HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council for March 5 1981WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting
March 5, 1981
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 with all present for roll.
The minutes of thegmeeting, approval having been deferred from 2/19, and the
minutes of the 2/19 meeting were approved as presented.
Three items were withdrawn from the agenda upon advice franthe Pros-
ecuting Attorney's office. There is an apparent inconsistency in how matters
dealing with budget and funds have been handled - some handled as ordin-
ances and some as resolutions. Resolution apportioning the distribution
of P.U.D. Privilege Tax Revenues, resolution to eliminate the Ferry Mainten-
ance Fund and a resolution to amend the resolution establishing the re-
volving fund for Building and Code Administration were withdrawn. The
appropriate manner for handling will be clarified by the P. A.'s office.
FINAL CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Hearing was held on 2/19 on the ordinance implementing size, weight
and load limitnti.onsas part of the Whatcom County Code, and adopting, by
reference, portions of the State Motor Vehicle Codc: as contained in R.C.W.
Chapter 46.44. Public Safety had met on this matter March 3, but no quorum
was present at the meeting to make recommendation. Public Works Depart-
ment was asking for a 30 day delay on the ordinance. Rushing spoke to the
Council asking to make revisions to the ordinance. Roehl moved to grant
a four week extension. Johnson moved to amend the motion to grant a two
week extension. The amendment to the motion passed. Muenscher agreed that
Public Works deserved the courtesy to be listened to regarding their changes,
but felt this ordinance should not be voted on as proposed. Hansey moved
to defer consideration indefinitely. Motion carried.
Johnson moved the passage of an ordinance establishing the speed limit
on all roads in the Plat of Bertranda Estates. This had had public hearing
on 2/19. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Hansey moved the passage of an ordinance authorizing the County Trea-
urer to establish a fund to be known as the Whatcom County Community Devel-
opment Fund. Finance recommended "do pass ". Roehl moved to strike Sec-
tion 4, which stated that the ordinance was effective immediately upon ap-
proval by the Executive. Amendment passed, and the am ±ded ordinance passed
Minutes of Council meeting
March 5, 1981
page two
by unanimous vote.
EXECUTIVE ITEMS
Johnson moved to approve the liquor.license application for class
EF license to Jordan's Country Store. Public Safety recommended approval.
The Executive asked to impose the condition that: the building must meet
codes prior to the issuance of the license. The motion, with the condition,
passed.
Johnson moved to approve the liquor license for a class H to Dean's
Restaurant. Publ=ic Safety recommended "do pass" with the provisions of
closure of the Guide Meridian entrance, deeded six foot right of way to
the county, and that the drive up window be closed. Motion passed.
Louws and Ray Gordon and Vern Gelynse of the Sheriff's Department
gave a brief to the Council on the jail situation at the present. They
presented a proposal to use the now - closed City of Bellingham ,jail when
there is an overflow of inmates in.the County jail. At present, there are.
77 people in the jail. The safe maximum amount of prisoners is 70. Louws
requested the County Council Finance Committee, or the Committee of the
Whole meet with him, the Sheriff, and representatives from the City of
Bellingham to work out an agreement for the use of the facilities. The
meeting will be set up by the Chairman and Louws when all parties involved
are ready with their information.
OPEN SESSION
Various people from water associations addressed the Council on the
$6.00 fee being charged by the Health Department for the testing of water
samples. They were Paul Larson, Carl Stock, Phil Quimby, Gerald Metzger,
Ray Blomquist, Nelda Sigurdson, Hugh McMillan, Warren Fish, Charles Royce, &
Jake Creasy. Burt Brainard of the Health Department answered questions.
OTHER BUSINESS
The recommendation of the Hearing Examiner regarding the request to
revise Shoreline Substantial Development S. 19 -75 to allow relocation of
Larking areas to Point Roberts Marina was received and referred to the
Planning Committee, to come back before Council on March 19.
Minutes of Council meeting
March 5, 1981
page three
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Hansey introduced an ordinance authorizing the adoption of a supple-
mental budget for the Sheriff's 1981 budget. It was referred to Finance.
Roehl introduced and moved for final passage a resolution in the matter
of the sale of Whatcom County surplus property and the setting of a date
for public hearing thereof, pursuant to R.C.W. 36.32.020 (Trowbridge Place
buildings). Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The upcoming meeting schedule was outlined.
A letter from the Superior Court was received regarding the upcoming
costs of the Compton trial, and the possibility of a request for a supple-
mental budget.
Johnson asked to be excused from the 3/11 Committee of the Whole
meeting. He will be attending a Jail Commission meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45.