Whatcom County Council

Action Taken at May 7, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

75. Amend the 2013 flood control budget (request #2) in the amount of $53,155? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The flood control budget was adopted at the 11/20/2012 meeting, vote #190. This appropriation will fund staff and equipment for the Aquatic Invasive Species inspection program for Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish that is being coordinated with the city of Bellingham. AB2013-160 (Resolution 2013-014) Approved 6-0, Bill Knutzen absent.

76. Authorize interfund loans to finance capital road projects? This ordinance allows the Whatcom County treasurer to make loans for up to $1 million for terms up to two years. The loans are necessary to fund road projects if cash flow is delay in state and federal grant reimbursements. The amended to requires annual loan reports to the council. AB2013-164 (Ordinance 2013-022) Amended and adopted 6-0, Bill Knutzen absent.

77. Authorize the executive to sign a $117,245 agreement with Fire District 7 to support the costs associated with paramedic incentive pay and continuing education for seven paramedics? At the 10/4/2012 meeting, the EMS Advisory Board recommended approval by the County Council. The funds are needed for increased costs of having paramedics on staff for the 5th Medic unit as authorized by the 2005 EMS plan. (AB2013-172) Approved 6-0, Bill Knutzen absent.

78. Authorize the spending of $84,004 for playground equipment at Silver Lake Park? The equipment is manufactured by Landscape Structures in Minnesota will be purchased using the KCDA purchasing cooperative through the manufactures representative PlayCreation of Burien. (AB2013-174) Approved 5-1, Barbara Brenner1 opposed and Bill Knutzen absent.

79. Approve the draft public participation plan for the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and amendments to the development regulation? The Growth Management Act requires counties to develop public participation program plans that will guide the publics’ involvement relating to development regulation amendments including zoning and critical areas ordinance changes. (AB2013-177) Amended and approved 6-0, Bill Knutzen absent.

Action Taken at May 21, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

80. Authorize the executive to award a the low bid of $2,268,759 to Trimaxx Construction of Sedro-Wooley, for the Lower Canyon Creek Phase 2 restoration project? (Council acting as the flood control board of supervisors) 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, provide flood protection to the adjacent community and Mount Baker Highway and improve fish habitat. State and federal funds of $1,463,300 were awarded for the project. The remaining costs will be provided using flood control district funds included in the 2013 budget. The county estimated the cost at $481,154 above the low bid. The work was advertised and five bids were received. (AB2013-184) Approved 5-2, Ken Mann and Pete Kremen opposed.

81. Authorize the executive to sign a $175,391 contract (amendment #9) with the Opportunity Council to provide rental assistance and administration of the Whatcom County Homeless Service Center? The original contract was approved at the 12/7/2010 meeting, vote #223. This amendment increases the 2013 contract budget to $805,592. The source of funding is from county document recording fees and and a state grant. Twenty-five families (with children) will be housed and emergency shelter and additional assistance to increase the capacity to re-house homeless households for a total contract of $1,958,096 that expires on 12/31/2013. (AB2013-185) Approved 7-0

82. Amend the 2013 budget (request #6) in the amount of $702,109? Appropriate $60,000 to establish 2013 on-site sewage system deferred loan program; $61,859 to emergency 911 operations; $10,000 from the Lummi Business Council for the sheriff’s pawned property database and communications on Sumas Mountain; $40,000 for the sheriff’s boating safety program patrols; $26,670 to expand capacity at Northwest Youth Service and Sun House; $450,000 to fund additional chemical dependency programs and services; $50,000 to Conservation Futures Fund for the Purchase of Development Rights program; $44,100 for the Civic Center parking lot security gate; $42,950 for additional funding for Lookout Mountain trailhead project; $10,713 for information technology. AB2013-178 (Ordinance 2013-023) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner2 opposed.

83. Amend the Whatcom County Community Development Fund? Ordinance No. 81-06 allowed delayed loan payments for low and moderate single family home owners to rehabilitate their homes with federal grants. This vote allows delayed payment loans to be made to property owners under the deferred payment sewage system loan program contract with the Washington State Department of Ecology. AB2013-179 (Ordinance 2013-024) Adopted 7-0

84. Amend the 2011 project based budget (request #1) to fund Civic Center exterior repairs project? At the 7/26/2011 meeting, vote # 120, the council authorized the spending of $1,404,036 for repairs to replace leaking windows and painting the exterior of the building to reduce future energy costs. This vote transfers $44,100 from a public utilities fund for the underground parking facility security gate. AB2013-176 (Ordinance 2013-025) Adopted 7-0