January 2012
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by the League of Women Voters
Action Taken at November 9, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
179. Revise portions of the rural development regulations? (Public hearing held) The change amends the zoning code provisions of Ordinance 2011-13 (see correction to vote 72 above June 7, 2011 meeting) related to pre-existing recreational subdivision, the “rural residential density overlay,” location requirements for certain commercial and industrial zones, and the accessory use provision in the “rural industrial manufacturing district.” AB 2011-34 (Ordinance 2011-43) Amended and adopted 5-2, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer opposed.
180. Authorize the executive to sign a $44,750 contract with Berk & Associates of Seattle to provide consulting services to implement portions of the agricultural strategic plan? The plan was passed at the 7/26/2011 meeting, vote #115.
The contract will also facilitate the Ruckelshaus decision-making process. (AB 2011-279A) Failed 2-5, Barbara Brenner,1 Bill Knutsen, Tony Larson, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer opposed.
181. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $135,680 to Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic for psychiatric services at the Whatcom County jail and work center? The agreement provides for a team consisting of a mental health professional, a psychiatrist, and a psychiatric advance registered nurse practitioner for a monthly average of eighty-two hours of treatment. The contract expires on 12/31/2012, it can be renewed four times. (AB 2011-355) Approved 7-0
182. Approve a settlement agreement with the city of Bellingham related to a Growth Management Hearings Board case? The city challenged an ordinance passed at the 4/12/2011 meeting, vote #52, concerning urban zoning for land outside the city limits. The ordinance allowed building size for restaurants and coffee shops to increase from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet and allow drive-through services. This settlement reduces the size back to 2,500. (AB 2011-349) Approved 6-1, Kenn Mann opposed.
Action Taken at November 22, 2011 Meeting
Shall the council:
183 Authorize the executive to sign a $783,290 contract with Visiting Nurse Home Care to provide health care services at the county jail and work center? Their per-hour wage of $34.55 last increased in 2009. The contract expires on 12/31/2012 and it can be renewed four times. (AB 2011-372) Approved 7-0
184. Authorize the executive to award the low bid2 of $137,622 to MAO Westwood Pharmacy of Richmond, Virginia to provide services at the county jail and work center? A local pharmacy will serve as a backup. Prescription fees are based on supplier pricing as of 1/1/2012. Generic versions to be provided whereever possible. (AB 2011-374) Approved 7-0
185. Authorize the executive to sign a $411,156 contract (amendment #1) with North Sound Mental Health Administration for crisis respite beds at a the crisis triage facility? This additional funding is essential, with further funding to provide for the Rainbow Center. It extends the contract for 12 months. This brings the total amended contract to $697,156. (AB 2011-377) Approved 7-0
186. Authorize the executive to sign a $78,020 contract with Reichhardt & Ebe Engineering of Lynden for the Cottonwood neighborhood drainage improvement design assistance? (Council acting as flood control district board of supervisors) A high priority project, the Birch Bay stormwater plan will reduce flooding and improve water quality where there are high fecal coliform counts. The contract commences on 11/23/2011 and expires on 12/31/2013. (AB 2011-378) Approved 7-0
187. Authorize the executive to sign a sponsor agreement with the state of Washington for the Washington Conservation Corps? The five corps members and one supervisor will work from 1/l/2012 through 9/30/2012 on projects to advance salmon recovery, water quality and shellfish protection. Total cost is $100,000, with the county providing $30,000 and the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association providing $70,000. (AB 2011-379) Approved 7-0
188. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District for watershed and aquatic resources management program implementation? (Council acting as flood control district board of supervisors) The county and the district will work together on mutually beneficial projects to improve water quality and reduce stormwater entering the storm sewer system in lieu of charging each other for respective services. (AB 2011-380) Approved 7-0
189. Authorize the executive to sign a $400,000 contract (amendment #2) with Reisner Distributor of Lynden to provide a magnetic card lock fueling system for fleet vehicles? Both unleaded gasoline and ultra low sulfur #2 diesel are available at seven county pump locations. This system is used by county equipment when unable to fuel at the Central Shop fueling station.The contract is extended from 1/1/11 through 12/31/13. This amendment brings the total contract to $1,200,000 and the final amendment. (AB 2011-381) Approved 7-0
190. Adopt the 2012 flood control zone district tax levy? (Public hearing held) (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The supervisors decided to limit the tax levy to 2011 taxes. AB 2011-365 (Resolution 2011-38) Approved 7-0
191. Adopt 2012 budget for flood control district and subzones? (Public hearing held) (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) An adjustment of the 2011 budget will increase revenue by $790,600 with federal, state and local sponsor contributions to projects and decrease expenditures by $177,676. AB 2011-366 (Resolution 2011-39) Approved 7-0
192. Grant transfer of a non-exclusive telecommunications franchise from Broadstripe LLC to Wave Division I, LLC d/b/a Wave Broadband? (Public hearing held) The franchise is a telecommunications company that operates a cable television system in Whatcom County. AB 2011-344 (Ordinance 2011-44) Adopted 7-0
193. Limit the 2012 general fund property tax levy? (Public hearing held) The amount collected shall be limited to amount collected in 2011 plus new construction, improvements to property and value of state assessed property. AB 2011-361 (Ordinance 2011-45) Adopted 7-0
194. Adopt the 2012 taxes for county and state purposes? (Public hearing held) Council has determined it is not necessary to increase the levy for 2012 to fund county services, and limits it to the amount of 2011 taxes, in addition to new construction and improvements. AB 2011-362 (Ordinance 2011-46) Adopted 7-0
195. Adopt the Conservation Futures Fund tax levy for 2012? (Public hearing held) The levy will be the same as last year, 6.25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation on real property. The funds can only be used to acquire land or development rights for conservation purposes. AB 2011-363 (Ordinance 2011-47) Adopted 7-0
196. Adopt the 2012 property tax levy for county road purposes? (Public hearing held) The property tax levy will remain the same as 2011. AB 2011-364 (Ordinance 2011-48) Adopted 7-0
197. Establish the Lummi Nation Ferry Lease Fund? The fund will account for the costs and revenues associated with construction projects at the Gooseberry Point ferry dock and surrounding areas. The county has committed to providing six million dollars in improvements over the term of the lease. AB 2011-358 (Ordinance 2011-49) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner3 opposed.
198. Amend the 2012 budget (request #2) in the amount of $10,196,813? The agenda bill requested funding from the general fund for 41 items. For additional information go to packet on the council website, see pages 10 through 181. AB 2011-360 (Ordinance 2011-50) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner4 opposed.
1 From Barbara Brenner: I opposed the consulting services contract because I don’t believe we need an expensive out-of-area consultant to do what our planning department should be able to do.
2 The low bid was per a specific amount, not yearly amount.
3 From Barbara Brenner: I opposed creating a ferry lease fund because I believe the county has a legal right-of-way between Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point. There is a document from the federal government that specifically states the county has a right-of-way. Because we have a legal right-of-way we do not need a lease nor a special fund that will tie up money that is needed for necessary road maintenance. Maintaining a fund also costs extra money.
4 From Barbara Brenner: I only opposed one of the 41 items in the budget amendment. The item I opposed will use REET (real estate excise tax) money for a park amenity. In a good economic time I might approve but the economy is terrible and REET funds can be used for essential public facilities, such as stormwater facilities. We will need more than what is in the REET funds for stormwater facilities. We need to prioritize our needs over our wants in this bad economy.
