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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council January 5 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL January 5, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council Chairman Will Roehl, with Council members Don Hansey, Dan Warner, Mary Vanderpol, Emily Jackson, Corky Johnson and Tom Burton present. Minutes of the 12/15/88 meeting (with a minor amendment to Barbara Brenner's comments in open session, noted on the original) and the 12/18/88 Committee of the Whole were approved. EXECUTIVE ITEMS Request for authority to purchase three 3/4 -ton ip ckup trucks through state contract 215C -88 for a total price (taxed) of $32.960.92 Request for authority to purchase a half -ton ip ckup truck through state contract 215C -88 for $10.650.07, including tax Request for approval of sole source purchase in the amount over $10.000: IBM AS /400 computer Request for authorization to enter into a contract with the sole bidder. Environmental Resource Services. d.b.a. Bellingham Community Recyslina, for a solid waste reduction and recycling education and promotional program in 1989 in the amount of $46.473.00 The above four items were reviewed and recommended for approval by Finance Committee, Warner said. Each was moved by Warner for approval, and each motion carried. New application for a Class 11 liquor license by Glenda Fern . Point Roberts This item was withdrawn at the Executive's request. "Items 8 -15 from OTHER BUSINESS (all executive recommendations for board appointments) were moved to this point in the meeting. Executive At Burton's motion, the following reappointments were made: 1. Developmental Disabilities: Don Wenke, Terry Collins and Jane Berry for their 2nd, three -year terms, expiring 12/91. 2. Mental Health Board: Jodelle McBee and Virginia Savey to their first full 3 -year terms, expiring 12/91. 3. Substance Abuse Board: Ernest Bentley, Deborah Ann Thomas and Donovan Kehrer to their first full three -year terms, expiring 12/91. Executive's Report Van Zanten reported that a survey of the Nooksack River found deficiencies in flood protection (survey done by the Corps of Engineers). If the county does not keep its flood protection in good repair, it will not get Minutes, 1/5/89, Page 2 help from the Corps If there is a flood. Plans for repairing deficiencies are being created and reviewed by the Corps. They should be ready for presentation to the Council by or before Feb. 21, she said. PUBLIC HEARINGS ao= ' The hearing was opened. Bonnie Strode of Water District 10 asked if the County would include any liens against the property that the water district has imposed in the minimum purchase price of the properties being sold by the county. Treasurer Barbara Cory said if this is done it will drive the purchase price too high and the property may never be put back on the tax rolls. The hearing was closed. . Council members discussed the possible precedents such a change could have, in terms of assessments from small taxing districts. HANSEY MOVED THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE REFERRED BACK TO FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. Motion carried. The hearing was opened; there was no testimony; the hearing was closed. Warner reported that Finance recommended the ordinance be adopted. WARNER MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED. Motion carried unanimously. OPEN SESSION John Liebrant Henry Street /Cedarville Road Asked that the County "totally buy me out so I can get on with my life;" his home, truck, car and trailer, plus all personal articles except photo albums and such, are among the things he'd like the County to purchase. He said all the items are contaminated with gasses. Johnson said this matter would have to be settled by attorneys, and that it would not be proper for the County to buy Liebrant out without proof that his problems stem from the Cedarville dump. Jans Jansen 5594 Sand Road Complained about monitoring wells at Cedarville, said they are inadequate. Barbara Brenner 5617 Northwest Road Asked about the purpose of public sessions, said they should be an opportunity for the community and Council to discuss issues. She asked several questions about solid waste issues and was answered by Bob Jurica, solid waste manager. Brenner asked that her name be withdrawn from Minutes, 1/5/89, Page 3 consideration for appointment to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Suggested that instead of her being a full - fledged member, she could act as an alternate. Ted Smith Whatcom County is in a period of crisis; a large, socially - irresponsible thing like Bellis Fair should not be welcomed here. Development will happen, but should be done carefully. Ann Atkeson 3112 Alderwood Regarding board and commission appointments, she said the process needs to be more fully explained in the advertisements that are published. She supported the ordinance that would require the list to be published annually at .a certain time, rather than semiannually. Said Council should explain why they support the candidates they chose for nomination to boards and committees, because the Code states that they should. John Liebrant Asked the Executive if she'd like to fight with him in the courts about his requests for reimbursement, or if she would like to deal with him personally. Van Zanten said legal matters should be taken up by Liebrant's attorney and the County's legal counsel. The meeting was recessed from 7 :55 to 8:03 p.m. FINAL CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES The ordinance sets up a continuance of the excise tax, which was reinstated for another six years by the county's voters In November. Warner reported that Finance recommended adoption of the ordinance. WARNER MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED. Motion carried unanimously. Eventually teller -style windows Office, each with its own cash drawer presently available. Warner reported WARNER MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE Motion carried unanimously. will be installed in the Auditor's that requires more on -hand cash than is that Finance recommended adoption. BE ADOPTED. This increases the fees charged for alcoholism evaluations. Warner reported that Finance recommended adoption of the ordinance. WARNER MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes, 1/5/89, Page 4 etc •1111 ME •(� •1111 •1 Johnson reported that this housekeeping ordinance would require the Council's Clerk to advertise board and commission vacancies annually, rather than semiannually. In the past, and in violation of the existing code, the vacancies have only been advertised once a year. Johnson reported that Public Services recommended adoption. JOHNSON MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED. Motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS ( *Consent Items) ms 11-17-211-37 T T 11 1 = o- .' • !oo M •1111 M Fel ( •1111 =lie •1 Burton reported that Planning and Development reviewed these two applications, as well as those of Koivisto and Hussman. BURTON MOVED THAT THE KOIVISTO AND HUISMAN OPEN SPACE APPLICATIONS BE DENIED. Motion carried. BURTON MOVED THAT THE ROZITSKI AND MORELLI APPLICATIONS BE APPROVED. Motion carried. For information purposes, Burton reported that the Planning Department has drafted a compromise ordinance relating to the Point Roberts gas station moratorium, which would make gas stations a conditional use there. Planning Commission will consider the ordinance 1/17; Planning and Development Committee will review it 1/18; it will be introduced at the Council meeting 1/19. The moratorium expires Feb. 12. By roll call vote, with each Council member stating his or her choice for each vacant position, the following were appointed: John Shintaffer to District I, an unexpired term ending 12/90; Dave Ernst and Roger Almskaar were appointed to fill the two vacancies in District II, to four -year terms (first) ending 12/92. , 07 sTel 1 11 =1 M r*M i (— C•. F Wei *3 1 Jim Bliss was nominated to the board. The nominations were closed. By roll call vote, Jim Bliss was appointed to District 3, first four -year term expiring 12/92; Virginia Walsh was appointed for a second four -year term in District 3, expiring 12/92; and Chester Speziale was appointed to his second four -year term expiring 12/92, in District 1. Bill Grace, Karen Durham and Ann Moody were nominated to fill the vacant position, the only Council- appointed spot on the board. The nominations were closed. By roll call vote, Bill Grace was reappointed to a second four -year, Minutes, 1/5/89, Page 5 term, expiring 1/1/93. Appointments to the Noxious Weed Control Board (already received - Barbara Ford and Gerben DeBoer) Burton moved that the nominations be closed. By roll -call vote, Ford and DeBoer were reappointed. Nominations to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee There was discussion about the appointments, with Council members praising Dr. Bob Eslinger and Wayne Hanson, present committee members seeking reappointment. Johnson said held like to move that Brenner be included as an alternate on the committee, due to her knowledge and expertise in the solid waste area. Roehl agreed, saying the code easily could be amended to provide for such a thing. Johnson asked that the staff draw up such an ordinance to amend the code. HANSEY MOVED THAT THE NOMINATIONS BE CLOSED AND THAT ESLINGER AND HANSON BE REAPPOINTED TO THREE -YEAR TERMS. Motion carried. ROEHL ASKED THAT THE APPOINTMENTS OF DON GISCHER, GARY GIBBONS AND JOHN WEBB TO THE COMMITTEE, RECOMMENDED BY THE EXECUTIVE, ALSO BE CONFIRMED. Motion carried. Each position of chair, vice -chair and executive pro -tem was voted upon by roll-call vote, as were the standing committee and other Council committee appointments. The resulting appointments are as follows: Position 1989 Appointee Council Offices Chairman Hansey Vice- Chairman Warner Executive Pro -Tem Roehl Council Committees (3 each) Finance Warner Jackson Vanderpol Planning and Devel. Burton Roehl Jackson Public Services Johnson Vanderpol Warner (continued on next page) .r Minutes, 1/5/89, Page 6 Other Council Positions Health Advisory Board -3 Warner Burton Hansey (all Council members are on decision- making Health Board) Council of Governments -2 Warner Jackson Council on Aging Hansey LEOFF Board (1) Hansey NW Air Pollution (1) Burton Joint open space (3) Burton Roehl Jackson Opportunity Council Burton Substance Abuse Board Werner Developmental Disabilities Roehl Mental Health Board Vanderpol Northwest Regional Council Johnson Public Defense Advisory Warner Transit Authority (2) Jackson Burton Fourth Corner Development Roehl What -Comm Board (P.S. chair) Johnson Mount Baker Theatre Board Vanderpol Solid Waste Advisory Jackson Burton asked that his appointment to the Opportunity Council be temporary; he will not have the time for it this year. Roehl said he would look into whether someone outside of the Council could be appointed instead. r Minutes, 1/5/89, Page 7 Appointments need to be made to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Committee and the Capital Projects Committee, Hansey noted. He said he would take nominations during the next few weeks. K16ra, William S. Vauahn and Thomas Robertson (suaaested referral to Plannina Commission) This item was received and referred to the Planning Commission. • .Id .. • td. rim .- •t. •.- • •:: (delivered by Auditor In accordance with RCW 84,56,240) Auditor Shirley Forslof presented the list, as is her statutory duty. A* resolution cancelling uncollectible personal property taxes usually is passed by the Council every fall. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ( *Consent Items) � •. 1 _t - -1l "1! 1! 1" d -1 loo .. - •II• '1 -1 • •1 11 -d •11 to liaht Industrial park and amending the offic'ial Whatcom-County zoning map • 11 . acres and - acres to light Impact 1 . .. rcels (about 49 - on the east side of .t, between Horton Road and Stuart R... This item was introduced by consent and referred to the Committee of the Whole meeting of 1112. Il0 R01 • ! 1.1 - • •� 1 .Il 1� ..• •� •1 • l0 1111 1 "1 I 9.1 •l •Ii 1" • "• If al • •1111N. I 1" •.1101 • 0 • l0 II" 11 This provides an avenue for pass - through grant money that will help resolve the Acme water system crisis (traces of gasoline have been found in the community well). The state won't give the grant to an unincorporated district, such as Acme's, so the County is buying the contaminated well. Van Zanten said she isn't thrilled with the prospect of administering a water district, so she and her staff will explore ways to get.around it. Warner reported that Finance recommended approval. This item appeared on the addendum to the agenda. WARNER MOVED THAT THE EMERGENCY ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED. Motion carried. d Iel " - •• t t• 1• :t• ••• •• •1 • 1- ill 1 -1 t • 1 1 •d -d •t •l • • I-. II-o td ��0 -d - • te1 introduced by consent and referred to the Finance Committee. Minutes, 1/5/89, Page 8 II' • •Ifll •1' This item did not appear on any agenda; was introduced at the meeting by Warner. WARNER MOVED THAT THE RESOLUTION BE APPROVED. Motion carried. REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Thanks to will: Hansey thanked Roehl for all his efforts during the past year as chairman, and congratulated him on his work. Hansey said he personally looks forward to being chair of the Council, and to working with the Council, city officials and the administration. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. ATTEST: Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY