HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council June 30 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
June 30, 1988
The meeting was called to order by Council Vice Chairman Don
Hansey at 7 p.m. with Jackson, Johnson, Vanderpol and Warner
present. Burton and Roehl were absent.
DISCUSSION OF.PROPOSED_LEVY FOR WHAICQM COUNTY. PARKS
Purpose: To review changes made to the levy proposal since
June 9. Roger DeSpain, Park Department Director, said the Park
Board was able to trim about $100,000 from the original proposal,
as shown in a document he distributed to Council members.
The total levy needed would be $2,698,033. DeSpain said any
items included in the proposal that Council members could not
support could be removed.
Others spoke in support of various portions of the proposal:
Glen Hallman, Whatcom County Council on Aging; Bob Tull, chairman
of the Park and Recreation Board; Rob Bennett, Senior Services
Administration; and Park Board members David Martin and Leslie
Clark.
Council members Johnson, Jackson and Vanderpol expressed
concern over spending large sums of money to remodel and update
the Everson and Lynden Senior Activity Centers because: The
county does not own the buildings; there is inadequate parking in
Lynden; and there is not much room for expansion at either
facility. They suggested possibly constructing a community
center located between the two cities. DeSpain, Clark and Tull
said if the Council could provide money for a parks
comprehensive plan, such a proposal could be addressed.
Warner suggested money for the comprehensive plan could be
included in the levy proposal, and used to reimburse the County
if it appropriates funds for a study this summer. Rather than
placing any staff positions on the levy, Warner also suggested
the Park Board bring staffing requests before the Executive and
the Council for possible inclusion in the budget through regular
channels.
After further discussion about senior centers, Vanderpol
said the Council could let seniors in Everson and Lynden know
that improvements to their centers will be made if they remain in
their present locations, but that the money may be used for a new
center if deemed appropriate.
Council Minutes, 6/30/88
Page 2
JOHNSON MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL GO ON RECORD AS BEING IN
SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED PARK LEVY, WITH MODIFICATIONS, AND THAT
IT WILL ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO PLACE IT ON THE PRIMARY ELECTION
BALLOT.
The motion carried unanimously.
Hansey directed the Administration to prepare a resolution
to place the issue on the ballot for the Council's consideration.
The resolution must be given to the Whatcom County Auditor's
Office by August 5 to be placed on the September 20 ballot.
RESOLUTIQN D C LARINQ THE-INTENTION OF WHATCOM COUNTI TO WITHDRA
FROM MEMBERSHIP IN TH HA CO C UN - EL GH M PUIDLIC.HEALTH
DISTRICT
WARNER MOVED THE RESOLUTION BE ADOPTED.
The motion was discussed as follows:
Warner explained that adopting this resolution would not
obligate the County to withdraw, but would allow serious
consideration of the matter.
Johnson asked if a vote could be postponed until July 7,
when Councilman Burton, who is on the Health Board, would be
present. He also asked if small cities had been contacted for
comment on the proposed change.
In order to withdraw in 1989, Hansey said the resolution
needed to be passed immediately. State law requires that the
Health District be notified of the possibility six months prior
to the end of the fiscal year.
Warner said small cities had been notified of the possible
change but had not responded.
Jackson asked if the change would be cost - prohibitive.
Warner said if the change from district to department is too
costly, it is likely the County will not change it.
A member of the audience was permitted to speak to the
issue:
Jack Heenan
3528 Northwest Avenue
"If it works, don't fix it," he said; a county department
may not allow for as much public scrutiny of proceedings; it
would be a shame to lose the expertise provided by board members
who represent Bellingham and other areas outside County
government.
The motion carried, with Jackson in opposition.
Council Minutes, 6/30/88
Page 3
OTHER BUSINESS
Hansey reported that the Interlocal Agreement between
Whatcom County and Bellingham regarding a new juvenile detention
center had been signed June 22 by city officials and returned to
the County Council office June 30. Substantive changes had been
made to the agreement, he said.
Staff was directed to set up a Joint City- County Capital
Projects Committee meeting at 3 p.m. July 6 to discuss the
matter.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL,
ATTEST:
Ramona Reeves
Clerk of the Council