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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil September 12 20001 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Regular County Council September 12, 2000 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council Chair Marlene Dawson in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. Also Present: Dan McShane L. Ward Nelson Connie Hoag Barbara Brenner Sam Crawford Robert Imhof ANNOUNCEMENTS Absent: None Dawson announced that five items were discussed during Committee of the Whole. Four of those items were discussed in executive session. They were: • Discussion with Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Randy Watts regarding pending litigation (AB2000 -018) • Discussion with Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Randy Watts regarding pending litigation (AB2000 -018) • Discussion regarding collective bargaining negotiations (AB2000 -317) • Discussion with Senior Deputy Prosecutor David Grant regarding pending litigation (AB2000 -018) Dawson announced that the fifth item was Discussion regarding the possible appointment of a judge to fill the unexpired term of retiring Judge David Rhea (AB2000 -017) Imhof moved to allow the use of pro tempore judges to fill in until after the election and certification of the vote. Motion carried unanimously. SPECIAL PRESENTATION PRESENTATION BY WASHINGTON STATE SENATOR PAUL SHIN, PH.D., REGARDING ESTABLISHING A SISTER COUNTY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND KANGHWA COUNTY, REPUBLIC OF KOREA Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 1 1 2 Paul Shin, Washington State Senator from the 21St District, stated he was not 3 born in the United States. He was born in Korea. The reason for the proposal is to 4 help settle relationships such as these. He lives in Snohomish County. He helped 5 to set up a sister relationship between Snohomish County and a county in Korea 6 about twelve years ago. Since then, it has flourished. There is also a sister school 7 relationship. There are student cultural and educational exchange programs. 8 There were also trade exchanges that benefited both counties. He has known 9 County Executive Pete Kremen for about 10 years. They worked together in the 10 state legislature. When he became County Executive, he wanted to make a 11 contribution to Whatcom County and Executive Kremen. He is the vice -chair of the 12 Senate Committee on Trade and Economic Development. For the past 18 years, he 13 traveled to Asia extensively. He has traveled with a number of former Washington 14 State governors. He has a Ph.D. and speaks Chinese and Japanese. He is used as 15 a go- between in negotiation for trade activities. It is this kind of a trade exchange 16 that brings about economic stability. One out of three jobs in the state come from 17 trade industries. Of the ten best customers the state has, nine are located in the 18 Pacific Rim countries. 19 20 This year, because it is the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, he sponsored 21 a resolution honoring Korean War veterans and making the year 2000 the year of 22 the Korean War Veterans. It passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. 23 He sponsored a separate resolution for the United States Congress. It also passed. 24 The President made a national proclamation making the year 2000 the year of the 25 Korean War Veterans. Over 600,000 men and women from the United States 26 fought in the Korean War. Over 40,000 lost their lives. When he was four years 27 old in Korea, his mother died and his father left him. He had no place to go. He 28 had to stand on street corners and beg for food to stay alive. Then the Korean War 29 happened. He saw how the Americans gave up their blood for purposes unknown. 30 He was grateful to them, so he volunteered as a houseboy in the Army barracks. 31 He worked for seven officers. He watched soldiers go off to battle in the morning 32 and return with injuries or death. One of the seven officers adopted him when he 33 was 16 years old. He came to the United States when he was 18 years old. His 34 adopted family provided love, a home, and an opportunity for education. He now 35 has a Ph.D. He is the highest Korean - American ever to be elected to a post and 36 serve in this capacity. 37 38 He tries to be a bridge between is native country and his adopted country. 39 Korea is the fourth largest trading partner to Washington State. It is the sixth 40 largest trading partner for the United States. They export over $2.3 billion per 41 year. They import about $1.2 billion dollars per year. He sees the tremendous 42 opportunities between our counties and counties in Korea. 43 44 Korea has come a long way. Until 1962, it was the fourth poorest nation in 45 the world. The income per capita was less than $62 per year. With the U.S. 46 participation in the war and liberation from Japanese colonialism, the economy took 47 off. Now, South Korea is 111h from the top in economic position. 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 2 1 As the vice -chair of the Committee on Trade and Economic Development, he 2 travels to Korea, Japan, China, and Russia. Bellingham has potential as a port city. 3 Seattle is saturated. Tacoma has been saturated. They are looking for another 4 port, and the next candidate may be Bellingham. 5 6 In the last six months, he has been negotiating with the Russian city of 7 Vladivostok. It is a navel port and did not allow any commercial ships until 1992. 8 They are now in limbo. It is essential for Washington State to establish a trade 9 shipping line between Vladivostok and Washington State. It would cut the 10 steaming time for commercial boats going to Shanghai by two days and six hours. 11 By doing so, they can ship their goods to Vladivostok, Russia, China, and eventually 12 Korea. 13 14 His reason for picking Kanghwa County in Korea is because the United States 15 was looking for a place to set up the International Dolmen Society. Kanghwa 16 Province has a large deposit of megaliths. The United Nations asked him to set up 17 headquarters in Korea. They set up the International Dolmen Society. Every year, 18 they host a festival. He was elected to be a representative of the North American 19 continent. The County Executive of Kanghwa Province told him that they were 20 interested in relations with the United States. He thought of Bellingham 21 immediately. Kanghwa and Bellingham are both port cities. Both counties have 22 colleges. They produce a lot of agricultural goods such as rice and ginseng. 23 Kanghwa County and Whatcom County are similar in size, population, and economic 24 potential. South Korea is ready to launch the largest international airport in Asia. 25 This would become a hub of an entire Asian market. The flyers from the United 26 States would stop in that new airport and go on to China, Russia, and Southeast 27 Asia. That international airport is located just south of Kanghwa County. 28 29 County Executive Pete Kremen liked the idea of becoming sister counties. 30 The Executive of Kanghwa County also agreed. It would be mutually beneficial. 31 The purpose of the sister county relationship is, above all, to exchange friendship 32 and goodwill between the two counties and to continue communication. The 33 second purpose is to provide special requests between the two counties. The third 34 purpose is to provide trade and tourism industries between the two counties. 35 Another purpose is to implement cultural and educational exchanges between the 36 two counties. 37 38 He hoped the Council sees that this is the best way to receive an 39 international relationship between Whatcom County and an international area. He 40 was excited about this. Other sister county relationships have worked out very 41 well. 42 43 Brenner questioned the average income per capita, per annum. Shin stated 44 it is now $14,000. This has happened because of U.S. cooperation, involvement in 45 the war, and maintaining freedom. Hundreds and thousands of Koreans have been 46 educated in the United States and returned to Korea. Out of the 289 congressmen 47 in Korea, 46 percent were educated in the United States. 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 3 1 Nelson stated this is a wonderful opportunity for international groups to come 2 together and share ideas. He questioned whether this would include a school and 3 student exchange. Shin stated it would. 4 5 Nelson questioned the type of port facility that Kanghwa has. Shin stated it 6 is an ocean going port. Inchon has the second largest port in Korea. Inchon is like 7 Seattle, and Kanghwa is like Whatcom County. They feel the new airport will bring 8 a tremendous economic boom for the area. 9 10 Nelson stated Mr. Shin is to be commended for his efforts in bringing two 11 nations together so successfully. 12 13 Hoag requested clarification on being the largest location of megaliths. Shin 14 stated megalithic society refers to the Stone Age period. Ancestors built structures 15 like Stonehenge and tombs. The Stonehenge -like structures are called dolmens. 16 Those structures have attracted the United Nations. In their search for the 17 preservation of a civilization of the past, they have organized an International 18 Dolmen Society. They thought of putting the headquarters in Scandinavia or the 19 British Isles. To their surprise, they found that Korea has the largest number of 20 dolmens. 21 22 Dawson questioned whether the Council needs to take any action. 23 24 Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated the Executive does have the 25 prerogative to go forward with this relationship. He emphasized his desire to have 26 the County Council's blessing to sign the agreement. He looked forward to being 27 able to tell the County Executive of Kanghwa County that the Whatcom County 28 Council is very supportive and embraces the efforts they are embarking upon. 29 30 Imhof moved to authorize the Executive to enter into the sister county 31 agreement Kanghwa County, Republic of Korea. 32 33 Motion carried unanimously. 34 35 Kremen stated he wanted to publicly acknowledge and thank Senator Shin 36 for these efforts. There is only one person in this entire state that could create this 37 kind of agreement and relationship, and that is Senator Shin. It was an honor and 38 privilege to serve with Mr. Shin in the Washington State House of Representatives 39 as a colleague and a friend. He looked forward to many more years of that 40 relationship. 41 42 Shin stated he is honored and flattered by Mr. Kremen's remarks. He 43 thanked the Council for approving the motion. The County Council of Kanghwa 44 County also approved of the relationship unanimously. 45 46 PRESENTATION BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE PETE KREMEN REGARDING 47 WHATCOM TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY'S FREE RIDE MONTH 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 4 1 2 Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated the proclamation had the assistance and 3 support of Councilmember Dawson, as a member of the Whatcom Transportation 4 Authority Board. He read the proclamation into the record. 5 6 7 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 8 9 APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS: 10 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR AUGUST 8, 2000; REGULAR COUNTY 11 COUNCIL FOR AUGUST 8, 2000 12 13 Imhof moved to approve. 14 15 Brenner stated she would abstain from voting. She missed the meeting, 16 which was the third meeting she's missed in nine years, due to a family matter. 17 18 Motion carried 6 -0 with Brenner abstaining. 19 20 21 SELECTION OF CANVASS REPRESENTATIVES 22 23 COUNCIL TO SELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO CANVASS THE PRIMARY 24 AND GENERAL ELECTIONS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: SEPTEMBER 25 27 AND 28 (9:00 A.M.), SEPTEMBER 29 (1:00 P.M.), NOVEMBER 17, 26 20, 21, AND 22 (9:00 A.M.) 27 28 Dawson volunteered for the September 27 and 28. 29 30 McShane volunteered for September 29. 31 32 Brenner volunteered for November 22 33 34 Nelson volunteered for November 21. 35 36 Hoag volunteered for November 20. 37 38 39 40 OPEN SESSION 41 42 The following people spoke: 43 44 George Drake, Whatcom County resident, stated he was a soldier in the 45 Korean War as Senator Shin was a child begging in the streets. In response to the 46 County's trip to Korea and as a Korean War veteran, he asked that the Council 47 recognize that this is the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. Twenty -two young 48 men from the county died while serving during the Korean War. He requested that Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 5 1 the Executive be authorized to purchase two stone lanterns that would honor the 22 2 young men. He also requested that Mr. Kremen, when in Korea, offer a toast in 3 honor of the 22 young men of Whatcom County who gave their lives for a free 4 Korea, and in honor of the many hundreds of service men and women in Whatcom 5 County who served in Korean War. Without their lives, this meeting would never 6 take place. It is important that the County Executive realize there is a history. It is 7 also important that the Korean people realize that the relationship with Whatcom 8 County is about more than the exchange of commerce and kiddie drawings. There 9 is an active dedication of blood and patriotism. 10 11 Hoag moved to allow Mr. Drake some extra time to speak. 12 13 Dawson stated they had this presentation during the Finance Committee. 14 15 Hoag stated she read his letter, but the public hasn't heard what he has to 16 say. He shouldn't be limited to three minutes. 17 18 Drake stated he gave three years to Korea. Three minutes may be all that 19 the County wants. 20 21 Dawson stated that, since this is a city park they would deal with, the County 22 can discuss this with the Mayor of Bellingham. 23 24 Brenner stated the County should look at the issue of memorials for many of 25 the forgotten veterans and people who died in the wars, including the Vietnam War, 26 the Korean War, and World War II. She suggested a public memorial on Whatcom 27 County property. 28 29 McShane stated that he recently returned from traveling, and he noticed 30 other county courthouses. He realized that other counties have memorials to war 31 veterans prominently displayed. He's also noticed that in Europe in the past. It is 32 a good reminder to the citizens and the youth. 33 34 Crawford stated Mr. Drake suggested a $10,000 memorial in a city park. He 35 was not sure that would be appropriate for the County. However, with the interest 36 shown in the Vietnam memorial at Hovander Park, it would be good to look at the 37 use of either park land or courthouse facilities. At the state level, private funds are 38 being solicited for a World War II memorial. There may be an interest in Whatcom 39 County to have a fund drive and locate a memorial. 40 41 Hoag stated Mr. Drake's closing remark was that three minutes was all the 42 County could give him. She believed the Council offended him. They need to be 43 more careful in looking at how strictly they hold to a time limit on matters as 44 sensitive as this. Because there is interest in pursuing his suggestion of the stone 45 lanterns, the County should contact him and ask him if he would continue working 46 on this. 47 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 6 1 Dawson stated Mr. Drake spoke for much longer than three minutes during 2 the afternoon. 3 4 Brenner stated she understood the Council was going to allow him more time 5 and it was his choice to leave. She was sorry if he was offended. 6 7 Deborah Rogness, 6345 Blackford Place, Sumas /Paradise, talked about the 8 sheriff substation. On July 26 her husband and she were assaulted outside their 9 home by four individuals who beat them until they were unconscious. The sheriffs 10 need to be out there more. They need a substation out there. That place is 11 running amuck. There are many good people out there who are afraid. She sleeps 12 with a loaded gun. They are tired of it. The sheriffs do a really good job, but they 13 have a large area to cover. It is not right. There needs to be some type of 14 funding. People are willing to give their time and effort to create something to 15 provide law and order in that area of the county. Protection isn't a privilege. It's a 16 right. 17 18 Brenner informed her that she and Councilmember Crawford have been in 19 the area several times, and a committee has been formed in the neighborhood. 20 She suggested that Ms. Rogness contact the Sheriff's Office for more information. 21 22 Dawson stated that an assault of that nature is the number one priority. 23 Everything else is dropped to respond. The response was very quick. Rogness 24 stated the response was quick. The sheriff deputy was in the area and did a great 25 job. After learning how much area they have to patrol and the hours they have to 26 work, she and her husband decided to lobby the Council for more help. 27 28 Hoag stated that during the last two or three years, she has pressed the 29 Sheriff to create satellite stations in order to improve protection for the eastern and 30 northern parts of the county. She has not been successful. They really need to 31 have the deputies report to those areas. The deputies are supportive of it. Having 32 deputies run in and out of Bellingham is not the most efficient way to serve all the 33 areas of the county. She encouraged Ms. Rogness to be a part of the budget 34 process. At one time, they approved funding for a remote station pilot project, but 35 the sheriff did not implement them. 36 37 Nelson stated that several years ago the Council tried to implement the sales 38 tax to fund this type of protection in the county. Crime is occurring everywhere. 39 The entire community has to pull together and recognize that this service is not 40 free. These services have a price. They have to work and be willing to support 41 these things. The tax was put on the ballot and largely rejected by the public. 42 They all need to be educated on the impacts to their lives. He urged Ms. Rogness 43 to talk to her neighbors about these impacts. The County would work hard to try to 44 protect as many citizens as possible with its limited resources. He urged the entire 45 community to come together and look at how they pay for these services in the 46 future. 47 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 7 1 Dawson supported Mr. Nelson's comments. The sales tax was very 2 important, but the public turned it down. The County presently gives over 60 3 percent of its budget to criminal justice. 4 5 Brenner stated the County Council passed the sales tax anyway. She hoped 6 it means they would see a satellite station this year. 7 8 Cliff Langly, Whatcom County resident, discussed the understaffing of the 9 Sheriff's Department. As a member of the Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff's Guild, 10 he spoke for his members. More deputies are needed. Morale is a problem. His 11 department has one of the highest call loads per deputy in the state. They spend 12 many hours working overtime to keep up with the demands and to provide 13 courteous and professional law enforcement to the community. The sheriff has a 14 budget to maintain. He tries to keep the budget at a reasonable level. That only 15 adds frustration to the department because they are understaffed. Consequences 16 of understaffing are low morale, which causes a higher turnover in employees. 17 That is an added expense to the County. A department full of new deputies lacks 18 experience. Training is missed or neglected because of a lack of personnel to cover 19 the shifts. That is a potential liability for the County and is frustrating for the 20 deputies. The community needs more deputies. Some of the issues of the current 21 contract negotiations could also be addressed if the County acknowledged that 22 need. They enjoy a relatively safe community. There are areas in the county that 23 don't see a deputy unless there is an emergency. They want to keep the 24 community safe. Timely prevention would be much less costly than trying to repair 25 the damage of understaffed and inadequately prepared law enforcement. 26 27 Hoag stated she has also pushed to add more deputies during the last couple 28 of years. One of the things the Council did was wait until the criminal justice study 29 was complete. It is now complete. There should be changes coming forward for 30 this budget. 31 32 Bellingham stated she also pushed for additional deputies. 33 34 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.) 35 36 Brenner continued to state that she made a motion during last year's budget 37 for more deputies. No one from the Sheriff's Office spoke of her motion, and it 38 died. She wanted the deputies to come to the budget meeting. 39 40 Mary Jane Anderson, Bellingham, asked for support for the introduction of 41 the recreational vehicle (RV) ordinance again. Many postcards have been sent by 42 Point Roberts residents asking the Council to vote against the RV ordinance. This 43 may seem the easy way out. The Planning Commission, the Planning Department, 44 and the Planning and Development Committee have spent a year researching this 45 issue. It should not be thrown out. Regarding the postcards, she talked to some of 46 the people who sent them in. She wanted to know the reason these people wanted 47 to throw families out. One of people she spoke with was Point Roberts Fire 48 Commissioner. He did not know all the facts about the RV ordinance because they Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 8 1 were not presented when the voters' association representative knocked on his 2 door to provide a pre- stamped, pre- worded postcard. After clarifying some issues 3 with him and reading directly from the ordinance, the commissioner and his wife 4 agreed to send a letter to the Council saying they are not in agreement with what 5 the postcard stated. She questioned how many other people are not fully informed 6 about the RV ordinance and what it would do. Too much has gone into this to 7 throw it out. Concern needs to be given to the historical, traditional values and 8 people's lives, not property values. RV's do not bring down property values in a 9 recreational area such as Point Roberts, where the use has been accepted and 10 existed for generations. 11 12 Mike Riley, 6012 Oscar Court, Ferndale City Council, Representing the City of 13 Ferndale, spoke in opposition to the ordinance regarding home occupations. The 14 City of Ferndale has put a lot into its infrastructure hoping to get industry into the 15 city. If industry doesn't come into the city, the residents are going to have to pay 16 for it. With the ordinance as it is written at this time, it would be easier for people 17 to locate in the outlying areas because of mitigation fees and such. He would like 18 more interaction between the small cities and the County Council. He would like to 19 see a committee set up with a councilmember from the different municipality and 20 the County Council. A logical place to put a satellite station is in the cities, but they 21 already have police stations. Things like that could be worked on together. The 22 cities and County could share certain equipment. 23 24 Brenner stated that she would put the issue in the Public Works committee. 25 26 Hoag stated that the Planning and Development Committee chose to re- 27 introduce the Planning and Development Services version of the ordinance, which 28 does not include a rural business element. She questioned whether he had a 29 chance to review that version. Riley stated he quickly reviewed it when he arrived 30 at this meeting. 31 32 Hoag stated that Planning and Development Services recommended a clearer 33 and more restrictive version that what currently exists. It became more liberal 34 when it went to the Planning Commission. Riley stated the city doesn't have any 35 problem with what is currently going on. 36 37 Hoag stated the County Council would hold a public hearing in two weeks. 38 39 Kelly Vossbeck, 1033 Sunset Avenue, Bellingham, spoke about the RV 40 ordinance. She is 16 years old, and has camped with her family her entire life. she 41 wanted to know that she can join her parents on their property when she is older 42 and has a family of her own. She didn't understand what damage would result 43 from fully self- contained RV's. She asked the Council to allow RV's in rural areas. 44 Her parents own 17 acres of Rural Forestry land on the north fork of the Nooksack 45 River. 46 47 Tom Hollack, Point Roberts, stated he is on the Parks Board and is a member 48 of the Chamber of Commerce. He is actively involved with activities. He is working Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 9 1 with Roger DeSpain, County Parks Department Director, to add 20 acres to County 2 parks to increase the trail system on the Point. Senator Georgia Gardner visited 3 the Point a couple of months ago. They are building a pier. They received a grant 4 of seed money because of Senator Gardner. They will have a commercial district 5 confined to a certain area. A $20 million golf course is also being built. It is going 6 to enhance the Point. Lighthouse Park is going to have a lighthouse. Many people 7 are doing many things to enhance the Point. Point Roberts is five square miles. 8 Unlike the Foothills, where one can drive miles without seeing anyone, they don't 9 have a lot of vacant area. He suggested a compromise. He proposed 10 grandfathering existing RV's, which would be required to install sewer septic 11 systems and screening within a certain amount of time. Future RV's would have to 12 be approved. 13 14 Mary Copps, Ferndale, stated her family has done RV camping along the 15 Nooksack River in the county for many years. They have also camped at Point 16 Roberts. Most county residents don't realize that the RV ordinance affects the 17 whole county, not just Point Roberts. Whatcom County Council unanimously 18 passed a reasonable ordinance. The next month, with the absence of some of the 19 councilmembers, they threw the vote out and reverted back to the old ordinance. 20 If there are people who don't wish to co -exist with someone in an RV, she 21 recommend that they move to a development with covenants to protect them. She 22 agreed that they should not have to put up with eyesores, but outlawing all use 23 would be wrong. Most of the areas under consideration are used seasonally. 24 25 Bruno Morris, Point Roberts Voters' Association, stated the association 26 presented a petition on Point Roberts. The position of the registered voters and a 27 number of residents was to maintain and enforce the existing law. The County 28 Council recently received a number of postcards from the voters of Point Roberts. 29 The message remains the same. There will be a motion to ask the Council to 30 reconsider the RV ordinance that was rejected at the previous meeting. The 31 association requested the Council to reject this motion of consideration and let Point 32 Roberts move forward with the existing law. 33 34 Dawson stated the ordinance is scheduled for introduction. The Council 35 would not vote on the ordinance during this meeting. There are suggested changes 36 from Sam Ryan. 37 38 Carolyn Hull, 2585 Birch Bay - Lynden Road, Custer, stated she has an open 39 space /timber application before the Council. 40 41 McShane stated the item was scheduled before the Planning and 42 Development Committee, which did not get to that item. It won't be before the 43 Council this evening. 44 45 Crawford stated he would move to approve it when the time comes. 46 47 McShane stated the Hull proposal is a wonderful proposal. 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 10 1 Hull stated that it would be approved too late to apply to the taxes for the 2 year of 2000. She submitted several letters and documents (on file). When she 3 was told that her plan had been approved, she called the Planning Commission, but 4 her call was not returned. She called the County Assessor on August 25 to find out 5 what to do next. She was told that the approval had to have been submitted by 6 early July or it would not apply. The Washington Administrative Code says that the 7 plan has to be approved or denied within six months of submittal. It was submitted 8 on December 13, 1999. It should have been approved or denied within six months 9 of that date. From then, she would have had proper time to appeal it if it had been 10 denied. She has tried to get this matter taken care of. In March, she was told she 11 would be on the April agenda. She didn't know about this meeting until after she 12 talked to the Assessor's Office. Somehow, the taxes ought to be applied at this 13 rate for next year. The WAC stated she should have been approved or denied 14 within six months. She wanted to push this forward. 15 16 Hoag questioned the date the Assessor needed the documents to have it go 17 into affect for this tax period. Hull stated the Assessor needed the documents by 18 July 2. 19 20 Imhof stated the tax roles are certified in July. 21 22 Hull stated she talked to the Department of Revenue, who said that July date 23 might not apply to Open Space /Timber land. 24 25 Hoag stated they just got this from the Planning Commission and scheduled 26 it because it was easy to process. The Planning and Development Committee was 27 extra long during the day, but didn't get to it. They would process it first thing at 28 their next meeting. 29 30 Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated it is scheduled for 31 approval, but it is a resolution and the Council needs to review all the applications 32 at once because they are all in one resolution. They have processed approximately 33 30 Open Space applications so far this year. Mrs. Hull's was one of those. It did 34 get delayed some because they were waiting for additional information. The 35 Department of Natural Resources has a forestry steward program. Through that 36 program, they teach people how to write stewardship programs for their forestland. 37 Those stewardship plans don't really qualify. They don't have all the information 38 needed for a timber management plan. They did have to contact Mrs. Hull to get 39 additional information, which they didn't get until June. There was at least one 40 meeting where there wasn't a Planning Commission quorum. It didn't get to the 41 Planning Commission until August, when the Council had its break. They are 42 attempting to meet those six -month schedules, but if there is a need for additional 43 information, the schedule can be delayed. 44 45 Imhof stated the Council could make a resolution on the floor to approve the 46 one item. Goodwin stated they could, but it still would not meet the tax assessor's 47 deadline of July. 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 11 1 Hoag questioned whether they are required to do them as a batch. Goodwin 2 stated they are not. 3 4 Imhof stated the Council could approve it, and then Mrs. Hull could deal with 5 it with the assessor. 6 7 Hull stated her letter dated May 22, 2000 went into details on the difficulties 8 and delays she'd had to that point. In March, she was contacted by the Planning 9 Commission, who requested information on the harvest procedure for her land. 10 She talked to Elizabeth Olsen at that time and told her that she only needed a ten - 11 year plan. The harvest of the trees would be beyond that time. At that time, she 12 was told that Elizabeth Olsen had the information that was needed and that she 13 would be scheduled on the April agenda. She wasn't advised that they needed 14 anything in writing until June. In April, she found that she wasn't on the agenda. 15 16 Imhof stated the only thing the County Council could do was pass or turn 17 down the resolution. Everything else would have to be taken up with the assessor. 18 19 Hull stated the assessor would need to be directed to consider it. 20 21 Imhof stated the County Council couldn't direct the assessor. He is an 22 elected official. 23 24 Hull questioned whom the County Planning Commission was responsible to. 25 26 Crawford stated they are responsible to the County Council. 27 28 Hull stated that was why she was at this meeting. She wanted Mr. Kremen 29 to tell her what she could do to have this item looked at by the assessor. 30 31 Brenner stated she would like a legal opinion. Some items have a deadline 32 to be approved or denied. Mrs. Hull has a legitimate concern. She'd like to know 33 what the law says, for future information. 34 35 David Grant, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor, stated he would take a look at 36 it. It seems that the County Council, as the legislative authority, has received the 37 application and has six months to act. The WAC that Mrs. Hull cited indicates that 38 the application should be approved or denied. It doesn't say that it shall be 39 approved or denied. Whoever promulgated these rules recognized that local 40 governments need to have some leeway in processing. 41 42 Forest McElroy, 8535 Golden Valley Drive, Sumas, stated that RVs and 43 residential homes don't mix. Most of the lots are 60 feet by 120 feet, or are pie 44 shaped. Sounds carry and some of the residents are affected by the goings on of 45 the RV'ers. They've been looking at this issue for five years. RV'ers are moving 46 out because kids are growing up and they aren't being used any more. It is 47 becoming more residential. He suggested that they reconsider the ordinance and 48 come up with something more positive for everybody. He didn't understand why Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 12 1 the County has designated certain areas as recreational residential. Peaceful Valley 2 has covenants that don't allow RV's, but they are listed as an exception in the rules. 3 Snowline is another example. 4 5 Brenner stated private covenants supercede County law. The County has no 6 ability to look at the covenants. If they don't pass something to help the area, such 7 as a hook up to a septic system or sewer, that area will stay just the way it is, 8 which has been a real problem. 9 10 Rita Foley, South Lake Whatcom, stated she supported more sheriff's 11 deputies. The county has grown very rapidly. There is a wonderful group of deputy 12 sheriffs. Also, people with RV's in her neighborhood have been doing all kinds of 13 bad things. They park them on a very small lot that is not proper in a residential 14 neighborhood. RV's have their place, but they have to be in their place. 15 16 Judy DeMeyer, resident, stated she has five acres. She can't see her 17 neighbors. She questioned why Pete Kremen vetoed the other ordinance. 18 19 Dawson stated the ordinance is scheduled for a hearing two weeks from this 20 meeting. At the last vote, there were only six councilmembers in attendance at the 21 meeting. There was a split vote, and it didn't pass. 22 23 DeMeyer questioned whether anything has changed and why it was vetoed. 24 25 Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated Pete Kremen asked her to 26 explain the veto. The veto was because of a procedural issue. Amendments were 27 made at the County Council meeting that expanded the ordinance beyond the title 28 of the ordinance and the advertisement of the ordinance. Procedurally, what was 29 adopted wasn't legal because it didn't have proper notice. That is why it was 30 vetoed. There has been several ordinances suggested since then, and there is still 31 discussion on what would be introduced at this meeting. Any ordinance that is 32 introduced would be a bit different than the one that was vetoed, because the one 33 that was vetoed wasn't procedurally correct. 34 35 Brenner stated an ordinance is scheduled to be introduced. 36 37 DeMeyer stated she liked the provision to require a permit for more people 38 than allowed. 39 40 Hoag stated that, as chair of the Planning and Development Committee, she 41 was contacted by people on both sides of the issue requesting time to talk to them 42 when it shows up in committee. Because they've spent so much time on it already, 43 she would limit that time to ten minutes for people who speak for the ordinance 44 and ten minutes for people to speak against the ordinance. It will be open for a full 45 hearing in the evening. 46 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 13 1 Brenner stated she didn't see a need to make people speak twice in two 2 weeks. It is appropriate for people to speak before the Council. Let them come to 3 the evening meeting so they don't have to come for both. 4 5 Hoag stated they don't have to go to the committee meeting. These people 6 asked if they could speak at the committee meeting. 7 8 9 CONSENT AGENDA 10 11 Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and 12 moved approval of items one through six. Item number three was amended. The 13 amount in the packet wasn't correct. The correct amount is $17,402. 14 15 Motion to approve items one through six carried unanimously. 16 17 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #00- 18 74 TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, PACIFIC NORTH 19 EQUIPMENT, TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT ARTICULATED WHEEL 20 LOADER FOR USE BY WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS 21 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF $132,219.77 22 (AB2000 -309) 23 24 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN 25 INTERAGENCY WORK ORDER AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM 26 COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DIVISION OF 27 ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE (DASA) TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY 28 ALCOHOL AND DRUG SERVICES AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 29 PREVENTION SERVICES TO PREGNANT AND PARENTING WOMEN, IN 30 THE AMENDMENT AMOUNT OF $120,000 FOR A TOTAL AMENDED 31 CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $2,367,727 (AB2000 -310) 32 33 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A 34 CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND 35 HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CASCADE VOCATIONAL 36 SERVICES — GROUP EMPLOYMENT TO PROVIDE PLACEMENT, ON -THE- 37 JOB TRAINING, AND FOLLOW -UP SERVICES OF SUPERVISED 38 EMPLOYMENT IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS FOR GROUPS OF WORKERS 39 WITH DISABILITIES, IN THE AMENDED AMOUNT OF $17,282, FOR A 40 TOTAL CONTRACT AMENDED AMOUNT OF $104,078 (AB2000 -311) 41 42 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A 43 CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC 44 WORKS RIVER AND FLOOD SECTION AND PHILIP WILLIAMS & 45 ASSOCIATES TO PROVIDE COASTAL HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS AND 46 FLOODPLAIN MAPPING OF SANDY POINT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH 47 FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) GUIDELINES, Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 14 1 IN THE AMENDMENT AMOUNT OF $96,447 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT 2 AMENDED AMOUNT OF $103,236 (AB2000 -312) 3 4 5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN 5 AGREEMENT, IF APPROVED IN SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST 6 #10, WITH THE WHATCOM LAND TRUST TO PURCHASE A PERMANENT 7 TRAIL AND CONSERVATION EASEMENT OVER 200 ACRES IN THE 8 LAKE WHATCOM WATERSHED CATHERINE AND EDWARD STIMPSON 9 NATURE RESERVE, UTILIZING CONSERVATION FUTURE FUNDS NOT 10 TO EXCEED $500,000 (AB2000 -313) 11 12 6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A 13 PROJECT GRANT AGREEMENT, IF APPROVED IN SUPPLEMENTAL 14 BUDGET REQUEST #10, BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND 15 HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WASHINGTON DENTAL 16 SERVICE FOUNDATION (WSDF) TO PROVIDE DENTAL CARE FOR LOW 17 INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN THE AGREEMENT 18 AMOUNT OF $45,000 (AB2000 -314) 19 20 21 OTHER ITEMS 22 23 1. WHATCOM CHIEF FERRY INSURANCE RENEWAL 9/30/00 — 9/30/01 24 (AB2000 -307) 25 26 Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and 27 moved approval. 28 29 Motion carried unanimously. 30 31 2. RISK POOL GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE RENEWAL 10/1/00 — 32 10/01/01 (AB2000 -308) 33 34 Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and 35 moved approval. 36 37 Motion carried unanimously. 38 39 3. DISCUSSION REGARDING PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND 40 GOVERNMENTAL TELEVISION ACCESS (AB2000 -131) 41 42 Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and 43 stated there was a letter sent to AT &T from Dewey Desler. The County has not 44 received a response. The committee asked the administration to keep Council 45 informed on what takes place. AT &T sent a letter stating they would no longer 46 allow public access. The County has, for years, been recording its Council meetings 47 for broadcast to the public. It is a part of the franchise contract. The County would Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 15 1 like to keep that service, as provided in the franchise contract. AT &T needs to 2 recognize that contract item. 3 4 4. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2000 BUDGET, REQUEST #10 (AB2000- 5 302) 6 7 Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and 8 moved approval. There was discussion in committee about the purchase of the 9 Trillium property. 10 11 Brenner stated the County is purchasing the conservation easement and 12 building the trail. The County would not own the property. 13 14 Nelson stated they also received information from Rand Jack. He is 15 comfortable with the appraisal. 16 17 Motion carried unanimously. 18 19 Nelson thanked Land Trust, Parks Department, and County administration for 20 their work on this project. The process conserves about 300 acres in the Lake 21 Whatcom watershed. It is commendable that the County could do that without 22 raising its water rates. 23 24 Hoag stated she appreciated the purchase, especially because of the 25 sensitivity of the area. This is an appropriate use of the conservation funds. They 26 are still not using conservation funds to preserve agricultural areas. That was a 27 reason that people approved the conservation fund. She urged people, including 28 the Land Trust, to focus on the agricultural areas. There are many programs for 29 that. 30 31 Brenner stated the County purchased Nesset Farm. It may not be the same 32 kind of agriculture, but the County is using the conservation futures money very 33 well. They are trying to spread it out. 34 35 S. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY CODE, 36 TITLE 20, TO CLARIFY CHAPTER 20.04.030 INTERPRETATION AND 37 CONFLICT (AB2000 -253) 38 39 Hoag reported for Planning and Development Committee and moved 40 approval. 41 42 Motion carried unanimously. 43 44 6. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING 45 ORDINANCE, SECTION 20.92.210, GRANTING THE HEARING 46 EXAMINER THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE COORDINATED WATER 47 SYSTEM PLAN APPEALS (AB2000 -284) 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 16 1 Hoag reported for Planning and Development Committee and stated she was 2 seeking a parliamentary inquiry. There was a motion on the floor for approval. As 3 chair, she asked whether or not the chair had discretion to hold it in committee 4 because she wanted more information. She questioned whether the chair had the 5 authority to hold something in committee, or if it was subject to the majority of the 6 committee. 7 8 Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated it required a vote of the 9 committee members. It is the same as referring the item to committee. 10 11 Imhof moved to adopt the ordinance. 12 13 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side 8.) 14 15 Brenner stated she has been on the Council for nine years. This is the first 16 time she has ever heard of a committee chair trying to withhold a majority rule. 17 18 Nelson stated he supported the ordinance. The first book he saw when he 19 got on the Council was the Coordinated Water System Plan. It was Dan Warner's 20 from 1992. He has been working with Regina Delahunt ever since trying to get this 21 thing accomplished. The state has a requirement that the County have a process 22 for the public. He was happy to endorse this. 23 24 Dawson stated the Sandy Point area has been working on their coordinated 25 system plan. They get lots of review from the state Department of Health and 26 Department of Ecology (DOE). They make sure that everyone gets service, or they 27 don't approve it. She supported the ordinance. 28 29 Hoag stated she was not opposed to the ordinance, but she wanted more 30 information on it. She tried to get an answer of how this would affect one of the 31 issues that has been raised recently regarding whether or not a water association 32 can be forced to give up shares that it does not wish to give up. She was not trying 33 to force her opinion over the will of the committee. She simply wanted the 34 opportunity to get that information. Staff said that the expert on that information 35 would be available in two weeks. She is familiar with other levels of government in 36 which committee chairs hold items in committee. All she asked for was a 37 parliamentary inquiry, and she didn't receive an answer. The issue of the Hearing 38 Examiner hearing the issue is not a big problem, but it may be wise to have some 39 delineating language in the ordinance. She preferred to have all the information 40 before she makes her decision. 41 42 Dawson stated that service couldn't be denied within a service delivery area. 43 44 Brenner stated they've all had time to ask their questions. It doesn't seem 45 fair to the majority in the committee and the majority in the Council if people don't 46 go and ask their questions. She questioned when Councilmember Hoag began 47 researching this. 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 17 1 Nelson stated that is not pertinent to the issue. 2 3 Imhof agreed. 4 5 Brenner stated it is pertinent because things are held in Planning Committee 6 over and over because people don't attend the meetings. 7 8 Motion carried 6 -0 with Hoag abstaining. 9 10 7. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY CODE, 11 TITLE 20, TO REVISE STANDARDS AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR 12 HOME OCCUPATIONS AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES IN VARIOUS 13 ZONING DISTRICTS AND ADD A NEW CATEGORY OF "'RURAL 14 BUSINESS" TO THE CODE (AB2000 -251) 15 16 Hoag reported for Planning and Development Committee and stated the 17 committee would like to see that the Planning and Development Services original 18 version be introduced at this meeting, with a hearing to be scheduled at the next 19 meeting. 20 21 Nelson stated there is an ordinance. He questioned whether they were 22 throwing that ordinance away and bringing in another ordinance. 23 24 Crawford stated they are introducing this version for a hearing in two weeks. 25 26 Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated the Council could still 27 procedurally adopt the Planning Commission version if they adopt it exactly as it 28 was proposed. It was introduced legally. It doesn't need a public hearing if it is 29 adopted without changes. What is being proposed is introducing an alternate 30 ordinance for public hearing. That way, the Council would have the option to adopt 31 the earlier recommendation after a hearing. 32 33 Nelson questioned whether they would both be on the table. 34 35 Imhof stated the Council would just not take any action on one version. 36 37 S. RESOLUTION ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1999/2000 OPEN 38 SPACE TIMBER APPLICATIONS (AB2000 -316) 39 40 Hoag reported for Planning and Development Committee and stated this was 41 held in committee. 42 43 9. APPOINTMENTS TO THE UTILITIES PLANNING AND ADVISORY 44 COMMITTEE (AB2000 -177A) 45 46 Dawson stated she wanted to approve these by acclamation after addressing 47 District 2. They have to pick two individuals out of the three from District 2. 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 18 1 Imhof voted for Nielsen and Kaufman. 2 3 Hoag voted for Nielsen and Kaufman. 4 5 Nelson voted for Nielsen and Kaufman. 6 7 Dawson voted for Kaufman and Denson. 8 9 McShane voted for Nielsen and Kaufman. 10 11 Brenner voted for Nielsen and Kaufman. 12 13 Crawford voted for Nielsen and Kaufman. 14 15 Nielsen and Kaufman were appointed. 16 17 Imhof moved to appoint Marianne Reed and Cheryl Moore to the District 3 18 position by acclamation. 19 20 Motion carried unanimously. 21 22 Hoag stated she understood that only one person was to be appointed as a 23 representative from the small cities. She moved to appoint Daryl Brennick, with 24 John Hobberlin as an alternate. 25 26 Dawson stated both of those names were also submitted to the Rural Tax 27 Advisory Committee. She questioned whether they are supposed to have two 28 representatives on that committee. 29 30 Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they are supposed to have two 31 representatives on the Rural Sales Tax Use Advisory Committee. 32 33 Dawson stated that one is automatically appointed. The Council doesn't get 34 involved in that. The names were submitted in a letter. 35 36 Desler stated they were appointed by the small cities. 37 38 Brenner stated these are entities that should appoint their people. She 39 would rather the small cities decide which representative they want on the 40 committee. The Public Works Committee specifically stated that these agencies 41 would appoint their own representatives. It was voted on. 42 43 McShane agreed. The formation of the committee is such that the small 44 cities would appoint their own person. The County Council shouldn't step in and 45 appoint it for them. They need to make the decision themselves. 46 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 19 1 Hoag withdrew her motion and asked for clarification from the small cities on 2 whom their representative is. She moved to send a letter requesting whom they 3 were appointing. 4 5 10. APPOINTMENT TO THE LAKE SAMISH CITIZEN'S COMMITTEE 6 (AB2000 -176C) 7 8 Dawson stated this committee submitted a name, but the individual did not 9 have an application on file. Another citizen filled out an application. This item 10 would be held for further clarification and until the nominee could submit an 11 application. 12 13 11. APPOINTMENT TO THE BELLINGHAM / WHATCOM COUNTY CABLE 14 TELEVISION ADMINISTRATION BOARD TO FILL COUNTY APPOINTED 15 VACANCY (AB2000 -306) 16 17 Nelson moved to approve. 18 19 Motion carried unanimously. 20 21 12. REQUEST CONFIRMATION OF THE EXECUTIVE'S APPOINTMENT OF 22 DR. BRADLEY SMITH TO HIS FIRST FULL TERM ON THE RURAL 23 COUNTY SALES AND USES TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND 24 NOTIFICATION OF PUD REPRESENTATIVE PAUL KENNER (AB2000- 25 318) 26 27 Imhof moved to approve. 28 29 Motion carried unanimously. 30 31 13. REQUEST CONFIRMATION OF THE EXECUTIVE'S APPOINTMENT OF 32 GLEN HALLMAN TO HIS FIRST PARTIAL TERM ON THE NORTHWEST 33 SENIOR SERVICES BOARD, FILLING THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE 34 RESIGNATION OF FRANK SHELTON (AB2000 -319) 35 36 Nelson moved to approve. 37 38 Motion carried unanimously. 39 40 14. REQUEST CONFIRMATION OF THE EXECUTIVE'S APPOINTMENT OF 41 ELAINE HANSON TO HER FIRST PARTIAL TERM ON THE WHATCOM 42 COUNTY COMMISSION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO FILL THE 43 VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF MANCA VALUM 44 (AB2000 -320) 45 46 Crawford moved to approve. He was disappointed to learn of the resignation 47 of Manca Valum. 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 20 1 Motion carried unanimously. 2 3 Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated that when Manca was first appointed 4 to the commission, she was representing to Womencare Shelter. She has since 5 moved to Crisis Services. Womencare Shelter was left without a representative on 6 the commission. Manca, on her own, felt that Womencare needed to have 7 representation from that very important service in the community. That is the 8 reason she resigned. She is involved in other activities, which may have helped her 9 make this decision. It was in no way an indicator of disappointment or 10 disenchantment with the commission or what it's doing. It was very thoughtful of 11 her to make sure that Womencare Shelter is represented on the commission. 12 13 14 INTRODUCTION ITEMS 15 16 Hoag moved to accept the introduction items, with the change to the RV 17 ordinance, item one. She wanted to introduce the version approved by Council, 18 with two changes. One change is to delete items ten through twelve regarding 19 storing RV's and visitors. 20 21 Imhof suggested that she introduce the ordinance, and then make the 22 amendments. 23 24 Brenner questioned whether the Council was advised to take those items out. 25 26 Hoag stated that is why she wanted to take those items out. In the Lake 27 Whatcom watershed, she wanted to add the requirement that an RV be hooked up 28 to septic or public sewer if there for more than 14 consecutive days. She 29 mentioned that to people in the area. They are agreeable to it. That is only for 30 consideration. 31 32 Imhof stated they couldn't amend an introduction item. 33 34 Nelson stated it hasn't even come before them for discussion or had a 35 hearing. 36 37 Imhof stated the amendments are made in two weeks after the public 38 hearing. They can't amend something. They have to have it in writing. 39 40 Hoag withdrew her two changes, and only moved to introduce the ordinance 41 that the Council approved on July 11 for introduction item one. 42 43 Goodwin stated this is the one that changes all those districts. If they don't 44 advertise it so that it advertises all those districts, they are going to end up with the 45 same procedural error. 46 47 Hoag questioned whether they could introduce the ordinance that was 48 adopted by the Council, with those items deleted. Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 21 1 2 Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated that they need to cross those 3 items off, hand her the document, and they could introduce it without those items. 4 5 Hoag stated that is what she recommended for introduction. She moved to 6 substitute the version in the packet with the version the Council adopted, minus 7 those items. 8 9 Crawford questioned why they would delete items ten through twelve. 10 11 Hoag stated the staff recommendation was to not include those items 12 because they are already covered as accessory uses of the prime residence. 13 14 Crawford stated it is not related to the veto. 15 16 Hoag stated it isn't. 17 18 Nelson questioned the differences. 19 20 Hoag stated the version in the packet tried to make it more homogenous 21 across the zone. The other version is the one they adopted. They went through 22 the different hearings and determined what would be appropriate for each area. 23 24 Motion to substitute the RV ordinance carried 5 -2 with Nelson and McShane 25 opposed. 26 27 Hoag stated the motion to accept the Introduction Items includes the added 28 version of the cottage industry ordinance from Planning and Development Services. 29 30 Motion to accept the Introduction Items carried unanimously. 31 32 Goodwin stated that the RV ordinance that they just introduced has different 33 wording and conditions for each zone. It would be an enforcement nightmare. 34 35 Hoag stated every zone that the county has is different depending on what is 36 appropriate for the zone. 37 38 Goodwin stated it is not based on what is appropriate for the zone. It is 39 based on the fact they amended one little section without looking at the entire thing 40 in context. It will be very difficult to administer. 41 42 Hoag stated they would discuss it in committee. Legislation should be 43 tailored to the area. 44 45 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING 46 ORDINANCE, TITLE 20 TO ALLOW FLEXIBILITY IN THE R AND RF 47 ZONES FOR THE TEMPORARY USE OF RV'S, REVISE RV STANDARDS 48 IN THE UR AND RR ZONES, PROVIDE RV STANDARDS IN THE R, RF Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 22 1 AND RC ZONES, AND DESIGNATE ADDITIONAL AREAS IN POINT 2 ROBERTS WHICH ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE TEMPORARY USE OF 3 RV'S (AB2000 -215B) 4 5 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 20.92, TIME 6 LIMITS ON APPEALS OF HEARING EXAMINER DECISIONS (AB2000- 7 305) 8 9 3. ORDINANCE ADOPTING NEW WHATCOM COUNTY LAND DIVISION 10 REGULATIONS (TITLE 21), REPEALING THE EXISTING WHATCOM 11 COUNTY SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS (TITLE 21), AND MAKING 12 MINOR MODIFICATIONS TO TITLE 2 AND TITLE 20 (AB2000 -160) 13 14 4. RECEIPT OF AN APPEAL OF THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON 15 APL2000 -0005, FILED BY SUZANNE AND DAVID DOWNING (AB2000- 16 287) 17 18 S. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY CODE, 19 TITLE 20, TO ADD A SPECIFIC DEFINITION FOR " "DUPLEX" AND 20 "SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING," REVISE THE DEFINITION 21 OF " "MULTI- FAMILY DWELLING" 22 AND CLARIFY THE USE OF THESE TERMS (AB2000 -321) 23 24 6. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING 25 MAP FROM RURAL, FIVE ACRES (R5A) TO SMALL TOWN COMMERCIAL 26 (STC) FOR APPROXIMATELY 3.4 ACRES OF A 5.18 ACRE PARCEL 27 LOCATED WITHIN THE SHORT TERM PLANNING AREA OF THE 28 COLUMBIA VALLEY /KENDALL URBAN GROWTH AREA (AB2000 -322) 29 30 7. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY 31 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP TO BRING CONSISTENCY TO THE 32 SOUTHERN UGA BOUNDARY FOR LYNDEN AND THE COUNTY 33 (AB2000 -323) 34 35 S. ORDINANCE IN THE MATTER OF AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 36 2.108, COMMISSION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (AB2000 -324) 37 38 9. ORDINANCE AMENDING 2000 BUDGET, REQUEST #11 (AB2000 -325) 39 40 10. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY CODE, 41 TITLE 20, TO REVISE STANDARDS AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR 42 HOME OCCUPATIONS AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES IN VARIOUS 43 ZONING DISTRICTS AND ADD A NEW CATEGORY OF "RURAL 44 BUSINESS" TO THE CODE (AB2000 -251B) 45 46 47 48 Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 23 1 OTHER BUSINESS 2 3 There was no other business. 4 5 6 REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS 7 8 Hoag stated she attended a panel in Chilliwack on the Sumas power plant. 9 10 McShane stated he could not hear any comments on the Sumas power plant. 11 12 Hoag asked to give her remarks at the end of the meeting, after 13 Councilmember McShane leaves. 14 15 McShane stated one of the reasons he noticed the war memorials in front of 16 county courthouses was because he drove by the Elko County Courthouse in 17 Nevada. It really caught his attention. They have a 20 -foot tall shovel as a 18 memorial to the shovel brigade. He started looking at every courthouse as they 19 drove by. 20 21 Brenner stated she attended the Orca presentation. There is a lot of 22 concern. The Orca Pipeline Project showed a map that was not accurate, according 23 to the Orca officials. When she asked about it, they told her they've been busy. 24 The east -west corridor was never presented. She was concerned about this moving 25 target. They claimed that they added this appendage to the route because of a 26 potential customer who was interested. She questioned where the public comes in. 27 Every time they turn around, they have a new proposal. 28 29 Brenner also stated that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee directed staff 30 to go out for a request for proposal for chipping and grinding services. There are 31 private companies that are already in business. This is a good example of the 32 County working with private businesses to provide a needed service. 33 34 Crawford stated he met with Mike Brennan and Russ Van Buren. They would 35 like to redefine the role of the Economic Development Council (EDC) in tandem with 36 the Chamber of Commerce. Ultimately, this may end up with the Council taking a 37 look at how it funds the EDC as opposed to, or in sync with, a new opportunity to 38 fund the Chamber of Commerce. It is something worth looking at. The County 39 would have a very defined role. One of the problems the Council has had with the 40 EDC is that it is too vague. In tandem with some divisions of business size that 41 each organization is dealing with, based on number of employees, they define the 42 roles of the EDC and Chamber of Commerce better and have them work together. 43 They are not there yet, but the discussions are ongoing. 44 45 Nelson suggested looking at recruitment versus retainment. 46 47 Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated there was discussion about looking 48 into a memorial for Korean War veterans. The Bellingham Harborview Lions Club, Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 24 1 which sponsored the Vietnam Moving Wall, was able to generate enough money to 2 put the event on through the generosity of private and public sector entities. There 3 was a surplus of money. It is a fairly significant amount of money. They expressed 4 a desire to work with the County to come up with a memorial that may be placed at 5 Hovander Homestead Park. They are working up a proposal for the Harborview 6 Lions Club and the County Council. The County may not have to come up with any 7 money. 8 9 Brenner questioned whether there is any chance to work on a memorial that 10 also honors the Korean War veterans. Kremen stated they would work on it. 11 12 Brenner stated she wanted to work on a World War II memorial. Kremen 13 stated the Vietnam would be the focus of this memorial. They may be able to 14 expand on that. It is a start. 15 16 (Clerk's Note: Councilmember McShane left the meeting.) 17 18 Hoag stated she attended a meeting in Chilliwack, British Columbia. There 19 were over 400 people there. They had a panel with the B.C. Lung Association, 20 members of Parliament, and Environment Canada. The B.C. Lung Association noted 21 there are higher hospitalization rates for heart disease and lung disease in the 22 Chilliwack /Abbottsford area than in the rest of the Frasier Valley. They correspond 23 with higher levels of pollution, according to Environment Canada. This information 24 came the same day that she received a telephone call from a concerned constituent 25 in Everson, who said that every neighbor within a six -mile radius has been 26 diagnosed with some form of cancer within the last five years. She found out that 27 the northeast portion of the county has a much higher cancer rate than the rest of 28 the state. She would check further statistics and bring it to the Health Board. The 29 rates at which Environment Canada say cause increased heart disease, lung 30 disease, and mortality rates will be exceeded if the power plant goes in. They are 31 already being exceeded in the Chilliwack area for seven out of twelve months. 32 There would be a rally at the border this Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It 33 is a Hands Across the Border effort, organized by the Abbottsford Downtown 34 Business Association and Chamber of Commerce. She urged anyone to attend. 35 There will be a final Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEQ hearing on 36 September 27 at Nooksack High School. On September 28, the air permit hearing 37 will also be at Nooksack High School. 38 39 Brenner questioned whether they could ask the director of the County Health 40 and Human Services Department to look into the cancer rate. 41 42 Hoag stated the neighbors are going to bring the issue to the Health 43 Department. 44 45 Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated this type of 46 information should be gathered and submitted to the Health Department. They 47 would work in conjunction with the state Department of Health. There are many Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 forms of cancer, caused by many different things. This reminded him of the leukemia study that they spent numerous resources on. Hoag stated she suggested to the woman that she bring the information to the Health Department. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription These minutes were approved by Council on September 26 , 2000. ATTEST: Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Marlene Dawson, Council Chair Regular County Council, 9/12/2000, Page 26