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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council for March 4 1982WHATCOM COUNTY COUNC1 Minutes March 4, 1982 The County Council meeting of March 4, 1982 was called to order by Chairman Roehl at 7:30 p.m. with all members present. The minutes of the February 18, 1982 meeting were approved with the following corrections: To be added to the last sentence of paragraph 2 under Hearings: "All motions carried unanimously." To be added to the final sentence of the final paragraph under Hearings: "All motions carried unanimously ". OPEN SESSION Chairman Roehl opened the meeting with Open Session. No one spoke. EXECUTIVE ITEMS The Bid Award for the design of the Northwest Washington Fair Exhibit Building was before the Council for consideration. Executive Louws recommended approval of the bid from Victor Trodella, architect, in the amount of $24,850.00. Van Zanten presented the Finance Committee's recommendation of "do pass" and moved to authorize the Executive to award the bid as presented. No discussion. Motion carried unanimously. HEARINGS The Council discussed the matter of the vacation of a portion of Telegraph Hill Road. Chairman Roehl stated that, as the County had failed to post the property as is required, the Hearing will have to be re- advertised and the property posted. FINAL CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Van Zanten moved for final passage of the Ordinance authorizing a revised budget for -the County Alcoholism Fund of 1982. Van Zanten presented the Finance Committee's recommendation of "do pass ". She explained that when the 1982 budget was adopted, the State had not finalized their funding for the Alcoholism Fund or the Develop- mental Disabilities Fund. No further discussion. Motion carried unanimously. The next matter on the Agenda was the ordinance authorizing a revised budget for the Central Services Fund of 1982. Van Zanten v Whatcom County I uncil Minutes March 4, 1982 page two moved for final passage. She presented the Finance Committee's unanimous.recommendation of "do pass" and explained that the Central Services Fund is monies to be used for the installation of data processing services in the Auditor's Office. The funds have been carried over from 1981 but must be re- budgeted. No further discus- sion. Motion carried unanimously. The third ordinance under discussion authorized a revised bud- get for the Juvenile Court /Probation portion of the 1982 Current Expense Fund. Van Zanten moved for final passage. She presented the Finance Committee's recommendation of "do pass ". She explained that these are additional funds from the State which are specified for a State Community Corrections Evaluation, a state -wide program evaluating the system of juvenile educational units. No further discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Van Zanten moved for final passage the Ordinance authorizing a revised budget for the 1982 Developmental Disabilities Fund. She presented the Finance Committee's unanimous recommendation of "do pass ". This budget more accurately reflects actual 1982 funding, as explained above. No further discussion. Motion passed unanimously. Van Zanten moved for final passage the Ordinance authorizing a revised budget for the Federal Shared Revenue Fund for 1982 as relating to the Cherry Point Water -Sewer Study. She presented the Finance Committee's recommendation for "do pass ". The funds were authorized by the Council in 1981 but must be re- budgeted for 1982. The Public Works Department told the Finance Committee that they expect the report on this Study to come before the Council at the end of March. No further discussion. Motion carried unanimously. Van Zanten moved for final passage the Ordinance establishing a supplemental budget to the Building & Codes Administration 1982 Budget to provide- for'the services of a County Fire Marshal. Van Zanten reminded the Council that the 1982 Budget provided for only three months Fire Marshal service on contract from the City. At that time it was the consensus of the Council to have the Adminis- tration investigate an alternate method of providing Fire Marshal service. This Ordinance is the first in a series of steps in answer to that request. An amendment to the Exempt Salary Resolution will Whatcom County Cc cil Minutes March 4, 1982 page three also be necessary. The Ordinance provides for one position, com- prised of three - quarter time Fire marshal and one - quarter time Chief Public Services Inspector. It is felt that this position would promote efficiency in the building inspection process. Johnson expressed concern that such a position would even- tually necessitate additional bookkeeping and other services. Rushing stated that such would not be the case. He further commented on arson certification and the compatibility of the Building, Electrical and Fire Codes. Rushing also commented on salary and the budget. Van Zanten introduced a technical amendment to line 26, p. 1 under Revenue to read as follows: 391 501 Beginning Fund Balance Ending Fund Balance ($29,556) She moved that the Ordinance be so amended. Motion passed unanimously. Motion for final passage of the Ordinance as amended also passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Chairman Roehl explained to the Council that he had cancelled the scheduled Public Meeting in regard to the Lake Whatcom Subarea Comprehensive Land Use Plan on the recommendation of the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Options open to the Council are to adopt the Plan as it stands, or to return it to the Planning Commission with changes, after which a Public Hearing would be called if substan- tive changes were made. Hansey and Cole expressed concern that the Prosecuting Attorney's Office has limited public input although various matters of importance have not yet been addressed. Chairman Roehl suggested that a Committee of the Whole meeting be held at which Council Members could discuss general areas of change. Van Zanten suggested that Council Members study written testimony on file in the Clerk's office in order to ascertain which areas need further discussion. Cole moved that a Public Hearing on citizens' proposed modi- fications to the Planning Commission's proposed Lake Whatcom Comprehensive Plan be held on March 30, 1982 at 7:30 p.m.; that written comments be requested from the public on matters of concern in advance of the meeting; and that testimony be limited by the q Whatcom County Council Minutes of 3/4/82 page four Chair, giving first preference in scheduling to those who have sub- mitted prior written testimony. Hawley moved to change the proposed motion to read March 29, 1982. Motion carried. Muenscher expressed concern that the Council had already asked for adequate public input and that, the proper procedures having been followed, the next step is for the Council to review the Plan and send it back to the Planning Commission. Van Zanten agreed and stated that to return it to the public is, in a sense, abdicating responsibility. Motion was voted on and carried by a vote of 4 -3. The next item discussed by the Council was the Delta Cable Tele- vision issue. Chairman Roehl reviewed the action of the 2/18 Council meeting in establishing a Rate Review Board. He has since discovered, in reading the Franchise Ordinance Section 24, that such a Board may only be formed during the second quarter of even - numbered years. Van Zanten moved that the Council authorize Chairman Roehl to send a letter advising that payment in U.S. funds does constitute a rate increase; that such an increase will not be allowed until the matter comes before a Rate Review Board; and that the present prema- turely formed Rate Review Board will be dissolved. Motion carried. The next matter on the Agenda was the Hearing Examiner recom- mendations regarding Preliminary Plat approval of the Alm Road Subdivision. Hansey moved the matter be referred to the Planning and Development Committee. Motion carried. The Council then considered a request for a time extension for Major Development Permit 1 -76, a 45 -unit Town House Condominium near Maple Falls. Hansey moved to refer.the request to the Planning and Development Committee. Motion carried. Chairman Roehl brought the matter of House Bill 1188 before the Council. The Bill would straighten boundaries between the.40th and the 42nd Precincts. Johnson moved to allow Roehl to send a letter expressing to the State Legislature the Council's support of HB 1188. Motion carried. INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES Van Zanten moved to add the Ordinance for a revised budget for the Rural Library to the Agenda. Motion carried. Van Zanten introduced the Resolution repealing Resolution Whatcom County C( lcil Minutes March 4, 1982 page five 82 -9 in the matter of cancellation of uncollectable personal pro- perty taxes more than six years delinquent. She explained that the Resolution had an incorrect attachment and that the following Resolution on the Agenda is the corrected form. Van Zanten moved for final passage. Motion carried unanimously. Van Zanten introduced and moved for passage the Resolution in the matter of cancellation of uncollectable personal property taxes more than six years delinquent. Van Zanten presented the Finance Committee's recommendation of "do pass ". Potion carried unanimously. Van Zanten introduced the Resolution declaring an emergency to the County Road System. She presented the Finance Committee's recommendation of "do pass as amended," the amendment being to line 17 of the Resolution to read as follows: "...emergency, and until June 1, 1982, waives..." She so moved to amend the Resolution. Motion carried by a vote of 5 -2. Johnson presented the Law & Justice Committee's consensus of "no recommendation ", explaining that some members felt the Resolu- tion to be unnecessary. Van Zanten moved for final passage of the Resolution as amended. Motion carried. Hansey introduced and moved that the Resolution approving the annexation of certain properties into the City of Blaine be referred to the Planning and Development Committee. Motion carried. Van Zanten introduced and moved for referral to the Finance Committee the Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 79 -30 establishing procedures for the sale or refunding of bonds. Motion carried. Johnson introduced and moved for referral to the Law and Justice Committee the Ordinance reducing the maximum speed limit upon all county roads to thirty -five miles per hour. Rushing, Public Works Director, recommended that the Ordinance be discussed before setting a date for a Public Hearing. The motion to refer the Ordinance to the Law and Justice Committee with the request that the Public Hearing not be set until a report from that Committee is brought before the Council was carried. Cole introduced and moved for referral to the Public Services Whatcom County C. lcil Minutes March 4. 1982 page six Committee the Ordinance amending the Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.04 so as to establish the County Fire Marshal as a division of the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Building & Codes Adminis- tration, and repealing all county ordinances and resolutions incon- sistent herewith. Motion carried. Van Zanten introduced and moved for referral to the Finance Committee the Ordinance authorizing a revised budget for the County Assessor's Budget of 1982. Motion carried. Van Zanten introduced and moved for referral to the Finance Committee the Ordinance authorizing a revised budget for the Whatcom County Rural Library for the fiscal year of 1982. Motion carried. REPORT OF COMMITTEES Van Zanten reported that the Finance Committee will be re- viewing the State Auditor's Report, and that the next scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee will be Wednesday, March 17, at 4:30 p.m. Hansey reported that the Planning & Development Committee met with the City Planning & Development Committee on March 1, 1982 and that the two Committees will meet the first Monday of each month at 7:30 a.m. until further notice. Meeting adjourned 9:40 p.m.