HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council March 30 1989rl
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
March 30, 1989
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers by
Council Chairman Don Hansey.
Other Council Members Present: Absent:
Emily Jackson Tom Burton
Will Roehl Corky Johnson
Dan Warner Mary Vanderpol
PRESENTATION OF TRANSPORTATION AWARD BY EUGENE PETERSON, DIRECTOR OF THE STATE
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
Eugene Peterson, director of the state Traffic Safety Commission,
presented the county with a "Youth Leadership Award" from the National
Commission against Drunk Driving for being one of 16 counties in.the state to
implement and support a DWI task force. Betty Ford is among the previous
winners of this award.
Hansey noted that five Council members are needed in order to pass an
emergency ordinance, and only four are present. If the Health Department
ordinance is adopted, it takes effect in 10 days, leaving a short gap of time
during which the Health Department will have no rules or regulations to
follow. He said he would consult with the Executive to find a solution.
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY CODE, ADDING TITLE 24, THE
WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH CODE
The hearing, continued from the March 16 meeting, was reopened.
Bonnie Strode
Water Dist. 10 General Manager
Raised concerns about items that were not included in the Health Code as
it is presented to the Council. Three things she mentioned were: There is no
provision for mandatory septic tank testing, even though the state will
require counties to have regulations in place soon; the issue of new
structures being attached to old septic systems was not addressed; a provision
restricting waste disposal within the watershed should have been included.
Warner responded that the county will await the state regulations before
imposing mandatory septic tank testing; Building and Codes has regulations
regarding connection of new structures to old septic systems; and waste
disposal is addressed in the county's zoning plans.
Strode suggested that it be noted in the health code that even if these
items are.not addressed in its text, they are addressed elsewhere.
Jens Jensen
5594 Sand Road
Said he asked the Health Board at its last meeting where Sumas Transport
is spreading sludge and where the sludge is coming from, and he didn't get an
answer.
v �
Minutes, 3/30/89, Page 2
Marge Laidlaw
1459 Central Road, Everson
Shared Strode's concerns, thinks areas not addressed in the Health Code
should at least be referenced in the code. Went through several changes she
would like to see made to the Health Code, and said she would submit a letter
detailing these suggested changes (it since has arrived; filed under HEALTH
DEPARTMENT, CODE UPDATES). Warner said the revisions could be reviewed by the
new Health Advisory Committee, with its recommendations later presented to the
Health Board /Council.
There was no further testimony; the hearing was closed.
Dr. Phillip Jones, Health Officer, commented on some minor changes that
could be made to the ordinance. There was discussion.
WARNER MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED.
WARNER MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED ON PAGE 3, LINE 32, TO READ
AS FOLLOWS: (ADDING AT THE END OF THE PARAGRAPH) "...AND MAY BE REMOVED BY
THE EXECUTIVE UPON FILING A STATEMENT OF REASONS THEREFORE WITH THE COUNTY
COUNCIL."
Warner said this provides for the Executive to explain in writing why
she /he wants to terminate a health officer, and makes the reason public.
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
WARNER MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE AMENDED ON PAGE 58, LINES 36 -37 TO
READ AS FOLLOWS: "LOCAL ENFORCEMENT STANDARDS, AND SHALL INCORPORATE THE
GUIDELINES PROMULGATED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE PLAN AS APPROPRIATE."
Warner, Roehl and Jackson discussed the proposed amendment.
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
Motion to adopt the ordinance carried unanimously.
2. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY CODE, ADDING TITLE
24, THE WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH CODE
As explained above, this must be considered at a later date if at all.
3. APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH CITIES IN THE COUNTY (PAPERS
WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO COUNCIL MEMBERS PRIOR TO THE MEETING)
Hansey reported that the Executive is working on getting the interlocal
agreements. signed. No action by the Council is required. Foster Rose,
Bellingham City Councilman, was present with city representative Peter
Lieurance to discuss a possible amendment to their interlocal agreement for
health services. The interlocal agreements merely state that health services
will continue to be provided at the same rate for the remainder of 1989.
There was lengthy discussion about the wording of a proposed amendment to the
agreement. The following wording was agreed upon:
P;j
Minutes, 3/30/89, Page 3
"A. In the absence of a County resolution and /or implementing
ordinance for disposition of the Health District assets as called
for in County Ordinance 88 -94, the parties shall negotiate an
equitable division of the assets or equitable amount of
compensation to the City by June 30, 1989.
B. On or before September 1, 1989, the Count and the City shall
cooperate to reach a mutually agreeable formula for determining
the payment for delivery of Health Department services for 1990."
Hansey said he would forward this wording to the Executive and request
that it be included in the interlocal agreement being made Frith the City of
Bellingham.
4. FINAL CONSIDERATION IN THE MATTER OF PROPERTY SETTLEMENT WITH THE
CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR THE ASSETS OF THE BELLINGHAM - WHATCOM COUNTY
HEALTH DISTRICT
Hansey said the Executive, in a letter dated June 30, 1989, said a state
examiner could be used to help negotiate an equitable settlement.
5. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS OF OTHER MATTERS AFFECTING THE TRANSITION OF
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE
DISSOLUTION OF THE BELLINGHAM - WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT
There was general discussion of changes that will need to be made as a
result of the changeover, including appointments to the Health Advisory
Committee. Roehl asked that the Chairman write a letter to the Executive
alerting her to the language the Council would like incorporated into the
interlocal agreement with the City of Bellingham (see item 3).
6. OTHER BUSINESS.
Hansey announced that the Health Advisory Committee (formerly the Health
Board) will meet on the third Wednesday of April (April 19) in the County
Council Conference Room at 3 :30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8 :40 p.m.
ATTEST
Ramona- Reeves, Council Clerk
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