HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2020-007strikeWhatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2020-092
File ID: AB2020-092 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 02/18/2020 Entered by: SMurdoch@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Health Department File Type: Ordinance
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee Final Action: 03/10/2020
Agenda Date: 03/10/2020 Enactment #: ORD 2020-007
Primary Contact Email: adeacon@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code (WCC) 2.150, Whatcom County Veterans' Advisory
Board, and WCC 2.152, Veterans' Assistance Program
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Proposed changes to Whatcom County Codes 2.150 and 2.152 to reflect the definition of the term
,'veteran," and to properly place in the county code the eligibility guidelines for veterans who are
indigent.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
02/25/2020 Council
INTRODUCED Council Public Works & Health
Committee
Aye:
7
Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Nay:
0
Absent:
0
03/10/2020 Council Public Works & Health
RECOMMENDED FOR
Committee
ADOPTION
Aye:
2
Frazey, and Donovan
Nay:
0
Absent:
1
Kershner
03/10/2020 Council
ADOPTED
Aye:
6
Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Elenbaas
Whatcom County
Page 1 Printed on 311112020
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2020-092)
Nay: 0
Absent: 1 Kershner
Attachments: Staff Memo, Ordinance, Notice of Action Proposed for 3.10.2020
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 311112020
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PROPOSED BY: HEALTH
INTRODUCTION DATE: 2/25/2020
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-007
AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 2.150, WHATCOM COUNTY VETERANS'
ADVISORY BOARD, AND CHAPTER 2.152, VETERANS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.150 directs the Whatcom County
Veterans' Advisory Board and Chapter 2.152 directs the Whatcom County Veterans'
Assistance Program; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Code Chapters 2.150 and 2.152 need to include a
definition of 'Veteran"; and
WHEREAS, other technical corrections to Chapters 2.150 and 2.152 are needed to
update the Veterans program and appropriately place the eligibility criteria for "indigence".
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that
Whatcom County Code Chapters 2.150 and 2.152 shall be amended to include the term
"Veteran" as defined in RCW 73.08.005 and RCW 41.04.005.
BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED that technical corrections to Chapters 2.150 as outlined
in Exhibit A, and 2.152 as outlined in Exhibit B, be incorporated to update program
components and address eligibility status.
ADOPTt I d°ay of March , 2020.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST: ` ' F-•, �, f ., WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ana BroWn avos�,=CAI` rk f3the C., cil B rry uchanan, Council Chair
ATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE
APPRO)11D AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Page 1
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
() Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: - !1 /ZOZ
I EXHIBIT A
2 Chapter 2.150
3 WHATCOM COUNTY VETERANS' ADVISORY
4 BOARD
5 Sections:
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tyA
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There is hereby established the Whatcom County veterans' advisory board. (Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A).
%.01 > l'uo
The board is created pursuant to RCW 73.08.035 to advise the county council on the needs of local
indigent veterans, the resources available to local 4digerit veterans, and programs that could benefit
the needs of local +Pv6gerat veterans and their families. The county council and county executive shall
consult with and solicit recommendations from the advisory board to determine the appropriate
services needed for local indig-ent veterans. (Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A).
2.150.025 r aigeiW
"Indigent" means a person who to
general assistaRGe, poverty related veteFaR's benefits, figod stamps er feed StaMp beRefitG traRsferred
,.�,�,_9`i �x az ,,.m, s.
Only veterans who are residents of Whatcom County are eligible to serve as board members. Veteran
ssttatus_is defined per 13C;W.._I3..08 005 or RGW_41,.04.005. No fewer than a number constituting a
majority of the board members shall be members from nationally recognized veterans' service
organizations. The county council and county executive shall solicit representatives from either local
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branches of nationally recognized veterans' service organizations or the veterans' community at large
to serve on the board. (Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A)
0 9?t. U. t pD, I I
Members of the board shall be appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the county council.
The board shall consist of up to nine members, appointed to terms of four years. A majority of that
number of potential members must be present at any meeting to constitute a quorum for purposes of
conducting business. Members may be reappointed and confirmed in the same manner as provided
herein for initial appointment. (Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A).
Service on the board is voluntary. The county council may provide for reimbursement to board
members for appropriate qualified expenses, consistent with county procedures and policies for such
reimbursement. (Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A).
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Pursuant to RCW 73.08.010 a Whatcom County veterans' assistance program is hereby established
for the purpose of developing, implementing and administering a comprehensive system of services to
aid Whatcom County veterans. Programs and services shall include those that meet identified basic
needs for individuals, as well as community programs that benefit veterans and their families. (Ord.
2011-033 Exh. A).
The resources of the veterans' assistance fund, authorized by RCW 73.08.080, will provide support for
ti a -programs and services delivered to Whatcom County-i-ndi0ent veterans,_.wrio are indigerjty Funding
from other sources may also support the veterans' assistance program and may be used to provide
services to nerin4i0ent Whatcom County veterans who-arenot indigent, -as allowed by state law. (Ord.
2011-033 Exh. A).
The health department shall administer the veterans' assistance program under the authority of the
county executive. The health department shall establish appropriate services to be delivered under this
program with recommendations from the veterans' advisory board pursuant to Chapter 2.150 WCC.
(Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).
The health department shall provide staff to the veterans' advisory board and shall solicit
recommendations from the board on appropriate services for local veterans. (Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).
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A. Programs and services delivered to eligible veterans byunder fuflded-b the veterans'
assistance program will include,, but -is not, limited to the following eRents:
1. A. Individual financial assistance on a temporary basis to help meet basic needs.
2. &. Housing eviction prevention assistance.
3. Q Housing assistance for homeless veterans.
4. D, BBehavioral health services that are not paid for by other sources.
5. €- Legal assistance for help in securing non -VA federal benefits, proof of identity,
and assistance with noncriminal matters.
6. € Social and support services that aid a successful return to the community after active duty.
7. 8- Re-entry services to locally incarcerated veterans to assist with successful return to
the community and connection to supportive services.
8. t-: Case management services that include helping veterans navigate the social
services system and connect to effective programs and services.
9. 4-. Training opportunities for veterans and community professionals working with
veterans.
M J Burial assistance as defined in RCW 73.08.070.
11. Veteran ServicOffice
r VSO) s_si t ngc ith filinq Veterans_Pdministr�tio�V/�)
claims,nsions access to VA healthcare and VSO services.
12. InfUrrnafion r.eferrals_and assistance for veterans _and their „families.
_
13. Veteran navigator hub.,services to connect veterans with Whatcom County veteran
community_,
14, Other veterans' service as �proyed_b the county �xecutiyLe. Ord. 2011 03, C_xh A.
K-Qth&r_-veterar�v' ser-veesas
Policies for administering the veterans' assistance program shall be established by the health
department with recommendations from the veterans' advisory board and approval of the county
executive. Changes to these policies will require approval from the county executive.
Policies will outline program eligibility, access to program services, program staffing, assistance
limitations, fraud and abuse, and quality control measures. An appeal process for denials of service
also will be addressed in policy and will give final review authority to the health department director.
(Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).
Page 5
2 Pursuant hoRCVVZllXL0{5 assistance tnindividual veterans supported by
3 the veterans' assistance fund must meet one of three statutory criteria for indigent status. Any
4 subsequent changes to the definition of "indigent" in statute shall be reflected in this policy after
5 uppnova|fromth000untyaxooutivoandthaoountyoounoi|.([)rd.2O11'O33Exh.A).
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7 2.152.080 Veteran status and determination.
8 Veterans shall be defined Pursuant to RCW 73.08.005 or RCW 41.04.005. Veterans who are eliciible for
0 from the ���k����
lU
12 This chapter shall take effect on -1,241
(Ord.2O11'O33Exh. A).
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14 2-1,:32A"108�e�era�i6t�
15 If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
16 remainder of this chapter or the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances is not
17 affected. (Ord. 2011'033Exh.A).
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