Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale

Action Taken at November 9, 2016 Meeting
Shall the council:

197. Cancel accounts between 5/3/2002 and 4/1/2014 as uncollectible? There are 482 accounts totaling $25,745 deemed uncollectible under state law by the Administrative Services finance department. The breakdown by department is: $24,727 for Health and Planning and Development Services; $953 for Public Works; and $65 for Administrative Services. AB2016-322 (Resolution 2016-042) Approved 7-0

198. Order the cancellation of uncashed checks issued prior to 7/1/2015? There are 150 uncashed checks (warrants) totaling $19,617. The uncashed checks were written by the county to various businesses, groups, or individuals. Whatcom County has 112 uncashed checks totaling $3,595, the NW Regional Council has four uncashed checks totaling $6,778, and the cemetery, drainage, fire, and water districts have 34 uncashed checks totaling $9,244. The money will be held for one year and then transferred to the state of Washington as abandoned property where it will be available to the payee indefinitely. AB2016-323 (Resolution 2016-043) Approved 7-0

199. Authorize the executive to sign an $50,000 agreement with the Whatcom Conservation District to fund the Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program? At the 7/9/2013 meeting, vote #111, the County Council voted to collaborate with the city of Bellingham to reduce stormwater runoff and associated phosphorous pollution entering Lake Whatcom by introducing the Homeowner Incentive Program. Homeowners within the sub-basin are eligible to apply for $1,000 to $6,000 in reimbursement for the installation of landscape features on their property to improve water quality, including impervious surface and lawn removal, infiltration trenches, native plantings, porous paving, and rain gardens. The program also provides technical assistance, education, oversight, and guidance on maintenance. The agreement on expires 12/31/2017. (AB2016- 324) Approved 6-0-1, Rud Browne abstained.

200. Authorize the executive to apply for $400,000 in state grants for the development of non-motorized recreational trails at Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve, Lake Whatcom Park and South Fork Park? Funding would be through the non-highway and off-road vehicle activities program. The applications are for $200,000 for development of non-motorized recreational trails at Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park and $200,000 for the development of non-motorized recreational trails at South Fork Park. AB2016-091C (Resolution 2016-044) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner1 opposed.

201. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Robert Seaman to the Marine Resources Committee? The committee assists Whatcom County agencies in their efforts to address local marine conservation issues. A resignation on the committee has opened a conservation-environmental interest position. Mr. Seaman retired after 28 years at BP Cherry Point, including as an operator of a wastewater-processing unit, and prior to that served as a Merchant Marine officer with a 100-ton coastal waters master’s license. (AB2016-325). Confirmed 7-0

Action Taken at November 22, 2016 Meeting
Shall the council:

202. Authorize the executive to sign a $60,000 contract with Kulshan Services of Bellingham for the lower Nooksack River flood management plan? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract will provide development and implementation of a stakeholder involvement plan and facilitation of stakeholder meetings to support the update of the Lower Nooksack River comprehensive flood hazard management plan. The plan is a part of an effort addressing the county levee systems to expand interagency coordination to the entire Nooksack River floodplain. The contract expires on 12/31/2019. (AB2016-353) Approved 7-0

203. Authorize the executive to accept a $155,000 state grant (amendment #2) for fecal coliform pollution reduction? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The Pollution Identification and Correction Program (PIC) addresses fecal coliform bacteria levels in creeks. The amendment extends the grant period and increases the budget for the purposes of extending pollution reduction work for six months and providing one year of funding for a clean water data manager. The total amended amount is $455,000 and the agreement expires on 12/31/2017. (AB2016-354) Substitute approved 5-1-1, Barbara Brenner2 opposed, Rud Browne abstained.

204. Authorize the executive to sign a $67,302 contract with Geneva Consulting Services of Port Washington, NY to address water quality issues in Whatcom County? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) The contract will provide the Whatcom County Local Integrating Organization (a function of the WRIA 1 Watershed Joint Board and WRIA 1 Salmon Recovery Board) with agency coordination services. The contract expires on 11/30/2017 (AB2016- 355) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner3 opposed.

Adopt the 2017 budget of the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District? (Public hearing held. Council acting as the transportation benefit district board.) Establish a budget of $150,000 to be used in 2017 annual construction program projects. AB2016-344 (Resolution 2016-045) Approved 7-0

205. Adopt the 2017 budget for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District and subzones? (Public hearing held. Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Establish a budget for the Acme/Van Zandt, Lynden/Everson, Sumas/Nooksack/Everson, and Samish subzones, as well as the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District. AB2016-345 (Resolution 2016-046) Substitute approved 7-0

206. Adopt the six-year (2017-2022) water resources improvement program? (Public hearing held. Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) State law requires that counties update their six-year water resources improvement plan each year. The plan includes 34 projects that address flood management, salmon recovery, sediment/debris flow issues, and stormwater issues in Whatcom County. AB2016-346 (Resolution 2016-047) Approved 7-0

207. Authorize the levy of taxes for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District for 2017? (Public hearing held. Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors). The levy includes an increase of 1.23 percent, in the amount of $41,792. AB2016-347 (Resolution 2016-048) Approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner4 opposed.

208. Request that the executive prepare alternative financing options for selected water resource services? The Whatcom County flood fund requires additional funding in order to continue to provide or enhance existing water resource services. Council is requesting that the executive develop a draft proposal for long-term deficit reduction alternatives to maintain current service levels, to be presented to council by the second quarter of 2017, for implementation in the 2018 budget year. AB2016-351 (Resolution 2016-049) Approved 7-0

209. Adopt the 2017 unified fee schedule? (Public hearing held.) The fee schedule lists fees charged by the county to provide services such as building permits, parking, filing and licensing, animal control and charges for park equipment and facilities. The fees shall not exceed reimbursement costs to the providing department, and the executive may add or adjust fees with sufficient justification. AB2016-339 (Ordinance 2016-049) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner5 opposed.

210. Adopt the Conservation Futures Fund tax levy for 2017? (Public hearing held.) The levy will be the same as last year, 6.25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation on real property. It does include an increase of 1.23 percent in the amount of $12,991. The fund’s use is limited to acquisition of land or development rights for conservation purposes. AB2016-341 (Ordinance 2016-050) Adopted 7-0

211. Authorize the levy of 2017 property taxes for county road purposes? (Public hearing held.) A property tax increase, in addition to the amount resulting from the addition of new construction, and improvements to property and any increase in the value of state-assessed property for 2017 includes an increase of $471,316 (2.5 percent) over the 2016 tax levy. The council also authorizes that $806,530 from the 2017 road district levy be diverted to the general fund for traffic enforcement in unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. AB2016-342 (Ordinance 2016-051)Adopted 7-0

212. Authorize the levy of taxes for county and state purposes for the year of 2017? (Public hearing held) The levy includes an increase of 2.23 percent or $636,007 over the 2016 tax levy. AB2016-343 (Ordinance 2016-052) Adopted 5-2, Rud Browne and Barbara Brenner6 opposed.

213. Adopt the 2017-2018 budget? (Public hearing held) Approve a preliminary budget of $212,940,234 in appropriations for 2017 and $191,303,076 in appropriations for 2018. AB2016-198C (Ordinance 2016-053) Substitute adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner7 opposed.

214. Establish the Sudden Valley stormwater improvements fund and a $780,000 project-based budget? It will be established for the design and construction of stormwater control and treatment facilities to reduce phosphorous pollution in Lake Whatcom. It is part of the six year capital improvement program. AB2016-326 (Ordinance 2016-054) Adopted 7-0

215. Establish the Hovander Park building improvements fund and a $275,000 project-based budget? The project is part of the six-year capital improvement program. Two unsafe structure will be demolished, material removed, and the site restored. A new shop for park maintenance will be constructed. AB2016-327 (Ordinance 2016-055) Adopted 7-0

216. Establish the Lake Whatcom trail development fund and a $443,000 project-based budget? The fund will expand the mileage of single- and multi-use recreational trails available to Whatcom County residents for recreation. The project is part of the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park recreational trail plan. They were approved by the council at the 10/25/2016 meeting, vote #194. AB2016-328 (Ordinance 2016-056) Adopted 7-0

217. Amend by $95,00 the Academy Road stormwater improvement fund and project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #231, council voted to establish it. The increase will bring the total budget to $1,204,000. The project, which treats runoff from approximately 80 acres, and includes a pre-treatment unit, a media filtration system, a high flow bypass, and a lakefront vegetation buffer. It is jointly administered by Whatcom County and the city of Bellingham, and is part of the Lake Whatcom comprehensive stormwater management plan. AB2016-329 (Ordinance 2016-057) Adopted 7-0

218. Amend by $170,000 the Agate Heights/Estate Bay Lane stormwater improvements fund and project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #232, council voted to establish it. The increase will bring the total budget to $780,000. The project will treat runoff for approximately 90 acres and uses bio-infiltration swales and channel stabilization to reduce ditch erosion and improve overall water quality. It is listed as item no.2 in the 2016-2021 six-year water resources improvement program. AB2016-330 (Ordinance 2016-058) Adopted 7-0

219. Amend by $200,000 the Cedar Hills/Euclid stormwater improvements fund and project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #234, council voted to establish it. The project includes rain gardens, filter vaults, and treatment swales. Unanticipated engineering expenses require increased funding to complete the project. The increase will bring the total budget to $1,755,586. The project is part of the Lake Whatcom comprehensive stormwater management plan. AB2016-275A (Ordinance 2016-059) Adopted 7-0

220. Amend the 2016 budget (request #17) in the amount of $2,336,646? Appropriate: $10,000 to fund a University of Washington project to train public health staff in emergency response; $56,646 to fund support services for youth experiencing mental illness and homelessness; $40,000 to fund upgrades to Health Department equipment and facilities; $10,000 to fund overtime for drug enforcement activities at the sheriff’s department; $285,000 to fund election-related expenses; $40,000 to fund emergency management response; $95,000 to fund the Academy Road stormwater improvement project to address water quality; $1,800,000 to fund increasing medical costs for the county’s self-insured medical plan. AB2016-331 (Ordinance 2016-060) Adopted 7-0

221. Close the Rural Road safety program fund and a project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #222, council voted for a $750,000 project-based budge to addresses safety concerns through signage, rumble strips, and high-friction surface treatments. The Rural Road safety project has been completed and the fund is no longer necessary. The remaining balance of $39,620 will be returned to road fund. AB2016-333 (Ordinance 2016-061) Adopted 7-0

222. Close the Lake Whatcom Boulevard resurfacing fund and a project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #219, the council voted for a $1,500,000 project-based budget. Located between Cable Street and Strawberry Point, the approximately 1.6 miles of road include pavement repair, upgrades to pavement markings, and signage improvement. It has been completed and the fund is no longer necessary. The remaining balance of $993,421 will be returned to road fund. AB2016-334 (Ordinance 2016-062) Adopted 7-0

223. Close the Slater Road/Nooksack River bridge fund and a project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #221, the council voted for a $1,700,000 project-based budget. The bridge was constructed in 1957, the project included sandblasting and repainting the bridge. The project has been completed and the fund is no longer necessary. AB2016-335 (Ordinance 2016-063) Adopted 7-0

224. Close the Hannegan Road structural overlay fund and a project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #223, the council voted for a $2,000,000 project-based budget. The 4.4 mile project from the Bellingham city limits to the Hemmi Road included rumble strips and new pavement marking. The project has been completed and the fund is no longer necessary. The remaining balance of $527,042 will be returned to road fund. AB2016-336 (Ordinance 2016-064) Adopted 7-0

225. Close the Beaver Creek stormwater improvements fund and a project-based budget? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #233, the council voted for a $565,000 project-based budget to reduce sediment, restore and repair eroded parts of Beaver Creek. The project was cancelled due to channel restoration work being completed by the Sudden Valley Community Association. AB2016-337 (Ordinance 2016-065) Adopted 7-0

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