HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil May 9 1995WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Regular Council Meeting
May 9, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council Chair Robert Imhof in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Marlene Dawson None
Larry Harris
Alvin Starkenburg
Ken Henderson
Ward Nelson
Barbara Brenner
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Robert Imhof moved to follow the Council attorney's instructions on a litigation matter
that was discussed in Executive Session (AB95 -223).
Motion carried unanimously.
There was discussion on negotiation with the Lummi Tribe regarding water rights.
No action was taken.
Ken Henderson moved to uphold the Hearing Examiner's decision on the Graber appeal
(AB94 -569).
Motion carried unanimously.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
THE BELLINGHAM/WHATCOM COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
WILL REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC SUMMIT HELD IN OCTOBER 1994
(AB95 -181)
Bill Geyer, board member of Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
reported on this Summit. The purpose was to take a historical look at 20 -year trends of
economic vitality in Whatcom County with an eye to the future.
Regular Council Minutes, 5/9/95, Page 1
I Six specific issues were identified to research and analyze. The brochure was mailed to
2 approximately 10,000 businesses in the County and several smaller cities. The issues included
3 trends in family wages, housing costs, regulation costs of doing business, environmental quality
4 of our area, transportation and education. Three hundred businesses responded.
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6 Looking at wages paid, the manufacturing sector comprised 20 percent of the total wages.
7 However, the retail and service sector had the largest amount of jobs, about 25 percent of the
8 total positions. Three areas have maintained a wage rates similar to what is experienced in the
9 state: agricultural/forest /fishing; construction industry and government employment. Over a 20-
10 year period, in 1970, the average worker in Whatcom County took home approximately 92
11 percent of what the average worker across the state took home. In 1992, the average worker in
12 Whatcom County took home 80 percent of what the average worker across the state took home.
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14 Housing affordability was also examined. As can be readily seen, there is a gap between
15 housing costs and what people can actually afford. Over 52 percent of those responding to the
16 survey said that the housing costs prevent new employers from coming to this area.
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18 Taxes were reported to be the highest impact item followed by government regulations,
19 federal and state ones being the most overwhelming. The firms felt they were getting the
20 incorrect type of service at the wrong quality of delivery.
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22 Most of these firms minimally require a high school diploma or GED for entry
23 employment. Approximately 40 percent felt the high school graduates were poorly prepared for
A employment (lacking in math, reading and critical thinking skills and comprehension of
25 information and problem solving).
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27 Finally, the firms felt the wage growth this year will only grow approximately 3 percent
28 and over the next five years will grow at the rate of less than 3 percent. They also feel their
29 firms will have job opportunities for only about 7 percent of the entire work force, growing
30 about 3 percent over the next five years. They were also were discouraged about the housing
31 situation and regulatory impacts.
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33 Recommendations included: buy local products; recruit new industries now and business
34 should be active partners in the educational system. He requested the Council consider and
35 adopt: take steps to assure that workers wages become equal to the average wage earned in the
36 state; close the affordability gap so a family earning a median income today ($35- 36,000 for a
37 family of four) can purchase a median priced home (average is $146,000); keep the air and
38 water quality index current or decrease them from those of 1994; finally, work achieving a high
39 school graduation rate for all grades (9 -12) that is higher than the state rate.
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42 OPEN SESSION
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44 The following people addressed the Council:
Regular Council Minutes, 5/9/95, Page 2
I Jolene Johnson, 240 Pacific Highway: Squires Lake (AB95 -217)
2 Rebecca Malloy (sp ?), Bellingham: Economic Summit (AB95 -181)
3 Don VanderYacht, 5830 Everson - Goshen Road: Accessory Dwelling (AB95 -098)
4 Harry Nagel, 2538 Grant, Bellingham: On behalf of Citizen's for Liberty (handout
5 provided) regarding response to Herald article published 4/26/95
6 Gail Pattenaude, 5809 Aldrich Road, Laurel: Accessory Dwelling (AB95 -098)
7 Nancy Thompson, 230 Pacific Highway, Bellingham: Squires Lake Park (AB95 -217)
8 Jay Tabor, 1212 Raymond, Bellingham: Economic Summit (AB95 -181)
9 Dorothy Fowler, 1412 South St., Mt. Vernon: Squires Lake acquisition (AB95 -217)
10 Roy Ingham, 2721 Russell St., Bellingham: Economic health
11 Ed McCaffery 3852 Griffith: Squires Lake (AB95 -217)
12 Carl Weimer, 5620 Deer Creek Park, Ferndale: Whatcom County is to receive Recycler
13 of the Year from Department of Ecology; Jack Weiss specifically named. Flow Control
14 Ordinance (AB95 -132)
15 Roy Giles, 5385 Shields Road: Pioneer County
16 Bob Wiesen, 3314 Douglas Rd., Ferndale: Accessory Dwelling (AB95 -098)
17 Vincent Kelly, 4300 Kansas Street, Bellingham: Draft Comprehensive Solid Waste Plan
18 (AB94 -223C)
19 Sherilyn Wells, 1020 Geneva: Economic Summit (AB95 -181)
20 Tip Johnson, 2719 Donovan Ave.: Economic Summit (AB95 -181)
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22 Larry Harris spoke to the public regarding the good intentions of the Council and asking
23 for respect for the process.
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25 Brenner moved for a non - binding resolution to commend Jack Weiss.
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27 Motion carried unanimously.
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29 Starkenburg wanted to limit comments made by the public at Open Session after a special
30 presentation is made. He felt it discourages the presentor, and comments need to be made in a
31 more constructive, positive way. Discussion followed.
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34 PUBLIC HEARINGS
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36 1. REQUEST FOR A TWO YEAR EXTENSION OF A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT
37 PERMIT FILED BY NELSON SCALBANIA (AB95 -192)
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39 Imhof opened the Public Hearing.
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41 The following people spoke at the hearing:
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43 Nelson Skalbania
44 Martin Keely, 610 South Beach Rd., Pt. Roberts
Regular Council Minutes, 5/9/95, Page 3
Seeing no other persons wishing to speak, the hearing was closed.
Dawson moved to approve the extension.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. ORDINANCE REGARDING INSTALLING STOP SIGNS ON CERTAIN
COUNTY ROADS (WELLING ROAD AT MAGRATH ROAD (AB95 -214)
Imhof opened the Public Hearing.
Hearing no one, the hearing was closed.
Brenner moved for approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER ITEMS
1. RESOLUTION TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTY (SHERIFF VEHICLES)
(AB95 -165A) (FROM 4/25)
Starkenburg reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and stated
this item was held in Committee until May 23, 1995.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 4 (AB95 -213)
Starkenburg reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
recommended approval.
Starkenburg moved for adoption.
Motion carried 6 -1 with Brenner opposed.
3. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN INTERFUND LOAN FOR THE
COURTHOUSE SETTLEMENT (AB95 -182A)
Starkenburg reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and stated the funds would come from the Road Fund until a bond can go out.
Starkenburg moved for approval.
Motion carried 6 -1 with Brenner opposed.
Regular Council Minutes, 5/9/95, Page 4
4. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SQUIRES LAKE
ACQUISITION (AB95 -217)
Starkenburg reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee.
Starkenburg moved to recommend approval with a limit of $10,000 on the capital
improvements for development and the strong encouragement to continue working with Skagit
County for their participation in this project and also in the annual upkeep and maintenance of
the area.
Rand Jack, Whatcom County Land Trust, and Ed McCafferty spoke to this issue.
Also speaking was Roy Giles.
A work session with Roger DeSpain, Parks & Recreation Director, will be scheduled for
Tuesday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(Clerk's Note: The motion was not voted on.)
5. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR JAIL PRESCRIPTION SERVICE
TO THE LOW BIDDER, NORTH CAMPUS PHARMACY FOR A TOTAL
ESTIMATED ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $44,737.20 (AB95 -218)
Starkenburg reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee that this
item has been withdrawn.
6. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER
INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM
TO ESTABLISH MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL OF A PORTION OF
MCLEOD ROAD WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF WHATCOM COUNTY
(AB95 -220)
Brenner reported for the Public Works and Solid Waste Committee and recommended
approval.
Brenner moved for approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. STATUS REPORT FROM THE SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(AB95 -221)
Brenner reported for the Public Works and Solid Waste Committee and stated Monsen
requested the Council consider a meeting with the SWAC to review roles and responsibilities.
Regular Council Minutes, 5/9/95, Page 5
Jeff Monsen, Public Works, stated the Compost issue will be going to the Health
Advisory Board and then come before the Council as the Board of Health.
8. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ISSUE OF SECURITY AT
THE WHATCOM COUNTY COURTHOUSE (AB95 -153) (FROM 4/11)
Brenner reported for the Public Works and Solid Waste Committee that this item has
been withdrawn.
9. DECISION ON APPEAL OF THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON
HEARING EXAMINER FILE NO. 94 -0012, FILED BY ROD GRABER
(AB94 -569)
Imhof reported this item was dealt with in Announcements previous to the Special
Presentation at the beginning of the meeting.
10. PETITION FOR THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF COUNTY ROAD #385,
FILED BY MICHAEL R. WHITFIELD, ET. AL. (AB94 -582) (HELD FROM
2/28, PENDING SUBSTITUTE LEGAL- DESCRIPTION)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works, noted the public hearing was already held.
Henderson moved for approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. APPOINTMENTS TO THE LAKE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AB95 -212A)
Nelson moved for approval by acclamation of all five applicants (Jan Omey, Alice
Ellingson, Fred Meyers, Herb Barker and Joe Trimble).
Motion carried unanimously.
INTRODUCTION ITEMS
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1995 BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 5 (AB95-
219)
2. RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CURRENT WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD
CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT FUNDING MECHANISM AND RE-
AUTHORIZING COLLECTION OF CHARGES (AB95 -222) (HEARING TO
BE SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 20) (COUNCIL TO MEET AS THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE FCZD)
Regular Council Minutes, 5/9/95, Page 6
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Brenner moved to accept the Resolution.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Joint Meeting of County Council and Lummi Indian Business Council (AB95 -226):
Tentative meeting Tuesday, May 16, 6 p.m., with Lummi Tribe in Committee Room of the
Chambers. The agenda for this meeting will be ready by Friday afternoon.
Accessory Housing (AB95 -098): Council will continue to work on this issue. Nelson
and Brenner requested this item be placed on the Planning and Development Committee's agenda
and on the Council's agenda in two weeks (May 23) for Introduction.
ADJOURN
The meet' g was adjourned at 9 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Recording Secretary
These minutes were approved by the Council on February 11, X996
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
o'vn- avis, ouncil Clerk Robert I of, touncil Chair
Regular Council Minutes, 5/9/95, Page 7