HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2020-007• Whatcom 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.
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ADOPT Uay of March , 2020.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTEST:1 ` WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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ana Bro�Nn- avi�,� Gr t7f�the C.` cil B rry uchanan, Council Chair
ATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE
APPROV D AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Page 1
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
P
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
O Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: 11 /Z!i?—
EXHIBIT A
OM COUNTY VETERANS'ADVISORY BOAR111
Sections:
2.150.010 Established.
2.150.020 Purpose.
2.150.030 Qualifications.
2.150.040 Aaaointment and membershi
2.150.050 Compensation.
2.150.O10 Established.
There is hereby established the Whatcom County veterans' advisory board. (Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A).
2.1.50.020 Purpose.
The board is created pursuant to RCW 73.08.035 to advise the county council on the needs of local
veterans, the resources available to local veterans, and programs that could benefit the needs of local
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
veterans. (Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A).
2.150.030 Qualifications.
Only veterans who are residents of Whatcom County are eligible to serve as board members. Veteran
status is defined per RCW 73.08.005 or RCW 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 branches of nationally
recognized veterans' service organizations or the veterans' community at large to serve on the board.
(Ord. 2006-025 Exh. A)
2.150.040 Appointment and membership.
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).
2.150.050 Compensation.
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).
Chapter 2.152
VETERANS'PROGRAM
Sections:
2.152.010 Veterans' assistance Prowam established.
2.152.020 Program funding.
2.152.030 Administration.
2.152.040 Veterans' advisory board.
2.152.050 Programs and services.
2.152.060 Program policies.
2.152.070 Indigent status and determination.
2.152.080 Veteran Status and determination
2.152.090 Effective Date
2.152.100 Severability.
2,152.010 Veterans' assistance program established.
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).
2,152.020 Prograin f nidin;.
The resources of the veterans' assistance fund, authorized by RCW 73.08.080, will provide support for
programs and services delivered to Whatcom County veterans who are indigent. Funding from other
sources may also support the veterans' assistance program and may be used to provide services to
Whatcom County veterans who are not indigent as allowed by state law. (Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).
2.152.030 Administration.
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).
2.152.040 Veterans' advisory board.
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).
2.152.050 Programs and services.
A. Programs and services delivered to eligible veterans by the veterans' assistance program will include,
but is not limited to the following:
1. Individual financial assistance on a temporary basis to help meet basic needs.
2. Housing eviction prevention assistance.
3. Housing assistance for homeless veterans.
4. Behavioral 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. Re-entry services to locally incarcerated veterans to assist with successful return to the
community and connection to supportive services.
8. Case management services that include helping veterans navigate the social services system
and connect to effective programs and services.
9. Training opportunities for veterans and community professionals working with veterans.
10. Burial assistance as defined in RCW 73.08.070.
11. Veteran Service Officer (VSO) assistance with filing Veterans Administration (VA) claims,
pensions, access to VA healthcare and VSO services.
12. Information, referrals and assistance for veterans and their families.
13. Veteran navigator hub services to connect veterans with Whatcom County veteran community.
14. Other veterans' services as approved by the county executive. (Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).
2.152.060 Program policies.
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).
2.152.070 Indifent status and determination.
Pursuant to RCW 73.08.005 assistance to individual veterans supported by the veterans' assistance fund
must meet one of three statutory criteria for indigent status. Any subsequent changes to the definition of
"indigent" in statute shall be reflected in this policy after approval from the county executive and the
county council. (Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).
2.152.080 Veteran status and determination
Veteran shall be defined pursuant to RCW 73.08.005 or RCW 41.04.005. Veterans who are eligible for
direct financial assistance from the Veterans Assistance Fund must meet criteria for indigence.
2.152.090 Effective date.
This chapter shall take effect on March 1, 2020. (Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).
2.152.100 5everability.
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
remainder of this chapter or the application of the provisions to other persons or circumstances is not
affected. (Ord. 2011-033 Exh. A).