May 2006
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at March 14, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
60. Authorize the executive to enter into a $246,125 contract with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham, to conduct a hydrographic survey of the lower Nooksack River? The work, as part of the comprehensive flood hazard management plan, encompasses updating the existing hydraulic model and surveying the river from Deming to Bellingham Bay to provide the basis for a sediment management budget. The contract runs from 3/16/06 through 12/31/06. (AB 2006-141) Approved 7-0
61. Authorize the executive to enter into a $134,072 contract with Exigent Computer Group of San Ramon, CA, for software to augment the auditor’s office recording system? When preparing documents for the Internet, this software will enable the office to black out sensitive information (social security numbers) and reduce staff time indexing documents. (AB 2006-142) Approved 7-0
62. Sell four tax-title properties by public auction for no less than taxes and closing costs? (1) TR 2006-03, a triangular parcel north of the railroad right-of-way near Johnson Creek and Sumas for $423.92. AB 2006-122A (Resolution 2006-20); (2) TR 2006-05, Cabana Club condominium #109 (Birch Bay) undivided l/48 interest in time share unit E-41 for $980.89 AB 2006-124A (Resolution 2006-22); (3) TR 2006-06 Cabana Club condominium #109 (Birch Bay) undivided l/48 interest in time share unit F42 for $1,214.99 AB 2006-125A (Resolution 2006-23); (4) TR 2006-07, five-acre parcel on SW border of government lot #2 on Nevans Street in Blaine for $351.55. AB 2006-126A (Resolution 2006-24) All approved 7-0
63. Sell two tax-title properties by negotiation for no less than taxes and closing costs? (1) TR Request 2006-04, two acres in a portion of government lot #13, southwest of Smugglers Slough, north of Marine Drive for $3,140.53. The Lummi Nation wishes to purchase the property for salmon habitat. AB 2006-123A (Resolution 2006-21); (2) Request TR 2006-08, three inches wide by 100 feet in length on the southern edge of lot four bounded by Utter and Walnut, Monroe and Washington Streets in Bellingham for $1.37. The owner of lot four wishes to purchase the property as it is already in his legal description. AB 2006-127A (Resolution 2006-25) Both approved 7-0
64. Support the executive’s request to Congress for federal appropriations to fund the Whatcom County rapid border prosecution initiative? The initiative moves border related criminal offenders through the system in an expedited manor. AB 2006-149 (Resolution 2006-26) Approved 7-0
65. Support the executive’s request to Congress for federal appropriations to fund the Whatcom County multi-jurisdictional data integration project? This project allows local law enforcement agencies to share and retrieve information that will track offenders eight times faster than current methods. It also enhances homeland security by serving as the key system for data sharing along the I-5 corridor, and Alaska. AB 2006-148 (Resolution 2006-27) Approved 7-0
66. Support the executive’s request to Congress for federal appropriations to protect Lake Whatcom? Money is needed to comply with federal stormwater mandates of the Clean Water Act; the mandates require construction of stormwater facilities and management of urban areas throughout the watershed. AB 2006-147 (Resolution 2006-28) Approved 7-0
67. Initiate Comprehensive Plan and zoning amendments for 2006? The Growth Management Act allows the Comprehensive Plan to be updated only once a year (with some exceptions). This vote initiates formal review of the following amendments: 2006-A, 2006-B, 2006-E, 2006-G, 2006-H, 2006-I, 2006-J, 2006-L, 2006-M, 2006-O, 2006-P, 2006-Q, 2006-R and 2006-DD. AB 2006-82 (Resolution 2006-29) Approved 6-1, Ward Nelson opposed.
68. Rezone approximately 59 acres in the Ferndale Urban Growth Area? The 59 acres (west of the Ferndale city limits on the north side of Horton Road) will be rezoned from a long-term planning area to a short-term planning area so it can be developed at residentially-zoned densities of 6 to 8 units per acre and/or annexed into the city. AB 2006-129 (Ordinance 2006-12) Adopted 6-1, Ward Nelson opposed.
Action Taken at March 28, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
69. Send a letter to Congressman Rick Larsen regarding compensation to local fishers who have suffered from the effects of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill? The letter (proposed by councilmember Barbara Brenner) urges Congressman Larsen to join Congressman Dave Reichert in his appeal to member of Congress to resolve protracted litigation. It has been 12 years since a federal jury awarded $4.5 billion in punitive damages to 33,000 plaintiffs. To date, none of the money has been paid. (AB 2006-57) Approved 6-0-1, Seth Fleetwood abstained.
70. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision sanctioning the Nooksack Pit as a legal nonconforming use? The city of Nooksack appealed the decision that allows the pit owner to expand the 39-acre gravel mine another 60 acres. (AB 2006-62) Upheld 7-0
71. Adopt the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s recommendation to approve the Blue Heron Estates? The 20 single-family lots and one building with three units in a UR3 (urban residential) zone will be developed on 8.85 acres on 48th Street, west of Governor Road and north of Samish Way. (AB 2006-152) Approved 7-0
72. Authorize the sheriff’s department to spend $150,000 to purchase 25 Panasonic laptop computers from Daytec, Inc. of Tacoma? The computers will be installed in patrol vehicles along with 40 laptop computers purchased on 9/05 and 15 computers transferred from emergency management (see the 2/28/06 meeting, vote number 52). The council vote approved $223,661 to purchase 40 computers but the federal homeland security grant funding the purchase was smaller than anticipated. (AB 2006-155) Approved 7-0
73. Authorize the public defender’s office to spend an additional $50,000 to purchase furniture for public defender offices at 215 N. Commercial? At the 2/28/06 meeting, vote number 48, the council approved $100,000 to purchase office furniture from the low bidder, the O.M. Company of Seattle. The low bid was withdrawn and the next lowest bidder was Tri County Office Furniture of Bellingham. The amount of the Tri County bid was not listed in packet material. (AB 2006-156) Approved 7-0
74. Authorize the executive to sign a contract with Black Mountain Forestry Center to use Silver Lake Park for public education on forest management? The nonprofit organization will pay the county $1 a year to use approximately five-acres at the park as a public education, arboretum and exhibit area focusing on county forestry practices. The contract runs from 3/1/06 through 2/28/11. (AB 2006-157) Approved 7-0
75. Authorize the executive to enter into a contract with the Army Corps of Engineers for levee repair on Bertrand Creek? The Thanksgiving Day flood of 2004 damaged four locations on the left and right banks of Bertrand Creek. The estimated construction costs are $1,484,500 plus some easement acquisitions. County funds will pay $1,067,500 (72 percent) and federal funds will pay $327,000 (28 percent). (AB 2006-160/161) Approved 7-0
76. Authorize the executive to enter into a $34,800 contract with Walker and Associates of Seattle for aerial photographs of the lower Nooksack River? The photographs from Deming to Bellingham Bay will be used to determine the budget for the sediment management plan, part of the Nooksack River Flood Management Plan. (AB 2006-162) Approved 7-0
77. Authorize the executive to enter into a $350,000 grant and loan agreement with the city of Sumas to expand Bowen Field Park? The Economic Development Investment Board* recommended a grant of $175,000 and a 15-year loan of $175,000. The park is currently home to rodeo grounds and two softball fields; the expansion will add two additional softball fields and necessary infrastructure. The total cost of the project is $1.5 million. (AB 2006-164) Approved 7-0
78. Approve the planning commission’s request to evaluate building permit allocations in rural zones? Building permits outside urban areas would be limited to a yearly share of the total projected rural growth. Failed 4-3, Barbara Brenner, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed. Barbara Brenner gives the reasons for her opposition on the facing page.
79. Set April 11 as a public hearing date to consider the sale of surplus property at public auction? The surplus property includes eight vehicles purchased between 1990 and 1997 with mileage between 123,800 and 66,427; one 15-passenger van purchased in 2003 with less than 24,000 miles; tools, office equipment; computer components and copiers. AB 2006-165 (Resolution 2006-30) Approved 7-0
80. Approve 2006 budget request #5 in the amount of $1,209,371? Expenditures include: $244,300 to relocate the public defender’s office (see vote 73); $453,600 to continue the contract with Snohomish County to house 30 jail inmates until September 2006; $12,989 for tools and equipment for inmate work crew to assist the U.S. Forest Service in general maintenance; $433,482 for Bertrand Creek levee repairs (see vote 76); $15,000 to replace floor tiles at the public works central shop and $50,000 to replace lighting with highly efficient units at the central shop. AB 2006-145 (Ordinance 2006-13) Adopted 7-0
*A board created by the council to make recommendation to the council on economic development investments.
