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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council for May 7 1981WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Minutes May 7, 1981 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. with Van Zanten, Roehl, Hawley, and Muenscher present for roll. Roehl moved to excuse councilman Johnson as he was out of town at a Jail Commission meeting. Motion passed. The minutes of the April 16 and 30 meetings were approved. HEARINGS Hearing was declared open on the vacation of a. portion of Telegraph Road, No. 63. Council on March 19, 1981 passed Resolution 81 -10, intent to vacate the said county road. Ed Henken, Engineer, stated that a resi- dence sits in the middle of the road and he recommends vacation. Robert Larson stated he was the owner of the residence and he had requested the vacation. Hearing was closed. Muenscher said the Telegraph Road has a historical value and suggested there should be some kind of a marker put up. Van Zanten stated there was a marker at the Telegraph Road and Guide Meridian Streets. Mike Nicholson of the Planning Department sent a letter recommending vacation. Correspondence was also received from the Parks Department to be forwarded to the Planning Committee regarding the historical significance of the -road. Muenscher moved to grant the vacation of the Telegraph Road as per the legal description, with no costs charged to anyone. Motion passed unanimously. Hearing was declared open.on the Executive's proposal -to declare County property surplus, more specifically Bur- roughs Mini - Computer and Keypunch machines (Auditor). No testimony was given. Hearing was closed. Roehl moved to approve the Executive's proposal and have him arrange the sale. Motion passed unanimously. EXECUTIVE ITEMS Council confirmed the Executive's request for the appointment of Donald Whitesmith to the Northwest Senior Services Advisory Board as and alternate member. This is a three year term to start July 1, 1981 and expire June 30, 1984. The Executive shall notify the person appointed in writing. Minutes May 7, 1981 page two OPEN SESSION t David Errick referred to his May 6 letter to the Council, inviting all members at their convenience to see a demonstration of a microcomputer system he designed for the CETA office. Arnie Hanna of Bellingham spoke to the Ordinance providing a supple- mental budget for the Mental Health Fund. He stated the Mental Health Department had been of assistance when his life was threatened in the past and he believed this to be a good program. Roehl stated the State funds the Mental Health Department. The problem is that the Department had requested $100,000 from the State this year and had only received $50,000. FINAL CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Muenscher moved to accept the Ordinance authorizing a revolving fund for the Whatcom County Superior Courts without the review of the Finance Committee. Motion passed unanimously. Roehl moved to adopt the Ordinance authorizing a revolving fund for the Whatcom County Superior Courts. LOMVS stated $1,000.00 would be taken out of Current Expense and put into the new revolving fund. The fund would 'basically stay at the $1,000.00 amount. The purpose of the fund is to advance funds for travel, and day to day expenses for witnesses and jurors. Motion passed by a 4 -0 vote. OTHER BUSINESS Craig Fenske gave a presentation on the Agriculture Extension office. He is very concerned with the budget. The Extension office has lost one secretary and one part -time employee. This makes it difficult for extension agents who are now required to take on some of the secretarial duties. F?e reported phone access from the county area is another problem. Craig brought a display of all the activities and programs that are provided by the Agricultural Extension office for the residents of Whatcom County. There are three partners involved in the _funding of the office: the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington State University and the County Government. He discussed various programs the extension office provides. Hawley stated he was very impressed with the programs offered. He asked how much the office was lacking in funds. Craig said he was not here to make a formal request this evening, but stated an additional secretary would help out a great deal. Minutes May 7, 1981 page three A presentation of a Proclamation to declare "Save Old Spectacles Week ", was given by Chuck Jaynes. Those involved are the Bellingham Kulshan Kiwanis, the Bellingham Jaycees and the Elks Club. Chuck explained old glasses are collected and recycled in California and then sent overseas to people who are in need of them at no cost. The Proclama- tion, signed by the Executive, was read into the record. The week shall be May 24, 1981 through May 30, 1981. Two terms on the Board of Equalization were up for nomination. The terms of Joyce Bauman and Phyllis Entrikin had expired. These are three year terms. Roehl moved to nominate both Bauman and Entrikin to the Board. Roehl suggested the nominations be left open until the next Council meeting so all members have an opportunity to nominate persons they wished to on the Board of Equalization. The nominations were left open. The appeal of the Hearing Examiner's decision A.A. 1 -81, filed by Gerald L. Noe on behalf of Wiztronics, Inc. was received by Council. The appeal will be on the Council agenda for final consideration June 4., The petition requesting a rezone between Kellog and Horton Roads on the Guide Meridian, signed by 35 residents of the area was received and sent to the Planning committee for review. The petition requesting the creation of a Dog Control Zone in the Sudden Valley area, signed by 78 registered voters residing within the Sudden Valley area was received and sent to the Public Safety Committee for review and then a hearing date will be established. A petition requesting the activation of a Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board, signed by 139 Whatcom County residents was received and a hearing date will be established. Ray Fann of the Whatcom County Cattleman's Association .represents the petitioners. He presented num erous phamplets on the control of Tansy Ragwort. He also brought along a specimen of the weed. He stated one plant can spread as many as 150,000 seeds. Don Tapi_o of the Washington State Control Board of Noxious Weeds in Olympia. stated there were several counties in the State of Washington who had a Noxious Weed Control Board. Ile said most counties are going to an assessment program. Weed assessments range from $3.50 per acre in Thurston County to $1.50 per acre in Yakima County. Muenscher said he would like a copy of the official document of the Noxious Weed Control Board of Skagit County to see the outline of this project. Minutes May 7, 1981 page four t The petition requesting a twenty -five year franchise for Cable T.V., filed by Satellite Scanners, Inc.. was received. A hearing date will be established. Roehl moved to send the petition to the Public Works Department, attention Paul Rushing, for their review and recommenda- tions. Motion passed. The petition requesting the alteration of plat lines, filed by Sean Gallagher was received and sent to the Planning Committee for review. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Muenscher introduced the following ordinances and referred all to the Finance Committee: 1. Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Federal Shared Revenue Fund_ 2. Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Federal.Shared Revenue Fund - Involuntary Committee office 3. Ordinance authorizing a revised budget for the 1981 Northwest Washington Fair Fund 4. Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Prosecuting Attorney's 1981 budget 5. Ordinance authorizing a supplemental budget for the Township Halls budget Muenscher introduced the Ordinance to estal)lish a speed limit on Lattimore Road and referred i..t to the .Public Safety Committee. Muenscher introduced the Ordinance amending the 1970 Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan Text and Map for that geographic area commonly known as the Cherry•Point- Ferndale Subarea of Whatcom County, Washington. Public Hearing is set for the 19th of May at the North Bellingham School. Muenscher introduced and moved for adoption the Resolution in the matter to designate Primitive Roads. Ed Henken, Engineer, recommended these .roads be designated as Primitive Roads. This Resolution would remove the responsibility for placement of signs such as speed, curve, etc. on the roads from the County. Motion passes on a 4 -0 vote. Minutes May 7, 1981 page five Roehl said the Planning Committee will meet next Thursday, May 14, 1981 at 12:00. The Chair also reminded all members of the special meeting of the Council for the sale of bonds on Aflay 21, 1981 at 11:00 a.m, in the Council Chambers. Meeting adjourned at 9 : 15 p.m,