September 2011
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at July 12, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
102. Approve the Lily Point Marine Park development plan? The preliminary site improvements as proposed by parks and recreation working with Reichhardt and Ebe Engineers of Lynden deal with trailheads, connecting roads, parking, restrooms and information kiosk. The plan was funded by a state grant. (AB 2011-214) Approved 7-0
103. Authorize the executive to sign a $25,000 contract with Edge Analytical of Burlington for laboratory testing services? The environmental health program will require analysis for site hazard assessment, water, wastewater, solid waste and biosolids management. The contract runs from 7/13/2011 through 6/30/2012. (AB 2011-225) Approved 7-0
104. Authorize the executive to accept a $27,500 state grant for the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee? The grant will fund administration and action projects including education and outreach, a creosote log removal project at Cliffside Beach area and water quality monitoring at watersheds draining into Drayton Harbor. The contract expires 12/31/2011. (AB 2011-228) Approved 7-0
105. Authorize the executive to sign a $142,339 contract with CXT Inc. of Spokane for a manufactured restroom? The restroom will be installed at Lily Point Marine Park, Point Roberts, and the funds come from state grants. CXT was selected because they offer a superior product (vandal protection, durability and design) and have a good track record in county park facilities. (AB 2011-229) Approved 7-0
106. Support the American Alps Legacy project? The legacy project proposes that Congress add over 304,000 acres (234,000 acres in Whatcom County) to the North Cascades National Park. The action will protect Baker River/Baker Lake, Sauk Mountain, Sawtooth, Liberty Bell, Early Winters, Golden Horn and Ross Lake NRA. It seeks to protect fish and wildlife habitats, enhance family-friendly recreation opportunities and increase economic benefits in communities adjacent to the park. For additional information, see the July and August 2009 issues of Whatcom Watch. AB 2011-188A (Resolution 2011-21) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
107. Grant a non-exclusive franchise to Harbor Shores Sewer Corporation to allow sewer services along certain roads and highways? (Public hearing held) The franchise provides for the installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of sewer lines, equipment and facilities on county rights-of-way along Blaine, Shipyard and Hall Roads, Elmwood Drive and Bay Circle for a period of twenty-five years. AB 2011-134 (Ordinance 2011-24) Approved 7-0
108. Amend the eligibility criteria for applications to the Purchase of Development Rights program? (Public hearing held) The amendment removes language in the current code that restricts the eligibility of lands that would rank highly for the program if not for specific zoning designation criteria. AB 2011-215 (Ordinance 2011-25) Adopted 7-0
Action Taken at July 26, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
109. Accept the 2011 public participation plan for the periodic review required by the Growth Management Act? Planning and Development Services drafted an updated plan for 2011 outlining the public process for long range planning issues, with the planning commission holding public hearings on 4/14 and 5/25/2011. The county is required to establish a program identifying procedures to provide for continuous public participation in development of comprehensive land use plans and regulations and zoning code revisions. The document is to be updated as conditions change or new methods discovered. (AB 2011-230) Accepted 7-0
110. Hold a public hearing on the closeout report on the final block grant for the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center Project? A $1 million block grant from the state was used for phase one construction of the center for the benefit of low to moderate income citizens living in the area. The center will be run by the Opportunity Council. The grant requires a final public hearing for community input. A ribbon-cutting is planned for mid September. (AB 2011-237) No vote necessary.
111. Authorize the executive to sign a $16,003 contract with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham to provide construction support services for the Charel Terrace drainage improvement project? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) This is part the Birch Bay Watershed Comprehensive Stormwater Plan, and addresses seasonal flooding damaging homes and country road, as well as restoring a damaged marine bluff. Work will be completed by 10/1/2011. (AB 2011-243) Approved 7-0
112. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $266,862 to Len Hencoop Gravel of Lynden to install Charel Terrace drainage improvements? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The project at Birch Point includes replacing a failing marine outfall, restoring the marine bluff, replacing 600 feet of 18 inch pipe, rerouting drainage, adding water quality treatment and connecting drainage from east of Semiahmoo Drive into a new channel. The work was advertised and three bids were received. (AB 2011-244) Approved 7-0
113. Approve the 2011/2012 integrated roadside vegetation management plan? The goal is incorporation of best management practices of maintenance and to provide safe and esthetically pleasing roads. The work includes providing well-drained pavement and ditch maintenance providing a clean line of sight. This is accomplished by tree trimming, brush and hazardous tree removal, clearing and repairing retention ponds. Use of herbicides is minimized and forbidden in watersheds, Lummi Island and the Lummi Reservation. Noxious weeds, areas around road signs and guardrails, and wildflower islands are places requiring careful limited use of approved herbicides. All herbicides used are currently registered by the federal government and the state. Property owners may have herbicide treatment eliminated on the right-of-way abutting their property. (AB 2011-254) Approved 6-1, Bill Knutzen opposed.
114. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $631,390 to Whatcom Builders of Bellingham for pavement reconstruction on Tyee Drive? The Point Roberts project starts three hundred feet south of Roosevelt Road and ends at Benson Road. The work includes repaving, road markings and signage; the total cost of the project, including preliminary and construction engineering, testing and contingency is $711,390. The work was advertised and two bids were received. The resolution also amends the road project and authorizes additional funds. AB 2011-253 (Resolution 2011-22) Approved 4-3, Barbara Brenner,1 Tony Larson, and Ken Mann opposed.
115. Support the agricultural strategic plan as well as the agricultural program and developing recommendations for code changes and comprehensive plan amendments? At the 7/7/2009 meeting, vote #171, the council identified 100,000 acres as being minimum acreage in farming to support a viable industry, and has identified areas outside the 87,500 acre agriculture zone where land protection efforts should be strengthened,. Public meetings were held to develop a strategic plan creating a road map and priorities for implementing protection measures. Objectives also include creating effective land and water programs and regulations, maintaining public input from the agricultural community and measuring and communicating progress. AB 2011-241 (Resolution 2011-23) Approved 7-0
116. Submit a Whatcom County Charter amendment to Whatcom County voters creating a salary commission for elected officials? (Public hearing held) The amendment to Section 2.20 will appear on the general election ballot. If approved by the voters, a 10-member commission would set salaries for the executive, auditor, assessor, treasurer, sheriff, prosecuting attorney and County Council. The members shall serve two year terms. Six of the ten commission members shall be selected by lot by the county auditor from among registered voters and four recommended by the executive and approved by the council. The four would be drawn from the following sectors: business, personnel management, the legal profession and organized labor. AB 2011-224A (Ordinance 2011-26) Adopted 7-0
117. Continue the interim moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for divisions of land for lots smaller than five acres within the Lake Whatcom watershed? (Public hearing held) The moratorium will be in place while rural areas zoning and development are being reviewed and goals for the preservation of the lake established. Lots of five acres or larger are exempt. The interim moratorium was first passed at the 2/8/2005 meeting, vote #46. Interim moratoriums must be renewed every six months. AB 2011-62A (Ordinance 2011-27) Adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
118. Correct an error in the official zoning map related to rural land use planning? (Public hearing held) The original ordinance was passed at the 5/10/2011 meeting, vote #72. On the “Lake Whatcom” zoning map in the Strawberry Point area a label should have shown RR-2 as RR-5A.* The asterisk means that the zone is subject to the rural residential density overlay. AB 2010-072E (Ordinance 2011-28) Adopted 7-0
119. Amend the 2011 budget (request #7) in the amount of $1,949,896? Appropriate: $21,000 in supplemental funding for 911 operational expenses for the remainder of 2011; $104,860 to complete portion of Safir-Rosetti contract for jail and juvenile controls replacement; $420,000 Charel Terrace drainage improvement and $1,404,036 to fund Civic Center repair project to mitigate water damage caused by failing windows. AB 2011-233 (Ordinance 2011-29) Substitute2 amended and adopted 7-0
120. Amend the 2011 project budget (request #1) in the amount $1,404,036 for the Civic Center exterior repairs project? The repairs include replacing leaking windows and sealing and painting the exterior of the building, reduce future energy costs. Funding for the project is being transferred from Public Utilities Improvement Fund – Capital Facilities portion. AB 2011-234 (Ordinance 2011-30) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner3 opposed.
121. Amend the 2011 project budget (request #2) in the amount $3,117,700 to fund replacement of failing fire alarms and control systems in the main jail and juvenile detention? It is a life and safety issue. Funding is from the jail improvement fund and bond proceeds and transfer from real estate excise tax funds 1. AB 2011-235 (Ordinance 2011-31) Adopted 7-0
1 - 2Barbara Brenner's comments appear in the printed edition.
