Compiled by Barry MacHale
Action Taken at November 8, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
303. Fill vacancies on the Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee? At the 10/10/2023 meeting, vote #283, the council voted to amend the committee that was originally established at the 2/14/2012 meeting, vote #31. Three members were added for a total of 10 members. Applicants: Janice Catrell, Pamela Gould, David Hamiter, Diane Harper, Janice Holmes, Carol Landt, Fabian Mendoza, Thomas Philpot, Catherine Shornick, Merritt Scott, and Tess Winds-Johnsons. Appointed: Pamela Gould (position 1), Diane Harper (position 2), Thomas Philpot (position 3), Catherine Shornick (position 4), Janice Catrell (position 6), Carol Landt (position 8) and Fabian Mendoza (position 9). (AB2023-679)
304. Fill a vacancy on the Forest Advisory Committee? Applicants: Herbert Barker, Richard Donahue, Tracy Petroske, Tom Smith, and Paul Stuart. The committee provides review and recommendations to the County Council on issues that affect the forestry industry. Appointed: Tracy Petroske is a small forest landowner and holds masters degrees in environmental policy and planning with an emphasis on forest management from Western Washington University and in oceanography from University of San Diego. (AB2023-686) Tracy Petroske received six votes.
305. Appoint one councilmember to serve as liaison for the Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) Project? At the 4/26/2022 meeting, vote #121, the council appropriated $110,000 to conduct a climate vulnerability assessment. The assessment will be titled Building Resilience Against Smoke and Heat (BRASH) and will work towards the following goals: engaging frontline communities most affected by climate change-related impacts; build lasting partnerships; and operationalize equity in the county’s climate planning work. Environmental Science Associates of Seattle is completing the report. The project steering committee will include: the City of Bellingham, the Northwest Clean Air Agency, the Washington State Department of Health, and Whatcom County. The council liaison will attend two steering committee check-ins and assist in review process for a draft final report. (AB2023-690) Ben Elenbaas received five votes.
306. Authorize the executive to sign a $475,000 contract (amendment #1) with Freedom 2000 dba Cando Recycling and Disposal for curbside collection services? The contract will provide single-family residential curbside collection services in Point Roberts. At the 11/22/2022 meeting, vote #272, the council approved the initial contract for $475,000. The total amended contract is $950,000; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-698) Authorized 5-2, Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed.
307. Authorize the executive to sign a $13,940 contract (amendment #4) with Dr. Tyson Hawkins for consulting physician services at the Whatcom County jail? The original contract ran from 11/1/2019 to 10/9/2020. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract. The total amended contract is in the amount of $70,700; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-703) Authorized 7-0
308. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,143,010 contract with Shea, Carr & Jewell, dba SCJ Alliance of Lacey? The contract will provide services related to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, urban growth area, and development regulations update. The update will address areas including: employment, housing, and population projections; long-term planning strategies; environmental, land use, and transportation analyses; and tribal cultural resources and participation planning. The contract expires on 6/30/2026. (AB2023-706) Authorized 7-0
309. Authorize the executive to sign a $364,486 contract (amendment #2) with Associated Earth Sciences of Kirkland? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) At the 11/22/2022 meeting, vote #276; the council approved the initial contract for $99,192. This amendment will fund completion of the final two years of a three-year investigation to quantify the timing and magnitude of groundwater pumping on streamflow depletion in the county. Tasks include the installation of monitoring wells, aquifer testing, groundwater and surface water level monitoring, data analysis, and the incorporation of data into an existing groundwater model. The total amended contract is $463,678; it expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2023-710) Authorized 7-0
310. Authorize the executive to accept a $1,174,000 grant (amendment #1) from the state of Washington to provide funding for the Alternative Response Team (ART) Program? At the 9/13/2022 meeting, vote #215, the council approved the pilot program for $2,213,000 with the state Health Care Authority. This program establishes an alternative response team pilot program to respond to 911 calls that do not require emergency medical services or law enforcement. The total amended contract is $3,387,000; it expires on 6/30/2025. (AB2023-712) Authorized 7-0
311. Authorize the executive to sign a $283,297 contract with Astound Business Solutions, LLC (formerly Wave Business Solutions, LLC) for a five-year lease for fiber optic connectivity from the Courthouse to seven county buildings? The buildings are: Laurel substation, parks headquarters on Mt. Baker Hwy., sheriff’s work center on Division Street and Barkley Blvd., facilities management on Williamson Way, Health Department on Unity Street and Washington State University on Dupont Street. The monthly fee is $4,722. The contract expires on 11/26/2028. (AB2023-713) Authorized 7-0
312. Authorize the executive to sign a $782,304 contract with the City of Bellingham to compensate the city for 2024 paramedic training program costs? The following agencies and number of students from each will participate in the annual class administered by the City of Bellingham: Bellingham Fire Department (3), Camano Fire and Rescue (1), Marysville Fire District (3), North County Regional Fire Authority (1), and the Whatcom County Fire Protection District #7 (2). The contract expires on 3/31/2025. (AB2023-733) Authorized 5-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
313. Authorize the executive to sign a $318,892 contract with Whatcom Fire Protection District #7 for 2024 paramedic training class? The county will compensate the fire district for paramedic training program costs, including program administration, student wages and benefits, preceptor training, and class supplies. The contract expires on 3/31/2025. (AB2023-734) Authorized 5-1, Tyler Byrd opposed.
314. Authorize the sale of surplus personal property? (Public hearing held.) State law permits the sale of property declared to be surplus and the county purchasing agent has determined it is in the best interest of the county to sell the following property: two trucks, one SUV, one paint striper, one snowplow, two vans, and other miscellaneous worn, obsolete or broken office equipment, computer components and furniture. AB2023-654 (Resolution 2023-045) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at November 21, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
315. Authorize the 2024 levy of taxes for the Conservation Futures Fund? (Public hearing held.) The Conservation Futures levy shall be limited to the amount of 2023 taxes, except for new construction and improvements to property and any increase in the value of state assessed property. The funds can only be used to acquire land or development rights for conservation purposes, with a small percentage used for land maintenance. A vote increasing the levy by 5.6 percent was passed by vote #330 on page 16. (2023-714) Failed 2-4, Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, Carol Frazey and Kaylee Galloway opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
316. Authorize the executive to accept a $70,889 state grant (amendment #15) for the delivery and funding of various public health services? Services include: cannabis- and tobacco-use prevention programs; Covid vaccination programs; drinking water quality monitoring; homelessness; immunization programs; and infectious and zoonotic disease monitoring and control. The total amended agreement is $14,142,658; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-739) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
317. Authorize the executive to sign a $38,000 contract (amendment #4) with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Whatcom County? NAMI provides mental illness education and support for over 1,545 Whatcom County residents. The original contract ran from 1/1/2021 to 12/31/2021. The purpose of the amendment is to extend the contract for one year. The total amended amount is $114,000; it expires on 12/31/2024 (AB2023-740) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
318. Authorize the executive to accept a $2,738,000 state grant to develop and evaluate flood mitigation? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The funding will provide alternatives for the Everson-Sumas overflow corridor and also provide support for the FLIP planning process and add staffing capacity to the river and flood division. (AB2023-741) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
319. Authorize the executive to sign a $250,150 contract with Osborn Consulting of Bellevue to stormwater drainage along Normar Place? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract will provide rain and groundwater analysis, assistance with bid preparation and permitting, and design of a stormwater collection and conveyance system. The contract expires on 5/22/2025. (AB2023-745) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
320. Authorize the executive to accept two grants totaling $8,903,060 to acquire 12 properties that were damaged during the November 2021 flooding? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The federal grant is for $8,343,878 and the state grant is for $468,582. A local match of $468,582 is required and $205,892 in federal funds are available for administrative and overhead costs. Property purchases are estimated at $6,224,257, demolition and removal at $2,569,893. The properties will be transferred to the cities of Sumas and Everson and permanently maintained as open space. The project is expected be completed by October 2026. The total estimated cost is $9,577,534. (AB2023-755) Approved 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
321. Authorize the executive to award the low bid of $257,353 to Masterwork Roofing of Woodinville for the replacement of the Silver Lake Park Lodge roof? The engineer’s estimate was $219,500. The work also includes new gutters and downspouts and covered skylights. Three bids were received; the high bid was $386,669. (AB2023-756) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
322. Authorize the executive to sign a $270,165 contract with Carahsoft Technology Corporation of Reston, Virginia for public records management software? The three-year subscription is for the purchase and implementation of the Granicus GovQA software platform. The contract will support the efficiency and timeliness of county responses to public records requests. The contract expires on November 2026. (AB2023-758) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
323. Authorize the executive to sign a $1,207,840 contract (amendment #7) with Herrera Environmental Consultants of Seattle? (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The contract will provide additional support to update and broaden the scope of the 1999 Lower Nooksack River Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan and continue the floodplain integrated planning process? The original contract $39,000 was approved at the 3/19/2018 meeting and amended to change the scope of work and/or extend the contract at the 9/11/2018 meeting, vote #130, 10/22/2019 meeting, vote #226, and 9/13/2022 meeting, vote #224. The total amended contract is $2,407,540; it expires on 1/31/2025. (AB2023-759) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
324. Authorize the executive to purchase 11 replacement computer servers for $144,650 from CDW-G LLC of Vernon Hills, Illinois? The new servers will replace obsolete ones in the assessor’s and treasurer’s offices. The contract includes delivery and sales tax. (AB2023-772) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
325. Authorize the executive to sign a $38,047 contract (amendments #3/#4) with Shawna Bosman, ARNP to ensure youth in juvenile detention receive appropriate medical care? The contract is for examination, diagnosis, testing, coordination of services and oversight of all prescribed medication. These amendments will provide an hourly wage increase, reduce funding for training and licensing costs, and add an additional 14 hours of services through the end of 2023. The total amended contract is $131,598; it expires on 12/31/2024. (AB2023-773/774) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
326. Authorize the 2024 levy of taxes for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District? (Public hearing held.) (Council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The levy will be limited to the 2023 level except for new construction, property improvements and any increase in the value of state assessed property. AB2023-718 (Resolution 2023-046) Approved 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
327. Adopt the 2024 budget for the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District and Subzones? (Public hearing held; council acting as the flood control district board of supervisors.) The funds will be used for flood control and storm water construction and improvements in the subzones, which include: Acme/Van Zandt; Lynden/Everson; Sumas/Nooksack/Everson; Samish Watershed; and the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District. The district budget for 2024 is $4,201,710 and the subzones budget is $646,759. AB2023-721 (Resolution 2023-047) Approved 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
328. Adopt a salary schedule and policies for unrepresented Whatcom County employees? The schedule and policies cover Whatcom County employees not represented by a union. It does not cover county elected officials and includes a 4 percent wage increase for 2024. The schedule runs from 1/1/2024 to 12/31/2024 AB2023-761 (Resolution 2023-048) Authorized 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
329. Request that the executive and staff pursue public access opportunities for trails on all county-owned land and easements? For public health and recreation and economic development purposes, the resolution calls for the county parks, recreation, and open space and county comprehensive plans to include non-motorized trail development and access goals for county-owned flood control, landslide mitigation, watershed management, and other facilities. AB2023-776 (Resolution 2023-049) Approved 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
330. Authorize the 2024 levy of taxes for the Conservation Futures Fund? (Public hearing held.) The council has determined that it is necessary to increase taxes in the amount of $73,606. The levy will increase 5.6 percent over the 2023 levy to 14.2 percent per $1,000 of assessed valuation on property. The funds can only be used to acquire land or development rights for conservation purposes, with a small percentage used for land maintenance. AB2023-760 (Ordinance 2023-064) Adopted 4-2, Ben Elenbaas and Kathy Kershner opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
331. Authorize the 2024 levy of taxes for county road purposes? (Public hearing held.) The levy will not change from the 2023 level except for new construction and improvements. For the 2024 budget year, $1,156,530 will be diverted away from county road taxes and used for traffic enforcement in unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. AB2023-715 (Ordinance 2023-065) Adopted 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
332. Authorize the 2024 levy of taxes for countywide emergency medical purposes? (Public hearing held.) The levy will limited to the 2023 level except for new construction, property improvements and any increase in the value of state assessed property. AB2023-716 (Ordinance 2023-066) Adopted 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
333. Authorize the 2024 levy of taxes for county and state purposes? (Public hearing held.) The council has determined that it is necessary to levy taxes in the amount of $9,976,953. The levy will increase one percent over the 2023 levy to 1.19 percent per $1,000 of assessed valuation on property. AB2023-717 (Ordinance 2023-067) Adopted 4-2, Ben Elenbaas and Kathy Kershner opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
334. Amend the 2024 budget (request #1) in the amount of $59,443,202? Expenditures: Health $2,172,778; parks $1,759,366; prosecuting attorney $$1,522,485; public defender $1,357,123; sheriff $1,923,894; jail fund $1,562,564; homeless housing $5,188,516; behavioral health $3,439,571; affordable/supportive housing $1,450,000; emergency medical services $1,003,078; American Rescue Plan $9,339,424; healthy children $7,204,257; emergency management $2,119,017; public utilities $4,275,687; equipment rental $4,567,000 and administrative services $2,086,798; 28 other expenditures — all are below $1 million — totaled $8,459,826. AB2023-729 (Ordinance 2023-068) Substitute adopted 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
335. Add $4 million to the project-based budget (request #2) for the Swift Creek Capital Projects Fund? Swift Creek transports naturally-occurring asbestos and heavy metals that erode from Sumas Mountain into the Sumas River where it is deposited in channel banks and floodplains within Whatcom County, creating health risks for residents. The Washington State Legislature in the 2023-2025 budget appropriated the $4 million for Swift Creek. At the 7/24/2018 meeting, vote #120, the council established the Swift Creek Sediment Management Fund and authorized $1 million for the first and second tasks. At the 2/12/2019 meeting, vote #36, the council signed a $966,275 contract with Herrera Environmental Consultants of Seattle for preliminary project design services. At the 3/24/2020 meeting, vote #55, the council established a Swift Creek Capital Projects fund and project-based budget in the amount of $5,217,160, and added $4,122,656 in state grant funding at the 8/8/2023 meeting, vote #204. The total amended project-based budget is $11,258,159. AB2023-693 (Ordinance 2023-069) Adopted 6-1, Tyler Byrd absent.
336. Add $500,000 to the project-based budget (request #1) for the Jackson Road/Terrell Creek bridge replacement project? At the 11/23/2021, vote #292; the council established the $700,000 project-based budget and fund. The two-lane, 62-foot-long bridge with timber piles is at the end of its service life and will be replaced with a prestressed concrete girder and a reinforced concrete substructure. The total amended project-based budget is $1,200,000. The project is listed as item #B3 on the six-year transportation improvement program. AB2023-697 (Ordinance 2023-070) Adopted 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
337. Authorize an interfund loan for a property purchase near Acme? The county purchased the Nesset Farm 25-years-ago for a county park; a major flaw in the purchase was the lack of public access to the property. At the 7/25/2023 meeting the council authorized the purchase of property at 5324 Saxon Road from Ken and Mariann Carrasco. The no-interest loan will transfer $1,400,000 from the general fund to the Conservation Futures Fund to acquire public access to the Nesset Farm, which will be developed with hiking and equestrian trails. At the 5/23/2023 meeting, vote #141, the council purchased 124 acres of floodplain land near Acme for a conservation easement. When completed, the park will have over five miles of Nooksack River frontage and approximately 700 acres for camping, fishing and day use. AB2023-708 (Ordinance 2023-071) Adopted 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
338. Establish the Climate Action Fund with an initial budget of $297,119? The updated Climate Action Plan was approved at the 11/9/2021 meeting, vote 266. This fund will account for revenue and expenditures associated with climate action programs. Programs could include: state forestry grant matching funds; sea-level rise mitigation planning; solar upgrades to county buildings; and electric vehicle charging infrastructure development. AB2023-723 (Ordinance 2023-072) Adopted 5-1, Ben Elenbaas opposed, Tyler Byrd absent.
339. Amend the 2024 budget (request #2) in the amount of $15,425,000? The entire amount is for the Road Fund. Expenditures above $1 million: Sunset Avenue slope failure ($1,525,000); Beach Avenue/Island Drive slope failure (Lummi Island-$1,925,000); paving Lake Louise Road from Austin Street to Lake Whatcom Blvd ($2,765,000); paving Hampton Road from the City of Lynden UAB to Van Buren Road ($2,385,000); paving Birch Bay Drive from Jackson Road to Shintaffer Road ($1,760,000); and fish passage restoration ($1,105,000); 13 other expenditures — all below $1 million — totaled $3,960,000. AB2023-724 (Ordinance 2023-073) Adopted 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
340. Close the Triage Center Expansion Fund 374? At the 9/12/2017 meeting, vote #168; the council established the $300,000 fund and project-based budget. The budget was amended at he 6/19/2018 meeting, vote #104, for $1 million; at the 11/20/2018 meeting, vote #200, for $11,100,000 and at the 9/24/2019 meeting, vote #213, for $1 million. The fund is no longer needed and the cash balance of $1,197,862 will be returned to the Public Utilities Fund ($1 million) and Behavioral Health Fund ($197,862). AB2023-725 (Ordinance 2023-074) Adopted 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
341. Add $340,000 to the project-based budget (amendment #2) for the Integrated Land Records and Permit Management System fund? At the 11/25/2014 meeting, vote #236, a $1,168,334 project-based budget was established. At the 10/24/2017 meeting, vote #208, $1,448,327 was added to the budget. The purpose of this amendment is to complete the next phase of the project, which will migrate the current permit system to new cloud storage and implement an environmental health module. The total amended project-based budget is $2,956,661. AB2023-726 (Ordinance 2023-075) Adopted 6-0, Tyler Byrd absent.
342. Amend the 2023 budget (request #15) in the amount of 1,295,786? Expenditures: General Fund-Non Departmental $120,296; Superior Court $199,670; Road Fund $352,296; and Administrative Services Fund $441,000; seven other expenditures — all below $100,000 — totaled $182,497. AB2023-728 (Ordinance 2023-076) Adopted 6-, Tyler Byrd absent.
