HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council July 7 19921 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Regular Meeting
3 July 7, 1992
4 The meeting was called to order by Council Chairman, Daniel Warner, at 7 p.m. in
5 the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest.
6 Present: Absent:
7 Barbara Brenner None
8 Larry Harris
9 Ken Henderson
10 Bob Imhof
11 Marge Laidlaw
12 Dennis Vander Yacht
13 READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
14 The minutes of the June 23 Committee of the Whole meeting and the June 26
15 special meeting were approved as presented.
16 OTHER ITEMS
17 4. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1992 BUDGET (AB92 -242)
18 Laidlaw reported for Finance and recommended the following:
19 Council Office request: A reduction from $16,393 to $3,650, stating there were areas
20 that could be accessed by interfund transfers for Extra Help and Professional Services;
21 Executive /Water Resources: This request was withdrawn;
22 Personnel: Request for $11,434 denied stating funds in their own budget could be
23 transferred to fund the position requested;
24 Sheriff. Request for $10,870 approved as well as the additional $9,555 requested for
25 the DWI program, which is to be an experiment to the end of the year. There was direction
26 that the Sheriff or his designee could waive fees for the program for indigents or establish
27 a sliding fee scale that would not have to come to Council.
28 Information Services: The Council concurred with adding the requested position but
29 asked that the department transfer funds from within its own budget to cover the cost so
30 reduced the request by $4,310.
31 LAIDLAW MOVED THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED.
32 LAIDLAW MOVED THE AMENDMENTS LISTED ABOVE BE APPROVED.
33 The motion to approve the amendments carried unanimously.
1 The motion to adopt the ordinance carried unanimously.
2 EXECUTIVE ITEMS
3 1. AUTHORIZATION FOR EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
4 WITH COMPU -TECH FOR OPERATIONAL COMPUTER PROGRAMS
5 FOR THE TREASURER'S AND ASSESSOR'S DEPARTMENTS (AB92-
6 283)
7 Laidlaw reported for Finance and recommended approval.
8 SHE SO MOVED.
9 The motion carried unanimously.
10 2. ALTERNATE SPACE FOR THE DEPARTMENTS NOW LOCATED IN
11 THE DIS BUILDING (AB92 -305)
12 Shirley Van Zanten, suggested moving the staff from DIS to Nor -Bell in May 1993
13 as the lease expires and DIS will no longer be available.
14 Laidlaw reported for the Capital Facilities Committee and put forth its
15 recommendation not to build on the 4th floor of the courthouse because of the expense.
16 SHE SO MOVED.
17 The motion carried unanimously.
18 The committee also recommended on a split vote the following motion:
19 LAIDLAW MOVED TO UNDERTAKE THE PLANNING AND REMODEL OF
20 NOR -BELL TO HOUSE THE STAFF CURRENTLY AT THE DIS BUILDING.
21 Brenner spoke against the motion because of the location and the condition of the
22 building; she would like the County to keep the options open to finding downtown
23 accommodation.
24 Harris and Van Zanten discussed the option. Van Zanten said the Council should
25 look at the figures very carefully as the difference between using Nor -Bell and renting space
26 downtown would be $4 or 5 hundred thousand dollars. She said it may be the difference
27 between moving to Nor =Bell or losing their jobs. This would be a temporary move for two
28 to three years.
29 Vander Yacht said he supported a study to make sure it is wise to put that kind of
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 2
money into an old building.
2 . The motion failed with Imhof, Warner and Laidlaw in favor.
3 Van Zanten said she appreciated Vander Yacht's concern about the integrity of the
4 building but the budget picture for 1993 is very dismal and this is by far the most cost
5 effective route.
6 BRENNER MOVED THE EXECUTIVE PRESENT COST OPTIONS OF
7 UPGRADING NOR -BELL FOR THE SPACE NEEDS FOR COUNTY DIVISIONS IN
8 THE DIS BUILDING, AND PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL MEETING FOR JULY 14.
9 INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT.
10 Items discussed were: the long range plan for bringing the rest of county government
11 together; traffic; probable costs of using Nor -Bell; meeting short-term financial and space
12 needs.
13 Comments were made by: Harris; Brenner; Henderson; Vander Yacht; Van Zanten.
14 The motion carried unanimously.
15 Enforcement Issue (AB92 -311): Laidlaw requested discussion of this issue while the
16 Executive was still present at the meeting.
17 Laidlaw indicated that this Council, and previous Councils, had expressed concern
18 about the Administration of Buildings & Code not enforcing County ordinances and asked
19 the Administration to look into it and report back to Council.
20 Warner indicated that the Council could relay its concerns to the Executive after
21 specific concerns are identified, a Council staff report is prepared, and Council discussion
22 has taken place.
23 Discussion followed.
24 LAIDLAW MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL EXPRESS CONCERN THAT THE
25 DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS & CODE IS NOT ENFORCING COUNTY ORDINANCES
26 ON BLATANT VIOLATORS AND REQUEST THAT THE ADMINISTRATION
27 ENSURE PROPER COMPLIANCE.
28 Comments on this issue were made by Brenner, Vander Yacht, Harris, and Warner.
29 Harris indicated a desire to focus on the Cowden violation.
30 The motion failed 3 -3 with Brenner, Laidlaw and Henderson in favor and Imhof out
31 of the room.
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 3
1 HARRIS MOVED TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATION TO INVESTIGATE THE
2 COWDEN GRAVEL PIT VIOLATIONS.
3 WARNER AMENDED THE MOTION TO REQUEST COUNCIL STAFF
4 (INSTEAD OF ADMINISTRATION) INVESTIGATE THE COWDEN GRAVEL PIT
5 VIOLATIONS.
6 The motion to amend was approved unanimously.
7 The amended motion carried 6 -1 with Vander Yacht against.
S Personnel Issue (AB92 -279): Harris asked for a report on the Public Works
9 employees suspected of wrongful acts. Van Zanten said the two employees in question were
10 no longer in the employ of the County.
11 HEARINGS
12 1. ORDINANCE PLACING A STOP SIGN ON WEST ILLINOIS STREET
13 (AB92 -263)
14 The public hearing was opened. Hearing no comments, the hearing was closed.
15 IMHOF MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE.
16 The motion carried 6 -0 with Vander Yacht out of the room.
17 2. ORDINANCE PLACING STOP SIGNS ON VARIOUS COUNTY ROADS
18 (AB92 -264)
19 The public hearing was opened. Hearing no comment, the hearing was closed.
20 HENDERSON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE.
21 The motion carried 7 -0.
22 OTHER ITEMS
23 1. DECISION ON APPEAL OF HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION ON
24 VARIANCE 7 -91, FILED BY ED & JUDITH POMEROY (AB92 -111)
25 IMHOF MOVED TO OVERTURN THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION
26 BECAUSE THE DECISION WAS BASED ON EVIDENCE THAT WAS NOT PART OF
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 4
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THE RECORD.
The motion carried 4 -2 with Henderson and Harris against and Laidlaw abstaining
because she had not been able to attend the Executive Session for briefing by the attorney.
2. ORDINANCE APPROVING AND CONFIRMING THE FINAL RATES
AND CHARGES ROLL FOR THE LAKE SAMISH LAKE
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1; LEVYING AND ASSESSING THE
AMOUNT THEREOF AGAINST THE LOTS, TRACTS, PARCELS OF
LAND AND OTHER PROPERTY ON SAID ROLL; AND CERTIFYING
THE SAME TO THE COUNTY TREASURER FOR COLLECTION
(AB92 -224)
Laidlaw reported for Finance and recommended approval.
SHE SO MOVED
The motion carried unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION STATING THE COUNCIL'S POLICY FOR ACCEPTANCE
AND SCHEDULING OF AGENDA ITEMS (AB92 -192)
Laidlaw reported for Finance and recommended approval.
SHE SO MOVED.
The motion carried unanimously.
4. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1992 BUDGET (AB92 -242)
This item was taken as the first item of the meeting.
21 5. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION FOR A PROPOSAL BY THE
22 SHERIFF FOR AN ALTERNATIVE DWI PILOT PROGRAM AND
23 ACCOMPANYING SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET ORDINANCE
24 INCORPORATING THE PROJECT COSTS FOR REMAINDER OF 1992
25 (AB92 -258)
26 This item was approved along with item 4.
27 6. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES FOR
28 PREPARING THE 1993 BUDGET (AB92 -266)
29 Laidlaw reported for Finance and recommended approval.
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 5
1 SHE SO MOVED.
2 Brenner suggested the word probable be changed to possible in 1 Q. Council
3 concurred.
4 HARRIS MOVED TO CHANGE 1 B) BY ADDING "ENSURING RESOURCES
5 NEEDED AS A RESULT OF UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS" AT THE END.
6 The motion failed with Brenner, Harris and Henderson in favor.
7 Items 3 and 4 were discussed. Brenner said she would like to see reallocation of staff
8 rather than increases if possible.
9 Brenner suggested that 4) -read "Staffing level increases should be avoided with
10 preference given to reallocation to.resources." Council concurred.
11 Henderson said there should be an accounting of the revenue flows between the
12 county and cities. Warner said Bellingham is the only city in the state not contributing to
13 the district court.
14 After discussion, Laidlaw suggested that 6 D) read "Additional bonding for capital
15 purchases. Council concurred.
16 Harris suggested adding 6) A) Admissions Tax .
17 Woods, Brenner, Henderson and Imhof discussed 7).
18 WARNER MOVED TO DELETE 7).
19 The motion carried 5 -2 with Brenner and Laidlaw against.
20 LAIDLAW MOVED THAT CAUTION AND DISCRETION SHOULD
21 CONTINUE TO BE USED WHEN APPLYING FOR GRANTS AS A NEW 7.
22 The motion carried 6 -1 with Brenner against.
23 Harris said the county does not involve itself enough with housing issues.
24 Warner suggested and council concurred to delete 8) and write as follows:
25 A) Background documentation be prepared showing Current Expense fund income
26 on a departmental /divisional basis;
27 B) A unified fee schedule be developed for adoption listing all fees charged by the
28 county;
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 6
1 C) Introduce a staffing reporting methodology that lists positions and staff years on
2 a multi -year basis;
3 D) Consideration be given to setting up a reserve fund for low revenue times (Rainy
4 Day Fund);
5 E) The Capital Improvement Program should be submitted to Council concurrent
6 with the annual budget;
7 F) Change the current Capital Improvement Program from a Public Works
8 document to a comprehensive, multi -year, county -wide document containing major capital
9 expenditures;
10 G) Strengthen the presentation of goals, objectives, and performance measures.
11 Laidlaw suggested asking for report from last year's budget recommendation for
12 combining the duties of a position from Public Works Administration into other areas.
13 WARNER MOVED TO DELETE ITEM A ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
14 PAGE OF THE WOODS MEMO OF JULY 19 1992.
15 The motion failed with Brenner, Laidlaw and Henderson in favor.
16 There was consensus to eliminate the issue on centralized human services.
17 HENDERSON MOVED TO RECONSIDER ITEM A ON THE LAIDLAW MEMO
18 RE: COMBINING THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER OF PUBLIC
19 WORKS ADMINISTRATION INTO OTHER AREAS.
20 The motion failed 4 -3 with Henderson, Warner and Brenner in favor.
21 Items g,h & 1 were upheld.
22 7. COUNCIL DISCUSSION /DECISION ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION
23 RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH THE CRITICAL
24 AREAS ORDINANCE (AB92 -276)
25 Brenner said in future we should put this sort of thing on earlier in the evening.
26 Terry Galvin, Planner, said the Planning Department recommended the Citizen's
27 Advisory Committee (CAC) not start work until January 1, 1993. This would give staff a
28 time to prepare a report before the committee begins.
29 IMHOF MOVED TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
30 Galvin said it is chaos to have more than ten to twelve members on a citizen's
31 committee. There was discussion of having an impartial mediator; it was decided to have
32 1Planning & Development Committee consider a mediator.
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 7
1 The following changes were recommended and approved: Amend #2. (CAC) should
2 begin work immediately -* ; delete after ... CAC immediately upon passage of the
3 in 2.a.
4 IMHOF MOVED TO ELIMINATE 8.
5 The motion failed 4 -3 with Imhof, Vander Yacht and Laidlaw in favor.
6 HENDERSON MOVED TO STATE IN 8. THE COUNCIL SHOULD CQMM
7 `r PROMBE FUNDING....
8 Motion carried 5 -2 with Laidlaw and Imhof opposed.
9 There was discussion about the Fish and Wildlife Boards.
10 Vander Yacht suggested 11 and 12 be moved to 1 and 2. Council concurred.
11 Warner suggested a new #13. to state '"The Planning and Development committee
12 should meet quarterly to examine the effects and implementation of the CAO and make
13 recommendations for amendments." Council concurred.
14 It was suggested that the Fish and Wildlife Boards might need to be considered
15 advisory boards.
:16 The motion to adopt the amended recommendations carried unanimously.
17 Galvin brought up an amendment that was made in error at the last meeting.
18 Warner said a change in the emergency ordinance to extend the moratorium on new surface
19 mining permits (AB92 -267) was reversed by staff as it was not appropriate when studied.
20 Council concurred.
21 Galvin addressed the problem of the pesticide permitting in an effort to avoid
22 duplication; the Council concurred.
23 Randy Watts, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor, said these were merely scrivener's errors
24 and it was permissible to clear them up before issuing the final document.
25 INTRODUCTION
26 1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING FEE SCHEDULE FOR CERTAIN ITEMS
27 PROVIDED BY COUNCIL OFFICE (AB92 -273)
28 This item was introduced and will be forwarded for appropriate action.
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 8
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
2 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
3 ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
�r.
5 Barbara Maher, Deputy Clerk Daniel M. Warner, Chairman
Minutes, 7/7/92, Page 9