Whatcom County Council

Action Taken at February 26, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

36. Authorize the executive to sign a $30,000 contract (amendment #8) with the Opportunity Council for administration of the Homeless Service Center? The Center serves as a centralized point of entry for homelessness prevention and rehousing services for Whatcom County residents. This amendment will provide a risk mitigation fund to be used to cover the costs of damage or loss caused by tenants suffering from mental illness. The contract runs from 1/1/2011 through 12/31/2013. This amendment brings the total contract to $1,782,705 (AB2013-096) Approved 7-0

37. Cancel 2012 uncollectible personal property taxes totaling $4,407? The Whatcom County treasurer has been unable to collect taxes of $2,407 on 10 businesses and $2,003 on seven mobile homes. The uncollectible property taxes for 2011 totaled $13,195. AB2013-097 (Resolution 2013-008) Approved 7-0

38. Finalize a revised system of assessment for Consolidated Drainage Improvement District No. 20? (Public hearing held) The revision will enable automated annual assessment of property owners share of fees based on the benefit and use within their individual parcels. AB2012-073 (Ordinance 2013-010) Adopted 7-0

39. Amend the 2013 budget (request #3) in the amount of $446,257? Appropriate: $139,282 to the sheriff’s office for evidence storage space and improvements to software service; $22,000 for operations, maintenance sampling and analysis of the new leachate management system at the Cedarville landfill; $284,975 to the sheriff’s office for budget authority to expand grants from the Department of Homeland Security and Operation Stonegarden Program for border protection. AB2013-092 (Ordinance 2013-011) Adopted 7-0

Action Taken at March 12, 2013 Meetingg

Shall the council:

40. Authorize the executive to accept an $84,035 federal grant to combat drug trafficking? The grant will pay for one prosecutor, one secretary and software maintenance. The total grant for the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Border Task Force is $175,073, the remaining $91,038 will require a vote by Congress. The contract runs from 1/1/2013 through 12/31/2014. (AB2013-103) Approved 7-0

41. Authorize the executive to sign a use agreement with the Bellingham Highland Games Association for the use of Hovander Homestead Park? The association will pay the county $4,980 for the first weekend in June. The three year agreement is for 2013, 2014 and 2015. (AB2013-104) Approved 7-0

42. Request the transfer of approximately 8,844 acres of county property that is managed by the state Department of Natural Resources back to the county? In February 2008, the executive and state commissioner of public lands reached an agreement to transfer approximately 8,400 acres of state forest lands to Whatcom County for park purposes. At the 10/21/2008 meeting, vote #199, the County Council authorize the executive to sign a memorandum of agreement with the state to prepare the transfer of lands within and adjoining the Lake Whatcom watershed. On 7/3/2012, the state Board of Natural Resources approved the exchange. This resolution formalizes the county’s reconveyance application, completing the goal of acquiring these lands for recreational purposes. Whatcom County signed a $291,000 contract with the state Department of Natural Resource to pay for the exchange. AB2012-066C (Resolution 2013-009) Approved 5-2, Barbara Brenner1 and Bill Knutzen opposed.

Action Taken at March 26, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

43. Send a letter to 40th and 42nd state representatives regarding state shared revenue? (AB2013-027) Approved 5-2, Barbara Brenner2 and Ken Mann opposed.

44. Authorize the executive to sign a $247,000 contract (amendment #1) with the Mount Baker Foothills Chamber of Commerce for a multi-media promotional campaign? At the 12/6/2011 meeting, vote #205, the council approved a $400,000 contract. The proposed project benefits Birch Bay and Mt Baker corridors. The advisory committee agrees it is critical to work out a tracking system to clearly demonstrate the impact of the promotion. Funding for the next four years: 2013 is $72,000 and $58,333 for each of the three following years. This amendment brings the total contract to $400,000. (AB2013-053) Approved 7-0

45. Fill two vacancies on the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee? Christine Woodward, the current the Director of Natural Resources for the Samish Indian Nation and Lee First, the pollution prevention specialist with RE Sources applied to fill two vacancies. The four year terms end on 1/31/2017. (AB2013-078) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.

46. Authorize the executive to accept a $292,248 federal/state grant (amendment #4) for the second phase of salmon habitat restoration and fish passage improvements in lower Canyon Creek? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.). Chinook, pink, coho, sockeye and chum salmon, steelhead, bull trout, and sea-run cutthroat trout all use lower Canyon Creek, a tributary to the North Fork of the Nooksack River. The scope of work includes levee setback and/or removal, relocating the riprap, and constructing 23 engineered log jams, 11 of the jams in 2013 and 12 jams in 2014. The flood control district is required to contribute $73,062 in matching funds. This amendment brings grant totals to $1,265,998 and the total project amount to $1,339,060. (AB2013-118) Approved 7-0

47. Authorize the executive to sign a $140,000 contract with Berk & Associates of Seattle to assist with the Comprehensive Plan update and urban growth area review? The Growth Management Act requires an update to be completed by 6/30/2016. Whatcom County and the cities of Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, and Sumas (see 12/4/2012 meeting, vote #204) are cost-sharing consultant services addressing population, employment projections, and environmental analysis. The county will contribute $60,486 and the cities $79,514. The consultant will consider community values, ensure coordination between county and city planning, assist in growth planning and preservation of resource lands and environmentally sensitive areas over a 20-year planning period, and revise the Comprehensive Plan and UGA. The contract commences on 4/2/2013 and terminates on 8/31/2015. (AB2013-119) Approved 7-0

48. Authorize the executive to sign a $300,000 contract (amendment #4) with Reisners Distributor of Lynden for a magnetic card lock fuel service? This is for fleet and law enforcement vehicles that are unable to fuel at the central shop station. The price per gallon fluctuates, requiring the amended amount and an open ended contract. This amendment brings the total contract to $2,300,000. The contract expires on 12/31/2013. (AB2013-121) Approved 7-0

49. Authorize the executive to accept a $164,000 state grant for the pollution identification and control program? This program focuses on monitoring approximately 90 water quality stations for fecal coliform bacteria. The grant will supplement community outreach, technical assistance for land owners, and administrative functions to assist in water quality improvement projects. (AB2013-122) Approved 7-0

50. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $29,700 to Edge Analytical Labs of Bellingham, for water quality analytical testing services? The laboratory will analyze approximately 105 surface water samples per month for fecal coliform. The samples will be from Drayton Harbor, Portage Bay, and Lake Terrell. The contract commences on 3/27/2013 and ends on 12/31/2013. (AB2013-123) Approved 7-0

51. Authorize the executive to sign a $50,825 contract (amended #1) with CDW-Government LLC to complete the county-wide e-mail system upgrade? The company will assist with the implementation of a Microsoft e-mail system. The additional monies will complete the e-mail system for ten remaining departments and post-implementation support for the resolution of technical issues. This amendment brings the total contract to $123,105. (AB2013-124) Approved 7-0

52. Confirm seven appointments by the executive to the Behavioral Health Advisory Board? At the 11/7/2012 meeting, vote #185, the council approved an ordinance to replace the Mental Health Advisory Board and Substance Abuse Advisory Board with a single Behavioral Health Advisory Board. Initial appointments: Amy Schubert, Carol Hawk, David Kincheloe, Michael Massanari, Larry Richardson, Dascomb Jamison, Teresa Bosteter and Mark McDonald. (AB2013-129) Confirmed 7-0

53. Authorize the executive to apply for a Community Development Block Grant of up to $115,409 with the Opportunity Council as sub-recipient? (Public hearing held) The grant will fund new or expanded direct services to persons with low or moderate incomes in Island, San Juan, and Whatcom Counties. The Opportunity Council is required to apply for the grant through Whatcom County. AB2013-107 (Resolution 2013-10) Approved 7-0

54. Amend the salary schedule and policies for unrepresented Whatcom County employees? The vote amends the salary schedule and policies approved at the 12/4/2012, vote #225. The administration will add the following amendments effective 3/31/2013. The monthly salaries shall be increased 3.8 percent. Employees can establish a health savings account if qualified, of which the county will contribute up to $1,250 for current employees,  $2,500  for current employees with dependents or $1,000 for new employees,  or $2,000 for new employees with dependents. AB2013-117 (Resolution 2013-011) Approved 7-0

55. Vacate a portion of Bridgewater Street (Shipyard Road) and Dearborn Avenue? The petitioner asked for vacation of approximately 1,587 square feet of right-of-way. As part of the vacation the petitioners will be required to dedicate 214 square feet of right of way resulting in 1,373 vacated square feet. The estimated fair market valuation of the area is $3,762. The county engineer’s report indicated that the public will not benefit from the vacation and was not in favor of the vacation. AB2012-272B (Resolution 2013-012) Approved 7-0

56. Change the speed limits on certain county roads? (Public hearing held) The county engineer recommends changing speed limits from 35 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour on Pacific Highway from Bellingham city limits to the Ferndale city limits; from 35 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour on Lincoln Road from the Blaine city limits to Harbor View Road; from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour on the entire length of Bass Street;  from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour  on Autumnwood Court. AB2013-106 (Ordinance 2013-012) Adopted 7-03

57. Amend 2013 budget (request #4) in the amount of $51,410? Appropriate: $4,392 to the sheriff’s office to fund traffic safety equipment, three radars and three portable breath test units: $5,000 to sheriff office for tow charges, reimbursed from vehicle owners: $14,940 to Emergency Management Fund to support operations for building maintenance, space rentals, and administrative costs in sheriff’s office: $27,078 to complete the boat dock and fishing platforms project at Samish Park. AB2013-105 (Ordinance 2013-013) Adopted 5-2, Barbara Brenner4 and Bill Knutzen opposed.

58. Establish a Whatcom County Forestry Advisory Committee? Designation and conservation of forest reserve lands is required under the Growth Management Act. The advisory committee will be established to reduce land use conflicts between forest and non-forest landowners and ensure forest practices avoid adverse impacts to habitat of threatened and endangered species on land proposals and strategies affecting forestry in the county. The committee will include eleven members appointed by the County Council. Two small forest landowners, two commercial forest landowners or their eligible representatives, two harvesters, two private citizens with forestry expertise, two forest product manufacturers and one member chosen by the Department of Natural Resources. AB2013-098 (Ordinance 2013-014) Adopted 7-0