August 2007
Watching Government
Whatcom County Council
Compiled by League of Women Voters Council Watchers
Action Taken at June 5, 2007 Meeting
Shall the council:
124. Uphold the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner’s decision granting a conditional-use permit to the Ocean Pointe condominiums? The three-story building will be located on one acre at Birch Bay Center and will contain 21 units. Fire District #21 (formerly Fire District #13) appealed the hearing examiner’s decision to the council. (AB 2007-179) Approved 5-1, Dan McShane opposed and Ward Nelson absent.
125. Authorize the executive to enter into a contract with Elakah Expeditions of Bellingham to provide a majority of the kayak classes and outdoor trips in 2007? In 2006, county parks signed a contract with Elakah to provide kayak classes and outdoor trips; it proved to be a satisfactory season so the contract is being renewed. The contract will run from 4/1/07 to 12/31/07. The contract is funded through user fees; Elakah receives 20 percent of the fees if they use their equipment and 8 percent if they use the county’s. (AB 2007-251) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
126. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $58,645 to Wilder Construction Company of Bellingham for rehabilitation of Welcome Bridge #332? The work includes asphalt removal, repaving and erosion control. The total cost, including engineering and testing is $78,645. The bridge is located four miles east of Deming on the Mosquito Lake Road. The job was advertised and two bids were received. AB 2007-252 (Resolution 2007-31) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
127. Amend the Whatcom County zoning map for approximately 1,649 acres within the Ferndale Urban Growth Area? The zoning map will be amended from urban residential–3 (UR3-three units per acre) to urban residential–4 (UR4-four units per acre) to bring the map into compliance with the Growth Management Act and the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. The site consists of five separate areas: approximately 1,560 acres bounded by Aldergrove, Olsen, Malloy and Douglas roads, 15 acres on the north side of Trigg Road and east of Portal Way, 94 acres on the north and south sides of Axton Road at Old Settler Drive, 15 acres at the southwest corner of Smith and Byers roads and 33 acres at the northeast corner of Smith and Hovander roads. AB 2007–247 (Ordinance 2007–30) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
128. Amend the Whatcom County zoning map for approximately 84 acres in the Everson Urban Growth Area? The zoning map will be amended from urban residential-3 (UR3-three units per acre) to urban residential-4 (UR4-four units per acre) for approximately 64 acres and from urban residential-3 (UR3) to rural (R5A-one dwelling per acre) for 20 acres to bring the zoning in compliance with the Growth Management Act and the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan. The site consists of two separate areas: 44 acres generally located on the east side of Everson-Goshen Road, south of Van Dyk Road and 250 feet west of Sable Drive and 40 acres on the east side of Everson-Goshen Road, north of Coleman Road. AB 2007-249 (Ordinance 2007-31) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
Action Taken at June 19, 2007 Meeting
Shall the council:
129. Authorize the executive to award low bids totaling $124,507 to Sound Ford of Renton for four trucks? The low bid for two three-quarter ton trucks (Ford F250 models) with diesel engines was $59,765. They are replacing two Ford F150 models: a 1998 model with 107,653 miles and a 2002 model with 117,946 miles. A request for bids was advertised and six bids were received. The low bid for two one-ton trucks (Ford F350 models) was $64,743. They are replacing two Ford F350 models: both are 2002 models with 124,462 and 129,330 miles. A request for bids was advertised and five bids were received. (AB 2007-262/263) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
130. Authorize the executive to enter into a $178,155 contract with Snohomish County to detect, deter, disrupt and prevent acts of terrorism? This contract is being funded by a grant (9/12/06 meeting, vote 179) from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant money will be used for equipment, training, planning and administration of emergency responders. (AB 2007-267) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
131. Authorize the executive to enter into a $523,612 contract with the Bellingham-Whatcom County Housing Authority to use the county funds for affordable housing units? The funds will be used for the renovation of 20 units in the Laube Hotel in downtown Bellingham and 25 units in phase II of the Meadow Wood project near Bakerview and Northwest. (AB 2007-272) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
132. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $218.310 to Foss Shipyard of Seattle for annual repairs and maintenance of the Lummi Island ferry? The contract includes a $2,500 per day incentive for early completion. The bid was advertised and four bids were received, (AB 2007-264) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
133. Increase to $300 million the amount of tax-free bonds BP (British Petroleum) West Coast Products can sell to upgrade wastewater treatment and pollution controls at their Cherry Point refinery? At the 12/11/01 meeting, vote number 181, the County Council approved the issuing of $130 million in tax-free bonds by the Atlantic Richfield refinery, now owned by British Petroleum. To date, $119 million in tax-free bonds have been issued. AB 2007-265 (Resolution 2007-30) Approved 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
134. Approve temporary stop signs at both ends of the Welcome Bridge on Mosquito Lake Road? (Public hearing held) The signs will allow the bridge to meet weight load restrictions until repair work planned for June and early July 2007 is completed. AB 2007-253 (Ordinance 2007-32) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
135. Amend the 2007 budget (request #6) in the amount of $1,841,651? Appropriate: $19,471 to District Court for probation services in the city of Blaine; $73,727 to What-Comm Communications Center for enhanced wireless 911 lines; $8,738 for llama veterinarian and dead animal removal services; $25,000 to the sheriff’s office for five laptop computers for officers who patrol during peak boating season; $178,134 for voting-related software and hardware for tracking ballot envelopes and verifying signatures, now performed manually; $700,000 to fund the selection process and facility planning for siting a new main jail; $89,358 to the U.S. Forest Service to help fund a replacement for the Razor Hone Ski Trail bridge. Funding for flood control district: $350,923 for flood planning studies including use of hydraulic models, analysis and floodplain mapping to reduce potential for flood damage, and project designs for habitat restoration projects; $13,300 to relocate and maintain stream flow gauges on the south fork of the Nooksack from Wickersham to Saxon Bridge and $383,000 for flood hazard reduction projects throughout the lower Nooksack Basin, including some land acquisition. AB 2007-254 (Ordinance 2007-33) Adopted 6-0, Ward Nelson absent.
