HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council May 31 20161
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Regular County Council Meeting
May 31, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Satpal Sidhu, Carl Weimer, Todd
Donovan, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
FLAG SALUTE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, CHAPTER 9, RECREATION
(AB2016 -047I)
Buchanan opened the public hearing, and the following people spoke:
Larry Helm stated most of the county is a park. The chapter on recreation should
encourage people to use that property instead of charging taxpayers for more parks. The
area is underused.
Hearing no one else, Buchanan closed the public hearing and stated the Council will
continue to take written testimony.
OPEN SESSION
The following person spoke:
• Larry Helm spoke about not being
grazing due to buffer requirements.
OTHER ITEMS
able to use a percentage of his land for
4. ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF
WHATCOM COUNTY A PROPOSITION IMPOSING THE LEVY OF A REGULAR
PROPERTY TAX EACH YEAR FOR SIX YEARS, COLLECTION BEGINNING IN
2017 AT A RATE OF $.295 OR LESS PER $1000 OF ASSESSED VALUATION TO
Regular County Council Meeting, 5/31/2016, Page 1
1 CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, IN THE GENERAL
2 ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBERS, 2016 (AB2016 -167)
3
4 Buchanan moved to adopt the ordinance.
5
6 The motion was seconded.
7
8 The motion carried by the following vote:
9 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
10 Nays: None (0)
11
12
13 CONSENT AGENDA
14
15 Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
16 moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through five.
17
18 The motion carried by the following vote:
19 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
20 Nays: None (0)
21
22 1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
23 CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND COVENANT
24 CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR THE PROVISION OF CONTINUING CONSULTANT
25 SERVICES REGARDING THE RESEARCH AND VALUATION DEFENSE OF THE
26 RECENT PROPERTY APPRAISAL APPEALS BY BP OIL REFINERY, IN THE
27 AMOUNT OF $45,000 (AB2016 -184)
28
29 2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
30 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ROBERT W. DROLL,
31 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, PS FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR
32 BIRCH BAY COMMUNITY PARK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 (AB2016 -185)
33
34 3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
35 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND REICHHARDT AND EBE
36 ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE DESIGN AND PREPARATION OF A
37 CONSTRUCTION BID PACKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE WEST BADGER
38 ROAD /BERTRAND CREEK BRIDGE NO. 50 REPLACEMENT PROJECT, IN THE
39 AMOUNT OF $252,077.50 (AB2016 -186)
40
41 4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
42 AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
43 RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. (ESRI) FOR PRELIMINARY CONSULTING
44 SERVICES TO ASSIST WITH A DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY TO MIGRATE
45 THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE CURRENT LAND RECORDS GEOGRAPHIC
46 INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) INTO THE ESRI LOCAL GOVERNMENT
47 INFORMATIONAL DATA MODEL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,988 (AB2016 -187)
48
49 5. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
50 CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
51 COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM TO SUPPLY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR
52 STUDENTS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $71,000 (AB2016 -108A)
53
Regular County Council Meeting, 5/31/2016, Page 2
1
2 OTHER ITEMS
3
4 1. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM'S REQUEST FOR
5 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT (EDI) PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING
6 IN SUPPORT OF THE WATERFRONT - GRANARY /LAUREL STREET PROJECT,
7 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.1 MILLION (AB2016 -182)
8
9 Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
10 moved to approve the request.
11
12 Donovan stated he supports the waterfront project, but he won't support the request
13 because the application is confusing, incorrect, and incomplete, and the project would
14 normally score only 7 out of 25 points.
15
16 Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, stated City staff attended today's committee
17 meeting to provide additional information. This was approved by the EDI Board in 2008. A
18 two -week delay to answer questions may be fine.
19
20 Browne stated the fund balance is unclear. He shares the concern about the score.
21 This isn't a community priority for economic development. He moved to hold in Council for
22 two weeks.
23
24 The motion to hold in Council was seconded.
25
26 Sidhu stated he would like the City to submit an updated application that reflects the
27 current status of the project.
28
29 Browne stated this Council is being bound by a decision of the 2007 Council.
30 Schroeder stated the City moved forward based on that Council's decision. He described
31 the balance of the EDI fund and committed funds.
32
33 Mann stated the County Council approved this request once before, so the Council
34 made an agreement they should honor now. That is why he will vote for the request.
35
36 Browne stated the numbers in the application don't make sense. The revenue
37 numbers can't be negative amounts.
38
39 Brenner stated she supports the motion to hold in Council.
40
41 Sidhu asked why this is coming to the Council again if it was approved in 2008.
42 Schroeder stated the funds have been committed since 2007.
43
44 Buchanan stated at that time, all the work was suspended because the economy
45 collapsed.
46
47 Schroeder stated the County decided in 2007 or 2008 to bring the request back to
48 the County Council when the City was ready to move forward, which is why it's being
49 requested again now.
50
51 Buchanan stated there's no documentation in the Council packet about previous
52 approval from the EDI Board and Council. He would like to see that information.
53
Regular County Council Meeting, 5/31/2016, Page 3
1 The motion to hold in Council for two weeks carried by the following vote:
2 Ayes: Donovan, Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, and Buchanan (6)
3 Nays: Weimer (1)
4
5 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO GRANT A
6 UTILITY EASEMENT TO PUGET SOUND ENERGY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
7 PROVIDING ELECTRICITY FOR ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTING FOR THE NEW
8 FIELDS AT THE PHILLIPS 66 SOCCER PARK (AB2016 -183)
9
10 Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
11 moved to approve the request.
12
13 The motion carried by the following vote:
14 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
15 Nays: None (0)
16
17 3. CONFIRMATION OF COUNCIL'S MAY 17, 2016, APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION
18 2016 -018, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO MAKE
19 APPLICATION AND ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE
20 WASHINGTON STATE RECREATION AND CONSERVATION OFFICE FOR
21 FUNDING THROUGH THE WASHINGTON WILDLIFE AND RECREATION
22 PROGRAM FOR TRAIL DEVELOPMENT AT SOUTH FORK PARK, IN THE
23 AMOUNT OF $209,000 (AB2016 -168)
24
25 Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
26 moved to approve the request.
27
28 Brenner stated she is concerned about mixed feelings from the South Fork Valley
29 residents. Regarding the real estate excise tax (REET) money, it should fund more essential
30 services. She's not comfortable supporting the resolution.
31
32 The motion carried by the following vote:
33 Ayes: Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (6)
34 Nays: Brenner (1)
35
36
37 INTRODUCTION ITEMS
38
39 Mann moved to accept Introduction Items one through five.
40
41 The motion was seconded.
42
43 The motion carried by the following vote:
44 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
45 Nays: None (0)
46
47 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 2.06.090 TO
48 REVISE MEDICAL EXAMINER ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
49 DESIGNATION (AB2016 -188)
50
51 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2011 -049 (ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
52 LUMMI NATION FERRY LEASE FUND) TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT BASED
53 BUDGET AND APPROVE PROJECT BUDGET (AB2016 -189)
Regular County Council Meeting, 5/31/2016, Page 4
1
2 3. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND THE
3 COUNTY ENGINEER TO CLOSE OR RESTRICT USE OF COUNTY ROADS ON A
4 TEMPORARY BASIS (AB2016 -190)
5
6 4. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 3.08, PURCHASING
7 SYSTEM (AB2016 -191)
8
9 5. RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE WHATCOM COUNTY COORDINATED WATER
10 SYSTEM PLAN UPDATE (AB2016 -192)
11
12
13 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COIINCILMEMBER UPDATES
14
15 Weimer reported for the Natural Resources Committee.
16
17 Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee.
18
19 Brenner reported for the Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee.
20
21 Councilmembers gave updates on recent activities and upcoming events.
22
23
24 ADJOURN
25
26 The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
27
28 The County Council approved these minutes on June 28, 2016.
29 �A + + ►+ t s i t i r r ° ° °Jr
31 ATTEST.,: \+, " • . 'V 'f WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
32 JpAATC *`.i �% WHATCOM COUNTY, WAS NGTON
33
34
35 _
36 -_ s
37 Dana 1powrl� • 4�� ncil ClOk Ba y c nan, C uncil Chair
38
39 ` - _--mot; �-ti�,�`•
41
42 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
Regular County Council Meeting, 5/31/2016, Page 5