October-November 2013
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by the League of Women Voters
Action Taken at August 6, 2013 Meeting
Shall the council:
143. Amend the ferry rates? The amendment would change the method of calculating the 45 percent road subsidy for the ferry operations expenses. The change would make the method of calculation identical to the 55 percent fare box contribution. If the amendment had been approved it would have eliminated a subsidy increase over 45 percent from the road fund. (AB2013-162) Failed 3-3, Barbara Brenner,1 Kathy Kershner and Bill Knutzen opposed, Carl Weimer absent.
144. Authorize the executive to accept a $94,750 federal grant for pre-design of the Birch Bay stormwater retrofit projects? (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) The National Estuary Program grant will fund four projects. They will be evaluated for design cost estimates for areas previously identified due to localized flooding, poor water quality, and erosion problems. The total cost is $112,750, with $18,740 provided through Public Works Stormwater staff time and fees collected through Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM). (AB2013-280) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
145. Authorize the executive to accept a $118,596 federal/state grant for the Northwest Regional Drug Task Force? The federal grant is $87,665 and the state grant $30,931. The goal of the task force is to interdict criminal gangs and drug trade through multi-jurisdictional efforts of law enforcement and prosecution. The grants run from 7/1/2013 through 6/30/2014. (AB2013-281) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
146. Authorize the spending of $86,346 to purchase a replacement brush chipper? The chipper will be purchased using a Washington State contract from PCI Waste and Recycling Equipment of Portland, Oregon. The 2013 Bandit heavy duty brush chipper replaces a 2001 Bandit chipper with 8,705 hours. (AB2013-284) Approved 5-1, Barbara Brenner2 opposed, Carl Weimer absent.
147. Authorize the executive to sign a $98,796 contract with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham for a stormwater infrastructure project in the Lake Whatcom watershed? The Academy Road sub-basin project will treat stormwater runoff to reduce phosphorus loading in Lake Whatcom. The work consists of preparing an analysis of treatment alternatives, assisting with grant applications, selecting a treatment alternative, and preparing bid documents. The estimates cost of the project is $1.1 million, plus $575,000 for property acquisition. It is jointly funded by the city and the county. This is a priority capital project for the city of Bellingham. (AB2013-283) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
148. Authorize the executive to allow the sheriff's office to spend $194,982 to purchase fifty laptop computers and related accessories? The computer are compatible with the new records management system and will be purchased from DATEC, Inc. of Seattle, using the interlocal agreement with the city of Everett. Funds for the purchase for 20 laptops is from an Operation Stonegarden federal grant and and 30 laptops from the record management system budget. (2013-286) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
149. Authorize the executive to sign a $250,000 two-year contract with Olympic Security Services of Tukwila for Courthouse security? People going anywhere to floors 2-5, except county employees who have a slide card and take the stairs, are screened; the county owns the x-ray machines and electronic wands. The hours of operation will be 7:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and some evening events. The original contract for Courthouse security was approved at the 9/13/2005 meeting, vote number 172. This contract runs from 6/15/2013 through 6/15/2015. (AB-2013-291) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
150. Amend the 2013 budget (request #9) in the amount of $1,020,100? Appropriate: $44,500 for 911 operational expenses; $165,600 for the purchase of Funk farm development rights; $30,000 for security improvements to the Central Plaza Building; $780,000 for the Nooksack Water Treatment Plant upgrade. 2013-270 (Ordinance 2013-048) Adopted 5-1, Ken Mann opposed, Carl Weimer absent.
151. Allow additional time for preliminary approved long subdivisions? This ordinance amends the time from five years to five, seven or 10 years depending on preliminary approval date. It is consistent with changes in the Revised Code of Washington amended by the Washington Legislature on 8/18/2013. AB2013-272 (Ordinance 2013-049) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
152. Amend the zoning code for stormwater and drainage in the Birch Bay Urban Growth Area? The amendment defers the implementation of the 2012 Washington State Stormwater Management Manual to 12/31/2016 as outlined in the 2013 Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. The text maintains the current stormwater special district standards, water resource management areas, and implements the 2005 stormwater manual for larger projects in Western Washington. AB2013-273 (Ordinance 2013-050) Approved 6-0, Carl Weimer absent.
Action Taken at September 10, 2013 Meeting
Shall the council:
153. Authorize the executive to sign three contracts — totaling $1,919,000 — for outpatient substance abuse treatment services to low income individuals? Total compensation will vary depending on the number of services provided. The treatment retention rate for Whatcom County is 66.7 percent which exceeds the state median. The contract with Sea Mar Community Health Centers of Seattle is estimated at $203,000 (AB2013-296). The contract with Catholic Community Services of Bellingham is estimated at $672,000 (AB2013-297). The contract with Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic of Bellingham is estimated at $316,000 (AB2013-298). All three contracts run from 10/1/2013 through 9/30/2015. Funds for the contracts are from federal and state grants plus the local Chemical Dependency/Mental Health Program Fund. The Whatcom County Health Department monitors services on a monthly basis. Approved 7-0
154. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $241,058 to HB Hansen Construction of Lynden for improvements to the boat ramp at Lighthouse Marine Park in Point Roberts? The work was advertised and two bids were received. A state grant funds the improvements. (AB2013-299) Approved 7-0
155. Appoint councilmember Pete Kremen to serve on the Whatcom Transportation Authority committee that meets every four years to review the composition of the board of directors? (AB20113-307) Approved 7-0
156. Approve three open space applications?* (Public hearing held) The law gives property tax relief to open space designations and decreases conversion to non-rural use. If the property is removed from the open space designation it is subject to an additional tax equal to the difference between the tax paid on the current use value and tax would have been paid on that land had it not been classified. The additional tax is payable for the last seven years, plus interest. The Planning Commission recommended denial for two of the three requests. They recommended denial — due loss of tax revenue — for Royal and Sue Sefton, 10.78 acres transfer from farm and agricultural land to open space land and denial — because it was not used primarily for growth of commercial timber — for new timber land for William Joseph Kennedy, 6.7 acres. They recommended approval of the Keith Smith, 19.3 acres, transfer from designated forest land to timber land. The Planning Commission also stated that the county’s rating system to evaluate open space land needs an update since many changes have happened since the last revisions 24 years ago. This will have an effect on future applications. AB2013-290 (Resolution 2013-027) Amended and approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner3 opposed.
157. Approve a review schedule with Whatcom County cities for Urban Growth Areas? At the 3/27/2012 meeting, vote #51, the council approved planning, annexation and development agreements with Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, and Sumas. City and the county planners will meet to coordinate and review the issues associated with growth management. Land capacity analysis methodology will be reviewed and capital financial planning will be coordinated addressing issues unique to each city. Population and employment projections, stormwater and transportation plans, zoning, watershed planning, parks and recreation, police, fire and emergency medical services, sales tax revenue,wetlands mitigation, and transfer of development rights are among the many considerations to work out with the cities separately. The schedule sets forth tasks for 2013-2016 to coordinate planning. The review must be completed by 6/30/2016. AB2013-303A (Resolution 2013-028) Approved 7-0
158. Allow packinghouses in the agricultural zoning district? (Public hearing held) Packinghouses — formally called slaughterhouses — no larger than 7,000 square feet require a building permit, waste handling permit, and a right to use water. Slaughterhouse no larger than 20,000 square feet will require a public hearing and the application to be review by the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner. Up to three quarters of the animals slaughtered must be from Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties. AB2012-300C (Ordinance 2013-051) Amended and adopted 4-3, Barbara Brenner,4 Carl Weimer and Ken Mann opposed.
159. Repeal the interim moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for divisions of land resulting in lots smaller than five acres within the Lake Whatcom watershed? At the 7/23/2013 meeting, vote #138, the council passed Ordinance 2013-043 establishing Lake Whatcom Watershed Overlay District and amended codes and plans on water quality and stormwater management. The moratorium, first passed at the 2/8/2005 meeting, vote #46 and last renewed at the 7/9/2013 meeting, vote #122, is no longer necessary. AB2013-277 (Ordinance 2013-052) Approved 7-0
*Open Space Applications
Timber land: William Joseph Kennedy, 7630 Bear Ridge Way, Maple Falls, 6.7 acres; transfer from farm and agricultural land to open space land: Royal and Sue Sefton, 6799 Goodwyn Road, Everson, 10.78 acres; transfer from designated forest land to timber land: Keith Smith, Reese Hill Road, Sumas, 19.3 acres.
4From Barbara Brenner: I opposed the agricultural zoning district language because I believe it could unduly burden neighboring properties and farmers. I tried to make amendments but they were voted down.
Action Taken at September 10, 2013 Meeting
Shall the council:
153. Authorize the executive to sign three contracts — totaling $1,919,000 — for outpatient substance abuse treatment services to low income individuals? Total compensation will vary depending on the number of services provided. The treatment retention rate for Whatcom County is 66.7 percent which exceeds the state median. The contract with Sea Mar Community Health Centers of Seattle is estimated at $203,000 (AB2013-296). The contract with Catholic Community Services of Bellingham is estimated at $672,000 (AB2013-297). The contract with Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic of Bellingham is estimated at $316,000 (AB2013-298). All three contracts run from 10/1/2013 through 9/30/2015. Funds for the contracts are from federal and state grants plus the local Chemical Dependency/Mental Health Program Fund. The Whatcom County Health Department monitors services on a monthly basis. Approved 7-0
154. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $241,058 to HB Hansen Construction of Lynden for improvements to the boat ramp at Lighthouse Marine Park in Point Roberts? The work was advertised and two bids were received. A state grant funds the improvements. (AB2013-299) Approved 7-0
155. Appoint councilmember Pete Kremen to serve on the Whatcom Transportation Authority committee that meets every four years to review the composition of the board of directors? (AB20113-307) Approved 7-0
156. Approve three open space applications?* (Public hearing held) The law gives property tax relief to open space designations and decreases conversion to non-rural use. If the property is removed from the open space designation it is subject to an additional tax equal to the difference between the tax paid on the current use value and tax would have been paid on that land had it not been classified. The additional tax is payable for the last seven years, plus interest. The Planning Commission recommended denial for two of the three requests. They recommended denial — due loss of tax revenue — for Royal and Sue Sefton, 10.78 acres transfer from farm and agricultural land to open space land and denial — because it was not used primarily for growth of commercial timber — for new timber land for William Joseph Kennedy, 6.7 acres. They recommended approval of the Keith Smith, 19.3 acres, transfer from designated forest land to timber land. The Planning Commission also stated that the county’s rating system to evaluate open space land needs an update since many changes have happened since the last revisions 24 years ago. This will have an effect on future applications. AB2013-290 (Resolution 2013-027) Amended and approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner3 opposed.
157. Approve a review schedule with Whatcom County cities for Urban Growth Areas? At the 3/27/2012 meeting, vote #51, the council approved planning, annexation and development agreements with Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, and Sumas. City and the county planners will meet to coordinate and review the issues associated with growth management. Land capacity analysis methodology will be reviewed and capital financial planning will be coordinated addressing issues unique to each city. Population and employment projections, stormwater and transportation plans, zoning, watershed planning, parks and recreation, police, fire and emergency medical services, sales tax revenue,wetlands mitigation, and transfer of development rights are among the many considerations to work out with the cities separately. The schedule sets forth tasks for 2013-2016 to coordinate planning. The review must be completed by 6/30/2016. AB2013-303A (Resolution 2013-028) Approved 7-0
158. Allow packinghouses in the agricultural zoning district? (Public hearing held) Packinghouses — formally called slaughterhouses — no larger than 7,000 square feet require a building permit, waste handling permit, and a right to use water. Slaughterhouse no larger than 20,000 square feet will require a public hearing and the application to be review by the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner. Up to three quarters of the animals slaughtered must be from Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties. AB2012-300C (Ordinance 2013-051) Amended and adopted 4-3, Barbara Brenner,4 Carl Weimer and Ken Mann opposed.
159. Repeal the interim moratorium on the acceptance of new applications for divisions of land resulting in lots smaller than five acres within the Lake Whatcom watershed? At the 7/23/2013 meeting, vote #138, the council passed Ordinance 2013-043 establishing Lake Whatcom Watershed Overlay District and amended codes and plans on water quality and stormwater management. The moratorium, first passed at the 2/8/2005 meeting, vote #46 and last renewed at the 7/9/2013 meeting, vote #122, is no longer necessary. AB2013-277 (Ordinance 2013-052) Approved 7-0
*Open Space Applications
Timber land: William Joseph Kennedy, 7630 Bear Ridge Way, Maple Falls, 6.7 acres; transfer from farm and agricultural land to open space land: Royal and Sue Sefton, 6799 Goodwyn Road, Everson, 10.78 acres; transfer from designated forest land to timber land: Keith Smith, Reese Hill Road, Sumas, 19.3 acres.
4From Barbara Brenner: I opposed the agricultural zoning district language because I believe it could unduly burden neighboring properties and farmers. I tried to make amendments but they were voted down.
