HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Council June 13 20171
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Regular County Council Meeting
June 13, 2017
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, Rud Browne
and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: Todd Donovan.
FLAG SALUTE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SALE OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT
(AB2017 -178)
Buchanan opened the public hearing, and hearing no one, closed the public hearing.
Brenner moved to approve the resolution.
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Donovan (1)
2. ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN COUNTY ROADS
(AB2017 -179)
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and stated the department
agrees with the request.
safer.
Buchanan opened the public hearing, and the following people spoke:
David Stritch stated he supports the change in speed limit to make the community
Regular County Council Meeting, 6/13/2017, Page 1
1 Peter Holcomb stated locking people up corrupts the community.
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3 Dean Tuckerman stated they don't need a new jail. He does not support a sales tax,
4 because a sales tax is the most regressive tax.
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6 Alex McLean stated America has more people locked up than any other country.
7 Invest instead in behavioral health services. Don't move the County Seat to the Ferndale
8 location.
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10 Marla Bronstein spoke on behalf of Irene Morgan, stating she does not support a new
11 jail. Maintain the existing jail. Invest in jail alternatives. Do not approve a new sales tax.
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13 Carole Perry stated they need correct jail data. Show the people the jail condition
14 and all the work that has been done.
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16 Max Perry stated studies have shown that the existing jail can't be renovated. He
17 supports the current proposed size of 440 beds. He supports the sales tax ballot measure.
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19 Everett Barton stated they need data before making decisions. The government is a
20 corporation, and taxpayers are shareholders.
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22 Bob Burr stated they must wait until the consultant report is in and a needs
23 assessment is done. He does not support the current proposed jail size and location.
24 Invest in jail alternatives. He does not support a sales tax ballot measure.
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26 Dianne Foster stated the public wants a smaller jail located downtown. Don't create
27 a Homeland Security detention center near the border. Don't privatize the jail once it's
28 developed.
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30 Clint Lincoln stated he supports getting a current needs analysis and the jail
31 alternative efforts. He does not support the proposed location. Maintain the current jail.
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33 Amy Malone stated she does not support the proposed new jail or sales tax. They
34 need more data. Invest in jail alternatives, prevention, and behavioral health services. Use
35 the current sales tax collection to fix the existing jail.
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37 Eric Lawrence stated he does not support building a new jail. Invest in behavioral
38 health services.
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40 Ronna Loerch stated they don't have the data necessary to decide an appropriate jail
41 size. She does not support the proposed sales tax measure. Invest in jail prevention,
42 diversion, and behavioral health services. She does not support the Ferndale location for
43 the jail or the County Seat.
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45 Charles White stated he does not support a new jail or sales tax.
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47 Debra David stated she supports increased behavioral health services.
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49 Deborah Hawley stated she supports behavioral health services for people in the
50 criminal justice system.
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52 Mary Kay Robinson stated they need a new jail facility at the proposed new location
53 right now, for many reasons.
Regular County Council Meeting, 6/13/2017, Page 3
1 Matthew Goggins stated he supports the comments from Mary Kay Robinson. A new
2 jail is necessary. Whatcom County incarcerates fewer than similarly -sized counties. He
3 supports the proposed sales tax ballot measure.
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5 Karen Weill stated they need a new jail, but she doesn't agree with the size or
6 location. Tear down and rebuild the current jail. Reduce jail population.
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8 Larry Hildes stated the current jail is in terrible shape. There are problems with jail
9 management. The national crime rate is going down. Don't build a larger facility. Keep
10 mental health out of the jail.
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12 Keith Fredrikson stated the voters have already spoken. He is opposed to another
13 ballot measure. National crime rates are going down. He is opposed to the proposed new
14 jail.
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16 Patrick Alesse stated make it a property tax, not a sales tax. He supports a jail
17 location closer to Bellingham.
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19 Caleb Erickson stated he is a Sheriff's Deputy. The work center was never intended
20 for its use. It's too small and the design is ineffective. They need more space to implement
21 new programs and jail alternatives that will benefit the offenders. He supports the proposed
22 ballot measure.
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24 Robert Leib stated he is opposed to building a new jail. They don't have data on
25 local needs. Consider improvements in the local criminal justice system. He does not
26 support the proposed sales tax ballot measure.
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28 Wendy Harris stated something is wrong with the process. Get the data before
29 making decisions. Follow the proper process.
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31 Dan McShane stated the existing facility has had little maintenance in the past 20
32 years. There needs to be more assurances about funding programs into the future, and
33 that the proposed new jail facility won't undermine services.
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35 Kristin Hanna stated the proposal as it is now isn't supportable. Councilmembers
36 represent the citizens of the county. Make a wise choice.
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38 Christina (no last name given) stated she does not support a larger jail. Instead,
39 help people improve their lives and stay out of the criminal justice system.
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41 Dana Douglas stated the bigger problem is systemic and how they deal with criminal
42 justice in the community.
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44 Jessie Worland stated a sales tax will disproportionally fall on lower income people.
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46 Lindsey McDonald spoke about the opioid epidemic. There need to be more
47 behavioral health treatment services in the community for Medicaid patients.
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49 Hearing no one else, Buchanan closed the public hearing.
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51 (Clerk's Note: The Council took a 10- minute break at 9:21 p.m.)
52
Regular County Council Meeting, 6/13/2017, Page 5
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONTINUE TO
REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR UP TO FIFTY PERCENT OF THE PREVIOUS
YEAR'S ANNUAL OPERATING DEFICIT INCURRED IN THE OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNTY FERRY SYSTEM (AB2017 -190)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ADVANCEMENT NORTHWEST
TO PROVIDE "PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT" AND "COMMUNITY ACCESS"
SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES (AB2017 -191)
OTHER ITEMS
1. ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE
CHAPTER 1.18, COURT FINES AND COSTS (AB2017 -181)
Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
moved to approve the request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Donovan (1)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CREDIT TRANSACTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD
CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT AND LUMMI NATION WETLAND AND HABITAT
MITIGATION BANK TO SECURE WETLAND MITIGATION CREDITS TO FULFILL
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HIGH CREEK SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT AND FISH
PASSAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,600 (COUNCIL
ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2017 -187)
Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
moved to approve the request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Donovan (1)
COMMITTEE REPORTS OTHER ITEMS AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY
CODE 2.126, CREATING THE WHATCOM COUNTY BUSINESS AND COMMERCE
COMMITTEE (AB2017 -182)
Browne reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
moved to approve the concept and forward to the Port of Bellingham for review.
Regular County Council Meeting, 6/13/2017, Page 7
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EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
1. REQUEST CONFIRMATION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S APPOINTMENTS TO
THE WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AB2017-
193)
Mann moved to confirm the appointments.
The motion was seconded
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Donovan (1)
INTRODUCTION ITEMS
Weimer moved to accept Introduction Items one through six.
Mann withdrew item one.
The motion was seconded
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Donovan (1)
1. ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS
OF THE COUNTY A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING A LOCAL SALES AND USE
TAX OF TWO- TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
FUNDS FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FINANCING, CONSTRUCTION,
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF ]AIL FACILITIES, AND FOR ADULT
CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS, AND FOR OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY PURPOSES,
ALL PURSUANT TO RCW 82.14.450 (AB2017 -194)
Brenner moved to accept the Introduction Item, but hold discussion until after the
presentation from the VERA Institute consultants on July 11, 2017.
The motion was seconded.
Councilmembers discussed not making decisions until they've had input from the
public, City of Bellingham, and the VERA Institute consultant and the timing of this item
with other related items.
Brenner withdrew her motion to accept the Introduction Item.
Browne moved to hold in Council for two weeks.
The motion was seconded.
Regular County Council Meeting, 6/13/2017, Page 9
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Weimer reported for the Planning and Development Committee and moved to ask
the Prosecutor to move forward as soon as possible with the contract necessary for the
implementation of the study called for in new Comprehensive Plan Policy 2CC -16.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Weimer (5)
Nays: Brenner (1)
Absent: Donovan (1)
Councilmembers gave updates on recent activities and upcoming events.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:44 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on September 26, 2017.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
B ry uchanan, Council Chair
Regular County Council Meeting, 6/13/2017, Page 11