Whatcom County Council

Action Taken at June 3, 2014 Meeting

Shall the council:

107. Appoint Andy Ross to fill a vacancy on the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee? The committee advises the County Council on proposed actions and operations relating to the restoration of water quality in the Portage Bay watershed. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Ross worked for the Lummi Indian Business Council in the water resource division. He was an independent geologist and hydrogeologist from 2005 to 2011 and is currently a part-time caregiver. The four year term ends on 1/31/2018. (AB2014-209) Appointed 7-0

108. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $153,000 to Kibble & Prentice of Seattle for three years of benefit consultant services for the coun-ty’s self-insured medical plan? For the year 2015 the amount will be $48,500, for 2016 it will be $51,000 and for 2016 it will be $53,500. Kibble & Prentice will monitor claims data, analyze benefit options, provide actuarially-sound plan pricing, bid for competitive stop loss coverage, provide guidance for health care reform compliance and perform other technical administrative matters. The work was advertised and two bids were received. The contract commences on 1/1/2015 and ends on 12/31/2017 with a three year renewal option. (AB2014-211) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner1 opposed.

109. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $949,310 to Faber Construction of Lynden to renovate a courtroom for a fourth Superior Court judge? The Washington State Legislature approved a fourth Superior Court judge for Whatcom County. At the 6/18/2013 meeting, vote #103, the council approved $200,000 to fund the architectural and engineering phase of the work. The Commissioners Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse will be converted into a courtroom for the fourth Superior Court judge and the Commissioners will be moved into a remodeled room on the 5th floor. The work was advertised and two bids were received. (AB2014-214) Approved 7-0

110. Authorize the executive to sign a $55,523 contract with Richhardt & Erbe Engineering of Lynden for professional design services at South Fork Park? The contractor will prepare design drwnings and construction documents for a parking lot and trailhead improvements. The project is located off Mosquito Lake Road east of Highway 9. (AB2014-215) Approved 7-0

111. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $698,632 to Orion Marine Contractors of Tacoma for the Gooseberry Point ferry dolphin replacement project? The project will replace deteriored wooden dolphins with steel pile-supported dolphins. A dolphin is a marine structure that extends above the water level and is not connected to shore. Mooring dolphins can cushion ship impacts, somewhat similar to fenders on an automobile. Preliminary engineering, construction engineering, testing, and a contingency fee brings the total cost to $833,632. The engineer’s estimate for the contract was $941,563. The work was advertised and four bids were received. AB2014-212 (Resolution 2014-025) Approved 7-0

112. Authorize the executive to sign a cooperative agreement to address homelessness? The regional consortium agreement with other municipalities in Whatcom County, Skagit County, and Island County will qualify the area for additional funding to address homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Devlopment Home Investment Partnership Program provides grants to participating jurisdictions to expand the supply of affordable housing for low and very low income households. AB2014-213 (Resolution 2014-026) Approved 7-0

113. Approve the 2014 Portage Bay Shellfish Recovery Plan? The Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District was first approved at the 3/24/1998 council meeting. Water quality in the Nooksack River and Portage Bay have again deteriorated and the shellfish growing area is threatened with another closure. The Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee presented the 2014 undated plan to ensure the water quality improves and the shellfish areas maintain “approved” status. AB2014-210 (Resolution 2014-027) Approved 7-0

114. Establish a project based budget and add $1,422,464 to the budget (amendment #1) for a fourth Superior Court judge courtroom? At the 6/18/2013 meeting, vote #103, the council approved $200,000 to fund the architectural and engineering phase of the work. The Commissioners Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse will be converted into a courtroom and jury room for a fourth Superior Court judge and the Commissioners will be moved into a re-modeled room on the 5th floor. This vote brings the total budget to $1,622,464. AB2014-206 (Ordinance 2014-033) Approved 7-0

115. Amend the 2014 budget (request #11) in the amount of $1,422,464? Appropriate $1,422,464 to fund the 2nd floor remodel for the new Superior Court judge, 5th floor remodel for the Commissioners, furishings, court recording equipment, and a temporary personnel move to the Civic Center Building. AB2014-207 (Ordinance 2014-034) Approved 7-0

Action Taken at the June 17, 2014 Meeting

Shall the council:

116. Uphold the hearing examiner’s decision on a request for a hardship extension? Robert Wilson, owner of the proposed Emission Tech Cluster short plat was granted preliminary short plat approval on 5/10/2009. The applicant had two years to submit the final review packet. He was granted an economic hardship extension for an additional two years. The Whatcom County Planning and Services Services informed Mr. Wilson that the application expired on 5/10/2013. The 5/10/2013 date was appealed to the hearing examiner, who denied the appeal, and then to the County Council. (AB2014-137) Upheld 7-0

117. Appoint Mark Peterson to fill a partial term on the Solid Waste Advisory Board? The committee provides ongoing input and advice to Whatcom County on solid waste management issues. Mark Peterson will fill the public interest group vacancy ending on 1/31/2015. Mr. Peterson is currently em-ployed as a certified project manager by Sustainable Connections. Part of his job with Sustainable Connections is to work with businesses to implement a zero waste strategy. (AB2014-222) Appointed 7-0

118. Authorize the executive to sign a $545,140 contract (amendment #2) with Pioneer Human Services of Seattle to operate the Whatcom County Be-havioral Health Triage Center? Part of the services are devoted to people with chronic substance abuse problems. The Whatcom Community Detox pro-vides eight beds for detoxification services. In 2013, there were 694 admissions to Whatcom Community Detox. (AB2014-230) Approved 7-0 119. Authorize the executive to sign a $45,949 contract with Kulshan Services of Bellingham to conduct inspections and workshops for residents with privately owned stormwater facilities? The contract authorizes inspections of up to 10 private stormwater facilities and inspections of outfalls in the Geneva neighborhod to identify sources of illicit or illegal discharges into the county’s stormwater system. The contact expires on 1/31/2015. (AB2014-233) Approved 7-0

120. Authorize the executive to sign a $65,852 contract with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham to provide Phase 2 construction support services for the Coronado- Fremont stormwater improvement project? This area of the Geneva neighborhood drains into Lake Whatcom. The project will improve water quality with installation of stormwater vaults and channel restoration. This will slow velocity to reduce sediment transport, reduce flooding, and stabilize an eroded creek. Phase 2 consists of stream channel stabilization on Coronado Avenue and stormwater treatment facilities on Fremont Street. Wilson Engi-neering will provide boundary surveys to help resolve property and right-of-way boundary lines. Property lines in the area have a long, convoluted history. The contract expires on 6/30/2015. (AB2014-234) Approved 7-0

121. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of 888,963 to Jansen, Inc. of Ferndale for phase 2 of the lower Canyon Creek restoration project? (Coun-cil acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) Approximately $500,000 will go for riprap and engineered log jams. Chinook, pink, coho, sockeye, chum salmon, steelhead, bull trout, and sea-run cutthroat trout all use lower Canyon Creek, a tributary of the North Fork of the Nooksack River. The work was advertised and five bids were received. The engineer’s estimate was $801,554. (AB2014-236) Approved 6-1, Ken Mann opposed.

122. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,354,277 contract with the Opportunity Council of Bellingham to provide rental assistance, utility assistance, and essential needs for recipients whose eligibilty is determined by the state of Washington? The recipients are homeless or at substantial risk of becoming homeless. The program is not intended to provide long term housing stability. The contract runs from 7/1/2014 through 6/30/2015. (AB2014-238) Approved 7-0

123. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Eleanor Hines to the Marine Resources Committee? The committee addresses the needs of the Northwest Strait marine ecosystem, local marine issues, and recommends remedial action to local authorities. Ms. Hines has a masters in environmental science with a focus on environmental risk assessment and has volunteered with the Surfrider Foundation and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. (2014- 239) Confirmed 7-0

124. Set July 8 as the public hearing date to authorize the sale of surplus county property? The surplus property is comprised 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, trailer, and sweeper, plus broken office equipment, computer components, and furniture. AB2014-229 (Resolution 2014-028) Approved 7-0

125. Approve the 2014 update to the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District’s comprehensive sewer plan? The plan was approved by the engineering divsion of Whatcom County Public Works, the Whatcom County Health Department, and the Washington State Department of Ecology. AB2014-223 (Res-olution 2014-029) Approved 7-0

126. Amend the solid waste residential recycling collection code? (Public hearing held) The code was first passed at the 10/9/1990 meeting and last revised at the 2/25/2003 meeting, vote #47. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee reviewed the code and proposed several minor changes. AB 2014-217 (Ordinance 2014-035) Amended and adopted 7-0.

127. Appropriate $1,127,676 (amendment #1) for the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project fund and establish a project-based budget? The project fund was established at the 11/20/2012 meeting, vote #199. The initial project budget of $1,072,324 was approved with $745,000 in local funds and $327,324 in federal funds. This amendment to the design phase brings the total to $2,200,000. The project will include a berm/trail to encourage walking and bicycling, improve non-motorized transportation, and will mitigate beach erosion and roadway storm damage. The total estimated project cost is $11,450,000 with $9,667,871 in local funding. AB2014-216 (Ordinance 2014-036) Adopted 7-0

128. Appropriate $2,123,809 (amendment #1) for the telecommunications system fund and related capital budget appropriation? The telecommunications system fund was established at the 2/11/2014 meeting, vote #38. At that meeting the council voted to appropriate $100,000 to pay for a telecommunications consultant in Phase I and replace the “telecommunications system replacement fund”. The current telecommunications system is twenty years old and the fuun ends on 3/31/2015. This vote brings the total amended budget to $2,223,809. AB2014-218 (Ordinance 2014-037) Adopted 7-0

129. Appropriate $46,478 (amendment #5) for the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center site? The center provides economic development, family support, and health services that benefit low- and moderate-income persons in the Kendall area, a growing but isolated population of the county. Additional work is needed to the heating and cooling system to achieve LEED certification. This amendment brings the total project budget to $4,938,093. AB 2014- 219 (Ordinance 2014-038) Adopted 7-0

130. Amend the 2014 budget (request #12) in the amount of $2,312,053? Appropriate: $122,118 as a pass-through grant to the Opportunity Council for a public services project; $15,658 to the sheriff ’s office to fund traffic unit and overtime patrols; $4,000 for Bobcat repair; $46,468 for the East Whatcom Re-gional Resource Center; and $2,123,809 to replace the 22-year-old phone system. AB2014-220 (Ordinance 2014-039) Adopted 7-0