HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil March 9 1999I WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Regular Council Meeting
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4 March 9, 1999
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8 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council Chair Marlene Dawson in the
9 Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
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1 1 Also Present: Absent:
12 Kathy Sutter None
13 Robert Imhof
14 L. Ward Nelson
15 Connie Hoag
16 Barbara Brenner
17 Tom Brown
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20 ANNOUNCEMENTS
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22 Dawson announced that there was a Presentation by Dan Crocker of TCI regarding
23 cable upgrades taking place throughout Whatcom County (AB99 -109) during Committee of
24 the Whole. TCI has merged with AT &T. They will be laying fiber optics over the next 12
25 months.
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27 Dawson also stated that there was Discussion regarding the Master Collective
28 Bargaining Agreement Negotiations (AB99 -101) in executive session during the Committee of
29 the Whole.
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Nelson moved approval of the agreement.
Motion carried unanimously.
Dawson announced that the Council would at this time discuss Other Items #1, AB99-
089.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION BY RICK GORTON OF THE WHATCOM
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (AB99 -017)
Rick Gorton, Whatcom Transportation Authority, stated that privately operated electric
trolleys provided transportation in the City of Bellingham at the turn of the century. They were
the primary mode of travel. Eventually, they were replaced by gasoline and diesel operated
buses. In the late 1960's, the provider went bankrupt and the City of Bellingham assumed the
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 1
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service. In 1983, the citizens formed a public transportation area. Whatcom Transit Authority
(WTA) was formed and is now a municipal corporation with a purpose to provide public
transportation to the community. There is a board of directors. Their mission is to provide safe,
reliable transportation that is responsive to community needs, alternatives to automobile use,
enhance mobility of citizens, and to reduce congestion, energy consumption, and improve air and
water quality. Services are influenced by the needs of customers and community leaders. WTA
is regulated by State and Federal laws. Once services are in place, how well they are used can
affect how the service is delivered. Type and level of services are determined by factors such as
population density, demographics, activity centers, distances between population centers and
activity centers, and cost effectiveness and productivity. The variety of services offered are fixed
routes, vanpools, specialized transportation, and carpool matching. There are 30 fixed routes
throughout the County. In 1998, they provided 89,000 hours of fixed route service and provided
2.5 million trips. They average 28.2 persons per hour per bus. Some routes have higher or lower
ridership on certain routes. There are 38 accessible buses. There are 1,000 bus stops and 100
bus shelters, with customer information at each location. Specialized transportation services is
focused toward the elderly and disabled with no other means of transportation. There are 3,500
persons eligible for and use specialized transportation. In 1998, WTA provided 47,286 hours of
specialized transportation service, 161,987 trips, and averaged 2.9 persons per hour of service.
There is a fleet of 34 specialized vehicles. WTA provides Dial -A -Ride services in the more
remote areas of the County. They provide local transportation and act as a feeder route into the
fixed route system. Those services are available to the general public. Ride share services
include vanpool programs, which is utilized by employees at Arco, Boeing, Hexcel, Haskel, and
Intalco. They currently have 20 vanpool vehicles and are ordering four more. These are efforts
to address the Commute Trip Reduction Act. If everyone took an alternative mode of
transportation one day a week, then congestion would be reduced by 20 %. Ridership in the
Western Washington University (WWU) area is very high due to the density of residences and
activities.
WTA spends $9 million on the fixed route services, $3.7 million on specialized
transportation, and $258,000 on the rideshare services. There are $11 million in revenues. $5.4
million of that comes from sales tax and $5.4 millions comes from the motor vehicle excise tax.
$1.2 comes from fare collections and Western Washington University.
In 2002, operating expenses will exceed revenues. As a public enterprise fund, they have
to set money aside for depreciation and to buy capital equipment. One new bus costs $240,000.
In the future, growth is coming to Whatcom County. 5.5 million people live in the Seattle to
Vancouver, B.C. corridor. WTA hopes to work with the community to develop a 20 -year plan,
engage government in discussions about future planning. WTA should address the aging
population and their transportation needs. Citizens dialogue should increase regarding WTA
planning and initiatives.
Dawson stated that she has been on WTA Board of Directors for five years. They run a
tight ship.
Brenner stated that she has heard there is no coordination between the Gooseberry Point
ferry and the bus service. Also, there have been cutbacks in service to Sudden Valley. It is one
of the worst congested areas in the County. In addition, there should be directly elected officials
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 2
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for this municipal corporation. Also, WTA should offer free bus passes for homeless. The
massive general population isn't getting efficient bus service.
Gorton stated that they are planning to set up a meeting to discuss the Gooseberry Point
ferry with the ferry director. The route has to operate on a 1 '/2 hour schedule. Gooseberry Point
is too far to make in one hour.
Sutter suggested a direct ferry shuttle. Gorton stated that WTA serves the Lummi
reservation, Gooseberry Point, and Marine Drive. They can't meet and mesh with the ferry on
their schedule.
Brenner questioned whether the buses will be mothballed by the time they get the
ridership. Gorton stated that they get into the issue of coverage versus productivity. Smaller
rural areas don't have the productivity to run a bus like they do in Bellingham. There may be
other services to meet their needs. For the dial -a -ride areas, it costs the same to operate a large
bus as a small bus. If a driver drives on a fixed route, then WTA has to pay fixed route wages
due to binding arbitration. Also, regarding the operational cost of smaller vehicles and bigger
buses, the bigger buses last longer. Labor is the major cost to deal with. They are planning a
meeting in Sudden Valley to discuss how to meet the needs of Sudden Valley residents. There is
one bus to service 50 -60 miles of roads in Sudden Valley. They will work with them on
carpooling and ride - sharing. The State legislature established the membership of the WTA
Board of Directors. A Board composition committee meets every four years. They say that the
Board members shall be from the member cities and counties that make up the benefit area.
Lastly, WTA provides $10,000 of free ride passes to low income agencies.
Brenner asked if the homeless could catch a ride on a bus that is not full. Gorton stated
that organizations can approach the WTA Board of Directors about that. It wouldn't cost WTA
any more.
Brown stated that there is a lack of usage at the `bus palace' in Ferndale. He questioned
whether it would have been more cost effective to wait until ridership was up. Also, people
throughout the County have paid taxes with the expectation that they would get a bus. They
have yet to see any buses in that area. He questioned how they can be removed from the tax if
they don't receive a service.
Richard Walsh, Whatcom Transportation Authority General Manager, stated that the
Ferndale transit center was constructed 3 — 4 years ago. 80 % -90% of the funding was grant
money. It is a two -phase project. Phase II will come before the WTA Board for consideration.
It is a private sector development on the site between the parking lot and the boarding area. The
retail space on the site will be developed to give it some vitality. There is a serious proposal on
the table. Regarding taxes, service is in place for persons with disabilities. It is an expensive
service to provide bus service. The agency will be coming forward to address a refinement of
the service seen in eastern Whatcom County, such as Dial -a -Ride, to consider a commuter
service.
Brown asked how they go about un- annexing themselves from the tax. Walsh stated that
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 3
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was decided by decision of the State Supreme Court. There is case precedence on that issue. He
encouraged Council members to see what the agency does over the next 2 -3 years to address
rural Whatcom County.
Brenner questioned whether the WTA was in the land development business. Walsh
stated that they do not. The parcel was being sold as one entity when they were looking for a
place to site the park and ride center. They received a good value on that investment, compared
to market values of the day. They have opportunities to parcel off pieces of that site. They try
anything that can be done at park and ride facilities to get vehicles off of the road, such as site
frequently used services nearby. They had hoped to encourage complementary retail
development on the site.
Brenner stated that it is a busy, dangerous area. She received complaints that the park
and ride wasn't located in downtown Ferndale. Walsh stated that there is some signalization at
the intersection.
Dawson stated that there is a medical facility available nearby. They should also look at
a childcare facility to complement the bus service.
Hoag questioned the timeline that they anticipate 70,000 more people in Whatcom
County. Walsh stated that they anticipate that amount in the next 20 years.
Dawson announced the next monthly Board meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FOR FEBRUARY 9,
1999; REGULAR COUNCIL FOR JANUARY 12 AND FEBRUARY 9, 1999
Brenner moved approval of the minutes.
Motion carried unanimously.
OPEN SESSION
The following people spoke:
Pete Kremen, County Executive, thanked the Council for approving the master
bargaining contract. This was not an easy process. They finished negotiations earlier than ever
before. There is a positive relationship with the union membership. The employees of this
county are good public servants, work hard, take their jobs seriously, and bring a high level of
productivity to the County.
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 4
I Richard Kittinger, 3304 Plymouth Drive, Bellingham, spoke on behalf of Bellingham
2 Firefighters Local 106.
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4 (Clerk's Note: End of tape 1, side A)
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6 Kittinger invited the Council members to their annual Firefighters' Ball.
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8 Mark Gallatin, snowmobile club, sent a letter to Executive and Council. He questioned
9 whether they received it. They are on a tight timeline and are looking to set this up for next year.
10 They need to get the grant process in motion.
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12 Nelson questioned where it is going to go. Gallatin stated that there is a program that is
13 shared between Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties. There are established trail systems
14 by Glacier in the Mt. Baker National Forest. They want to break away from the current program
15 of the tri- county share. They are sharing one machine to groom the snow in all of these areas.
16 This program is funded through a grant process. Funds are acquired by snowmobile riders
17 through their vehicle registration and a certain percentage of the fuel tax. They have to apply to
18 receive those funds. If it is a state owned and operated machine, then they need a local
19 government sponsor.
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21 Nelson questioned the location where the trail would be. Gallatin stated it would be in
22 existing trails east of Glacier in the Glacier Creek region, north of the Mt. Baker Highway in the
23 Canyon Creek area, which encompasses Kidney Creek, Church Mountain, and other locations.
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25 Dawson asked if the snowmobile riders go off the tracks. Gallatin stated only the expert
26 riders go off trail. Their area is unique in that most trail systems allow them to get to certain
27 areas. They want to develop more family riding areas.
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29 Brenner questioned whether the areas are near residences. Gallatin stated that they are
30 not. They operate in Forest Service land under a memorandum of understanding.
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32 Dawson questioned whether they have ever had problems with disturbing elk or deer
33 herds. Gallatin stated that they always monitor that, but it has never been a problem.
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35 Brown questioned what is not being done now that they expect to accomplish with the
36 funding. Gallatin stated that they expect to have more frequent grooming of the trails in
37 Whatcom County. The snow is soft and there are low temperatures. Trails don't set properly.
38 They will keep them in condition with more frequency. Because they are currently sharing the
39 equipment with other counties, the trails only are groomed once per month. Some trails should
40 be groomed twice per week. They hope to improve the trail system through more frequent
41 grooming. There will be expansion of trails in the future.
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43 Nelson moved to have Council request administration bring back information on this and
44 bring it before the Council.
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46 Imhof questioned the timeline for which a decision by the Council is needed. Gallatin
47 stated that the grant application needs to be in by June.
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 5
2 Dawson asked Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation Director, if he was agreeable.
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4 DeSpain stated that he is. The State is saying that they have more dollars available for
5 more grooming.
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7 Dawson was concerned about invading technology. DeSpain stated that the County
8 benefits from this activity. It packs the snow. The outdoor program utilizes the machine.
9 Regarding the elk and deer, they are at higher altitudes.
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11 Rita Foley, South Lake Whatcom, stated that the woods belong to everyone, including
12 animals and birds. There are other animals involved besides elk and deer. There are smaller
13 animals. Many animals are being killed by snowmobiles.
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16 CONSENT AGENDA
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18 Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved approval
19 of items one through four.
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21 Motion carried unanimously.
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23 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
24 AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR A COUNTY AIDS TASK FORCE, CONTINUING
25 1998 PARTICIPATION IN REGION 3 AIDS SERVICE NETWORK COUNCIL, AT
26 NO INCREASE IN FUNDS AS SET FORTH IN THE 1999 BUDGET, IN THE
27 AMOUNT OF $126,310 (AB99 -097)
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29 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
30 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL AND COMPUTECH,
31 INC., TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM AND REVISE THE AS400 COMPUTER TO
32 PRODUCE MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY BILLING INVOICES; THERE BEING NO
33 PRIOR CONTRACT AND AS SET FORTH IN THE 1999 BUDGET, IN AN
34 AMOUNT OF $21,080 (AB99 -098)
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36 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
37 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
38 DEPARTMENT AND EVERGREEN AIDS FOUNDATION TO CONTINUE TO
39 PROVIDE FOR VOLUNTEER AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AS IN THE
40 1998 CONTRACT WITH NO INCREASE IN FUNDS AS SET FORTH IN THE 1999
41 BUDGET, IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,000 (AB99 -099)
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43 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
44 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
45 CENTER, PROVIDING FOR INCREASED SERVICES FROM 1998, WITH AN
46 INCREASED $6,200 BUDGETED AMOUNT IN THE 1999 BUDGET, IN THE
47 AMOUNT OF $52,200 (AB99 -100)
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Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 6
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OTHER ITEMS
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY VOTING PRECINCTS
(AB99 -089)
Shirley Forslof, County Auditor, stated that the ordinance creates a single County
ordinance establishing legal voting precinct boundaries. It revises legal descriptions,
accommodates annexations, and combines small precincts. The average precinct will be 550
voters. It does not change any polling places.
Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved
approval.
Hoag questioned the average number of poll voters in a precinct before. Forslof stated
some had a small amount of poll voters, such as 350. It will consolidate precincts. Now there
will be 149 precincts. It is a cost saving measure.
Brenner questioned the amount of savings there would be if all voting was done by mail.
Forslof stated that they would have to change the State law. Non - partisan elections could be
done by mail, but only with the approval of every legislative body. State law dictates that that
there cannot be a by -mail only election in partisan elections.
Motion carried unanimously.
(Clerk's Note: The Council resumed the regular schedule and heard the
presentation by Whatcom Transit Authority)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER
TRAVEL/EXPENSES (AB99 -022B)
Nelson reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and stated that there
was an additional request by Council Member Imhof for pre - payment of $65 for his registration
at a Washington State Association of Counties Western District meeting on April 1 and April 2.
Nelson moved approval with the amendment.
Dawson requested pre - payment of the Blaine Community Chamber of Commerce Annual
Dinner Meeting on March 26th in the amount of $27.50.
Nelson moved to amend by adding Dawson's request.
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
Motion to approve carried unanimously.
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 9.32
UNLAWFUL DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS (AB99 -040)
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 7
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Brenner reported for Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, stated that there was
a substitute ordinance, and moved approval.
Sutter questioned what happened to the section regarding exemption of those who are
licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Brown stated that the conflict is with parks that allow
hunters to come in and camp. This ordinance only covers a weapon in view. One can still take a
weapon in the park, but it can't be out in view.
Sutter stated that the provision for those with a concealed weapons permit was dropped
out.
Brenner stated that hunters don't use concealed weapons. They don't need that provision
in there because they are addressing use of a weapon that is inappropriate. They are not
restricting a weapon being brought into a park.
Sutter stated that the ordinance allows anyone to bring a gun it into the park, even if they
don't have a permit.
Brenner stated that was against the law. The proposed ordinance does not overrule
current State law.
Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that section B(5) of the proposed substitute
ordinance deals with concealed weapons. It is the intent of the Council and administration that
those with concealed weapons be allowed to carry them in County parks.
Hoag questioned whether special activities approved by the Parks and Recreation
Director fall under the exemptions. Wareing stated that they are exempted, as is using and
displaying a weapon in protection of oneself. It also addresses the hunters' issues. Some parks
provide staging areas for hunting activities. It doesn't preclude hunters using the park or
traversing across park property in hunting season. People with firearm or hunting licenses are
exempted. It doesn't give rights that exceed the law, but preserves the right to bear arms in
appropriate circumstances.
Orville R. Reed, Bellingham, stated that the State has a constitutional guarantee to bear
arms. He read it into the record. This addresses paramilitary organizations. He questioned
whether residences were included.
Brenner stated that all of his concerns were addressed in committee.
Motion carried unanimously.
(Clerk's Note: Council revisited this item under Reports and Other Items From
Council Members.)
4. RESOLUTION INITIATING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ZONING
AMENDMENTS (AB99 -074)
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 8
I Sutter reported for Planning and Development Committee and stated that it will be held
2 in committee for two weeks.
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5. ORDINANCE ADOPTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATIONS AND
ZONING FOR THOSE FEE LANDS WITHIN THE LUMMI RESERVATION (AB99-
087)
Sutter reported for Planning and Development Committee and stated that the committee
recommended the approval of option #2.
She so moved.
Hoag stated that there was a lot of support from the public for option #l. Staff
recommended option #2.
Sutter stated that there was not any opposition to option #2.
Dawson stated that there would have been major down - zoning under option #1.
Hoag stated that option #1 was supported was because it most closely matched
negotiations with the water issue. There is currently not enough water to serve option #2 if it
was built out.
Sutter stated that Development Regulations will prevent build -out if water is not
available.
Motion carried unanimously.
Sutter stated that there was an added item in committee regarding an emergency text
amendment to Whatcom County Code Title 20.42.155 regarding Conditional Uses in Rural
Forestry Zoning to allow rural cabins and meeting facilities for educational purposes in the
forestry zone. (AB99 -108) This would enable sleeping facilities for educational activities. It
will promote economic development activity in the area. There is a proposal to do that with a
grant.
Nelson asked for clarification.
Sutter stated that the proposal is for a forestry educational center. It is regarding helping
disadvantaged communities because of the loss of timber jobs in the area.
Hoag stated that she was unclear about the intent of the resolution. Sutter stated that the
text amendment specifies that the conditional use would be for "educational meeting facilities
and related uses including, but not limited to, rental cabins or other lodging structures,...." If
there are any rental cabins, then they would have to be associated with an educational facility.
Hoag questioned whether that was the intention. Sutter stated that the intention was
strictly associated with educational facilities.
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 9
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Hoag questioned the purpose of the limit of sleeping units.
Brown stated that the restriction was to eliminate concern of permanent, larger housing
unit. A sleeping unit is a room, not a bed.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING MAP
FROM RURAL FIVE ACRES (R5A) TO LIGHT IMPACT INDUSTRIAL (LII) FOR
APPROXIMATELY 23.5 ACRES IN THE CHERRY POINT - FERNDALE SUBAREA
(AB99 -088)
Sutter reported for Planning and Development Committee and moved approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE UNION, KNOWN AS
THE MASTER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, FOR RATIFICATION
AND REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR SIGNATURE BY THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE (AB99 -100)
See "Announcements."
8. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE ADOPTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
DESIGNATIONS AND TITLE 20 ZONING FOR THOSE FEE LANDS WITHIN THE
LUMMI RESERVATION (AB99 -102)
Sutter stated that the emergency must be adopted to cover the timeframe that lapses
between expiration of the current interim ordinance and when the permanent ordinance takes
effect.
Sutter moved to approve.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE CONTINUING THE INTERIM COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN DESIGNATIONS AND TITLE 20 ZONING FOR THOSE LANDS WITHIN
THE MT. BAKER SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST (AB -103)
Sutter stated that the permanent ordinance will come forward in two weeks. The current
ordinance expires over the weekend. They needed to cover the gap.
Nelson moved approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 10
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INTRODUCTION ITEMS
Nelson moved to accept the Introduction Items.
Motion carried unanimously.
1. RESOLUTION REGARDING VACATION OF AN UNNAMED 15 FOOT RIGHT OF
WAY IN ALFS GROVE ADDITION AS PETITIONED FOR BY TOM WAGGONER
(AB99 -104)
2. ORDINANCE IN THE MATTER OF GRANTING A NON - EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE
TO PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 OF SKAGIT COUNTY FOR A PERIOD OF
25 YEARS PURSUANT TO STATE LAW AND SECTION 9.30 OF THE WHATCOM
COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER, TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A UTILITY
SYSTEM ALONG CERTAIN ROADS WITHIN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF
WHATCOM COUNTY (AB99 -105)
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING
ORDINANCE, TITLE 20, TO ADD A NEW CHAPTER 20.61 — SMALL TOWN
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT (STC) AND AMENDING THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM
COUNTY ZONING MAP FROM GC, NC, TC, RC, RR2, R2A, R5A AND R10A TO
STC; UR4 TO RR1; R5A TO RR2; RC TO RR1; AND RC TO RF (AB99 -106)
4. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATIONS AND
TITLE 20 ZONING FOR THOSE FEE LANDS WITHIN THE MT. BAKER
SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST (AB99 -107)
REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, clarified the firearms ordinance. They eliminated
the reference to concealed weapons permits because possession of a weapon in the park was not
an issue. The Council has the option to make the intent stronger if they wish by adding a section
to clarify that the ordinance doesn't preclude the right to carry a concealed weapon.
Brenner stated that is the law anyway. It would be redundant.
Hoag questioned whether a weapon has to be concealed according to the regulations of
the concealed weapons permit. Wareing stated that it does not. The extra section is not needed,
but it makes clearer the Council's intent to not abridge those rights. Displaying the weapon is
the issue, not the fact that someone has the weapon.
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 11
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Sutter stated that her concern was that the ordinance didn't abridge her rights to have a
concealed weapons permit. That is not clear in the ordinance. Wareing stated that his suggested
language would clarify that intent.
Brown moved to reconsider the vote.
Motion to reconsider carried unanimously.
Sutter moved to add the additional language suggested by Wareing.
Wareing read the following amendment into the record:
C: Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to abridge the right of an individual
licensed under RCW 9.41.050 (b) to carry a concealed weapon in a County owned
park.
(Clerk's Note: The correct RCW section number that is referenced in the above
amendment is RCW 9.41.070)
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
Motion to approve as amended carried unanimously.
Dawson reminded everyone of the town hall meeting on salmon issues on Monday,
March 15th. The purpose is to inform the public of the imminent Endangered Species Act (ESA)
listing of the Spring Chinook salmon.
Sutter asked if anyone has taken action on reopening the Newhalem library. Brown
responded that Seattle will be doing it.
Hoag let people know of the Energy Facility Siting Evaluation Council ( EFSEC) process
in Sumas. There is a generation power plant in Sumas that has applied. The EFSEC held a
hearing. That process is proceeding. She is serving on that council.
Hoag stated that she and Council Member Dawson participated in the Lake Whatcom
workshop.
Hoag also announced that the Natural Resources Committee discussed the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) and related issues (AB99 -055). They are keeping a close eye on the water
bills that are proposed in Olympia.
Brenner stated that the Public Works Committee had a presentation regarding a
volunteer guardian ad litem program (AB99- 081A). They passed a recommendation to get
more information from the Superior Court Clerk.
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Brenner announced that she will schedule a discussion on the definition of the Sheriff's
authority in two weeks. Citizen Ben Hinkle believes the federal government is overstepping
boundaries by requiring the County Sheriff to perform certain tasks. She requested any help
from the administration.
Brown stated that the subject of meander limits on Nooksack River (AB99 -080) was
discussed in Natural Resources. They will need a longer discussion in the future.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
These minutes were approved by Council on April 20 , 1999.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
W14ATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Marlene Dawson, Council Chair
Regular County Council Meeting, 3/9/99, Page 13