Whatcom County Council meeting roundup

B y I an H aupt

The latest news from November and December Whatcom County Council meetings

Whatcom County final 2023-24 budget

Whatcom County Council adopted, in a 5-2 vote, with councilmembers Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas opposed, the county’s final budget for 2023-24 in its November 22 regular meeting. The county will spend over $117.2 million in 2023 and $121.1 million in 2024 out of the general fund, according to the ordinance.

Elenbaas said he was torn because he only had one vote, and while he supports many budget items, like 10 new deputies to join Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, he listed other issues he believes need to be addressed. His concerns included homelessness, flooding issues, a new jail facility and mental health.

“So I’m torn. Torn on whether I’m voting ‘yes’ or voting ‘no,’” he said. “Probably leaning more towards a no, because I really want to support the whole package, and I don’t know if I’m there yet.”

Blaine Urban Growth Area

Council unanimously adopted a new urban growth area for the city of Blaine as the previous interlocal agreement, passed in 2012, was set to expire.

Changes from the last agreement include being subject to the review and evaluation program in the 2022 buildable lands report, city to reimburse county for depreciated value of capital road and stormwater construction projects completed during the 15-year period prior to annexation – previously 10-year, responsibilities for sales tax revenue sharing, and modifications to resource lands and rural areas provisions.

Blaine, Birch Bay and

Custer area traffic, signage

Council voted on numerous traffic detours and signage changes in Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer.

Council held a public hearing to establish a one-way traffic pattern on Drayton Harbor Road for eastbound travelers and a signed detour for westbound travelers that will begin around Friday, January 13, 2023, while public works repairs the westbound lane of Drayton Harbor Road, west of Shintaffer Road. The safety detour is five miles, connecting Harborview Road, Lincoln Road, Semiahmoo Parkway and Drayton Harbor Road, according to the detour map.

The repairs will not be completed until summer 2024, according to a November 29 press release. An ordinance to remove a temporary stop sign on Drayton Harbor Road was also held in (See County, page 16)

WCLS online database offers community resources

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is offering community resources on its website for everything from food to financial assistance.

The WCLS website categorizes the resources by education, emergency and disaster, employment, financial and tax, food, health and Covid-19, housing, legal and weather. WCLS trustee Lori Jump pitched the page, updated regularly, after the November 2021 floods.

The 117 resources on the website are dated when they were last modified. Information includes flooding resources, wildfire smoke monitoring, legal resources and a link to get free Naloxone, a drug to help opioid overdoses.

“Neighbors count on the library system to be a trusted reference source,” WCLS deputy director Michael Cox said in a statement. “The Community Resources page is an example of that work in action. This online database can serve as a critical resource for community members during times when quick answers are needed the most.”

Visit wcls.org/community-resources for the resources.

CITY OF BLAINE

Information on how to listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s website homepage under Your Government, City Council, City Council Agenda. Please check the agenda prior to each meeting as the call in number or location may change.

Thursday, December 8 9:00am – Park and Cemetery Board Meeting *CANCELLED* 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting

Monday, December 12 4:30pm – Study Session: Planning Commission Candidate Interviews 6:00pm – City Council Meeting

Thursday, December 15 2:00pm – Hearing Examiner: Public Hearing for a Conditional Use Permit for Peace Portal Condominiums

Monday, December 26 City Offices Closed – Christmas Day Observed

Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website. Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website. www.cityofblaine.com

TNL accepting holiday decoration photos

Do you have holiday decorations you’re especially proud of this year? If so, The Northern Light will be publishing photos of holiday lights and decorations around homes and businesses.

Whether it’s a flashy light display or a life-size Grinch decoration, we want to showcase your creativity to the community. Please email your photos or address to editor@pointrobertspress.com by Friday, December 16 for a chance to be published.

Arts council to host children’s author

Zion Lutheran Church

“Carols by Candlelight”

Wednesday, Dec. 14th at 6:30 PM

Christmas Eve Worship

Saturday, Dec. 24th at 5:00 PM 7215 Valley View Rd. • 360-366-5567

www.zionlutheranwhatcom.org

Blaine Arts Council (BAC) will host a local author at its 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 8 meeting at Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street.

Barb Davis-Pyles will discuss her journey from psychologist to author and provide recommendations for others seeking to pen their first book. She’ll also discuss her process creating children’s picture books such as “Grizzly Boy,” “Stubby the Fearless Squid” and “Cliff the Failed

s Barbara Davis-Pyles.

Courtesy photo Troll.” Her fourth book, “Nobody Likes Frogs,” is set to be published next spring.

BAC meets the second Thursday of each month at the library. For more information, visit blaineartscouncil.org.

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