May 2005
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at the March 15, 2005 Meeting
Shall the council:
55. Authorize the executive to enter into an amended contract with Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic? An additional $23,000 will assist jail inmates with substance abuse, and mental health problems with treatment options. The contract totals $185,122 and runs through December 31, 2005. (AB 2005-133) Approved 7-0
56. Authorize the executive to enter into a two-year amended contract with the city of Bellingham for operation of the Lakeway yard waste facility? The city of Bellingham operates the facility. Whatcom County will reimburse the city of Bellingham for 50 percent of the net operating costs, not to exceed $120,000 in 2005 and $120,000 in 2006. (AB 2005-134) Approved 7-0
57. Authorize the executive to award a $214,000 grant to the city of Bellingham for the Depot Market Square project? The Economic Development Investment Board*recommended this grant; the County Council approved the recommendation at the 10/26/04 meeting, vote 171. The project (at the south end of Railroad Avenue) is a permanent structure for the Bellingham Farmers Market, protecting vendors and other renters from the elements. It will also be available for other public and private events. (AB 2005-136) Approved 7-0
58. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $970,910 to Aggregates West of Everson for crushed rock? Aggregates West will stockpile the rock in three county gravel pits for use on road projects as needed for the years 2005 and 2006. (AB 2005-137) Approved 7-0
59. Authorize the executive to purchase a mechanical sweeper from Sahlberg Equipment Company of Lynnwood for $149,274? The self-propelled Husky II will be used for county road maintenance. (AB 2005-139) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.
60. Authorize the executive to purchase eight replacement vehicles for $172,520? Purchase four extended cab trucks for $80,530. They replace vehicles with 107,500–136,714 miles. Purchase four 4X4 utility vehicles for $92,000. They replace vehicles with 91,948–102,226 miles. All eight vehicles were purchased from Bud Clary Chevrolet of Longview. (AB 2005-140/142) Approved 7-0
61. Authorize the executive to purchase eight gas/electric hybrid vehicles from Bud Clary of Yakima for $184,000? The Toyota Prius sedans replace vehicles with 57,478–104,995 miles used by the assessor’s, public works and health departments. (AB 2005-141) Approved 7-0
62. Acquire five properties* totaling 304 acres under the Purchase of Development Rights program? This vote adopts the application rankings of the oversight committee and continues the acquisition process. Conservation easements protect farms from conversion to non-agricultural uses. (Resolution 2005-14) Approved 7-0
63. Establish a 25 miles-per-hour speed limit on East Kellogg Road? A reduction in the speed limit from 35 mph was in response to safety concerns by area residents. The reduced speed limit is between James Street and the westerly boundary of the Spring Creek subdivision. (Ordinance 2005-31) Adopted 7-0
64. Amend the Whatcom County Code to implement a seasonal restriction on land clearing within the Lake Whatcom Watershed? The amendment stops land clearing between September 1 and April 30 (the wet season) and allows the council to review existing land clearing regulations. The previous requirements using a “point system” proved to be inadequate due to continued runoff from ‘approved’ building sites and lacked adequate monitoring and enforcement. (Ordinance 2005-32) Adopted 4-3, Barbara Brenner, Ward Nelson and Sam Crawford opposed.
*The board was created by the County Council to make grant and loan recommendations to the council on economic development projects.
**The properties are: a 91-acre raspberry farm north of Ferndale on Grandview Road, adjoing 79 acres of hay and forest products and 40 acres of cropland between Valley View and Haymie Road near Blaine (the owners are related), a 59-acre heifer replacement/hay farm at Hemmi and Noon Roads, and 37 acres of cropland between West Laurel and Hemmi Road east of Ferndale.
Action Taken at March 29, 2005 Meeting
Shall the council:
65. Uphold the Whatcom Hearing Examiner’s decision to issue a permit to the Trillium Corporation to expand a rock quarry on Sumas Mountain? Area residents concerned about possible landslides and damage to a natural gas pipeline formed the Sumas Mountain Pipeline Safety Association to oppose the expansion. When the hearing examiner ruled in favor of the expansion the association appealed to the decision to the County Council. (AB 2005-29) Approved 5-1, Barbara Brenner opposed, Ward Nelson absent.
66. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $129,203 for HIV/AIDS prevention and education? The Whatcom County Health Department will provide intervention, counseling, testing and syringe exchange for individuals at high risk of HIV/AIDS. The grant is for the calendar year 2005. (AB 2005-158) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
67. Authorize the executive to sign an amended contract for $103,050 with VP Consulting of Eugene, Oregon for countywide document imaging? In the past, county records were stored on a variety of systems and locations. The Laser-Fiche document imaging software is designed to improve accessibility and preservation. The original contract (3/23/04 meeting, vote 62) was for $257,000 for a total of $360,050. (AB 2005-159) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
68. Authorize the executive to sign an amended contract for $143,820 with Kerr Wood Leidal Associates of Burnaby, B.C. for the Nooksack River sediment management plan? The amended contract is for and will complete the first phase of the plan. The total contract for the first phase is $183,685. (AB2005-160) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
69. Sponsor an application by the Opportunity Council for a $500,000 state-housing grant? The grant will be used in Island, San Juan and Whatcom Counties to rehabilitate and repair homes for owners with incomes of less than 50 percent of the area median income. An estimated $300,000 of the grant would be used as a revolving loan fund. (Resolution 2005-15) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
70. Cancel uncashed jail inmate checks? The 183 unredeemed checks (totaling $610.01) issued from the county inmate trust account before 12/31/02, will be returned to the county budget. (Resolution 2005-16) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
71. Support the countywide emergency medical system? The county requests that county fire agencies and municipalities agree to participate in supporting Bellingham’s paramedic services, while the county works on long-term and dedicated funding. (Resolution 2005-17) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
72. Initiate 9 out of 20 proposed comprehensive plan amendments*** by sending them back to the Planning Commission? Later this year the council will vote on adding the amendments to the comprehensive plan. (Resolution 2005-18) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
73. Remove the school speed limit on Silver Lake Road? The lower speed limit is no longer necessary because the elementary school was relocated to Kendall Road. (Ordinance 2005-33) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
74. Adopt the south portion of Lakeview Street as a county road? A developer extended Lakeview Street by 274 feet in 1994; it was widened and paved to minimum county standards in 2000. The county will be responsible for the maintenance of the street. (Ordinance 2005-34) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
75. Amend the Critical Areas Ordinance to provide additional protection for wetlands and geologically hazardous areas in the Birch Bay Urban Growth Area? The council adopted the recommendations of the Birch Bay community plan. (Ordinance 2005-35) Adopted 5-1, Sam Crawford opposed, Ward Nelson absent.
76. Approve 2005 budget request #3 in the amount of $2,025,802? It includes: $64,710 to the sheriff’s department for two vehicles and a safety measures grant; $3,600 to planning and development to create “Green Building” policies; $1,767,608 for facilities projects;**** $41,177 to renew public utilities appropriations for master facilities planning: $34,500 for sheriff’s department vehicle; $114,207 for repair and maintenance in administrative services. (Ordinance 2005-36) Substitute ordinance adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
77. Amend the text of three zoning districts and the definition of “public water” to be consistent with state regulations? A five-acre minimum lot size is required if public water is unavailable. Sewers are discouraged in residential rural areas. The public water definition is revised to mean “any system providing piped water for human consumption” excluding systems for a single-family residence or farm. (Ordinance 2005-37) Adopted 5-1, Sam Crawford opposed, Ward Nelson absent.
****Facilities projects: $11,400 to support “Green Building” construction projects and community education, re: using farm-fresh local produce; $37,755 transfer from general fund to facilities for future projects; $8,320 for back payment to What-Comm Communications; $860,133 from federal grant dealing with law enforcement cost due to border related crimes; establish authority for $850,000 grant for partial funding of sewer to serve Birch Bay View Community. Total: $1,767,608.
