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Past Issues


Whatcom Watch Online
Whatcom County Council


October-November 2014

Watching Government

Whatcom County Council

Correction

The explanation for Barbara Brenner’s opposition to vote 137 was not included the the September issue.

137. Authorize the sale of surplus property? The surplus property consists of objects which are too costly to repair or are outdated. The surplus property includes: 11 Crown Victoria automobiles; 12 Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge trucks; three dump trucks, five tractors, eight mowers, two motorcycles, a chipper, a trailer, a sweeper, plus broken office equipment, computer components, and furniture. AB2014-229A (Resolution 2014-032) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.

From Barbara Brenner: I opposed the sale of surplus property because some of the vehicles did not have adquate milage to require surplus.

Action Taken at August 5, 2014 Meeting

Shall the council:

150. Authorize the executive to sign a $27,350 contract with Northwest Data Systems of Stanwood to develop a stormwater inventory and maintenance tracking database? The county is required by the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit to inspect and maintain approximately 2,700 catch basins, 4,000 culverts, 160 outfalls, 35 bioswales and 110 miles of ditches in unincorporated Whatcom County and urban growth areas of Bellingham, Ferndale, Birch Bay, Sudden Valley and Toad Lake. The contract commences on 8/6/2014 and terminates on 12/31/2015. (2014-280) Approved 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

151. Send a letter to the state of Washington asking that western Drayton Harbor be opened to recreational shellfish harvesting? The Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee and the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee requested the letter be submitted to the state. The five state water quality monitoring sites in the area meet water quality standards throughout the year except for the wet season. (AB2014-278) Approved 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

152. Accept four petitions relating to the formation of irrigation districts? The districts are to be known as: the Drayton Watershed Improvement District, the Laurel Watershed Improvement District, the South Lynden Watershed Improvement District and the Sumas Watershed Improvement District. The districts are being proposed to address water supply, water quality and other environmental issues affecting agricultural landowners. Council will hold a public hearing at a later date, set the district boundaries and establish the election process. (AB2014-224A/225A/226A/227A) Approved 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

153. Reclassify Bailey Trust open space land? (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 Bailey Trust property has 9.51 acres in the county and 21.52 acres located in the city of Ferndale. The application is requesting reclassification from designated forest land to timber land. AB2014-272 (Resolution 2014-036) Approved 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

154. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with the state of Washington for three round-a-bouts on Slater Road? The round-a-bouts will be constructed at the intersection of Slater Road and Pacific Highway, the northbound I-5 ramp and southbound I-5 ramp. The state will spend between $25,000 and $30,000 planning and designing them and the county will spend an estimated $280,000 constructing them. AB2014-279 (Resolution 2014-037) Approved 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

155. Amend the county road renaming system? (Public hearing held) An intergovernmental agreement between the county and the Lummi Nation was signed to provide the Lummi Nation with a way to change the name of Haxton Way. The current county code does not have a procedure for an applicant to request changing the name of an existing road. This amendment will have a citizen address and road name appeals committee. The five member committee will serve three-year terms and shall be eligible for reappointment. Public Works has identified additional changes to improve implementation and administration of the code. AB2014-270 (Ordinance 2014-045) Adopted 4-1, Barbara Brenner1 opposed, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

156. Amend the 2014 budget (request #14) in the amount of $60,813? Appropriate: $28,813 to fund one staff position to investigate code violations, process new violations and do compliance follow up: $32,000 to fund a driveway relocation at the Hovander Homestead Park. AB2014-273 (Ordinance 2014-046) Approved 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

157. Streamline the grant application process and clarify approval provisions? The amount of state or federal grants that must be approved by the council are increased from $5,000 to $20,0000. AB2014-275 (Ordinance 2014-047) Substitute adopted 5-0, Sam Crawford and Ken Mann absent.

Action Taken at September 16, 2014 Meeting

Shall the council:

158. Approve a $10,000 contract (amendment #4) with Van Ness, Feldman, GordonDerr law firm of Seattle to assist in representing Whatcom County in Growth Management Hearings Board cases? At the 12/4/2012 meeting, vote #222, the council approved a $50,000 contract with the law firm to assist the county in its legal defense of Ordinance 2012-032, approved at the 8/7/2012 meeting, vote #146. A $40,000 amendment was approved at the 6/18/2013 meeting, vote #94. A $10,000 amendment was approved at the 12/12/2013 meeting, vote #224. A $30,000 amendment was approved at the 4/8/2014 meeting, vote #70. This amendment brings the total contract to $140,000. The contract expires on 12/14/2014. (AB2014-136A) Approved 6-1, Carl Weimer opposed.

159. Authorize the executive to accept a $176,799 grant from Thrive by Five Washington to implement the Nurse-Family Partnership program? This is the third year of a program that supports low income first time mothers with risk factors such as ethnicity, geographic isolation, depression, and substance abuse. The home visitors support young families through first two years of child’s life. During the 2013-2014 grant period visiting nurses made over 600 home visits to 25 families and served a total of 47 families.The grant runs from 7/1/2014 through 6/30/2015. The grant requires a county match of $100,000. Thrive by Five is an organization funded by the state of Washington (Early Learning Fund) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. (AB2014-291) Approved 7-0

160. Authorize the executive to sign a $25,000 contract with Element Solutions of Bellingham to update the aggregate resource inventory study? The inventory that was completed in 2003 estimated that there was approximately 35 years of the resources within Whatcom County that could be used for construction. Element Solutions will provide the current amount of sand, gravel and hard rock mineral reserves and the lifespan of the reserves. (AB2014-292) Approved 7-0

161. Authorize the executive to sign a $143,840 contract with Icon Enterprises of Manhattan, Kansas (doing business as CivicPlus) to redesign the county website? The basic redesign calls for a redeveloped banner, navigation method, and graphic elements. CivicPlus has 1,700 government customers nationwide and over 30 in the state of Washington. CivicPlus will do hosting, maintenance and support for an annual fee of $11,415. (AB2014-293) Approved 7-0

162. Confirm appointments to the Whatcom County Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials? The Whatcom County Charter — initially approved in 1978 — gave the County Council the power to set salaries. At the 11/8/2011 general election, 60 percent of the voters approved a Charter amendment approving a salary commission. The salary commission consists of ten members serving two-year terms; six members are selected by lot and four by the executive. The four selected by the executive require an area of expertise; Brian Lydiard (business), Kara Turner2 (professional personnel management), Robert Carmichael2 (legal profession) and Allan Jensen2 (organized labor). Selected by lot; Thom A. Fischer2 and Kristi Birkeland (District #1), Mike Arbiter and George J. Plucinski2 (District #2), Jesse Berg and Pete Schroeder (District #3).The terms will end on 12/31/2016. (AB2014-297) Confirmed 7-0

163. Approve five open space applications?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 that 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. Open Space Land: Hurlbut, .44 acres. Re-classify from Farm and Agricultural Land to Farm and Agricultural Conservation Land: Hemmes, 3.81 acres. Timber Land: E. Baily and Loren H. Baily, 9.15 acres; Engelund, 8.5 acres; Sunset SW LLC, 28 acres for a total of 49.9 acres. AB2014-272 (Resolution 2014-038) Substitute approved 7-0.

164. Adopt the recommendations of the oversight committee for three applications under the Purchase of Development Rights program and authorize the executive to proceed with the acquisition process for the farms? The Purchase of Development Rights program acquires conservation easements to protect farms from conversion to non-agricultural uses. The three applications3 total 125.5 acres. AB2014-288 (Resolution 2014-039) Approved 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.

165. Authorize the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Slater Road and Northwest Drive? (Public hearing held) The county’ engineering office conducted a traffic study and recommended that the intersection become a four-way stop. Stop signs will be installed northbound and southbound on Northwest Drive. AB2014-283 (Ordinance 2014-048) Approved 7-0

166. Authorize the installation of stop signs at the intersection of Airport Way and Airport Drive? (Public hearing held) The county’ engineering office conducted a traffic study and recommended that the intersection become a three-way stop. Stop signs will be installed eastbound and westbound on Airport Drive. AB2014-284 (Ordinance 2014-049) Approved 7-0

167. Transfer the management of the Solid Waste Program from the Pubic Works Department to the Health Department? (Public hearing held) The Solid Waste Program is being transferred to allow the Public Works Department to spend more time and effort on ground and surface water issues. Currently, the Health Department manages compliance enforcement, the transfer will bring all aspects of solid waster under one department. AB2014-265 (Ordinance 2014-050) Approved 7-0

3. Rankings: (1) the Donald and Ramona Littrell farm is located on the Delta Line Road, north of Birch Bay-Lynden Road; it is currently planted in strawberries; property size: 39.1 acres, seven development rights. (2) the Justine Williams farm is on Tom Road, north of Nooksack; it is currently planted in grain; 19.4 acres, one development right. (3) the Justin Williams and Constance Williams farm is located on Robinson Road, Everson, it is currently planted in mixed vegetables; 66.2 acres acres; one development right. 


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