May 2007
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at March 13, 2007 Meeting
Shall the council:
55. Amend the county purchasing system? At the 1/17/07 meeting, vote number 16, the council increased the executive’s authority on small works contracts. That amendment increased the amount the executive can approve without council authorization from $100,000 to $200,000. This amendment would return the contract amount without council authorization to $100,000. (AB 2007-133) Failed 1-6,1 Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, Sam Crawford, Seth Fleetwood, Dan McShane, Ward Nelson and Carl Weimer opposed.
56. Authorize the executive to award bids up to $700,000 for the supply and delivery of asphaltic emulsions (road oil) for county roads? Low bidders are: McAsphalt Industries of Langley, B.C. and Paramount Petroleum of Seattle. Each company will provide different products. Paramount will provide CRS-2P emulsion and McAsphalt will provide CRS-2 emulsion. The oil will be used as needed. (AB 2007-141) Approved 7-0
57. Authorize the executive to award bids up to $200,000 for the supply and delivery of asphaltic mixes for country road projects? Low bidders are Imperial Paving of Abbotsford/Delta, B.C.; Rinker Materials of Burlington; Whatcom Builders of Bellingham and Wilder Construction of Everson. Price, location of work and type of mix available will determine which company is used. (AB 2007–142) Approved 7-0
58. Authorize the executive to enter into a $18,000 contract with Columbia Valuation Group of Shoreline, for five property appraisals? The farms2 are applying for conservation easements under the Purchase of Agricultural Development Rights program. Under that program, the county purchases conservation easements to protect farms from conversion to non-agricultural use. (AB 2007-145) Approved 7-0
59. Authorize the executive to enter into a contract with Whatcom Land Trust for their continued assistance with the Purchase of Agricultural Development Rights program? The land trust will be responsible for the acquiring, monitoring and enforcement of easements. Easement fees: the minimum fee will be $3,000 or 6 percent on the first $150,000 (whichever is greater) and a 4 percent on easements over $150,000. The contract runs from 4/1/07 to 12/31/07. (AB 2007-146) Approved 7-0
60. Authorize the executive to enter into a cost sharing agreement with the city of Bellingham to fund a countywide affordable housing task force? Each jurisdiction will contribute up to $75,000. The scheduled completion date is 12/31/07. The Bellingham City Council approved the agreement at the 2/12/07 meeting, vote number 33. (AB 2007-147) Approved 7-0
61. Authorize the executive to enter into a $202,720 contract with Snohomish County to house Whatcom County prisoners in their jail? The contract runs from 1/1/07 through 6/30/07 and allows Whatcom County to use at least 20 and up to 30 beds in the Snohomish County jail. The original contract for $564,480 was approved at the 10/25/05 meeting, vote number 210; an amended contract for $154,560 was approved at the 9/26/06 meeting, vote number 187. The total amount approved to house prisoners in the Snohomish County jail is $921,760. (AB 2007-149) Approved 7-0
62. Authorize the executive to enter into a $150,639 second amended contract with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham for additional work on the Cable Street reconstruction project? The project is designed to reduce the impact of stormwater on Lake Whatcom water quality. The original contract for $247,200 was approved at the 11/22/05 meeting, vote number 226. The first amendment for $47,545 was approved at the 9/12/06 meeting, vote number 172. Additional time is needed for construction inspection, engineering oversight, additional specifications and public communication. The total amended contract is $445,404 and the contract deadline extended from 11/15/07 to 5/15/08. (AB 2007-150) Approved 7-0
63. Authorize the executive to award a $1,100,000 grant to the city of Bellingham for the New Whatcom waterfront development? The Economic Development Investment Board3 recommended the grant by a vote of 11-0. New Whatcom is a joint project of the city of Bellingham and the Port of Bellingham; the grant will fund an environmental impact statement, a master plan for harbor improvements and regulations establishing standards and responsibilities. (AB 2007-151) Approve 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
64. Authorize the executive to enter into a $1,530,900 grant and loan agreement with the city of Ferndale for the centennial river project? The Economic Development Investment Board3 recommended a loan of $1,026,000 and a grant of $504,900 by a vote of 11-0. The project will construct a pedestrian promenade along the banks of the Nooksack River in Ferndale. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1,700,000 and a completion date of October 2007. The loan is for 20 years at an interest rate of 1.5 percent. (AB 2007-152) Approved 7-0
65. Authorize the executive spend $170,000 to purchase a conservation easement on the Dickson farm? The easement buys three agricultural development rights on the 41-acre farm located on the southeast corner of Noon and Hemmi roads. A federal grant (7/11/06 meeting, vote number 142) will cover 50 percent of the purchase. This is an acquisition under the Purchase of Agricultural Development Rights program. AB 2007-140 (Resolution 2007-13) Approved 7-0
3A board created by the council to make recommendations to the council on economic development investments.
