HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council May 1 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
May 1, 1989
The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. by Council Chairman Don
Hansey.
Other Council Members Present: Absent:
Tom Burton Corky Johnson
Emily Jackson (arrived late)
Will Roehl
Dan Warner
Mary Vanderpol
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY MEMBERSHIP ON THE WHATCOM
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD
The resolution established that one of the County's two spots on the WTA
board would be filled by the Executive, the other by a County Council member.
WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE OF THE RESOLUTION (PROPOSED BY HANSEY).
Burton said he did not object to the resolution, so long as the County
maintains its presence on the board. There is a reluctance on the part of the
City of Bellingham representatives to expand to Ferndale and Lynden, even
though the County voters approved such a move and there's no turning back.
With three board members from Bellingham, two from the County and one each
from Ferndale and Lynden, it is crucial to have full county representation on
the board, Burton said.
BURTON MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR A COUNCIL - APPOINTED
ALTERNATE WHO WOULD PARTICIPATE AT WTA MEETINGS WHEN EITHER THE EXECUTIVE OR
THE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE IS ABSENT.
Hansey said he did not like establishing alternates at the legislative
level. He said the Executive should be able to appoint someone to act in her
place. Roehl said the Council could appoint its own alternate, but he
wouldn't feel right about appointing an alternate for the Executive.
Burton said that should not be a concern, since the Council has the
authority to appoint any elected official it wants to the two positions. He
noted that the County has only had full representation at four meetings in the
past year.
Hansey noted that WTA members can give their proxy to another board
member; Burton and Jackson indicated that the Executive has not assigned her
proxy to either of them in the past year. Both said the third vote could have
made a difference in several instances.
Jackson said the Mayor and Executive serve on the Council of Governments
board, and that the COG is the metropolitan planning agency; therefore the
Administration is involved in transportation whether it is represented on the
board or not. There was further discussion. Burton noted that the alternate,
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Minutes (Special /COTW meetings), 5/1/89, Page 2
whether appointed by the Council or the Executive, would need to be an elected
official.
Motion to amend failed ( Roehl, Vanderpol, Hansey opposed).
WARNER MOVED TO DELETE WORDING ON LINES 18 AND 19 SO THAT PORTION WOULD
READ: "... ON THE WTA BOARD SHALL BE THE- F-XFGWT + ,VE -p-W +TH- THE- REMA +W +W6
RAE +T +AW -AR- RAE +T +AWE- BE +W6- F +EEEB BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
Motion carried (with Roehl, Hansey opposed).
After further discussion of the proposed resolution:
WARNER WITHDREW HIS MOTION TO PASS THE RESOLUTION.
There was more discussion. Resolution died.
OTHER BUSINESS
APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER TO WTA BOARD
There was discussion of who should be appointed.
JACKSON MOVED TO APPOINT THE TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS (HERSELF, BURTON) WHO
SERVED LAST YEAR ON THE WTA BOARD.
BURTON MOVED THAT VAN ZANTEN AND JACKSON BE APPOINTED.
Burton's motion carried unanimously (killing Jackson's motion).
JACKSON MOVED TO APPOINT BURTON AS THE ALTERNATE.
Motion failed.
The meeting was adjourned at about 2 :35; Hansey immediately convened the
next meeting, a Committee of the Whole.
(please see next page)