March 2010
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at January 12, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Fill four vacancies on the Whatcom County Planning Commission? Jeff Rainey, a dairy farmer, was appointed to the District 1 position; Gary Honcoop, a general contractor, to the District 2 position (filling a term ending 12/31/11); Rod Erickson, a dairy farmer, and Michelle Luke, a home furniture marketing and sales person, to District 3 positions. Editor’s Note: After the meeting it was discovered that proper procedures were not followed in the nominating process, so voting will be redone at the January 25 council meeting. (AB 2009-386B)
2. Authorize the executive to sign a lease with the Whatcom Humane Society for 1661 Baker Creek Place? The county-owned facility will be rented to the Whatcom Humane Society for $10. The contract runs from 1/1/10 to 12/31/10. (AB 2010-42) Approved 7-0
3. Authorize the executive to sign a contract with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada for insurance protection for the self-insured medical plan? The county is required by law to protect its financial assets using reserves and excess insurance coverage to support the self-insured medical plan. The per-month rates in 2009 were $8.43 per single employee and $19.48 per family. The 2010 per-month rates represent a 19 percent increase to $10.10 per single employee and $23.33 per family. The anticipated cost in 2010 will be $134,687. The contract runs from 1/1/10 to 12/31/10. (AB 2010-41) Approved 7-0
4. Vacate a portion of Edwards Drive in Point Roberts? (Public hearing held) At the 11/10/09 meeting, vote number 249, the council approved the vacation, but The Bellingham Herald failed to publish a second hearing notice, invalidating the vote. This meeting fulfills the second notice requirement. AB 2009-260A (Resolution 2010-01) Approved 7-0
5. Authorize the sale of surplus property by public auction? (Public hearing held) The surplus property includes 18 automobiles (17 Crown Victorias – three totaled), six trucks, one van, four mowers, a jail dental chair, miscellaneous office equipment and tools. AB 2009-475A (Resolution 2010-02) Approved 7-0
6. Continue the interim ordinance to modify the dates for seasonal restrictions on clearing activities in the Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Lake Padden, Drayton Harbor and Birch Bay watersheds? (Public hearing held) Clearing restrictions were first passed at the 10/7/03 meeting, vote number 178, and modified at the 10/11/05 meeting, vote number 201. An interim ordinance modifying the clearing activities was first passed at the 7/21/09 meeting, vote number 185. It changed the dates for restrictions on clearing activities from Sept. 1 through April 30 to Oct. 1 through May 31 and imposed a deadline on the issuance of development permits to two weeks prior to the seasonal closure date in the water resource management areas. The restrictions address risks to Lake Whatcom due to construction activities. The change is consistent with the city of Bellingham and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District clearing restrictions. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months. AB 2009-314A (Ordinance 2010-01) Adopted 7-0
Action Taken at January 26, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council:
7. Fill four vacancies in the Whatcom County Planning Commission? The vacancies were originally appointed at the 1/12/10 meeting, vote number 1, but rescheduled for this meeting after it was discovered that proper procedures were not followed in the nominating process. Final appointments: Jeff Rainey, a dairy farmer residing in District 1; Gary Honcoop, a general contractor residing in District 2 (filling a term ending 12/31/11); and Rod Erickson, a dairy farmer and Michelle Luke, a marketer and seller of home furniture, both residing in District 3. (AB 2009-386B)
8. Authorize the executive to sign a $20,000 contract with Sustainable Connections for green building and resource conservation outreach services? The funding will support a program for the expansion of green building construction and energy efficient technologies through community education. The contract period is 1/1/10 through 12/31/10. (AB 2010-37) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
9. Authorize the executive to sign a $50,000 contract with the Bellingham Food Bank for the collection, warehousing and distribution of food? The county will pay 40 cents per pound for food distributed to food banks in Blaine, Ferndale, Nooksack, Deming/Kendall (Foothills), Lynden (Project Hope), Lummi Tribal, Nooksack Tribal, Nugent’s Corner (Lord’s Table) and the Salvation Army. The contract runs from 1/1/10 through 12/31/10. (AB 2010-38) Approved 4-3, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner and Ward Nelson opposed.
10. Authorize the executive to accept a $915,000 state grant to work toward solutions to problems connected with naturally occurring asbestos in and around Swift Creek? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The grant will be passed through to the flood control district. The district will be responsible for $600,000 in expenditures to reduce flooding and the threat to human health and the environment from the asbestos-containing sediment. The money will be used for levee evaluation, design and construction, land acquisition, geotechnical investigation, project management and administration. The total cost of the project is $1,515,000. (AB 2010-55) Approved 7-0
11. Authorize the executive to sign a $73,000 contract with Northwest Hydraulic Consultants of Seattle for engineering design of an integrated fish habitat and flood project on the South Fork of the Nooksack River? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract services provides consultations for work on the second phase of the Acme early chinook restoration project and includes land analysis, habitat restoration and flood hazard reduction designs. The contract expires on 6/30/11. (AB 2010-57) Approved 7-0
12. Authorize the executive to sign a joint funding agreement with the federal government for the annual operation and maintenance of two stream flow gauges and water temperature monitoring in the Bertrand Creek watershed? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The data is used to meet in-stream flows requirements and irrigation needs. The federal government is providing $16,980 and the flood control district is responsible for $18,800; the total budget is $35,780. The contract period is from 10/1/09 through 9/30/10. (AB 2010-58) Approved 7-0
13. Authorize the executive to accept a $436,885 state grant (amendment #1) to continue with the acquisition of Lily Point, Point Roberts? The original state grant for $1,563,115 was approved at the 9/29/09 meeting, vote number 216. This amendment increases state grants for Lily Point to $2 million (80 percent) and reduces the county’s share to $499,778 (20 percent). The local match is funded in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. The total project amount of $2,499,778 does not change. (AB 2010-59) Approved 7-0
14. Authorize the executive to accept a state grant of $234,577 to continue the operation of the disposal of toxics facility? This grant runs from 1/1/10 through 12/31/10; the county is eligible for a second grant of $234,577 in 2011. The county will provide matching funds of $78,192. The toxics facility provides a collection spot for oil and antifreeze from the community twice each year and monthly from four county sites. A public education program increases awareness of toxic wastes and their proper disposal. (AB 2010-64) Approved 7-0
15. Authorize the executive to sign a $95,000 contract with Catholic Community Services of Bellingham for a Juvenile Court behavioral health specialist? The position will improve access to mental health treatment and chemical dependency assessment and promote the transition of youth from Juvenile Court supervision to community services. (AB 2010-65) Approved 7-0
16. Authorize the executive to sign a $60,000 agreement with the Whatcom Council of Governments to assist in funding of the Whatcom Smart Trips program? The Smart Trips program is designed to reduce vehicle trips by increasing trips by walking, bicycling, sharing rides and riding the bus. The money for this agreement is from a federal energy efficiency grant. The three-year agreement ends on 12/31/12. (AB 2010-71) Approved 7-0
17. Cancel uncollectible personal property taxes totaling $53,176? The Whatcom County treasurer has been unable to collect taxes of $51,741 on businesses; one business, Skybus Airlines, is responsible for $37,575 of the total. The uncollectible property tax on 11 mobile homes was $1,435. AB 2010-62 (Resolution 2010-03) Approved 7-0
18. Approve the Whatcom County treasurer’s annual list of property tax refunds totaling $674,799? The refunds are for senior exemption; paid in error; tax status change; destroyed property; court order and miscellaneous errors in 2009. AB 2010-63 (Resolution 2010-04) Approved 7-0
19. Prohibit the illegal and illicit discharge of hazardous materials and non-stormwater runoff into the county’s municipal separate storm sewer system? (Public hearing held) The county is complying with state (water pollution control law) and federal (clean water act) mandates for water pollution control. Violation of the conditions of this ordinance is a civil offense punishable by fines and required correction of the situation. AB 2009-320D (Ordinance 2010-02) Approved 7-0
20. Amend regulations regarding stormwater and drainage, general review thresholds and delineation of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System area boundaries? (Public hearing held) Phase II of the municipal stormwater permit requires measures to control runoff from new development, redevelopment and construction sites. The emphasis is on controlling stormwater through source controls and best management practices. AB 2010-46 (Ordinance 2010-03) Approved 7-0
21. Amend the 2010 budget (request #5) in the amount of $599,233? Appropriate: $174,787 to the mental health/chemical dependency fund; $395,062 to countywide emergency medical services fund for paramedic training class and $500,000 to the administrative fund with a reduction of .5 percent in all general fund departments (except Superior Court) amounting to $470,616. AB 2010-51 (Ordinance 2010-04) Amended and adopted 5-2, Barbara Brenner1 and Carl Weimer opposed.
22. Repeal the Utilities Planning and Advisory Committee? The committee was formed in March 1991, in response to requirements of the Growth Management Act. The purpose of the committee is to review new electric, natural gas and petroleum transmission facilities, as well as telecommunication proposals to enhance economic development. The Planning and Development Department has not found a need for the committee that has not met since 2002. AB 2010-45 (Ordinance 2010-05) Approved 7-0
1Barbara Brenner's comments appear in the printed edition.
