What you missed at City Council

The regular meeting of the Ferndale City Council was held last night even though the Seahawks were playing on Monday Night Football and the city talent show auditions were happening at the same time. So here’s what you missed:

Before the regular meeting was a study session regarding the city budget. City Finance Director Mark Peterson presented details of recently negotiated health insurance coverage for employees who are members of the Police Guild and Teamsters. Changing from the GroupHealth plan they had been on to a Regence plan was expected to save the city several thousand dollars although increasing some out-of-pocket expenses for covered employees.

In addition, Peterson noted, the recent premium increases for GroupHealth and Regence were 9% and 2% respectively. Another point of comfort regarding the Regence choice.

A number of department requests for expenditures and hires were reviewed with the councilmembers. They included:

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Add 1 full-time water/sewer/storm water admin staff	$80,000
Move from part-time to full-time 1 code enforcement staff	$43,000
Replace two police vehicles plus new officer	$135,0001
1 SCOPE vehicle	$29,0002 Advertisement Click for more information Advertisement Click for more information
Add 1 full-time police support/office assistant	$49,328
Add 1 part-time police support/office assistant	$20,192
Add 1 full-time water/sewer/storm water utility worker	$92,000
Add 1 2nd mechanic	$50,000
1 Public works truck	$25,000

¹ amount includes money already allocated for recently hired officer
² reassigning a public works vehicle that is not adequately equipped for its current use was discussed

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These items were presented to the council as a show of what was being requested by the city departments but no decisions were being asked for.

Study session ended.

The Regular city council meeting began at 6pm and there were no takers for the public comment time.

Ferndale Police Chief Mike Knapp introduced the council to Ferndale’s newest police officer, Office Wayne Cowie. Cowie is also a licensed practical nurse (LPN) which Chief Knapp will uniquely add to Cowie’s value to the force.

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A request to modify current code to incorporate time limits on short plat (4 or less lots) vesting was presented. Time limits are in place for binding site plans and long plats but not for short plats. So this is a bit of housekeeping.
Passed by unanimous vote.

A request to modify current code to stipulate to developers the parking space dimensions in parking lots was presented. While the city currently stipulates the number of spaces, no requirement is made on how big or small the spaces should be or the distances between. These new code requirements were recommended for council approval to help ensure the public has an enjoyable experience while shopping in Ferndale.
Passed by unanimous vote.

A request to incorporate several related projects to the Roundabout at LaBounty and Main project was presented. A sewer project along LaBounty Drive, a storm water conveyance system under Main Street by I-5, improvements to LaBounty and the installation of a traffic signal on LaBounty Drive at Nordic Way were identified as tying into the roundabout project. There would be cost and time efficiencies to having Reichhardt and Ebe Engineering handle the design for all the projects given their knowledge of all the intertwining pieces. According to staff, “There is a savings due to coordinated efforts.  For example, permitting can be streamlined, and it will not be necessary to create separate bid documents for various components.”
Passed by unanimous vote.

A request for a code change revision regarding deferring of impact fees was presented. Since 2012, 50% of impact fees on a Ferndale building project could be deferred until final inspection. Now the state is requiring all cities adopt similar requirements but with slightly different wording. According to staff, “The most significant change to the City’s process will be tracking the fees that have been deferred. The City’s permit tracking system provides staff with this ability.”
Passed by unanimous vote.

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A resolution was presented for adoption by the council supporting the Whatcom county jail facilities sales and use tax (a proposition to be put before county voters in November) and encourages voters to vote “yes.” Discussion among the councilmembers included Councilmember Olson excused himself from voting since he would never support anything that tells citizens how to vote. Councilmember Watson felt the city had already adequately indicated their support for the jail project.
No action was taken.

An ordinance was proposed to create a board to advise the city regarding operation of the Ferndale Pavilion Community Center. This proposal had been made during the last regular meeting but was sent back to clean up some language regarding member requirements. Discussion among councilmembers included a request by councilmember Ingram to add additional requirements for board members to reside in the city to avoid having a board of people from around the county advising the city. Councilmember Mutchler pointed out every requirement reduces the already small pool of board member candidates. A motion to amend the ordinance to require city residency failed 3 to 2 with only Ingram and Olson in favor.
Passed without modification by 3 to 2 vote (Ingram and Olson opposed).

During the department reports segment of the council meeting, Community Development Director Jori Burnett presented a handout listing projects currently in process or recently completed. Information on the handout included: