August 2008
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at June 3, 2008 Meeting
Shall the council:
110. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision granting Verizon Wireless a conditional use permit to construct a tower at Point Roberts? The proposed facility (on a 68-acre site owned by the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District) will be a 150-foot steel tower with three antenna arrays; each array will consist of four antennas. (AB 2008-152) Approved 7-01
111. Authorize the executive to enter into a $64,500 contract with the federal government for patrol services? The U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay the county to provide a deputy in a marked car to patrol the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest within Whatcom County. The contract runs from 10/1/07 through 9/30/08. (AB 2008-218) Approved 7-0
112. Authorize the executive to accept a $588,240 state grant to restore salmon habitat along the South Fork of the Nooksack River? The funds will be used to restore pool habitat with logjams and other erosion control projects. The grant requires $250,000 in county matching funds but the amount may be reduced to $100,000 if design and cost efficiency requirements are met. The contract expires on 4/30/10. (AB 2008-220) Approved 7-0
113. Authorize the executive to accept a $1 million state grant for phase I of the regional resource center in the Kendall area? The center has a $7 million budget. Phase I will house a Head Start program run by the Opportunity Council and a health clinic operated by the Interfaith Community. The estimated cost of phase I is $2,006,256, with contributions of $506,256 from the county and $500,000 in additional state funds. The grant ends on 6/30/11. (AB 2008-222) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at June 17, 2008 Meeting
Shall the council:
114. Authorize the executive to sign a $140,815 contract with Snohomish County to provide Whatcom County law enforcement with the enhanced capability to detect, deter, disrupt and prevent acts of terrorism? Whatcom County has been awarded a $140,815 federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant runs from 7/1/07 through 9/30/09. (AB 2009-229) Approved 5-0, Ward Nelson absent, Bob Kelly was out of the room.
115. Authorize the executive to sign a $126,895 contract with Snohomish County to provide Whatcom County law enforcement with the enhanced capability to detect, deter, disrupt and prevent acts of terrorism? Whatcom County has been awarded a $126,895 federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant runs from 7/1/07 through 9/30/09. (AB 2008-230) Approved 5-0, Ward Nelson absent, Bob Kelly was out of the room.
116. Authorize the executive to sign a $184,000 contract (amendment #1) with the Whatcom Center for Early Learning of Bellingham for child development services? The services will assist families that have children with developmental disabilities in order to maximize development and minimize the effects of these disabilities. The contract covers the period from 7/1/08 through 6/30/09 and is funded by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. The original contract for $112,000 was approved at the 10/23/07 meeting, vote number 223. This vote brings the total contract to $296,000. (AB 2008-234) Approved 5-0, Ward Nelson absent, Bob Kelly was out of the room.
117. Authorize the executive to sign a $135,442 contract with Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic of Bellingham to fund the jail diversion project? The project provides mental health screening and services for mentally ill offenders while confined in the Whatcom County jail. The Washington State Legislature allocated the funds and the contract runs from 7/1/08 through 6/30/09. (AB 2008-236) Approved 5-0, Ward Nelson absent, Bob Kelly was out of the room.
118. Award the low bid of $289,970 to Granite Constuction Northwest of Watsonville, Calif., (doing business as Wilder Construction of Bellingham) for channel excavation, stockpiling and bank armoring of Swift Creek? (Council acting as the board of supervisors of the flood control district.) Swift Creek is a tributary of the Nooksack River. The removal of 14,000 cubic yards of sediment and bank shoring of 3,200 lineal feet is required to reduce the potential of asbestos-containing sediment being released by flooding. The state will provide $190,000 and the remainder is from the county flood control districts. The bid was $101,733 below engineer’s estimate. (AB 2008-238) Approved 5-0, Ward Nelson absent, Bob Kelly was out of the room.
119. Amend the 2008 budget (request #7) in the amount of $274,989? Appropriate: $70,000 for Nesset Farm improvements; $22,979 for farmland preservation; $11,216 for final payment to Ebenal General for two courtroom modifications; $7,589 for soundproofing court commissioner chambers; $35,000 to replenish technology replacement and revolving fund due unexpected survey computer purchase; $54,000 to fund computer hardware and software replacements; $15,000 to replenish Public Works equipment, rental and revolving fund due shortsighted overspending: $16,000 to fund installation of PCs/laptops as replaced computers; $10,000 to replace several weather-damaged siding panels on the Forest Street annex; $11,216 for final payment on the contract to modify two courtrooms and $7,589 transferred funds for soundproofing commissioner’s chambers: $14,400 to fund Copper Building’s custodial and recycling services for a year. AB 2008-226 (Ordinance 2008-22) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
