HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil January 14 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Regular County Council
January 14, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(7:00:43 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Carl Weimer, Pete Kremen, Rud
Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: Ken Mann.
FLAG SALUTE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Weimer announced the results of the annual reorganization of the Whatcom County
Council (AB2014 -021) during the Committee of the Whole meeting.
MINUTES CONSENT
(7:02:50 PM)
Kremen moved to approve the Minutes Consent items.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Weimer and Kremen (4)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
Abstains: Browne and Buchanan (2)
1. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR NOVEMBER 12, 2013
2. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR NOVEMBER 26, 2013
3. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR DECEMBER 10, 2013
OPEN SESSION
(7:03:46 PM)
Whatcom County Council, 1/14/2014, Page 1
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The following people spoke:
• Bob Seaman submitted handouts and spoke about the Ferndale school bond.
• Kris Halterman spoke about funding to pursue the lawsuit regarding wells.
• Bill Clothier spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
• Sy Eldred spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells and moving
county offices from Northwest Road to downtown Bellingham.
• Therese VanAsh spoke about population projections and flood zones for the
county and cities.
• Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association, spoke about pursuing the
lawsuit regarding wells.
• Debbie VanBeek spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
• Ronna Lurch spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
• John Sands spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
• Patrick Alesse spoke about the importance of water planning.
• Kevin VanBeek spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
• Karen Brown spoke about funding for the Planning Unit and announced a well
owners caucus meeting.
• Matthew Goggins spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
• Tom Fenton spoke about the abundance of fish in Bellingham Bay.
• Craig Parkinson spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
• John Strong spoke about pursuing the lawsuit regarding wells.
OTHER ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER IN TO A
CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BELLINGHAM
FOOD BANK FOR THE PROVISION OF COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING
FOOD TO LOCAL WHATCOM COUNTY FOOD BANKS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$58,000 (AB2014 -035) (7:34:09 PM)
Kremen moved to approve the request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AUTHORIZE
ACCEPTANCE OF MIDWEST EMPLOYERS STOP -LOSS POLICY FOR INSURANCE
PROTECTION FOR THE SELF - INSURED WORKERS' COMPENSATION
PROGRAM FOR 2014 (AB2014 -036) (7:34 :39 PM)
Brenner moved to approve the request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTH SOUND MENTAL
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION FOR CRISIS RESPITE TRIAGE CENTER AND
Whatcom County Council, 1/14/2014, Page 2
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OPERATION OF THE RAINBOW RECOVERY CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF
$217,789 (AB2014 -037) (7:35:09 PM)
Buchanan moved to approve the request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CITY OF
BELLINGHAM FOR USE OF THE PLANTATION RIFLE RANGE BY BELLINGHAM
POLICE DEPARTMENT (AB2014 -038) (7 :35:34 PM)
Brenner moved to approve the request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
S. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE — DIVISION OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY AND SNOHOMISH COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS FOR CATASTROPHIC EVENTS
AND TERRORISM IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,764 (AB2014 -039) (7 :35 :55 PM)
Buchanan moved to approve the request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
INTRODUCTION ITEMS
(7:36:31 PM)
Brenner moved to accept Introduction Items one and two. She asked why the
Slater Road project was removed. Don't hold up that project.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AND MAPS, TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES RELATING TO RURAL LAND USE
PLANNING (AB2014 -040)
Whatcom County Council, 1/14/2014, Page 3
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2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2014 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FOURTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $775,964 (AB2014 -041)
3. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROJECT -BASED BUDGET AND FUND FOR THE
PORTAL WAY /DAKOTA CREEK BRIDGE NO. 500 SEISMIC RETROFIT PROJECT
(AB2014 -042)
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
4. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROJECT -BASED BUDGET AND FUND FOR THE
SLATER ROAD INTERSECTIONS, IMHOFF, AND FERNDALE ROADS PROJECT
(AB2014 -043)
This item was withdrawn from the agenda.
OTHER BUSINESS
(7:37:52 PM)
Brenner submitted a handout and asked councilmembers to send a letter supporting
the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) funding. Most of the land is not taxable. This funding
offsets that issue and helps fund the Mt. Baker School District. It's important to support
PILT funding. The more signatories the better. Councilmember Kremen and Executive
Louws already sent information. Council signatures matter.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated PILT payments equals about $1.5 million for
the county's general fund. The federal government has contributed this payment for many
years. It didn't make the appropriations committee last week. There is a big push to attach
this to the farm bill. He's talked to Senators Murray and Cantwell, Congressman Larson,
and Congresswoman DelBene. He sent information on the impact to Whatcom County if the
federal government doesn't award those funds for 2014. Senators and members of the
western states are meeting to try and push it through. They are working on it and doing
everything they can. The National Association of Counties (NaCO) and other organizations
are also working on it. Using this money would have a detrimental impact primarily on law
enforcement in Whatcom County.
Crawford asked to whom the letter would be sent.
Kremen listed the members of the appropriations committee, who should receive the
letter. This is a major issue for almost all counties in Washington State. Washington D.C.
has been dysfunctional the last few months. It's difficult to get anything through. He
already sent his letter of support. It would help strengthen their position to send a letter
from all councilmembers.
Crawford moved to send the letter as the Whatcom County Council via the Chair.
Brenner stated she supports the motion, but councilmembers should also send
individual letters. NaCO is still contacting the councilmembers to get this done.
Weimer stated they can send the letter via fax.
Whatcom County Council, 1/14/2014, Page 4
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Crawford asked if anyone has tried to calculate the property tax the County misses
out on because it doesn't collect taxes on those lands.
Kremen stated that number hasn't ever been calculated. It would far exceed $1.5
million. That money is extremely important, especially for the criminal justice system. The
Council ought to send a joint letter, and individual councilmembers should send their own
letters also.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Kremen (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Mann (1)
REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
(7:48:37 PM)
Kremen reported he attended the Washington State Association of Counties
Legislative Steering Committee meeting in Olympia, during which the committee discussed
its priorities for the Association of Counties. They spoke to several legislators, lobbyists,
and others. There seems to be a consensus on the priorities. They don't expect the
legislature to do much this session because it's an election year. The political climate in
Olympia is polarized. The Senate is a majority for Republicans, and the House is controlled
by the Democrats. The Governor is a Democrat.
Regardless, the Association's priorities include funding for mental health services,
protecting shared revenues, and making sure the counties receive a significant portion of
revenue from marijuana sales. The counties will ultimately be responsible for any broken
laws regarding marijuana sales and use.
The last priority of the Association is readdressing Growth Management Act (GMA)
language and rural domestic water. He gave a report to the Steering Committee about
what is happening in Whatcom County. There was unanimous support to urge Whatcom
County to continue the appeal process with the Hearings Board.
Brenner stated many other state and national organizations have put in time and
resources to work on the appeal. It behooves the County to follow through with it. The
County will save money because the best legal minds will be working on this.
She reported that she attended the annual installation of officers at the Whatcom
County Association of Realtors, which honors certain people in the community. The citizen
honored at the ceremony was former councilmember Seth Fleetwood.
Weimer reported that an appeal has been filed to the Growth Management Hearings
Board on the slaughterhouse ordinance. He and Councilmember Mann will bring forward a
potential interim ordinance at the next meeting to slightly change the ordinance and avoid
having to spend any money on that appeal.
Browne reported he is honored to serve on the Council.
Buchanan reported it will be an honor to work with councilmembers, the Executive,
and the administration and to serve all the residents of the county.
Whatcom County Council, 1/14/2014, Page 5
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on February 11, 2014.
ATTEST:
, Council Clerk
-, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weimer, Council Chair
Whatcom County Council, 1/14/2014, Page 6