Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at April 11, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
83. Authorize the executive to sign a $449,191 contract with North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization of Mount Vernon and Whatcom County Human Services of Bellingham? The contract will fund the county’s participation in the North Sound Integrated Care Network, which provides behavioral health services coordination, management, and support for the five regional (Island, San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom) member counties. The one-year contract will renew automatically until terminated. (AB2023-212) Authorized 7-0
84. Authorize the executive to sign a $75,000 contract (amendment #4) with Lydia Place to provide housing case management services? The original contract ran from 7/1/2021 to 12/31/2021. The purpose of the amendment is to add requirements for on-site behavioral health services for residents and case management staff consultation of a behavioral health professional. The total amended contract is $1,052,996; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-218) Authorized 7-0
85. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,950,000 state grant for Nooksack River floodplain mitigation? The grant will improve the Nooksack River gaging network, conduct a water storage study, and purchase and demolish up to four properties located in areas that are subject to inundation during flooding. The expiration date is 6/30/2023. (AB2023-223) Authorized 7-0
86. Authorize the executive to award the only bid of $100,000 to Taylor Made TDS Inc. of Burlington? The contract will provide Class-A commercial driver’s license training to Whatcom County Public Works employees. The maximum class size is 30 students and the location is Burlington. The total of the per person fee and training is $4,900. The contract expires on 4/14/2024. (AB2023-227)Authorized 7-0
87. Confirm the executive’s appointment of Elizabeth Kosa as director of public works? The appointment is effective 4/12/2023. The Cascadia Daily News reported she worked for the Washington State Ferries supervising 1,600 employees and was responsible for a budget of $450 million. The public works department has 11 full-time employees and a budget of $68.7 million. When Jon Hutchings resigned as director in November 2022, Elizabeth Kosa was appointed interim director. (AB22023-230) Authorized 7-0
88. Authorize the executive to sign a $200,000 contract with Pacific Security of Bellingham for security services at the Courthouse? At the 9/13/2005 meeting, vote #172, the first contract for security screening at the Courthouse was awarded to Olympic Security Services of Tukwila. Three screeners will be provided at one security station from 7:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Additional security staff may be needed for after-hours functions like council meeting, night court, teen court and elections. This contract expires on 12/31/2022. (AB2023-232) Authorized 7-0
89. Send a letter to Senator Patty Murray urging her to support the reauthorization of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative? The initiative provides technical assistance, coordination, and base funding support to seven county-based Marine Resources Committees (MRC). The work protects and restores our valuable marine resources and nearshore environment. Our county, like others, faces ongoing pressures from population growth, climate change, and habitat loss, making the contributions of MRCs more important than ever. (AB2023-233) Approved 7-0
90. Authorize the executive to award the only bid of $888,381 to Lake Union Drydock Company of Seattle for the annual repair and maintenance of the Lummi Island ferry? The engineer’s estimate was $893,583. Four representatives attended the pre-bid meeting; one shipyard submitted a bid. The repairs are estimated to take up to 22 days, from 4/29 to 5/20. (AB2023-260) Authorized 7-0
91. Approve the 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement between with Teamsters Local 231? The agreement covers corrections deputies and sergeants and includes: a 6 percent wage increase for 2023, 4 percent for 2024, and 3 percent for 2025; an 8 percent increase in benefit premiums for 2024 and 2025; a $2,000 retention bonus for 2023 and 2024 and $4,000 in 2025; education incentives; longevity step increases from 0.8 to 1.0 percent; the addition of the June 19 holiday; and a 2 percent bilingual premium. The agreement runs from 1/1/2023 to 12/31/2025. (AB2023-261) Authorized 7-0
92. Send a letter to the North Cascades National Park Service Complex? The letter requests cooperating agency status for the 2022 North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan. Okanogan, Chelan, Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties are involved with the reintroduction of grizzly bears. At the 3/13/2008 meeting, vote #46, the council passed a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to implement a plan to recover grizzly bears in the North Cascades. (AB2023-272) Approved 6-0-1, Todd Donovan abstained.
93. Amend the county code relating to land development and zoning? (Public hearing held.) The annual “code scrub” has 15 code amendments, minor changes to fix inconsistencies and grammar and add or modify minor policies. Changes include: allowing accessory dwelling units in all subdivisions granted preliminary approval prior to 1/25/1994; requiring secure bicycle parking for 5 percent of all required off-street vehicle parking spaces; reducing the size of parking stalls; and allowing transfer of development rights in urban growth areas. AB2023-174 (Ordinance 2023-018) Adopted 7-0
94. Amend the county code relating to electoral precincts? (Public hearing held.) This supersedes vote #104 at the 4/12/2022 meeting. Boundary lines are adjusted based on decennial census results and recommendations from the state redistricting commission or the Legislative, Congressional and County Council districts. Section 1.14 is replaced in its entirety with newly-established voting precinct boundaries and substituted in the “Book of Election Precinct Maps;” available through the Whatcom County auditor’s office homepage. AB2023-200 (Ordinance 2023-019) Adopted 7-0
95. Amend the 2023 budget (request #5) in the amount of $631,850? Appropriated: $495,118 to fund administrative costs for the Healthy Children’s Fund; $73,732 to fund additional services and improvements at the Plantation Rifle Range; $63,000 to fund Lake Whatcom Trail project activities. AB2023-204 (Ordinance 2023-020) Adopted 7-0
96. Add $63,000 in expenditure authority (request #2) for the project-based budget for the Lake Whatcom Park Trail Development Fund? The $443,000 project-based budget was initially approved at the 11/22/2016 meeting, vote #216. Over 12 miles of trails have been constructed/reconstructed in the Lookout Mountain forest preserve and Lake Whatcom Park recreation trail. The amendment money will be used to finish connecting the Chanterelle Trail to the Hertz Trail. The total project-based budget is $958,025. AB2023-205 (Ordinance 2023-021) Adopted 7-0
Action Taken at April 25, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
97. Authorize the executive to sign a $80,000 contract (amendment #1) with Phoenix Counseling of Spokane to provide domestic violence evaluations and treatment for indigent defendants processed through Whatcom County District Court and Bellingham Municipal Courts? The purpose of the amendment is to add funding and change the end date of the contract. The total amended contract is $120,000; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-251) Authorized 7-0
98. Fill a vacancy on the Wildlife Advisory Committee? The committee advises the County Council and Planning and Development Services on the value of wildlife and habitat management issues as relate to the county comprehensive plan. Appointed: Karen Hardesty is a retired wildlife educator and former state and federal wildlife management agency employee. (AB2023-277) Appointed 7-0
99. Authorize the executive to sign a $100,000 contract (amendment #3) with the Collins Woerman Company of Seattle to continue assistance in planning, facilitation, and technical support of Floodplain Integrated Planning (FLIP) team meetings? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The total amended contract is $140,000; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-279) Authorized 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
100. Authorize the executive to sign a $498,733 contract with the Opportunity Council? The contract will provide services to increase childcare options in Whatcom County, including: the purchase of a digital childcare access application for community member and provider use; business leadership and professional development; scholarships for early learning and childcare credentialing; and emergency childcare vouchers. The contract expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2023-282) Authorized 7-0
101. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $564,790 to Granite Construction Company of Everson for the 2023 hot-mix asphalt prelevel? The engineer’s estimate was $800,360. The prelevel is used at various locations for the maintenance and repair of county roads. The contract includes all labor, equipment, and materials required to install asphalt prelevel in an amount not to exceed $564,790. Five bids were received; the high bid was $838,391. (AB2023-285) Authorized 7-0
102. Authorize the executive to accept a $4,294,850 state grant for supporting essential community services and recovery assistance after the November 2021 state/federally declared flood disaster? The funding is from the state department of commerce and supports projects that include: integrated public warning systems; public safety communications network; installation of seven emergency road gates; eight variable emergency message sign units; six flood warning sirens; eight automated sandbagging machines; response support containers; all-weather drones; and a generator for the Nooksack Valley School District. The expiration date is 6/30/2023. (AB2023-291) Authorized 7-0
103. Authorize the executive to award the only bid of $97,429 to Andgar Mechanical of Ferndale for the installation of a heat pump at Sun House? Six contractors were contacted about the HVAC installation, inspection and maintenance project; only one responded. (AB2023-292) Authorized 7-0
104. Authorize the executive to sign a $34,148 contract (amendment #6) with Northwest Youth Services of Bellingham to support operations at the ground floor day-use center? The original contract for $125,000 was approved at the 1/28/2020 meeting, vote #15. The purpose of the amendment is to increase funding for personnel, operations, training, and travel expenses for the center at 2500 E Street for youth ages 13-24 who are experiencing or are at-risk of homelessness. The total amended contract is $610,918; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-293) Authorized 7-0
105. Authorize the executive to accept a $159,354 federal grant to implement the strategy of the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area? The grant from the office of National Drug Control Policy will support one deputy prosecutor and one legal assistant position at the prosecuting attorney’s office to support drug enforcement activities. The expiration date is 12/21/2024. (AB2023-296) Authorized 7-0
106. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,113,813 contract (amendment #12) with Opportunity Council to operate the Whatcom Homeless Service Center? The original contract for $796,701 was approved at the 12/8/2020 meeting, vote #257. The center was created to serve as a central point of entry for eligible county residents to apply for homelessness prevention. This amendment is to update outcomes and reporting requirements, adds funding for emergency motel stays and increased labor costs. The total amended contract is $10,143,834; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-300) Authorized 7-0
107. Clarify vote #92 at the 4/11/2023 meeting? It was passed 6-0-1, Todd Donovan abstaining. Council staff seeks clarification of the letter requesting cooperating agency status for the 2022 North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement. (2023-316) Approved 5-0-2, Todd Donovan and Carol Frazey abstaining.
108. Authorize the executive to grant an easement to Puget Sound Energy? The easement across South Fork Park property will provide electrical service to a private adjacent parcel. AB2023-286 (Resolution 2023-008) Approved 7-0
109. Amend the 2023 Flood Control Zone District & Subzones budget (request #1) in the amount of $12,096,245? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) Appropriated: $2,517,712 to fund the elevation of 14 properties to mitigate future flood damage; $9,578,533 to fund the acquisition of 15 properties with damaged structures. AB2023-271 (Resolution 2023-009) Approved 7-0
110. Update the Whatcom County Comprehensive Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan? State law requires local jurisdictions to update their comprehensive solid waste management plans every five years. This 2022 plan will replace the 2016 plan approved at the 1/24/2017 meeting, vote #13. AB2023-254 (Resolution 2023-010) Approved 7-0
111. Establish a temporary speed limit on Birch Bay Lynden Road? (Public hearing held.) The state has requested the use of Birch Bay Lynden Road as a detour during the closure of SR-539 for their Duffer Ditch fish passage project. The county engineer has determined that a temporary speed limit of 35 mph is necessary during construction. The standard traffic pattern will resume upon completion of that project. AB2023-237 (Ordinance 2023-022) Adopted 7-0
112. Install temporary stop signs on Birch Bay Lynden Road? (Public hearing held.) The state has requested the use of Birch Bay Lynden Road as a detour during the closure of SR-539 for their Duffer Ditch fish passage project. The county engineer has determined that stop control for both eastbound and westbound traffic is necessary at Berthusen Road. The standard traffic pattern will resume upon completion of that project. AB2023-240 (Ordinance 2023-023) Adopted 7-0
113. Amend the project-based budget for the Public Safety Radio System Fund (request #3) in the amount of $300,000? The council established the fund and project-based budget at the 11/20/2018 meeting, vote #205. The current system requires replacement as it is incompatible with regional partners, has gaps in coverage, and is unreliable. The estimated cost of a new system in 2018 was $6,023,751. This amendment is for Phase 3 (Southern Ring) and will allow the purchase of additional equipment. The total amended project budget is $988,553. AB2023-264 (Ordinance 2023-024) Adopted 7-0
114. Authorize a $4,294,850 interfund loan from the general fund to the Division of Emergence Management for the purchase of flood response equipment? The reimbursable grant for the purchase of flood response equipment is from the state department of commerce. AB2023-269 (Ordinance 2023-025) Adopted 7-0
115. Amend the 2023 budget (request #6) in the amount of $6,245,264? Appropriated: Homeless Housing Fund $1,376,819; Behavioral Health Program Fund $191,435; Emergency Medical Services Fund $182,160; Emergency Management Fund $4,294,850 and four items under $100,000. AB2023-270 (Ordinance 2023-026) Adopted 7-0
