HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil April 10 20071
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Regular County Council
April 10, 2007
Council Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 7 :06 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present:
Barbara Brenner
Dan McShane
Sam Crawford
Seth Fleetwood
Laurie Caskey - Schreiber
L. Ward Nelson
FLAG SALUTE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Absent:
None
Weimer announced that the following three items were discussed in executive
session during the Committee of the Whole meeting:
1. CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL OF THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION,
FILED BY ROBERT MERHAUT, REGARDING THE APPLICATION BY FABER
BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION FOR SENSOR LINK TO EXPAND AN EXISTING
NONCONFORMING ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY BUSINESS BY THE ADDITION OF
A NEW 9,800 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING (AB2007 -066)
McShane moved to remand this appeal to Hearing Examiner because the site is
located on an alluvial fan hazard area that was not identified in the State Environmental
Policy Act (SEPA) checklist or the Planning Department staff report.
Motion carried 4 -3 with Nelson, Crawford, and Brenner opposed.
2. DISCUSSION WITH CHIEF CIVIL DEPUTY PROSECUTOR RANDALL WATTS
REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (AB2007 -018)
3. DISCUSSION WITH ASSISTANT CHIEF CIVIL DEPUTY PROSECUTOR DANIEL
GIBSON REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (AB2007 -018)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. PRESENTATION OF FIVE STAR AWARD TO WHATCOM COUNTY BY
WASHINGTON STATE COMMITTEE OF EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD
AND RESERVE (AB2007 -017)
Vern Hagen, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Washington State
Ombudsman Coordinator, presented the five -star award to County Executive Pete Kremen.
Whatcom County does not deny employment, reduce or limit employment because of
Whatcom County Council, 4110/2007, Page 1
service in the guard or reserves, grants leaves of absence for service in the Guard or
Reserves.
Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated he accepts the five -star award on behalf of
Whatcom County with pride and appreciation. This governmental organization cares for
those who serve in the Reserves and protect the United States and the world.
2. PRESENTATION BY BETH BROWNFIELD REGARDING THE PADDLE TO LUMMI
EVENT (AB2007 -017)
Beth Brownfield, Paddle to Lummi Connections Committee, stated the committee
builds support for the Lummi Nation in hosting the 2007 canoe journey. They have no
political influence or budget. However, they hope to raise $300,000 from those who wish to
support the tribes. They would like everyone in the county to support the Paddle to Lummi.
The five objectives are to raise $300,000 to support the costs of hosting this even; inform
50 percent of county residents about the culture of the Lummi Nation and the event;
facilitate donation of food products from local farmers; facilitate volunteers, and;
acknowledge and honor those who canoed these lands and waters throughout history. She
asked the Council to honor and sign a proclamation, attend an orientation about the canoe
journey, and assist people in attending, raising funds, and recruiting volunteers. Supporting
this event will build bridges and strengthen ties between their communities, honor the
annual canoe journey, create relationships among people who support this event, and be a
way to foster goodwill and neighborliness throughout the county.
James Hillare, Lummi Nation, addressed the Council in the Lummi language. He
invited the Council to join the Lummi on the canoe paddle journey as their neighbors and
friends. He wrapped each councilmembers with a blanket in recognition of their friendship,
hopefully everlasting. He presented a gift to the Council representing the Lummi canoe
paddle journey.
Ted Solomon, Lummi Nation, addressed the Council in the Lummi language. He
thanked the Council for listening to their history and accepting their gift. He invited the
councilmembers to attend the gathering scheduled from July 30 to August 4. This is an
opportunity to fuse their communities together.
Weimer thanked the Lummi Nation for the presentation. The Lummi Nation and
County have worked well together. He hopes this celebration will bring them even closer.
He appreciates their gifts.
MINUTES CONSENT
Brenner moved to approve the Minutes Consent items.
Motion carried unanimously.
1. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR MARCH 13, 2007
2. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR MARCH 27, 2007
3. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR MARCH 27, 2007
Whatcom County Council, 4/10/2007, Page 2
I OPEN SESSION
2
3 The following people spoke:
4
5 Johnnie Grames, 1506 E. Maplewood Avenue, Bellingham, stated the County needs
6 to cooperate more with the City. He recommended that the County form a citizen
7 commission on law enforcement and add staff to monitor and provide oversight and review
8 to the other branches of government. Also, work on open access to the media. There will
9 be a town hall meeting on April 22 to discuss accessing the media and providing information
10 to the public. In a democracy, people must have information.
11
12 Bob Wiesen, 3314 Douglas Road, Ferndale, stated it's time to get real. Don't
13 micromanage all the cities in Whatcom County. The County needs to finish the
14 Comprehensive Plan review instead.
15
16 Virginia Watson, 2729 Jensen Road, stated she is glad the Council turned down the
17 Trillium Comprehensive Plan amendment and for firing Security Specialists Plus (SSP). She
18 is concerned about the ordinance on the lot clustering moratorium. Many people support
19 this ordinance, and want it to be made permanent. Clustering is wrong for agricultural and
20 forest lands because it hastens conversions to urban development. Clustering is rural
21 sprawl and jeopardizes water sources. She asked how Water District 10 can extend water
22 to the south end of Lake Whatcom, to lots outside the urban growth area. It will foster
23 development that poses a threat to Lake Whatcom. Extending services into rural areas are
24 prohibited by State law. The Council should address these water issues.
25
26 Brenner stated the moratorium is in place until a permanent version comes through
27 the process.
28
29 Hal Hart, Planning and Development Services Department, stated that's correct. The
30 moratorium is in place now. The Planning Commission and staff have not taken it up, but
31 they are getting through other things first. Staff will make time in the next two or three
32 months, then it will go to the Planning Commission, and then the Council.
33
34 Brenner stated the Council can extend the moratorium as long as they need to.
35
36
37 PUBLIC HEARINGS
38
39 1. ORDINANCE IMPOSING AN INTERIM MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF
40 NEW APPLICATIONS FOR SUBDIVISIONS WITHIN THE LAKE WHATCOM
41 WATERSHED (AB2007 -158)
42
43 Weimer opened the public hearing and the following people spoke:
44
45 Marian Beddill, 3600 Seeley Street, Bellingham, stated she proposes an amendment
46 to the fifth bullet of finding of fact item 3, "Transfer of development standard s rights."
47 There is a scrivener's error in the "Be it finally ordained" statement. She would like
48 clarification on the number of lots and potential development circumstances will be affected
49 by this ordinance. She asked how this proposal will reduce development. She will support
50 this ordinance, but it doesn't do a lot to protect Lake Whatcom.
51
52 Bob Wiesen, 3314 Douglas Road, Ferndale, stated they have been waiting a long
53 time for the total maximum daily load (TMDL) study. He asked if they are going to keep
Whatcom County Council, 4/10/2007, Page 3
1 doing moratoria until they get this information. He asked if State Department of Ecology
2 isn't getting what it wants on that study. The continued moratorium is only for planning.
3 They are not putting facts together or doing their work. They keep putting it off.
4
5 Dennis Jones, 1487 Sudden Valley, stated goal area eight of the Lake Whatcom
6 management plan is transportation. He hoped to see a charette from the Vineyard
7 Development group about what they want to do. Until he sees a plan, he cannot support
8 that or any subdivision increase in Lake Whatcom. Regarding the TMDL study, the surface
9 water section is late. Other sections are available. The Sudden Valley Board doesn't
10 understand.
11
12 Dan Pike, 2411 D Street, Bellingham, stated he is concerned about the exemption for
13 lot sizes of five acres and more. It's small. One can get a lot of development on five -acre
14 lots. Instead, consider increasing it to ten acres or more.
15
16 Hearing no one else, Weimer closed the public hearing.
17
18 McShane moved to adopt the ordinance with the scriveners errors brought forward
19 by Ms. Beddill. There is a list of things the Council wants to do while this moratorium is in
20 place. Some of those things have been done to a degree. He described what the County
21 has done so far. The Council is actively reviewing urban densities in the Bellingham urban
22 growth area (UGA) now. The Natural Resources Committee recommends creating a Lake
23 Whatcom urban growth area zone that would reduce the potential build out of the urban
24 growth area. It would include development rights for those property owners who would be
25 impacted. This will require the cooperation of the City of Bellingham.
26
27 Historically, five -acres is the threshold for determining rural zoning densities. The
28 mechanism to protect those areas from development is through the transfer of development
29 rights (TDR) program, which will also be part of this urban growth discussion with the City
30 of Bellingham. Another mechanism for protecting those areas is through land acquisition,
31 with which the City of Bellingham has done well.
32
33 Brenner stated it takes more than six months to get this job done. The County is
34 making progress. She wouldn't support the continuation of a moratorium if they weren't
35 making progress. No one is waiting for the TMDL anymore.
36
37 Motion to adopt carried 5 -2 with Crawford and Nelson opposed.
38
39 2. ORDINANCE LIMITING, ON AN INTERIM BASIS, THE SIZE OF LARGE
40 COMMERCIAL RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE
41 COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITHIN WHATCOM COUNTY
42 (AB2007 -135A)
43
44 Weimer opened the public hearing and the following people spoke:
45
46 R. Perry Eskridge, Whatcom Association of Realtors Governmental Affairs Director,
47 stated the association is concerned about the role this kind of moratorium has on the
48 business climate in Whatcom County. There must be economic vitality for the region. It
49 was a surprise for him to learn that the demographic who shops at these big box retail
50 stores is the two - income families who prefer to shop at one place where they can get
51 everything they need on their way home from their jobs. Limiting these big box retail
52 stores limits people's ability to stop at one place to shop for groceries, pharmacies, and
53 household materials in a timely manner that preserves the quality of their time. There is a
Whatcom County Council, 4/10/2007, Page 4
better way to guide more livable communities through regulations that deal with design
controls and ensuring they are developed on transit corridors.
Bob Wiesen, 3314 Douglas Road, asked if they are going to regulate affordable
shopping. They have regulated away affordable housing. Now, they are going to regulate
away affordable shopping. There are people who need to shop at the prices that Wal -Mart
offers. The County is wasting its time on this issue. He asked where else someone could
build one of these store in the county.
Hearing no one else, Weimer closed the public hearing.
Bremner moved to adopt the ordinance. She offered to speak to the Whatcom
Association of Realtors. There is a lot of information about the County's role regarding big
box stores. It has nothing to do with Wal -Mart. Urban services belong in urban areas,
according to the State. The County works within that mandate. She's tired of it being an
issue of the Council picking on big box stores. It has nothing to do with that.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Continue the moratorium until the cities determine what they're going to do. There
are places where urban services are not appropriate.
Nelson stated Fairbanks, Alaska has a closed Wal -Mart store because Wal -Mart built
a new, bigger store a mile away. The closed store was a blight on the community. Once
the Wal-Mart moved, all the other stores went with it. He doesn't want that for Bellingham.
Be cautious about locating any business appropriately.
Motion carried 6 -1 with Crawford opposed.
3. ORDINANCE DESIGNATING TEMPORARY ONE -WAY DETOURS RELATED TO
THE CABLE STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (AS2007 -169A)
Weimer opened the public hearing and the following people spoke:
Dennis Jones, 1487 Sudden Valley, spoke on issues related to Sudden Valley.
Regarding the Lake Whatcom Management Plan, buy back what land they can. Do no more
harm. Retrofit old homes for stormwater. Do a better job on limiting impervious surfaces.
Adopt the ordinance.
Priscilla Ducker, 4665 Fremont Street, Bellingham, stated she lives in the Geneva
area. The roads in the area are small, narrow lanes with no shoulders. Her concerns have
been met without any level of respect. At two public meetings, staff gave residents
misinformation and misleading information. The people in charge of this project don't have
all the facts. For instance, the staff told residents that there would be Sheriff deputies to
provide safety, but they hadn't contacted the Sheriff's Office about that. Staff discussed
school buses that serve the Waldorf School. There are no school buses that serve that
school. The staff said traffic at the school was not a problem, but staff observed the traffic
while school was out for spring break. The schematic of the school drop off area was
incorrect. Without proper flagging, there will be gridlock. The Austin Street project was a
mess and was unsafe. When there are trash trucks, mail delivery, school buses, and public
transit stops, traffic will pass and cut into the designated safety lane for pedestrians and
bicycles. Staff said there was no sense in putting up pylons because they'd be stolen. The
Whatcom County Council, 4/10/2007, Page 5
1 community members deserve better than this. The Council should monitor this project.
2 There are serious safety concerns.
3
4 Hearing no one else, Weimer closed the public hearing.
5
6 Nelson asked if the Council can put this in the Public Works Committee to discuss the
7 residents' concerns and his questions regarding safety issues and ingress and egress issues.
8
9 Kirk Christensen, Public Works Department, stated they need to start construction on
10 May 1 to finish complete the project in the four -month watershed window. Starting the
11 project later would be a problem. Staff can go over any questions. Staff has responded to
12 35 pages worth of comments. They have done a lot to improve the public safety situation.
13 They have put more resources into this project than the average construction project. He is
14 willing to answer any specific questions before construction starts on May 1.
15
16 Nelson stated the Council can put this in committee for on -going monitoring of the
17 project. The public is concerned that there may be better ways for this to be done and that
18 there should be monitoring. Christensen stated their inspection and engineer will monitor
19 and address right away any problems or issues that come up.
20
21 Caskey- Schreiber moved to adopt the ordinance. She understands the residents'
22 concerns. However, it's a four -month project. If there are problems, staff and the Council
23 will work with the residents to address them. The longer the Council delays this project, the
24 less likely they are to get this project done this year. The Council has already delayed the
25 project a year by debating the type of stormwater system. Get this project done and move
26 on. It's taken the County a very long time to do this one fix, and many other fixes are
27 needed. Staff is conscientious about safety concerns. Canceling this project is not an
28 option. They must safeguard the community's drinking water. Construction for four months
29 is a small sacrifice for an improved watershed and a cleaner reservoir.
30
31 Crawford stated he is in favor of the ordinance, and agrees with Councilmember
32 Caskey - Schreiber. He urged Mrs. Ducker to come back and keep the Council informed on
33 any problems. It will be a test of patience for the entire Geneva and Sudden Valley
34 communities. He has concerns about Fremont Street and Lakeway Drive. Those roads are
35 clearly not designed to handle that level of traffic, even in a one -way configuration. His
36 primary concern is speed, and how they can keep people going slowly through there. He
37 hopes the enhanced law enforcement presence will be able to keep a handle on that issue.
38 This project is necessary. It was not done lightly. They have been talking about this for a
39 long time. The County is doing everything they can think of to mitigate these issues.
40
41 Brenner stated she is against the ordinance. She doesn't believe they've taken all
42 precautions. They've been asked to trust that this multi - million dollar project will last in the
43 long -term. They public shouldn't have to put up with something that is unsafe for four
44 months. She is not convinced that this project will help the Lake Whatcom watershed. The
45 County keeps ignoring the smaller, less expensive fixes.
46
47 Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated comments were made about the staff at the
48 public meetings held in the Geneva neighborhood. The first meeting was not very
49 productive. The staff did not seem to be able to field many of the questions posed at that
50 meeting. However, there was a concerted effort on the part of many staff members and the
51 consultant to do well at the second meeting. They did it so well that the president of the
52 neighborhood association told him that the second meeting was successful and productive.
53 Staff and the consultant put the highest priority on safety. It is a bone of contention in this
Whatcom County Council, 4110/2007, Page 6
1 project. It is a one -way project that is a little more cumbersome and time- consuming.
2 However, it is that way because of the safety concerns. He empathizes with those in the
3 area who will be inconvenienced. However, the greater community will receive a benefit
4 from this process in the long run. The County will get it done as expeditiously and carefully
5 as possible.
6
7 McShane stated that this is more than a stormwater issue. The road bed is degraded
8 and needs to be reconstructed. That's the primary driver of this project. The project has a
9 stormwater and safety feature that will be added to the project. However, the road bed, in
10 its current condition, is a safety hazard. The entire roadbed needs to be dug up and
11 resurfaced.
12
13 Crawford asked how someone driving on the side streets would know not to go the
14 wrong way, and if there will be signs at every intersection. Christensen stated there will be.
15 Cable Street will be blocked off at both ends, except for construction traffic and emergency
16 vehicles.
17
18 Crawford asked what will happen with the fire station that is in the middle of this
19 area. Christensen stated the County has been working with the fire station staff. They
20 support the plans. The contractor will communicate with fire station staff twice per day. He
21 discussed what they've added to increase public safety.
22
23 Nelson stated it may be time to reconsider the Whatcom connector as an alternative
24 transportation route to get traffic away from the watershed. Find alternative methods to
25 get traffic out of the watershed and to protect water quality.
26
27 Motion to adopt carried 6 -1 with Brenner opposed,
28
29 4. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE
30 PLAN TO THE CITY OF EVERSON'S SOUTHEAST URBAN GROWTH AREA, FOR
31 IMPROVED ACCESS TO THE EXISTING URBAN GROWTH AREA (AB2007 -174)
32
33 Fleetwood reported for the Planning and Development Committee and stated this
34 item is held in committee.
35
36
37 CONSENT AGENDA
38
39 Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
40 moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through ten.
41
42 Motion to approve Consent Agenda items one through ten carried
43 unanimously.
44
45 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #07 -15 TO
46 THE LOWEST BIDDER, MILLER'S PAINTING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000
47 FOR MISCELLANEOUS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING OF COUNTY
48 BUILDINGS FOR THE YEAR 2007 AND 2008 (AB2007 -181)
49
50 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #07 -21,
51 ON -CALL RENTAL EQUIPMENT LIST, AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS TO
52 PROVIDE RENTAL OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TO THE COUNTY ON AN
53 ON -CALL BASIS, BY ACCEPTING ALL it RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE
Whatcom County Council, 4/10/2007, Page 7
BIDS SUBMITTED, PERMITTING SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE VENDOR
BASED ON EQUIPMENT AVAILABILITY AND SUITABILITY, WITH
PREFERENCE TO LOW BIDDERS (IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MORE THAN $35,000
COULD BE SPENT WITH A SINGLE VENDOR) (AB2007 -182)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #07 -30 TO
THE SOLE BIDDER, BUD CLARY TOYOTA, FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO
HYBRID SEDANS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $49,841.25 (AB2007 -183)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WILSON
ENGINEERING, LLC TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR DEVELOPING
A DESIGN WITH THE MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES OF LIMITING LATERAL
CHANNEL MIGRATION AND RESTORATION FISH HABITAT ON THE SOUTH
FORK NOOKSACK RIVER NEAR THE TOWN OF ACME, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$86,000 (AB2007 -184)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND GEIGER ENGINEERS FOR
CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE CIVIC CENTER BUILDING BEAM AND
COLUMN BASE REPAIR, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,887 (AB2007 -185)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 OF THE CONSULTANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
COUNTY AND REICHHARDT & EBE ENGINEERING, INC, FOR THE FINAL
DESIGN OF THE SIGNALIZATION AT THE HANNEGAN ROAD AND SR -544
INTERSECTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $103,838.67, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED
CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $309,698.69 (AB2007 -186)
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON STATE
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY FOR COMMUNITY LITTER CLEANUP PROJECTS,
IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,100 (AB2007 -187)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE PORT OF
BELLINGHAM FOR DESIGN AND PERMITTING OF THE SQUALICUM CREEK
ESTUARY RESTORATION TASK OF THE SQUALICUM CREEK DELTA
RESTORATION PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,700 (AB2007 -188)
9. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY AND THE
SETTING OF A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING THEREON PURSUANT TO WCC
1.10 (AB2007 -189)
10. RESOLUTION AMENDING CRP NO. 902005 FOR THE HANNEGAN ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS Cable Street, Phase II - Cable Street Reconstruction AND
REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE AWARD OF
CONTRACT TO WILDER CONSTRUCTION, AS LOW BIDDER IN THE AMOUNT
OF $1,268,393 (AB2007 -190)
OTHER ITEMS
Whatcom County Council, 4 /10/2007, Page 8
1
1.
APPOINTMENTS OF IRIS NEWMAN TO THE SOLID WASTE ADVISORY
2
COMMITTEE REPRESENTING SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY, AND
3
STEVEN THOMAS, REPRESENTING BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (AB2007 -178)
4
5
Brenner moved to appoint Iris Newman and Steven Thomas.
6
7
Motion carried unanimously.
8
9
10
APPROVAL OF THE 2006 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS
11
12
1.
ORDINANCE ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND
13
THE UR AND URM ZONING DISTRICTS RELATING TO LOT CLUSTERING,
14
RESERVE TRACTS AND WATER AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
15
(AB2006 -406)
16
17
This item was withdrawn from the agenda to a later date.
18
19
2.
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY
20
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO THE CITY OF EVERSON'S SOUTHEAST URBAN
21
GROWTH AREA, FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO THE EXISTING URBAN GROWTH
22
AREA (AB2007 -174)
23
24
This item was withdrawn from the agenda to a later date.
25
26
27
INTRODUCTION TI EMS
28
29
Nelson moved to accept the Introduction Items.
30
31
Motion carried unanimously.
32
33
1.
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FOURTH
34
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,566,525 (AB2007 -191)
35
36
2.
ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE COUNTY BOARD OF APPEALS AND TO SET
37
FORTH THE MAKE -UP OF THE BOARD, THE AUTHORITY, DUTIES AND
38
RESPONSIBILITIES THEREOF AND THE CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT
39
THERETO (AB2007 -193)
40
41
3.
RESOLUTION ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPEN SPACE /TIMBER
42
APPLICATIONS (AB2007 -192)
43
44
4.
RESOLUTION TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTY (AB2007 -189A)
45
46
47
OTHER BUSINESS
48
49
There was no other business,
50
51
52 REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
53
Whatcom County Council, 4110/2007, Page 9
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Brenner stated there is a program and a three -day workshop regarding mental
illness, hosted by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The program helps people
work with what they have, in lieu of being able to get the assistance they need. It's a
wonderful program.
Nelson stated the Washington Alliance for Healthcare Access (WAHA) received a
$200,000, two -year grant from the State to help small business start-ups and schools
provide health insurance. That wouldn't have occurred without the help of Whatcom County
administration and Council.
Caskey - Schreiber stated she was the guest of honor at the Deming Head Start
graduation program. There is a long waiting list of kids for the Head Start program, but it
doesn't have the space. She asked about funding for the Kendall Community Center,
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the legislative house and senate
budgets have an additional $1.75 million for the Kendall Community Center. If the budget
passes, there will be about $4.5 million for a $6 million goal. They are getting close.
Caskey- Schreiber stated that she really hopes this center can be built, so they can
start serving the kids and all the needs that are out there. Currently, they are bussing kids
from the Kendall area to the Deming Head Start program. These are preschool kids on a
half -hour bus ride.
Brenner moved that the Council send a letter to the legislature stating exactly what
Councilmember Caskey- Schreiber just said.
Caskey - Schreiber stated she would write a letter.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
The Council approved these minutes on April 24 , 2007.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Carl Weime , Council Chair
Wihatcosn County Council, 4/10/2007, Page 10