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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council for June 4 1981WHATCOAT COUNTY COUNCIL, Minutes June 4, 1981 The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. with Van Zanten, R.oehl, Hawley, Muenscher, Johnson, Hansey present for roll. McIntyre arrived at 8:30 p.m. The minutes were approved with the correction on page four to insert after the first paragraph "Motion passed unanimously." Hearin; was declared open on the Activation of the Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board. A petition had been received May 7 for the activation of the Board. Ray Fann, Cattlemen's Association, member of the Chamber of Commerce, and farmer was concerned primarily with the control of the Tansy Ragwort Weed. He stated the livestock industry in this state totals $94,000,000.for 1980. Fann presented the Council with a specimen of the weed. He stated the Cattlemen's Association is active in an educational program for the control of weeds. Bill Quehrn read correspondence from Jack Stromberg, Chairman of Agriculture Committee for Chamber of Commerce, into the record. Don Tapio, Weed Control Coordinator for the State from Olympia, suggested funding for the costs that would be incurred with the activation of the Board. He stated funding can be provided through assessments to property owners and can also be taken out of the general fund. He stated the Thurston County Board costs $150,000. to run, which is $3.00 per parcel, 100 per acre. The Yakima County Board costs are $53,000. $1.20 per parcel, 1/10 of 10 per acre. The costs will vary on how active the Board will be and what they will handle. He :Mated the Board uses chemicals recommended by the University of Washington. Plost Boards hire a ,Veed Control Supervisor. See attachment I for other concerned citizens that gave testimony to this matter. Hearing was closed for verbal testimony. Written testimony may be received until 5:00 p.m., June 18, 1981, the next Council meeting. A work session will then be set up for the Council. Hearing was declared open on the Ordinance in the matter of a franchise for Satellite Scanners, Inc. to install, operate and maintain cable T.V. along certain roads in the Point Roberts area. This ordinance was introduced at the May 21, 1981 meeting of the Council. Kim Lord, President of Minutes June 4, 1981 page two Satellite Scanners, Inc. spoke for the ordinance. He stated Satellite Scanners, Inc. was doing this at the request of the public of Point Roberts. Lord presented a petition signed by 185 :residents of Point Roberts who endorsed the adoption of this franchise. He also presented correspondence from Gordon D. Nielson who endorsed this franchise. He had received correspondence from the Department of Public Works :address rig the necessity of another franchise in the area. In Section 22 it should be stated that 40 of the gross revenue from the franchise shall be paid to the County for the operation of Satellite Scanners, Inc. John Thomas, Vice - President of Delta Cablevision submitted correspondence to the Council along with a telephone survey that had been done with the subscribers of Delta Cablevision. Thomas directed several questions toward Lord about the financial aspect of this Cablevision Program. Lord stated Satellite Scanners, Inc. has a 2 million budgeted for this project. Thomas stated Delta charges a rate of $7.50 at present. Ruby White of Point Roberts stated she would like to have the cable services that other Americans have with Satellite Communications. Clayton Laud, Point Roberts said he would like the Satellite System capability. He stated Canadian commercials are put on American channels though Delta. Lord stated that if the franchise is granted the Point Roberts residents will be surveyed for what channels they would like to receive. Robert Frost spoke in favor of the ordinance. Hearing was closed. Johnson moved to hold this ordinance for two more weeks to have the Ad hoc Committee review it further. It will be back onthe agenda for June 18, 1981. Motion passed unanimously. Hearing was declared open on the Ordinance to establish the speed limit on Lattimore Road. This ordinance would reduce the speed limit from 35 MPH to 25 MPH. No° testimony 'was "•given-•and':the heating was closed. Johnson ' stated the Public Safety recommended ."do. pass -Johnson so. moved for the adoption of the ordinance. Motion passed unanimously. Hearing was open on the Petition to alter Lots 27, 28, and 29 in the Lake Home Addition to Bellingham, filed by Sean Gallagher. Florence Nelson, a neighbor.of Gallagher's, requested clarification of what he was proposing to do. Roehl stated he was taking 3 lots ai..d making 2 larger; I Minutes June 4, 1951 page three lots out of them. Correspondence was received from Phil Rosellini supporting the petition. Fearing was closed. Roehl stated the Planning Committee had reviewed the petition and recommended approval. The Planning Department had also recommended approval. Roehl moved to approve the alteration of the lo'(,. lines. Motion passed unanimously. EXECUTIVE ITEMS The Executive item section %vas withdrawn from the agenda, as the Executive had none to present. OPEN SESSION Open session was withdrawn by the Chairperson because of the time factor. FINAL CONcIDERATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Hansey moved for adoption the Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the 1981 Federal Shared Revenue Fund (Mental health, Involuntary Commitment Office). he stated the Finance Committee reviewed this and recommended to pay only the old bills, striking the $3,000.38, Non - voluntary Client Services Manager and the $3,217.65, Professional Services. Hansey so moved -to strike the $3,000.38, von- voluntary Client Services Manager. Motion passed by majority vote. Hansey moved to strike $3,217.65, Professional Services. Motion passed by majority vote. The total supple- mental in the amount of $10,432.44 will pay -the $10,379.44 under Professional Services - Old Bills and the $53.00 under Communication - Old Bills. The motion on the ordinance passed by a 5 -1 vote. (Roehl)(Mclrityre absent) Roehl moved for the adoption of the Ordinance amending the Whatcom County Shoreline Management Program in reference to Agriculture setbacks. The Planning Committee reviewed this and recommended approval. Motion passed by a 6 -0 vote. (McIntyre 4bsent) OTHER, BUSINESS The decision on the appeal filed by Gerald L. Noe, on behalf of I9iztronics, Inc. of a Hearing Examiner decision A.A. 1 -81 was before the Council for consideration. Hansey moved to defer a decision on this appeal until the June 18 meeting, where ample time would be given for a discussion on the matter. fl- Totion passed unanimously. s Minutes June 4, 1981 page four The petition requesting a lot line adjustment in "Boynton Sunset Tracts No. 2, filed by Richard Biesheuvel was received by the Council. Public Hearing will be set for one month from now. It was sent to the Planning Committee for review. A petition requesting vacation of Central Avenue in the Town of Glacier filed by Whatcom County Fire Protection District No. 19 was received by the Council and referred to the public Works and Planning Departments and then to the Planning Committee. The public hearing will then be set. Communication was received from Nation Wide Cablevision requesting a rate review by Whatcom County as per Section XXVII of Nation Wide Cablevision Franchise dated December 22, 1967. The Chair will arrange for one of the Council members to be appointed to the rate review Board. Communication was received requesting Whatcom County to review and recommend a proposed land exchange between Leonard Cowden and Whatcom County. The Chair stated the Engineer's Department was reviewing the matter. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Hansey moved to add to the agenda as item 5, the Resolution declaring . the intention of Whatcom County to withdraw from membership in the Whatcom County Health District. Motion passed unanimously. Hansey introduced the Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the 1981 Federal Shared Revenue Fund (Personnel Analyst position). The ordinance was referred to the Finance Committee for review. Hansey introduced the Ordinance authorizing a supplement budget for the 1981 Federal Shared Revenue Fund (NACO dues). The ordinance was referred to the Finance Committee for review. Hansey introduced and moved for final passage the Resolution in the matter of a financial commitment to the Whatcom County Council of Govern- ments budget. Hansey stated the Finance Committee had reviewed this and recommended to strike on line 162 the work "commit" and insert the works "indicate its intention." Amendment passed by unanimous vote. The Finance Committee recommended the resolution to full Council as amended without recommendation. The Committee had discussed the County taking over the responsibilities of the Council of Governments. Muenscher moved to defer the decision on the resolution until the June 18 meeting. Motion passed unanimously. Minutes June 4, 1981 page five Roehl introduced and moved for final passage the Resolution of Whatcom County's intent not to accept the responsibility of "Prime Sponsorship" for the Comprehensive Employment Training Program. Executive Louws recommended the passage of this .resolution. Motion passed unanimously. Munescher introduced and moved for final passage the Resolution declaring the intention of Whatcom County to withdraw from membership in the Whatcom County Health District. Aluenscher moved to amend the title and as it appears in the body of the resolution after the word County to insert " /Bellingham Public." Motion passed uanimously. Hansey moved to insert after line 23 the following language: BE.IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Resolution No. 79 -4 establishing a County wide District Board of Health consisting of eight members adopted by Council on May 10, 1979 is hereby repealed on December 31, 1981. Motion on the amendment passed unanimously. The vote on the motion for the adoption of the resolution passed unanimously: No Committee reports. Meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m. Attachment I. THE FOLLOWING . SPOKE AT THE HEAPIN` ON THE ACTIVA- TION OF A WHATCOM COUNTY NOXIOUS TFEP CONTROL BOARD: Duane Reid - President of the Cattlemen's Club, in favor of the activation of the Board. Concerned with chemical uses. Albert Straton - Against the usage of the chemical 24D. Wesley Kanch -In favor of the activation of the Board. Barbara Ford - Western Washington IIniversity Pesticide Coalition .Program. Discussed dangers of 24D. Discussed.. the authority of the Board. She stated a proposal for noxious weed control is being prepared and will be given to the Council before the June 18 meeting. Doug McKeever - Correspondence from McKeever opposing the activation of the Board. Robert Frost - Cautions Council to consider all possibilities of Weed Control. Eric Van 'Valkenburg - Spokesperson for the Nooksack Tilth Chapter, an organization of small farmers. Recommends the main purpose of the Board should be to promote an Educational Program. To publish an annual newsletter to land owners with information on noxious weeds. Submitted a letter. Neal Bittner -Mt. Baker Bee Keeper Organization. Board to have a focus on education. Notify Bee Keepers within 3 mile radius of spraying that will occur. Gunard Jerns -The Board should educate people of what Tansy _Ragwort is. Noigy King -Mt. Baker Water Shed Protection Agency. concerned with the use of herbicides. The Board should _function primarily as an educational tool. The public should be able to voice their concerns on the weed. David.Grusenmeyer -Here as a resource person.from the Agricultural Extension office. Board should educate people with the problem of the weed. All meetings of the Board are open to the public. (1) Jeffrey Margol- , -Van Zandt, PIA. Woulr like the nominees for the Board considt_ad by the public. Gary Hendrick -The Tansy Ragwort is a 13 petal flower when in bloom. After the weed has bloomed only a short time is left until the seeds are spread. Roger AAlmskar -Cattlemen's Association. In favor of the Board Michael Scott - Concerned with the use of 24D. Jack Stromberg; - Chairman of Agriculture Committee for the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, Correspondence received. (2)