HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil June 17 20031
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Regular County Council
June 17, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council Chair Dan McShane
in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Barbara Brenner L. Ward Nelson
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Sam Crawford
Seth Fleetwood
Sharon Roy
FLAG SALUTE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
McShane announced that there was a special presentation by Craig
Fenske, WSU Cooperative Extension, regarding youth education programs
(AB2003 -017) in the Committee of the Whole meeting.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL TITLED "BEYOND
CLINICAL CARE: BENEFITS OF OUR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL"
(AB2003 -017)
Nancy Bitting, Peace Health Chief Executive Officer, provided a handout (on
file) and stated they are going to talk to the Council on a regular basis to do a
better job of serving the community. They face many challenges, including
financial challenges. Think about the future together. She described the St. Joseph
Hospital structure. She read their mission from the handout. The technology and
changes that happen in health care have been dramatic throughout time.
The hospital is not for profit. Any profit the hospital receives is to go toward
the future and this community. No money goes to Rome. There are no
shareholders and no dividends go to anyone.
They are spending money on facility expansion right now. Health care
counts bed use, in terms of bed days per thousand people. She read the bed day
statistics from the handout. Washington State physicians use hospitals
conservatively. That's why Washington has fewer bed days than in other parts of
the country. She discussed the county population growth, the aging population,
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 1
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new technology needs, and consumer expectations for facilities. They are growing
faster than the projections.
Most of their funding comes from government agencies. The funding cuts
affect their fixed payments. In this community, the issue of physician shortage
drives many of the problems. People are going to emergency instead of private
practitioners. One reason for the physician shortage is because of malpractice
insurance costs.
Stephen Omta, Peace Health Regional Vice President of Operations and Chief
Operating Officer (COO), presented the core services at the hospital, listed in the
handout. The Level II trauma program is the only one north of Seattle. The
hospital does not refuse service to anyone. As increased numbers of people don't
have access to physicians, emergency service volume grows. They have 60,000
visits per year in the emergency center. Theirs is the only heart surgery program
north of Everett. Some of their services go into the homes of people in the
community, such as hospice services. Top safety net services include charity care,
physician clinics, physician recruitment, community outreach, and substance abuse
services. The Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities defines, measures, and
tracks community health. The parish nurse program facilitates training, education,
and coordination of parish nurses throughout the county and in the churches. They
provided two houses for adolescent respite care at no cost. They collaborate with
agencies for a countywide solution to substance abuse.
There is a thinning margin between revenue and expenses, which reduces
their ability to invest in the community.
Bitting stated they are working to make sure the future is secure and stable
in the face of all their challenges. Maintaining the status quo is not a solution.
They do not have limitless access to funding. Available dollars are diminishing. It
takes a five percent margin to supply capital needs for the subsequent year. They
are slipping under that margin. They are putting together a foundation to raise
money from the community. For the community to be strong, they need a strong
hospital.
Crawford asked if there is still a large crisis of doctors leaving the
community. Bitting stated the supply is still in crisis. Now, the biggest shortage is
in the area of neurology and infectious disease. Malpractice insurance has been
significantly raised for obstetricians. Approximately eight doctors have stopped
delivering babies because of the increase in the malpractice insurance.
Crawford stated that it is helpful to keep the Council updated so the Council
is aware of health care in the community. Bitting stated they would like to come
back every year and make a presentation to keep the Council informed about the
health care issues in the County.
Brenner asked about the shortage of skilled labor. Someone told her that
there is a shortage of space in a nursing school. There is a major problem in
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 2
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getting people educated. She asked if anything is being done about that. She also
asked if the hospital has been partnering with the Walk In Clinic and encouraging
people to go there.
Bitting stated she has been working with the colleges regarding more space
for nursing. She would like to see a Bachelor's program in nursing locally. The
Work Force Development Council is moving that ahead. Nursing programs are
expensive. Bellingham Technical College (BTC) has opened two programs,
radiology technician and operating room technician. She has worked with all the
colleges.
A federal law called the "dumping law" was to make sure that hospitals didn't
dump non - paying patients on another hospital. Legally, all patients have to be
seen at the hospital. It's a federal regulation that someone cannot be sent to
another facility. The hospital has literature and signage about the Walk In Clinic.
Brenner stated that the hospital could give the literature to patients as they
are discharged from the emergency room.
Fleetwood moved to approve Minutes Consent items one through four,
including the amended version of items one and four.
Motion to move as amended carried unanimously.
1. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR MAY 20, 2003
2. REGULAR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR JUNE 3, 2003
3. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR JUNE 3, 2003
4. WATER RESOURCES WORK SESSION FOR MAY 13, 2003
OPEN SESSION (20 MINUTES)
The following people spoke:
Michael Rosser, Point Roberts, stated a Point Roberts historian recently said
that the future of Point Roberts is tree retention. Making a tree retention ordinance
fair is difficult. The tree retention ordinance for Point Roberts needs to be effective,
flexible, and easily administrated. The tree retention ordinance should have a
sliding scale depending on the size of the property. Very small properties should be
able to cut a large percentage of the property if replanting is done. Very larger
properties should allow a much smaller percentage unless they have a forestry
permit. The tree retention needs to define the three different kinds of cutting,
forestry, development, and landscaping. The County Sheriff should have some
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 3
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input on this because there is no one to call on the weekends when the chainsaws
start up. There is a new burn permit at Point Roberts. Illegal burning in Point
Roberts has been reduced. That is a good way to regulate tree cutting.
(Clerk's Note: Open Session continued below.)
PUBLIC HEARING
RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2002 -016, WASHINGTON
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION TEAM (WA -CERT) TO
PROVIDE ANNUAL PRIORITIZATION OF WA -CERT PROJECTS
(AB2003 -223)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, gave a staff report and stated the
Council has a project priority list in the Council packet.
Brenner asked if the Point Roberts Wellness Clinic is supposed to be on the
list. It has been funded. Desler stated it is the Council's list and the Council must
remove it. That project was completed.
(Clerk's Note: Council Chair McShane continued the open session. The
public hearing is held after the open session.)
OPEN SESSION
Jerry Westby, 564 Kline Road, spoke on the Kline Road and Slater Road
connector. Common sense has gone out the window. He's been told it would
relieve Guide Meridian traffic at Bellis Fair. No trucker would take a route like that
because it is out of the way. The County would have to cross the gas line on the
Kline Road as well as the Kelly Road. The existing road is very hilly and narrow.
The Smith Road is already an all- weather road with traffic lights. People can go on
the Smith Road, to Old Highway 99, to Slater Road. If this is a way to open the
Wilder Ranch, he's concerned about the Meridian School District. The taxes in that
district are too much now.
McShane stated this issue will be in the Public Works Committee in two
weeks.
Brenner stated the Public Works Director says there has been no decision
yet. They have not done the analysis and made a determination yet.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she spoke to Joe Rutan, who said it is at number 23
on the list. Executive Kremen moved it up.
(Clerk's Note: Open session continued below.)
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 4
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PUBLIC HEARING
RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2002 -016, WASHINGTON
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION TEAM (WA -CERT) TO
PROVIDE ANNUAL PRIORITIZATION OF WA -CERT PROJECTS
(AB2003 -223)
(Clerk's Note: Continued from above.)
Valerie McAloon, 5463 Mosquito Lake Road, stated she is grateful for
Whatcom County's support, and asked that the Kendall Community Resource
Center be ranked as a priority on the WA -CERT list. They've worked to establish a
center that provides many services to community members. The needs of the
Kendall area have increased with the increased population. This is an opportunity
to move along their goal of community revitalization.
Sherry Patrick, 6315 Overland Trail, asked the Council to rank the Kendall
Community Resource Center on the list as priority.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
John Lesow, 317 Madrona Place, Point Roberts, stated he is opposed to the
Point Roberts wastewater treatment funding project. This application asks for
additional taxpayer funding in the amount of $120,000 for more studies for a $4.5
million sewage treatment plant. Drop this project from the list entirely. The Point
Roberts Chamber of Commerce has not authorized this application. The applicant,
Dave Niles, is not a member of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce. The
information contained on the application is false and misleading. Under project
descriptions, the application states that a wastewater treatment system for Point
Roberts is a first tier priority in the November 1999 Point Roberts Economic Plan,
financed by the Port of Bellingham. This fosters the false conclusion that a majority
of the Point Roberts residents and Canadian taxpayers support a sewage treatment
plant for Point Roberts. In fact, there have been no public forums to discuss the
feasibility or desirability of this system in the community or by the Point Roberts
water district.
The application states that ongoing residential, business, septic, and
groundwater contamination has an ongoing impact on the community, and will be
eliminated. This is a false statement. The Whatcom County Health Department
records note a total of 20 septic failures in Point Roberts since 1997. Of these
failures, four properties are vacated, eight systems were repaired, seven systems
were replaced, and one is unaccounted for. The failure rate is less than one -half of
one percent, which is substantially lower than Whatcom County's failure rate of two
percent.
Regarding surface water contamination, fecal coliform readings in Boundary
Bay average seven parts per 100 milliliters. That confirms that the waters around
Point Roberts are consistently the cleanest in the lower mainland.
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 5
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For years, pro - development interests in Point Roberts have attempted to
persuade local government agencies that there is an ongoing problem with septics
in Point Roberts. The wastewater treatment plant is outside the scope of the Od-
President's economic initiative for timber - impacted communities. Point Roberts is�a
timber - impacted community. He urged the Council to reject the application.
Michael Rosser, Point Roberts, stated he is in favor of the transportation
av c zw
connector in Point Roberts. They want to create an alternative transportation io�ai�os-
network in Point Roberts to connect areas within Point Roberts. This project deals
with getting people across the border. They want to use this as a way of reducing
border line -ups, as well. They also want to draw people into Point Roberts who
may be intimidated by the border crossing.
This is a widely supported project in Point Roberts. The community rates it
highly. It is listed first in both tier one and tier two of the Point Roberts Economic
Development Strategy. Point Roberts has a gas tax. The County Council
determines how it is spent. He asked that the Council spend that money on trails.
The driving force for this project is that it is a safety issue.
Tony Kelley, 6036 South Pass Road, stated he supports the Kendall
Community Resource Center. There is a genuine need in the area. This is an
opportunity for a 21" Century learning center to get folks into the workplace.
Steve Jilk, Port of Bellingham Economic Development Director, stated he
supports the high ranking of the Woodstone Expansion project. This project is for a
company to expand and double the number above average wage jobs. The
developer is prepared to move ahead with project construction and infrastructure
improvements. The infrastructure that would be constructed would also enable the
Port to make adjoining property available for development. The Community
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process has shown that this type of
developable property is needed to build the employment base in the county.
Tom Hollett, 380 West Bluff Road, Point Roberts, asked the Council to please
cancel the wastewater treatment plan project. This application is incorrect. There
are only 1,300 people living full -time at Point Roberts, not 4,500 people. This
phased project contradicts the engineers who first studied this project and rejected
a system to cover the entire Point. The golf course does not want a sewer system.
This is $120,000 of taxpayers' money for a system that the majority of residents
and property owners do not want. This system is being pushed by a small group of
developers who have lied when they said it would not cost anything to the
residents. They now know that it could cost up to $20,000 per hookup. He asked
the Council to consider the needs and wants of the voters in Point Roberts. He
asked how they could apply for a grant under the guise of lost forestry revenue.
There hasn't been forestry on Point Roberts for 80 years. If developers want a
sewer system, they can pay for it themselves.
Whatcom County Council, 6/1712003, Page 6
1 Fleetwood asked how it was determined that a majority of the citizens don't
2 want it. Hollett stated there were two meetings held by the engineers. At the last
3 meeting, close to 100 people attended. Ninety percent were not in favor. He's
4 been trying to educate the residents about putting in independent systems.
5
6 Roy asked if application represents the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce.
7 Hollett stated he is a director on the Chamber of Commerce. This application has
8 not come up during any meeting.
9
10 Brenner asked how the County knows if the proposals are accurate. Desler
11 stated the applications are filed online. Hollett stated the contact listed on the
12 application hasn't been a Chamber of Commerce director for at least a year. David
13 Niles is not on the Chamber, either.
14
15 Hearing no one else, McShane closed the public hearing.
16
17 Crawford stated they have a potentially fraudulent application. Evidence
18 indicates that someone has misrepresented the facts. He rated this project fairly
19 high. Had he known this application misrepresented the facts, it would have
20 changed things. In the meantime, it doesn't rank high on the priority list anyway.
21 The President of the Chamber of Commerce doesn't know anything about it. The
22 oversight would be from Water District #4, which doesn't know anything about it.
23
24 McShane moved approval of the list.
25
26 Fleetwood asked if there has to be 21 projects on the list. Desler stated
27 these folks may apply, independent of County government. The County is not
28 serving as the applicant. These are not applications for County funds. The request
29 is for a coordination process that asks the County Council to prioritize the projects.
30 If rated highly, a series of federal and State agencies will assign someone to scope
31 the high priority projects. That person will facilitate the completed application and
32 the implementation of the project.
33
34 Roy moved to move item 13, the wastewater treatment plant in Point
35 Roberts project, to the bottom of the list as number 21 so the issue can be
36 investigated.
37
38 Crawford asked that the Executive's Office find out if someone could
39 fraudulently pursue a WA -CERT application with the County government without
40 any repercussions.
41
42 Brenner stated the ranking is not going to affect WA -CERT or get them any
43 funding. She would like to see this application investigated first. The Council can
44 amend the list after the fact. In fairness, they have to have someone who is being
45 charged with or accused of something have an opportunity to make a statement.
46
47 Roy withdrew her motion.
48
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 7
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Fleetwood moved to switch project number 18 to project number 13.
Project 13 will be the transportation connector. Project 18 will be the Point Roberts
wastewater treatment plant project.
Motion carried 5 -1 with Crawford opposed.
Brenner moved to amend the list to move the Small Business Round Table
project from number eight to number four, and bump everything else down one
spot. She was impressed with the presentation that was given after she did her
ranking.
Roy stated she is very enthusiastic about the current item four, which affects
people trying to find new careers.
Motion failed 3 -3 with McShane, Brenner, and Caskey- Schreiber in
favor.
Brenner moved to amend the list to move the Small Business Round Table
project from number eight to number five, and bump everything else down one
spot.
Motion failed 3 -3 with Roy, Brenner, and Caskey- Schreiber in favor.
Motion to approve as amended carried unanimously.
OPEN SESSION
(Clerk's Note: Continued from above.)
Wilma Higgins, 607 Kline Road, submitted a handout (on file). The
Transportation Improvement Program is on the Council's agenda this evening.
McShane stated it is an Introduction Item, and will go to the Public Works
Committee at the next meeting.
LuAnne Alton, 4790 Aldrich Road, submitted a handout (on file). They don't
want to be annexed into the city. She submitted a petition from the neighborhood.
This is something she doesn't want to happen.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Department Director, stated more information will
be provided during the Public Works Committee and public hearing in three weeks.
The notion of building a Slater connector has been on the six -year road program. It
has not moved ahead because there wasn't agreement of where the eastern
terminus would be and because there wasn't financing to do it. The motivation to
move it higher up on the list now is not to declare where that eastern terminus is.
It is to find out if they intend to build such a road to help solve congestion,
especially on the Guide Meridian. If so, then work through the process to decide
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 8
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where that route is. At this point, the only reason Kline Road is specifically
referenced is because the majority of the right -of -way already exists on that
corridor. That is the only reason. That's not a great reason to pick Kline Road as
the eastern terminus. Many years ago, the eastern terminus was the intersection
of Van Wyck and the Mount Baker Highway. Cordata had a substantial influence
over that because Horton Road was the more likely eastern terminus at the Guide
Meridian. Horton Road and Cordata Parkway were constructed in a way that would
make that no longer a viable location to bring the connection.
Caskey - Schreiber stated that according to Joe Rutan, Kline Road is the route
because Kelley Road would go to Mount Baker. There is more to this than what Mr.
Monsen is saying. Monsen stated there are reasons why Kline is preferred over
Kelley, and there are reasons why Kelley is preferred over Kline. There is also a
choice of going to Waldron or another location. Mr. Rutan is speaking to the
majority of right -of -way existing along the Kline corridor. No other right -of -way
exists. However, that doesn't predetermine where the road is going to go. That's
the reason for Mr. Rutan's comment. It is the logical route because of the right -of-
way, however they need to start a process that involves substantial public debate.
There are public policies here. It's not just an engineering decision.
CONSENT AGENDA
Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through five.
Motion to approve Consent Agenda items one through five carried
unanimously.
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#03 -42 TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, SOTO & SONS
CONSTRUCTION, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAAR CREEK
SEDIMENT TRAP, IN THE AMOUNT OF $413,275 (AB2003 -230)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#03 -43 TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, PUGLIA
ENGINEERING /FAIRHAVEN SHIPYARD, FOR THE ANNUAL DRYDOCK,
REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WHATCOM CHIEF FERRY, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $116,475 (AB2003 -231)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL PERMITTING SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FROM THE SOLE SOURCE
SUPPLIER, ACCELA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,086.40 (AB2003 -232)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 9
I DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY PROGRAMS IN WHATCOM COUNTY,
2 INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT, COMMUNITY ACCESS, AND CHILD
3 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, FOR THE TERM OF JULY 1, 2001,
4 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2003, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,209,953 (AB2003-
5 233)
6
7 5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
8 GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
9 DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY FOR COUNTYWIDE
10 LITTER PICKUP AND ADOPT -A- ROAD /TRAIL PROGRAMS, FOR THE
11 TERM OF JULY 1, 2003, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2005, IN THE AMOUNT OF
12 $63,800 (AB2003 -234)
13
14
15 OTHER ITEMS
16
17 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET,
18 SIXTH REQUEST(AB2003 -224)
19
20 Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
21 and moved to adopt the ordinance.
22
23 Roy moved to add an additional $20,000 to the Sheriff's Office budget to
24 pay for spike strips and Breathalyzers for each deputy vehicle. Currently, deputies
25 have to trade this equipment during a shift change. However, it is basic that each
26 car is equipped fully with the tools they need. The original Law and Justice report
27 recommended satellite stations. They recommended a budget for $200,000. This
28 is considerably under that amount. It provides a community service that people
29 need.
30
31 Caskey- Schreiber stated this is a basic need for the deputies to do their jobs.
32 This is a fantastic program. It's going to have much more accountability for
33 neglected issues.
34
35 Crawford stated he is opposed to the motion. The County is in a tough
36 financial situation. The requested amount from the Sheriff needs to come from the
37 general fund. Err on the side of caution in terms of expenditures. The new
38 Sheriff's administration has presented a compelling presentation of the positive
39 aspects of community policing. He voted for a levy in his fire district for a new fire
40 station, with the understanding that there would be space in the new fire station for
41 the use by a deputy. It's a good idea. He has concerns about approving the
42 $32,000 for a site that they don't have yet.
43
44 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side B.)
45
46 Crawford continued to state that providing the tools to do the job is a matter
47 of degree, as it is with most anything. They have a lot of tools to do their job,
48 which they do very well. There is probably no end to the number of tools the
whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 10
I Council could give the deputies to do their job. The County's bank account is
2 limited and operating at a deficit. They've got a process where the Sheriff and the
3 administration work together to get the best bang for the County's buck. They
4 have presented their proposal. The deputies do have spike strips when they are on
5 patrol. The spike strips are expensive, which is why they don't have one for every
6 car. That is a prudent decision that was made in times of budget difficulties. This
7 $20,000 is not funded, does not have a revenue source, and is part of the deficit
8 budget. It is inappropriate.
9
10 Brenner stated she would support it. This has to do with road issues. Some
11 of the money for Sheriff's needs in the past has come from the road fund, which
12 isn't operating at a deficit. She asked if this could come out of the road fund.
13
14 Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County takes over of
15 $700,000 out of the road fund to support the Sheriff's Office. Each year, the
16 Sheriff has to certify that those expenditures are directly related to the purpose for
17 the use of the road funds. A road related expense could be used to justify the
18 expense.
19
20 His office has never talked to the Sheriff's Office about the spike strips.
21
22 Roy stated the Sheriff indicated that the administration asked the Sheriff to
23 cut back the original request, and it was the Sheriff's choice to cut back on the
24 spike strips.
25
26 Caskey- Schreiber stated this project is coming well under what the Law and
27 Justice Council estimated for it. At $100,000, they are setting up a program that
28 the community has wanted for a long time. Allocating an additional $20,000
29 ensures that the program is done correctly. This is about public safety. She
30 wouldn't recommend this if she weren't comfortable with the reserve funds at this
31 time. This is a one -time expenditure. From here on out, they have to look at
32 things very carefully.
33
34 McShane asked if some of the money in the small tools category is for
35 buying any radar. Elfo stated it is not. They are okay in terms of radar needs.
36 They've gotten radar units from grants. He planned on asking for more spike strips
37 in the next budget. Deputies have been starting and ending shifts in their patrol
38 zones. The biggest logistical problem is if a deputy is tied up on a call at the end of
39 the shift, and there is a problem switching the equipment. That equipment they
40 are shifting are the spike strips and Breathalyzers.
41
42 McShane asked how many would $20,000 would purchase.
43
44 (Clerk's Note: Response to the question was not stated on tape.)
45
46 Roy asked if this realization is a function of the fact that they are dispersing
47 the deputies out to these areas now, and if this was an issue when all the deputies
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 11
I reported to Bellingham. Elfo stated it was not as much of an issue at that time.
2 Dispersing deputies in the field has magnified the problem.
3
4 Motion to amend carried 5 -2 with Crawford and McShane opposed.
5
6 Motion to approve as amended carried unanimously.
7
8 2. REPORT ON COMMITTEE DISCUSSION REGARDING ANNUAL REVIEW
9 OF FERRY RATES, AS SET FORTH IN WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 10.34,
10 WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF NO RATE INCREASE UNTIL LATER IN
11 THE YEAR TO CONSIDER POTENTIAL RATE STRUCTURE CHANGES
12 WHEN BETTER 2003 INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE (AB2003-
13 235)
14
15 Brenner reported for the Public Works and Capital Projects Committee and
16 stated the recommendation is to not increase the rates at this time. The 2002
17 budget was close to projections, the labor contract is not yet in place, and they
18 don't have a good idea of future ferry usage due to ferry negotiations. Those were
19 the reasons for not changing the fees at this time.
20
21 Caskey- Schreiber stated she is pleased that they are now recovering nearly
22 55 percent of the operations cost.
23
24 3. REQUEST CONFIRMATION OF THE EXECUTIVE'S CONCURRENT
25 APPOINTMENT WITH THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM OF TIM FARRIS TO
26 THE BELLINGHAM - WHATCOM COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD
27 OF COMMISSIONERS (AB2003 -236)
28
29 Fleetwood moved to confirm the appointment.
30
31 Motion carried unanimously,
32
33
34 LETTERS SENT BY COUNCIL
35
36 1. LETTER TO ATTORNEY GENERAL GREGOIRE, FORWARDING A
37 COMPLAINT FILED BY CITIZEN P. HUCK REGARDING THE
38 CONVICTION OF ADRIAN SASSEN VAN - ELSLOO (AB2003 -164)
39
40 2. LETTER TO P. HUCK FROM COUNCIL EXPLAINING THE FORWARDING
41 OF HIS COMPLAINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (AB2003 -164)
42
43
44 INTRODUCTION ITEMS
45
46 McShane withdrew Introduction Item three.
47
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 12
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McShane moved to accept Introduction Items one, two, and four through
eight.
Motion carried unanimously.
McShane stated his motion included the substitute version of Introduction
Item six, which was received earlier today.
1. RECEIPT OF APPEAL OF HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON SHR02-
0031 AND SHV02 -0011, REGARDING LIGHT FIXTURES ALONG A
DRIVEWAY LEADING TO THE LAKEWOOD STUDENT CENTER, FILED
BY JONATHAN SITKIN, ATTORNEY FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON
UNIVERSITY(AB2003 -225)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 2.33
AND WHATCOM COUNTY CODE TITLE 20, VARIOUS CHAPTERS, TO
ADD AND CLARIFY LANGUAGE RELATING TO NOTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR LAND USE APPLICATIONS (AB2003 -227)
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING
ORDINANCE, TITLE 20, CHAPTER 20.71 — WATER RESOURCE
PROTECTION OVERLAY DISTRICT, CHAPTER 20.80 —
SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS (STORMWATER AND CLEARING),
CHAPTER 20.85 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, AND CHAPTER
20.97 — DEFINITIONS, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REGULATORY
PROTECTION FOR SENSITIVE WATERSHEDS(AB2002 -222B)
McShane requested that this item be introduced, but placed in the Planning
and Development Committee. The public testimony the Council received,
particularly regarding tree clearing, needs to be considered. Make sure the
alternatives for accomplishing the goal are well considered. That would be the best
place to do it.
Crawford asked if the Council would still have a public hearing on July 8.
McShane stated they would not. Consideration may lead to an amendment
to the ordinance or findings of fact. The public hearing would likely be held at the
second Council meeting in July. The decision on the gravel amendment he
suggested last week is up to the majority of councilmembers.
Crawford stated it seemed that Councilmember McShane's proposal has
merit, given the fact that the gravel industry representative said that no one would
drive on one and a quarter inch clear gravel. The Planning Department was going
to produces maps to show where those soils are in the watershed. He asked if that
is something Councilmember Brenner would be interested in working on.
Brenner stated she talked to two other gravel industry representatives who
said that one and a quarter inch fractured rock would work excellently on
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 13
1 driveways, especially if there is any sloping. She heard that the building industry
2 would not like to be tied to a particular size of rock. She felt this size would ensure
3 more permeability. She is willing to compromise and take that out of there, but is
4 not comfortable without knowing the information about the amount of area that
5 Councilmember McShane's proposal would cover.
6
7 Caskey - Schreiber stated they could address that issue again in the Planning
8 and Development Committee.
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10 Roy stated she supports considering new information.
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12 Crawford asked if a councilmember would commit to work up language
13 similar to Councilmember McShane's proposal.
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15 McShane stated he would be glad to work with any other councilmember to
16 develop language.
17
18 Crawford stated he would also work on language.
19
20 Fleetwood stated the question is whether or not they should remand this
21 back to the Planning and Development Committee, which he supports.
22
23 McShane moved to introduce this item.
24
25 Motion carried unanimously.
26
27 4. RECEIPT OF APPEAL OF HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON
28 APPLICATION BY GOLDSTAR RESORTS, INC. (SHR03 -0002, SHCO3-
29 0001, BSP03 -0002, AND CUP03- 0006), FILED BY DAVID
30 COTTINGHAM FOR SHIRLEY WHITE(AB2003 -229)
31
32 S. RESOLUTION VACATING THAT ENTIRE PORTION OF JAMES WAY
33 LYING WESTERLY OF BIRCH BAY DRIVE (AB2003 -237)
34
35 6. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY SIX -YEAR
36 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE YEARS 2004
37 THROUGH 2009 (AB2003 -238)
38
39 7. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET,
40 SEVENTH REQUEST(AB2003 -239)
41
42 S. RESOLUTION VACATING A PORTION OF LUMMI VIEW DRIVE
43 (AB2003 -240)
44
45
46 OTHER BUSINESS
47
48 There was no other business.
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 14
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REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Brenner reported that she attended the short course on planning. It is an
excellent course. The Planning Department will provide the same class again in the
fall. The presenters were very interesting and innovative.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
4- - �-i---7_
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
These minutes were approved by Council on July 8 , 2003.
ATTEST:
\LiSl>
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dan McShane, Council Chair
Whatcom County Council, 6/17/2003, Page 15