HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 23 19991
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 23, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Committee Chair L. Ward Nelson in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Alcn PrPCPnt-
Tom Brown
Robert Imhof
Absent:
None
Nelson stated that they would first discuss the Consent Agenda items.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION REGARDING A PROPOSAL TO AMEND WHATCOM COUNTY
CODE CHAPTER 6.04, ANIMAL CONTROL, TO ALLOW RESCUE FACILITIES
(AB99 -110)
Fred Moormeier, Pacific Big Cat & Exotic Animal Rescue Director, stated that they are
proposing to build an exotic animal rescue for big cats. They need an area with a large amount
of agriculture. Whatcom has a good support base, but they need a change in the ordinance to
allow the size of their facility. They build a $2 to $3 million facility. Their goal is to buy 500 —
600 acres, with the facility built in the center of the property so that there is an agricultural buffer
from other residents. They have a full -time vet that specializes in exotic animal care. There will
be seven paid positions and a staff of volunteers.
Imhof questioned the number of cats that will be in the facility. Moormeier explained
that they try to reintroduce a cat into natural habitat. Other than that, cats stay in the facility for
the lifetime of the cat. The number of cats depends upon the money in the trust account. They
want to have five years of basic care in the trust account set aside before taking on a new animal.
A facility of this size could take approximately 100 cats.
Nelson asked who they are. Moormeier stated that the Board of Directors involves
himself and listed the others. They have not expanded the full Board of Directors because they
don't know if they are going to locate in this County or another.
Nelson questioned how they plan to finance the facility. Moormeier stated that they are
financed from donations from corporations, individuals, and sponsorship. Current animals all
have sponsors. An individual can "adopt" a cat.
Brown stated that he is not interested in giving up 500 acres of productive agricultural
land for this type of project. Deer farming was eliminated from the County due to contamination
of other species. It sounds too iffy.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/23/99, Page 1
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Michael Knapp, Planning and Develoment Services Director, stated that currently this is
not a permitted or conditional use in any zones. They first need to identify which zones this use
would go into. He also recommended for safety and nuisance reasons that it is a conditional use
for whatever zone it can go into. They are not recommending for or against the use, but it should
have a review.
Nelson stated that there are a lot of concerns with a proposal of this size.
Moormeier stated that they buy a big parcel for buffers and will continue to farm the land
by lease or raise cattle for feed for the cats. The facility would be 40 acres within the middle of
the 600 acres. The remaining acreage would be farmed.
Nelson questioned whether there was a proposal for breeding. Moormeier stated that
99% of the animals are spayed or neutered. If not, they will be going into another facility for a
breeding program.
Nelson questioned the location of other facilities. Moormeier stated that he worked at
facilities in Missouri and Colorado.
Nelson questioned whether they already own acreage. Moormeier stated that they do not,
but they plan to buy.
Nelson questioned whether they have funding and letters to support their funding.
Moormeier stated that they have funding, but do not have a letter to support that.
Imhof stated that this is premature. This is a cursory review to see if staff should work on
planning.
Knapp stated that timing is important. It would be a text change and almost a year away
before it would be considered, unless it is determined to be an emergency.
Nelson asked whether there is a concern of a need for facilities of this nature in the
community.
Susan Donato, Preferred Animal Care Administrator, stated that this is not an appropriate
amendment to make to the County ordinance. The need has not been demonstrated. There are
many rescue facilities in the Country. Communities are often put in the position of having to
rescue the rescued animals, should a facility go out of business. There are many other concerns,
such as breeding, financial backing, and any further problems if the facility does not prosper.
Public safety is the number one concern.
Dawson asked about the facility in Colorado that closed. Moormeier stated that
regulation is monitored by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), who shut the
facility down due to improper care of the animals and lack of safety procedures. They didn't
have a trust account.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/23/99, Page 2
I Nelson questioned whether the animals were destroyed by SWAT. Moormeier stated that
2 typically the USDA would engage a vet to put the animals down.
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4 Greg Rustand, 1641 Baker Creek Place, Bellingham, stated that he concurred with
5 Donato. He listed 11 concerns, including long range plans, financial statements, building design
6 and capacity, property location and zoning, inspections, personal background checks on the staff,
7 current policies and procedures, emergency procedures, transportation and vehicles, and the trust
8 fund. If the trust fund doesn't work, the County is responsible for the care of the animals.
9 Security Specialists Plus (SSP) has an obligation to enforce in regards to safety concerns. If the
10 organization were to develop standards that the County approves of, then SSP would be able to
11 take a look at it.
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13 Nelson was concerned about a facility of this size. They need more specifics about
14 funding. He questioned why it is needed in the County. He preferred the legislature take action
15 against allowing exotic animals and the breeding of exotic animals in the State.
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17 (Clerk's Note: The committee adjourned.)
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19 COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
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21 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
22 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
23 DEPARTMENT AND WIZARDS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES,
24 PROVIDING SERVICES TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF PORTAGE BAY
25 AND DRAYTON HARBOR CLOSURE RESPONSE STRATEGIES, IN THE
26 AMOUNT OF $70,000 (AB99 -112)
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28 Brown moved to recommend approval.
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30 Motion carried unanimously.
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32 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BIDS 99 -12
33 AND 99 -13, FOR CLASS G ASPHALT PRELEVEL PROJECTS FOR THE NORTH
34 CENTRAL AND NORTH WEST AREAS TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER
35 OF EACH CONTRACT, WILDER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, IN THE
36 RESPECTIVE AMOUNTS OF $238,500 AND 311,373 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF
37 $549,873 (AB99 -113)
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39 Brown moved to recommend approval.
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41 Motion carried unanimously.
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43 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
44 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH WALKER & ASSOCIATES
45 PROVIDING FOR AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING OF
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/23/99, Page 3
I THE LOWER NOOKSACK RIVER FROM DEMING TO RITTER ROAD, AS
2 RECOMMENDED IN THE CFHMP, IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,700 (AB99 -114)
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4 Brown moved to recommend approval.
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6 Nelson questioned the completion date of June 1999.
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8 Paula Cooper, Public Works Engineering Division, stated that was correct.
9 Implementation begins in April.
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11 Nelson questioned the use of the maps and photos after completion of the project.
12 Cooper stated they will ultimately be used for the development of a comprehensive gravel
13 management strategy. In the meantime, they will use the information for any bank stabilization
14 project.
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16 Nelson questioned whether they will see proposals for the use of mineral aggregates out
17 of the river. Cooper stated that they ultimately will.
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19 Motion carried unanimously.
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21 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
22 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SAFETY- KLEEN, PROVIDING
23 FOR CONTINUED SERVICE TO CLEAN AND DISPOSE OF THE CENTRAL SHOP
24 WASTE OIL, INCLUDING THE IDENTIFICATION AND DISPOSAL OF
25 UNIDENTIFIED SUBSTANCES WHICH PERIODICALLY ARE DISCOVERED
26 ALONG COUNTY ROADS OR REMOTE COUNTY LOCATIONS, AT A SUM NOT
27 TO EXCEED $30,000 (AB99 -115)
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29 Brenner stated that someone said that this will only be a few thousand dollars. First, she
30 wanted to ensure that it gets clean and stays clean. Also, it doesn't seem clear how much money
31 will be used on barrels that are found on the highways. It may send a signal to people to go
32 ahead and dump hazardous waste along the highway. This stuff should be traced.
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34 Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that they are looking at the County taking
35 responsibility for the areas in which they are responsible. If a dumping pattern develops, it
36 would be worthwhile to find out the source.
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38 Dick Prieve, Public Works Maintenance and Operations Assistant Director, stated that
39 the worst problem they came upon was 72 compressor units from refrigerators. In that and any
40 other case, they involve the Sheriff and Emergency Services to trace the products. In this case,
41 the units came out of Skagit County. Whenever the County finds anything in the roadway, they
42 will try to trace to the source and prosecute as necessary.
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44 Nelson questioned whether there are already current litter and disposal laws along the
45 highways. Prieve stated that was correct.
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Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/23/99, Page 4
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Nelson stated that they take appropriate action to enforce those laws.
Brenner questioned whether the County ensures that the County property is secured. She
was told that sometimes those things show up on County property because gates are open.
Prieve stated that people are inspecting County sites weekly.
Brown questioned whether costs also include disposal of County generated materials
from Central Shop. Prieve stated that it does.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Brenner questioned whether this funding was for regular clean up or it has anything to do
with the clean -up project. Prieve stated that it is only for regular clean -up.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SUMAS, WITHIN THE URBAN
GROWTH AREA, CONCERNING ANNEXATION OF THE JAGER ANNEXATION
AREA (AB99 -116)
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Brown questioned whether there is a tax reimbursement. Nelson stated that the tax
benefit is the that the land would be used at a higher and better use than the agriculture, which is
primarily open space.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NO. 998022 AND THE
AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE STRUCTURAL PRE -LEVEL AND SHOULDER
WIDENING OF BIRCH BAY DRIVE/BIRCH POINT ROAD TO THE LOWEST
RESPONSIVE BIDDER, COLACURCIO BROTHERS GRAVEL & EXCAVATION,
INC, IN THE AMOUNT OF $506,665 (AB99 -117)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Nelson stated that an added item was requests for reimbursement of Council
members' travel expenses (AB99 -022C) from Sutter and Imhof for mileage to and from
Olympia. In addition, Brenner requested $30 for an audiotape and a workshop.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/23/99, Page 5
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"tar
Brown moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
(Clerk's Note: The committee moved to discussion of agenda item #1)
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Cleric
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
L. Ward Nelson, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/23/99, Page 6