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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services July 10 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC SERVICES AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE July 10, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Committee Chairman Mary Vanderpol in the Council Conference Room. Also Present: Absent: Dennis Vander Yacht None. Bob Imhof 1. PETITION FOR VACATION OF COUNTY ROAD, BROADWAY BETWEEN WOOLRIDGE AND SUNSET, FILED BY JAKE SIMPSON AND PAM FOX (AB90 -176) (CONTINUED FROM 6/26/90 MEETING) 52 -59 Vanderpol discussed the history of the item briefly. Engineer Ed Henken was present to discuss the item. It was noted that two neighboring property owners, the Wahls and the Eatons, wished to have an easement across the land if the road were vacated. Henken noted that it would make more sense, under the circumstances, to not vacate the road rather than placing several easements on the former road location. After some discussion with the Engineer, Vanderpol and Imhof, the Committee was ready to recommend denial of the vacation. Mr. and Mrs. Wahl said they did not wish to stop the vacation process, so they withdrew their request and said they would try to work out easement arrangements with the Fox's and Simpsons. IMHOF RECOMMENDED THAT THE VACATION BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE PUBLIC HEARING. Motion carried. 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 11 OF WHATCOM COUNTY CODE, WATER SAFETY AND BOATING (AB90 -237) 68 Vanderpol noted that this item was scheduled for public hearing, and recom- mended that discussion take place at the full Council meeting. 3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ... OFFICIAL ZONING ORDINANCE TO ... INCLUDE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON OFF - PREMISE ADVERTISING SIGNS (AND POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS THAT WOULD PHASE OUT BILLBOARDS WITHIN A FEW YEARS) (AB90 -164) 69 -75 Vanderpol noted that this item was scheduled for public hearing, and recom- mended that discussion take place at the full Council meeting. Public Services Minutes, 7/10/90, Page 1 4. ORDINANCE FORMALLY ESTABLISHING THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES DEPARTMENT AND BOARD AND SETTING FORTH VARIOUS RELATED POLICIES (AB90 -208) Vanderpol noted that the Developmental Disabilities board has never formally been established. The ordinance would create some guidelines for both the board and the department. There was some discussion. IMHOF RECOMMENDED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. Dan Taylor, Planning Director, asked to comment on the billboards ordinance. He noted that if the Council does not vote on this ordinance, he would recommend that the ordinance be referred back to committee for some more work. Vanderpol agreed. Taylor noted that the moratorium on billboards expires July 31. 5. ORDINANCE AMENDING COUNTY CODE SECTION 5.22, CHANGING THE PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING PERMITS TO SOLICITORS AND CANVASSERS (AB90 -207) 118 -125 Vanderpol said someone coming in for a solicitor's permit was formerly shuffled from office to office; the revision would give full responsibility to the Sheriffs Department. It would clarify outdated regulations, he noted. IMHOF MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE ORDINANCE BE RECOM- MENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. 6. APPOINTMENT TO PUBLIC DEFENSE ADVISORY COMM. (AB90 -238) Vanderpol noted the recommendation was to appoint Julie Lockhart for another term; there were no other applicants. There was some minor discussion. IMHOF MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE REAPPOINTMENT OF JULIE LOCKHART. Motion carried. 7. RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST WOULD BE SERVED BY THE CREATION OF A SOLID WASTE COLLECTION DISTRICT (AB90 -239) 127-131 Vanderpol said the Administration asked that the item be withdrawn from the agenda; more information is being gathered on this matter. Public Services Minutes, 7/10/90, Page 2 9. OTHER BUSINESS Solid Waste Disposal Tax: Vanderpol said the Council has requested that more information be distributed to the public on the implementation of the new solid waste disposal tax. Since that time, Dan Warner has written a letter as a guest editorialist in the Herald; the Executive has appeared on Impact; several Council members have prepared letters, and Laidlaw wrote a letter that could be distributed to several organizations for use in their newsletters. Vanderpol said he would like for the Committee to present the letter to the Council as a means for getting the information out, inviting as many Council members as possible to sign the letter, then send it to various organizations. Imhof said he thought the letter conveys that Council members are available to speak on the issue at public forums. He said the public seems to have a lot of questions that haven't been answered, and he suggested that a letter like this should have been distributed months ago. Discussion ensued. Imhof said he hadn't had time to review the letter yet. Vander Yacht said it might be too complex and difficult to understand in its present form to be useful in a newsletter. And one statement in the second paragraph said the implementation of the solid waste plan will not come cheaply, but will be less expensive than what we have now. He said he did not know if that is true, and is reluctant to sign his name to that statement. Imhof suggested that he and Vander Yacht read the letter prior to the Council meeting, and that the full Council may decide whether the letter should be distributed. 8. STUMP GRINDER AND LANDFILL DISCUSSION (NO PAPER) Imhof said he has explained to Solid Waste Manager Bob Jurica that a citizen brought up the idea of the County buying a stump grinder. He said some contractors could be asked to grind up the stumps for a cost, perhaps $4.50 to $5 per yard. Price would vary depending on whether they would be responsible for renting the land or whether they would be grinding stumps on the County's property. The cost probably would be less than it would cost to dispose of stumps at demolition landfills. Vander Yacht asked how involved the County would be in doing this. The person who brought the idea forward to the County suggested it be responsible for the stump grinding operation. Perhaps that would not be appropriate; it might be best left to the private sector, and why should the County take on a new task, he said. Vanderpol said if it is a cost effective idea, there probably will be people in the private sector who will do it. Imhof said getting rid of the ground stumps would be a problem. Discussion ensued. Imhof noted that a stump grinder would cost $250,000 to $350,000. Development Standards Committee: Imhof said he's heard the development standards committee is moving too slowly for some people's tastes. Perhaps the Council should step in and give some direction, to get a staff report on the Committee's progress, and find out why it is taking so long, he said. He asked if this Committee, or if Planning and Development, should look into the matter and find out what's going on. Vanderpol suggested Imhof contact Laidlaw (chair of the Planning Public Services Minutes, 7/10/90, Page 3 and Development Committee) with his comments. Railroad Crossing on Bay Road: A loose board supposedly took off a car muffler when someone drove over a railroad crossing, Imhof said; is the County responsible? Henken said the railroad is responsible, and he suggested the complainant contact Burlington Northern. Discussion ensued. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. ATTEST: Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON tarvinn G. Vanderpol, Me5 er Public Services Minutes, 7/10/90, Page 4