HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council for November 6 19801
WIIATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Minutes
November 6, 1980
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. with all members present
for roll with the exception of Johnson.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with several correc-
tions on page 2.
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Hearing was held on the resolution regarding a change of road name from
A.P.A. Road to Fernwood Road in Point Roberts. No testimony was given. The
hearing was closed. The Executive stated he had received a petition from
80 Point Roberts residents protesting the name change. R.oehl moved to post-
pone the decision on the resolution, and send it to the Public Works Commit-
tee for further review.✓����
Hearing was declared open on the resolution regarding the adoption of
hatcom County's 1981 Road Program. No public testimony was given. Ed
Henken, County Engineer, explained that all projects included were not as yet
funded, but included in case the funds come in 1981. Public Works had reviewed
the road program, and recommended "do pass" on the resolution. Donnellan
moved for passage, and his motion carried on a unanimous vote.
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Louws presented one budget transfer in the District Court budget in the
amount of $11,116. Finance recommended approval, and Hansey's motion to
authorize the transfer passed.
Public Safety had reviewed the two liquor license applications, recom-
mending approval of both. The first, a new 'application for EF license for
The Galley in Blaine, and the second was a new application for class A license
for the Whatcom Sports Arena. McIntyre moved to approve both applications.
His motions carried.
Louws asked for Council authorization to sign a contract for consulting
services for preliminary engineering to install counter - balance system on the
ummi Ferry Dock, contract with Arnold & Arnold, and Associates in the amount
of $40,600. Public Works had reviewed the matter, recommending approval.
Donnellan's motion to so authorize the Executive to sign the contract carried.
Donnellan commented that this ferry contract in no way affects the ongoing
minutes of Council meeting
November 6, 1980
page two
lawsuit with CH2b4 Hill.
OPEN SESSION
Joe Louie, a member of the Nooksack Indian Tribe, presented to the
Council a map and historical pictures of the tribe. The Council will have
them framed and hung in the Council area of the Courthouse.
Ellen Vaughn addressed the Council asking about the status of the power
facilities siting ordinance. The Chair will send a memo to the Planning
Department inquiring as to its status.
FINAL CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
The resolution regarding settlement of Tort Claims, as amended on Octo-
ber 23, was again brought before the Council. Muenscher again spoke to his
concerns on taking the decision making powers away from the entire Council,
and placing them in the hands of the Chairperson. Muenscher moved to amend
on line 26, striking "Chairman of the" and inserting "County ". Roehl agreed
to an extent, but felt that the $5,000 amount specified in the resolution was
too small an amount to have the full Council make a decision on. Hansey
moved to defer the resolution to December 4. Motion carried. Muenscher's
motion will be on the floor when the matter again comes before Council on
12/4.
Hansey moved for passage of an ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget
for the Election Reserve Fund, 1980. Finance recommended "do pass ". Motio-n
passed by a vote of 5 in favor (Muenscher absent for the vote).
Finance recommended "do pass" on the ordinance authorizing a supplemental
budget for the Emergency.Services Fund, 1980. Hansey moved its passage; the
motion carried on 5 in favor vote (Muenscher absent for voting).
Hansey moved the passage of an ordinance authorizing a supplemental bud-
get for the Northwest Washington Fair Fund, 1980. Finance recommended "do
pass ". Motion carried on a unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
Donnellan introduced and moved the passage of a resolution authorizing
the sale of Portage Island -and the purchase of.Semiahmoo Spit. Hansey moved
to postpone the decision until November 12 at 4:00 p.m. for a special meeting.
He felt the matter should be handled in two separate documents. Hansey als_..:.
had concerns on the fact that the April 1979 agreement had a stipulation for
marine use on a portion of Portage Island, and this document does not indicate
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minutes of Council meeting
November 6, 1980
page three
that. Hansey changed his motion to November 10 at 4:00 p.m. for the special
meeting so that Councilman McIntyre could be present. Motion carried.
Finance Committee is holding the Countywide Intergovernmental Agree-
ment for Emergency Medical Care and Transportation Services until the final
1981 bud et decision is made.
Finance had reviewed the Fire Marshal services contract for 1981, rec-
ommending approval. Hansey moved to approve. McIntyre questioned the le-
gality of paying for services in advance of their rendering as the contract.
would provide. R.oehl moved to amass the contract subject to the _Prosecuting
Attorney's office checkingthe legality of the payment schedule. Motion
carried.
On the matter,�6f endorsing the Student Internship program for Whatcom
County Departments, Muenscher introduced and moved for passage a resolution
endorsing a student intern program to be utilized in Whatcom County govern-
mental offices through Whatcom Community College and Western Washington
University. Motion carried. All county departments will be notified of
program.
Public Works reviewed the two bid awards as did Finance Committee, and
both recommended approval. Donnellan moved for the approval of both awards,
the first, $19,410 to Western Wood Structures for material and supplies for
Cornell Creek Bridge, and the second to Millbrook Equipment for a track -
type loader on a 4 year contract.-. Louws answered question on the bids for
Council and from the representative of Evans Engine and Equipment who also
had bid on the loader. Both motions passed.
Communications were received:
a) Engineer report on the speed survey on the Enterprise Road. The
Engineer will be directed to present a resolution to Council on
the matter.
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b) Petition to survey alley in the Plat of Maple Falls, received for
information. Council will request the Executive and Engineering
for a recommendation.
c) Open Space application from Richard Wiggins, received; will be
referred to the Planning Commission
d) Open Space application from A. Roy Cromwell, received; will be
referred to the Planning Commission
e) letter from Brian Griffin regarding water and sewer services in
the County, received for information.
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minutes of Council meeting
November 6, 1980
page four
Hansey moved to authorize the Executive to sign the acceptance of the
I.P.A. grant /contract from the State. The grant will provide for a study
of the effectiveness of the Whatcom County Charter government in relation
to the former system and in comparison to other charter governments. Motion
a
carried.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Hansey moved to add to the agenda an ordinance regarding the traffic
code and an ordinance concerning ambulance service.. Motion carried.
Ordinance were introduced and referred.to Finance as follows:
1) Ordinance in the matter of the adoption of the Final Budget for
the year 1981; Hansey introduced
2) Ordinance authorizing the levy of taxes for the County and State
purposes for the year 1981, pursuant to .Home Rule Section 6.10;
Hansey introduced
3) Ordinance authorizing the diverting of a portion of a County Road
Levy for use in the County Current Expense Fund as provided in
RCW 36.33.220 and providing that all diverted county road taxes
shall be so designated in the County Current Expense budget under_
account no. 311.20 and shall be used for the support of the coun',
law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of Whatcom
County; Roehl introduced
4) Ordinance authorizing the abolition of the Tuberculosis Operation
Fund, the transferring of funds from the Tuberculosis Operating
Fund to the County Current Expense Fund and the establishment of
an appropriation for the control of Tuberculosis as required by
RCW 70.32.010 for 1980; Roehl introduced
5) Ordinance authorizing the abolition of the Tuberculosis Hospital
Fund, the transfer of funds from the Tuberculosis Fund to the
County Current Expense Fund, �)nd the establishment of an appropri-
ation for Tuberculosis hospital facilities and care for the year
1981; Roehl introduced
6) Ordinance in the matter of the adoption of a budget regarding
CETA funds; Hansey introduced. Public hearing will be December 4
7) Ordinance authorizing a revised budget for the Developmental Dis-
abilities Fund, 1980; Roehl introduced
8) Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Board of Equal-
ization Budget, 1980; Hansey introduced
9) Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the County Supply
Fund, 1980; Donnellan introduced
10) Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the.District Court
1980 budget; Roehl introduced
11) Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Mental Health
Budget, 1980; Roehl introduced
12) Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Township Hal_
Budget, 1980; Roehl introduced
13) Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Whatcom County
Jail Budget for 1980; Roehl introduced
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minutes of Council meeting
November 6, 1980
page five
Donnellan introduced an ordinance restricting the speed limit on the
West Laprel Road. It was referred to Public Safety and will have public
hearing on 12/4.
Roehl introduced and moved the passage of a resolution in the matter
of the cancellation of warrants over one year old. Finance recommended "do
pass ". Motion carried.
Hansey introduced and moved the passage of a resolution authorizing the
distribution of Federal Forest Funds. Roehl moved to amend by inserting on
line 92 after Funds, "to be receive in 1980 ". Amendment and amended reso-
lution passed.
Roehl introduced and moved the passage of a resolution in the matter of
the sale of Whatcom County surplus equipment and the setting of a date for
public hearing thereof pursuant to RCW 36.34.020. Motion carried. Hearing
will be on 12/4.
Roehl introduced and moved the passage of a resolution of intent regarding
urban services in the Bellingham urban fringe. Although Muenscher agreed
_is general consensus had been expressed at the Committee of the Whole meeting,
he felt it had been reached under pressure conditions; the matter was complex
and should be debated longer under better conditions. He felt a medium range
of service options should be more seriously considered.
McIntyre moved to amend the resolution by striking on lines 17 and 18„
"and the discouragement of the proliferation of special purpose districts ".
Amendment passed. McIntyre moved to amend line 26, by striking "government"
and inserting "Sewer District No. 1 ". Amendment passed. Donnellan moved
to amend line 28, after "sub area. ", change the period to a semi - colon, and
add, "and avoid providing future sewer and water service by Whatcom County
in this sub area." Amendment passed. Muenscher moved to amend by adding
"residential" after "future" in the just- passed amendment by Donnellan. That
amendment was defeated. Hansey moved to refer the resolution to the Planning
Committee, and'call for public hearing on December 4. Motion carried.
Donnellan introduced a resolution in the matter of establishing business
hours for the public in the Auditor, Assessor and Treasurer offices. Council
,mbers expressed disagreement with the resolution and also had questions on
11. The matter will be considered by Council on a future agenda.
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Minutes of Council meeting
November 6, 1980
page six
Hansey introduced an ordinance relating to service fees and authorizing
and agreeing to the City of Bellingham City Council amending Ordinance 8725
and amendments thereto relating to ambulance service charges so as to pro-
vide mileage from point of pick -up to point of delivery. This will be con -
sidered'by the Finance Committee.
Hansey introduced an ordinance revising and implementing a Vehicle and
Traffic Code as part of the Whatcom County Code, and adopting, by reference,
portions of the State Motor Vehicle Code as contained in R.C.P. Chapter 46.
It was sent to Finance for review and will have public hearing November 24.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair outlined the upcoming Council schedule:
Nov.
10/4:00
p.m.
- decision
on Portage Island
Nov.
10/7:00
p.m.
- hearing
on ferry rates
Nov.
10/8:00
p.m.
- hearing
on gambling tax ordinance
Nov.
13/7:30
p.m.
- special
Council meeting
Nov.
19/7:30
p.m.
- special
hearing on 1981 budget
Nov.
24/7:30
p.m.
- regular
Council meeting, in place of Nov. 20 meeting
Planning reported on the establishment of Hearing on the Morgan Street
vacation. It will be held on December 4. The Weivoda petition for plat line
alteration will be forthcoming from the Committee in the near future.
Meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
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