiber opposed

19. Amend the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Whatcom County Code related to airport/land use? Compatibility policies were addressed in regard to noise, height hazards, increased permitting requirements and prohibition of certain higher density uses in the vicinity of the Bellingham International Airport as well as new notification requirements to airport operators in regard to development proposals. (Ordinance 2005-04) Adopted 7-0

20. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to the Columbia Valley/Kendall Urban Growth Area? No amendments were proposed to the boundaries of this unincorporated residential/recreational area. Added to the plan is service provided by Whatcom Transportation Authority and a full-time resident sheriff’s deputy. (Ordinance 2005-05) Adopted 7-0

21. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to the Everson Urban Growth Area? Add 120 acres to the UGA on the east and south of existing city limits for industrial and residential use. A 10-acre parcel north of the city limits is designated for future residential development and a large area south of the city limits is designated for future industrial development. (Ordinance 2005-06) Adopted 7-0

22. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to the Nooksack Urban Growth Area? Add 221 acres to the UGA located to the east of the city limits, 184 acres are planned for residential development, with an elementary school and cemetery designated as public use and 37 acres identified for future industrial use. (Ordinance 2005-07) Adopted 7-0

23. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to the Sumas Urban Growth Area? Add approximately 177 acres to the UGA located to the south of the city and presently identified as predominately agricultural. (Ordinance 2005-08) Adopted 7-0

24. Amend the capital facilities chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? Policies are set to guide public facilities such as correctional facilities, parks, roads and transportation with standards for levels of service within the county’s financial capabilities. These policies coordinate with the county’s long-range facilities master plan and six-year capital improvement program. (Ordinance 2005-09) Adopted 7-0

25. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to Blaine Urban Growth Area? The Drayton Harbor watershed is established as a water resource special management and stormwater special district eliminating the need to implement the critical aquifer protection plan. (Ordinance 2005-10) Adopted 7-0

26. Amend the transportation chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? The goals, policies and recommendations of the Whatcom County bicycle plan are implemented. The plan promotes bicycle and pedestrian travel, safe and convenient routes and facilities where feasible and technology to increase safety, reduce congestion and other concerns relating to vehicular travel. (Ordinance 2005-11) Adopted 7-0

27. Amend the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan relating to transportation impact fee background information? This revision (appendix G) allows for the evaluation of existing transportation systems and the impact of future traffic, including that from new development, in order to subsequently adopt a transportation impact fee ordinance. (Ordinance 2005-12) Adopted 7-0

28. Amend the recreation chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? The Whatcom County bicycle plan is incorporated into the comprehensive plan in order to integrate trails and open space into development proposals and allow consideration of park user fees. (Ordinance 2005-13) Adopted 7-0

29. Amend and revise three appendixes to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? Changes to Appendix A (glossary), Appendix B (list of acronyms) and Appendix D (bibliography) are needed to correctly reference text in the comprehensive plan. (Ordinance 2005-14) Adopted 7-0

30. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan relating to the Ferndale Urban Growth Area? Over 500 acres of wetlands within Ferndale’s UGA are transferred to the city’s regulatory control; the Grandview area is incorporated into the UGA as well as a small area to the east, which is serviced with water and sewer to meet Ferndale’s growth. (Ordinance 2005-15) Adopted 7-0

31. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to the city of Lynden Urban Growth Area? Amendments address drainage, flooding and fish habitat in and around Double Ditch and Benson Creeks. No changes were made in the borders or density. (Ordinance 2005-16) Adopted 7-0

32. Amend land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to the city of Bellingham Urban Growth Area? Require the evaluation and setting of boundaries every seven years or as necessary for growth consistent with urban growth area and urban fringe subarea plans. Bellingham and Whatcom County should coordinate protection and development within the Lake Whatcom Watershed, designating receiving areas in the city for Transfer of Development Rights from the watershed. (Ordinance 2005-17) Adopted 7-0

33. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan to allow Sudden Valley to be a provisional Urban Growth Area? The Lake Whatcom Watershed is given additional protection re: impervious surfaces, stormwater retention and runoff, tree-clearing activities, consideration of limited light industry, assistance with community association regulations and viability for incorporation. (Ordinance 2005-18) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.*

34. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related the Cherry Point Urban Growth Area? Reduce the number of industrial complexes from three to two. A co-generation facility is proposed at the BP refinery, and a supplemental EIS is being prepared for a proposed Aquatic Reserve status (excluding the three existing and one proposed pier) at Cherry Point. (Ordinance 2005-19) Adopted 7-0

35. Amend the land use chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan related to the Custer provisional Urban Growth Area designation? The provisional designation is removed since no site plan has been completed during the seven-year provisional period. The land will be returned to rural designation. (Ordinance 2005-20) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

36. Amend the housing chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? This amendment recognizes the urgency for low-income affordable housing and recommends financial incentives, funding strategies and creative planning to accommodate the growing needs. (Ordinance 2005-21) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

37. Amend the county-wide planning policies of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? Final adoption (Appendix C) is not possible till 2005, as cities are not finished with their reviews. General amendments were made related to urban and rural development, Lake Whatcom and stream protection, encouragement of well-planned economic development, bicycle and trail corridors, and further involvement of citizens and coordination between the cities and the county. The planning policies will be reconsidered during the 2005 comprehensive plan amendment process when adopted by all the Whatcom County cities. (Ordinance 2005-22) Adopted 7-0

38. Amend the transportation and economic chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan relating to the Custer provisional Growth Area? Vote 35 returned the area to rural designation. This chapter is amended for consistency to cancel the Custer area as a potential intermodal transportation site. (Ordinance 2005-23) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

39. Amend the mineral resource lands chapter of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan? Proposed changes include easing the 50-year demand, creating a revised mineral resource map deleting the study area west of Sumas and considering the possibilities of importing some mineral resource needs. A balance between conservation of productive mineral lands and conserving of productive agricultural lands and aquifers must be kept. (Ordinance 2005-24) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

40. Approve 2005 budget request #1 in the amount of $1,656,711? It includes: $149,162 to the planning and development services for a permit/land use clerk and three temporary clerks; $1,253,141 in federal grants from the Department of Homeland Security for a terrorism prevention program (planning, training and equipment programs and disaster training); $254,408 to purchase the development rights on Dale Gorsegner’s dairy farm (see vote 7 on page 12 for details). (Ordinance 2005-25) Adopted 7-0

Shall the council:

41. Award the only qualified bid to Cascadia Consulting Group of Seattle to promote waste reduction, recycling and composting? A state grant will fund 75 percent of the $25,000 being spent for advertising and promotion, which includes translating brochures into Spanish and Russian, public service announcements and a booth at the Northwest Washington Fair. The two other bidders were disqualified because they didn’t include printing costs in their bid. (AB 2005-94) Approved 7-0

42. Authorize the executive to spend $375,000 for various road maintenance products using Washington State procurement contracts? The contracts include: $155,000 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 car and truck tires; $50,000 to Coral Sales of Milwaukee, Oregon, for guardrails and installation materials; and $30,000 to Special Asphalt Products of Portland, Oregon, for rubberized asphalt. (AB 2005-97) Approved 7-0

43. Sell a county owned house and contents by sealed bid? The house is located at 2158 S. Nugent Road, Lummi Island on land acquired by Whatcom County for ferry parking. The vote failed because a proposal presented by the Lummi Island Land Trust is being discussed. (AB 2005-081A) Failed 0-7

44. Cancel uncollectible personal property taxes totaling $27,803? The taxes include those on business and farm equipment, machinery, and timber resources, in cases involving no assets or bankruptcy, for a total of $15,719; improvements on trailer homes that are abandoned, destroyed or gone, $3,543; and leased buildings on port property, $8,541. (Resolution 2005-10) Approved 7-0

45 Amend the Whatcom County aquaculture regulations to prohibit commercial salmon farming? The ban aims to prevent escaped farm salmon from competing with native stocks and to protect the native salmon from antibiotic-resistant diseases carried by farmed fish. Federal and state law names farmed salmon as a serious biological pollutant. (Ordinance 2005-26) Adopted 6-1, Ward Nelson opposed.

46. Impose a moratorium on new applications for subdivisions and building permits within the Lake Whatcom watershed until May 1, 2005? The moratorium was amended to allow building permits for lots greater than five acres or subdivisions into lots greater than five acres. The moratorium will also make exceptions for those applications completed before February 8, or submitted during an appointment scheduled before that date, and for remodels where the total impervious surface will not change. The moratorium will allow the council to address ways of preventing further degradation of water quality from development and other sources. (Ordinance 2005-26) Amended and adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.