| City Council Agenda Follow-Up May 20, 2019 |
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor
Mutchler announced that the scheduled Executive Session was cancelled. Councilmember Taylor moved, and
Councilmember Xczar seconded, to approve the agenda as amended. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
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APPROVED AS
AMENDED
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PUBLIC COMMENT
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INFO ONLY
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CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember K. Hansen moved, and
Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
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APPROVED
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SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEMPORE
With
the resignation of Councilmember Cathy Watson, a new Mayor Pro Tem is
required to be appointed to serve in the event of the Mayor’s absence.
Councilmember
Olson nominated Greg Hansen.
Councilmember
Kate Hansen nominated herself, explaining that she felt she was the best
choice as she is the only Councilmember who is not running for office in the
current election.
Councilmember Kate Hansen was elected
Mayor Pro Tem with 4 votes. (K.
Hansen, Xczar, Taylor and G. Hansen)
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KATE HANSEN
SELECTED AS MAYOR
PRO-TEM
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PRESENTATION: Susan Marks, Commission
on Sexual and Domestic Violence
The
Commission on Sexual & Domestic Violence was formed in 1998 by a joint
resolution between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham. It is funded by
the City of Ferndale, Whatcom County, and the City of Bellingham as well as
grants from the US Department of Justice.
Current
projects:
1.) An
audit was conducted to determine how the County legal system is responding to
sexual assault and recommendations were made based on the findings of the
audit.
2.)
Youth Summit for high school youth groups with adult mentors, the “Big
Consent Event” was held on May 1 with 145 participants.
Upcoming
project: Restorative Justice Learning Series, to be co-hosted with the
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center.
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INFO ONLY
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INTRODUCTION: SCOPE Officer
Chief
of Police Kevin Turner introduced new SCOPE (Senior Citizens On Patrol Enhancement)
Officer Judee Lepella. Volunteer SCOPE Officers are responsible for enforcing
ADA parking, operating the radar reader board, providing security at Ferndale
Municipal Court, and providing security home checks when homeowners are on
vacation.
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INFO ONLY
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PUBLIC HEARING: Kope Road Vacation
Request
Mayor
Mutchler read the following statement: “Before we start
this topic, I would like to begin by acknowledging that we gather today on
the ancestral homeland of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the
Salish Sea basin, throughout the San Juan Island and the North Cascades
watershed, from time immemorial. We have the deepest respect and gratitude
for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, as
original stewards of our shared land and waterways.”
On
April 5, 2019 the Lummi Nation submitted an application for the City to
vacate a portion of Kope Road in order for them to develop their property
south of Slater Road and west of Rural Avenue. The application addresses the
criteria required by Ferndale Municipal Code 12.37.040.
A
public hearing was held as required by the Ferndale Municipal Code; however, the
Public Works Director recommended not voting on the vacation ordinance until
the property appraisal can be completed.
Staff recommended bringing the item back to Council on June 17, 2019,
which will allow time to complete the appraisal. By general consensus,
Council directed staff to proceed with the appraisal, and schedule the item
for the June 17, 2019 regular meeting.
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DIRECTION
PROVIDED TO STAFF
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PUBLIC HEARING: Thornton Street
Overpass Project Eminent Domain Ordinance
The
ordinance provides for the use of eminent domain, if necessary, to acquire
property rights that are needed for the construction of the Thornton Street
Overpass. Although the City has made good faith efforts to acquire the
necessary easement rights from the owners through active negotiations, a
final agreement has not yet been reached for some of the properties. In order
to meet the City’s construction schedule, it is important that the City, at
minimum, obtain possession and use of the property needed for the project.
Enacting eminent domain preserves both the property owners’ rights for just
compensation as well as the City’s ability to move forward with the project. A
public hearing was held as required.
Councilmember Taylor moved, and
Councilmember Xczar seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
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APPROVED
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PUBLIC HEARING: RMH Zone Amendments
The
RMH (Residential Multifamily-High) Zone is intended to be the second of up to
three new multifamily zones that would replace existing zoning that dates
back to the 1970’s. The RMM (Residential Multifamily-Medium) Zone was adopted
in 2017 and applies to properties currently zoned for multifamily development
which are generally large enough to support multiple buildings. The RMH zone
as proposed applies to properties currently zoned for multifamily development
which are generally less than an acre in size. The Planning Commission has
been working on the RMH Zone since December 2018. A public hearing was held as required.
Councilmember Xczar moved, and
Councilmember K. Hansen seconded, to approve the ordinance with an amendment
to Section 18.72.020, Special Setback Requirements. A 20-foot setback to a
garage opening would be required when the driveway fronts a public right of
way, and a 0-foot setback to a garage opening would be required when the
driveway fronts a private road, shared driveway, or alley with no utility
conflicts.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
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APPROVED
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ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
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