Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council October 2 1986WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Thursday, October 2, 1986 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Hansey with Hawley, Johnson, Roehl and Warner present. The minutes of September 18, 1986 were approved. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS R.S.V.P. REPORT Ruth Eklund, Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, gave the Council a report on the program's services, budget, and special projects. RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING OCTOBER 5 THROUGH 11, 1986, AS 114 -H WEEK" IN WHATCOM COUNTY Chairman Hansey read a resolution proclaiming October 5 through 11, 1986 114 -H Week" in Whatcom County. He presented the resolution to Kara Panek, a member of the Whatcom County 4 -H ambassador group, and she gave a brief talk on the benefits of participation in 4 -H. Tom Sutberry explained the bid award. Roehl reported that the Finance Committee recommended awarding the bid. ROEHL MOVED TO APPROVE THE BID AWARD. The motion carried. Roehl reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval of the overlimit transfers. ROEHL MOVED TO APPROVE THE OVERLIMIT TRANSFERS. The motion carried. Y Tom Sutberry explained the bid award. Roehl reported that the Finance Committee recommended awarding the bid. ROEHL MOVED TO APPROVE THE BID AWARD. The motion carried. Roehl reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval of the overlimit transfers. ROEHL MOVED TO APPROVE THE OVERLIMIT TRANSFERS. The motion carried. Council /October 2, 1986 Page 2 HEARINGS IN THE MATTER OF A REQUEST FOR THE EXTENTION OF STORE ROAD, FILED BY RICHARD LANGABEER, ET AL The public hearing on this subject was continued from the meeting of September 18, 1986. Richard Langabeer spoke for the petition, noting that of the 11 property owners affected, all were in favor of the request. Hansey stated that letters from Marlene and William Connelly, Charles and Rae Bartlett, George Setzer, and Madge Blackburn, all affected property owners in favor of the petition, would be added to the record. There was no further testimony and the hearing was closed. Johnson stated that two members of the Planning and Development Committee had looked at the site, and recommended approval of the request. JOHNSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE PETITION FOR THE COUNTY TO ACCEPT THE ADDITIONAL 660 FEET OF STORR ROAD, TO BE MAINTAINED UNDER EXISTING STANDARDS. The motion carried. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY CRATES Warner discussed his proposed ordinance, and the factors involved in determining its provisions. Roehl explained that two alternative ordinances had recently been drafted and could also be commented upon by the public. Hansey opened the public hearing. Citizen comments are summarized below. N.T. Ted Cooper Lummi Island Property values go down when fares raised, therefore County revenue from ferry rates is offset by declIling revenue from property taxes. Council /October 2, 1986 Page 3 Bud Jewell Lummi Island Complimented County Engineering Department on its work during substitute ferry breakdowns; presented to the Council a proposal, similar to the Council's "Alternate All Ordinnce, from the Lummi Island Ferry Rate Committee; reviewed differences and similarities between the two proposals. Duncan McClave Lummi Island Criticized several aspects of substitute ferry "Rimfire's" operation. Paul Davis Lummi Island All -cash fares would create problems, delays for ferry crew who have to make change; multiride cards costing less than cash need to be available to lessen inconvenience of all riders paying cash. Steve Snyder Lummi Island 90 -day limit on punchcards would create hardship for residents with seasonal businesses. Jim Easton Lummi Island 90 -day limit on punchcards would be unfair to out -of -town residents who own property on Lummi Island; property taxes on the Island high compared to other areas. Tom Doyle Lummi Island Lummi Island differs from rest of County in that it does not benefit from state and federal roads; even the lowest rate increase proposed still represents massive increase in cost for residents. Chris Bettis Lummi Island Commuters are "regular customers" of ferry and entitled to price break. Council /October 2, 1986 Page 4 Jean Adams Lummi Island Protested proposal that punchcards expire after 90 days. Phil Stouffer Lummi Island School children should be able to ride ferry free 7 days a week during school year; need access to special activities on weekends. Ann Jewell Lummi Island Believes ferry system is badly managed. Jim Dickinson Lummi Island Presented statistics in support of his contention that young families can no longer afford to live on Island. Kathy Bettis Lummi Island Protested proposal that schoolchildren be charged to ride ferry during school week. Pauline Hanson Lummi Island Ferry fares impact sociological construction of Island community; ferry is available for use by all County residents as are all County roads; transportation expenses make it difficult for residents to continue to live on the Island. There was no further testimony and the public hearing was closed. Roehl announced that Finance Committee would work on a final draft of the ferry rate ordinance, which would then be brought before the Council for action. The meeting Was recessed at 9:15 p.m., and reconvened at 9:25 p.m. Council /October 2, 1986 Page 5 WARNER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried on a vote of 4 -0, with Hawley absent. R.oehl reported that the Finance Committee recommended adoption of the ordinance. ROEHL MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE. Hawley returned to the meeting. JOHNSON MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO STRIKE THE WORD "TARGET" FROM LINE 19 OF THE ORDINANCE. The motion to amend carried. The motion to adopt the ordinance as amended carried unanimously. WARNER MOVED TO UPHOLD THE HEARING EXAMINER'S DECISION. There was discussion on the motion. The motion carried. '�i �\ i1._� i�'� � 1. ► :1 'i� .i;M �i As; � � 1 Hansey reported that the Whatcom Transportation Authority's final report on their feasibility study on self- insurance would be available in approximately a month, and a report on a similar study in Kitsap County would be available within the next few days. He recommended delaying a decision on Whatcom County's program until the Council had reviewed these reports. Council /October 2, 1986 Page 6 Roehl brought to the attention of the Council a letter from Brian Griffin, the County's insurance broker, concerning an opportunity to purchase liability insurance. No action was taken. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY, /COUNC�NGTON IdHATCOM COUNT 7P .7SH d G. [-* :§ -6/y , IC h a i r ATTEST: i� Carol Ebergson Clerk of the C uncil