Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale

Action Taken at March 31, 2020 Special Meeting

Shall the council:
58. Approve an initial budget of $4,500,000 for a special revenue fund titled Corvid-19 Emergency Response Fund? The county executive has issued a proclamation of emergency to combat the spread of the Covid-19 virus. At the 3/10/2020 meeting, vote #47, the council adopted an emergency ordinance for $250,000 to fund the emergency response. At the 3/24/2020 meeting, vote #57, the council adopted another emergency ordinance. The executive is proposing a $4 million loan from the Economic Development Investment Board, the county is anticipating a $250,000 contribution from the city of Bellingham and a $250,000 transfer from the general fund. Funding from the federal government is expected to offset 75 percent of the costs. AB2020-161 (Emergency Ordinance 2020-013) Amended and adopted 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed. Due to a procedural oversight, the ordinance was not adopted.

59. Authorize an interfund loan not to exceed $1 million to finance cash flow for Covid-19 emergency response? The Economic Development Investment Board (public utilities improvement) fund will provide the temporary loan for the emergency response. The loan shall not exceed 18 months with one-half percent interest rate. AB2020-162 (Ordinance 2020-014) Adopted as amended 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed. Due to a procedural oversight, the ordinance was not adopted.

Action Taken at April 3, 2020 Special Meeting

Shall the council:
60. Authorize an interfund loan not to exceed $1 million to finance cash flow for Covid-19 emergency response? The Economic Development Investment Board fund will provide the temporary loan for the emergency response. The loan shall not exceed 18 months with one-half percent interest rate. AB2020-165 (Ordinance 2020-015) Adopted as amended 7-0.

61. Approve an initial budget of $1,750,000 for a special revenue fund titled Corvid-19 Emergency Response Fund? The county executive has issued a proclamation of emergency to combat the spread of the Covid-19 virus. At the 3/10/2020 meeting, vote #47, the council adopted an emergency ordinance for $250,000 to fund the emergency response. At the 3/24/2020 meeting, vote #57, the council adopted another emergency ordinance and at vote #60 the council approved a $1 million Economic Development Investment Board loan, the county is anticipating a $500,000 contribution from the city of Bellingham and a $250,000 transfer from the general fund. Funding from the federal government is expected to offset 75 percent of the costs. AB2020-166 (Emergency Ordinance 2020-016) Adopted 7-0

Action Taken at April 7, 2020 Meeting

Shall the council:
62. Authorize the executive to sign a jail use agreement (amendment #1) with the city of Bellingham? In the past, when additional jail capacity was needed, the county sent inmates to the Yakima County jail. This amendment will update agreement language to remove Yakima County Jail and add the Kittitas County Jail as a carceral facility utilized by the county when it houses inmates sent by the cities. The cost for basic housing is $66.50 per day, and $133 per day for high maintenance housing. The contract ends on 12/31/2021. (AB2020-147) Approved 7-0

63. Proclaim the week of April 6-12 as National Public Health Week? This proclamation is intended to celebrate, promote, and support efforts by public health professionals at local, state, and national levels of government to improve public health through education, awareness, and action. AB2020-170 (Resolution 2020-013) Approved 7-0

64. Authorize an interfund loan to finance cash flow for the Covid-19 emergency response? On 3/10/2020 the executive declared a public health emergency in Whatcom County; at the 4/3/2020 meeting, vote #61, council established the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund; and at the same meeting, vote #60, authorized a $1 million emergency loan from the Economic Development Investment Board (public utilities improvement) fund. Cash flow is needed to provide funding for emergency activities pending reimbursement from local, state, and federal funding sources. The loan shall not exceed 18 months with a one-half percent intereste rate. AB2020-175 (Ordinance 2020-017) Adopted 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.

65. Amend the 2020 budget (request #10) in the amount of $3,000,000? Appropriated: $3,000,000 in interfund loans from the Public Utilities Fund to provide cash flow for Covid-19 emergency response requirements. AB2020-174 (Emergency Ordinance 2020-18) Adopted 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.

Action Taken at April 21, 2020 Meeting

Shall the council:
66. Authorize the executive to accept a $7,550,000 state grant for flood control projects? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors) Flood control projects supported by the grant funding include: the Jones Creek deflection berm; the Glacier-Gallup alluvial fan restoration; the Ferndale levee improvement; the Reach 4 levee reconfiguration; the Lynden levee improvement; and the update process for the Lower Nooksack River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan. (AB2020-071) Approved7-0

67. Amend the 2020 budget (request #9) in the amount of $261,127? Appropriated: $128,500 to fund opioid abuse prevention and outreach programs, including safe prescription storage materials and training; $32,627 to fund rental assistance programs, including rapid rehousing for families with children; $100,000 to fund preliminary architectural design of the redevelopment of the Northwest Annex, used by Planning & Development Services. AB2020-163 (Ordinance 2020-019) Adopted 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.

68. Amend the 2020 budget (request #11) in the amount of $154,946? Appropriated: $154,946 to provide Covid-19 related short-term emergency housing support for low- to moderate-income residents of Island, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties in partnership with the Opportunity Council. AB2020-177 (Ordinance 2020-020) Adopted 7-0

69. Establish a process for the disclosure of information to the emergency management staff, the county executive, the county health board, and the public during a public health emergency? When a health emergency has been declared, matters releated to a public health emergency may be conducted in executive session such as: the selection of a site or acquisition of real estate; negotiations on bid contracts, discussions with legal counsel relating to agency enforcement actions and litigation. Disclosure of information shall be prompt and continual during the emergency. AB2020-173 (Ordinance 2020-021) Amended and adopted 7-0

 

 

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