April 2011
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at February 8, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
17. Enter into a $1,200,000 loan with the city of Ferndale for affordable housing? The Economic Development Investment Board1 approved the loan by a vote of 12-0. The loan will pay the public facility costs (impact fees, transportation, schools and parks) and certain utility charges (water, wastewater and stormwater) that are related to the construction of housing affordable for the local workforce earning up to 80 percent of the median income as measured by the federal government. All seven cities in Whatcom County can participate in the affordable housing program. The amount available for the six smaller cities is $125,000 each and for Bellingham is $500,000. (AB 2011-52A) Approved 6-1, Tony Larson opposed.
18. Fill one vacancy on the Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board? Incumbent Gary Knaus was reappointed the the fifth ward position. Mr. Knaus is a farmer and has been on the board for 10+ years. (AB 2011-89) Approved 7-0
19. Approve the Whatcom County Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan? (Pubic hearing held) This update expands on a plan originated in 1994 for Parks and Recreation Department and then a 20-year plan was passed by the council at the 5/6/2003 meeting, vote #87. It incorporates recommendations for improvements to pedestrian facilities and other environmentally friendly modes of transportation and updates the priorities and implementation plan. AB 2010-381 (Resolution 2011-03) Approved 7-0
20. Set February 22 as the public hearing date to authorize the sale of surplus county property by public auction? Equipment determined to be surplus and available for disposal includes a 2010 Suzuki outboard motor, a huge paper shredder, projector TV, microfilm duplicator, and other miscellaneous worn or broken office equipment, furniture and computer components. AB 2011-84 (Resolution 2011-04) Approved 7-0
21. Cancel uncollectible personal property taxes totaling $11,599? The Whatcom County treasurer has been unable to collect taxes of $4,963 on businesses. The uncollectible property taxes on 11 mobile homes was $6,636. AB 2011-85 (Resolution 2011-05) Approved 7-0
22. Approve the Whatcom County treasurer’s annual list of property tax refunds totaling $582,198? The refunds are for senior exemption; overpayment; tax status change; destroyed property; court order and miscellaneous errors in 2010. AB 2011-86 (Resolution 2011-06) Approved 7-0
23. Continue the interim moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for divisions of land resulting in lots smaller than five acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed? (Public hearing held) The action is deemed necessary to avoid future degradation of the Lake Whatcom Watershed and the associated threat to the drinking water supply as well as recreational and lake property values. Evaluation of development , stormwater management and degradation reversal is expected before the expiration of the moratorium. This moratorium was first passed at the 2/8/2005 meeting, vote number 46. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months. AB 2011-62 (Ordinance 2011-04) Adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
1The Economic Development Investment Board was set up by the county; board members include small cities and other economic interests such as the agriculture community. The loan money comes from portions of the rural sales tax which can only be used for public facility projects.
Action Taken at February 22, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
24. Approve an agreement with Caitac USA Corporation to resolve their petition filed with the Growth Management Hearings Board challenging Ordinance 2009-71? The ordinanace to amend the zoning code, zoning map, Comprehensive Plan and maps was approved at the 11/10/2009 meeting, vote #263. This vote will put the litigation on hold and require the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing to consider rezoning the property from R10A (one house per 10 acres) to R5A (one house per five acres)and rezone the golf course from R10A to Tourist Commercial to allow a hotel with LAMIRD (limited area of more intense rural development) designation. If the council approves the land use changes, Caitac will dismiss the petition. If the changes are objectionable to Caitac the company is under no obligation to dismiss the petition. (AB 2011-96) Amended and approved 4-3, Barbara Brenner,2 Ken Mann and Carl Weimer opposed.
25. Authorize the executive to sign a $35,200 contract with Northwest Real Estate Valuation of Mount Vernon for four property appraisals? The property owners are applying for conservation easements under the Purchase of Development Rights program. Establishing the difference between the market value and the agricultural value of a property will determine its developmental rights (easement) value. Funds for the purchases are from the federal and state government with a local match. The contract runs from 1/31/2011 through 12/31/2012. (AB 2011-97) Approved 7-0
26. Authorize the executive to sign a two-year $130,000 contract with the city of Bellingham for the Clean Green Transfer Station? The city of Bellingham operates the yard waste facility. The City Council in 2010 increased the dumping fee from $2 per load to $4 a load for each vehicle or trailer containing yard waste. The fee increase reduced the city and county contributions to the program from $120,000 per year to $65,000 per year. (AB2011-100) Approved 7-0
27. Authorize the executive to sign a $175,000 contract with Bellingham, Whatcom County Tourism for tourism promotion? The contractor will promote tourism in Whatcom County. This includes staffing and operating information centers, referrals to local agencies and businesses and publication and distribution of community information. The bid requirement was waived as the service by the contractor is in the best interest of Whatcom County. Funding comes from convention center funds approved by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee on 11/1/2010. The contract runs from 1/1/2011 through 12/31/2011. (AB 2011-101) Approved 7-0
28. Sell surplus county property by public auction or sealed bid? Equipment determined to be surplus and available for disposal includes a 2010 Suzuki outboard motor, a huge shredder, projector TV, microfilm duplicator, microfilm reader and other miscellaneous worn or broken office equipment, furniture and computer components. AB 2011-84A (Resolution 2011-07) Approved 7-0
29. Amend the 2011 budget (request #2) in the amount of $974,705? Appropriate: $474, 705 in federal/state grant funds to the sheriff office for the purchase and installation of communications equipment in a van to be used in remote areas; $500,000 for a Port of Bellingham loan that was approved at the 1/11/2011 meeting, vote #8, to help renovate a building at 300 Harris Avenue for Index Industries. AB 2011-89 (Ordinance 2011-05) Adopted 7-0
30. Amend a portion of the official zoning map to rezone property located at the intersection of Lake Terrill Road and Slater Road? The Barlean’s Land Company proposed the rezone of 35 acres from Rural 5 (R5A) to Light Impact Industrial (LII). The property already contains 50,000 square feet of buildings with infrastructure to support the company’s fish and flax seed processing business. The designation is consistent with Rural Comprehensive Plan Designation and is compatible with the High Impact Industrial zone within the Cherry Point growth area to the west of the site. Approved buildings will be mainly for storage with an agreement to ensure rural character of the area. The Whatcom County Hearing Examiner recommended approval. AB 2011-88 (Ordinance 2011-06) Adopted 7-0
2 Barbara Brenner's comments appear in the printed edition.
