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Home My WebLink AboutCounty Council July 21 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL July 21, 1988 The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council Chairman Will Roehl. All Council members were present. The minutes of June 30, 1988 special meeting and of the July 7, 1988 regular meeting were approved. EXECUTIVE ITEMS NEW., AEPOINTMENT- AV T ON TO.TH,E DEVELOPMENTA DISABILITIES R C E. -D_OR,QTHY DURAND, WHO V OF A R 0 1 BURTON MOVED TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT. Motion carried. . Van Zanten explained the contract. Although the amount the County will receive from Seattle City Light is less than in the past, Van Zanten said some money will be allocated for the Rural Library System. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval. WARNER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT. Motion carried. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval. WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT ADDITION. Motion carried. This item was received past agenda deadline from the Executive Office. Van Zanten said the study will determine how much gravel needs to be removed from the Nooksack River, and will help secure state money for the project. Warner said the Finance Committee recommended approval. Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 2 WARNER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT FOR A BED LOAD STUDY. Motion carried. The insurance would cover the hull of the Whatcom Chief, and is the same type of insurance now in place, Van Zanten said. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval. WARNER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE TO PURCHASE THE INSURANCE. Motion carried. --i-I liio Johnson reported that the Public Services Committee recommended approval. JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE OF THE APPLICATION. Motion carried. EXEC.UTIVE'S REPQRT Van.Zanten made reports and distributed copies to Council members covering eight different topics, including: a. Modifications to the new computer room have been completed, the computer has been moved from the Auditor's Office. b. Second quarter financial report, the last financial report prior to the one to be presented with the budget in October. (handout) There is a change in projected revenue, $100,000 to $200,000 less than anticipated. Expenses exceed revenues, but some are just one -time expenses. S -al.e ___tax_—r-e_v-e�n_u_e_._j.ssiomn seven percent from figures available at this time last year. She also noted that there is a decline in the County's assessed value this year which raises the rate per thousand assessed on taxpayers. In one more year, as a result of this value decrease and rate increase, the County may hit its levy lid (mandated by the state at $1.80 per $1,000 AV). Therefore the County won't be able to collect as much property tax next year. Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 3 The Veteran's Relief Fund has spent all its money in seven months. The Executive said she does not favor giving them more money because they did not do a good job of monitoring expenses. C. Paul Rushing has appointed Bob Jurica to the position of Solid Waste Manager. No salary change. The Engineering Department is reviewing its staffing needs and proposes to add a union range,18 position. d. Litter control will begin on several County roads as the result of a DOE grant. (handout) e. Recycling report from Cedarville landfill shows people are using the facilities available. (handout) f. Groundwater monitoring at Cedarville; There is nothing new to report at this time. Van Zanten suggested the Council may want to review the report further and have discussion at a later date. (handout) g. Diverting waste from Cedarville: Jurica has found four options, all outlined in handouts. Van Zanten said it would be up to the Council to decide whether to pursue this angle. h. Graveling and oiling County roads: Van Zanten said some projects have been put on hold. The Executive ended her report. HANSEY MOVED TO MOVE THE EAGLERIDGE APPEAL FROM "OTHER BUSINESS" TO THIS POINT IN THE MEETING. Motion carried. EXAMINER' 5. DECISION-O.N Y P.LAT - AP.PLICATIOV 11EAGLEEIDGE11, SUBD V ON BY. WILLI .M C C -QRD -AND, ART H R J C H NQRTH„- S.HO,RE OP RT.-Y - QWNERS. C.QMMI.TTEE BURTON MOVED TO HOLD OFF MAKING A DECISION UNTIL HE HAS HAD A CHANCE FOR FURTHER REVIEW. Motion failed. BURTON MOVED TO UPHOLD THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION. There was discussion. Hansey explained the limits placed upon the Council in considering appeals. Motion carried. Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 4 The meeting was recessed at 7:50 p.m., reconvened at 8 :05. Barbara Brenner 5617 Northwest Road A comment from Don Hansey at the last Health Board meeting offended her; it is a good idea to test the wells at Cedarville; told of plans to visit Olympia, and stay there, until Gov. Gardner stops hospital waste burning at TRC. Tom Majerus 5597 Knight Road Represents Concerned Citizens for Closure of Cedarville dump. Wanted to know about siting criteria for new dump, status. WARNER MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO REFLECT A CHANGE IN THE TITLE OF RESOLUTION, AND THE AMOUNT OF PROPOSED TAX RATE. There was some discussion. Motion carried. WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION, SUBJECT TO REVIEW OF BALLOT TITLE TO ENSURE IT MEETS LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. There`was some discussion. Motion carried. This ordinance would increase the Sheriff's Department budget by $23,803 (noted in the substitute ordinance) for additional salaries and benefits to be paid to deputies under a three -year contract. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended adoption. WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 5 This ordinance would add $70,500 to the Combined Treatment Services budget to pay the salary of an alcohol -drug evaluator and for other items. Money was provided by the state. Warner-reported that the Finance Committee recommended adoption. WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. Motion carried unanimously. Under this ordinance, $15,000 would be appropriated to the Park and Recreation Fund to pay for a comprehensive plan of parks in the County. The plan will help the County be eligible for grant money. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended adoption. WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. Motion carried unanimously. 0*1010110-us EP There was no recommendation from the Planning and Development Committee. Warner said he drafted this resolution so the Council could escape any future problems that may arise in the siting of a landfill. The resolution would mean the Council would stay out of the siting business, because Paul Rushing said other counties have had trouble with thie appearance of fairness if the site is appealed to the Council. Johnson said the resolution was insulting, implying that the Council is incapable of being objective. Jackson said she agreed. WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. Motion failed. Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 6 Johnson was excused from the meeting at this point due to personal business. ORD.INAN.CE-..A.MERDINQ B R V M WHATCQM .0 IAL,. ZONE MAP. M N RESERVE N ,4 S C R E P C V INDIISTUAL-URK., T This ordinance would grant a request by the Bynon family to change zoning of their property from residential to industrial. The parcel fronts East Bakerview and Irongate Roads. It was not zoned industrial in the past due to the County's oversight. Jackson reported that the Planning and Development Committee recommended adoption. There was some discussion. Hansey requested that in the future, staff alert the Council if someone wants a rezone that should logically have occurred when the comprehensive plan was developed, to avoid charging private citizens for a County mistake. JACKSON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. Motion carried. MEN Planning Director Dan Taylor explained that the ordinance would allow lots platted after 1959 to be used as building sites, even if the lot is not at the minimum size required now. However, the building must be able to fit completely on the property and the land must perk. Jackson reported that the Planning and Development Committee recommended adoption of this ordinance. JACKSON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. Motion carried unanimously. QJHER $US.INESS • Wang Vanderpol reported that the Public Services Committee did Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 7 not make a recommendation in this instance because Alex Brown of Nooksack also had applied for this position. WARNER MOVED TO APPOINT DALE CLINE TO THE POSITION. Motion carried. • •� • • ,�i • • • I • Rga.gmmgnded „for -approval Recommended .for_.d.enia.l Joseph Rozitski Walden Haines Jerry Huisman Robert and Sandra Koivisto Dale and Alice Lee This item was held over, no action taken. P TH M N 0 LEUL: rIL I� �,RA .CSI H.IS.E. ON L.UMMI .I.SI AND . _F.ILEQ B.Y..�E_LECOMM ASSOCIATES . _ The petition was accepted by consent and referred to the Public Works Department. "11 "i / l W"U�.R!.l�AR 3S!_ i i!!L•�l�J!- �.�i!_�11i�1.14_� h-M-4-01mmme Mum- I I I '• • A substitute resolution was distributed with minor wording changes. Prosecuting Attorney Randy Watts explained the resolution. Jackson said she does not like this resolution and that she would vote against it. Warner reported that the Finance Committee had recommended approval. WARNER MOVED APPROVAL OF THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION. Motion carried. The land being purchased is a parking lot the County has been using but which it hasn't owned. Warner said the Finance Committee recommended approval of a substitute resolution. Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 8 WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION. Motion carried. Warner reported the Finance Committee recommended approval of the substitute resolution. WARNER MOVED APPROVAL. Motion carried. U T S UI 0 Y .ON 0 Received by consent. Hearing to be scheduled. Referred to Finance Committee. ORD,INAN.QE, Q V 8 V NT AB N A.PP.ROPR.LATI.ON Received after agenda deadline from the Executive's Office. Referred to Finance Committee. • 1 l • Resolution was distributed at Council meeting by Executive, had been drafted 7/20/88. She said the Council could receive, introduce and act on the resolution that evening. WARNER MOVED TO AUTHORIZED THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO THE CONTRACT. Motion carried. Solid Waste: Emily Jackson submitted a letter to Council members from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, asking that their role be clarified. Van Zanten was asked to comment, but said she had not been given time to study the document, since it had been distributed at the Council meeting. There was further discussion, then Council decided to refer the issue to the Planning and Development Committee. Minutes, 7/21/88 Page 9 Insurance Pool: Van Zanten suggested the Council place discussion of the insurance pool on the next agenda. Warner said the Finance Committee would review it in the next meeting, and asked Van Zanten to be there to report. Hansey stated that his comments at the Health Board meeting, referred to by Barbara Brenner in open session, may have been misrepresented. Otto Walberg: Jackson suggested the Council send a token of sympathy to the family of Walberg, a Skagit County Commissioner who died earlier in the week. Roehl directed staff to send flowers. Department Reports: Vanderpol said he would like departments to be given 10 minutes at each meeting to update the Council on new things. Hansey said Committee of the Whole might be more appropriate. Roehl said he would give the matter further consideration. Whatcom Walkers: Jackson said she and 15 other County employees would be in a walk -a -thon for charity that coming weekend. Encouraged people to attend. Flags: It was reported that Roehl authorized a press release to be distributed, asking that anyone interested in purchasing a County flag contact the Council Office. Price will be determined by the number ordered from Puget Sound Tent and Awning. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. ATTEST: ei Ite, pe_'C"C� RAMONA REEVES CLERK OF THE COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON WILLIAM P. ROEHL, AIRMAN