Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at December 5, 2017 Meeting
Shall the council
236. Approve a substitute amendment with the Cascadia Law Group of Seattle to provide legal consultation and representation for the county? The original contract for $40,000 was authorized at the 8/8/2017 meeting, vote #153 and a $25,000 amendment approved at the 10/24/2017 meeting, vote # 195, bringing the total contract to $65,000. The contract will produce a statutory analysis/study of legal mechanisms available to council as it develops regulations addressing public safety and environmental concerns related to the export of petroleum products from the Cherry Point Urban Growth Area; and technical assistance with the process of drafting Comprehensive Plan amendments. The subsitiute amendment contract expires on 3/31/2018. (AB2017-301) Subsitute approved 6-1, Barbara Brenner1 opposed.
237. Authorize the executive to sign a $38,416 contract (amendment #2) with the Watershed Science & Engineering of Seattle for the for the High Creek management plan? The plan addresses chronic sediment accumulation in the channelized lower reach of High Creek which blocks fish passage and contributes to local flooding. This amendment provides additional design work to reduce impacts to adjacent landowners and to large riparian trees which were not anticipated. This amendment brings the total contract to $192,720, it expires on 6/30/2019. (AB2017-359) Approved 7-0
238. Authorize the executive to sign an agreement with Public Utility District No 1 of Whatcom County for a stream gaging and groundwater modeling project? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The project was started in 2014, phase 3 was completed in September 2016. The $100,000 in PUD funding for phase 4, it is focused on the Lynden-Everson-Nooksack-Sumas area of the Nooksack River and its tributaries from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018. (AB2017-360) Approved 7-0
239. Authorize the executive to sign a $100,000 contract with the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce? The contract will support of operations at the Birch Bay Visitor Center and the promotion and advertising of multi-day annual events.The contract expires on 12/31/2018. (AB2017-361) Approved 7-0
240. Authorize the executive to sign a contract $100,000 with Mount Baker Foothills Chamber of Commerce? The contract will support operations at the Mount Baker Foothills Visitor Center. The contract expires on 12/31/2018. (AB2017-362) Approved 7-0
241. Authorize the executive to sign a $290,000 contract with the Bellingham-Whatcom County Tourism? The contract will in support tourism-related marketing and operations in Whatcom County. The contract includes a $15,000 increase to fund the implementation of a cultural heritage tourism plan. The contract expires on 12/31/2018 (AB2017-363) Approved 7-0
242. Authorize the executive to sign a $105,000 contract with Dr. Marvin Wayne to be medical program director? At the 11/8/2017 general election, Whatcom County voters passed the Emergency Medical Services levy and approved the funding plan, which includes the position of medical program director. Dr. Wayne will provide the services as described under Washington State Department of Health guidelines. The contract expires on 12/31/2018. (AB2017-366) Approved 7-0
243. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,435,045 contract (amendment #1) with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the Hannegan Road/Ten Mile Creek Bridge? This vote is required to obligate federal funds for construction, consultant and agency construction engineering support, material testing, and construction inspection for the Hannegan Road/Ten Mile Creek Bridge No. 236 replacement project. The county has been awarded $950,000 in federal funds for the project. This amendment brings the total contract to $1,565,045, it expires on 12/31/2021. (AB2017-368) Approved 7-0
244. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,777,495 contract (amendment #1) with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the Roberts Road/Anderson Creek Bridge? The vote will provide federal funds for construction of the Roberts Road/Anderson Creek Bridge No. 249 replacement project? The county has been awarded $1,387,170 in federal funds for the project. The project is listed as Item No. 20 on the 2018 Annual Construction Program. This amendment brings the total contract to $1,947,945, it expires on 12/31/2021. (AB2017-369) Approved 7-0
245. Authorize the executive to sign a $77,939 contract (amendment #2) with the Opportunity Council? The contract will provide continued referral and resource connection services for families of individuals aged 3-21 with suspected developmental disabilities. The Opportunity Council served 969 children and families in 2016. This amendment brings the total contract to $144,939, it expires on 12/31/2018. (AB2017-372) Approved 7-0
246. Authorize the executive to sign a $168,879 contract with CDW Logistics of Vernon Hills, Illinois? The contract renews for three-years the Microsoft enterprise agreement that provides the Whatcom County government with licenses for Office, Exchange, networking terminal service, and software support to meet information technology requirements. The contract expires on 12/31/2020. (AB2017-374) Approved 7-0
247. Authorize the executive to sign a $129,250 contract (amendment #1) with the Whatcom Family & Community Network? The amendment extends a community-based substance abuse intervention program in the Mt. Baker School District geographic area. The program is focused on educating and organizing community members and groups to address substance abuse and related mental health concerns. The amendment brings the total contract to $163,000, it expires on 12/31/2018. (AB2017-375) Approved 7-0
248. Authorize the executive to sign a $16,261,905 contract for advanced life support services with Fire Protection District #7 and the city of Bellingham? At the 11/8/2017 general election Whatcom County voters passed the Emergency Medical Services levy for funding life support services over the next six years. Cost is based on a per unit fee as recommended through the EMS Funding Work Group and approved and recommended by the EMS Oversight Board. The first year (2017) is $8,010,789 and the second year (2018) is $8,251,116. (AB2017-386) Substitute approved 7-0
249. Authorize the levy of taxes for the 2018 Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District? (Public hearing held – council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Taxes will not be increased over 2017, except for new construction and improvements to property, for a total increased revenue collection of $1,200,000 for 2018. AB2017-331 (Resolution 2017-064) Approved 7-0
250. Adopt the 2018 budget for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District and subzones? (Public hearing held – council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The budget includes costs associated with: overhead and administration; maintainence and operation; construction and improvements; and bond retirement and interest. District subzones include Acme/Van Zandt; Lynden/Everson; Sumas/Nooksack/Everson; Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resoruces Management District; and the Samish Watershed. AB2017-321 (Resolution 2017-065) Approved 7-0
251. Modify (amendment #2) the 2017 unified fee schedule for density credits? (Public hearing held) The 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 2017 schedule was first passed at 11/22/2016 meeting, vote #209 and amended at the 9/26/2017 meeting, vote #179. The density credit fee would allow developers to increase the density of permitted projects from 7 units per acre to 14 units per acre in exchange for financial contributions to the Whatcom County Purchase of Development Rights Program. The credits will be applied to single-family residential developments within the Birch Bay Resort Commercial zones. AB2017-347 (Ordinance 2017-072) Adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner2 opposed.
252. Adopt a secure medicine return regulation? (Public hearing held) The number of locations where people can drop off their used medicine will be expanded. Financial sustainability is ensured throught a pharmaceutical industry-financed system. Flushing unwanted medicines down toilets and sinks is an inappropriate disposal practice and disposing of unwanted medicines in trash cans is not secure and unwanted medicines are household hazardous wastes. The policy is modeled after regulations passed in King, Snohomish, Kitsap, and Pierce Counties. AB2017-348 (Ordinance 2017-073) Adopted 7-0
253. Repeal the solid waste disposal district tax? (Public hearing held) The disposal tax was passed in 1990 to fund solid waste programs. The disposal tax has been replaced by the solid waste excise privilege tax. AB2017-349 (Ordinance 2017-074) Adopted 7-0
254. Levy 2018 taxes for countywide emergency medical purposes? (Pubic hearing held) Taxes will not be increased over 2017 levels. AB2017-358 (Ordinance 2017-075) Adopted 7-0
255. Establish a stormwater utility district in the Lake Whatcom watershed? (Public hearing held) Lake Whatcom provides provides drinking water for approximately 100,000 Whatcom County residents. At the 9/26/2017 meeting, vote #174, the council passed a resolution requesting the executive develop a special funding district to improve water quality in the unincorporation Lake Whatcom watershed. A consultant will be hired for public outreach and to establish fees and charges. Council action will be required to implement fees and charges. AB2017-251C (Ordinance 2017-076) Adopted 6-1 Barbara Brenner3 opposed.
256. Amend the Critical Areas and the Shoreline Management Program? (Public hearing held) The amendments relate to: the use of best-available science standards; Planning & Development service collaboration with the agricultural community; textual error correction; interpretive powers; severability in case of court findings of unconstitutionality; and the effective date of the ordinance. AB2016-276L (Ordinance 2017-077) Amended and adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner4 opposed.
2257. Amend the 2017 budget (request #14) in the amount of $250,807? Appropriate: $52,198 to fund reimbursable overtime increases at the sheriff’s department; $5,000 to fund an increase in the recreation boating safety program; $108,750 to partially fund emergency electrical repairs on the Lummi Island ferry; and $84,859 to fund the transfer of corrections deputies to new health plans. AB2017-345 (Ordinance 2017-078) Adopted 7-0
258. Amend the 2018 budget (request #2) in the amount of $290,000? Appropriate: $90,000 for the Lummi Island ferry terminal dock maintainence; $200,000 to fund dock maintainence supplement. AB2017-346 (Ordinance 2017-079) Adopted 7-0
259. Establish a Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee? The committee will advise council on the implementation of the climate action plan. At the 5/9/2006 meeting, vote #107, the council voted to participate in the Counties and Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. The climate action plan went into effect in January 2007 with a goal of 100 percent renewable energy use for Whatcom County operations. The Climate Impact Advisory Committee will consist of 11 voting members appointed by the County Council. The climate action plan will be updated every five years. At least seven committee members will have professional or educational backgrounds in: climate science; renewable energy development; energy conservation; waste reduction and recycling; farming; food security; land use planning; municpal government; flood mitigation and planning. A committee term will be three years with five of the initial members appointed for two years. AB2017-351(Ordinance 2017-080) Amended and adopted 6-1, Barbara Brenner5 opposed.
260. Amend the Whatcom County Code relating to the County Council? These amendments relate to: consecutive terms of office for council members; vacanies, nominations; parliamentary procedures; failure to meet quorum; and the use of technology by council members to attend meetings remotely. AB2017-352 (Ordinance 2017-081) Substitute amended and adopted 5-2, Barbara Brenner6 and Todd Donovan opposed.
