July 2006
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at May 9, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
101. Adopt the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s recommendation for a rezone to facilitate the development known as Blomquist Heights? The 103-lot single-family subdivision is proposed for 69 acres (2733 Thornton Road) in the city of Ferndale Urban Growth Area. A portion of the site boarders on the Ferndale city limits. This vote allows the city of Ferndale to annex the property. (AB 2006-186) Approved 7-0
102. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $117,600 to American Construction Company of Everett for the supply and installation of timber piles? The Everson overflow bank stabilization project is repairing the right bank of the Nooksack River one mile south of Everson. Timber piling will be installed to secure large woody debris. The bids were advertised and three were received. The project is eligible for state and federal grants. (AB 2006-208) Approved 7-0
103. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $119,432 to Kenworth Northwest of Bellingham for a diesel truck? The 2007 Kenworth five-wheel lowboy diesel truck replaces a 1975 Kenworth six-wheel truck. The bids were advertised and two bids were received. (AB 2006-210) Approved 7-0
104. Authorize the executive to enter into a $149,021 contract with Herrera Environmental Consultants of Seattle, for five water quality monitoring projects? Project 1: evaluate the effectiveness of the watershed friendly gardening program (6/21/05 meeting, vote number 119) for Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. Project 2: collect data at 20 sites within the Water Resource Inventory Area 1 (WRIA 1). Project 3: monitor and develop study plans for stormwater management within the Geneva Basin. Project 4: assess the sources of bacteria within the WRIA 1 area. Project 5: provide support services for analyzing and assessing data from various county water quality projects. State grants cover $42,240 of the total. The contract runs from 5/1/06 through 6/30/08. (AB 2006-212) Approved 7-0
105. Authorize the executive to enter into a $279,889 amended contract with Art Anderson Associates of Bremerton, to provide additional work on the new Lummi Island ferry terminal? The amendment is related to marine engineering and planning, design oversight, permitting, geotechnical testing and construction oversight. The original contract (11/11/05 meeting, vote number 196) was $393,000 for a total amended contract of $672,889. (AB 2006-215) Approved 7-0
106. Authorize the executive to enter into a $2,777,000 amended agreement with the Lummi Indian Business Council for the Slater Road flood-proofing project? The road will be raised above flood level and a 375-foot bridge will be constructed. The original agreement (2/22/05 meeting, vote number 48) estimated the total cost at $4 million and limited county expenditures to $1 million. The total revised cost is estimated at $6,777,000. The Lummi Nation secured a federal grant of $3 million; the county will pay the remaining $3,777.000. (AB2006-216) Approved 6-1, Dan McShane opposed.
107. Support Whatcom County’s participation in the Counties and Cities for Climate Protection Campaign? The International Council for Local Environmental Issues asked the county to participate in their five milestones campaign to reduce both greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions. AB 2006-223 (Resolution 2006-33) Approved 5-2, Sam Crawford and Ward Nelson opposed.
108. Install stop signs at the intersection of Enterprise and Grandview roads? Twenty-one automobile accidents have occurred at the intersection since January of 2002. The two-way stop will be modified to a four-way stop. Stop signs will be added to the Enterprise Road approaches to the intersection. AB 2006-198 (Ordinance 2006-22) Adopted 7-0
109. Rezone approximately 59 acres in the Ferndale Urban Growth Area? The 58.75 acres south of Thornton Road will be rezoned from a long-term planning area to a short-term planning area so it can be developed at a residentially zoned net density of at least four units per acre. AB 2006-186A (Ordinance 2006-23) Adopted 7-0
Action Take at May 23, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
110. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $117,138 to Diehl Ford of Bellingham for six vehicles? The low bid for the 2007 Ford Escape XLS small utility vehicles were $17,977 each. They replace two vehicles with 107,313 and 104,295 miles; the packet doesn’t list mileage for the other four vehicles. The bids were advertised and five bids were received. (AB 2006-228) Approved 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
111. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $98,006 to Frontier Ford of Anacortes for five pickup trucks? The low bid for the 2006 Ford F150 half-ton extended cab trucks were $18,099 each. They replace vehicles with 82,397 to 122,071 miles. The bids were advertised and four bids were received. (AB 2006-229) Approved 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
112. Authorize the executive to enter into a contract with the federal government for patrol services? The U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay the county up to $60,000 to provide a deputy in a marked sheriff’s vehicle to patrol the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest within Whatcom County. The contract runs from 10/1/05 through 9/30/06. (AB 2006-231) Approved 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
113. Authorize the executive to enter into a $60,000 three-year agreement with the Whatcom Council of Governments for the Whatcom Smart Trips program? This is a joint venture of the Whatcom Council of Governments and the Whatcom Transportation Authority to reduce single-occupancy automobiles trips by 8 to 12 percent. The annual cost to the county will be $20,000. The Bellingham City Council voted to join the smart trip program at the 2/27/06 meeting, vote number 42. (AB 2006-235) Approved 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
114. Authorize the executive to spend $697,350 to purchase animal control facilities at 1661 Baker Creek Place from Gregory and Mary Lee Rustrand? The purchase covers a building, land, vehicles and equipment. SSP-Preferred Animal Control has contracted animal control services with the county for the past nine years and is not renewing the current contract (5/20/03 meeting, vote number 94) expiring on 6/30/06. The county hopes to find a company that will purchase the facilities and take over animal control. (AB 2006-236) Approved 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
115. Authorize the executive to acquire a property easement from the Jensen Family Living Trust? The Jensen family wants 22.7-acres located on the Birch Bay Lynden Road between Custer and Lynden protected for wildlife habitat, scenic, recreation and open space purposes. Ten thousand dollars from the Conservation Futures Fund will be used to construct park facilities on the property. The family could revoke the easement if the county fails to maintain the Jensen Family Forest Park in accordance with the terms of the agreement. (AB 2006-237) Approved 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
116. Approve 2006 budget request #8 in the amount of $1,028,208? Expenditures include: $489,723 to planning and development for professional service contracts and equipment, a land-use planner, a senior planner and clerk III to WRIA 1 Watershed Management Plan for shoreline management, east county subarea update, Lummi Island groundwater study and Birch Bay guidelines; $188,403 to administrative services for wage contract settlements and adjustments; $125,557 to complete the Birch Bay stormwater management plan; $51,265 to the sheriff’s office for repair and maintenance of server software, reimbursable overtime contract and to hire a replacement records manager; $46,500 to purchase and install a broadcast warning system in the Sandy Point area; $26,000 for Whatcom Exchange Network computer servers; $26,000 to the law and justice data project for four computer blade servers; $20,000 for community trip reduction program to reduce percentage of single occupant automobile trips through education and incentives; $20,000 to parks and recreation for two half-ton 4x4 extended cab pickups; $20,000 for the two trucks purchased by the park department; $10,440 to the health department for disease investigation and control; $4,320 to victim witness fund for wage contract settlements. AB 2006-217 (Ordinance 2006-24) Adopted 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
117. Create a Whatcom County Veterans’ Advisory Board? The state legislature in 2005 passed a bill requiring each county to establish a veterans’ board. The board will advise the executive and council on the needs of and resources available to local indigent veterans and their families. The board will consist of nine members appointed to four-year terms. Only veterans who are residents of the county are eligible and a majority of the board must be members of veteran’s service organizations. AB 2006-218 (Ordinance 2006-25) Approved 5-0, Seth Fleetwood and Ward Nelson absent.
