Whatcom County Council

Action Taken at September 24, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

160. Authorize the executive to sign a $342,000 agreement with the city of Everson for the purchase and subsequent management of property for flood control purposes? (Council also acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) This acquisition of property along Main Street that was formerly a golf course will eliminate the potential for forty-eight new homes to be built in the overflow corridor of the Nooksack River. The City of Nooksack intends to rezone the area as open space and use it for recreation purposes. (AB2013-309) Approved 7-0

161. Authorize the executive to accept a $37,000 state grant for litter and illegal dump cleanup efforts? Through the Adopt-A-Road program, volunteers and public works maintenance crews will pick up litter in neighborhoods, trails, beaches and other public areas. The clean-up of illegal dumps will be coordinated with the Whatcom County Health Department.The grant does not require county matching funds. The two-year contract runs from 7/1/2013 through 6/30/2015. (AB2013-310) Approved 7-0

162. Authorize the executive to accept a $562,209 state grant for the continued operation of the moderate risk waste facility? The disposal of toxics facility is located near the airport. The county will provide matching funds of $187,403. Whatcom Public Works provides for disposal of hazardous waste from households and approved businesses and pickup service for oil and antifreeze. Public education outreach to increase awareness and reduce use and to teach proper disposal is included. The two-year contract runs from 7/1/2013 through 6/30/2015.(AB2013-311) Approved 7-0

163. Authorize the executive to sign a $780,000 loan/grant to the city of Nooksack? The city of Nooksack is working with the city of Everson to complete a major upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant that serves both cities. The Economic Development Investment Board at their 6/24/2013 meeting approved a loan of $520,000 and a grant of $260,000 for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade. The council approved the load/grant at the 7/9/2013 meeting, vote #112. Both cities have applied for state grants. The EDI grant/loans will only be used if the state grants are not approved. (AB2013-312) Approved 7-0

164. Adopt the annual six-year (2014–2019) transportation improvement program? (Public hearing held) State law requires counties to update their transportation plans yearly. The program establishes a list of needed capital improvements, eligibility for state and federal funds, and sets the rate for impact fees. The 14-year (2014–2027) ferry capital program is attached. AB2013-302 (Resolution 2013-029) Approved 7-0

165. Amend the 2013 budget (request #10) in the amount of $832,504? Appropriate for the sheriff's office: $12,878 for the active shooter training program; $11,976 for drug task force vehicle lease; $1,400 for additional DUI patrols; $6,750 for traffic unit cold weather gear; $1,000 to acquire a moving radar unit; $3,500 to eradicate illegal marijuana production activities; $30,000 for enhanced patrols along the Nooksack River; $5,000 for reimbursable overtime for federal organized crime enforcement investigations; $10,00 for acquisition of a patrol/drug detection canine. Additional appropriation: $750,000 in state grant funds for the Bellingham Food Bank expansion. AB2013-305 (Ordinance 2013-053) Approved 7-0

Action Taken at October 8, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

166. Amend the unified fee schedule to incorporate a "ferry non-payment fee?" (Public hearing held) Riders have been boarding the Lummi Island ferry without proper payment or valid ferry punch cards. The state auditor's office and the Whatcom County Council have both expressed concerns releated to the non-payment of ferry fares. If this amendment had been passed ferry riders who boarded the ferry without proper payment would have levied a fee in additional to the regular ferry fare. (AB2013-289) Failed 0-7, Barbara Brenner,1 Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Pete Kremen, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer opposed.

167. Approve the nomination of Nicholas Kunkel to the Noxious Weed Control Board? Mr. Kunkle is employed by the Lummi Nation as harvest sampling biologist. He will represent District 4 and his term will expire on 1/3/2017. (AB2013-317) Approved 7-0

168. Approve the recommendations of the Economic Development Investment Board for loan/grants totaling $5,500,000? The Port of Bellingham applied for a $2 million loan and a $1 million grant for the "C" Street terminal upland infrastructure rehabilitation project and the city of Bellingham applied for a $1,625,000 loan and a $825,0000 grant for the north end regional stormwater facility. The $12.4 million "C" Street project is an effort to restore marine trades in the Whatcom Waterway area. The project has a $3 million dollar funding gap; the grant/loan is being requested to fill the gap. The city of Bellingham stormwater facility is projected to cost $4 million and be completed by November 2014. The treatment and detention facility will support development of approximately 80 acres in the area bounded by Bakerview on the south, Pacific Highway to the west, Northwest Avenue to the east and June Road to the north. (AB2013-319) Approved 7-0

169. Authorize the executive to sign a $44,460 contract with Kulshan Environmental Services of Bellingham for consulting services to develop and implement a stakeholder involvement process for the Nooksack River levee system? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The contract will address the levee deficiencies identified by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The plan must be submitted to the federal government by June of 2015 to remain eligible for the rehabilitation grant. The contracts runs from 8/9/2013 through 6/30/2015. (AB2013-322) Approved 7-0

170. Authorize the executive to accept a $154,740 state grant agreement for solid waste enforcement? The county health department is responsible for the enforcement of local, state, and federal solid waste rules and for the investigation of illegal dumping and littering. The two-year grant runs from 7/1/2013 through 6/30/2015 and requires local matching funds of $51,580 for a total of $206,320. (AB2013-323) Approved 7-0

171. Adopt the six-year (2014–2019) water resources improvement program? (Public hearing held: council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The water resources program is a strategic planning tool and provides opportunity for public input on proposed capital work programs. It outlines future work for river and flood control, stormwater improvements, Swift Creek projects, Birch Bay watershed management. This resolution outlines flood control and stormwater improvements required by the Revised Code of Washington 86.15.110. AB2013-316 (Resolution 2013-030) Approved 7-0

172. Approve recommendations for the expenditures of national forest-related federal funds? Federal law requires that counties spend 80 percent of the federal funds received for public schools and roads. This vote suggests how the other twenty percent should be spent: search, rescue, and emergency services, staffing of community services work camps, the purchase of easements, forest related education, fire prevention, county planning, and forestry. A committee appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture makes the final decision for Whatcom and Skagit counties. The county allocates the other 20 percent of expenditures on Title II and Title III projects. AB2013-320 (Resolution 2013-031) Approved 7-0

173. Amend the 2013 budget (request #11) in the amount of $13,300? Appropriate: $13,300 to fund the Strengthening Families Program. Parents of youths 10 to 14 years will meet for seven sessions at several locations for Family Management Programs including substance abuse prevention. The Health Department has requested that all seven school districts be served. AB2013-314 (Ordinance 2013-054) Approved 7-0

174. Repeal three petty cash ordinances? The three ordinances established petty cash revolving funds in the Public Works Department. There is not sufficient activity to justify petty cash funds for engineering services set at $100, road design/construction set at $100, and equipment rental and revolving funds set at $200. The three petty cash funds will be closed. AB2013-315 (Ordinance 2013-055) Approved 7-0

Action Taken at October 22, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

175. Authorize the executive to accept a $300,000 state grant to deal with deficiencies in the Nooksack River levees? (Council acting as flood control district board of supervisors ) The deficiencies in the levees will be identified by the US Army Corps of Engineers. This will reduce the flood risk and support environmental actions in floodplains. The grant expires on 6/30/2015. (AB2013-335) Approved 7-0

176. Authorize the executive to accept a $160,207 federal grant to prevent homelessness? The grant will be used by the Whatcom Homeless Service Center for security deposits, utility payments and rental assistance. The grant runs from 1/1/2014 through 12/31/2014. (AB2013-339) Approved 7-0

177. Authorize the executive to award the only bid of $187,354 to Diehl Ford of Bellingham for the purchase of five police pursuit vehicles? The 2014 Ford vehicles will replace four pursuit vehicles with mileage over 100,000 and one with 63,547; they will be used by the sheriff's department for other county business. (AB2013-341) Approved 7-0

178. Authorize the executive to sign a $194,853 contract with Bud Clary Auto Dealership of Longview for the purchase of six 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe utility vehicles? Six Ford Expedition 4x4's with mileage between 124,462 and 183,574 will be replaced. The six utility vehicles for the sheriff's department were advertised and no bids were received; the replacement vehicles will be purchased using the state contract. (AB2013-342) Approved 7-0

179. Order the cancellation of uncashed checks issued before 7/1/2012? There are 136 uncashed checks totaling $5,357. Whatcom County has 87 uncashed checks totaling $2,557 and the rural library, Point Roberts Park and Rec., cemetery, NWRC, fire and water districts have 30 uncashed checks totaling $2,800. The money will be held for one year and then transferred to the state of Washington as abandoned property where it will be available to the payee indefinitely. AB2013-336 (Resolution 2010-032) Approved 7-0

180. Order the cancellation of uncollected money for parking violations? Tickets that are $5 or less are not sent collection notices. There are 63 parking tickets issued from 9/1/2011through 8/31/2012 with unpaid violations; the uncollectible fines total $315. AB2013-337 (Resolution 2013-033) Approved 7-0

181. Adopt a salary schedule and policies for unrepresented Whatcom County employees effective 1/1/2014? This vote establishes salaries contained in the budget for elected officials, managers, department heads, supervisors, court commissioners, and staff. AB2013-334 (Resolution 2013-034) Approved 7-0

182. Approve the update to the Columbia Valley Water District's 2013 Water System Comprehensive Plan? As required by law, the water and sewer system amendments require approval by the Whatcom County engineer, health director, and council. The Washington State Department of Health has approved the updated plan. AB2013-114 (Resolution 2013-035) Approved 7-0

183. Consider a petition to vacate a portion of Glendale Drive abutting the plat of Harborview Estates? Tyler Lankhaar, Tyler Ryan and Artha Ryan submitted a petition requesting the vacation of approximately 6,600 square feet of Glendale Drive right of way. This vote initiates a county engineering report on the proposed vacation. The county retains an easement for utilities and drainage. AB2013-343 (Resolution 2013-036) Approved 7-0

184. Establish regular Whatcom County Council meeting dates for 2014? The council will meet every other Tuesday beginning on January 14 except for August and December when one meeting is scheduled. AB2013-330 (Resolution 2013-037) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner2 opposed.

185. Amend the 2013 budget (request #12) in the amount of $1,448,730? Appropriate: $660,730 to pay for the medical costs of two offenders;3 $300,000 in EDI grant money for the West Bakerview overpass project; $80,00 for higher than anticipated/under-budgeted repairs and maintenance; $400,000 for road oil; $40,000 for contaminated soil clean up at central shop; $8,000 for ground maintenance in and around central shop. AB2013-326 (Ordinance 2013-056) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner4 opposed.

186. Amend the Whatcom County Zoning Code to correct errors and provide clarification? The amendments clarify outdated wording and references, correct errors, and eliminate inconsistencies in the zoning code. AB2013-328 (Ordinance 2013-057) Adopted 7-0