HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil February 25 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting
February 25, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council Chair Ward Nelson in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Marlene Dawson None
Barbara Brenner
Tom Brown
Alvin Starkenburg
Kathy Sutter
Robert Imhof
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nelson made the following announcements:
Nelson moved to approve $30,000 for RDS and RECOMP (AB97 -018).
Motion carried 6 -1 with Brenner opposed.
Nelson moved to retain Lane Powell to bring this process to a conclusion.
Motion carried 6 -1 with Brenner opposed.
Nelson noted Council concurred with the actions discussed in executive session.
SELECTION OF CANVASSING REPRESENTATIVES
COUNCIL SELECTION OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE WHATCOM COUNTY
CANVASSING BOARD TO CANVASS BALLOTS OF THE MARCH 11, 1997 SPECIAL
ELECTION. THE CANVASSING BOARD WILL MEET ON MARCH 20 AT 9 A.M. IN THE
AUDITOR =S OFFICE TO CANVASS BALLOTS AND AGAIN ON MARCH 21 FOR
SIGNING OF THE OFFICIAL CANVASS.
Imhof volunteered.
Sutter pointed out the change to the RCW which states that only one member can be
appointed to serve on any one canvass board.
OPEN SESSION
Regular Council Minutes, 2/25/97, Page 1
The following people addressed the Council:
Joe Elenbaas, 600 E. Smith Road: Tax statement for lots created for his new subdivision
and the addressing system charges (Clerks Note: There was discussion among Council
members, the Executive, and Dan Gibson, Prosecuting Attorneys Office)
Bruce Haas, 3501 Alm Road, Everson: Comp Plan (AB96 -051)
Siriam Ural, 3431 Alm Road, Everson: Comp Plan (AB96 -051)
Christa Simmons, 339813reckenridge: Comp Plan (AB96 -051)
Suzanne Ural, 3431 Alm Road, Everson: Comp Plan (AB96 -051)
Roger Almskaar: Growth Management, water related issues, and the resolution regarding
water resource management (AB97 -081)
Bob Wiesen, 3314 Douglas Road, Ferndale: Resolution regarding proper chain of
command (AB97 -077)
Larry McCarter, RDS: Flow Control Ordinance (AB97 -092)
Carl Weimer, Director of RESources: Curbside Recycling
Robin Dexter, 3726 Broad Street: Revised resolution concerning water resource
management (AB97 -081)
Tom Anderson, 1744 Sapphire Trail: Resolution concerning water resource management
(AB97 -081)
Arthur Workowski, Nooksack Valley Disposal: Garbage Haulers
CONSENT AGENDA
Imhof reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved approval
of the consent items.
Brown requested item #5 be pulled.
Motion to approve Items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 carried unanimously.
REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH SUN COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL
AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR MENTALLY ILL CITIZENS (AB97 -
083)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH LAKE WHATCOM RESIDENTIAL AND TREATMENT
CENTER FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS (AB97 -
084)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH WHATCOM COUNSELING AND PSYCHIATRIC
Regular Council Minutes, 2/25/97, Page 2
CLINIC FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (AB97 -085)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF TRAFFIC LINE PAINT, GLASS REFLECTIVE BEADS &
HERBICIDE FOR THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (AB97 -086)
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE MOUNT BAKER THEATRE CENTER FOR
$20,000.00 (AB97 -087)
Imhof moved approval.
Dave Wareing, Executive =s Office, commented.
Motion carried 6 -1 with Brown opposed.
6. RESOLUTION ADOPTING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MASTER
CONTRACT RECLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE (AB97 -088)
PUBLIC HEARING
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING LYNDEN NOOKSACK VALLEY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY
ZONING MAP FOR FORTY ACRES, FROM COMMERCIAL FORESTRY
(CF) TO RURAL FIVE ACRE (R5A) AND RURAL FORESTRY (RF) (AB97 -
060)
Nelson opened the public hearing, and the following people spoke:
Philip Serka, 400 North Commercial Street, representing Gordon Thompson
Council members asked about ingress and egress, as well as the reason for the different
zonings.
Hearing no one else, Nelson closed the public hearing.
Brenner moved approval.
Starkenburg stated that the committee recommended approval.
Motion to approve carried 6 -1 with Imhof opposed.
2. ORDINANCE REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL
SIGNS ON CERTAIN COUNTY ROADS (AB97 -074)
Nelson opened the public hearing.
Hearing no one, Nelson closed the public hearing.
Regular Council Minutes, 2/25/97, Page 3
Imhof moved approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER ITEMS
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF LIMITED TAX
GENERAL OBLIGATION AND REFUNDING BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$10 MILLION (AB97 -075)
Imhof reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved approval.
He explained that the committee recommended 2 -1 that this be turned down.
Brown and Brenner spoke against the ordinance.
Dave Wareing, Executive's Office, gave an explanation of this proposed ordinance and
recommended its approval.
Barbara Cory, Treasurer, explained her reasoning for bringing this issue forward.
Robert Shelley, Seattle- Northwest Securities, explained the background of the packet
presented to the Council.
Pete Kremen, Executive, commented briefly in favor of this ordinance.
Motion to adopt carried 5 -2 with Brown and Brenner opposed.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO SIGN A
PURCHASE OFFER FROM SEATTLE - NORTHWEST SECURITIES
CORPORATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF LIMITED TAX GENERAL
OBLIGATION AND REFUNDING BONDS (AB97 -075A)
Imhof reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved approval.
Motion to approve carried 5 -2 with Brenner and Brown opposed.
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1997 BUDGET, REQUEST #2 (AB97 -076)
Imhof reported for Finance and Administrative Services Committee and moved approval.
Motion carried 6 -1 with Brown opposed.
4. RESOLUTION CONCERNING WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Regular Council Minutes, 2/25/97, Page 4
(AB97 -081)
Dawson reported for Natural Resources Committee and moved approval.
Sutter addressed concerns raised during tonight =s open session and moved to amend line
12, packet page 137, to insert "RCW 90.54.020" after the word beneficial:
A ... public waters of the State, are declared to be beneficial (Chapter 90.54.020
RCW ), and, ...=
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
Motion to approve the resolution as amended carried unanimously.
5. APPOINTMENTS TO FILL TWO VACANCIES ON THE SEWAGE
CONTROL APPEALS BOARD (AB97 -065)
Imhof moved approval by acclamation of Diane Middleton, incorporated areas, and
David Simms, unincorporated areas.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PROCESS BY WHICH PROBLEMS ARE
ADDRESSED THROUGH PROPER CHAIN OF COMMAND (AB97 -077)
Dawson explained the background of this proposed legislation.
There was discussion on the motion. Pete Kremen, Executive, also commented.
Nelson moved to hold in committee. He then ruled himself out of order, as there was
already a motion on the floor.
Sutter moved to amend line 18 to refer all matters that are not County policy or
legislative matters to Administration:
ANOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that council members
shall refer all complaints and concerns which are not County policy or legislative
matters to the administration, various elected officials or department heads, as
circumstances dictate.... =.
This was accepted by Dawson as a friendly amendment.
Dave Wareing, Executive =s Office, commented.
Motion to approve carried 4 -3 with Nelson, Brenner and Brown opposed.
Regular Council Minutes, 2/25/97, Page 5
7. MOTION TO RESCIND THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOW CONTROL
ORDINANCE (AB97 -092)
This item was withdrawn.
INTRODUCTION ITEMS
Imhof moved acceptance of the introduction items.
Motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE DEFINING COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION (CTR)
REQUIREMENTS AND ADOPTING THE CTR PLAN (AB97 -090) (HEARING
TO BE SCHEDULED)
2. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE REPLACING ORDINANCE 96 -017 TO
COMPLY WITH THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT (AB97 -089)
(HEARING TO BE SCHEDULED)
3. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING CERTAIN ROADS IN THE VICINITY OF THE
BAKERVIEW INDUSTRIAL PARK AS COUNTY ROADS (AB97 -082)
(HEARING TO BE SCHEDULED)
4. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 20.92.840,
APPEALS OF COUNTY COUNCIL DECISIONS (AB97 -080)
5. ORDINANCE REPEALING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 8.15 SOLID
WASTE DISPOSAL SITES (AB97 -092)
REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Nooksack Water Users Steering Committee (AB97 -081): Sutter stated she has given
each Council member a report on this committee =s meetings, as well as the Council of
Governments. She commended Jim Miller and his staff (Council of Governments) for their
work.
Pete Kremen, Executive, invited - -via the governor - -all members to a town hall meeting,
which will be held Thursday, February 27, at noon at the WWU Performing Arts Center. The
governor will be present.
FI 11 Eels] 20
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Regular Council Minutes, 2/25/97, Page 6
Marina Mason, Recording Secretary
These minutes were approved by Council on , 1997.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk L. Ward Nelson, Council Chair
Regular Council Minutes, 2/25/97, Page 7