Whatcom County Council

172. Urgently send letters to state, federal and British Columbia officials requesting assistance in solving a potential health problem? Councilmember Barbara Brenner proposed sending the letters. Swift Creek contains naturally occurring asbestos that continually comes off Sumas Mountain; a recent EPA report warned that the asbestos may pose health risks. During flooding, Swift Creek can transport asbestos laden sediment down the creek and into the Sumas River. The sediment can be deposited on channel banks and floodplains within Whatcom County and conveyed into Canada. (AB 2007-29) Approved 6-0, Seth Fleetwood absent.

Shall the council:

173. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision granting permits to repair a portion of Drayton Harbor Road between Shintoffer and Harborview roads? Whatcom County applied for the permits to repair a portion of the road that had been undercut by wave action. Len and Pat Helton appealed the decision to the council. (AB 2007-279) Upheld 7-0

174. Accept a petition and the petitioner’s security bond to form an irrigation district to be known as the North Lynden Watershed Improvement District? The 5,793-acre district will provide plans for watershed improvements to be incorporated into a comprehensive irrigation district management plan to meet federal and state environmental requirements. (AB 2007-322A) Approved 7-0

175. Authorize the executive to enter into a $300,000 contract with RH2 Engineering of Bothell, to conduct a feasibility study on relocating the dock for the Lummi Island ferry? The lease for the Gooseberry Point dock with the Lummi Nation expires in 2010. The study will include, in cooperation with the Lummi Tribe, a review of up to four sites that would be suitable for the development of a multitransportation (bus, ferry and bicycle) center. The federal share of the study will be $229,500 (77 percent) and the county’s share will be $70,500 (23 percent). (AB 2007-345) Approved 7-0

176. Authorize the executive to spend $510,000 to purchase 73 acres off Silver Lake Road in Maple Falls for park and trail purposes? The property is owned by Earth Links, a California non-profit organization and has an appraised value of $535,000. The purchase is in partnership with the Whatcom Land Trust. Conservation Futures Fund money will be used to acquire the property that will be designated a trailhead and complete the segment of the Bay to Baker Trail corridor between Maple Falls and Glacier. (AB 2007-350) Approved 7-0

177. Adopt the Whatcom County Climate Protection and Energy Conservation Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? At the May 6, 2006 council meting, vote number 107, the council voted to join the Counties and Cities Climate Protection Campaign.4 This vote sets a goal of reducing Whatcom County emissions 10 percent below 2001 levels by 2020 and county government reductions of 40 percent below 2000 levels by 2012. AB 2007-358 (Resolution 2007-41) Amended and approved 6-1, Ward Nelson opposed.

178. Adopt the annual six-year (2008-2013) transportation improvement program? (Public hearing held) State law requires counties to update their transportation plans yearly. The program establishes a list of needed capital improvements, eligibility for state and federal funds and sets the rate for impact fees. The first six years of the 14-year ferry plan is attached to the resolution. The estimated cost of the six-year road plan is $75,663,000. Projected funding sources are federal ($18,909,000), state ($6,245,000) and local ($50,479,000). The council requested the public works department consider dividing the Lincoln Road upgrade (priority #3) into two manageable projects. AB 2007-334 (Resolution 2007-42) Approved 7-0

179. Authorize the executive to award the sole bid of $55,298 to Do Construction of Bellingham, for non-motorized improvements to Haxton Way? The project will consist of two phases; this year there will be shoulder enhancements on Haxton Way from Kwina Road to Gooseberry Point and next year there will be a separated pedestrian/bicycle trail on Haxton Way from Kwina Road to Slater Road. Total costs, including engineering and testing are $75,298. The job was advertised and one bid was received. AB 2007-344 (Resolution 2007-43) Approved 7-0

180. Authorize the executive to apply for a state grant to help pay for renovations to the Plantation indoor firearms and archery range? The estimated cost of building renovations is $250,000 with a state grant providing $100,000 or 40 percent. The estimated cost of repairs to the road leading to the range is $40,000 with a state grant providing 50 percent. AB 2007-346 (Resolution 2007-44) Approved 7-0

181. Approve recommendations for the expenditure of national forest related federal funds? Federal law requires that counties spend 80 percent of the federal funds received under Public Law 106-93 for public schools and roads. This vote suggests how the other 20 percent should be spent: trails 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 decision for Whatcom and Skagit counties. AB 2007-348 (Resolution 2007-45) Approved 7-0

182. Approve councilmembers’ salaries for the years 2010 and 2011? At the 4/26/05 meeting, vote number 90, the council approved a salary of $16,500 for 2007 (the same as 2006) and increases to $18,000 for 2008 and $19,000 for 2009. This vote increased salaries to $19,500 for 2010 and $20,000 for 2011. Councilmembers must be reelected before they receive the increase. AB 2007-323 (Resolution 2007-46) Approved 7-0

183. Authorize the purchase of a conservation easement on the Holz farm for $315,000? The easement will protect approximately 39 acres (located north of East Hemmi Road in unincorporated Whatcom County) that is currently farmed from conversion to non-agricultural uses under the Purchase of Development Rights program. A federal grant covers half the purchase price. AB 2007-355 (Resolution 2007-47) Approved 7-0

184. Authorize the purchase of a conservation easement on the Groen farm for $325,000? The easement will protect approximately 125 acres (located north of Barnhart Road in unincorporated Whatcom County) that is currently farmed from conversion to non-agricultural uses under the Purchase of Development Rights program. The purchase is contingent upon receiving a federal grant for 50 percent of the purchase price. AB 2007-356 (Resolution 2007-48) Approved 7-0

185. Continue the interim ordinance establishing a review procedure to ensure that development provides transportation facilities in accordance with the Growth Management Act? (Public hearing held) This vote addresses road and traffic effects resulting from development and guides how developers will pay for roads and upgrades. The interim ordinance was first imposed at the 12/5/06 meeting, vote number 249, and continued at the 2/13/07 meeting, vote number 36. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months. AB 2007-69A (Ordinance 2007-43) Approved 7-0

186. Amend the text and rules governing the Whatcom County Council? Whatcom County Code 2.02 provides guidelines for the conduct of full council and committee meetings, council personnel matters and other council-related matters. This amendment removes outdated text, clarifies rules governing the conduct of business and amends the list of standing committees. AB 2007-338 (Ordinance 2007-44) Approved 7-0

187. Amend the Whatcom County zoning map for the Everson Urban Growth Area? This vote amends Ordinance 2007-31, passed at the 6/5/07 meeting, vote number 128. It changes 64 acres on the east side of the Everson-Goshen Road from urban residential-3 (UR3-three dwellings per acre) to urban residential-4 (UR4-four dwellings per acre) and changes approximately 20 acres outside the Everson UGA from urban residential-3 (UR3-three dwellings per acre) to rural (R5A-one dwelling per five acres). The Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan encourages small cities to establish development at (UR4-four units per acre) densities. AB 2007-337 (Ordinance 2007-45) Approved 7-0