Whatcom County Council

Shall the council:

265. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision granting a cluster long plat to Shuksan Investments to create a 14-lot subdivision on 29 acres at 1561 East Hemmi Road? This proposal is phase 2 of the Shuksan Highlands project and is located within the Shuksan Golf Course. Gregory Kirsch appealed the hearing examiner’s decision to the council. (AB 2007-364) Approved 7-0

266. Authorize the executive to sign an $110,000 agreement with the Whatcom Conservation District to pool resources for managing the Conservation Program on Agricultural Lands? The Critical Area Ordinance requires property owners to work with the Conservation District to prepare any farm plans that will be within critical areas or buffers. This contract establishes county financial support for the program, promoting agricultural stewardship. (AB 2007-469) Approved 7-0

267. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,831,652 contract with Bayside Pathology/Dr. Gary Goldfogel for medical examiner (coroner) services? Dr. Goldfogel has been medical examiner since 1992. The five-year contract allows for an annual 3 percent cost of living increase; it is for $345,000 in 2008; $355,350 in 2009; $366,011 in 2010, $376,951 in 2011 and $388,301 in 2012. Dr. Goldfogel provides all staffing, supplies and expenses except for office space and the morgue. (AB 2007-471) Approved 7-0

268. Authorize the executive to sign a $120,478 contract with IBM to purchase computer equipment? The equipment is for a server modernization project in the Information Technology Department. (AB 2007-473) Approved 7-0

269. Enter into an $82,589 contract with Michael Bobbink for the position of Whatcom County Hearing Examiner? The hearing examiner prepares written recommendations and decisions on land-use permits and administrative appeals. Mr. Bobbink submitted the only response to a request for proposals; he has been the hearing examiner for the past 13 years. The contract contains a $1,619 raise and runs from 1/1/08 through 12/31/08. (AB 2007-474) Approved 7-0

270. Authorize the executive to sign a $695,701 contract with HDR Engineering of Bellevue, to select a site for the adult corrections facility and sheriff’s headquarters? Five sites will be identified and evaluated, and environmental and zoning and neighborhood data collected with public hearings, as appropriate. The two-year contract expires on 1/1/10. (AB 2007-490) Approved 7-0

271. Authorize the executive to sign into a $60,000 contract with Whatcom Farm Friends Producers of Lynden to develop a public involvement plan in the county’s agricultural work program? This program’s purpose is to preserve the agricultural, forestry and natural resource land base, while recognizing land values and property rights. Concentration will be on evaluation of the developmental rights program, agricultural mitigation and cluster design ordinance. The need to provide considerable public information and involvement in this process will be addressed. The contract runs from 12/5/07 through 12/31/08. (AB 2007-496) Approved 7-0

272. Authorize the executive to sign a $713,698 contract (amendment #1) with the Visiting Nurses Home Care of Bellingham for nursing services at the jail and jail work center? The contract runs from 1/1/08 through 12/31/08 and may be renewed for three more years. Changes from the last contract include a pay raise from $32.17 to $33.22 per hour. (AB 2007-498) Approved 7-0

273. Authorize the executive to sign a $90,000 agreement with the city of Blaine for the stormwater retrofit project? This demonstration project for an outfall into Drayton Harbor is designed to treat stormwater for bacteria and improve shellfish harvest. The county received a state grant for $75,000. (AB 2007-499) Approved 7-0

274. Authorize the executive to sign a $75,000 contract with David Evans and Associates of Bellingham for on-call surveying services for the river and flood division projects? Using flood control funds for these services has proven efficient in getting projects initiated quickly. (AB 2007-504) Approved 7-0

275. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $522,518 to Sound Ford of Renton, for 19 Crown Victoria police pursuit vehicles? They replace 14 vehicles (one was demolished) with 101,850 to 114,978 miles, three vehicles (all were demolished) with 23,650 to 63,055 miles and two vehicles that didn’t have mileage listed in the council packet. A request for bids was advertised and three bids were received. (AB2007-506) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.1

276. Authorize the executive to sign into a $411,830 contract with the Opportunity Council of Bellingham for program and administrative services for the Whatcom County Homeless Service Center? This is part of a statewide effort to reduce homelessness in the state by 50 percent by 7/1/15. The contract runs from 1/1/08 through 12/31/08 and is funded by local fees and a state grant (10/9/07 meeting, vote number 205). (AB 2007-512) Approved 7-0

277. Authorize the executive to sign into a $152,500 contract with Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism Bureau to promote tourism? The agency will be responsible for sustaining and increasing a competitive tourism program that attracts more visitors and tour groups, and encourages them to remain in the area longer, thereby improving the local economy. This contract is a $54,500 increase over the 2007 contract (12/5/06 meeting, vote number 244). This contract runs from 1/1/08 through 12/31/08. (AB 2007-514) Approved 7-0

278. Authorize the executive to sign a $187,443 contract with Williams Scotsman, Inc. of Baltimore, Md. to purchase a modular office? The 60 foot by 60 foot building will be installed at the public works central shop at 901 Smith Road. (AB 2007-517) Approved 7-0

279. Authorize the executive to sign a $110,000 contract with Compu-Tech, Inc. of Wenatchee, to upgrade the jail records management system? The contractor will develop the design and technical documents for phase 1 through phase 3. The contract runs from 12/7/07 through 12/31/08. (AB 2007-518) Approved 7-0

280. Vacate a portion of Trigg Road? (Public hearing held) Public ownership of the right-of-way will be relinquished. The Whatcom County Public Utility District #1 applied for the vacation of approximately 16,530 square feet of graveled and unmaintained right-of-way at the end of Trigg Road. The PUD uses the gravel road to access a sub-station; it plans on expanding the facility. The surrounding land is in the Nooksack River floodplain, designated as open agricultural farmland. The parcel will be sold to the PUD for $16,530. AB 2007-383A (Resolution 2007-67) Approved 7-0

281. Extend flood control funding for the Samish Watershed subzone AB 2007-460 (Resolution 2007-68), Lynden/Everson subzone AB 2007-461 (Resolution 2007-69), Acme/VanZandt subzone AB 2007-462 (Resolution 2007-70) and Sumas/Nooksack/Everson subzone AB 2007-463 (Resolution 2007-71)? (Public hearings held) This vote revises funding by exempting “All parcels with total fair market value less than or equal to $2,500.” The change is intended to include higher value parcels with assessed values reduced due to open space or senior citizen exemptions as they still receive benefits from subzone projects. Open space parcels receive a 40 percent fee reduction. Approved 7-0

282. Amend the VantageCare retirement health savings plan? This amendment brings the plan into compliance with a recent Internal Revenue Service determination. AB 2007-529 (Resolution 2007-72 Approved 7-0

283. Amend the salary schedule for unrepresented Whatcom County employees? This vote amends the retirement health savings plan and medical contribution cap passed at the 11/21/06 meeting, vote number 237. All changes in salaries benefits become effective on 1/1/08. AB 2007-530 (Resolution 2007-73 Approved 7-0

284. Forward a charter amendment to the county auditor to be placed on the 2008 general election ballot? The amendment proposes changing general election voting from district only to countywide. In 2005, voters changed the charter for general elections from countywide to district only with little debate or a voter’s pamphlet to present both sides of the measure. The council felt the amendment should be reconsidered at the next general election. AB 2007-467 (Ordinance 2007-69) Adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.

285. Adopt the 2008 unified fee schedule? (Public hearing held) This is a schedule of fees charged by the county to provide services such as building permits, filing and licensing, animal control and charges for park facilities. AB 2007-459 (Ordinance 2007-70) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.2

286. Amend the 2008 budget (request #2) in the amount of $16,478,522? Expenditures include: $3,800,000 to fund the Hannegan Road/ Pole Road intersection; $945,000 to fund slope and pavement repair for l/2 mile of Drayton Harbor Road; $600,000 to fund Lummi View Drive for embankment stabilization; $4,450,000 to rehabilitate the Middle Fork Bridge on the Mosquito Lake Road; $2,130,000 for Birch Bay-Lynden Road/Portal Way intersection signalization and changes to vertical alignment; $2,764,350 to fund 14 other road projects; $486,668 to county jail fund for employee contract settlements; $393,000 to fund homeless service center supportive services; $237,943 to fund two public health nurse positions and $49,289 for an emergency planning response specialist for the health department; $145,000 to complete phase 2 and 3 of the comprehensive water resources integration project. The remaining $337,272 will be spent by law enforcement and flood control. AB 2007-466 (Ordinance 2007-72) Adopted 7-0

287. Approve request #1 for the 2008 project-based budget in the amount of $170,000? This request is for the Slater Road-Nooksack River Bridge project; the total estimated cost is $9.44 million, $2.67 million more than originally projected. The county and Lummi Nation council are looking for further funding sources. This request is for permitting and right of way acquisition. For background, see the 8/8/06 meeting, vote number 160 and 5/9/06 meeting, vote number 106. AB 2007-452 (Ordinance 2007-73) Adopted 6-1, Dan McShane opposed.

288. Amend the comprehensive plan map and zoning map from agriculture to rural forestry for a 39.5-acre parcel two miles south of Acme? Located at 6324 Saxon Road, it consists of nine acres of pasture, the rest in timber. The designation encourages management for wildlife and will serve as a buffer between commercial forest and agriculture designations. It does not preclude use for agricultural purposes. The planning commission recommended approval. AB 2007-464 (Ordinance 2007-74) Adopted 6-1, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber opposed.