HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council November 19 19911 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Special Meeting
3 November 19, 1991
4 The meeting was called to order by Council Chairman Dan Warner at 7 p.m. in the
5 Council Chambers at 1000 N. Forest.
6 Present Absent
7 Emily Jackson None
8 Dennis Vander Yacht
9 Don Hansey
10 Bob Imhof
11 Marge Laidlaw
12 Mary Vanderpol
13 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
14 WASHINGTON STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY PRESENTATION OF
15 SCHOLARSHIP TO FORMER JOB SERVICE CORPS. TRAINEE PAM ORLOFF
16 (AB91 -415)
17 Dave Broom, Department of Employment Security and Thu Nguyen, Washington Job
18 Service Corps came to present a scholarship in the amount of $1200 to Pam Orloff. Mr.
19 Broom explained the functions of his department.
20 STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT MCMULLEN, 40TH DISTRICT (AB91 -389)
21 McMullen discussed the State budget shortfall and its implications. He said this may
22 impact the community colleges and many other areas; he recommended more local taxing
23 authority.
24 HEARINGS
25 1. WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET FOR 1992 (AB91 -386)
26 Mary Vanderpol spoke for the Finance Committee and thanked the Executive and
27 the departments for their hard work; the other committee members Marge Laidlaw and Bob
28 Imhof, Bob Woods, Budget Analyst; and the Council office staff. There have been several
29 requests that.the hearings be held open for written comments for another week.
30 Bob Woods, Budget Analyst: Thanked all of the Council staff and the Executive's
31 staff for their hard work as well as the departments for their response. He explained the
32 recommendations and a few oversights to the original recommendation.
33 Warner opened the public hearing on the budget.
1 Craig Cole, Natural Heritage Task Force: Appreciates the effort that has gone into
2 the budget preparation. He also appreciates the endorsement of the Natural Heritage Plan.
3 He encouraged the Council to allocate the necessary funds and mentioned different methods
4 of funding.
5 Mary Henry, Executive Director of the Humane Society: Noted the request they had
6 made and asked that they at least be allowed to retain all of the proceeds of the dog
7 licenses. They do retain all of the license fee for the City of Bellingham and she said she
8 hopes the County will do the same.
9 Doug McKeever, 5090 Noon Road: Asked the Council to reconsider the deletion of
10 the hydrologist and Geologist. He said $1 spent in prevention has brought $45 to $70 in
11 return in California.
12 Dave McEachran, Prosecuting Attorney: He said their numbers are astoundingly
13 high; 683 felonies in 1990, over 1000 felonies in 1991 and his department cannot handle it.
14 Violent crime is on the increase in Whatcom County. He discussed their needs.
15 The oral part of the public hearing was closed but written argurments can be
16 submitted until Friday, November 22.
17 Hansey asked that council members bring any amendments in writing.
A Woods read the budget provisos and changes to existing provisos for the 1992 budget
19 ordinance and the resolution setting forth these recommendations and /or policy statements.
20 Vanderpol discussed the hydrologist and geologist positions.
21 There was a five minute break at 8:10 p.m.
22 OTHER ITEMS
23 DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS FOR FUNDING OF FLOOD PROGRAMS (AB91-
24 071L)
25 Warner explained his memo. There was discussion among Imhof, Laidlaw and
26 Warner on the proposal for funding.
27 Bruce Mills, Engineering, answered questions on the feasibility study.
28 Ed Henken, Engineering, mentioned the Brown and Caldwell study that was
29 mandated by the Department of Ecology and was very narrow in focus.
30 JACKSON MOVED OPTION #4 or $2,045,000 WITH FIVE FOOT DREDGING
Minutes, 11/19/91, Page 2
1 AMORTIZED OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.
2 The motion carried unanimously.
3 Items discussed were: the value of agricultural and timber land; possibility of per
4 residence charge; levy lid not affected by special assessment.
5 Comments were made by: Haney; Laidlaw; Warner; and County Treasurer Barbara
6 Cory; Vanderpol; Vander Yacht; Imhof; and Jackson.
7 WARNER MOVED THE FOLLOWING PERCENTAGES: RESIDENCE OR
8 FAMILY UNIT (35 %); INDUSTRIAL /COMMERCIAL ASSESSED VALUE (25 %) OR
9 $0.43 PER THOUSAND ASSESSED VALUATION; TIMBER PER ACRE (20 %) OR
10 $3.13 PER ACRE; AGRICULTURAL PER ACRE (20 %) OR $3.38 PER ACRE.
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20
IMHOF MOVED TO AMEND TO ALLOW A ONE DOLLAR CREDIT FOR
EVERY TWO DOLLARS SPENT ON A DWING DISTRICT.
Cory said that could not be done without dissolving the districts; she feels the
mechanics of managing this would be very difficult.
Imhof withdrew his amendment.
Jackson said she would support the motion providing the timber industry pay a larger
share down the road when it was studied.
Haney said he would support it because it seems the most fair and equitable
solution
The motion was carried unanimously.
21 LAIDLAW MOVED THAT INCLUDED IN THE COMMERCIAL
22 DESIGNATION WOULD BE HOTELS, MOTELS, PRIVATE REST HOMES /NURSING
23 HOMES BUT WOULD EXCLUDE PUBLICLY FUNDED AGENCIES AND NON -
24 PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
25 Haney suggested a proviso stating that the recommendation from Administration
26 consider using the data base in existence in the County.
27 The motion carried 6 -1 with Jackson against.
28 Items discussed were: Agricultural land being charged on a per acre basis; what
29 information is available on each issue; how specific the Council's direction should be.
Minutes, 11/19/91, Page 3
1 Comments were made by: Laidlaw, Imhof, Jackson, Vanderpol, Warner and Van
2 Zanten.
3 INTRODUCTION
4 1. RECEIPT OF OPEN SPACE APPLICATION (FILED BY MARTIN)
5 (AB91 -392)
6 This item was received by Council and will be forwarded to the Planning Commission
7 for consideration.
8 2. RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR COUNTY -WIDE TOLL -FREE
9 CALLING (AB91 -460)
10 WARNER MOVED THE RESOLUTION BE APPROVED AND GIVEN TO
11 BARBARA BRENNER TO TAKE TO OLYMPIA FOR THE 1 PM HEARING ON
12 NOVEMBER 20. /
13 The motion carried unanimously.
14 REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
15 Trees of Remembrance Fundraiser: Jackson invited everyone to Lairmont Manor to
16 the Health Resource Network benefit November 22.
17 The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
18 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
19 ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
20
21 Barbara Maher, Depu erk
Daniel M. Warner, Chairman
Minutes, 11/19/91, Page, 4