Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at May 7, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
123. Accept the final project performance on the CARES Act/Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus funds? (Public hearing held.) Funding for $857,925 supported activities that prevented, prepared for, and responded to the coronavirus in Whatcom County. (AB2024-259) Approved 7-0
124. Authorize the executive to sign a $74,928 contract with Triangle Associates of Seattle for Forest Resilience Task Force support services? At the 10/10/2023 meeting, vote # 284, the council established a task force to develop a forest resilience plan and issued a request for proposal for services to support that process. This contract will provide project administration, meeting facilitation, plan development, a public engagement campaign, and a final plan document. The contract expires on 9/30/2025. (AB2024-271) Authorized 4-3, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
125. Authorize the executive to sign a contract (amendment #3) with the City of Bellingham to extend the agreement which provides funding for staffing and implementation of the Alternative Response Team Program? The original agreement was approved at the 5/23/2022 meeting, vote #88. The program provides emergency response services for community members in mental health crisis. The amendment will extend the length of the agreement by six months. The amount of $402,179 approved in 2022 does not change; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2024-274) Authorized 7-0
126. Authorize the executive to sign a three-year contract not to exceed $862,000 annually with K&H Printers-Lithographers of Everett to procure election-related materials? The contractor (doing business as K&H Election Services) will provide printing of ballots, inserts, ballot envelopes; the processing and mailing of ballot packets; and other services related to ballot printing, mailing, and tracking. The contract expires on 5/2/2027. (AB2024-278) Authorized 7-0
127. Authorize the executive to sign contracts with seven cities to finance a new jail and behavioral health treatment center? The contracts are with the the cities of Bellingham/Blaine/Everson/Ferndale/Lynden/Nooksack and Sumas. At the 2023 general election, the voters approved a new sales tax to fund the construction of a new county jail and to implement incarceration prevention and reduction programs. The contracts establish a Finance and Facility Advisory Board and define the details of the cost-sharing agreement between the county and the cities. (AB2024-281) Authorized 7-0
128. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $877,105 to Western Refinery Services of Ferndale for the 2024 hot-mix asphalt prelevel? The engineer’s estimate was $905,988. The asphalt 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 $877,105. Three bids were received; the high bid was $939,050. (AB2024-285) Authorized 7-0
129. Authorize the executive to accept a $207,000 state grant for the Black Slough fish barrier removals project design? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The project replaces culverts on Homesteader and Clipper roads northeast of Acme and restore wetland, riparian, and instream habitat functions in Black Slough and Homesteader Creek. The state grant requires a $40,500 local match, for a total project amount of $247,500. The grant expires on 12/31/2026. (AB2024-287) Authorized 7-0
130.Confirm the executive’s reappointment of Gina Bring to the Developmental Disabilities Board? The board advises Developmental Disabilities Program staff with planning and coordination of services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Gina Bring is an advocate for special education services. (AB2024-290) Confirmed 7-0
131. Authorize the executive to sign seven contracts — totaling $920,040 — for the provision of behavioral health services? The contracts are with the Blaine ($144,540), Bellingham ($151,800), Ferndale ($132,000), Lynden ($122,100), Mount Baker ($118,800), Meridian ($118,800), Nooksack Valley ($132,000) School Districts. These contracts fund students who are challenged with mental health and substance use problems. The contracts expire on 8/31/2025. (AB2024-295/296/297/298/299/300/301) Authorized 7-0
132. Select three councilmembers to form an investigative committee to review recent employment decisions? The review is pursuant to the 4/30/2024 special meeting, vote #122, to conduct a formal investigation into the handling of allegations against former county employee Jon Hutchings. The discussion at the 4/30/2024 meeting and confirmation of council’s legal representation related to this matter. Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas and Todd Donovan are appointed. (AB2024-310) Approved 7-0
133. Approve the Drayton Harbor shellfish recovery and protection plan update for 2024? The county council established the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District in 1995 to address the downgrade and closure of shellfish growing areas in the harbor. At the 5/8/2007 meeting, vote #110, the council adopted an update of the original plan and this will update that plan with emerging issues, new priorities, and other actions needed to restore shellfish growing areas to Drayton Harbor. AB2024-289 (Resolution 2024-023) Approved 7-0
134. Amend Whatcom County Code related to the developmental disabilities advisory board? (Public hearing held.) The state law that establishes county developmental disability boards states that membership shall “consist of not less than nine nor more than fifteen members.” The county struggles to maintain a board larger than nine members and therefore the code language will be changed to nine members. AB2024-263 (Ordinance 2024-031) Adopted 7-0
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Action Taken at May 21, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
135. Authorize the executive to sign a $478,910 contract with The Imagine Institute of Tukwila to assist with the establishment of new home-based childcare providers in Whatcom County? The contract will provide licensing support, business start-up mentorship, and technical assistance to increase the number of childcare providers in the county by 15-17 providers and the number of new licensed childcare slots by between 180-204. The contract expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2024-317) Authorized 7-0
136. Authorize the executive to accept a $416,456 state grant (amendment #16) to fund various public health programs? The original three-year agreement was approved at the 1/11/2022 meeting. The purpose of the amendment is to increase funding for youth cannabis- and tobacco-use prevention, drinking water quality programs, school health infrastructure, and coronavirus-related measures. The total amended contract is $14,310,097; it expires on 12/31/2024 (AB2024-318) Authorized 5-2, Ben Elenbaas and Mark Stremler opposed.
137. Authorize the executive to award the only bid of $154,129 to Leica Geosystems, Inc. of Alpharetta Ga., for the purchase of a 360-degree laser scanning system, associated equipment, and accessories? The system will be used during technical investigations by the sheriff’s department. (AB2024-323) Authorized 7-0
138. Authorize the executive to sign a $125,000 contract with JR Setina Manufacturing Co. of Olympia for the purchase of vehicle equipment? It will be used on sheriff’s department fleet vehicles and includes cargo boxes, gun locks and mount systems, interior partitions, push bumpers, and skid plates. The contract expires on 8/31/2026. (AB2024-324) Authorized 7-0
139. Fill a vacancy on the Wildlife Advisory Committee? The committee advises the County Council, Planning and Development Services, and the Public Works Department on the value of wildlife and habitat management issues as they relate to the Comprehensive Plan. Applicant: Emily Wirtz. She is currently employed as a wildlife program manager/biologist with the natural resources department of the Lummi Indian Business Council. (AB2024-328) Appointed 7-0
140. Authorize the executive to sign a $101,896 contract (amendment #3) with the North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization to provide funds to support substance use disorder assessments in the jail, re-entry services, and recovery and mental health courts? At the 4/11/2023 meeting, vote #83, the original contract for $449,191 was approved by the council. The total amended contract is $1,598,663; it expires upon termination. (AB2024-330) Authorized 7-0
141. Designate the medical examiner a county employee? The medical examiner is tranferred from a contracted position to a county employee. It will provide more support, resources and accountability to the office with a salary of $27,000 per month. AB2024-268 (Resolution 2024-024) Approved 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed.
142. Amend by $71,500 the project budget (request #3) for the Lake Whatcom Park Trail Development Fund? The council established the $443,000 fund and project budget at the 11/22/2016 meeting, vote #216. This amendment will add funding to cover staff time, consultant fees, and public outreach efforts. The total amended project budget is $1,029,525. AB2024-303 (Ordinance 2024-032) Adopted 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed.
143. Amend the 2024 budget (request #7) in the amount of 1,605,662? Appropriate: $268,366 for a fifth Superior Court judge; $358,000 for lost ferry revenue; $234,800 to construct an asphalt parking lot at Stimpson Nature Reserve; $265,000 to demolish the Bay Horizon Hostel in Blaine; $160,000 to fund a passenger ferry during dry dock (May 18 to June 15) services. Nine other items total $319,495 or a mean of $35,500. AB2024-302 (Ordinance 2024-033) Substitute adopted 7-0
