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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole for September 13 1984r COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Minutes -- September 13, 1984 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Vice Chairperson Johnson, with all members present except Cole. CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION - RESOLUTION Hansey presented Draft 2 of the Resolution. HANSEY MOVED TO DISCUSS DRAFT 2 OF THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION RESOLUTION DATED SEPTEMBER 13, 1984. Motion carried. Hansey brought to the Council's attention that the Home Rule Charter provides that at least every 10 years there will be a Charter Review Commission established to review the Charter. Hansey briefed the Council on the current time scale with regard to the 10 year requirement and stated that he felt that there were enough areas of the Charter which needed substantive or technical corrections to warrant the creation of a Charter Review Commission this year. Hansey also spoke regarding the aspect of having the Commission's findings voted on in 1985, when the ballot would not contain State and Federal candidates and issues. Hansey stated that he felt the primary purpose of creating a Charter Review Commission was to have period review of the Charter. Hawley spoke in support of the Resolution. Becker spoke about a proposed amendment to the resolution which would put this resolution off for another year. Becker stated that her reasoning for this would be to allow people the time to think about the commitment they were making to the Commission, as well as for issues to emerge. Hawley spoke in support of having the resolution put off for one year. Roehl also spoke in favor of having it in 1985. Muenscher spoke in support of placing it on a ballot where there was already a County -wide election scheduled, and stated that he felt this shouldn't be rushed, as enough people might not file if it were put on this year's ballot. Robert Frost, 5602 Guide Meridian, spoke in support of a 1985 election date. Hue Beattie, Bellingham, spoke in support of a 1985 election date for the Charter Review Commission. Ron Polander, 1518 Abbott Road, stated that he felt the election would be less political if held in 1984 and that people would have more of an open- mindedness. Committee of the Whole Minutes September 13, 1984 Page 2 George Wilcox, 4146 W. returning to a 3- person County the idea of a County Home Rule Review Commission. PARKS BOND ISSUE Maplewood, spoke in support of Commission, and spoke against Charter, as well as a Charter Johnson presented the draft of the Parks Bond Resolution which Randy Watts, Prosecuting Attorney, had drafted. Johnson stated that Randy Watts had re- worded the Parks Bond Ordinance into Resolution form. Bob Tull, Chairman of the Parks Board, spoke to the issue of whether the Bond Issue should be placed on the ballot in the form of an Ordinance or Resolution. Mr. Tull stated that the issue of form will be resolved before the Council's next regular meeting on September 20th. Bob Tull presented Council members with notebooks containing the 5 -year Capital Improvement Program for the Parks Department. He stated that this was for information only, and he briefly explained the notebook contents. He also handed out a sheet which outlined the existing Park bonds and their rate of maturation. Hawley asked if there was any Federal or State monies avail- able which might help support Park programs and projects, and Mr. Tull answered that the passage of this bond would not cause the Parks Department to relax their pursuit of additional funds through outside sources. Muenscher gave a history of the Parks budget and expressed concern that future County Councils not be burdened with having to "catch up" such as what's happening today. Johnson asked how critical it would be to have the Parks Bond issue on the 1984 ballot. This was followed by discussion regarding turnout required to validate elections, as well as the normal County budget process for future funding. Muenscher stated that the funding will come from the public one way or another: either through Current Expense Funds or bond issues. Hawley spoke in support of placing the Parks bond on the 1984 ballot. Robert Imhoff, 2287 Slater Road, stated that it was too much money to take out the Current Expense Fund. He supports putting it before the voter in 1984. Committee of the Whole Minutes September 13, 1984 Page 3 Robert Frost, 5602 Guide Meridian, questioned how much it would cost to put on the ballot and was told that it would not cost anything for the County to put it on the ballot. Muenscher asked if those Council members who were interested could meet with Roger DeSpain and Bob Tull before the next Council meeting. It was decided that Tuesday from 10 :30 a.m. to 12:00 noon would be scheduled for this purpose. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON C. J. rh n Vice i erson ATTEST: C of Ebergson Clerk of the Cou cil