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Home My WebLink AboutCounty Council March 5 1987WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL March 5, 1987 The meeting was called to order by Council Chair Burton at 7 :30 p.m. with Johnson, Muenscher, and Warner present. Hawley and Roehl arrived shortly thereafter. AEPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of February 19, 1987 were approved. EXECUTIVE ITEMS BID AWARD FOR COMPUTING EQUIPMENT. IBM SYSTEM 96 UPGRADE TO THE ONLY BIDDER, IBM CORPORATIONj IN THE AMOUNT OE $19,674, INCLUDING CREDIT FOR EXISTING MEMORY AND SALES TAX Executive Van Zanten explained the proposed bid award. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval of the bid. WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE BID AWARD. There was discussion on the motion. The motion carried. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A LABOR AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES OF NOR -BELL NURSING HOME Van Zanten reviewed the main changes in the agreement. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval of the agreement. WARNER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO THE AGREEMENT. The motion carried. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE INSURANCE Van Zanten reported that she had been able to purchase a property insurance policy, as well as stand -alone coverage for Nor -Bell, but that the County's insurance broker was still looking for false arrest and errors and omissions policies. March 5, 1987 Page 2 COFFEE SHOP Van Zanten explained that the questionnaire concerning the Courthouse coffee shop had been circulated in order to determine patrons' attitudes regarding alternate types of service, in the event that the current vendor elected not to extend her contract. Van Zanten distributed the Annual Report of the Personnel Department, and her report on an analysis of intra - Courthouse services. OPEN SESSION Tim Baker 916 E. Maple Bellingham Discussed problem of Central American refugees stranded at border due to new Canadian immigration regulations; asked County to investigate the issue and establish means to deal with it, or request assistance from federal government or national or inter- national agencies. Roger Almskaar 214 N. Commercial Urged Council to pass Title 20 amendments with regulations concerning off - premise advertising signs intact. PRESENTATION Priscilla Sabin of the Visitors and Convention Bureau, and Lani Calkins, representing Region IV, explained Region IV's tourism promotion and marketing efforts as they related to Whatcom County. They requested that Whatcom County contribute to the Region up to $5,000 a year, from the Convention Center Fund, for a two -year trial period in order to match funds provided by the state. The request for funds was referred to the Finance Committee. March 5, 1987 Page 3 HEARINGS ORDINANCE REGARDING THE LEGAL ESTABLISHMENT OF EXISTING STOP SIGNS ON COUNTY ROADS The public hearing on the ordinance was opened; there was no testimony and the hearing was closed. Johnson reported that the Public Services Committee recommended adoption of the ordinance. JOHNSON MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 8.12 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AT WHATCOM COUNTY SOLID WASTE SITES The public hearing on the ordinance was opened; there was no testimony and the hearing was closed. Bob Jurica of the Engineering Department explained the ordinance. Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended its adoption. WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. There was discussion on the motion. The motion carried 5 -1 (Hawley). ORDINANCE IMPOSING A P COMPANIES, OR CORPORAT OF REFUSE AND GARBAGE, BUSINESSES DISPOSING 0 AT PRIVATELY -OWNED INC ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBL NSS- THROUGH FEE UPON PERSO IONS ENGAGED IN THE COLLEC OR CONTRACTORS, CITIZENS, FREFUSE OR GARBAGE WITHIN INERATORS OR PRIVATELY -OWN IC N OR PERSONS, 'ION AND DISPOSAL OR OTHER WHATCOM COUNTY ED LANDFILL SITES The public hearing on the ordinance was opened; there was no testimony and the hearing was closed. Warner reported that the ordinance had been held in the Finance Committee. The meeting recessed at 8:15 p.m., and reconvened at 8:55 p.m. March 5, 1987 Page 4 NA"ONSIDERAT_ION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 20, THE OFFICIAL WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE. Muenscher reported that the Planning and Development Committee recommended that the ordinance be adopted with the exception of amendments relating to three issues. MUENSCHER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 20 WITH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REJECTED AND DELETED FROM EXHIBIT A: (1) SUBSECTIONS 20.32.251 AND .252 REGARDING DENSITY IN THE RR ZONE; (2) SUBSECTIONS 20.20.104, 20.22.104, 20.32.104, 20.34.104, 20.36.104, AND 20.40.110 REGARDING THE USE OF TEMPORARY SHELTERS DURING CONSTRUCTION IN THE UR, URM, RR, RR -I, R AND AG ZONES; AND (3) 20.80.250(3) REGARDING SIZE AND HEIGHT OF OFF- PREMISE ADVERTISING SIGNS; AND FURTHERMORE THAT THE COUNCIL SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON APRIL 2, 1987, TO CONSIDER THOSE THREE ITEMS. Warner explained his reservations about the amendment concerning the size and height of off - premise advertising signs, which had led to the recommendation to delete that amendment from Exhibit A and hold a public hearing on it and the other two issues in order to consider changes. HAWLEY MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION BY DELETING ITEM NUMBER THREE FROM THE MOTION. There was discussion on the motion to amend. The motion to amend carried. The main motion then stood as follows: MUENSCHER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 20 WITH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS REJECTED AND DELETED FROM EXHIBIT A: (1) SUBSECTIONS 20.32.251 AND .252 REGARDING DENSITY IN THE RR ZONE; AND (2) SUBSECTIONS 20.20.104, 20.22.104, 20.32.104, 20.34.104, 20.36.104 AND 20.40.110 REGARDING THE USE OF TEMPORARY SHELTERS DURING CONSTRUCTION IN THE UR, URM, RR, RR -I, R AND AG ZONES; AND FURTHERMORE THAT THE COUNCIL SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON APRIL 2, 1987, TO CONSIDER THOSE TWO ITEMS. The main motion as amended carried unanimously. March 5, 1987 Page 5 ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 20. THE OFFICIAL _WHATCOM COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE. TEXT TO RESOLVE CERTAIN PROBLEMS OF ADMINISTRATION AND PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL USES IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS Muenscher reported that the Planning and Development Committee recommended adoption of the ordinance. MUENSCHER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE TO R,E,VISE THE 1987 PHYSICAL PLANT AND CAPITAL FACILITIES FUND BUDGET AND AMENDING ORDINANCE 86 -89 Warner explained the ordinance and reported that the Finance Committee recommended its adoption. WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING OPEN SPACE APPLICATIONS FROM EHLE, ANDERSON AND PIKE (TIMBERLAND) AND HOLLEMAN AND HOY (0_ PEN SPACE„) Muenscher reported that the Planning and Development committee recommended approval of the Ehle, Pike, and Hoy applications. He said that Anderson and Holleman had withdrawn their applications. MUENSCHER MOVED TO APPROVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE EHLE, PIKE AND HOY OPEN SPACE APPLICATIONS. The motion carried. ETITION FOR FRANCHISE FROM PT. ROBERT WATER DISTRICT 4 The petition was received by consent, to be scheduled for a hearing and referred to the Public Services Committee. REQUEST FOR VACATION QF LOT LINE BETWEEN LOTS 30 AND DIVISION 13, PLAT OF SUDDEN VALLEY, FILED BY MR. AND MRS. DONALD BAILEY The request was received by consent, to be scheduled for a hearing and referred to the Planning and Development Committee. March 5, 1987 Page 6 ERRORS AND OMISSIONS COVERAGE This item was added to the agenda at Muenscher's request. He stated that boards and commissions, as well as County employees, who were in the past covered by the County's errors and omissions insurance, needed assurance that they would still be covered by the County's self - insurance program. The issue was referred to the Finance Committee. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES RESOLUTION CALLING FOR BID PROPOSALS TO BE SUBMITTED BY A QUALIFIED LEGAL NEWSPAPER TO SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL COUNTY NEWSPAPER FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY is 1987 THROUGH JUNE 30, 1988 Warner reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval of the resolution. WARNER MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried. ORDINANCE REGARDING THE MATTER OF PLACING SWOP AND YIELD SIGNS ON.* VARIOUS COUNTY ROADS, The ordinance was introduced by consent, to be scheduled for a hearing and referred to the Public Services Committee. ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1987 PARKS AND RECREATION FUND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1987 FEDERAL SHARED REVENUE FUND AND CENTRAL SERVICES FUND APPROPRIATIONS ORDINANCE TO ELIMINATE A REVOLVING FUND FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT The above three ordinances were introduced by consent and referred to the Finance Committee. A Committee of the Whole meeting was scheduled for March 10, 1987. The meeting was adjourned into executive session, in order to discuss possible property acquisition, at 9:35 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m. ATTEST. J Carol Ebergson Clerk of the Council WHATCOM COUNTY .COUNCIL WHATCOM COUN WASHINGTON Tom Burton, Chair