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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council October 23 1990WIIATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL October 23, 1990 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Don Hansey at 7 p.m. Present: Absent: Dan Warner None Bob Imhof Emily Jackson Marge Laidlaw Dennis Vander Yacht Marvin Vanderpol READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES of Oct. 9 (p. 1 -13) and Sept. 20 (p. 48 -53) The minutes of September 20 were amended as follows: At the bottom of the page 5 add "Jackson withdrew her motion;" The last sentence of the third last paragraph on page 9, add "not" after could; After line 18 on page 10 add "Motion failed 4 -3 with Hansey, Vanderpol, Laidlaw and Warner against." The minutes of September 20 and the amended minutes of October 9 were approved. EXECUTIVE ITEMS 1. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO REJECT ALL BIDS FOR THE BELLINGHAM SENIOR CENTER ADDITION (AB90 -348) Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive, explained the Executive items. Warner reported Finance recommended the bids be rejected. WARNER SO MOVED Motion carried unanimously. 2. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO PURCHASE COMPUTER EQUIP- MENT FROM COMPUCOM THROUGH THE WASHINGTON STATE BID CONTRACT IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $14,930.64 (AB90 -349) Warner reported Finance recommended this item be approved. WARNER SO MOVED. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF BIDDERS' LIST FOR THE SUPPLY OF TRUCK TIRES AND SERVICE FOR THE PERIOD 11/1/90 TO 10/31/91 (AB90 -350) Warner reported Finance recommended this item be approved. WARNER SO MOVED. Motion carried unanimously. 4. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF BIDDERS' LIST FOR RENTAL RATES FOR MAINTENANCE & CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT FOR THE COMING YEAR (AB90 -351) Warner reported Finance recommended this item be approved. WARNER SO MOVED. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Executive's Report Van Zanten distributed handouts regarding the fire at the Hovander Homestead Park Manager's Residence, the results of the surplus auction ($40,805) and the detention report from Juvenile Court for June, July and August. 5. PRESENTATION OF EXECUTIVE'S PROPOSED 1991 COUNTY BUDGET (AB90 -353) Van Zanten read the budget message into the record (on file). She stated there had been substantial increases in revenues in the last few years but the Washington State forecasters project growth is slowing and will flatten out. The County added a total of 68.675 FTE positions or 12.5 percent of the work force in 1990. Van Zanten said this budget recommends very few additional positions for 1991; this one -time infusion of money may not be an ongoing thing. She said she has tried to be conservative even though there will be a hefty balance of at least $4 million in the fund balance. If Council wishes to give more assistance to some departments, cuts will have to made in other departments. Van Zanten stated that the increased costs in operating the Criminal Justice additions far exceeds the money coming in for that purpose. The proposed budget for 1991 is developed to accomplish these goals: 1. Continue upgrading public health services; 2. Continue a focus on growth management needs; 3. Strengthen the internal administrative support system; 4. Implement the courthouse expansion project; 5. Change the program focus for the Combined Treatment Service Department and the Solid Waste Division. Van Zanten stated this is nearly a status quo budget and she has had to say no to departments and outside agencies. Van Zanten gave a strong word of caution to the Council stating the surplus should Minutes, 10/23/90, Page 2 not be used for additional staff or programs, as the County may have to make painful cuts in a few years. She recommends any excess be used for the building fund; the County will have a $1 million payment per year on the new courthouse (half of that is already budgeted). SPECIAL PRESENTATION SHORELINE MASTER PLAN CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENTATION: REPORT ON PHASE I (BUILDING AND CODE COMMENTS, DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY COMMENTS, THREE MAP CHANGES) (AB90 -14) Mike Granat, Chairman of the Shoreline Citizens Advisory Committee presented the committee's report on phase 1. This has been a long review and is very important to the resident's of Whatcom County. The committee has been diligent, hard - working and patient. Granat gave special credit to Terry Galvin for his ability to work cooperatively with the group. Terry Galvin asked the Council to consider the information in the summary distributed. Hansey said he would refer this matter to the Planning and Development Committee. OPEN SESSION Vernon Hagen, 1530 E. Smith Road: Regarding the landfill operation proposed by Dennis Scheffer, the land in question is located by a new subdivision of homes on five acres lots. He presented a petition signed by over 50 families in that area who were at a meeting last evening. Steve Hubbard, President, Hubbard Ambulance, 2364 E. Crestline Drive: In the budget there is a proposed Whatcom Medic One revision. Last year he asked that private ambulances be included. He stated he had researched the law and believes it states it is unfair for the County to be in competition with private enterprise. Haney said he should speak to the Finance Committee. Merle Jefferson, Fisheries Director for Lummi Tribe, 2616 Kwina Road: In cultural committee his tribe is interested in meeting with the Shorelines Citizen Advisory Committee. Splendora Papetti - Huizenga, 1475 E. Smith Road: She was concerned about noise, air and water pollution, as well as the danger to her children the added traffic will create. There is a rumor the new business will be putting a tent up and doing recycling under it so her view of Mount Baker would be obstructed. She said she is concerned about the drainage onto her property which is next door to the proposed site. HEARINGS AND FINAL CONSIDERATION There were no hearings scheduled. Minutes, 10/23/90, Page 3 FINAL CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 1. ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1990 NW WASHINGTON FAIR FUND APPROPRIATION FOR UNANTICIPATED PROPERTY PAYMENT AND CAPITAL COSTS (AB90 -345) Warner reported Finance recommended this item be approved. WARNER SO MOVED. Jackson asked if the Council had to approve any land purchases made by the North West Washington Fair or if they can spend the funds independently. Warner said they could spend independently. Motion carried unanimously. 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP FROM RURAL -ONE DWELLING PER 10 ACRES TO RURAL -ONE DWELL- ING PER FIVE ACRES FOR ONE PARCEL (10 ACRES) IN THE FOOTH US SUBAREA (AB90 -339) (PLANNING) Laidlaw reported Planning and Development recommended this item be approved. Motion carried unanimously. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES (*CONSENT ITEMS) 1. *ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1990 CURRENT EXPENSE FUND, MEDICAL EXAMINER'S BUDGET THEREIN FOR THE COST OF AUTOPSIES (AB90 -354) (FINANCE) This item was received by Council and will be on the November 13 agenda. 2. *ORDINANCE REGARDING THE MATTER OF ESTABLISHING PARKING CONTROL ON KELLOGG, STUART AND HORTON ROADS (AB90 -355) (HEARING) (PUBLIC SERVICES) This item was received by Council and will have a public hearing November 13, 1990. 3. *ORDINANCE IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE FINAL BUDGET OF WHATCOM COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1991 AND RESTRICTING THE EXPENDITURE OF CERTAIN FUNDS THEREIN (AB90 -352) (FINANCE) (HEARING ON EXECUTIVE'S RECOMMENDA- TIONS 10/30; HEARING ON FINANCE REVI- SIONS /RECOMMENDATIONS 11/13) Minutes, 10/23/90, Page 4 This item was received by Council and will have a public hearing both October 30 and November 13. REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Consideration of a five member full -time council: Imhof presented an implementa- tion plan for a charter amendment. This would phase out the County Executive form of administration and have a Council appointed County Manager. He explained the way it would be phased in and distributed a copy of his plan. There is a statewide initiative being prepared limiting the number of terms to three (12 years) for any elected office . Vanderpol asked Imhof what the next step would be regarding his proposal. Imhof said an ordinance must be passed at least 90 days before the November 1991 elections; if approved the final change would not take place until 1996. Imhof would really like to have some written comments from other members. Hansey said this would be a good subject matter for the Council Retreat. TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON LANDFILL SITING: Jackson said she had received calls on the proposed landfill on Smith Road. Dan Taylor said the Planning Commission had been working on the landfill siting regulations; on November 20 the Planning Commission will have the final hearing on this issue and it will be brought to the Council in December of January. JACKSON MOVED THE COUNCIL ASK THE ADMINISTRATION TO REQUEST PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO BRING FORWARD THE PAPERWORK ON AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE ON A MORATORIUM ON SOLID WASTE DEMOLITION SITING. Haney asked Taylor what this would require and what would justify the emergency; Taylor said his department would develop an ordinance and said the emergency could be justified in that there is a major proposed landfill facility and the siting regulations are not quite ready. Warner said the Health Department has rules in place in regard to the health aspect but there had been concern about whether prime agricultural land should be used for demolition landfills. John Tyler, Deputy Director of Public Works said his department has a problem with disposing of the road department waste and needs a place to put it; a moratorium would affect the Public Works operation. He said Buildings & Code do not have a permit application in at this time. He stated an application would have to go through the conditional use process and Health Department scrutiny; it would take four months for an application to go through and six months if an E.I.S. was required. Vanderpol asked if the decisions the Planning Commission makes would affect existing landfills; Taylor said it would not unless they deal with non - conforming uses and there is no easy way to do that. Jackson asked Taylor if zoning is all that is before the Planning Commission; Taylor said yes but they are trying to have specific conditions that apply to solid waste. Haney said he would vote against it as there is no demonstration this is an emergency and he believes the Council overuses its emergency powers. Minutes, 10/23/90, Page 5 Motion failed 6 -1 with all against except Jackson. St. Joseph Hospital Recycling: Laidlaw noted the newsletter which states the hospital is involved in waste reduction and recycling. New numerical addressing for the County: Laidlaw mentioned this is progressing well according to an update in the Planning & Development meeting; there is a request for $90,000 for 1991 to proceed with this so it will have to go to Finance then on to the full Council. Joint Civic Center Commission: The next meeting will be November 1. This group is trying to make the civic center functional with adequate parking and pedestrian circulation as well as making it as aesthetically pleasing as possible; public input is encouraged. Special Meeting: There will be a special meeting on Tuesday, October 30 with a hearing on the Executive's budget. Health Board Advisory Committee: October 30, at 8:30 a.m. Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m. ATTEST: Bar ara Maher, Counc Clerk Hansey reported the next meeting will be WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Minutes, 10/23/90, Page 6