HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2019-035Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2019-431
File ID: AB2019-431 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 07/31/2019 Entered by: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee Final Action: 08/07/2019
Agenda Date: 08/07/2019 Enactment #: RES 2019-035
Primary Contact Email: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution establishing the Council's intent to conduct a hearing on a proposal to create a no shooting
zone in Drayton Harbor, as requested by the City of Blaine
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
The City of Blaine has submitted a request to the Whatcom County Council to form a no shooting zone
for all acquatic areas and tidelands within Drayton Harbor.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To
08/07/2019 Council Public Works & Health RECOMMENDED FOR
Committee APPROVAL
08/07/2019 Council APPROVED
Notes: Vote: 6-1, Byrd opposed, Resolution 2019-035
Attachments: Proposed Resolution for August 7, Agenda Bill Master Report
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 81812019
1
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
PROPOSED: CITY OF BLAINE
INTRODUCTION: AUGUST 7, 2019
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-035
ESTABLISHING THE INTENT OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL TO CONDUCT A
HEARING ON A PROPOSAL TO CREATE A NO SHOOTING ZONE IN DRAYTON HARBOR,
AS REQUESTED BY THE CITY OF BLAINE
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Whatcom County Code Chapter 9.32.010, a no shooting
zone is an area designated by the County Council in which the discharge of firearms is
prohibited; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council is elected to represent the concerns of the
citizens of Whatcom County and is charged with the broad responsibility of protecting the
health, safety, and general welfare of the public; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Whatcom County Code Chapter 9.32.020 and RCW 36.32.120,
the County Council has the authority and power to establish no shooting zones; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Whatcom County Code Chapter 9.32.050, the creation of a no
shooting zone could result in the imposition of civil penalties; and
WHEREAS, RCW 9.41.300 (2) specifically states that counties may enact laws and
ordinances restricting the discharge of firearms in any portion of their respective jurisdiction
where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals, or property will be
jeopardized; and
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2019, the Council received a resolution from the City of Blaine
(Resolution No. 1765-19, see attached Exhibit A) requesting the Council form a no shooting
zone for all aquatic areas and tidelands within Drayton Harbor; and
WHEREAS, twenty-two other no shooting zones have been established throughout
Whatcom County as a means to protect public safety and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Council cannot form a no shooting zone without first requesting review
and comment from specific County departments and holding a public hearing on the proposal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Clerk of the Council will prepare a
proposed ordinance to establish the requested no shooting zone and assign a number to the
proposed zone.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the Council will seek review of the
proposed ordinance by the Prosecutor's Office, Sheriff's Office, County Executive, Planning
and Development Services Department, Public Works Department, and the Washington State
Department of Wildlife.
1
2
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk of the Council will schedule the proposed
ordinance for introduction and public hearing by the Council, with notice of such hearing to be
published in accordance with state and county law in the newspaper of general circulation
within the county and the newspaper of general circulation within the proposed boundaries of
the no shooting zone.
APPRIY/�Q this 7th day of August, 2019.
AT'f E
Dana B own , - Ilk o Counci
��r f
AP IQV D°A5jo� FORM:
�ga[js r
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Page 2
WHATCEM CtUWY COCIL
WHATC M C U I,�IVA HINGTON
Rud Browne, Council Chair
EXHIBIT A
RESOLUTION NO. 1765-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON,
TO SEEK DESIGNATION OF ALL UNINCORPORATED PORTIONS OF DRAYTON
HARBOR AQUATIC AREA, TIDELANDS AND SHORELINE AS A NO SHOOTING;
ZONE PURSUANT TO WHATC,OM COUNTY CODE 9.32.
Whereas, portions of the Drayton Harbor aquatic area, tidelands and shoreline are within the city
limits, and
Whereas, portions of Drayton Harbor aquatic area, tidelands and shoreline are within Whatcom
County jurisdiction, and
Whereas, hunting and the discharge of firearms is prohibited in the city limits, and
Whereas, it is difficult for members of the public to distinguish between incorporated and
unincorporated areas particularly on the open water, which causes numerous hunters to
inadvertently move into areas where hunting and discharge of firearms is illegal, and
Whereas, our citizens have expressed concerns about gunfire near homes and property and
repeatedly call for police response to such incidents, and
Whereas, unincorporated portion of Drayton Harbor aquatic area, tidelands and shoreline are
within and adjacent to urban growth areas, and
Whereas, population is expanding and housing density is increasing within the areas surrounding
Drayton Harbor both within the City and an areas or unincorporated Whatcom County,
Whereas, the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 36.32.120) provides Whatcom County authority
to designate no shooting zones, and
Whereas, Whatcom County Code Section 9.32 "Unlawful Discharge of Firearms" designates
twenty-two Imo shooting zones, most lying within and adjacent to cities, urban growth areas and
other locations of higher density development,
Now therefore, the City Council of the City of Blaine hereby resolves to seek designation of all the
aquatic areas and tidelands within Drayton Harbor located within Whatcom County as a no
shooting zone pursuant to Whatcom County Code Section 9.32.
PASSED BY THE CFIY COUNCIL OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON, on the 8`" day of July, 2019, and
approved by the Mayor on the same day.
CFFY OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON
Bonnie Onyon, M or
l
ATTEs'r/AvTHENTICCCAAT/E:
Samuel Crawford, City Clerk
Resolution 1765-19 Page 1 of I
CITY OF BLAINE-PROPOSED NO SHOOTING ZONE
(UNOFFICIAL MAP PREPARED BY PUBLIC WORKS, AT THE REQUEST OF THE CLERK OF THE COUNCI
Page 4