HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council December 1 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
December 1, 1988
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by acting chairman Don Hansey,
with Council members Tom Burton, Dan Warner, Mary Vanderpol and Emily Jackson
present. Will Roehl and Corky Johnson were absent.
Minutes of the 11/17 regular meeting were approved as presented.
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Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval.
WARNER MOVED APPROVAL.
Motion carried.
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Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval.
WARNER MOVED APPROVAL.
Motion carried.
item.
Vanderpol reported that Public Services recommended approval of the
Vanderpol MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
Motion carried.
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Birch BaX Ion, - Blaine, ; •:
item.
Vanderpol reported that Public Services recommended approval of the
Vanderpol MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
Motion carried.
Birch Bay MInI Market, 7630 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine, •:
Vanderpol reported that Public Services did not recommend approval of
the item because the application lacked two of the three necessary official
signatures.
Vanderpol MOVED TO TABLE THE ITEM UNTIL PROPER SIGNATURES ARE
RECEIVED BY THE APPLICANT.
Motion carried.
Minutes, 12/1/88, Page 2
Improvements to the Whatcom County Public Safety Building Basement for
Sheriff's Offices. Bid No. 88 -88
This item will be kept in committee at the request of Paul Rushing,
Public Works director, who said more time is needed to analyze the bids.
Executive's Report
Van Zanten was absent, so Budget Director Tom Sutberry filled in.
A. Insurance Fund: Assoc. of Counties insurance pool has purchased
more coverage, $5 million worth now available. Price was a little higher than
expected (no specifics given).
B. Solid Waste Update: Jurica distributed a memo outlining the
following in detall -- (1) New wells are being drilled at Cedarville for
testing; (2) The landfill gas study contract is done; (3) DSHS information
from testing not yet received; (4) Liebrant's test results will be ready next
week, to be discussed at December 8 Committee of the Whole; (5) Solid Waste
Management Plan is being reviewed and Dec. 7 it will be discussed at a meeting
in Lynden; Ron Owes spoke about siting update, and asked that the second set
of siting criteria be accepted by the Council.
Jurica letter and Owes progress report on file.
JACKSON MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE SITING CRITERIA.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
OPEN SESSION
Hansey noted that among those in the capacity crowd was a contingent
from Point Roberts. He said they would be given a total-of 15 minutes to
speak and that all Point Roberts speakers should be allowed to speak first.
Claudette Reed -Upton
Point Roberts Voters Assn, Property Owners Assn.
Upton explained that voters assn members are U.S. citizens and
registered voters; property owners are Canadians and U.S. citizens who own
property on the Point. She and others present were concerned about the
proportionately large number of gas stations in place and being applied for on
the Point. She requested a moratorium on gas stations until the new
comprehensive plan for Point Roberts is adopted.
Sylvia Schonberg
Point Roberts (945 -5615)
Entered a petition into the record, with names of people who support
the moratorium.
Martin Keeley
Point Roberts
Said fire chief of Point Roberts unable to come, but had sent a
letter (on file) supporting the moratorium. Chief, and Keeley, feel so many
Minutes, 12/1/88, Page 3
gas stations are a danger, particularly since they line
out of Point Roberts. Said any community with a certain
gas in it is required by law to have a disaster plan in
needs one. Fire department is not specially trained for
related disasters.
Warner gave Keeley a video tape called "undergr
from Jan Leonardo, emergency services director.
the only way in and
number of gallons of
place. Point Roberts
any gas— station
ound storage tanks"
Lola Loreen
260 Tyee Drive
Lives on that busy street, traffic is bad, there are gas fumes,
noise, kids are endangered. Supports moratorium.
Stafford Smith, attorney
P.O. Box 6064, Bellingham
Represents citizens who want the moratorium. it could be in the form
of interim zoning, as provided for in RCW 36.70.790. If the legislative body
of a county finds an urgent reason to keep things at the status quo, the body
can take immediate action without a hearing. Suggested Council enact an
emergency ordinance that calls for a moratorium. During the short time that
the emergency ordinance is in effect, the Council should enact a longer
moratorium.
Chuck Gable
Developer
Urged Council not to restrict Point Roberts too much.
Dan Taylor, Planning Director (asked by Hansey to comment) said the
Planning Commission has not discussed this issue. Taylor said he supports a
moratorium on gas stations.
Warner asked that Bob Carmichael, prosecuting attorney, prepare an
emergency ordinance as soon as possible; it should state the reason for the
emergency, specific duration required for moratorium (until Point Roberts comp
plan is passed.
Carmichael said he would bring an emergency ordinance for adoption
Dec. 15 and a regular ordinance for introduction Dec. 15, adoption Jan. 5.
John Liebrant
Cedarville Road
Called himself a lab rat, made other comments about County's
management of Cedarville. Hansey reminded him that his test results (from
medical exams paid for by County) would be reviewed at the Dec. 8 meeting.
Barbara Brenner
5617 Northwest Road
Asked how high fill in the dump is allowed to go (Warner said he
would get that figure for her). Asked if anyone has contacted Snohomish County
about trucking our waste there (Warner said Jurica included that info in a
report at last meeting, asked that she be sent a copy of his report). Also
Minutes, 12/1/88, Page 4
he didn't know, but he would be stunned if that were true. Brenner said
Council members should have been at Thermal Reduction Company meeting Tuesday.
Jans Jenson
3954 Sand Road
Concerned about Cedarville landfill. Also said Bellingham Mayor Tim
Douglas' comments about not helping the County with Cedarville were
ridiculous.
Open session was closed and there was a brief recess. The meeting reconvened
at 8 :33 p.m.
FINAL CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
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Warner reported that Finance recommended adoption of the ordinance.
WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Warner reported that Finance recommended adoption of the ordinance.
WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Warner reported that Finance recommended adoption of the substitute
ordinance, appropriating a total of $106,500.
WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE.
Motion carried unanimously.
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Burton reported tat Planning and Development recommended approval.
Burton moved that a type on page 1, line 23, be corrected (should
have said "rear" not "read "). Motion carried.
Warner and Burton discussed the pros and cons of the ordinance
extensively. BURTON MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED.
Motlon carried with Warner against it.
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Burton reported that Planning and Development recommended approval.
BURTON MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE ADOPTED.
Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes, 12/1/88, Page 5
OTHER BUSINESS (Consent Items)
Receipt of request for reinstatement of Chester M. Speziale to the Board of
Equalization. His term expires 12 -31 -88
Notification that Louise Greer will not be available for reappointment when
her term expires 12 -31 -88
The above two items were for information only.
Receipt of aRplication for timber open space - Ian D. Davidson
Received by consent and referred to Planning Commission.
INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES (Consent Items)
Resolution establishing county road project No. 99163 and the award of
contract for site improvements In various locations
In conjunction with item 2 under executive items, this resolution was
passed. (Warner moved, Finance recommended approval).
Ordinance to revise the 1988 Northwest Washington Fair Fund Appropriation
(Su9gested referral to Finance)
Ordinance amending the text of the official Whatcom County zoning ordinance
and the interim zoning ordinance to provide a permit revocation procedure for
permits issued by the hearing examiner (suggested referral to Planning and
Development)
Ordinance establishing service fees and setting a fee schedule relating to
ambulance service charges (suggested referral to Finance)
The above three items were introduced by consent and referred to the
appropriate committees.
REPORTS AND OTHER ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Burton noted that he would like to discuss the open space rating
system at the Dec. 8 meeting.
Jackson noted that she had requested information from Brad Bennett of
Public Works, about how much garbage has gone into Cedarville from the city of
Bellingham. Rushing had written to her in response, saying that the Council
must request any information it wants through the Executive or Executive Pro
Tem. Jackson said in the past she has had difficulty getting information from
County departments; she said she would like to get assistance when it's
requested, without needing to carry around freedom of Information forms.
Hansey said this issue should be discussed at the Dec. 8 meeting,
specifically the procedure for the Council to request and obtain information
from staff. (County Code says the Council shall not interfere in
administration, but does not define interference). He asked the Executive's
Minutes, 12/1/88, Page 6
Office (Sutberry was present) to review the policy so in the future there will
be less confusion about this issue.
ATTEST:
The meeting was adjourned at 9 :03 p.m.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, MAS 4N
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Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk D ald 6' sey, Ace-chair