Whatcom County Council

Shall the council:

234. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision granting a shoreline substantial development permit to Dean Francis? The permit allows the installation of a swimming pool, hot tub and patio adjacent to a new single-family residence at 8493 Pointe Road North, Blaine. Jan Nauman appealed the decision to the council. (AB 2007-363) Approved 7-0

235. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement (amendment #11) with the city of Bellingham concerning annexation and development within the Bellingham Urban Growth Area? This amendment will extend the duration of the agreement to 7/15/08. (AB 2007-385) Approved 7-0

236. Authorize the executive to award the sole responsive bid of $249,406 to Clyde West, Inc. of Kent, for the purchase of a 2008 Volvo articulated motor grader? The earthmover can also be used as a snowplow. It will replace a 1987 John Deere model with 7,362 hours. A request for bids was advertised and five bids were received; only the Clyde West bid met specifications. (AB 2007-416) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.1

237. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement (amendment #10) with the city of Bellingham for the annexation of 635 acres to be known as the East Bakerview/James Street annexation? The Bellingham City Council accepted the annexation petition at the 10/16/06 meeting, vote number 261. The property is located in the Urban Growth Area; on the south end from E. McLeod Road up to King Mountain, on the west from the city limits to Irongate Road on the east, with James Street and Bakerview Road crossing in the center of the parcel. (AB 2007-417A) Approved 7-0

238. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $1,142,677 to Aggregates West of Everson for crushed rock? The 44,000 cubic yards of rock will be stockpiled and used by maintenance and operations for roadwork over two years. The first delivery date is May 2008. A request for bids was advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2007-437) Approved 7-0

239. Authorize the executive to award the sole responsive bid of $93,361 to Farmer’s Equipment Company of Lynden for a roadside mowing tractor? The 2007 McCormick mower will replace a 1994 Ford mower with 8,831 hours. A request for bids was advertised and four bids were received; only Farmer’s Equipment met specifications. (AB 2007-438) Approved 7-0

240. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $59,997 to Diehl Ford of Bellingham for two 2008 Ford Escape hybrids? The two hybrids will replace four vehicles in the public works department: a 2002 15-passenger van with 14,363 miles, a 1993 Dodge Dynasty with 43,520 miles and two half-ton pickup trucks with 57,073 and 92,852 miles. A request for bids was advertised and three bids were received. (AB 2007-440) Approved 7-0

241. Authorize the executive to submit a $1 million application to the state of Washington for a block grant to fund building costs for a resource center project? (Public hearing held) The center will provide economic development, family support and health services that benefit low- and moderate-income persons in the Kendall area, a growing but isolated area of the county. AB 2007-424 (Resolution 2007-60) Approved 7-0

242. Order the cancellation of uncashed checks issued before July 1, 2006? The total for 151 uncashed checks is $8,380. Whatcom County has 95 uncashed checks for $3,119 and the rural library, fire and water districts have 56 uncashed checks for $5,261. The money will be held by the county for one year and then transferred to the state of Washington as abandoned property where it will be available to the payee indefinitely. AB 2007-434 (Resolution 2007-61) Approved 7-0

243. Order the cancellation of uncollectible money for damages to county vehicles and a towing charge? The amount of $6,007 cannot be collected from six individuals for the years 1995 through 1998. AB 2007-435 (Resolution 2007-62) Approved 7-0

244. Order the cancellation of uncollectible money for parking violations? There are 145 parking violations at $5 each and three violations at $2 each totaling $731. AB 2007-436 (Resolution 2007-63) Approved 7-0

245. Purchase two pieces of surplus property from the state of Washington for $315,000? The two pierces of property are potential Nooksack River overflow locations to take pressure off the levee system. The first piece of property is referred to as the “Deming Transfer.” It is 53.75 acres, is appraised at $190,000 and zoned 90 percent commercial forestry and 10 percent agriculture. The second piece is referred to as the “River Road Property.” It is 24.84 acres, is appraised at $125,000 and zoned agricultural near Lynden. AB 2007-443 (Resolution 2007-64) Approved 7-0

246. Sell tax title property by negotiation? (Public hearing held on October 9) TR 2007-02, the sale includes all mineral rights and is being sold to the adjoining landowner for the assessed value of $412.04. AB 2007-380A (Resolution 2007-65) Approved 7-0

247. Adopt the 2008 the property tax levy at the same amount as 2007? (Public hearing held) Increased revenues will come from new construction, property improvements and increases in assessments. AB 2007-421 (Ordinance 2007-59) Adopted 7-0

248. Adopt the 2008 road tax levy at the same amount as 2007? (Public hearing held) A portion of the levy ($706,530) will be diverted for traffic enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county. AB 2007-423 (Ordinance 2007-60) Adopted 7-0

249. Amend the 2007 budget (request #12) in the amount of $38,491? The money will fund additional animal control operating and inventory costs for December. AB 2007-426 (Ordinance 2007-61) Adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.

250. Amend the 2008 budget (request #1) in the amount of $207,655? Appropriate $116,368 for additional animal control operating costs; $9,000 for animal control vehicle costs and $82,287 for Juvenile Court administration to be used for start-up costs for a special advocacy program. A volunteer coordinator will be hired to recruit, supervise and train volunteers in child dependency matters. AB 2007-427 (Ordinance 2007-62) Adopted 5-2, Ward Nelson and Sam Crawford opposed.

Shall the council:

251. Authorize the executive to enter into an agreement with the Lummi Nation for non-motorized improvements to Haxton Way? This vote appropriates $300,000 for phase I of the project that will be administered by Whatcom County. Phase I will be shoulder enhancements and permanent signing on Haxton Way from Kwina Road to the Gooseberry Point ferry terminal. Phase II will be a pedestrian/bicycle trail from Slater Road to Kwina Road and will be administered by the Lummi Nation. The improvements will be funded by $1.724 million from the state and $300,000 from Whatcom County for phase I and II and $160,800 from the federal government for phase II. Completion date: phase I is 12/31/07 and phase II is 12/31/09. (AB 2007-414) Approved 7-0

252. Authorize the executive to continue a contract with Hoagland Pharmacy of Bellingham for jail pharmaceuticals? The estimated cost for the jail and jail work center is $198,778; the contract runs from 1/1/08 to 12/31/08 and may be renewed for three additional one-year periods. (AB 2007-447) Approved 7-0

253. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $107,136 to Tri County Office Interiors of Bellingham, for District Court office furniture? The number of workspaces will be increased and units from manufacturers that are no longer in business will be replaced. The bid includes the installation of the new furniture as well as the dismantling and removing of the old units. A request for bids was advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2007-451) Approved 7-0

254. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $438,213 to continue the operation of the disposal of toxics facility and the EnviroStars program? The goal is to provide a collection spot for oil and antifreeze from the community twice each year and monthly from four county sites. The EniroStars program educates businesses on disposal techniques and recognizes environmentally responsible companies. The county will provide $276,213 in matching funds to fund other current programs. The contract runs from 1/1/08 through 12/31/09. (AB 2007-453) Approved 7-0

255. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $75,000 to support the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District? Funds will be used for a demonstration project in East Blaine to retrofit a stormwater outfall into Drayton Harbor; the project is designed to treat stormwater for bacteria and other pathogens. The grant expires on 6/30/09. (AB 2007-455) Approved 7-0

256. Approve $92,000 in funding recommendations by the Whatcom County Housing Authority for low-income housing providers? The Whatcom County auditor collects a document-recording fee that must be used for low-income housing. The Opportunity Council will receive $30,500; the Sun Community Services $27,000: Lydia Place $15,000; Interfaith Coalition $10,000 and the YWCA $9,500. (AB 2007-456) Approved 7-0

257. Authorize the executive to enter into amendment #7 with the city of Lynden allowing annexation of approximately 280 acres? The area is to the east of the city limits and is in the vicinity of East Badger Road, Kamm Road and Northwood Road in the Urban Growth Area. (AB 2007-457) Approved 7-0

258. Adopt the 2008 flood control district tax levy at the same amount as 2007? (Public hearing held) The funds are used to address flooding and to reduce flood damage. The board of supervisors can impose a tax levy of up to 50 cents per thousand of assessed value on real property within the district. AB 2007-420 (Resolution 2007-66) Approved 6-1, Seth Fleetwood opposed.

259. Adopt an increase in the 2008 Conservation Futures Fund tax levy? (Public hearing held) The levy will be increase from 6.25 to 6.39 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation on real property. The funds can only be used to acquire land or development rights for conservation purposes. The increase is expected to raise an additional $57,684. AB2007-422a (Ordinance 2007–63) Adopted 4-3, Ward Nelson, Sam Crawford and Barbara Brenner1 opposed. The executive vetoed this ordinance.

260. Continue the interim moratorium removing the lot clustering provision from the rural forestry district of the Whatcom County Code? (Public hearing held) An emergency moratorium was enacted at the 10/10/06 meeting, vote number 205; interim moratoriums were passed at the 11/21/06 meeting, vote number 240 and the 5/22/07 meeting, vote number 261. The council and staff want additional time for the review to ensure the conservation of commercial forestry and to discourage incompatible uses. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months. AB2007-229A (Ordinance 2007-64) Adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.

261. Approve the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Northwood and Halverstick roads? (Public hearing held) Signs will be installed to stop northbound traffic on Northwood and westbound traffic on Halverstick. The Northwood Casino has increased traffic on the two roads. The Nooksack Tribe will reimburse the county for the cost of installation. AB 2007-445 (Ordinance 2007-65) Approved 7-0

262. Add fees charged for trail permits to the unified fee schedule? (Public hearing held) Property owners who require unopened county rights-of-way to access their property are required to obtain a permit. All permit holders are required to maintain the roads. AB 2007-446 (Ordinance 2007-66) Approved 7-0

263. Authorize the collection of school impact fees on new residential development? (Public hearing held) Development creates more demand on public schools and the Growth Management Act authorizes cities and county to impose impact fees, with the fees accompanying building permit applications. The proposal exempts “affordable housing” from the fee requirements. AB 2007-354A (Ordinance 2007-67) Approved 7-0

264. Amend the 2007 budget (request #13) in the amount of $535,869? Appropriations: $194,000 to Superior Court to fund end of year shortfalls; $25,869 to the sheriff’s office for overtime at the upper Baker Lake site and traffic control during the Cable Street construction project; $45,600 to fund Marine Resource Committee activities in the second half of 2007, and support coordination of marine protection and restoration, including public education; $270,400 to purchase Ebe farm property under the development rights program. AB 2007-444 (Ordinance 2007-68) Approved 7-0