HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works August 12 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
August 12, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. by Committee Chair Barbara Brenner in
the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Tom Brown
Absent:
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CODE OF ETHICS REGARDING
CONTRACT INTERESTS FOR WHATCOM COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
(AB97 -187)
Brenner stated that #1 and #3 will be brought forward for approval. Discussion
will be under #3.
2. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CODE OF CONDUCT WITH
PROCEDURES FOR RESOLUTION OF ETHICS VIOLATIONS (AB97 -187D)
Dawson withdrew this ordinance.
3. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CODE OF ETHICS FOR WHATCOM
COUNTY ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS (AB97 -187E)
Wareing stated that he and Dan Gibson developed the ordinance to embody the intent of
the Council, so all of the issues were addressed and brought the ordinance forward to be enacted.
Dawson questioned the part of division between the Council and the Executive needs to
be made clear. She suggested another section be added after #13 stating: "No elected County
Council official shall micro - manage by disparaging an employee or their work in public.
Corrections and complaints shall be directed to the appropriate department head or Executive
should the concern be with the department head ".
Wareing stated that the question is addressed in number 11. "All elected county officials
shall abide by the provisions of the Whatcom County Home Rule Charter ". Ethical standards
may be adopted by the Council or Executive for the respective branches. If further delineation is
needed it may be done by the Executive for the Executive branch and by the Council for the
Legislative branch.
Public Works Minutes, 8/12/97, Page 1
Robin Dexter stated that the remedy for violations is more appropriately done at the
ballot box.
Brenner replied that she comfortable with the content because it covers her basic
concerns. An ethics ordinance is basic tenets, not the fine line specifics.
Gibson stated that disciplinary action may be taken, with regard to each other, through
the resolution process, a resolution of censure could be passed. It would be a statement rather
than a fine.
There was further discussion on codes of conduct and ethics.
Wareing recommended that on page 294 or page 6, #9 where it says "ethics commission
created in purpose ", that a 9.1 should be added as follows: Clerk of the Commission,
appointment: " The County Executive shall provide for the clerical support of the commission
from available County staff'. This statement would be struck from 10.a.
Brenner moved approval of the amendment.
Motion carried unanimously.
(Clerk note, end of side 1, tape 1)
Wareing recommended a correction on `B" under #10, that 3 (years) be changed to 4
(years).
Wareing referred to document 301 (14) and 302 (13). On page 301 (14), strike out 15
and put 17, strike out 16 and put 18, strike out 17 and put 19. On page 302 (13), 10.2 becomes
12.2, 11 become 13, 12 becomes 14, 13 becomes 15 and 14 becomes 16.
Wareing stated that pages 291 (3) and 294 (4) refer to quasi judicial capacity as relating
to disclosure.
There was further discussion of the disclosure requirements.
Dawson questioned the report, penalties section 16B, page 302 (13): "Any person who
fails to file a properly completed statement or report within the time required by this code, may
be subject to civil penalties of $10.00 per day ".
Brenner moved to amend section 16B to read: "Any person who fails to file a properly
completed response to a complaint within the time required by this code, may be subject to civil
penalties of $10.00 per day. (See 12 D)"
Public Works Minutes, 8/12/97, Page 2
The motion carried unanimously.
Brenner moved to amend section 16B (301), section 16C by changing (See 12D) to
(Contained in 12D).
The motion carried unanimously.
Brenner moved to amend page 14 (301), section 16C by adding (Contained in 5B).
The motion carried unanimously.
Brenner moved to amend section 16C to read: "Any person who fails to report a
contribution or expenditure as contained in 5B, may be subject to a civil penalty equivalent to
the amount he failed to report and to amend section 16B to read: "Any person who fails to file a
properly completed response to a complaint as required by 12D, may be subject to a civil
penalty of $10.00 per day for each day each such delinquency continues.
The motion carried unanimously.
Brown moved to recommended approval to the full Council as amended.
The motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
DISCUSSION REGARDING CITIZENS REQUEST TO INSTALL A STOP
LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF SLATER ROAD AND RURAL
AVENUE (AB97 -276)
Nasser Monsour, Department of Public Works stated that the traffic section is still
working on the stoplight. It is hoped by the next meeting, on September 9th, the traffic section
will have some recommendations for the intersection.
There was a discussion on annexing, negotiations, traffic and speed.
Mr. Bill Whittaker and Mr. Charlie Clark discussed Mr. Clark's accident at the
intersection and the possibility of a street light.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Public Works Minutes, 8/12/97, Page 3
Valery W. Anderson, Transcriptionist
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Minutes, 8/12/97, Page 4