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Frequently Asked Questions
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The following is a list of questions frequently asked by citizens. You may search for specific words or phases, or shorten the list by selecting a specific category.
City Clerk's Office
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Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - New Years
Monday, January 21, 2008 - Martin Lusther King Day
Monday, February 18, 2008 - Presidents' Day
Monday, May 26, 2008 - Memorial Day
Friday, July 4, 2008 - Independence Day
Monday, September 1, 2008 - Labor Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - Veterans' Day
Thursday and Friday, November 27 & 28, 2008 - Thanksgiving
Thursday, December 25, 2008 - Christmas Day
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Please visit "Doing Business in Blaine"
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Finance
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At this time the City accepts ACH payments from your bank or you may opt to have us debit your checking account or credit card monthly.
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Visa and MasterCard are accepted for most transactions, with the exception of Building Permits and Utility Requests.
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Public Safety
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For all emergencies dial 9-1-1. For non-emergencies call (360) 332-6769. Outside business hours, for non-emergencies, you can reach an officer through the dispatch center at (800) 556-1345. You can also download a voluntary statement form.
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All requests for copies of reports must be submitted in writing using the request for public records form. All requests for public records are responded to within five business days.
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Yes. The department will conduct periodic security checks of a vacant home at the request of the owner or resident. To make a request please fill out the residential security check form and deliver it to the police department. Please provide as much information as possible to help the offices beter protect your home.
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Blaine police officers will respond as soon as possible to your residence or business upon notification of an alarm activation there. We do not require someone on-site to verify there is a problem before we dispatch officers. We do encourage the proper installation and prudent use of security and fire alarm systems. There are several reputable companies which install and provide monitoring for alarm systems in Blaine. If a faulty alarm or its improper use causes repeated false alarms, the City will billed a fee to the responsible property owner.
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Normally vehicles may park on a city street for up to 24 hours. They are subject to citation and towing after 72 hours. The Public Safety Department has a Community Service Officer (CSO)who handles abandoned vehicles for the entire city. Please call the Department at (360) 332-6769 during office hours, or click on 'Report a Concern' on the left in this page to report a vehicle that has been abandoned on public property or city streets. You will need to provide the location, vehicle description including license plate, and your contact information. You may also file the same information by emailing the Police Department. The CSO will act on your complaint and may contact you if added information is needed or if you request contact. Officers will check the vehicle and attempt to locate the owner. The vehicle may be cited if abandoned on a city street: it will be towed if not removed. It is the homeowner's responsibility to take care of vehicles on their property; a tow company can assist you with removing an unwanted vehicle and there are normally fees for this service. The CSO can inspect a vehicle on your private property and if appropriate will issue a 'hulk slip' for vehicles meeting certain criteria. If a vehicle has been left on your property without your permission, please call the Police Department for assistance.
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The City and police department do not set fines for speeding and traffic violations. The base penalty for each violation is set by the Washington State Supreme Court (RCW 46.63.110 ). The state legislature then adds statutory assessments to these base penalties. The Monetary Penalty Schedule for Infractions (effective July 1, 2007) can be viewed from the Washington Courts website. The City retains only 57% of the base penalty amount from speeding fines and other violations. These funds go to the General Fund of the City, not to the police department or court. The remaining 43% are remitted to the State's Public Safety Education Account (PSEA). These funds are used to promote traffic safety education, highway safety, criminal justice training, crime victims’ compensation, judicial education, the judicial information system, civil representation of indigent persons, winter recreation parking, drug court operations, and state game programs.
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Public Works
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(360) 332-8311. This is also the number for Utility Billing, Municipal Court, and the Community Developement(planning) department.
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These offices can are at:
Police - 322 H Street
City Hall(Utility Billing, City Clerk, City Manager, Court) - 344 H Street
Planning - 370 H Street.
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The City does not provide gas utiltiy. Gas utility is provided by Cascade Natural Gas, 1600 Iowa Street, Bellingham. 1-888-522-1130.
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The Planning department, 370 H Street, (360) 332-8311.
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For Utility Locates, call 1-800-424-5555, or visit http://www.callbeforeyoudig.com/washington_state_call_center.html
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Visitor Center
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When applying to cross the border between the US and Canada, each person age 19 and older needs to provide documentation which establishes 1) their citizenship, and 2) their identity. A Birth Certificate AND a government issued photo ID would be one example. A valid passport is another form of documentation. (Children 18 and under only need documentation of their citizenship). Verbal claims of identity and citizenship are not sufficient.
Washington State is now issuing an enhanced driver's license to qualifying state residents: this new document serves to establish both identity and citizenship. For more information on the new driver's license visit the State Department of Licensing, or call (800) 520-4365.
For detailed information on crossing requirements, visit Customs and Border Protection
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There are no government run bus lines between Blaine and Canada. The nearest licensed mass transportation to the Surrey / Vancouver areas is the “Quick Coach”, with arrivals and departures at the Bellingham airport five times daily. For more information, call (800) 665-2122 or visit them online.
Quick Coach
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