July 2007
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at May 22, 2007 Meeting
Shall the council:
113. Request the prosecuting attorney to file a petition in Superior Court for a review of the decision by the liquor control board granting a license to the Northwood Crossing Casino? On May 31, 2007, the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney David McEachran filed a petition in Washington State Superior Court asking the court to “review and reverse” the decision granting a liquor license to the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s casino. (AB 2007-18) Approved 4-2-1, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber and Dan McShane opposed and Seth Fleetwood abstained.
114. Authorize the executive to amend an annexation agreement with the city of Bellingham? The Bellingham City Council at the 9/25/06 meeting, vote number 238, started the annexation process for approximately 125 acres east of Aldrich Road and south of Horton Road. The 1997 Whatcom County/city of Bellingham annexation agreement requires that it be amended 45 days prior to a review by the Boundary Review Board. (AB 2007-218) Approved 7-0
115. Authorize the executive to award low bids totaling $98,186 to Sound Ford of Renton for three trucks? The low bid for a one-ton cab and chassis (Ford F350) was $37,760; it is replacing a 2000 Dodge Ram with 115,806 miles. The low bid for three pickup trucks — one replaces a vehicle with 109,750 miles and two are new vehicles — was $60,426. The requests for bids were advertised and six bids were received. (AB 2007-236/237) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner opposed.1
116. Authorize the executive to award a $60,000 contract to Miller’s Painting of Bellingham for interior and exterior painting of county buildings? At the 4/10/07 meeting, vote number 79, the council approved a two-year, $120,000 contract with Miller’s Painting. This vote approves the money for 2007; the council will need to approve $60,000 in 2008. (AB 2007-240) Approved 7-0
117. Sell surplus property at 2158 South Nugent Road, Lummi Island, by public auction or sealed bid? (Public hearing held) The Lummi Island Community Land Trust suggested that the property known as the Embrey House should be kept for public use as it is located adjacent to the ferry dock. The public works department felt improvements would cost more than they could justify and recommended disposal of the property. AB 2007-153a (Resolution 2007-26) Approved 4-3, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, Seth Fleetwood and Carl Weimer opposed.
118. Sell at public auction property acquired by tax foreclosure for no less than taxes and expenses of $1,067? (Public hearing held) TR 2007-01, Snowline Division #1, lot 95, Glacier, includes mineral rights, to be sold subject with restrictive covenants. AB 2007-217a (Resolution 2007-27) Approved 7-0
119. Order the cancellation of uncashed jail inmate checks issued before December 31, 2004? The total of the 76 uncashed checks is $613.27. The unclaimed property will be held for one year and then transferred to the state of Washington as abandoned property. The funds will be available indefinitely to the payee. AB 2007-242 (Resolution 2007-28) Approved 7-0
120. Repeal the 1979 resolution appointing the county executive to the Whatcom County Administrative Finance Committee? Resolution 79-5 is in conflict with state code amended in 1991. The amendment to the state code defines finance committee membership as the County Council chairperson, county treasurer and county auditor. AB 2007-246 (Resolution 2007-29) Approved 7-0
121. Amend the Cable Street one-way detours ordinance? (Public hearing held) The ordinance was adopted at the 4/10/07 meeting, vote number 89. This amendment clarifies one-way detours and removes a stop sign at Lakeway Drive and Terrace Avenue. AB 2007-169b (Ordinance 2007-27) Approved 7-0
122. Continue the interim moratorium removing the lot clustering provision from the rural forestry division of the Whatcom County Code? (Public hearing held) An emergency moratorium was enacted at the 10/10/06 meeting, vote number 205; an interim moratorium was passed at the 11/21/06 meeting, vote number 240. The council and staff want additional time for the review to ensure the conservation of commercial forestry and to discourage incompatible uses. Interim ordinances must be renewed every six months. AB 2007-229 (Ordinance 2007-28) Adopted 6-1, Sam Crawford opposed.
123. Amend the 2007 budget (request #5) in the amount of $373,771? Appropriations include: $178,155 to purchase equipment to combat terrorism; $100,000 to upgrade records management databases used by the sheriff, jail and prosecutor from a text based system to a graphic interface; $33,565 for a full-time paralegal position in the prosecutor’s office; $22,737 to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence; $20,000 for outside legal council to represent the county in a pending lawsuit; $10,000 to replace a damaged walk-through metal detector with a new one; $9,314 for election workers’ seminars and training. AB 2007-227 (Ordinance 2007-29) Approved 7-0
