Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at March 5, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
63. Authorize the executive to sign a $110,008 contract (amendment #4) with Julota of Colorado Springs, Colorado? The council approved the original contract for $61,350 at the 11/23/2021 meeting. The amendment will provide a web-based, mobile integrated software platform to track and monitor services provided to frequent users of the ART, GRACE, and LEAD programs operated by the county. The total amended contract is $278,426; it expires on 12/31/2028. (AB2024-147) Authorized 7-0
64. Authorize the executive to sign a $99,994 contract with Kittelson & Associates of Portland, Oregon, to implement a countywide study of electric vehicle infrastructure? The contract will provide facilitation of a multi-jurisdictional group to evaluate appropriate locations for publically accessible electric vehicle charging facilities in Whatcom County. The contract expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2024-150) Authorized 7-0
65. Authorize the executive to sign a $5,500 contract (amendment #1) with Whatcom Law Group/Rajeev Majumdar for hearing examiner services? The council approved the original $220,320 contact at the 12/5/2023 meeting, vote #355. At the 2/6/2024 meeting, vote #47, the council abolished the Whatcom County Appeals Board — the purpose of this amendment is to increase funding for additional services resulting from the elimination of the board. The total amended contract is $225,820; it expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2024-151) Authorized 7-0
66. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,801,736 state grant (amendment #1) to fund homelessness crisis response systems? At the 7/11/2023 meeting, vote #177, the council authorized the executive to accept a state grant for $10,543,379, to assist people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to obtain and maintain housing stability. This amendment will add unspent 2023 eviction prevention funds to support rental assistance, case management services, and resources to support client independence. The grant supports priorities outlined in the Whatcom County Plan to End Homelessness. The total amended amount is $12,345,115; it expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2024-158) Authorized 6-1, Mark Stremler opposed.
67. Approve the executive to act as the authorized representative for the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)? The Whatcom Land Trust has applied for a $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Forest Service/Community Forest Program to acquire, under Phase 2, an estimated 2,500 acres in the Stewart Mountain Community Forest. Under Phase 1, 550 acres were acquired in October 2022. The application requires the designation of an authorized representative to execute the agreement. (AB2024-161) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Mark Stremler opposed.
68. Authorize the executive to sign an $81,585 contract with Saturna Watershed Sciences of Bellingham? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract will provide for analysis and extrapolation of instream flow data from measured to unmeasured sites, for the purposes of watershed and salmon recovery planning. The contract expires on 6/30/2024. (AB2024-162) Authorized 7-0
69. Authorize the executive to sign the collective bargaining agreement with PROTEC17 (Professional and Technical Employees Local 17)? The 1/1/2024 – 12/31/2025 agreement is with the Matt Herzog Memorial Lodge #24, representing 25 county employees. The agreement features: a 4 percent wage increase in 2024, and 3percent for 2025; increases in contributions to medical coverage; and 1 percent base wage increase for certified bilingual employees. (AB2024-171) Authorized 7-0
70. Fill eight vacancies on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee? The committee oversees and reports annually to the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force and the council on the financial performance of the Public Health, Safety, and Justice Tax Fund and associated programs. Five applications were received. Appointed: Hannah Sloan to the reentry specialist; Corbett Hanson to the substance use disorder treatment provider; Richard Gleason to the recovery subject matter position; and Richard Gleason and Tawsha Thompson to the criminal legal system user/formerly incarcerated position. (AB2024-177) Approved 7-0
71. Amend the Whatcom County Code to clarify member requirements on the Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee? The committee provides review and recommendations to the council and the executive on issues that affect the ongoing operations and infrastructure of ferry service to Lummi Island. This amendment will clarify code language related to nonresident membership: four members who do not live or own property on Lummi Island with priority given to one Lummi Nation representative, two who live in unincorporated Whatcom County and two who live anywhere in Whatcom County. AB2024-145 (Ordinance 2024-013) Adopted 7-0
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Action Taken at March 19, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
72. Authorize the executive to accept a $531,200 state grant (amendment #17) to fund various public health programs? The original agreement was approved at the 1/11/2022 meeting and did not involve money. The purpose of this amendment is to: increase funding for water quality monitoring and drinking water programs; decrease funding for coronavirus prevention and response programs; and revise the scope of work for Mpox prevention and response programs. The total amended contract is $13,893,641; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2024-192) Authorized 7-0
73. Authorize the executive to accept a $36,123 state grant (amendment #1) to fund the Nurse Family Partnership Program? At the 9/26/2023 meeting, vote #255, the council authorized the executive to accept the initial grant of $378,496. The goals of the program are: to ensure healthy birth weights; support children and youth in developing healthy relationships with parents/caregivers; and to support the ability of parents/caregivers to meet the needs of their children/youth. The program provides home visits, education, and outreach for at-risk, first-time mothers. The purpose of the amendment is to add funding to purchase basic needs items for eligible families. The total amended contract is $414,619; it expires on 7/31/2024. (AB2024-194) Authorized 7-0
74. Authorize executive to sign a $154,000 contract (amendment #1) with North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization to fund the Recovery Navigator Program to enhance LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) programming? The original contract for $512,455 was authorized at the 4/12/22 meeting, vote #98. This amendment will increase services that are intended to address the care-coordination needs of individuals experiencing behavioral health, substance use, and criminal legal concerns. The total amended contract is $666,455; it expires on termination or supersession. (AB2024-202) Authorized 7-0
75. Amend the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District & Subzones 2024 budget (request #2) in the amount of $564,477? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) This budget amendment will fund predesign activities for five fish-passage barriers being upgraded in coordination with state and tribal WRIA partners. AB2024-178 (Resolution 2024-012) Approved 7-0
76. Approve the Whatcom County Water District No. 2 comprehensive water system plan? State law requires all comprehensive water and sewer system plans and plan amendments be approved or rejected by the county legislative authority. The county Public Works Department approved the Water District No.2 plan and forwarded it to the council for final approval. AB2024-095 (Resolution 2024-013) Substitute approved 7-0
77. Support a Whatcom County ferry rate increase and allocation of American Rescue Plan Funds? Whatcom County code requires that fare revenue cover 55 percent of adjusted total operating costs. Whatcom County ferry ridership has declined over time and was also impacted by coronavirus-related factors, resulting in budget shortfalls since 2022. In 2024, a shortfall of $706,000 is projected. The last fare increase was a $3 surcharge in 2010. This resolution requests the executive, in consultation with Public Works and the Ferry Advisory Committee, use his authority to increase ferry fares. The rate increase and allocation of ARPA is meant to address the budget shortfall while longer term measures are identified. AB2024-209 (Resolution 2024-014) Approved 7-0
78. Grant the Port of Bellingham a nonexclusive franchise for the provision of telecommunication services? (Public hearing held.) The franchise will allow for the use of county rights-of-way for activities related to the maintenance and operation of telecommunications facilities. Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham are currently partnering on three projects: the installation of aerial and underground fiber infrastructure to provide high-speed internet connections for residents in north Lynden (45 miles, 678 connections), north Ferndale (30 miles, 456 connections), and east Nooksack/Mosquito Lake Road (45 miles, 729 connections). The franchise will expire in 2049. AB2024-126 (Ordinance 2024-014) Adopted 7-0
79. Grant the Public Utility District No. 1 of Whatcom County a nonexclusive franchise for the provision of telecommunication services? (Public hearing held.) The franchise will allow for the use of county rights-of-way for activities related to the maintenance and operation of telecommunications facilities. Whatcom County and the Public Utility District No.1 are currently partnering on a project to construct 25 miles of aerial and underground fiber infrastructure to provide 1,274 high-speed internet connections in the Point Roberts area. The franchise will expire in 2049. AB2024-127 (Ordinance 2024-015) Adopted 7-0
80. Temporarily close Truck Road? (Public hearing held.) Flooding in 2020 and 2021 created damage that required emergency repairs. The closure of Truck Road, from Deal Road to Mosquito Lake Road, will allow a second phase of construction to continue repairs and provide environmental mitigation. The temporary closure is expected to be in effect from June through the end of November of this year. AB2024-160 (Ordinance 2024-016) Adopted 7-0
81. Establish a $5,250,000 project-based budget for the Unity Street Acquisition Project Fund? Whatcom County government requires additional office space due to expansion of the courts. The project-based budget will fund building acquisitions at 110 and 121 Unity Street in Bellingham. The two-story building at 110 Unity is assessed at $3,425,000 and the Best Chopsticks restaurant at 121 Unity at $1,358,000 — when the two are combined the price is $4,100,000. Remodeling is anticipated at $1 million: offices will be created, energy efficiency upgraded, building security and HVAC efficiency improved. AB2024-179 (Ordinance 2024-017) Adopted 7-0
82. Amend the 2024 budget (request #5) in the amount of $9,827,008? Expenditures: $562,945 for the sheriff’s department; $584,821 for Laurel and Forest housing; $315,000 for the Birch Bay library; $500,970 for the food bank; $378,432 for the Lighthouse Mission; $1,823,885 for Port of Bellingham broadband; $343,489 for the Lynden Trail Connector; and $5,250,000 for Unity Street acquisition. The remaining $67,466 is in small amounts. AB2024-180 (Ordinance 2024-018) Adopted 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
