June 2010
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at April 13, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council:
64. Authorize the executive to enter into a $272,825 contract with Snohomish County for allocating grant funds from the federal government to prevent, deter, respond to and recover from catastrophic and/or terrorists events? The grant flows from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the state of Washington and Snohomish County to Whatcom County to support the exercise, training, planning and equipment needs. The performance period for the grant is 8/31/09 through 10/31/11. (AB 2010-173) Approved 7-0
65. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $71,306 to Bellingham Marine Industries for the Noon Road/Ten Mile Creek bridge girders? The bridge is located east of Ferndale; the 31-foot span bridge will be replaced with a 40-foot slab bridge. The total cost is estimated at $300,000. The project is number 18 on the 2010 road construction program. Bids for girders were advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2010-177) Approved 7-0
66. Amend the 2010 road construction program to include one new structural rehabilitation project: the Smith Road/Everson-Goshen Road project and provide $15,000 for design and construction? The project is 5.5 miles in length, proposes grinding away the pavement and replacing it with asphalt and providing striping and signing improvements. The construction will cost another $1 million and will only be done if federal funds are received. AB 2010-160 (Resolution 2010-13) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson was out of the room.
67. Request the executive prepare legislation amending the Comprehensive Plan, zoning code and maps to alter the designation of various Urban Growth Areas? The request will allow the return of Urban Growth Areas around the county that were removed by the council in 2009. The additions would allow cities to annex certain areas for development within their jurisdictions and settle pending legal suits. AB 2010-183 (Resolution 2010-14) Approved 4-3, Barbara Brenner,1 Ken Mann and Carl Weimer opposed.
68. Impose an interim moratorium2 on the acceptance of new applications for wind energy systems greater than 500 kilowatts or multiple systems with a cumulative rated output above 100 kilowatts? An emergency ordinance imposing an moratorium on new applications was passed at the 2/23/10 meeting, vote number 43. Information on the negative impacts on residential areas are being reviewed. This ordinance was amended to permit applications in Commercial Forestry and Heavy Impact Industrial zones. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months but this ordinance was amended to be renewed in eight weeks to give higher priority to a permanent ordinance. AB 2010-116A (Ordinance 2010-18) Amended and adopted 4-3, Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer opposed.
69. Implement a 10-foot setback for properties along the U.S.-Canada border? The setbacks will allow the International Boundary Commission to manage a 20 foot skyline vista (10 feet on each side of the border). AB 2010-166 (Ordinance 2010-19) Adopted 7-0
Action Taken at April 27, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council:
70. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision denying an appeal by Wesley and Penny Mussio? A boathouse owned by William and Joan Tezak at 1380 Roy Road (Lake Samish) was expanded seven feet after 1985 without shoreline permits. On 6/19/08, the hearing examiner granted a nonconforming status to boathouse owners William/Joan Tezak if the seven-foot expansion was demolished.3 The Tezak’s applied for a permit on 9/8/09 to demolish the seven feet of the boathouse. On 10/14/09, the Mussio’s (next door neighbors) appealed the county’s decision granting the demolition permit. The appeal was denied because it wasn’t filed within the 14-day appeal period. The hearing examiner’s decision was appealed the the County Council. (AB 2010-52) Approved 7-0
71. Authorize the executive to accept a federal grant of $175,073 to control drug trafficking, money laundering and drug related violent crimes? The grant supports the prosecution efforts of the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. This grant will pay for a prosecutor and a secretary for the prosecutor’s office and software maintenance from 1/1/10 through 12/31/10. The award period is two years with another grant (for $175,073) expected in 2011. (AB 2010-186) Approved 7-0
72. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $1,554,900 to Friberg Construction Company of Ferndale for phase II of Yew Street Road4 project? The total project cost of phase II is estimated at $3,425,000 with federal funds covering 65 percent. At the 5/30/00 meeting, vote number 29, the council approved a $2,688,621 contract with the Colacurcio Brothers for phase I of the Yew Street projects. Phase I road improvements from the Bellingham city limits to Kingsmill Street were estimated to cost $3,101,200. At the 6/18/02 meeting, vote number 111, the council approved $521,800 in cost overruns. Phase II is approximately 1,500 feet from Kingsmill Street to Tacoma Avenue. The work was advertised and eight bids were received. (AB 2010-187 , Resolution 2010-16) Appoved 6-1, Ken Mann opposed.
73. Authorize the executive to enter into a $47,376 contract with Berger ABAM Consulting Engineers of Federal Way for structural rehabilitation/design analysis of two bridges? The analysis of the Marine Drive-Little Squalicum bridge and Portal Way-Dakota Creek bridge are necessary to determine if the rehabilitation of those bridges is eligible for federal grant funds. (AB 2010-188) Approved 7-0
74. Approve the demolition of a storage shed at Hovander Park? The 4,700 square foot shed deemed worthless by the county is located where a new maintenance facility will be constructed. The county will secure all necessary permits and county employees will demolish the building. (AB 2010-189) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner5 opposed.
75. Authorize the executive to sign contracts with the Lynden School District and Mount Baker School District — totaling 159,000 — for behavioral health services? The $76,5000 contract with Lynden and $82,500 contract with the Mount Baker School District will promote academic success for students with mental health and substance abuse problems. (AB 2010-191/192) Approved 7-0
76. Authorize the executive to award bids up to $85,000 for the supply and delivery of asphaltic mixes for country road projects? Low bidders are Associated Asphalt of Ferndale, Granite Construction of Everson and Whatcom Builders of Bellingham. Price, location of work and type of mix available will determine which company is used. (AB 2007–142) Approved 7-0
77. Authorize the executive to enter into an $80,000 contract with Whatcom County Fire District 7 for the incentive pay and continuing education costs associated with the paramedic trained firefighters? At the 11/12/08 meeting, vote number 212, the council approved an agreement with Fire District 7 for $331,300 in paramedic training costs. The additional funds are for five recently trained paramedics who will begin taking calls in Fire District 7 as soon as locally mandated certificates are signed off on. (AB 2010-194) Approved 6-1, Ken Mann opposed.
78. Authorize the executive to lease property at 7495 Emmerson Road to the highest bidder? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The federal government determined that repetitive flooding of the property made it uninsurable; in 2001 the property was purchased with federal and state funding by the flood control district. Local property owners have indicated an interest in leasing the land for agricultural purposes which is allowed use of this property with an open space designation. $900 a month plus leasehold taxes has been determined to be the fair market lease price. Lease bids will be accepted until 4/29/10. AB 2010-178 (Resolution 2010-15) Approved 7-0
79. Adopt an interim ordinance allowing horse-drawn carriages to operate on Birch Bay Drive? Horse-drawn carriages are allowed to operate on all county roads except Birch Bay Drive. This interim ordinance allows the operation of horse-drawn carriages Monday through Thursday after 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. between Harborview Road and Alderson Road during the summer of 2010. Traffic, pollution, and animal welfare concerns have been addressed. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months. AB 2010-145 (Ordinance 2010-20) Adopted 7-0
80. Amend the 2010 budget (request #9) in the amount of $71,451? Appropriate: $15,000 for starling removal by Whatcom Farm Friends; $23,597 for computer election server; $9,203 for a larger ballot drop box at the courthouse and additional drop boxes at outlying sites. Re-appropriate: $23,651 for DATA Integration 111 for the Western Washington Police Department and Ferndale Police Departments development. AB 2010-179 (Ordinance 2010-21) Adopted 7-0
81. Amend the 2010 project budget (request #2) in the amount of $250,000? Appropriate: $250,000 to fund additional pre-construction phase activities for the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center. The total cost is estimated at $7 million. The project will be a 12,000 square foot structure providing 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 2010-181 (Ordinance 2010-22) Adopted 7-0
1-5Barbara Brenner's comments appear in the printed edition.
