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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil June 17 20081 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL 2 Regular County Council 3 4 June 17, 2008 5 6 Council Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m. in the Council 7 Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. 8 9 Present: Absent: 10 Barbara Brenner L. Ward Nelson 11 Bob Kelly 12 Sam Crawford 13 Seth Fleetwood 14 Laurie Caskey- Schreiber 15 16 17 FLAG SALUTE 18 19 20 ANNOUNCEMENTS 21 22 Weimer announced there was a negotiations update on expired collective 23 bargaining agreements and discussion of Unrepresented Resolution (A62008 -121) 24 and discussion with Senior Deputy Prosecutor Karen Frakes regarding pending 25 litigation (AB2008 -018) in executive session during the Committee of the Whole 26 meeting. 27 28 Weimer announced there was also discussion with Whatcom County Public 29 Works regarding a potential property acquisition (AB2008 -018) in executive session 30 during the Committee of the Whole meeting. 31 32 Brenner moved to authorize the Executive, as chair of the Flood Control Zone 33 District, to pursue acquisition of the property discussed in executive session, and to enter 34 into a purchase and sale agreement if negotiations are successful, for an amount not to 35 exceed the amount discussed in executive session. 36 37 Motion carried 5 -1 with Kelly opposed. 38 39 40 MINUTES CONSENT 41 42 Caskey- Schreiber moved to approve the Minutes Consent items. 43 44 Motion carried unanimously. 45 46 1. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR MARCH 18, 2008 47 48 2. SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR APRIL 15, 2008 49 50 3. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR MAY 20, 2008 51 52 4. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR MAY 20, 2008 53 Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2008, Page 1 S. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR JUNE 3, 2008 6. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR JUNE 3, 2008 OPEN SESSION The following people spoke: Johnnie Grames, 1506 E. Maplewood Avenue, stated public disclosure is the principal tool he uses to access the government. The State Auditor's report was wishy- washy. He agrees that the County does a good job. He encourages people to participate in government. Employees, especially those on the first floor, are very good and conscientious. Willow John Collamer, 1819 Harris Street, Bellingham stated he is a freelance film maker and journalist. There are enough places for people to play music, but not enough places for people to practice their music. Larger cities have for - profit practice spaces. A non - profit practice space may work, too. This community has an amazing amount of music and art. This is his first place to ask for help with finding a place for musicians to practice. CONSENT AGENDA Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through 11. Motion to approve Consent Agenda items one through 11 carried 5 -0 with Kelly out of the room. 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND SNOHOMISH COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO ENHANCE LOCAL JURISDICTION CAPABILITY TO PREVENT, DETER, RESPOND TO, AND RECOVER FROM INCIDENTS OF TERRORISM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $140,815 (AB2008 -229) 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SNOHOMISH COUNTY TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DETECT, DETER, DISRUPT, AND PREVENT ACTS OF TERRORISM UNDER THE DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2007, IN THE AMOUNT OF $126,895 (AB2008 -230) 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF NORTHWEST WASHINGTON TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES TO LOW- INCOME PEOPLE IN WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2008 -231) 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH ADVANCED CHOICES TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2008, Page 2 SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES TO LOW- INCOME PEOPLE IN WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2008 -232) S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH WESTCOAST COUNSELING AND TREATMENT SERVICES TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES TO LOW- INCOME PEOPLE IN WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2008 -233) 6. REQUEST RATIFICATION OF 2008 - 2012 TEAMSTERS UNION LOCAL 231 HEALTH CLERICAL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT (AB2008 -121D) 7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $296,000 (AB2008 -234) 8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ARC OF WHATCOM COUNTY, PARENT COALITION AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,105 (AB2008 -235) 9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM COUNSELING AND PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC TO FUND THE JAIL DIVERSION PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $135,442 (AB2008 -236) 10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR AN INCREASE IN THE EXPENDITURE AMOUNT FOR THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF LIGNOSITE FOR DUST CONTROL ON COUNTY ROADS DUE TO SURCHARGE BY SOLE SOURCE VENDOR, MEENDERINCK, LLC FOR INCREASED FUEL COSTS FROM $50,000 TO $60,000 (AB2008 -237) 11. APPROVAL BY COUNCIL, ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARD TO GRANITE CONSTRUCTION NORTHWEST, INC. AS LOW BIDDER FOR SWIFT CREEK CHANNEL EXCAVATION, STOCKPILING AND BANK ARMORING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $289,970 (AB2008 -238) OTHER ITEMS 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2008 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, SEVENTH REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $252,010 (AB2008 -226) Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved to adopt the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. 2. REPORT AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE OUTCOME OF COMMITTEE DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED BUDGET DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES FOR 2009 -2010 (AB2008 -227A) Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2008, Page 3 Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and stated the Committee recommends approval with amendments shown in the substitute guidelines submitted earlier today. He moved to approve the substitute version of the guidelines. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REPORT AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE OUTCOME OF COMMITTEE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUEST (ASR) FORMS TO BE USED IN PREPARING 2009 -2010 DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS (AB2008 -227B) Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and stated the committee recommends making one change to add a question about whether there is an impact to the current prioritization of projects in the department and, if so, how those projects will be prioritized. He thanked Council Policy Analyst Rebecca Craven for suggesting that question. INTRODUCTION ITEMS Crawford moved to accept the Introduction items. Weimer withdrew item four. Motion carried to accept items one through three carried unanimously. 1. ORDINANCE REPEALING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 2.23, WATER CONSERVANCY BOARD (AB2008 -199A) 2. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN EAST WHATCOM REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTER CONSTRUCTION FUND (AB2008 -239) 3. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING PROJECT BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 2 OF THE 2008 BUDGET FOR THE EAST WHATCOM REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTER CONSTRUCTION FUND (AB2008 -240) 4. ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BIENNIAL BUDGET PROCESS FOR WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2008 -244) -and- S. ORDINANCE ADOPTING A BIENNIAL BUDGET PROCESS FOR WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2008 -244A) Weimer stated he proposes an alternative to the ordinance adopting a biennial budget process for Whatcom County (AB2008 -244). His alternative ordinance adopting a biennial budget process for Whatcom County (AB2008 -244A) adds language defining the mid - biennium review. This is his attempt to address the Council concern that the Council doesn't get much of an opportunity to review the budget in interim yea rs. Caskey- Schreiber stated neither versions expire. Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2008, Page 4 1 2 Brenner asked how the review is different from a budget process. 3 4 Weimer stated each department doesn't have to come up with a new budget each 5 year. The Council asks the Executive to bring forward any modifications. 6 7 Brenner asked if the departments wouldn't have to go through a presentation, but 8 the Council would have the same ability during the interim year. 9 10 Brenner stated that's what she wants. 11 12 Fleetwood stated Councilmember Weimer's version seeks to express what is already 13 implicit. This just makes it clear. 14 15 Weimer stated the Charter doesn't spell out the review process. 16 17 Fleetwood stated the Charter does talk about a review process a little bit, but it's 18 vague. This gives more clarification. 19 20 Weimer moved to accept Introduction Items four and five. 21 22 Motion carried unanimously. 23 24 25 OTHER BUSINESS 26 27 OVERVIEW BY THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY REGARDING 28 THE JULY 1, 2008, BAN ON DISHWASHING DETERGENTS THAT CONTAIN 0.5% OR 29 MORE PHOSPHORUS (AB2008 -241) 30 31 Weimer reported for the Natural Resources Committee. 32 33 Weimer stated the State Department of Fish and Wildlife is interested in introducing 34 turkeys to the South Fork area of the Nooksack River. The Natural Resources Committee 35 voted unanimously to ask the Council permission to send a letter to the Department of Fish 36 and Wildlife opposing the introduction of wild turkeys. He moved to send a letter opposing 37 wild turkey introduction into the area of the south fork of the Nooksack River. 38 39 Motion carried 5 -0 -1 with Crawford abstaining for lack of information. 40 41 Crawford stated he would need to have more information on this issue before 42 opposing it. The State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will not likely propose 43 something that is bad for fish and wildlife. 44 45 Kelly stated it's proposed at this point, according to the Regional Director. It's not 46 clear if the WDFW is proposing it. The WDFW is holding public hearings on the issue. It's 47 not clear who will make the decision. Right now, they are merely in the public hearing 48 phase. 49 50 Crawford stated the Council has gone on record as supporting the reintroduction of 51 grizzly bears. Now they're saying they're opposed to turkeys. 52 Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2008, Page 5 1 Caskey- Schreiber stated grizzly bears are native to the area. Wild turkeys are not. 2 They are being introduced for hunting purposes. 3 4 5 REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS 6 7 Brenner stated her son Wesley just graduated from University of Washington Law 8 School. 9 10 Caskey- Schreiber stated she thanks the County Executive for moving 11 the East County Regional Center. She hopes the State legislature will take 12 seriously this Fall. She hopes to break ground on infrastructure this Fall as 13 County's commitment to the project. 14 15 16 ADJOURN 17 18 The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. 19 20 21 22 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription 23 25 ` ♦� ♦.,JJ 0o q it approved these minutes on July 8 , 2008. i forward with this project proof of the 26 ,t@ NATC *V �� WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL 27 �.��'•!;� Q'• 0j�'�� WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON 28 : ;< 29 30 31' 32 Z�Da�%�� r ru?, CotShcil Clerk Carl Weimer, Council Chair Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2008, Page 6