April 2009
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at February 24, 2009 Meeting
Shall the council:
35. Authorize the executive to sign a $310,000 contract with Whatcom Guardian Ad Litem Services of Bellingham to represent children in Whatcom County Superior Court? Whatcom Guardian will represent the best interests of minors in new juvenile dependancy and termination of parental rights cases. The contract runs from 3/1/09 to 12/31/09. (AB 2009-120) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.1
36. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $950,000 McAsphalt Industries of Langley, B.C., for the annual supply of asphaltic emulsions (road oil) for county roads? The work was advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2009-123) Approved 7-0
37. Authorize the executive to sign a $11,094 amended contract with Catholic Community Services of Everett for individuals receiving rental subsides? The services in this contract are associated with the implementation of the the Whatcom Homeless Service Center. The original contract was approved at the 5/20/08 meeting, vote number 96. This amendment brings the total contract to $103,613 and it runs from 6/1/08 through 6/30/09. (AB 2009-125) Approved 7-0
38. Authorize the executive to sign a $20,539 amended contract with the Opportunity Council of Bellingham for individuals receiving rental subsides? The services in this contract are associated with the implementation of the the Whatcom Homeless Service Center. The original contract was approved at the 5/20/08 meeting, vote number 96. This amendment brings the total contract to $134,593 and it runs from 6/1/08 through 6/30/09. (AB 2009-126) Approved 7-0
39. Amend the 2009 flood control district budget (request #1) in the amount of $316,387? (Council acting as flood control district board of supervisors) Transfer $240,961 for flood projects to the stormwater fund; re-appropriate $75,426 for water resources projects in the flood fund. AB 2009-113A (Resolution 2009-13) Approved 7-0
40. Support state Senate Bill 5344? Since 1999, the state of Washington has funded a tug at Neah Bay to protect against oil spills. The tug rendered aid to vessels that became disabled. Under Senate Bill 5344, ships designed to carry oil, large passenger and cargo vessels (fishing boats and small vessels would be exempt) would fund the tug through a “tug cooperative.” The Bellingham City Council supported 5344 at the 2/23/09 meeting, vote number 37, and the Port of Bellingham Commission supported 5344 at the 2/17/09 meeting, vote number 32. AB 2009-132 (Resolution 2009-14) Approved 4-2-1, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed, Barbara Brenner abstained.2
41. Amend the 2009 budget (request #2) in the amount of $510,673? Appropriate: $7,068 for a radio digital repeater and $50,000 for gun racks in sheriff vehicles; $35,528 for Nesset Farm’s power hookup, driveway improvements and a bridge over Nesset Creek. Transfer: $118,535 from the flood fund to to the newly created stormwater fund; $299,542 from the flood fund to the stormwater fund for mapping projects and commitments to promoting safe drinking water. Removed from the agenda bill was the re-apportionment of $257,583 for jail siting. AB 2009-113 (Ordinance 2009-08) Amended and adopted 7-0
1From Barbara Brenner: I opposed the motion because we will use the same services that didn’t last the county until the end of 2008, requiring an emergency appropriation (see the 12/9/08 meeting, vote number 256). I support a quicker transition from the guardian ad litem program to a volunteer program called the “court appointed special advocate” or CASA. The CASA program is where we will see savings. It is also the program that guarantees providers really care about the children because they are volunteering. The guardian ad litem program has had good and not so good providers, all of whom are paid. I have worked with the program and found it to be very unfeeling in some cases. Both the guardian ad litem and CASA programs require 30 hours and ongoing studies for certification. It should not take another year to set it up because some of us have been requesting it for many years.
2From Barbara Brenner: I abstained because the county has not even taken the time to contact our local refineries about the oil spill tug legislation. They are local large employers and we at least owe them that. I actually think I support the resolution but without any conversation with good local employers who will be affected, I will not support the resolution.
