Council
Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers
Agenda — 119 items
- 1 COUNTY COUNCIL
- 2 CALL TO ORDER
- 3 ROLL CALL
- 4 FLAG SALUTE
- 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS
- 6 COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
- 7 MINUTES CONSENT
- 1. Committee of the Whole Executive Session for November 6, 2024
- 2. Regular County Council for November 6, 2024
- 3. Committee of the Whole for November 6, 2024
- 4. Special Council for November 12, 2024
- 12 PUBLIC HEARINGS
- 1. Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Titles 20 and 22 to enact SSB 5290 regarding local project review
- 2. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning) to define appropriate industrial uses and conditions for industrial uses in Heavy Impact Industrial (HII) districts within a city's designated Urban Growth Area
- 3. Resolution adopting the 2025-2026 budget for the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District (Council acting as the governing body of the Point Roberts Transportation Benefit District)
- 16 OPEN SESSION
- 17 CONSENT AGENDA
- 18 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
- 1. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to provide funding for various public health programs in the amount of $166,856, for a total amended contract amount of $19,158,215
- 2. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract to bind coverage with Midwest Employer Casualty for renewal of insurance protection for the self-insured workers compensation program in the amount of $119,569 for calendar year 2025
- 3. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a two year agreement between Whatcom County and Birch Bay Chamber for visitor center operations and tourism services in the amount of $460,000
- 4. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a two-year agreement between Whatcom County and Mount Baker Foothills Chamber for Visitor Center operations and tourism services in the amount of $452,000
- 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to conduct Phase I of an investigation into the impacts of agricultural tile drains on stream flows, in the amount of $108,863 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
- 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Whidbey Telephone Company to add additional equipment to a radio tower and increase the rent in the amount of $667 per month for a total amended contract amount of $15,148.08
- 24 This item was considered separately below.
- 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District for Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program technical assistance and cost share, in the amount of $77,627.98 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone Disrict Board of Supervisors)
- 8. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Whatcom County Library System for inmate library services in the amount of $12,000 per year
- 9. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a six month contract amendment/reassignment between Whatcom County and Ideal Option/MXD PLLC for jail physician services in the amount of $138,921
- 27 This item was considered separately below.
- 10. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Shawna Bosman for jail nurse practitioner services in the amount of $32,730
- 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Sun Community Services to operate an emergency shelter in the amount of $640,070, for a total amended contract amount of $1,631,861
- 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and SpectraSite Communications LLC to add additional equipment to a radio tower and increase the rent in the amount of $225.88 per month for a total amended contract amount of $201,079.88
- 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a grant agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for reimbursement of property acquisition costs to the Whatcom County Conservation Futures Fund, in the amount of $2,900,000
- 14. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to provide administrative oversight of the City’s Domestic Violence Perpetrator Opportunity for Treatment Services (DVPOTS) funds for a total amount of $50,000
- 15. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Black and Veatch Corporation to provide engineering and technical consulting services in the implementation and administration of current Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) elevation and acquisition grants awarded under Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs, in the amount of $302,038 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
- 16. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Washington State Office of Public Defense for the purpose of improving the quality of the public defense services in the amount of $213,104
- 17. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a two-year agreement between Whatcom County and Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism for regional tourism promotion in the amount of $500,000
- 18. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Bruce Harris & Associates, Inc. for professional services to assist with the upgrade of the enterprise geographic information systems (GIS) infrastructure in the amount of $78,933.51
- 19. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Sustainable Connections for Agritourism promotion throughout Whatcom County in the amount of $45,000
- 20. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Events for tourism promotion and marketing of the Ski to Sea and other events in the amount of $40,000
- 21. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a two year contract with Whatcom Humane Society for the provision of animal control and shelter services in the amount of $932,318
- 22. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Bellingham for cost sharing on the 5-year parking lot lease at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center in the amount of $91,476
- 23. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contact between Whatcom County and Phoenix Counseling Service, LLC, to provide domestic violence assessment and treatment services for defendants processed through Whatcom County District Court and Bellingham Municipal Court, in the amount of $70,000
- 24. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Meridian School District to construct a child care facility, in the amount of $2,000,000
- 25. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Chuckanut Health Foundation for facilitation of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in the amount of $200,000
- 26. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Dr. Marvin Wayne, M.D. to provide services as an Emeritus (Delegate) Physician supporting the transition to the newly appointed Whatcom County Medical Program Director from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, in the amount of $5,000
- 27. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Tetra Tech, Inc., to provide final surface water planning and design services, public outreach, and development of a drainage management plan related to stormwater problems in the Point Roberts area, in the amount of $86,783, for a total amended contract amount of $215,528
- 25. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Chuckanut Health Foundation for facilitation of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in the amount of $200,000
- 28. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and FSi Engineers for professional design and engineering services for building improvements at the Parks Headquarters facility in the amount of $28,634, for a total contract value of $187,717
- 46 This item was considered separately below.
- 29. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Ralph Weiche, M.D. for Medical Program Director (MPD) services as the State Appointed Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services MPD, in the amount of $265,000
- 30. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Helmsman Management Services, LLC to provide administration of the County’s self-insured Worker’s Compensation program in the amount of $67,500 annually in 2025, $70,200 in 2026, and $73,008 in 2027 for a total amount of $210,708 through December 31, 2027
- 31. Request approval for the County Executive to authorize the purchase one (1) new sport utility vehicle, using the Washington State Contract #05916, from Alan Webb Auto Group, located in Vancouver, Washington, in an amount not to exceed $51,050.14
- 32. Request authorization for a Letter of Understanding between Whatcom County and AFSCME to amend the collective bargaining agreement for the period January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
- 33. Request authorization for the County Assessor to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Just Appraised Inc to create an online portal for the Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Exemption, in the amount of $60,285
- 34. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease agreement between Whatcom County and The Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) for SPIE to lease 104B Unity Street, Bellingham WA in the amount of $143,352
- 35. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Code Publishing LLC, a General Code Company, for legal code publishing services, in the amount of $15,000, for a total amended contract amount of $45,000
- 36. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a six-month contract amendment between Whatcom County and Northwest Regional Council for jail and juvenile detention nursing services in the amount $1,172,489.50 for a total amended contract amount of $9,655,025.67
- 37. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and YWCA Bellingham to provide housing case management services and shelter operational support, in the amount of $425,012
- 38. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to operate an emergency shelter program, in the amount of $358,426
- 39. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and City of Bellingham to provide funding for the Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE) Program, in the amount of $819,056
- 40. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Pioneer Human Services to operate a permanent supportive housing facility known as City Gate, in the amount of $670,010
- 41. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Ferndale Community Services to provide housing engagement and stability services, in the amount of $500,643
- 42. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Mercy Housing Northwest to provide resident coordination services, in the amount of $240,870
- 43. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to operate a rapid rehousing program and provide housing stability services, in the amount of $249,080
- 44. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to operate a permanent supportive housing program, in the amount of $129,487
- 63 OTHER ITEMS
- 64 (From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
- 1. Ordinance establishing the project based budget and an initial budget for the courtroom audio visual systems upgrade
- 2. Ordinance establishing a project based budget for the Central Shop Underground Storage Tank Removal project
- 66 CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERED SEPARATELY
- 3. Ordinance amending the project based budget for the North Fork Road/Kenney Creek Fish Passage Project Fund, request no. 1
- 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. to conduct Phase I of an investigation into the impacts of agricultural tile drains on stream flows, in the amount of $108,863 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
- 4. Resolution amending the 2024 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget, request no. 7, in the amount of $20,695 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
- 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District for Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program technical assistance and cost share, in the amount of $77,627.98 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone Disrict Board of Supervisors)
- 5. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide housing case management services, in the amount of $1,003,932
- 25. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Chuckanut Health Foundation for facilitation of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission in the amount of $200,000
- 6. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to operate the Whatcom Homeless Service Center, in the amount of $2,355,352
- 7. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide on-site supportive services to residents of the permanent supportive housing facility known as 22 North in the amount of $648,568, for a total amended contract amount of $2,135,238
- 8. Ordinance amending the 2024 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 15, in the amount of $12,651,067
- 9. Ordinance amending Ordinance 2013-022, to allow the Road Fund to issue cash-flow loans to capital project budgets from $1 million to $2 million for a term not to exceed two years
- 10. Ordinance amending the 2025 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 1, in the amount of $16,292,701
- 11. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a three year interlocal agreement between Whatcom County, the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham for a coordinated approach to funding and contracting with economic service providers through a Regional Economic Partnership in the amount of $2,648,084
- 12. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Emily Welch, M.D. for supervising physician services as appointed by the Whatcom County Medical Program Director to support basic life support (BLS) operations, training, continuous quality improvement, and other BLS support activites, in the amount of $110,000
- 13. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Northwest Youth Services to provide housing case management services, in the amount of $252,000
- 14. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Northwest Youth Services to provide funding for an outreach and engagement program for vulnerable young people experiencing a housing crisis, in the amount of $75,000
- 79 (From Council Public Works and Health Committee)
- 15. Resolution supporting the development and implementation of a localized child care provider rate augmentation and family subsidy program
- 81 (From Council Committee of the Whole)
- 16. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.130 Economic Development Investment Board
- 17. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.06 Medical Examiner to establish a Medical Examiner Department
- 18. Resolution to establish Council goals for full, timely awarding of Healthy Children’s Fund contracts
- 19. Ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code 2.190 Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee
- 20. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.03 Advisory Groups
- 21. Request County Council to appoint a Council Health Board member to serve on final interview panel for the Health Officer candidate
- 88 (No Committee Assignment)
- 22. Request for County Council to add the County Prosecutor as a voting member of the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee
- 90 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
- 1. Appointment to two vacancies on the Climate Impact Advisory Committee, Applicant(s): Marc Hoeschele, Ted Scott, Joshua Williams, Robert Drake
- 2. Appointment to a vacancy on the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee, manufacturing industry representative position, Applicant(s): Gil Lund
- 92 Motion approved 7-0 to amend section C to strike “on the County’s compliance with the directions and timelines set for this this Resolution,” so it reads: Whatcom County Health and Community Services is asked to provide the County Council and the Child and Family Wellbeing Task Force with a monthly progress report including the following information: the funding recipient, budgeted amount of HCF funding, RFP close date, award letter sent date, date first contract sent to lead staff, date when contract development was finished and sent for final approvals, and date contract was approved by the Council.
- 93 ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION
- 93 Motion approved 5-2, with Scanlon and Buchanan opposed, to hold until the next meeting, in January.
- 94 INTRODUCTION ITEMS
- 1. Resolution to declare Whatcom County real property as surplus and approve sale
- 2. Ordinance for the installation of stop signs on South Pass Road at the intersection with Goodwin Road as Whatcom County Code 10.16.1720
- 3. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.21 Board of Equalization to clarify Board of Equalization membership
- 97 Appointed Elenbaas 7-0
- 4. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.130 Economic Development Investment Board
- 99 COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
- 100 ADJOURN
- 102 Appointed Marc Hoeschele with five votes and Ted Scott with four votes.
- 103 Motion approved 7-0 to appoint the highest vote getter (Marc Hoeschele) to the longer term.
- 106 AB2024-870 was added to Introduction below.
- 112 This item was considered separately below.
- 113 INTRODUCTION ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY
- 4. Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.130 Economic Development Investment Board
- 115 Motion approved 7-0 to amend 2.130.040 Membership A (3) so that it reads: 3. One mayor from a small city, designated by the Small Cities Caucus;
- 117 Motion approved 7-0 that the Council support the Executive doing an emergency proclamation to get this traffic issue (AB2024-810) sorted.