August 2010
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at June 8, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council
105. Reduce development within the Lake Whatcom watershed? An interim moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for subdivisions in the Lake Whatcom watershed was imposed in 2005 as an effort to protect the quality of drinking water and continued every six months for five years1 until enough information was gathered to base a permanent solution. The planning commission recommended actions that included making reductions in development potential in the Lake Whatcom watershed. This amendment will prevent development of new subdivisions creating home on lots smaller than five acres. The ban would block development of approximately two hundred houses. (AB 2010-185) Failed 1-6, Barbara Brenner,2 Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann, Ward Nelson and Sam Crawford opposed.
106. Adopt the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s recommendations on proposed development at the Bellingham airport? The hearing examiner recommend that the Whatcom County Council approve the planned unit development and preliminary binding site plan with conditions. The Port of Bellingham proposal establishes development areas and land division within and adjacent to the Bellingham airport for airport, light industrial and commercial uses on approximately 94-acres located on Mitchell Way. Between 11 and 28 new lots will be created but no residential uses are proposed. Approximately 76 acres of open space are contained in a conservation area. (AB 2010-224) Approved 6-1, Ken Mann opposed.
107. Approve an 85-15 percent cost-share formula for phase two of the Acme early chinook restoration project? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The standard construction cost-share program formula is 70-30. Last year, 300 feet of large woody debris was installed on the South Fork of the Nooksack River to restore fish habitat. Phase two includes installing a series of logjams along the left bank of the south fork, downstream from the phase one project on former Riverview Park property in Acme, and planting conifer seedlings on the right bank floodplain. The total cost is estimated at $300,000. A Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant is providing 85 percent or $255,000 and the local flood control zone will provide 15 percent or $45,000. The 85-15 cost-share reflects the greater fish habitat features involved in the repair. (AB 2010-226) Approved 7-0
108. Authorize the executive to sign a $l5,690 contract with the Washington State University Cooperative Extension for a landscape training program for Lake Whatcom residents? Similar to the Master Gardener’s program, the goal of the training program is to reduce phosphorus runoff into Lake Whatcom. The program includes training and evaluation, demonstration sites and tours and incentives to reduce lake pollution. The contract expires on 7/31/11. (AB 2010-228) Approved 7-0
109. Authorize the executive to award a $25,000 contract to Coastal Safety Services of Ferndale for safety and health services? The company will coordinate injury, accident and property damage recording keeping, assist in preparation of court appearances and conduct training on asbestos awareness, spill response, hazardous materials, incident response, etc. The contract runs from 6/1/10 through 4/1/11. (AB 2010-229) Approved 7-0
110. Authorize the executive to accept a $55,000 state grant for the treatment and monitoring of flowering rush at Silver Lake? The Whatcom Noxious Weed Control Board will be responsible for eradicating the flowering rush. The plant displaces native vegetation, interferes with boating and swimming and is believed to be part of the life cycle of the parasite causing “swimmer’s itch.” The Maple Falls infestation is one of two known locations in Washington State. During the high use of aquatic herbicides, persons using Silver Lake water for drinking will be furnished alternative safe water. (AB 2010-230) Approved 7-0
111. Authorize the executive to accept a $89,000 state grant for a knotweed survey and management project along the upper reaches of the Nooksack River? The Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board will be responsible for the inventory, treatment and monitoring in upper reaches of the South, North and Middle Forks that are feeding the lower infestations and could spread into remote areas. The county is responsible for $16,750 match bringing the total project cost to $105,750. The reimbursement period runs from 12/10/10 through 12/31/13. (AB 2010-231) Approved 7-0
112. Authorize the executive to accept a federal grant of $829,580 to enhance law enforcement along the U.S. border? This is the second year Whatcom County has received the law enforcement grant; see the 5/16/09 meeting, vote number 129, for a $1,320,000 federal grant. The money will be used for overtime, travel, vehicle/equipment, maintenance, mileage/fuel costs and equipment. This grant is from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Operation Stonegarden, and runs from 7/1/09 through 2/28/12. (AB 2010-232) Approved 7-0
113. Authorize the executive to sign a $160,116 contract with Everett E. Beyer and Associates of Seattle for labor negotiation services? Robert R. Braun, Jr. (doing business as Braun Consulting Group) has been a professional labor negotiator for the county since November 2001 and the human resources manager recommends his continued assistance in negotiating eight collective bargaining agreements. The contract runs from 1/1/11 through 12/31/13. (AB 2010-233) Approved 5-2, Barbara Brenner3 and Bill Knutson opposed.
114. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the city of Bellingham concerning the Bennett/Bakerview/Airport Drive annexation? The city/county annexation agreement expired at the end of 2009. The two parties are working on a new agreement to cover all annexations and pre-annexations within the city’s UGA. Until that is worked out, the city and county will create an individual agreement for each annexation. The City Council initiated the review process to annex 175-acres in the Bennett/Bakerview/Airport Drive area at the 11/19/07 meeting, vote number 248. The area west of Interstate 5 and adjacent to the Bellingham airport will be annexed for industrial development. (AB 2010-234) Approved 7-0
115. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $1,168,168 to Interwest Construction of Burlington for the Baker Lake Road-Sulphur Creek bridge? The bridge is located west of Baker Lake. Flooding in November of 2006 and December of 2007 damaged the bridge; it is currently a one-lane bridge. Federal grant funds will cover $1,010,465 and local road funds the remaining $157,703. Preliminary engineering, construction engineering, testing and a contingency fee will bring the total cost to $1,893,168. AB 2010-227 (Resolution 2010-23) Approved 7-0
116. Amend the 2010 budget (request 11) in the amount of $445,062? Appropriate: $50,000 to fund part of the training at Harborview Medical Center4 for Fire District 5 Chief Nick Kiniski to be a paramedic at Point Roberts; $395,062 to the Bellingham Fire Department Medic One paramedic classes to train six more paramedics by the end of 2010. AB 2010-223 (Ordinance 2010-28) Adopted 5-1-1, Barbara Brenner5 opposed, Bill Knutsen abstained.
Action Taken at June 22, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council:
117. Authorize the executive to sign two contracts for “Pathways to Employment” and “Community Access” services for individuals with developmental disabilities? “Pathways to Employment” will assist individuals in seeking and maintaining paid employment and “Community Access” will assist individuals in participating in community activities in ways similar to adults of retirement ago without disabilities. The contracts are with Work Opportunities of Lynnwood and Advancement Northwest of Bellingham. Funding is through the state of Washington and the amount will vary depending on number of clients and types of services authorized. The contracts runs from 7/1/10 through 6/30/11. (AB 2010-245/246) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
118. Authorize the executive to sign a $58,482 contract with San Juan Island Commuter Service of Bellingham for temporary passenger ferry service between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island? The vessel will be used when the permanent ferry undergoes the annual dry dock or requires emergency repairs. The daily rate will $2,450 from September 1 through April 30 and $8,000 from May 1 through August 31. This contract is for one year (8/1/10 through 7/31/11) with a potential of four additional years and a five-year total of $310,486. A request for bids was advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2010-248) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
119. Authorize the executive to sign an easement with the Mount Baker Water Association to relocate an existing waterline on county property? To accommodate the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Smith Road and the Mount Baker Highway, the County Council previously approved the sale of county property to the state. The easement adjacent to the acquired state property is 10 feet wide and will require no exchange of funds. (AB 2010-249) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
120. Authorize the executive to sign four contracts for “Pathways to Employment” services to assist individuals with developmental disabilities? “Pathways to Employment” will assist individuals in seeking and maintaining paid employment. The contracts are with Cascade Vocational Services of Bellingham, Service Alternatives of Everett, Washington Vocational Services of Mountlake Terrace and Kulshan Supported Employment of Bellingham. Funding is through the state of Washington and the amount will vary depending on number of clients and types of services authorized. The contracts runs from 7/1/10 through 6/30/11. (AB 2010-250/251/252/253) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
121. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $147,235 to Jansen, Inc. of Ferndale for large woody debris? The logs will be used in phase 2 of the Acme early chinook restoration project on the South Fork of the Nooksack River. A state grant provides 85 per cent of the funding to restore fish habitat. A request for bids was advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2010-254) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
122. Authorize the executive to sign a lease with Jeff Rainey of Coldstream Farm of Deming for the “East Acme Farm?” Rainey will pay the county $6,400 to lease 64 acres of parks and recreation property; he will cut the grass and the hay crop. The lease runs from 4/1/10 through 12/31/10. (2010-259) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
123. Authorize the executive to sign one contract for “Community Access” services to assist individuals with developmental disabilities? “Community Access” will assist individuals in participating in community activities in ways similar to adults of retirement age without disabilities. The contract is with Whatcom County Council on Aging of Bellingham. Funding is through the state of Washington and the amount will vary depending on number of clients and types of services authorized. The contract runs from 7/1/10 through 6/30/11. (AB 2010-262) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
124. Support operations at the former Olympics Coordination Center? The center was developed for the 2010 Winter Games to coordinate municipal, tribal, county, state, federal and Canadian agencies on border security. The County Council supports a permanent operation to be called the Multi-Agency Coordination Center. AB 2010-243 (Resolution 2010-24) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
125. Amend the 2010 budget (request #12) in the amount of $1,109,001? Appropriate: $13,000 for What-Comm Communications Center emergency 911 operations; $22,521 to the sheriff to fund records specialist position; $213,900 to the sheriff for border security over time and equipment through Operation Stonegarden; $5,000 to the sheriff to hire a professional to establish an entry-level hiring list: $829,580 to the sheriff for border security through Operation Stonegarden; $25,000 for Northwest Economic Council’s outreach services to the business community. AB 2010-239 (Ordinance 2010-29) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
1The interim moratorium was initially passed at the 2/8/05 meeting, vote number 46, approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed. The interim moratorium was continued at the 4/26/05 meeting, vote number 91, approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed; the 10/25/05 meeting, vote number 215, approved 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed; the 4/25/06 meeting, vote number 97, approved 4-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed, Carl Weimer absent; the 10/10/06 meeting, vote number 204, approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed; the 4/10/07 meeting, vote number 287, approved 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed; the 10/9/07 meeting, vote number 216, approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed; the 3/25/08 meeting, vote number 63, approved 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed; the 9/23/08 meeting, vote number 193, approved 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson absent; the 3/17/09 meeting, vote number 57, approved 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed; the 9/15/09 meeting, vote number 212, approved 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed and the 2/23/10 meeting, vote number 215, approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
2, 3, 5Barbara Brenner's comments appear in the printed edition.
4Harborview has awarded a $100,000 scholarship to Chief Kiniski.
