May 2011
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at March 15, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
31. Authorize the executive to award the low bids of $840,000 to McAsphalt Industries of Langley, B.C. and Paramount Petroleum of Seattle for the supply and delivery of asphaltic emulsions? The road oil is used for the county’s road maintenance program. The material was advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2011-109) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner was out of the room.
32. Authorize the executive to spend $450,000 purchase traffic line paint from Ennis Paint of Ennis, Texas? The waterborne traffic line paint is to be used for road maintenance in 2011. Whatcom County has an agreement with Pierce County to use their bids. (AB 2011-110) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner was out of the room.
33. Authorize the executive to sign a lease with the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington for certain portions of the Y Road landfill property? The Whatcom County Chapter will use the property as a trailhead and off-road parking for horse related recreational activities. The organization has leased the property since 1999 and has kept the property free of litter and garbage by installing fencing, garbage receptacles and portable toilets. The three year lease ends on 2/28/2014. (AB 2011-111) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner was out of the room.
34. Authorize the executive to sign a $53,300 contract with the Mt. Baker Foothills Chamber of Commerce for expenses incurred in the construction of the Mt. Baker Scenic Byway Welcome Center? The money will be used for the design and installation of a water system, septic system, power system, permits and county fees. The contract runs from 1/1/2011 through 12/31/2011. (AB 2011-112) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner was out of the room.
35. Set March 29 as the public hearing date to sell tax-title property by public auction? TR-2011-01, the parcel is located on Red River Road in Ferndale. The .17 of an acre lot will be sold for the minimum price of $2,350.86 which includes taxes, interest penalties, title search and foreclosure costs. AB 2011-108 (Resolution 2011-08) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner was out of the room.
36. Initiate comprehensive plan and zoning amendments? Amendments to the zoning map, zoning code and comprehensive plan would implement changes relating to land use planning. Fourteen amendments1 were forwarded to the planning commission; one from 2007, one from 2009, one from 2010 and eleven from 2011. AB 2011-104 (Resolution 2011-09) Approved 7-02
1Initiated and forwarded to the planning commission:
2007-14: Correct text inaccuracies that prevent Fire District 21 (formerly District 13) from providing fire protection and emergency services in the Birch Bay Urban Growth Area.
2009-13: Change the designation from commercial forestry to mineral resource lands on approximately 280 acres in the vicinity of Saxon Road.
2010-26: Review and amend the wind energy system chapter (20.14) of the county code.
2011-03: Review and amend the comprehensive plan relating to capital facilities.
2011-04: Review and, as needed, amend portions of the zoning code to ensure consistency with the Growth Management Act.
2011-05: Review portions of chapter 8 (mineral resource and forestry sections) of the comprehensive plan in 2011 to ensure compliance with GMA.
2011-06: Review portions of chapter 9 (recreation) of the comprehensive plan in 2011 to ensure compliance with GMA.
2011-07: Review portions of chapter 10 (design) of the comprehensive plan in 2011 to ensure compliance with GMA.
2011-08: Remove concurrency section 20.80.212 of the zoning code.
2011-09: Change the zoning from rural forestry to mineral resource lands on approximately 28 acres of Lummi Island.
2011-10: Change the zoning from mineral source lands to rural on approximately 90 acres on Aldrich Road.
2011-12: Implement new land use policies in Birch Bay to accommodate growth in a way that protects the environment and respects landowners’ interests.
2011-14: Rezone approximately 492 acres south of Drayton Harbor from R10 to R5.
2011-15: Amend the Whatcom County Code in order to address the Total Maximum Daily Load findings for Lake Whatcom.
Action Taken at March 29, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
37. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision allowing Cowden, Inc. to construct an access road to a surface mining operation? On 2/12/2010, Whatcom County approved the easement across a private airstrip to a surface mining operation on 50 acres of land off Mount Baker Highway. William Velacich appealed the county decision to the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner and the hearing examiner upheld the county’s decision. Mr. Velacich appealed the hearing examiner decision to the County Council. (AB 2010-452) Approved 4-2, Barbara Brenner3 and Ken Mann opposed, Kathy Kershner absent.
38. Sell tax-title property by public auction? TR 2011-01, the parcel is located at Sandy Point Heights on Red River Road near Lake Terrill. The price is no less than taxes, interest, foreclosure costs of $2,350. Oil, mineral and lumber rights as recorded are transferred with the sale. AB 2011-108A (Resolution 2011-10)Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
39. Authorize the executive to sign a $102,812 contract with the Jet Oldsters Association of Ferndale for Senior Activity Center staffing and operations? Due to the budget-eliminated park department coordinator position, programming, enforcement of safety procedures and volunteer management skills are necessary. The money for 2011 and 2012 will come from the general fund. AB 2011-119 Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
40. Authorize the executive to sign a $176,693 contract with Reid Middleton, Inc. of Everett for the preliminary engineering of improvements on Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Portal Way? The construction includes a new traffic signal and intersection improvements such as illumination, paving, signing and channelization. Design and construction will be covered by the $2,050,000 federal grant that requires a l3.5 percent in local matching funds. (AB 2011-121) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
41. Authorize the executive to accept a $264,408 grant funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security? The funds will assist local units to prevent, respond to and recover from catastrophic and terrorist events. The grant runs from 8/1/2010 through 12/31/2012. (AB 2011-122) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
42. Authorize the executive to sign a $102,812 contract with the Whatcom County Council on Aging to provide staffing and operational support at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center? The money funds staffing for 4/2/2011 through 12/31/2012 and comes from the general fund. (AB 2011-124) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
43. Authorize the executive to sign a $286,000 contract with the North Sound Mental Health Administration for crisis respite beds and staff at the Crisis Triage facility? The beds are operated by the Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic. This contract assures necessary additional funding to keep the facility operating. The contract runs from 4/1/2011 through 12/31/2011. (AB 2011-125) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
44. Amend 2011 budget (request #3) in amount of $722,246? Appropriate: $12,216 for renewable energy research to go toward Conservation Analyst wages; $15,545 to the sheriff for the purchase of traffic safety equipment; $111,325 to replace the sheriff’s patrol boat used on Lake Whatcom; $20,000 to develop coordination and unification of Economic Development Services to increase efficiency and focus. Reappropriate: $39,619 to fund W. Illinois Street/Timson Way road improvement project. Reduce appropriation: $23,117 in boating safety program budget possible due to further grants and reduced expenditures. Two items were dropped from request: $136,658 to fund Lake Whatcom reconveyance and $410,000 to fund EDI application for affordable housing. AB 2011-114 (Ordinance 2011-07) Amended and adopted 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
45. Amend the 2011 annual road construction program? (1) Include five projects now possible due grant funding; a) Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Portal Way intersection improvement; b) Nooksack River Bridge #252 on Hannigan Road to mitigate scour;4 c) Bridge #332 on North Fork Nooksack at Mosquito Lake Road to mitigate scour;4 d) Bridge #148 on the South Fork of the Nooksack at Potter Road needs total replacement; e) Rural road safety program. Grants of $1,325,000 to address run-off-the-road accidents and intersection safety at ten rural sites. (2) Manley Road culvert replacement change north of Lake Samish from a fish passible culvert to a nineteen foot span bridge. (3) Split Point Roberts Transportation Improvement Project into two distinct parts. 2011 project would be reconstruction of Tyee Drive pavement, and second part would define transportation project for construction in 2012. AB 2011-103 (Resolution 2011-11) Approved 6-0,5 Kathy Keshner absent.
46. Support the maintenance of the Olympic Coordination Center? Created in June 2009 to manage border-releated events such as the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Paralympics Games. It is now used to train responders, share intelligence and needs in relation to emergency planning. The lease expires in June 2011, it should be continued as a valuable resource. AB 2011-118 (Resolution 2011-12) Approved 6-0, Kathy Kershner absent.
2 - 5Barbara Brenner's comment appear in the printed edition.
