August 2009
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at June 9, 2009 Meeting
Shall the council:
142. Authorize the executive to sign a $211,606 contract (amendment #1) with ESA Adolfson of Seattle for the Birch Bay watershed action plan? The original contract for $26,000 was approved at the 3/31/09 meeting, vote number 62; it awarded money for task one of a five-task scope of work. The county received federal (EPA) funds to implement the watershed plan. This amendment awards money for the final four tasks. This amendment brings the total contract to $237,606; it runs from 4/1/09 through 12/31/10. (AB 2009-270) Approved 7-0
143. Authorize the executive to sign a cost-sharing agreement with the federal government for levee repair and setback work? (Council acting as the board of supervisors of the flood control district) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will repair and setback the Hovander Park levee that was damaged in January 2009 flooding. The total estimated cost is $429,000; with the federal government contributing $222,000 and the county $207,000. (AB 2009-272) Approved 7-0
144. Authorize the executive to sign a cost-sharing agreement with the federal government for levee repairs? (Council acting as the board of supervisors of the flood control district) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will repair the River Road levee near Lynden that was damaged in January 2009 flooding. The total estimated cost is $370,000; with the federal government contributing $296,000 and the county $74,000. (AB 2009-273) Approved 7-0
145. Authorize the executive to accept a federal grant of $99,792 (amendment #1) to control drug trafficking, money laundering and drug related violent crimes? The grant supports the prosecution efforts of the the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force. The grant will pay for a prosecutor, secretary and software maintenance from 1/1/09 through 12/31/09. This amendment brings the total grant $175,076. (AB 2009-275) Approved 7-0
146. Authorize the executive to sign a $38,000 contract with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham for the design of a parking lot, trailhead locations and restroom at the Olsen Nature Reserve? The new facility will be located south of Lake Louise Road and east of an existing DNR service road. The total project budget is $40,000. (AB 2009-277) Approved 5-2, Barbara Brenner1 and Ward Nelson opposed.
147. Authorize the executive to sign a $95,551 contract (amendment #1) with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham to complete surface mining reclamation permit applications, plans and record surveys for Whatcom County gravel pits? The services update is required by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. This amendment for Clark, Clark 2 and Siper gravel pits brings the total contract to $127,401. The contract expires on 5/31/10. (AB 2009-278) Approved 7-0
148. Authorize the executive to accept a federal grant of $363,158 to pay the partial wages of three detectives? The three detectives are working with the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force to apprehend drug dealers and prevent other illegal drug activity. One detective is from the county and two are from the cities of Bellingham and Ferndale. The contract runs from 7/1/09 through 6/30/10. Wages and benefits for a records specialist and allowances for operational expenses will begin on 1/1/10. (AB 2009-281) Approved 7-0
149. Vacate a portion of Saxon Road? (Public hearing held) At the 1/13/09 meeting, vote number 11, the council voted to consider a petition submitted by the Lummi Nation and and others to vacate approximately 3,000 lineal feet of right of way exiting Saxon Road. In exchange for the vacation, the petitioners agree to realign the area for utility easements. The engineer’s report favored the vacation. AB 2009-128 (Resolution 2009-35) Approved 7-0
150. Vacate a portion of Grandview Road? (Public hearing held) At the 1/27/09 meeting, vote number 26, the council voted to consider a petition filed by Ron Bennett the vacation of 9,660 square feet of Grandview right-of-way that dead ends at the I-5 off-ramp, north of Ferndale. This part of Grandview Road was realigned leaving it abandoned. The petitioner agreed to pay $33,266, the value of the property. The engineer’s report favored the vacation. AB 2009-93A (Resolution 2009-36) Approved 7-0
151. Appoint a director and alternative director to the board of directors of the Washington counties risk pool? This program requires each member county to fill these positions to the insurance risk pool’s board. The chief civil deputy prosecutor is appointed director and the human resources manager is appointed alternate director. AB 2009-276 (Resolution 2009-37) Approved 7-0
152. Authorize the executive to implement the recommendations of the executive task force on the Roeder Home? The economic downturn resulted in the elimination of a staff person to administer cultural arts programs at the Roeder Home. A task force was charged with finding ways to continue the cultural arts program. The task force report recommends opening one morning or afternoon and one evening per week for all-volunteer interest groups for a flat fee of $50 per activity or event. The volunteers will assist with maintenance and can solicit donations for expenses directly related to Roeder Home. AB 2009-288 (Resolution 2009-38) Approved 7-0
153. Amend the salary schedule and policies for unrepresented Whatcom County employees? This vote amends Resolution 2008-77, passed at the 11/12/08 meeting, vote number 220. This amendment gives unrepresented employees two options between 6/28/09 and 12/25/l0: take 80 hours of unpaid furlough in work-week increments or a deduction of 2.564 percent of their salary in exchange for 80 hours of holiday. There is also a cap on carried-over vacation hours and paid time off. AB 2009-271 (Resolution 2009-39) Approved 7-0
154. Authorize a $1,100,000 loan from the county equipment rental fund to the general fund to install a new software system for the assessor and treasurer? The purchase of the software system was approved at the 5/26/09 meeting, votes 130 and 131. The loan will be repaid within three years with the issue of bonds or funds available for capital purposes. The county is delaying issuing bonds till markets and interest rates stabilize. AB 2009-261 (Ordinance 2009-48) Adopted 7-0
155. Authorize a $1,500,000 loan from the county equipment rental fund to the general fund? At the 3/17/09 meeting, vote number 44, the council authorized the executive to spend $1,800,000 to purchase the Central Plaza Building at 215 N. Commercial Street in Bellingham. The property appraised at $1,900,000 is on the southwest corner of Commercial and Central and is currently rented for the public defender’s office. Within three years, the loan will be repaid with issue of bonds or other financing sources. AB 2009-262 (Ordinance 2009-49) Adopted 7-0
156. Amend the 2009 budget (request #6) in the amount $2,367,299? Appropriate: $1,817,299 to replace a 26-year-old computer system software (approved at the 5/26/09 meeting, votes 130 and 131) for the assessor and treasurer and $550,000 interfund loan for software. These amounts have been moved from the 2010 budget. AB 2009-264 (Ordinance 2009-50) Adopted 7-0
157. Amend the 2010 budget (request #1) in the amount of $2,517,564? Reduce the 2010 budget for assessor and treasurer software by $1,967,564 and reduce an interfund loan for the software by $550,000. These amounts have been moved to the 2009 budget. AB 2009-263 (Ordinance 2009-51) Adopted 7-0
Action Taken at June 23, 2009 Meeting
Shall the council:
158. Limit property tax increases, including the use of banked capacity, to 1 percent per year unless approved by a vote of the people? A mini-initiative (M1-2009) was certified be the auditor. The County Charter requires the County Council to hold a public hearing and vote on the mini-initiative tax proposal. Banked Capacity is accumulated tax increases not used in previous years. A motion by Sam Crawford to put the mini-initiative on the general election ballot lost by a 3-4 vote. Believing that officials were elected by the people to make decisions on taxes, a majority voted against the proposal. (AB 2009-160A) Failed 3-4, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, Bob Kelly, Seth Fleetwood and Carl Weimer opposed.
159. Authorize the executive to sign a $236,229 contract with the Opportunity Council of Bellingham to provide services and support for homeless individuals and households? Services will be provided to those that have from minimal to significant barriers to housing stability and are receiving rent subsidies through the Whatcom Homeless Service Center. State grants and local document recording fees fund this contract; it runs from 7/1/09 through 11/30/10. (AB 2009-292) Approved 7-0
160. Authorize the executive to sign a $153,265 contract with Lydia Place of Bellingham to to provide services and support for homeless individuals and households? Services will be provided to those that have from minimal to significant barriers to housing stability and are receiving rent subsidies through the Whatcom Homeless Service Center. State grants and local document recording fees fund this contract; it runs from 7/1/09 through 11/30/10. (AB 2009-293) Approved 7-0
161. Authorize the executive to accept a $100,000 state grant for the treatment of persons with chemical dependency? State funds are available to counties that impose sales and use taxes. The funds shall be used to support additional services for mental health or substance abuse treatment for persons with methamphetamine addiction. (AB 2009-295) Approved 7-0
162. Authorize the executive to sign a $154,735 contract with Catholic Community Services of Everett to provide services and support for homeless individuals and households? Services will be provided to those that have from minimal to significant barriers to housing stability and are receiving rent subsidies through the Whatcom Homeless Service Center. State grants and local document recording fees fund this contract; it runs from 7/1/09 through 11/30/10. (AB 2009-297) Approved 7-0
163. Authorize the executive to accept a $60,400 state grant for litter cleanup? The funds will be used for litter prevention education, adopt-a-road program, juvenile offender roadside cleanup crews and illegal dumping cleanup. The county has participated in the state litter control program since 1998; the previous two-year grant was $62,100. The contract runs from 7/1/09 through 6/30/11. (AB 2009-298) Approved 7-0
164. Authorize the executive to sign a $68,940 contract with Ronald T. Jepson & Associates of Bellingham for Hovander Homestead Park design services? The company will prepare a park master plan, designs for new pathways, trails, a playground and picnic areas. The total budget is $355,000 and the project is expected to be completed in 2010. (AB 2009-299) Approved 7-0
165. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the city of Everson (amendment #2) for annexation within the city’s Urban Growth Area? The approximately 34 acres is south of the city limits and west of Mission Road (known as the Tiger-Van Boven annexation). The annexation was initiated by property owners. (AB 2009-300) Approved 7-0
166. Amend the 2009 budget (request #7) in the amount of $1,530,696? Appropriate: $150,000 for the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan lawsuit settlement; $69,305 for new jail siting; $847,086 (a federal grant) for border protection; $130,000 to fund demolition of a building at 401 Grand Avenue; $69,305 to fund new jail siting; $265,000 to fund security controls retrofit design for the public safety building and juvenile detention facility. AB 2009-287 (Ordinance 2009-52) Adopted 7-0
1Barbara Brenner's comments appear in the printed edition.
