Whatcom County Council

Shall the council:

135. Place six charter amendments on the general election ballot? The 2005 Charter Review Commission voted on 18 proposed amendments to the Home Rule Charter, a majority approved six. The amendments are forwarded to the auditor to be placed on the November 8, 2005, ballot. (AB 2005-289) Approved 7-0

136. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $3,480,258 for substance abuse? The grant provides money for drug prevention and treatment programs and runs from 7/1/05 to 6/30/07. (AB 2005-295) Approved 7-0

137. Authorize the executive to amend an agreement with the Northwest Indian College for water monitoring? The vote authorizes $57,435 in state grant money for water sampling in Dakota and California creeks at the college site. The agreement is extended from 9/1/05 through 8/30/06 and the amended state grant (for original vote see 5/18/04, vote number 95) totals $124,234. (AB 2005-299) Approved 7-0

138. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $157,800 for the Marine Resources Committee? The grant is authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and will fund community outreach and volunteer recruiting, will conduct nearshore assessments under the Shoreline Management Program, implement a clam enhancement project and conduct rockfish dive surveys. The grant runs from 7/1/05 to 6/30/07. (AB 2005-300) Approved 7-0

139. Authorize the executive to accept a federal grant of $201,600 for levee repair? The Vanderpol Levee located on the left bank of the Nooksack River near Lynden, damaged in last year’s flooding, will be repaired. The county share is $50,400 for a total cost of $252,000. (AB 2005-301) Approved 7-0

140. Authorize the executive to accept a federal grant of $220,000 for levee repair? The Twin-View Levee located on the left bank of the Nooksack River near Everson, damaged in last year’s flooding, will be repaired. The county share is $55,000 for a total cost of $275,000. (AB 2005-302) Approved 7-0

141. Authorize the executive to enter into a $75,000 contract with CH2M HILL of Englewood, Colorado, for a feasibility study on ways to reduce pollutants flowing into Lake Whatcom? The study will suggest ways to reduce pollutants flowing down Cable Street and into Basin 2. A second phase will prepare designs and specifications for a stormwater treatment system. (AB 2005-305) Approved 7-0

142. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $155,697 to Foss Shipyard of Seattle for annual repairs and maintenance of the Lummi Island ferry? The ferry will be dry-docked from September 11 through 25. (AB 2005-309) Approved 7-0

143. Authorize the executive to apply for a state grant to upgrade the plantation firearm range? The total cost of replacing the target system and upgrade lighting is estimated at $85,000, with $42,500 eligible for grant funding. Twenty-six law enforcement agencies as well as the general public use the range for target practice. AB 2005-306 (Resolution 2005-32) Approved 7-0

144. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $4,525,465 to Mowat Construction of Bellingham to replace bridge #115 on Lake Whatcom Blvd.? The bridge will be 34 feet wide and 225 feet long. Of the total cost, $4,201,969 will be federal funds and $323,496 county funds. AB 2005-307 (Resolution 2005-33) Approved 7-0

145. Set August 9 as the public hearing date to consider the sale of surplus county property? The surplus property includes motor vehicles, canoes, kayaks, hydro bikes, office equipment and furniture. AB 2005-310 (Resolution 2005-34) Approved 7-0

146. Approve recommendations for the expenditure of national forest related federal funds? These funds are no longer directly connected to timber sales. Federal law requires counties to spend 80 percent of the money for public schools and roads. This vote suggests how the other 20 percent should be spent: trail and stream restoration, culvert repair, search and rescue, jail work crews, purchase of easements, fire prevention, county planning and forestry. A committee, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, makes the final determination for Whatcom and Skagit counties. AB 2005-312 (Resolution 2005-35) Approved 7-0

147. Place a sales tax increase on the general election ballot? A sales tax increase of one-tenth of 1 percent to fund countywide emergency medical services will be placed on the November 8, 2005, ballot. A deficit of 13 million dollars is projected over the period 2007-2012 because the city of Bellingham will no longer provide emergency medical services outside its boundaries after December 31, 2006. AB 2005-155B (Resolution 2005-36) Approved 7-0

148. Oppose a regional retail mall proposed for Ferndale that would serve shoppers from lower British Columbia through Skagit County? The council believes the plans are out of scale with the community of Ferndale and will have adverse affects on the whole county. The council supports a thorough review of traffic impacts, a critical area evaluation and the protection of natural resources before further consideration. (Resolution 2005-37) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.

149. Change the intersection of Mill and Johnson Roads in Point Roberts from a two-way stop to a four-way stop? The county road engineer recommended the change to improve traffic safety. (Ordinance 2005-59) Adopted 7-0

150. Continue the interim ordinance prohibiting commercial salmon farming in Whatcom County waters? An emergency amendment to the Shoreline Management Program was passed at the 12/7/04 meeting, vote number 219. The interim ordinance was first passed at the 2/8/05 meeting, vote number 45. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months. (Ordinance 2005-60) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

151. Continue an interim ordinance on land clearing in the Lake Whatcom watershed during the wet season? The interim ordinance was first passed at the 3/15/05 meeting (vote number 64) and increased the wet season by one month from September l to April 30. A seasonal restriction on land clearing was first adopted at the 10/7/03 meeting (vote number 178) and defined the wet season as October 1 through April 30. (Ordinance 2005-61) Adopted 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.

152. Establish a Whatcom County Homeless Housing Fund? Beginning August 1, 2005, the auditor will collect a $10 surcharge on recorded documents. The auditor will retain 2 percent for administrative costs, 58.8 percent will go into a county homeless fund and 39.2 percent will go into a state homeless fund. It is estimated that the county homeless fund will collect $133,000 this year. The money will be held in reserve until the council approves the 10-year homeless housing plan. AB 2005-284 (Ordinance 2005-62) Adopted 7-0

153. Establish a trial court improvement fund? State law requires the county to create a trial court improvement account. The county will deposit funds quarterly into an account equal to district court judges’ salaries. These funds will be used for superior and district court staffing, programs, facilities and services. AB 2005-285 (Ordinance 2005-63) Adopted 7-0

154. Approve 2005 budget request #7 in the amount of $533,529? Expenditures approved as follows: $57,409 to the sheriff’s department for a vehicle and traffic safety coordinator position; $20,000 to the Superior Court for victim advocacy services; $10,000 to the small business development center for rural business outreach; $85,000 to the health department for physician retention, recruitment and healthcare access program; $45,578 for emergency shelter and low-income housing; $155,000 for a WRIA 1 groundwater model for the Abbotsford-Sumas aquifer and $160,542 for various subzone projects. AB 2005-286 (Ordinance 2005-64) Adopted 7-0

Shall the council:

155. Authorize the executive to accept a federal grant of$405,013 for conservation easements? The easements will protect farms from conversion to non-agricultural uses under the Purchase of Development Rights program. The money is earmarked for Anita VanderYacht, $150,638; Jag Alamwala, $150,000 and Tom Fenton, $104,375. At a future date, the county will add matching money and purchase the easements. (AB 2005-320) Approved 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

156. Authorize the executive to enter into an amended contract of $545,007 with Bosman Fuels of Bellingham for petroleum fuel? This is the annual purchase of diesel and unleaded fuel for use in county equipment and vehicles. This is a continuation of the 2003 contract. The fuel contract has more than doubled in the past two years. The 9/9/03 contract (vote number 150) was $241,031 and the 8/10/04 contract (vote number 148) was $348,123. This contract runs from 9/1/05 through 8/31/06. (AB 2005-321) Approved 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

157. Authorize the executive to enter into an agreement with the state of Washington to allow for the mutual use of county and state property? The state will include a 10-foot wide lane for bicycles and pedestrians on the replacement bridge over Boulder Creek. The county will grant easements for a stormwater treatment area and road realignment. (AB 2005-322) Approved 6-0, DanMcShane absent.

158. Authorize the executive to enter into a $75,000 contract with RE Sources of Bellingham to provide school presentations promoting waste reduction, recycling and hazardous waste management? A maximum of 344 presentations will be conducted in 24 separate schools. A state grant funds 55 percent of the contract that runs from 7/1/05 to 12/31/06. (AB 2005-325) Approved 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

159. Authorize the executive to award a $225,000 grant tothe city of Sumas for the Haul Road extension? The Economic Development Investment Board recommended the grant to fund 42 percent of the road extension. The project will give access to industrial land in southwest Sumas. (AB 2005-327) Approved 6-0,Dan McShane absent.

160. Authorize the executive to award the sole responsible bid of $198,788 to Western Power and Equipment of Marysville for a chip spreader? The spreader places small pieces of rock into blacktop. The rock makes the road much more durable. A second bid did not meet specifications. (AB 2005-328) Approved 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

161. Vacate the old portion of Mosquito Lake Road near Porter Creek? In November of 2004, the county constructed 1,900feet of new Mosquito Lake Road near Porter Creek because of encroachment by the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River. This vacated portion has been replaced allowing no disruption of traffic. (Resolution2005-38) Approved 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

162. Authorize the sale of surplus county property at public auction? The surplus property includes vehicles, kayaks, canoes, hydrobikes, Votematic voting equipment and miscellaneous office equipment.(Resolution 2005-39) Approved 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

163. Authorize the executive to spend $110,000 to purchase property on Lummi Island? The property, purchased from the Lummi Island Land Trust, will be used for ferry parking. (Resolution2005-40) Approved 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

164. Amend the Whatcom County code (on an interim basis) to provide additional protection for the Lake Whatcom watershed? On April 26, 2005, (vote number 91) the council adopted an interim moratorium on acceptance of new applications for subdivisions within the watershed. This amendment will enable the council to review and evaluate existing development codes and regulations and permanently address health and safety concerns in the watershed. (Ordinance 2005-65) Adopted 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

165. Accept a new section of the Delta Line Road as a Whatcom County road? The council voted (2/24/04 meeting, vote number 37) to close a portion of the Delta Line Road off Grandview Road because it didn’t meet state safety requirements. A new connecting road constructed by the private company building a light industrial park will be acquired as a public right-of way. The county will assume maintenance responsibilities.(Ordinance 2005-66) Adopted 6-0, Dan McShane absent.

166. Approve 2005 budget request #8 in the amount of$452,995? It includes a federal grant of $10,000 to the sheriff’s department for marijuana eradication; $199,371 to partially fund a 15-acre conservation easement purchase on the north side of Terrell Creek;$225,000 for a grant to the city of Sumas (see vote number 159);$18,624 for a job change in the Information Technology department.(Ordinance 2005-67) Adopted 6-0, Dan McShane absent.