March 2006
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at Special January 10, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Adopt a one-tenth of 1 percent sales and use tax to fund countywide emergency medical services? Whatcom County voters at the November 8, 2005 general election approved the tax. Two-thirds of the tax is to be used for countywide medical services and one-third for criminal justice purposes. Sixty percent of the tax shall be retained by the county and 40 percent shall be distributed to cities in the county. Each city has agreed to return two-thirds of their tax to the county for emergency medical services. AB 2005-471 (Ordinance 2006-01) Adopted 7-0
Action Taken at January 17, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
2. Enter into a $20,000 amended contract with Bricklin Newman Dold of Seattle to defend two county ordinances regulating “mushroom substrate” production? The Ostrom Company is challenging the land use and public health ordinances passed on 10/26/04, vote number 179, and 7/12/05, vote number 133. The council approved $40,000 at the 9/27/05 meeting, vote number 187, for a total amended amount of $60,000. (AB 2005-105C) Amended and approved 7-0
3. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $387,173 to Colacurcio Brothers of Blaine for county health department alterations? The environmental health service area will be remodled and the former Planned Parenthood site will become administrative offices. The building is located at the corner of Grand Avenue and Girard Street. (AB 2006-31) Approved 7-0
4. Approve $341,759 in expenditures from the homeless housing fund? The Housing for Low Income Advisory Committee recommended spending the money for facilities maintained for low-income, special needs and homeless persons, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Since 8/1/05, the county auditor has been collecting a $10 surcharge on recorded documents for the homeless housing fund. (AB 2006-32) Approved 7-0
5. Authorize the executive to enter into an interlocal agreement with the city of Bellingham for the Lake Whatcom watershed sewage system program? The city will pay the county $186,368 to have the county health department oversee the program. The county health department will implement sewer and septic system design, installation, repair, operation and maintenance, conduct sanitary surveys and inspections, update codes, manage data and public outreach in accordance with state requirements. The two year agreement runs from 1/1/06 to 12/31/07. (AB 2006-33) Approved 7-0
6. Authorize the executive to enter into an interlocal agreement with the city of Sumas concerning annexation? The city of Sumas is annexing 9.54 acres south of the city limits in the Urban Growth Area, which is zoned agricultural. (AB 2006-35) Approved 7-0
7. Authorize the executive to enter into an interlocal agreement with the city of Everson concerning annexation? The city of Everson is annexing 47 acres south of the city limits in the Urban Growth Area, which is currently zoned Urban Residential 3. (AB 2006-36) Approved 7-0
8. Authorize the executive to enter into a $29,000 contract with the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce to promote the Ski to Sea Festival? The objective is the promotion of tourism; the race attracts over 3,200 participants from 27 states and three countries. The contract will run from 1/1/06 through 12/31/06. (AB 2006-38) Failed 4-3, Barbara Brenner,1 Dan McShane, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber and Carl Weimer opposed.
9. Authorize the executive to award a $79,386 contract to Bennett Engineering of Bellingham to monitor the Cedarville and Y Road landfills? The company will provide ground and surface watering sampling, gas monitoring, quarterly reports and a final report. The contract runs from from 1/1/06 to 12/31/06. (AB 2006-40) Approved 7-0
10. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $392,254 and appropriate county funds of $130,751 for activities relating to the county’s solid waste management plan? The activities include composting education for schools and the general public, the recycling hotline, funding for the toxics disposal facility, solid waste reduction and litter enforcement. The contract runs from 1/1/06 through 12/31/07. Total expenditures are $523,005 with the county contributing 25 percent. Total spending for 2004-2005, was $660,674. (AB 2006-43) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner2 opposed.
11. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $100,000 to reimburse the county for analysis of alternative flood control projects on the lower Nooksack River? This phase of work examines options for the flood plain south of Ferndale and the Everson-Sumas overflow corridor, including technical assistance to the cities of Everson and Lynden for assessment of their floodplains. The project runs from 6/1/05 to 6/30/07 with the county paying $33,334 for an estimated total cost of $133,334. (AB2006-44) Approved 7-0
12. Authorize the executive to continue the contract with Hoagland Pharmacy of Bellingham for jail pharmaceuticals? The estimated cost is $198,778 for the contract running from 1/1/06 through 12/31/06. (AB 2006-45) Approved 7-0
13. Send a letter to the federal government in support of the efforts by the U.S. Forest Fervice to control off-road vehicles? The letter (proposed by councilmember Barbara Brenner) strongly supports requiring off-highway vehicles to operate on roads and other specifically designated routes. (AB 2006-57) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
14. Accept the Whatcom County Treasurer’s list of 781 property tax refunds totaling $522,780 for the year 2005? Refunds for senior exemptions, errors, reclassifications, adjustments, etc., were $522,120 and flood control refunds were $660. AB 2006-48 (Resolution 2006-01) Approved 7-0
15. Set the public hearing date for January 31 to sell tax-title property by negotiation? Request 2006-01, sell a parcel located on Commercial Street in Marietta to the county public works river and flood division for no less than taxes and closing costs of $929.19. AB 2006-49 (Resolution 2006-02) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at January 17, 2006 Meeting
16. Set the public hearing date for January 31 to sell tax-title property by negotiation? Request 2006-02, sell a parcel located off South Pass Road, including mineral rights to an adjoining landowner for no less than taxes and closing costs of $443.24. AB 2006-50 (Resolution 2006-03) Approved 7-0
17. Set the public hearing date for January 31 to sell surplus property for the appraised value of $85,000 plus costs to the Skookum Chuck Water Association? Request RW 2006-01, the parcel is Oltman Pit, approximately 10 acres located at 1969 Van Dyke Road, Everson with an appraised value of $80,000 plus costs. Also accept the water association’s option to purchase Roeder Pit, five acres on Van Dyke Road, for $5,000. AB 2006-51 (Resolution 2006-04) Approved 7-0
18. Support the Magnuson amendment to the Marine Mammals Protection Act? The resolution (proposed by councilmember Barbara Brenner) supports the efforts of the Washington state delegation to oppose the repeal of the Magnuson amendment that limits the number and size of oil tankers in Puget Sound waters. AB 2006-59 (Resolution 2006-05) Approved 6-0-1, Sam Crawford abstained.
19. Amend the Whatcom County Code on gambling tax remittance requirements? The state gambling commisssion changed the tax remittance requirements for bingo, raffles, punchboards and pull tabs from quarterly to semiannually. The council changed the county remittance requirements to coincide with the state. AB 2006-55 (Ordinance 2006-02) Adopted 7-0
