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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial County Council November 20 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING November 20, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chairman Don Hansey. Present: Absent Dan Warner None Mary Vanderpol Emily Jackson Mary Vanderpol Dennis Vander Yacht Bob Imhof READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES of November 6 meeting. The minutes were approved as submitted. EXECUTIVE ITEMS County Executive Shirley Van Zanten read a news release calling a meeting of Whatcom County citizens, leaders and businesses, together with elected local, state and federal representatives and state and federal agencies with jurisdiction over the Nooksack River, to explore ways to fortify the Nooksack River flood protection system which was severely damaged during the recent floods. She explained the process of assessment of damage on the November 9 flood that is taking place. This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 29 at 7 p.m. in the Nooksack Valley High School library/cafeteria. County facilities alone have suffered $5 million in damages and the total damages for Whatcom County may be as high as $15 million. It seems likely the President will declare this a disaster area, stated Van Zanten. OPEN SESSION Steve Hubbard, Hubbard Ambulance: Said he had written the Council regarding the budget considerations. He said Hubbard Ambulance had been providing patient care in the County during the past year and now the City of Bellingham has placed a Medic One unit in the County. Bill Chambers, 243 Kline Road: He said he is representing a group of residents in the Kline Road area. Chambers said there is consideration of a major change in the road plans, making the Kline Road a major arterial road. He distributed a letter demonstrating their opposition to this proposal. FINAL CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 1. RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 1991 AN_ NUAL ROAD CONSTRUC- TION PROGRAM (AB90 -363) WARNER MOVED ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM. Laidlaw asked about Birch Point Road. Van Zanten said residents wrote about concerns in that area because Birch Bay Village had moved the entrance to the Village. Item 28 was put on with minimum funding because of the changes that may be taking place. There was further discussion about the road program; Van Zanten said the flood may change a lot of the program because of the road repairs now needed. The motion carried unanimously. 2. RESOLUTION ADOPTING A SALARY SCHEDULE FOR UNREPRE- SENTED COUNTY EMPLOYEES FOR 1991 (AB90 -403) (NO PAPER- WORK RECEIVED) WARNER MOVED THIS ITEM BE APPROVED. Jackson asked if elected officials are being paid as much as the people in their departments. Warner said they had tried to take care of this but this may be still be happening in the odd case. Jackson said she would like to see how many of the elected officials are in this situation; she would like the committee to review this and bring the information back to the Council. Warner said he would look into this and inform the Council. The motion carried unanimously. 3. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF TAXES FOR COUNTY AND STATE PURPOSES IN THE COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1991 PURSUANT TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER SECTION 6.10 (AB90- 360) WARNER MOVED ADOPTION OF THIS ITEM. The motion carried unanimously. 4. ORDINANCE AMENDING 1991 HEALTH DEPT. FEES (AB90 -360) WARNER MOVED ADOPTION OF THIS ITEM. Jackson asked if these charges cover the actual costs. The motion carried unanimously. 5. 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 Minutes, 11/21/90, Page 2 (AB90 -352) (TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS INCLUDED) WARNER MOVED ADOPTION OF THIS ORDINANCE. Jackson asked if certain of the unrepresented salaries could be approved pending the review of the Finance committee. Warner said they had discussed the changes in department offices including the Executive, County Council, Information Services and Planning. Jackson asked about funding for the Opportunity Council. She said the County is losing ground in the fight against poverty and this would be a chance to try to keep pace. She said she would like to allot $50,000 to match dollar for dollar with grants. We need to put more into social services. JACKSON MOVED TO ADD AN AMENDMENT TO PLACE $50,000 FROM THE ENDING FUND BALANCE THAT CAN BE DRAWN UPON BY THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL TO USE AS MATCHING FUNDS FOR GRANTS. Warner said he would vote against it because of the needs of the flood. Warner said the Opportunity Council is a needy fund and this was discussed. The committee did allocate funds to the Brigit Collins Center and Mental Health fund but could not meet everyone's requests. He mentioned the possibility of developing a Human Services Department. Vander Yacht said he would support the motion; the Council has a responsibility to support other needy causes as well as the flood damage. Motion TO amend failed with Vander Yacht, Jackson and Imhof voting in favor of the motion. Imhof asked Van Zanten for clarification of some budget items. Jackson asked if the employee incentive program was funded. Warner said there was consensus that there would be no monetary funds. Warner said there is money in the maintenance budget to carry out any building changes such as signing. Imhof said in the Health Board Advisory Committee meeting there was discussion of the number of employees being added to the Health department. Dr. James said five additional employees will come from local funds and five from outside funding. The motion was carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PUGET SOUND WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY PROPOSED 1991 MANAGEMENT PLAN (AB90 -399) Laidlaw explained this item and referred to Dan Taylor's letter of November 19. Minutes, 11/21/90, Page 3 Hansey said one of his main concerns is the Department of Ecology does not have the authority to mandate policy but Puget Sound Water Quality Authority (PSWQA) apparently does; and PSWQA is handing this power over to the Department of Ecology without enough public process. Vanderpol said he was concerned about this as well. Jackson said she has an appointment to testify at one p.m. tomorrow. VANDERPOL MOVED TO ENDORSE THIS POSITION AS OUTLINED IN THE LETTER DRAFTED BY LAIDLAW FOR THE COUNCIL TO JOHN DOHRMANN. Imhof said this has been put through too quickly and it will have major impacts to the agricultural community. Laidlaw said PSWQA told her today they had other complaints. Warner said he wants to add "We share the broad -based interest in wetlands protection and preservation," before "However," in the second paragraph. This was accepted as a friendly amendment. Hansey asked if there was any more suggestions. Jackson said she would support it but does plan to testify herself in her own capacity as an elected official. The motion carved unanimously. 2. *PETITION FOR VACATION OF AN ALLEY IN THE GENEVA AREA, FILED GAYLE LUEDKE (AB90 -400) 3. *PETITION FOR VACATION OF AN ALLEY BETWEEN BASS ST. AND DEMOCRAT ST., FILED BY ERIC KEYES (AB90 -401) 4. *VACANCY ON SEWAGE CONTROLS APPEALS BOARD (RECOM- MEND STAFF ADVERTISE VACANCY, REFERRAL TO HBAC) (AB90- 402) Items 2, 3 and 4 were received by Council. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ( *Consent Items) 1. *ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1990 COMBINED TREATMENT SERVICES FUND APPROPRIATION FOR CHILD ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (AB90 -404) (NO PAPERWORK RECEIVED) REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Warner said there are five policy statements from the Finance Committee associated with the 1991 budget. Minutes, 11/21/90, Page 4 A. The Council supports, in concept, the implementation and use of a geographic information system (GIS). B. The County Health Department shall seek policy direction for the coming year's budget from the Health Board Advisory Committee in April. C. It shall be the policy of Whatcom County to hire members of the Developmentally Disabled Community whenever possible, particularly for tasks such as microfilming. D. The Executive is requested to report to the Council on the priority of importance and funding source for implementing the Central Law Enforcement Record System. E. The Council has budgeted for the hiring of a budget analyst /program auditor in 1991. Among the tasks to be assigned to this person are investigating the feasibility of creating a Human Services Department, and conducting program audits of various departments. Warner said the Executive said she welcomes these policy statements. WARNER MOVED THE POLICY STATEMENTS BE FORWARDED TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO BE IMPLEMENTED SUBJECT TO FUNDING. The motion carried 6 -1 with Vander Yacht opposed. REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Boards & Commission Vacancies: Laidlaw mentioned the Boards & Commission applications must be in the Council office on Monday, November 26. Meeting adjourned at 8:09 a.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON B ara Maher, Coun Clerk Minutes, 11/21/90, Page 5