Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at January 10, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Authorize the executive to sign a $180,000 two-year contract with the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual & Domestic Violence? The contract is for domestic violence and sexual assault services. It will provide administrative, management and support services for the effort to reduce and prevent domestic violence in Whatcom County, including trainings and community outreach. The contract expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2022-707) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
2. Authorize the executive to sign a $276,000 two-year contract with the Bellingham Food Bank for the gleaning project and the bulk buy food purchase program? The contract will support the procurement, warehousing, and distribution of food and other essentials to low and very low-income families living in Whatcom County. Dedicated yearly is $16,000 to the gleaning project and $160,000 to the bulk buy food purchase program. The contract expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2022-723) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
3. Authorize the executive to sign a $120,000 two-year contract (amendment #9) with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions of King of Prussia, Pa., to operate the county’s moderate risk waste facility? The original contact ran from 1/1/2013 to 12/31/2015. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract and update not-to-exceed totals. The total amended contract is $4,626,260; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2022-724) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
4. Authorize the executive to sign a $160,000 contract (amendment #5) with Northwest Youth Services in Bellingham to operate the ground floor day-use center? The original contract was approved at the 1/28/2020 meeting, vote 15. The center is a service-oriented space located on E Street for youth aged 13-24 who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. The amendment will increase open hours, as well as adding contractor reporting requirements, including documentation and staff training requirements, updates for County Council, and the development of a community engagement plan. The total amended contract is in the amount of $576,770; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2022-725) Approved 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed.
5. Authorize the executive to accept a $75,846 state grant for Whatcom Marine Resources Committee operations and projects? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The committee addresses local marine issues and recommends remedial action to county authorities. The grant will be used to hire a consultant to educate boaters about the eelgrass meadow in Wildcat Grove, located in Larrabee State Park and for a committee retreat. The grant expires on on 12/31/2023. (AB2022-733) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
6. Authorize the executive to sign a $2,050,000 contract with the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group of Everson? The contract will provide housing assistance ($550,000) and home/household appliance repair ($1,500,000) to low-income and disabled individuals impacted by the November 2021 flood. The contract expires on 6/30/2023. (AB2023-001) Approved 7-0
7. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,655,810 federal grant to replace the California Creek culvert under the Birch Bay-Lynden Road? The culvert was damaged during the November 2021 floods and requires replacement. The emergency relief funding is from the federal highway administration. There is $184,190 in local funds for a total estimated cost is $1,840,000. The expiration date is 12/31/2028. (AB2023-008) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
8. Authorize the executive to sign a $150,000 contract with Anchor QEA of Seattle? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract will support the preparation of a multi-purpose water storage assessment for WRIA 1, allowing for the identification of projects that improve low summer stream flow, support out-of-stream water users, and reduce flood risk. The contract expires on 9/30/2023. (AB2023-019) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
9. Fill seven vacancies on the Child and Family Well-Being Task Force? The task force has 30 members; 15 are permanent members appointed by their designated agency. The County Council appoints 15 members for four-year terms with a two-term limit. The task Force provides ongoing review of the impact of county government policies on children and families. There were 10 applicants: Anne Granberg; Monika Mahal; Katherine Orlowski, Vann Dartt, Colton Redtfeldt; Rick Tanner; Pamela Jons; Tilda Doughty, Christina Jackson, and Anne Granberg. Appointed: Anne Granberg, Monika Mahal, Katherine Orlowski, Colton Redtfeldt, Pamela Jons, Tilda Doughty, and Douglas Dickenson. Anne Granberg is an early learning director of the YMCA Heart House Early Leaning Center. Monika Mahal is a board certified pediatrician at PeaceHealth. Katherine Orlowski is currently employed at HomeNow Not Later. Colton Redtfeldt is director of marketing at MGM Solutions, a local technology company. Pamela Jons is executive vice president of the Whatcom Community Foundation. Tilda Doughty is the executive coordinator of Early Learning and Family Services at the Opportunity Council. Douglas Dickenson has 26 years of experience with families and children at-risk. All terms will expire on 1/31/2026. (AB2023-029) Appointed 7-0
10. Fill six vacancies on the Climate Impact Advisory Committee? The committee provides review and recommendations to the council and executive on issues related to preparing for, adapting to, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. There were nine applicants: Derek Gremban, incumbent; Ray Kamada, incumbent; Stevan Harrell, incumbent; Phillip Thompson, incumbent; John Bosche; Michael Karp; Chris Hoops; Suneeta Eisenberg and Regina Jeffries. Appointed: Derek Gremban, Ray Kamada, Stevan Harrell, Phillip Thompson, Regina Jeffries and Suneeta Eisenberg. Derek Gremban is employed as a chemical engineer with BP. Ray Kamada holds a PhD in atmospheric science from UC Davis. Stevan Harrell is a retired professor of environmental science at UW. Phillip Thompson is an associate professor emeritus in the economics and energy studies department at WWU. Regina Jeffries is an assistant professor of law in the interdisciplinary studies at Fairhaven College. Suneeta Eisenberg is a success coach at WWU and holds a master’s degree in education from WGU. (AB2023-030) Appointed 7-0
11. Fill four vacancies on the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee? The committee advises the council on water quality issues in the Drayton Harbor watershed. The Whatcom County Council created the Drayton Harbor district in 1995; it was in response to pollution and related closures. There was one applicant: Julie Hirsch, incumbent. Appointed: Julie Hirsch. She is currently the program manager at Garden of the Salish Sea. (AB2023-031) Approved 7-0
12. Fill two vacancies in the Planning Commission? There was one applicant: William Dominic Moceri, incumbent. Appointed: William Dominic Moceri. William Moceri is the owner of a construction business in Bellingham. (AB2023-033) Approved 7-0
13. Fill six vacancies on the Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee? The Whatcom County Council created the Portage Bay district in 1998. It was in response to pollution and related closures.There was one applicant: Alan Chapman, incumbent. Appointed Alan Chapman. Alan Chapman is retired; he managed the tribal shellfish harvest for the Lummi Nation for 30 years. (AB2023-034) Approved 7-0
14. Authorize the executive to accept $700,000 in Model Toxics Control Act funds for lead reclamation and cleanup activities at Plantation Rifle Range? There is little knowledge about the location, size and depth of impacted soil at the rifle range. Large and small bore range sites will be gridded into 10 feet by 10 feet sections and sampled with X-ray fluorescence (XRF). There will be a second round of sampling for the lead cleanup level, a contamination report and a plan for excavation and waste hauling in the summer of 2023. (AB2023-040) Approved 7-0
15. Authorize the executive to sign the 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement with the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots and Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific? These groups represent employees who operate the Lummi Island ferry. The agreement includes: a 6 percent wage increase in 2023, 4 percent in 2024, and 3 percent in 2025; a 5 percent premium contribution increase; annual cash out of 40 hours of accrued vacation time; add June 19 as a holiday; and a longevity stipend increase. The agreement expires on 12/31/2025. (AB2023-041) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
16. Authorize the executive to sign the 2022–2024 collective bargaining agreement (amendment #1) with the Fraternal Order of Police? This agreement is with the Matt Herzog Memorial Lodge #24, representing the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Management Group and was originally authorized at the 1/11/2022 meeting, vote #27. This amendment will include an additional 3 percent wage increase in 2023 and 2024, matching other recent wage increases among represented employees in the county. The agreement expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-042) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
17. Authorize the executive to sign the 2022–2023 collective bargaining agreement (amendment #1) with PROTEC17 (Professional and Technical Employees Local 17)? The agreement covers the professional and technical employees in the county health department. The original agreement was authorized at the 1/25/2022 meeting, vote #28. This amendment will include a 2 percent wage increase for 2023, which includes 4 percent wage increases for each step for a total of 6 percent and matches other recent wage increases among represented employees in the county. The agreement expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-043) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
18. Authorize the executive to sign a $932,218 two-year contract with the Whatcom Humane Society? The Whatcom Humane Society has been proving animal control services since 2009. The contract will provide animal control and shelter services, including: housing, investigation, enforcement, patrol, impoundment and animal licensing programs. The contract expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-047) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
19. Authorize the executive to sign a $13,837,716 contract (amendment #3) with the City of Bellingham and Fire Protection District No 7 to support the establishment of a fifth paramedic unit in Whatcom County? The unit will be funded under the 2023-2028 EMS levy that was passed at the 2022 general election and is located in Lynden. This levy will provide for five paramedic units ($12,837,840) and one EMS supervisory unit ($999,876). (AB2023-055) Approved 7-0
20. Accept the Whatcom County treasurer’s list of petitions for 2022 property tax refunds? The refunds total $1,291,647 and reflect: senior/disabled exemptions ($779,853); Board of Equalization order change/corrective evaluation ($8,963); measurement and calculation corrections ($14,456); exempt ($258,794); destroyed/abated property ($125,199); and miscellaneous exemptions ($104,383). The 2021 refunds totaled $1,125,666. AB2023-012 (Resolution 2022-001) Approved 6-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed.
Action Taken at January 24, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
21. Request authorization for the executive to sign a $100,000 contract (amendment #3) with Wilson Engineering of Bellingham? The contract was originally approved at the 1/26/2021 meeting, vote #31. The contract will provide on-call professional land surveying services support to county Public Works department on occasions where the work is outside expertise of, or exceeds the workload capacity of, the department. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the length of the contract and update the not-to-exceed amounts. The total amended contract is $300,000; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-056) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
22. Fill 11 vacancies on the Wildlife Advisory Committee? The committee advises local government agencies on wildlife habitat management issues as they relate to the county comprehensive plan. There were three applicants: Stephen Nyman, incumbent; Vikki Jackson, incumbent and Jennifer Plombon. Appointed: Stephen Nyman, Vikki Jackson and Jennifer Plombon. Stephen Nyman is currently employed as an amphibian and terrestrial ecologist with HDR, Inc. of Bellingham. Vikki Jackson is a retired wetland ecologist and current manager of the Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program. Jennifer Plombon currently serves on the Blaine Planning Commission and is a longtime wildlife rehabilitation volunteer. (AB2023-057) Approved 7-0
23. Authorize the executive to accept a $80,716 state grant for the delivery and funding of various public health services? Services funded include: a pediatric wellness video project and drinking water and immunization programs. The funding comes from the Washington State Department of Health. The total amended three-year contract is $8,567,890; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-059) Approved 7-0
24. Authorize for the executive to sign a $419,450 contract (amendment #2) with the Bellingham Fire Department to extend the community paramedic program through 2023? The original contract was signed at the 8/7/2019 meeting, vote #159. The purpose of the amendment is to add funding and to extend the term of the contract. The total amended contract is 1,450,115; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-070) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
25. Authorize for the executive to sign a $199,927 contract (amendment #2) with Whatcom Fire Protection District 7 to extend the community paramedic program though 2023? The original contract was signed on 8/7/2019, vote #171.The purpose of the amendment is add funding and extend the term of the contract. The total amended contract is 1,101,166; it expires on 12/31/2023. (AB2023-071) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
26. Authorize for the executive to sign a $1,169,600 contract with the Bellingham Fire Department? The contract will provide operation of the 2023 paramedic training program. Other fire departments participating include Camano Island Fire and Rescue, North County Fire and Rescue, and the Marysville Fire District. The contract expires on 3/31/2024. (AB2023-076) Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
27. Send a letter to 40th and 42nd District Legislators on climate action and environmental sustainability? It requests their support on the following: Nooksack adjudication, salmon recovery, culverts, Swift Creek, the Growth Management Act and the comprehensive planning. (AB2023-086) Approved 7-0
28. Cancel uncollectible personal property taxes totaling $22,474. State law requires the county treasurer to present to the council a list of taxes certified as uncollectible? Included are 15 businesses totaling $17,958. The two largest business on the list are: Trampoline Zone at $6,007, next is Los Cantaritos Mexican Restaurant at $2,797. There are 15 mobile homes totaling $4,516. AB2023-064 (Resolution 2023-002)
Authorized 6-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
