March 8, 2023 Dena Jensen
In this blog post, folks can find the meeting minutes for all of Whatcom County Council’s 2022 Committee of the Whole meetings that can be browsed or searched for information of interest related to that committee’s proceedings. This is the second group of government agency committee meeting minutes I have assembled, having previously put together posts with minutes of one year of Bellingham City Council Committee of the Whole meetings, along with a couple years of regular council meetings for Whatcom County and City of Bellingham.
The content of Council committee meetings is much richer with information than regular Council meetings. Even in minutes, which only summarize content, community members can gain more detail regarding things like presentations that are given, or remarks Council Members make that aren’t necessarily related to agenda items. Through searches or browsing through the minutes, folks can get a better idea of what segment of a meeting they might want to listen to and an idea of where that occurred during the recording.
For each meeting date, a link is also provided near the top of that edition of minutes to access the material associated with that particular meeting. The material will include items such as the meeting recording, agenda, and the packet of documents Council Members receive for the meeting.
Holding down both the Control and F keys on a Windows computer keyboard at the same time, or holding down both the Command and F keys on an Apple computer keyboard at the same time, should give people a search field to enter words and phrases to look for.
My goal is to continue to build on a project of assembling local government meeting minutes into year-long batches that can be searched for material like a topic, presentation, person in attendance, or actions of the members of the body that is meeting.
I recently created a Searchable Minutes page on this blog site where folks can find links to all the posts of different years of Whatcom County Council and Bellingham City Council searchable minutes I have created so far. Here is the link to that page: https://noisywatersnw.com/searchable-minutes/
Additionally, on a computer, the Searchable Minutes page should show up with other page buttons under the header for my blog site. On a mobile device, the Searchable Minutes page should show up when you click on the Menu button.
Searchable 2022 Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole meeting minutes
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 3:10 PM
Virtual Meeting
VIRTUAL MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:45 P.M. (TO PARTICIPATE, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final January 25, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-064
Report on transitioning GRACE/LEAD to the Health Department. The following people presented and answered questions:
· Dean Wight, Health Department
· Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director
· Daniel Hammill, Bellingham City Council
· Rachel Lucy, Peach Health St. Joseph Medical Center
· Eric Richey, Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney
· Mike Hilley, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager
· Kathleen Roy, Health Department
They answered whether they have an estimate of how much costs would increase for the County, how much the programs were costing when the County was contracting them, whether they anticipate cost expenses to be reduced in any other areas of the County budget that might offset the increase in costs for this work, how much of the $2.6 million overall program budget will be covered by other funding sources, how much the cost of the programs have increased on average each year over the last five years, the anticipated year over year increase if it is internalized, whether the current vendor is not capable of billing Medicaid, whether paying more to the contractor within the contract would create the incentive necessary for them to set up the appropriate billing structures, whether there would be specific cost savings that the County would only receive by internalizing the programs, the plan for staffing the programs going forward, whether the $650,00 program cost increase includes the systems manager position discussed earlier, and what the time constraints are for this transition.
This agenda item was REPORTED.
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. in a virtual meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final January 25, 2022 Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2021-209
Resolution regarding permanent affordability of childcare in Whatcom County
Frazey briefed the Councilmembers and moved to recommend approval of the “Revised Resolution for 1.25.2022 Agenda” as a recommendation to use the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The motion was seconded by Galloway.
Frazey answered how this revised Resolution is different than what has been looked at in the past.
The following people discussed the item with the Councilmembers.
· Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council
· Tyler Schroeder, Executive’s Office
· Allison Williams, Health Department
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed whether the Resolution was voted on in the past, whether the proposed amount of $22.25 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for these priorities would be consistent with percentages of that fund previously discussed, the priorities listed in Exhibit A, how the County can make zoning more inclusive to require that new developments include a childcare or family service center, whether they should take the budget items for 2022 (the investment for capital facilities and the investment in workforce development) to the Child and Family Well-Being Task Force and develop some plans to implement those dollars, whether the revised Resolution was included in the Council packet, recognizing the work and recommendations of the task force and whether it should be sent back to the task force, whether the priorities listed in the Exhibit should be amended, whether the Resolution should be amended to include what has been pre-determined by Council to be the ARPA allocation amounts, and using language that uses Exhibit A as a guiding document and not a binding document.
Galloway began to make a motion to amend the Resolution as follows:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the funds received through ARPA in the amounts of $5.5 million for child care; $3.5 million to support construction of previously determined capital investment projects and $2 million to support the child care workforce be allocated to permanent solutions using Exhibit A as guidance.
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final January 25, 2022
Councilmembers concurred to sort out the language before tonight’s meeting and continued to discuss the Resolution.
Frazey withdrew her motion.
This agenda item was FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITHOUT A
RECOMMENDATION. Special Order of Business
1. AB2022-063
Letter to Commissioner of Public Lands and Washington State Board of Natural Resources regarding proposed Bessie Sorts Timber Sale
Galloway updated the Councilmembers and they discussed the item with the following people:
· Michael Feerer, Whatcom Million Trees Project · Chris Elder, Public Works Department
· Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department
They discussed the differences between the first and subsequent letters and what the Council’s ask is, an email sent by Elder to Council regarding “Additional information re: AB2022-063,” whether the forest industry is asking the Council to pause the sale, where the recommendation to pause is coming from, the age of the trees as reported by the Department of Natural Resources, where the proposed area is located, and whether the proposed letter is time sensitive.
Councilmembers concurred they would return to the discussion at tonight’s Council meeting.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on February 8, 2022.
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final January 25, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 4
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Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 2:45 PM
Virtual Meeting
VIRTUAL MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:45 P.M. (TO PARTICIPATE, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final February 8, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-096
Presentation on ranked choice voting
The following people presented and answered questions:
· Kit Muehlman, FairVote Washington
· Jessie Post, FairVote Washington
· Lisa Ayrault, FairVote Washington
· Stoney Bird
They answered questions about whether you have to vote for all the available choices and not having to wait for the local options bill to put ranked choice voting on the ballot since Whatcom County is a non-partisan charter county.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, asked whether a ballot item for ranked choice voting would be to change our charter or whether the change would have to made in our charter first before putting it on a ballot, or whether it can just go on the ballot without changing the charter.
The speakers and the Councilmembers discussed Sidhu’s question and whether the exception for the non-partisan charter counties applies only to the single office races at the executive level or if it is for all races.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m. in a virtual meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
Committee Discussion
1. AB2021-345 Discussion regarding reopening Council operations to the public
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, referred the Councilmembers to information included in the packet regarding this item and gave an update.
The additional following people spoke and answered questions:
Whatcom County Page 1
Council Committee of the Whole
Committee Minutes – Final February 8, 2022
2. AB2022-097
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed whether they would need to send this back out for another bid, how many counties are now in hybrid mode, whether the guidelines are different for public meetings than they are for the public in general, getting a link to the Governor’s guidelines, considering what will happen beyond COVID-19 if the emergency is lifted and keeping some element of technology in meeting protocols, having test committee meetings to work out the bugs before going fully hybrid, and what kind of input they would like to give as far as potentially going to a hybrid model.
Kershner moved that they let Perry in I.T know that they would like him to move ahead with what he is doing and asked if a motion is needed.
Perry stated he could probably have something to them by the first Council meeting in March to consider (no vote was taken on the motion).
Councilmembers discussed making sure staff who are required to be there in person feel comfortable with this, considering measures that might prevent an outbreak of the virus, asking the Health Department to keep giving them information and updates on where we are with the pandemic to make sure we are not having outbreaks in the Council Chambers, having the option to go remote again if cases spike up, and engaging the Health Department in this so Council has a clear-eyed look at everything and do not risk our public and our staff.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Discussion on renaming Natural Resources Committee
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers on the related proposed Ordinance.
Councilmembers discussed the names of the current Council committees, the history of how some have changed, the proposed name change, and the next steps.
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated an Ordinance has been drafted and can be introduced in two weeks.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
·
· ·
Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department Information Technology (I.T.) Manager
Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final February 8, 2022 Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2021-594
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.02 (County Council) to define absence and temporary disability
Kershner stated she believes the Ordinance is clarifying what constitutes an absence for the Executive and when the Executive Pro-Tempore would step in and take action.
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, gave a history of the item and stated it was held to give the Executive a chance to come back with an alternate proposal.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, requested the Council to give him a couple more weeks or meetings to bring something back and spoke about the proposed Ordinance.
Byrd moved that the item be held in Committee until the first meeting in March or until the Executive brings it back. The motion was seconded by Kershner.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, and Buchanan
Nay: 0
This agenda item was FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION(S).
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.02.085, Council Standing Committees – Committee Action
Donovan briefed the Councilmembers and Councilmembers discussed the proposed Ordinance and whether it changes or clarifies the current rules.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, referred to a memo that he sent to the Councilmembers on this topic and spoke in favor of this proposal.
Galloway discussed striking a balance between keeping County operations moving forward but also ensuring that they feel confident and informed in making those decisions to do so.
Frazey moved and Galloway seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
2. AB2022-079
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole
Committee Minutes – Final
February 8, 2022
Aye: 4 –
Nay: 3 – Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Other Business
There were no agenda items added by revision.
Item 1
Councilmembers discussed the Granicus system for vacation rentals and how Council would like to proceed now that they have had a presentation from the vendor.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated this was not on the agenda.
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, gave a background of the item and asked whether another discussion should be scheduled on the item or whether it should be on the back burner for now.
Donovan suggested that it be an item for discussion in two weeks with information posted on the Legislative Information Center and that they schedule a brief review from the Planning and Development Services Department.
Item 2
Sidhu gave a background on the GRACE (Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement) and LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) programs and spoke about them being a part of the Health Department.
The meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on February 22, 2022.
Adjournment
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final February 8, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 5
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Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 3 PM
Virtual Meeting
VIRTUAL MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:45 P.M. (TO PARTICIPATE, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 2.22.2022
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final February 22, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-102
Update on 2022 legislative objectives
Tom McBride, McBride Public Affairs, presented and answered questions about WA House Bill 1333 providing an extension through December 31, 2054 to the expiration of local sales and use tax for public facilities in rural counties, his relationship with the County and where his priorities come from, and whether there has been a clear investment for not only our state and junction culverts but also culverts the cities and counties are going to be responsible for and how to go about that coordinated effort to ensure that we are upholding our obligations.
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, spoke about funding for work on fish barriers.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Presentation from Western Washington University regarding the Coast Salish Style Longhouse project
The following people presented:
· Sabah Randhawa, Western Washington University President
· Laural Ballew, Executive Director of American Indian/Alaska Native
and First Nations Relations and Tribal Liaison to the President
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, answered how the Council can support the project, stated there would be a proposal coming to the Council for their consideration, and answered whether a portion of the funding is included in the Supplemental Budget Request on the agenda today or whether there is another item he is planning to bring.
Randhawa answered how the fund raising is going for the remaining portion
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. in a virtual meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
2. AB2022-077
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final February 22, 2022
of the requested dollar amount.
This agenda item was PRESENTED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-111
Resolution establishing a Respectful Workplace Standard
Galloway and Frazey briefed the Councilmembers on the Resolution.
Buchanan moved and Byrd seconded that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0 Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
1. AB2022-142
Discussion and possible motion to recommend rescinding a previous action of the Council that temporarily closed Gulf Road to motorized vehicular traffic
Donovan updated the Councilmembers.
Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, spoke about a provision in our code of parliamentary procedure that provides that when you do a motion to rescind you have to provide the same notice that you provided on the original notice, and stated the safest way to proceed in this case is to introduce an Ordinance to repeal Ordinance 2022-005.
The following people discussed the item with Councilmembers:
· Jim Karcher, Public Works Department
· Doug Chadwick, Undersheriff
· Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director
They discussed the history of the proposal to close the portion of Gulf
Road, whether the action of the Council had been properly noticed, the reason for this item, whether what is actually happening on the ground is as severe as what was articulated in the Council packet, whether these areas are part of the Lummi Nation’s usual and accustomed access points and whether the Nation was consulted, whether Council could get a map of the area with a delineation of the private and public land, whether the cultural areas are owned by the Tribe or by private property owners who then give access to the Tribe, what the 500 foot right of way is and whether there is any public
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final February 22, 2022
Other Business Adjournment
beach, how far the beach is from where they would put the gate, whether the land owners are willing to work with the public to continue access on foot or by bike, whether this is just closing vehicle access on a public road, whether Council had passed a temporary or permanent road closure, and how a temporary closure is defined.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated there is still a lot of accessibility and suggested that Councilmembers gather more information and concerns from the community members to see how concerns might be eliminated. Hutchings and his team can talk to the property owners, then come back with some sort of resolution.
Donovan stated that the path forward would be to introduce a new Ordinance.
Hutchings answered whether there is legal parking down at the beach. He suggested to schedule a committee discussion on this to hear from constituents. In the meantime, he will have a follow-up conversation with the proponent to let them know what happened today and they would go from there.
Councilmembers concurred that he will work with Council staff to schedule a discussion in the Public Works and Health Committee.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:11 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on March 8, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 3
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final February 22, 2022
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
Whatcom County
Page 4
******************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 1:50 PM Council Chambers
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:15 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON OR SEE VIRTUAL MEETING JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 8, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Committee Discussion
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 1:50 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
1. AB2022-132
Discussion regarding broadband internet access
Galloway and Byrd briefed the Councilmembers and Councilmembers discussed whether other counties are doing this, which counties Whatcom County would emulate, and how the underground fibers would connect to areal fibers on power poles.
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, answered how many miles of road the County constructs or maintains per year that would involve digging where they would be able to pull fiber, whether they could just put in conduit at a minimum and fiber could be put in later or whether they have to be committed to having the fiber there and adding to the cost.
Councilmembers and staff continued to discuss whether they should request County or Port of Bellingham staff to figure out the cost of these things, who they would turn to for more information about the costs, how this would get service to the community faster and reduce broadband cost, whether other entities are currently using Wireless Access Points (WAPs), coordinating efforts with the Public Utility District and Port of Bellingham, how Realtime Response Under Load (RRUL) tests would help rural and disadvantaged communities, and whether conduit line could be leased out.
Clerk’s note: See further discussion on this item below.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Discussion and status update of proposed amendments to the Whatcom County Code regarding short-term rentals
Cliff Strong, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the Councilmembers and stated he is trying to get a sense of whether Council would like to continue with this project or not and whether they would
2. AB2021-548
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 8, 2022
3. AB2022-141
support hiring a vendor to provide software that would handle a lot of the registration issues that the Council wanted at one time. He answered how it will change how people will be able to continue converting single-family homes into businesses that are vacation rentals if it is an accessory use.
Councilmembers discussed the request, how they anticipate spending the funds in excess of the costs, whether they could be used to promote affordable housing, whether this is coming up with a solution to a problem the County does not really have, just having something in place that would encourage health and safety standards as well as behavior standards, and whether they have considered the positive aspects of having vacation rentals in the community.
Strong answered why fees would be collected in excess of what the program might cost to administer, what the Planning Department staff would need to get going if there was a sense that the Council was willing to pursue this, whether the County has reached out to vacation rental owners to tell them this may be coming down the pike, whether they could have a public hearing and invite the affected parties to come and review this and let the Council know what they think of it, and whether the Planning Commission previously had a hearing and got feedback on this issue.
Councilmembers and staff discussed whether they could have a public hearing without a formal ordinance in order to hear from the public, and how people responded in the public hearing that was before the Planning Commission. They concurred that they would like to schedule a public hearing.
Strong answered a question about time sensitivity in regards to coordinating with the Shoreline Management Program (SMP) deadlines.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Report on progress and next steps for the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Review project
Cathy Halka, Council Legislative Analyst, briefed the Councilmembers and answered whether the independent reviewers are contacting people, such as the incident commander, who do not work for the County or just current County staff members.
This agenda item was REPORTED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-087 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.02.075, Standing Committees, to Whatcom County Page 2
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 8, 2022
rename Natural Resources Committee
Donovan read AB2022-087 but Galloway asked if Commissioner Atul Deshmane, Public Utility District (PUD), could address the Council on AB2022-132 so they allowed him to speak and went back to that item.
See discussion of this item below.
1. AB2022-132 Discussion regarding broadband internet access
Atul Deshmane, Public Utility District (PUD), briefed the Councilmembers on the work of the PUD on broadband in the county and stated he supports the language of the memo presented by Councilmember Galloway.
Discussion continued from above.
1. AB2022-087
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.02.075, Standing Committees, to rename Natural Resources Committee
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers and Councilmembers discussed the item.
Frazey moved and Byrd seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
2. AB2022-131
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.126 (Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee)
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers and moved to amend Whatcom County Code Section 2.126.030 Subsection C to strike/remove “to seven” so that it would read:
C. Update the Climate Action Plan, at a minimum every five to seven years, or as needed to meet targets; and
The motion was seconded by Frazey.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 1- Elenbaas
Councilmembers discussed the ordinance and the following people spoke and answered questions:
Aye: 6 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 1 – Elenbaas Absent: 0
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole
Committee Minutes – Final March 8, 2022
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on March 22, 2022.
· ·
Ellyn Murphy, Climate Impact Advisory Committee Chris Elder, Public Works Department
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed whether there is interest in expanding this group to help with some of the impacts of the climate change events we have been experiencing, and how the Council can help the advisory group help them to deal with the actual impacts that are caused by climate change.
Frazey moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S).
Councilmembers discussed the motion.
Frazey’s motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 1 – Elenbaas Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 8, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 5
***********************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 2:30 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON OR SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 22, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-149
Presentation by Diane Kamionka, Executive Director of the NW Innovation Resource Center, regarding the Center’s work in Whatcom County and the vision for a regional innovation center to help support local entrepreneurs
Diane Kamionka, Northwest Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC) Executive Director, presented and answered a question about the vision for expanding their efforts in Bellingham and Whatcom County and how she sees the Council supporting that work.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, also spoke about the program and the County’s support.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
This agenda item was PRESENTED. Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-192
Discussion regarding upcoming Comprehensive Plan review process Galloway and Frazey briefed the Councilmembers.
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, discussed with Councilmembers the timing for when the Council will get information and can start working on priorities for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, hearing from Business and Commerce Advisory Committee members, how the Councilmembers might add to the scope of work in advance, pursuing a resolution format to outline Council priorities to ensure it is a guiding document rather than a directive, engaging with State Legislators and the City of Bellingham once a resolution is formed, and being careful not to legislate off of false assumptions.
Councilmembers, Aamot, and the following speakers discussed questions about the Comprehensive Plan update and population projections, and
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 22, 2022
2. AB2022-189
whether Council resolutions about Council priorities would aid in the process and scope of work:
· Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
· Troy Muljat, Business and Commerce Advisory Committee
Galloway requested that Councilmembers send ideas for priorities to the Clerk of the Council.
Aamot answered a question about the timeline for the Buildable Lands Report and the scope of work for the Comprehensive Plan update.
Sidhu stated he would like to have a Comprehensive Plan discussion going on for two and a half or three years to hear from the Council and will make staff available to accommodate for that input.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Discussion of boards and commissions applications in the Council’s online packet
Jill Nixon, Council Office Staff, reviewed the procedures for when and how personal information that is provided on boards and commissions applications is posted online and in the Council packet, and she answered questions.
Councilmembers discussed their preferences on the options for how boards and commissions applications are presented as outlined in the staff report in the meeting packet.
Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, answered whether the Council can make decisions with information that the public does not see.
Kershner moved that they adopt Option 2 for before a Council meeting and Option 2 for after a Council meeting (as listed in the staff report). The motion was seconded by Elenbaas.
Councilmembers discussed the motion and Nixon answered whether applications have to made be available for those who are appointed to positions, what information would be redacted before a meeting in Option 2, and what happens to applications in Option 2 for after the Council meeting for those not appointed.
Galloway moved to amend the motion to include Option 2 for before a Council meeting and Option 1 for after a Council meeting.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 22, 2022
Kershner accepted Galloway’s motion as a friendly amendment to her motion.
Councilmembers and Nixon discussed whether Council staff will still send the complete application to Councilmembers so that they will have contact information, and whether it should be a standard practice or on demand.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, asked about the process for applications for Executive appointments.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed whether applicant names would be redacted, whether a list of applicants can be exported from the online form submission site, whether they will get more applicants to apply if names are not made public, how citizens would be able to contact individual members of a committee, whether a committee could have a single access email address, whether board and commission members could be given a County-issued email address, whether there could be a directory of applicants or appointed committee members, whether an option could be added to the application form for an applicant to volunteer to share contact information if publicly requested, and how public records requests are handled now when dealing with individuals using private emails.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 1 – Frazey
The following options were approved:
Before a Council Meeting – Option 2. Include the applications in the packet with exempted information redacted
After a Council meeting – Option 1. Upload redacted application for all applicants
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2021-594
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.02 (County Council) to define absence and temporary disability
Councilmembers discussed the history of this Ordinance and whether the Council and Executive would like to continue with the ordinance since there is not an active Councilmember who initiated it, and former Councilmember Browne’s desire to make the term “temporary disability” more clear as shown in the added language in Section D of Exhibit A of the “Revised Ordinance for 3.22.2022.”
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 22, 2022
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated this is not something that is related to him but is about the office of the Executive and the office of the Council. He had proposed “periods of less than 30 days” in Section C of Exhibit A as it pertains to the physical “absence” of the Executive and any period greater than 74 hours in Section D as it pertains to “temporary disability.”
Councilmembers discussed the added language regarding “temporary disability,” and also whether the change to 21 days in Section C is based on the Whatcom County Charter or whether changing it to 21 days would mean a charter amendment.
Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, answered whether changing the language to 21 days would be amending the Whatcom County Charter.
Frazey moved and Galloway seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0 Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on April 12, 2022.
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final March 22, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 5
**********************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 1:45 PM Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 1:55 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON OR SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final April 12, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
5 – Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, Carol Frazey, Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
2 – Tyler Byrd, and Ben Elenbaas
Absent: Announcements
Present:
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-190
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.21, Board of Equalization Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, briefed the Councilmembers.
Jennifer Schneider, Clerk of the Board of Equalization, answered how it has been working before adding these new positions and since the new districts.
Buchanan moved and Kershner seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 – Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 2 – Byrd, and Elenbaas
Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 1:49 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on April 26, 2022.
Whatcom County
Page 1
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final April 12, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 2
*********************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 3:40 PM Hybrid Meeting
[ https://whatcom.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=899853&GUID=D9D41551-9D22-4FBA-9AF8-A82F347EAA59&Options=info|&Search= ]
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:40 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON OR SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final April 26, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Committee Discussion
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
1. AB2022-251
Discussion of proposed resolution establishing priorities for Whatcom County’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan update
Galloway and Frazey briefed the Councilmembers and answered questions about the House Bills (HB 1099 and HB 1117) that did not pass and what specifically in them was something they considered beneficial to include in the Council’s planning process, and whether they have heard anything from or run this by the Planning and Development Services Department (PDS).
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department Director, spoke about the task of working on the Comprehensive Plan, Development Regulations, and the Critical Areas Ordinance and the challenge they face with department resources. They hope to have a strategy in place by the end of the year to clarify how they will go about doing all the work and what resources it will take.
Councilmembers discussed the Resolution, having the agricultural groups weigh in on the proposed Resolution, having a list of what other organizations it would be valuable to get input from, whether they want to run a parallel process or a pre-Comprehensive Plan review, not adding additional work requirements to staff if it is not necessary, getting more community input, the intent of the proposed Resolution to create a proactive wish list, how they make sure they put policies in the Comprehensive Plan that they then have time to actually implement and follow through on, and sending comments and suggestions to Galloway or Frazey before June so that Planning has an idea where the Council is coming from.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
Whatcom County Page 1
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final April 26, 2022
1. AB2022-224
Ordinance amending WCC 2.123.040 Membership – Term of Office for the Forestry Advisory Committee
Steve Roberge, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the Councilmembers.
Kershner spoke about why she and Galloway brought this forward.
Jill Nixon, Council Office Staff, answered whether there are any boards and commissions that do not require that members be citizens of Whatcom County.
Councilmembers discussed whether they would be opening a can of worms by waiving the qualified registered voter and residency requirement.
Kershner moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0 Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
There were no agenda items added by revision.
Councilmembers discussed the potential for having open session be a written comment for the May 10th Council meeting, the worry being there would be a lot of people commenting on the vacation rental item.
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated there was not a quorum of Councilmembers responding to her with yes or no so she asked the chair to bring it up.
Kershner moved to accept written comment for the May 10th Council meeting due to the expected public input from the rental Ordinance that will be heard that night in lieu of in-person public comment.
Councilmembers discussed that this would just be for Open Session.
Kershner re-worded her motion and moved that they limit public comment during Open Session to written input only at the May 10th Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Frazey.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final April 26, 2022
Adjournment
Councilmembers discussed the motion, other possible options, and how it would be noticed to the public.
Brown-Davis stated that Council staff is looking into different options for their meeting schedules and spoke about the plan for public notification if this motion is approved.
The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 3 – Frazey, Byrd, and Donovan
Nay: 3 – Elenbaas, Kershner, and Buchanan Abstain: 1 – Galloway
Galloway moved to encourage written comment and allow for up to an hour and a half of verbal comment in person or virtually for Open Session. The motion was seconded by Donovan.
Donovan stated they should do the first part whether there is a motion or not.
Councilmembers discussed the motion. Galloway withdrew her motion.
The meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on May 10, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 3
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final April 26, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 4
***********************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 2:35 PM Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 3:45 P.M. (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON OR SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final May 10, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Announcements Committee Discussion
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
1. AB2022-262
Discussion of a resolution amending Resolution No. 2021-056, making additional amendments to the 2020 Shoreline Management Program Periodic Update documents to be considered by the Department of Ecology in their final review and approval
Cliff Strong, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the Councilmembers.
Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, answered whether Elenbaas could participate in the discussion and stated she did not think he could participate unless there was a way he could parse out the parts that pertain to the settlement agreement so Elenbaas left the meeting.
Strong answered whether there are substantive effects of the clean-ups in the corrections that are not related to the settlement, the meaning of the word “tolling” as referenced in Section 22.07.080 (Expiration of Shoreline Permits) on page ten of the proposed Resolution, and how long it takes to get back from the Department of Ecology (DOE).
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-259
Resolution supporting the Snohomish, Whatcom, Island, San Juan and Skagit (SWISS) regional partnership with the Washington State Association of Counties
The following people briefed the Councilmembers and gave background for the item:
· Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council
· Councilmember Galloway
· Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final May 10, 2022
The speakers answered and Councilmembers discussed whether there is a dollar amount associated with this and whether the Council already authorized a budget amount, whether this Resolution is saying that the Council is interested in this partnership with Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) and they will see a budget amendment or budget authorization, who represents Whatcom County in the group, whether Whatcom County should participate in the regional partnership in a formal way, and what types of things the group discusses.
Galloway moved and Frazey seconded that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 – Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 2 – Byrd, and Elenbaas Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on May 24, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 2
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final May 10, 2022
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
Whatcom County
Page 3
****************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, June 7, 2022 3:25 PM Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:45 P.M. PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT DIFFICULTIES WITH OUR MEETING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO VIEW VIA THE “IN-PROGRESS” LINK, SEE ZOOM INSTRUCTIONS AT whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil.
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final June 7, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:48 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-292
Presentation from Human Services Division regarding Homeless Housing Programs The following people presented:
· Ann Beck, Health Department
· Chris D’Onofrio, Health Department
· Ashley Geleynse, Health Department
· Amanda Burnett, Health Department (did not speak)
They answered a question about the timeline and goals for each of the Request for Proposals (RFPs) going out this summer, whether they have a sense of what communities of people are off of their radar (as mentioned in the presentation), and whether they have any resources or programs that support people that are aging and maybe losing their housing.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
This agenda item was PRESENTED. Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-311
Discussion relating to draft Interlocal Agreements with the cities of Bellingham, Everson, Lynden, Nooksack, and Sumas concerning planning, annexation and development within urban growth areas
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, presented and answered whether they can proceed without having the interlocals from Ferndale and Blaine, whether the ten-year time period for reimbursement for projects is still a factor, why Ferndale and Blaine have not agreed yet, and who is proposing the changes for Ferndale.
Councilmembers concurred that they did not have concerns on the interlocals presented today.
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final June 7, 2022 This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
2. AB2022-318
Discussion of a draft ordinance granting Cascade Natural Gas Corporation a franchise for the transportation of natural gas in Whatcom County
Christopher Quinn, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, briefed the Councilmembers and stated they are here to update the Council on the status of the franchise agreement with Cascade Natural Gas (CNG).
Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, and Quinn answered questions about the original term of the agreement, whether this agreement is talking about CNG being able to maintain their gas lines in the County right of way, what the Climate Impact Advisory Committee’s thought process was behind shortening the term to seven years or whether they even weighed in on that, whether a longer term agreement would benefit the County, whether CNG is OK with the term, whether the franchise fee is a new fee, and whether there are any projects that CNG is now going to abandon because the seven year term is not long enough.
Buchanan stated he is happy with what the County has been able to negotiate and the work the Climate Impact Advisory Committee has done.
The speakers answered when they will come back to Council with an Ordinance for introduction, whether Federal or State agencies would require the majority of the language in the Ordinance even if we did not include it, whether anyone took issue with the insurance and bond requirements, whether it would be better for the County to lock CNG into a longer contract since they are a known entity and a good provider, and whether the County would have the opportunity to go back to the table and amend the franchise agreement to reflect the most up-to-date policies in the event that State or Federal regulatory policies change.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on June 21, 2022.
Whatcom County
Page 2
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final June 7, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 3
***************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 3:30 PM Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final June 21, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:54 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Announcements Committee Discussion
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
1. AB2022-356
Discussion of the Executive’s 2023-2024 budget priorities and guidelines The following people reported and read from the memorandum on file:
· Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
· Tyler Schroeder, Executive’s Office
They answered whether the compensation study presented earlier today to the Finance and Administrative Services Committee will be coming to the Council later for approval; whether “Infrastructure,” as part of economic development and listed under the budget priorities in the memo, will
include broadband; what the state of our American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars are and how they have had an impact on our general operations; having a conversation around banked capacity and what impact that might have on the budget and our ability to expand services, human resources, or infrastructure projects; what gains in invested General Funds might look like and how they can be strategic in using those dollars; the timeline for Council to submit Additional Service Requests (ASRs); and how Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds can be used for construction of the Northwest Annex building.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment Whatcom County
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m.
Page 1
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final June 21, 2022
The County Council approved these minutes on July 12, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 2
***************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 2:50 PM Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:45 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 12, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-398
Presentation regarding the proposed 2023-2028 EMS Levy Plan
Mike Hilley, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager, presented and answered how passing a levy at $.199 now would put the 5th medic unit in Lynden at risk if it was already planned for and promised at the last levy, whether the Ground Emergency Medical Transportation (GEMT) money mentioned in the slides will continue, whether the $.295 rate maintains the scope of work or whether there is a bigger ambition for it doing more, and whether we are going to be generating more money with the levy going forward at $.295 with the GEMT than we were generating from 2016 to now at $.295.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive’s Office, answered whether they are saying property taxes will not go up fifty percent if this levy rate passes at $.295 in 2023, what it means that collection of the property tax will not increase from what the current rate is this year, what is in the plan that requires that increased amount, what the reserve is right now of the EMS fund balance and how they got that, whether the EMS fund balance is 70% of the current year’s operating expenses and whether it includes the GEMT, and whether we are maintaining a reserve for money that we expect to come in anyway whether or not the levy passes.
Councilmembers and Schroeder discussed that this is a huge ask considering what Whatcom County taxpayers are looking forward to in the next several years; whether they are shooting for the moon instead of asking for what they need; asking for something realistic and having it pass rather than shooting for the moon and having it not pass; whether the rate will go down over the six years; whether it is accurate that we had a rate of $.295 in 2016 and we brought in so much money and now we are going to keep that rate and bring in more money than we did with the initial rate but we are going to provide more services; and incorporating Frazey’s diversity, equity,
Council Vice Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
Whatcom County
Page 1
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 12, 2022
and inclusion language into the levy plan.
Cathy Halka, Council Legislative Analyst, clarified that Frazey’s proposed language changes are represented in turquoise on document page five (pdf page six) and document page 47 (pdf page 48) of the document on file titled “Substitute Levy Plan (Frazey) for July 12” as follows:
On document page five (pdf page six):
In order to achieve marked improvements in diversity, equity, and inclusion, the EMS Levy Committee identified the following recommendations:
– Track data, set targets, and regularly review progress towards targets
– Improve outreach and recruitment efforts
– EnsureDiscuss and identify opportunities for standardized hiring practices
– Create a culture of inclusion in the workplace and in the training room
– Improve diversity on the EMS Levy Committee and establish a subcommittee on diversity, equity, and inclusion
More information and recommendations on these efforts is included on page 47 of this plan.
On document page 47 (pdf page 48):
3. Standardized hiring practices
· Standardized hiring practices are more inclusive and prevent recruitment bias. WorkDiscuss with private ambulance companies, fire departments, and other EMS agencies, and unions where common elements of to ensure a standard hiring process exist now and identify opportunities to create more standardized hiring practices in the future.
· Identify barriers in hiring and strategies to address challenges
· Review regularly for opportunities for improvement
· identify barriers in hiring and strategies to address
challenges
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 12, 2022
Councilmembers discussed the language.
Bill Hewitt, Fire Chief for Bellingham Fire Department and Whatcom County Fire District Eight, spoke about the proposed language and answered why the language was there and then taken out at some point.
Councilmembers and Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, discussed when a motion can be made on this and whether they need to choose which levy plan should be part of the ordinance. The turquoise language is an amendment to the plan which was previously approved.
Hilly and Schroeder answered how much it costs us to train a paramedic, whether we ask for a commitment to the program from the trainees, incorporating language into all the agreements that if we are spending $160,000 to train somebody to be a paramedic that we would expect them to provide services for a minimum of five years for the County before they leave, whether total Advanced Life Support (ALS) expenses are projected to go up from $13,382,308 in 2021 to $24,640,353 for 2022 as referenced
on page 46 of the levy plan, what the labor cost increases are, and why current labor costs were left out of the projections.
This agenda item was PRESENTED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-365
Ordinance providing for submission to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition renewing the levy of a regular property tax at a rate of $.199 or less per $1000 assessed valuation (amended from original request of $.295) to continue to provide emergency medical services
Galloway introduced her proposed amendments to the Ordinance and spoke about whether adopting those amendments would automatically codify the “Substitute Levy Plan (Frazey) for July 12.”
Galloway moved to approve the amended substitute version of the 2023-2028 levy plan as presented by Councilmember Frazey. The motion was seconded by Donovan.
Galloway clarified that this motion would be trying to approve the updated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) substitute language that is shown in the “Substitute Levy Plan (Frazey) for July 12.” The proposed language is highlighted in blue with the updated amendments to the levy plan that differ from the version that we had approved at the previous meeting (see proposed language in AB2022-398 above).
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 12, 2022
Galloway clarified the motion and stated it is to update the substitute language of the diversity, equity, and inclusion section in the levy plan. This would not be approving the whole levy plan, this would be approving just the updated DEI language.
Councilmembers discussed the motion and Mike Hilley, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager, answered questions about the language.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Galloway moved to amend the Ordinance to include the rate of $.295 or less per $1000 of assessed valuation and it would include the four or five mentions of the levy rate. The motion was seconded by Donovan.
Councilmembers discussed the motion, whether people will vote no on it because they will see tax increase at a time the economy is struggling, and an opportunity the Council had in April to bring another amount forward.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive’s Office, answered what the difference would be for the typical household between the $.199 and $.295 rates.
Councilmembers discussed whether they talked about this potential rate in April, and whether they should have had more time to have a robust discussion about what we would get for those different rates.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 – Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Buchanan Nay: 3 – Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated they would most likely have to re-introduce the Ordinance since it is amended.
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers on her other proposed amendments and read them into record (see document [on file] titled “Galloway amendment proposals for 7.12”). They were as follows and integrated into the Ordinance as in the document on file:
WHEREAS, the EMS system responds to a broad range of people who will benefit from responders reflecting the diverse communities of Whatcom County; and
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Committee Minutes – Final July 12, 2022
WHEREAS, investing in programs and services to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, including training and dedicated personnel to improve and track progress on recruitment and retention, hiring practices, and a workplace culture of inclusion will enhance EMS service delivery and better assist those in need; and
WHEREAS, supporting the EMS Levy, as a primary funding mechanism for countywide EMS, is key to advancing Whatcom County’s diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities; and
Where permissible by law, personnel costs and training should also include essential diversity, equity and inclusion components of recruitment, hiring, retention, and training of personnel.
Elenbaas suggested they change the word “will” to “may” in the second proposed amendment so that it would read:
WHEREAS, investing in programs and services to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, including training and dedicated personnel to improve and track progress on recruitment and retention, hiring practices, and a workplace culture of inclusion willmay enhance EMS service delivery and better assist those in need; and
Galloway stated she could accept that as a friendly amendment.
Galloway moved to amend the Ordinance to include the diversity, equity and inclusion language as outlined in the document “Galloway amendment proposals for 7.12” with the friendly amendment of “may enhance EMS service delivery” in the second of those Whereas clauses.
The motion was seconded by Frazey.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, and Byrd
Nay: 0
Galloway moved to recommend to introduce the Ordinance as amended providing for submission to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition renewing the levy of a regular property tax each year for six
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 12, 2022
years, collection beginning in 2023, at a rate of $.295 or less per $1000 of assessed valuation to continue to provide emergency medical services, in the general election to be held November 3, 2022.
The motion was seconded by Buchanan.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 – Frazey, Galloway, Buchanan, and Donovan Nay: 3 – Elenbaas, Kershner, and Byrd
This agenda item was FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION(S).
Recommended for Introduction as Amended.
Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-378
Discussion of an ordinance granting Cascade Natural Gas Corporation a franchise for the transportation of natural gas in Whatcom County
Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, answered whether the related Ordinance (AB2022-380) is scheduled for introduction tonight and briefed the Councilmembers. There were two versions of the Ordinance floating around, one of which was emailed to Councilmembers after the Ordinance was posted online. But the one posted online is the one that they would be presenting for the public hearing.
Galloway pointed out the difference between the two versions. In Section 12 “Coordination of Construction Activities,” of the draft version, the language was stronger than in this version.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Discussion of proposed resolution establishing priorities for Whatcom County’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan update
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers and stated the “Substitute Resolution” (on file) includes updates reflecting feedback from constituents and organization representatives received during a six-week comment period.
Councilmembers discussed the goal for the re-format being to make clear that not every item in the Resolution will be mandated but it is rather that they have established a set of goals and a vision for the Comprehensive Plan and they are providing examples and opportunities for our county as they work towards the implementation of those values, whether the word “must” should be softened in the statement “coordination and collaboration must
2. AB2022-251
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 12, 2022
occur” in the “Be it finally resolved” section, scheduling the item for a longer discussion to give opportunity for people to weigh in and to make amendments, whether the input received so far has been Bellingham-centric, what the process should be going forward considering all the discussion today, working with the Clerk of the Council to schedule some time (such as a special meeting or larger chunk of time in the next Committee of the Whole meeting) to have a collaborative or interactive work session, maybe having a public hearing on the Resolution, and continuing to move this forward and to gather and incorporate feedback or specific wording into the document.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on July 26, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 7
****************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 2:45 PM Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY OR LATE (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 26, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Announcements Executive Appointment
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
1. AB2022-385
Request confirmation of the County Executive’s appointment of Bennett Knox as Director of Parks & Recreation effective 9/6/22 pursuant to Whatcom County Code Section 2.29.020
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, introduced Bennett Knox.
Bennett Knox, Director of Parks and Recreation appointee, addressed the Councilmembers and answered whether his primary focus and vision would be growing the Parks Department or maintaining the existing parks for people to use, and whether he can speak Russian.
Councilmembers welcomed him to the County.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Presentation and update from Chuckanut Health Foundation regarding the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission
The following people presented:
· Heather Flaherty, Chuckanut Health Foundation Executive Director
· Shu-Ling Zhao, Racial Equity Commission Co-Founder They answered who will actually write an Ordinance.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated the committee is tasked with creating the Ordinance as well as the bylaws and the Councils will have their opportunity revisit that and have input.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Special Presentation 1. AB2022-409
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 26, 2022 Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-382
Ordinance providing for submission to the qualified voters of Whatcom County a proposition renewing the levy of a regular property tax at a rate of $.295 or less per $1000 assessed valuation to continue to provide emergency medical services
Galloway moved and Frazey seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION.
Mike Hilley, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager, stated he was available for questions.
Galloway spoke about her perspective on the Ordinance and a proposed amendment. She would like to add two Whereas statements after the last Whereas statement in the Ordinance and she read those into the record.
Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, answered whether these statements would have the same force being in the Whereas section as they would in the “Now therefore” section of the Ordinance, and stated this is additional authority for the Council to actually change the levy rate outside of the consideration of the reduction due to the increase in assessed value. She answered whether it would only pertain to lowering the rate and not increasing it.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, explained how the levy works.
Galloway moved to amend the Ordinance to add two Whereas clauses at the bottom of the Whereas clause statements as follows:
WHEREAS, if the voters approve the proposed renewal of the EMS levy, for the tax year 2023, the property tax levy rate would be set at $0.295 per $1,000 of assessed valuation; and
WHEREAS, beginning in the 2024 tax year and for the remaining tax years of the levy, the County Council would have the opportunity to review and potentially reduce the EMS property tax levy in its annual EMS property tax levy ordinance, if the Council determines that EMS needs can be fully met with a lower levy; and
Frakes answered whether they already have the ability to lower the levy rate regardless of what the Ordinance says and whether the language needs to be put in the Ordinance.
Councilmembers discussed the motion.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 26, 2022
The motion was seconded by Donovan.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Kershner, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, and Galloway
Nay: 0
Kershner moved to amend the Ordinance to amend the levy rate to $.25 per $1000. The motion was seconded by Donovan.
Councilmembers discussed the motion.
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, and Frakes answered whether the Ordinance would require two weeks if this amendment were to pass or whether there would be time to do this if they had a special meeting.
Kershner withdrew her motion.
Councilmembers discussed the main motion; whether they should further define the diversity, equity and inclusion language in the levy plan to accommodate people who have diversity of thought or religion; and whether vaccination status is a State law and not something that the County would have the authority to go against.
Kershner moved to amend the EMS levy plan to include that under no circumstances will employees be discriminated against based on their vaccination status and the full intent of the exemptions will be implemented.
The motion was seconded by Elenbaas.
Kershner restated her motion that the levy and plan (if the language is in both places) be amended to include that under no circumstances will an employee be discriminated against based on vaccination status and the intent of the exemptions will be implemented to the fullest extent.
Councilmembers discussed the motion, where the amended language should go, and whether it would be a harder sell to the public for people to know that fully trained personnel are being let go because of vaccination status and then we are spending a couple hundred thousand dollars to recruit and train someone else to take their place.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 26, 2022
Abstain: 2. AB2022-422
1 –
Aye: 4 –
Nay: 2 – Absent: 0
Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Byrd, and Elenbaas
Kershner
Sidhu spoke about whether a levy Ordinance is the place for this, whether requirements for employment should be compared to diversity and equity, and if Council wants to do something why they are not doing it county or government-wide.
Councilmembers continued to discuss the motion.
The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 3 – Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner Nay: 3 – Buchanan, Donovan, and Frazey Abstain: 1 – Galloway
Galloway’s motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) carried by the following vote:
Resolution establishing priorities for Whatcom County’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan update
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers on the most recent version of the Resolution.
Elenbaas stated he is not sure they have heard from the Farm Bureau, family farmers, or any of those other groups and the Resolution specifically calls for involvement from them. He stated there are amendments he would like to make and spoke about those.
Kershner suggested they schedule a Council work session on this to get all of the Councilmembers’ ideas incorporated and asked about several issues and whether they are addressed in the Resolution.
Galloway moved and Kershner seconded to hold this item, schedule another work session on August 2nd and have final passage at the August 9th meeting.
Councilmembers discussed scheduling an additional work session and making sure they are being compliant with the Growth Management Act by having some sort of public input process.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final July 26, 2022
Galloway amended her motion and moved to have staff work with Councilmembers on finding a day that works for a work session with the goal of having additional discussion and action on August 9th.
Councilmembers and Brown-Davis discussed whether there should be a public hearing, whether they should email their ideas to the Clerk of the Council, whether the motion is needed, and carving out time on August 9th if another meeting date cannot be found.
Councilmembers did not vote on the motion but concurred with the recommendation to schedule another work session.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:18
The County Council approved these minutes on August 9, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 5
***********************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, August 9, 2022 3 PM Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 5 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final August 9, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-416
Presentation providing updates on re-stabilization of 22 North program Amanda Burnett, Health Department, introduced the item.
Adrienne Solenberger, Opportunity Council, presented. The following other people spoke and answered questions:
· Jason McGill, Northwest Youth Services Executive Director
· Rebecca Mertzig, City of Bellingham Police Chief
· Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director
Solenberger answered questions about their request to Commerce remove restrictions on 16 of their youth set-aside units and whether Northwest Youth Services looks over those units or whether the Opportunity Council looks over all the units, whether the Opportunity Council rules put in place for the building will also be in place for those units and those people, whether the program is working in light of frequent reports from community members in the vicinity of 22 North, what resources are needed if it is not working and when the problems are going to be resolved, what kind of supports 22 North is offering to people, and whether the vetting process is different for the 22 North units than for Opportunity Council’s.
McGill spoke about the separate process for screening applicants for Northwest Youth Services and answered whether the criteria is higher barrier now that they are seeing so many issues, and whether putting young people in an apartment by themselves is helpful.
Solenberger answered questions about the five three-day waste or nuisance notices that have been issued for tenants who have engaged in criminal
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final August 9, 2022
activity and are in process in Superior Court. She answered what kind of court action that is, what kind of criminal activity would be considered worthy of this notice, whether they could indicate in their report what criminal offences are relevant instead of just saying “criminal activity” so Council has a more transparent view of what is going on, whether there are any nationwide models or examples where this service model is working, and what happened with this situation and where the model fell apart.
McGill answered whether we have examples of youth that have moved from surviving to thriving in our community.
Chief Mertzig answered a question about the perspective of law enforcement on the drug problem in the area and how this community is working to resolve that.
Solenberger answered how much of a change we can expect from what we have now compared to three or four months from now, where tenants go once they are evicted, and what a success will be if we still have the issues that are going on outside the building.
Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director, stated staff is available if Councilmembers have questions about the Health Department’s role in testing for potential environmental health exposure of drugs.
Solenberger answered whether neighbors are OK with piping music outside the building.
Burnett answered what role Whatcom County plays in the 22 North and Northwest Youth Services area there and whether we provide some funding for support.
This agenda item was PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-422
Resolution establishing priorities for Whatcom County’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan update
Galloway updated the Councilmembers.
Elenbaas asked and Galloway answered whether she received the request (in light of concerns about some Revised Code of Washington (RCWs) and working outside of the Growth Management Act) to replace section seven of Exhibit A with a commitment to work with the County Forest Advisory Committee to develop specific strategies and actions.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final August 9, 2022
Elenbaas asked Galloway to give an example of what the following statement (the fifth item under priority one in Exhibit A) means, what it looks like on the ground, and how equity is addressed in land use policy:
Prioritize actions in overburdened communities that equitably enhance climate resilience and avoid or substantially reduce the adverse impacts of climate change in people, property, and ecological systems using best available science and climate projections.
He also asked how staff will incorporate these broad statements into the Comprehensive Plan update and asked whether it would it be more appropriate for us to pass the Resolution minus Exhibit A since not all the priorities are everyone’s priorities.
Elenbaas moved that they recommend approval of the Resolution minus Exhibit A. The motion was seconded by Kershner.
Councilmembers discussed the motion, and whether Exhibit A would be deleted or retained and just not part of the Resolution, whether the
reference to the two State House Bills that are included in the Resolution but that did not pass at the State should be in the Resolution at all, removing the priority about the transition to all-electric new residential construction, and whether Exhibit A is too specific.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Aye: 3 – Kershner, Byrd, and Elenbaas
Nay: 4 – Frazey, Galloway, Buchanan, and Donovan
Buchanan moved to recommend approval of the substitute Resolution. The motion was seconded by Frazey.
Kershner moved to amend the substitute Resolution to remove from Exhibit A the following statement (from section five):
Support building and energy codes that transition to all-electric new residential construction.
The motion was seconded by Elenbaas and Councilmembers discussed the motion and whether this language is contradictory to the letter the Council sent to the State Building Code Council on residential energy code (see AB2022-335).
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final August 9, 2022
Galloway suggested keeping the line in the Exhibit and adding some language from the letter recognizing the challenges rural communities face if that would seem like a reasonable compromise.
Councilmembers discussed her suggestion.
Kershner amended her motion to request that Councilmember Galloway bring forward the language from the letter that we sent to the State Building Code Council a couple months ago that includes acknowledgement that our rural communities cannot necessarily move to all electric.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Kershner, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, and Galloway
Nay: 0
Buchanan moved to delay the vote on the main motion until tonight until they have the language in front of them. The motion was seconded by Byrd.
Buchanan withdrew his motion to recommend approval.
Kershner asked Galloway where in the rest of the Resolution or Exhibit A there is a reference to the two House Bills (“HB 1099 (2021- Page 2 22) and HB 1117 (2021-22)”) that were mentioned in the Whereas statements of the Resolution and why they need to remain in the Resolution if they did not pass in the Legislature.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated we have a very codified and formal process for the Comprehensive Plan updates that includes working line-by-line through concerns with various groups and bringing that back to the Council, that Exhibit A is to be informed as you meet with people that this will come under scrutiny and discussion, and that we must be informed about the costs and investments to which we are committing.
Councilmembers continued to discuss the Resolution.
Buchanan restated his motion and moved to hold until this evening.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, and Elenbaas Nay: 1 – Frazey
Out of the meeting: 1 – Kershner
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final August 9, 2022
Abstain: 1 – Galloway
This agenda item was FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITHOUT A
RECOMMENDATION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S).
Motion approved to amend Exhibit A and request that Councilmember Galloway bring forward the language from the letter (see AB2022-335) that we sent to the State Building Code Council a couple months ago that includes acknowledgement that our rural communities cannot necessarily move to all electric.
Motion approved to hold (on the main motion) until tonight.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on September 13, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 5
*************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 3:15 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 13, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-471
Presentation by the Whatcom Conservation District on a proposed system of rates and charges to implement the District’s work program
The following people presented:
· Heather Christianson, Chair of the Board of Supervisors for the Whatcom Conservation District
· Brandy Reed, Whatcom Conservation District
· Brooke Tacia, FCS Group
They answered a concern from Kershner that the residential sector is picking up the majority of the cost throughout the whole county and whether that is equitable considering the work the Conservation District does and the population they work with.
Elenbaas spoke about a concern with asking people to pay more and stated he would prefer they all put the pressure on our legislators to ask the State not to pull the Conservation District funding and to approve the grants. He supports the Conservation District and fully funding Conservation District projects, but he is not supportive of this mechanism of funding.
Frazey stated she would support it as they go forward and spoke about the importance of the Conservation District’s work.
Steve Oliver, County Treasurer, asked whether there is a provision to exempt low income seniors and disabled persons who would otherwise be exempt from property taxes.
Rebecca Xczar, County Assessor, stated her office was not really involved in this process and asked if they could be involved going forward.
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 13, 2022
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered whether the Ordinance being prepared will loop in the Assessor and the Treasurer and what timeframe they would be looking at. She spoke about the process and that we would need at least a couple more weeks to get an Ordinance prepared. Then it would go to Council introduction and we would need about four weeks in between introduction and a hearing.
Oliver stated that for districts that are submitting assessment rolls to be included on the property tax statement, the Treasurer’s Office typically requires those to be submitted in October so that they can start building the tax roll and have the tax roll certified and bills printed in a timely manner in the beginning of next year. This is a tight timeline for everybody.
This agenda item was PRESENTED. Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-453
Discussion of a broadband policy for Whatcom County
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers, read from a memo (on file), and answered questions.
The following people also answered questions:
· Chris Heimgartner, Whatcom Public Utility District (PUD)
· Christine Grant, Whatcom Public Utility District (PUD)
Commission
They answered whether it is prudent to put in all this infrastructure if it might be obsolete in a few years, whether fiber optics should just go where it is needed without overdoing it, how the Port of Bellingham and PUD and the County are working together and whether they are going in the same direction, how the Council gets the Planning Department on board for things like mapping and notification so they know what to do when the County goes to work with the cities and the PUD, and why some jurisdictions have adopted Ordinances that say once infrastructure is put in you cannot re-dig it after a couple of years.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-451 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 5.04, Ambulance Franchises, to address diversity, equity, and inclusion on the EMS Oversight Board and EMS
Technical Advisory Committee and to define the process and elements of an EMS
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 13, 2022
Levy Service Plan
Frazey briefed the Councilmembers and referred to the memo (on file). She stated these are some of the highest paid positions in our community and making sure everyone in the culture is inclusive would be important as we move forward.
Elenbaas stated he would like to point out that these jobs are not only some of the highest paid jobs in Whatcom County, they are also some of the hardest and most dangerous and you have to be probably the most well-trained with a ton of liability that goes along with that job. It is not a job where someone just shows up and they can take anyone. There is a reason that they are well paid.
Councilmembers discussed whether this Ordinance applies just to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Oversight Board and the Technical Advisory Committee or to all involved in our local EMS services, how much these changes will cost the EMS budget, and how EMS would track the information the Ordinance is requesting.
Galloway moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0 Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on September 27, 2022.
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 13, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 4
*******************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, September 27, 2022 2 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 27, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-520
Update from the Administration on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services, read from a memo (on file) and answered how to read the numbers in the matrix, what a “Dibble Building” is as referenced under “Criminal Justice Backlog” on the matrix, what “Revenue Loss” means as referenced on the matrix, whether the $1,410,223 for “Revenue Loss/Gov’t Services” in the “Remaining to Allocate” column could be back-filling revenue we did not collect, and whether a budget lapse (should we have one) is going to follow any special American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) rules or whether it will just be normal County re-appropriation through the lapse process.
Galloway spoke about getting creative with the $4 million of allocated expenditures proposed for broadband and thinking about how we can best use those dollars to achieve our goals.
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Administrative Services Strategic Initiatives Manager, and Schroeder answered what the three additional childcare positions funded “to advance community-based childcare and child wellbeing efforts” will be doing, who they will work for, and what the outcomes should be.
Ann Beck, Health Department, spoke about the hiring of the positions.
This agenda item was REPORTED.
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-507 Update from the Health Department on severe weather shelter plans
Ann Beck, Health Department, reported and answered how Road2Home will find people at short-term notice to staff an overnight severe weather
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 27, 2022
2. AB2022-508
shelter, whether they will have people that will be able to be on call, how much the Road2Home contract will be for and what the funding source will be, whether they might use the Depot Market or the County’s Garden Level Conference Room for a shelter on the fly, the timeline for the Way Station as mentioned in AB2022-520, whether we have considered updating the sever weather shelter’s guiding assumptions to include other unhealthy weather patterns (extreme heat or smoke) besides just the cold, and whether it would make sense to raise the 28°F temperature threshold for activating the opening of a severe weather shelter.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Discussion of draft Interlocal Agreement between Whatcom County and the seven cities relating to procedures for amending the Countywide Planning Policies
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the Councilmembers and answered questions about the possible routes to ratification as presented in the chart in the staff memo (on file), including how it compares to what is in the short term interlocal right now, and whether it would change County involvement in policy amendments. He also answered how long it will take for the interlocal to go through the review process before coming back to the Council.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Discussion and presentation on Whatcom Racial Equity Commission Ordinance from Chuckanut Health Foundation
The following people presented:
· Heather Flaherty, Chuckanut Health Foundation Executive Director
· Shu-Ling Zhao, Chuckanut Health Foundation
Donovan asked a question about the language in Exhibit A, Section 2.107.060 Additional Appointed Members that states, “Candidates under this section shall apply for appointment to the Commission…” and whether that is the “chicken before the egg” since they have not passed the Ordinance that sets up the Commission and the Commission has not yet been populated.
Zhao stated it would be spelled out in a transition plan.
Donovan asked about language in the exhibit stating that some members will be appointed by the Mayor and the County Executive and asked if a process would be described in the interlocal (referred to in the Staff Report) in the event that they do not agree.
3. AB2022-522
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 27, 2022
Zhao and Kayla Schott-Bresler, Administrative Services Strategic Initiatives Manager, answered questions about Section 2.107.110 Staff and Funding Support, including how this will be funded, whether the County will be funding this or whether they would be pursuing their own funding, what “support from Whatcom County Staff” means, what department might give staff support, whether that would be included in the County’s budget, how much money it would be, and whether it would come out of the General Fund.
The speakers and Councilmembers discussed what the Commission will do, an example of how their work would come to fruition and how it would look, how this work would be different than if they just organized as a service-based non-profit, and whether they have a plan for how to make quorum and make sure members show up.
Kershner stated she would like to suggest they remove the word “racial” from this Commission because they are talking today about equity across all groups.
Kershner moved that they remove the word “racial” from this Commission and Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Byrd.
Councilmembers discussed the motion.
Kershner amended her motion and moved to ask the committee to consider that they remove the word “racial” from this Commission and Ordinance and come back to the Council.
Dr. Pamela Wheeler, stakeholder in the development of the Racial Equity Commission, spoke about why they decided to keep racial equity specifically.
Councilmembers discussed the amended motion.
Kershner clarified her comments and withdrew the motion.
Councilmembers and the speakers continued to discuss how the Commission is going to function and what will happen if it recommends a policy change but the County does not agree.
Buchanan moved to recommend to the Council that they introduce the Ordinance tonight. The motion was seconded by Frazey.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 27, 2022
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway Nay: 1 – Elenbaas
Abstain: 1 – Kershner
Clerk’s note: The Ordinance was already on the Council agenda for introduction so this motion did not change the Council agenda.
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered whether a motion to suggest that they have a public hearing on this item be best suited for this meeting or the Council meeting tonight. No motion was made.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2022-454
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code to restructure the Public Health Advisory Board
Steve Bennett, Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB), stated this Ordinance is just essentially updating us to meet the State requirements.
Galloway moved and Buchanan seconded that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION.
Bennett answered whether we met state requirements by January 1, 2022 and are just making it more clear with this Ordinance and stated technically we did not meet the requirements by January. We did not have the membership and we needed to update roles and responsibilities. But this is what we are rectifying currently.
Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director, stated the previous bylaws stated that the Executive would appoint and Council would confirm members of the PHAB and now Councilmembers both appoint and confirm and that is a distinct change in terms of governance. Also, our Health Officer is an ex-officio member now and that was a requirement to include in the bylaws that was not in place before.
Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, stated from a legal perspective, we were substantially in compliance with State law but we had to make these changes to fully come into compliance.
Councilmembers voted on the motion (see vote below after the final comments).
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 27, 2022
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, and Jill Nixon, Council Office Staff, clarified that this is a substitute version and Nixon spoke about the differences between the substitute and the original version.
Galloway’s motion that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 – Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 2 – Byrd, and Elenbaas Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
There were no agenda items added by revision.
Galloway briefed the Councilmembers on an email sent to them on her behalf by the Clerk of the Council that included a link to a call for open comment from the Washington State Broadband Office and a draft letter for a way in which we as Council could potentially weigh in on that call for comment. She wanted to bring it up today to see if Councilmembers had any feedback.
Councilmembers discussed whether the Port of Bellingham is also interested in sending a letter, having more time to look at the letter, and whether they should discuss it at tonight’s meeting or after the October fourth Health Board meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on October 11, 2022. ATTEST:
Adjournment
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 5
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final September 27, 2022
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
Whatcom County
Page 6
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Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, October 11, 2022 2:30 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 11, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-558
Presentation from Sustainable Connections regarding the work of the Whatcom Housing Alliance
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Administrative Services Strategic Initiatives Manager, introduced the presentation.
The following people presented:
· Derek Long, Sustainable Connections Executive Director
· Rose Lathrop, Sustainable Connections Program Director
They answered questions about the Fountain District Urban Village, examples of unique financing for workforce housing, and whether there have been discussions about tiny houses and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and having a registry of designs where a local government can pre-approve through the planning process to help streamline some of the building permits.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated they should not just talk about Bellingham and the county for affordable housing but should incorporate more discussions with the other cities.
Lathrop answered a question about a list of policies from the Whatcom Business and Commerce Advisory Committee.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Presentation from the Port of Bellingham and PUD#1 regarding broadband projects and planning
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Administrative Services Strategic Initiatives Manager, introduced the presentation.
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
2. AB2022-560
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 11, 2022
Gina Stark, Port of Bellingham (Port), presented and answered a question about the seventh phase of the East Nooksack Project which could not be seen on the presentation slide.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, asked what the time frame is for the seven phases of the East Nooksack Project and when they expect phase seven to be completed, whether all 464 homes passed may not necessarily connect to this fiber, and whether there is any connection fee and how much that would be.
Stark answered whether there have been any vulnerability risk assessments associated with aerial versus underground fiber as it relates to the flood
zone and how flooding might impact some of the infrastructure, whether
this project was on time or whether there have been delays, what some of the barriers have been to getting started on construction, whether the requested $4 million (or a portion thereof) of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds would be part of the $15-$17 million infrastructure project for 2,000 homes in areas that were not currently served by the three areas under construction, whether they will make sure that the money they put in will stay owned by the public in perpetuity, whether the Port is headed in the direction of private infrastructure and the Whatcom Public Utility District (PUD) is headed in the direction of public infrastructure, how much the internet service providers (ISPs) are paying the Port, and whether the area that the service is going into is all unincorporated or whether some of it is going into incorporated areas.
Sidhu spoke about finding other ways to get internet to people who will not be covered by this project, looking at how to benefit the maximum amount of people, seeing more transparency of the cost to homes, and the concept of open access and its limitations.
Stark addressed Sidhu’s comments and the following additional people spoke:
· Rob Fix, Port of Bellingham Executive Director
· Michael Shepherd, Port of Bellingham Commissioner
They answered why they would not have the infrastructure owned by a public agency in perpetuity, whether we are leveraging the money that PogoZone has, whether we would be able to do this without the incentive of PogoZone taking over the infrastructure in 25 years, whether we are saying that
because PogoZone is going to get this property at the end of this agreement
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 11, 2022
that they are going to back out those costs that they have invested as it related to anyone getting service through this specific pipeline, and whether we could just hire them as a contractor to provide this service so we do not have to turn over the infrastructure at the end.
Galloway spoke about the Councilmembers being more included in the process moving forward, being provided copies of the Irrevocable Right of Use (IRU), being provided notice if those IRUs are being amended, being able to have that communication and transparency throughout the entire process, looking to the broadband team and asking what role the County wants to play in that, and setting aside some of the ARPA dollars for future projects and/or implementation of policies. She is comfortable moving forward with $3 out of the $4 million for the Port and would like to continue to monitor the PUD’s upcoming feasibility study, and to set forward some conditions of funding.
Stark answered whether there is there a time sensitivity for the Council to make a decision about the request for a portion of the $4 million ARPA funds.
Frazey stated she believes it is possible that we can get people served throughout the county quickly without giving away our infrastructure. She echoes what Galloway said about transparency and seeing more of what we are funding. If she is going to agree to the ARPA money she would like to see public ownership in perpetuity of the infrastructure, public access in perpetuity, and the PUD and the Council being able to review the IRU prior to signing.
Fix answered whether public ownership in perpetuity is on the table.
Sidhu spoke about the cost and time frame of putting in fiber versus the cost and time frame of a hybrid model of fiber and wireless delivery. He requested they do a study and come up with a reason why that is not possible.
Donovan stated he would like more information about hybrid models.
Frazey stated she would like more information about best management practices and SkagitNet. Maybe some things they need to work on are making sure they are all informed and that they are receiving all of the information, and maybe having someone on the board as they move forward.
Donovan stated they will need to continue this discussion.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 11, 2022
This agenda item was PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-531
Discuss a draft interlocal agreement between the City of Blaine and Whatcom County concerning planning, annexation, and development within the Blaine UGA
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the Councilmembers and answered whether this is that different than the other interlocals the Council has with the other cities or than earlier versions they have seen.
Aamot stated he is looking for any concerns the Councilmembers may have and he answered whether there are any concerns that Councilmembers should have on this or that they might hear from the community.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on October 25, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 4
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 11, 2022
Whatcom County Page 5
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Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 2:35 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 25, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Special Presentation
1. AB2022-532
Update from Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District on the California Creek Estuary project
The following people presented:
· Ted Morris, Capital Project Specialist for the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District
· Heather Lindsay, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District Director
Morris answered whether the estuary project will improve the functionality of the estuary or whether it is just stand-alone.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Presentation from the Port of Bellingham and PUD#1 regarding broadband projects and planning
The following people presented:
· Chris Heimgartner, Whatcom PUD General Manager
· Andrew Entrikin, Whatcom PUD Broadband Program Manager
The speakers, Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, and Councilmembers discussed whether the unserved areas on the maps shown in the presentation are those that the Port of Bellingham said would not be included in the Port’s maps and that they cannot get to, the definition of being served by private Internet Service Providers (ISPs) since some “served” areas do not meet the internet speed standards, whether private industries would go into harder-to-service areas they have passed over because it is not lucrative if grant and government funding for building out infrastructure were available to them, the difference between aerial or ground connection that might go
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 2:31 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
2. AB2022-560
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 25, 2022
3. AB2022-584
in Point Roberts and how they determine which house gets what, online GIS mapping tools for showing internet speeds in different areas of the county, whether a company like Comcast for whom internet is not their bread and butter would have the same access to compete with a provider like PogoZone, what areas are out there that show they are being served but are actually not served well and whether we may be spending a lot of money on services that may not be viable, whether the ISPs have all been identified and whether they are all invited to be service providers on this new network that is being built, which ISP would respond to a problem like a pole being knocked out if two neighbors have two different providers, why it is good that PogoZone would own the infrastructure in 25 years, whether the steering committee does not see the Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) until after the Port of Bellingham has signed it, how PogoZone got selected and how the other providers compete if PogoZone is the selected provider, getting a definition of open access versus public ownership, what would stop an ISP from charging a lot of money if there is not competition, whether the grant submission is time sensitive, whether it is a possibility to go in the direction of the SkagitNet model as opposed to the model being proposed, and getting the outcome of the PUD’s feasibility study before allocating money.
This agenda item was PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED.
Presentation of the County Executive’s proposed 2023-2024 Biennial Budget
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, read from a presentation (on file) and he and the following people answered questions:
· Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services
· Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance
They answered where the Racial Equity Commission and the Water Solutions Table are found in the budget, what the minimum is we can have in the General Fund, how long the County has been using the jail fund to pay for corrections deputies and operations and how the money they are collecting from the sales tax increase has been used, what the public might be expecting the County to be putting aside for a new facility, whether the budget for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is assuming the levy passes or whether it is without the levy, why the Flood Control Zone District revenue and expenditures are blank in the presentation slide for 2024, whether the numbers for 2021 on the “General Fund Revenue Projections” slide are actual or budget, and where the increase in tax revenue between the 2022 adopted budget and 2023 recommended budget is coming from.
Schroeder spoke about documents that are available online.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 25, 2022
This agenda item was PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-585
Discussion of the Whatcom County, City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham Legislative Agenda
Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services, briefed the Councilmembers.
Galloway made suggestions for the following objectives:
Criminal Justice
Refer to criminal justice and public safety.
Capital Budget Priorities
Add something about open access so it reads:
· Continued funding for countywide, open access broadband infrastructure
Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability Add a bullet point on culverts.
Housing Affordability and Child Care
Add in conversation around missing middle housing and workforce housing.
She stated she is interested in having specific bills that they advocate for and cohosting a legislative send-off probably in December to gather our local legislative delegations and let them know what our priorities are and vice-versa.
Schroeder stated he will speak with the Bellingham and Port of Bellingham representatives to see if we can update this document to recognize the suggestions and they are working with the City and the Port about doing a legislative send-off.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final October 25, 2022
The meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on November 9, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 4
************************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 2:50 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 3:15 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 9, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 2:36 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Absent: Announcements
Present:
6 – 1 –
Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey, Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
Tyler Byrd
Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-594
Discuss a draft interlocal agreement between the City of Ferndale and Whatcom County concerning planning, annexation, and development within the Ferndale UGA
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the Councilmembers and answered whether this is the last agreement of the seven cities, whether there is something the Council needs to do to change the effective date of the interlocal as requested by Planning and Development Services Department (with the concurrence of the City of Ferndale), and whether there is anything fundamentally different between this interlocal and the others.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision. Councilmembers discussed when to start the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on November 22, 2022.
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 9, 2022
ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 2
**********************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 10 AM
Hybrid Meeting
2023-2024 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET REVIEW WORK SESSION
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 22, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Announcements Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-634
Discussion of the County Executive’s recommended 2023-2024 Biennium Budget
Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services, updated the Councilmembers on the following three opportunities for funding new patrol deputies:
1. Consider changing the number of deputies from five in 2023 and five in 2024 to four in 2023 and three in 2024 (seven total)
2. Look at the budget as a whole and look into other General Fund departments to find Additional Service Requests (ASRs) they do not want to approve (not recommended by the Administration)
3. Look at revenue that maybe could cover the deputy expenditures. This has three options as follows:
a. Look into dipping into the banked capacity. There is $4.1 million available, but at this point it is not recommended by the Administration.
b. Utilize Behavioral Health Funds. At the last meeting he indicated that we currently do that, but he was incorrect. We do not currently use Behavioral Health Funds to cover the mental health deputies. If this is an option the Council would like to consider he suggests they look at covering some costs of the 2024 deputies and having a discussion with the Behavioral Health Committee to ensure that the committee accepts and recommends to use the fund that way.
c. Look at the Road Fund diversion. There is the ability under State law to cover the traffic law enforcement portion of the Sheriff’s Office and there is about $2.9 million that you could legally transfer out of the Road Fund to the General Fund to cover traffic law enforcement. The Administration does not recommend that full amount but it could be a way to cover the cost of one or two of the deputy positions.
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
7 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 22, 2022
Schroeder answered whether going with option one (adding seven deputies) would be enough to keep us at the fifteen percent (15%) fund balance not counting the $4 million we need for jail beds, or whether it would give us enough for both. He stated the jail beds would be a one-time cost so they could look at using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and the fund balance would end up being about $16.96 million if they go with option one, which is above the minimum reserve requirement.
Galloway stated one additional option is to delay hiring until July in 2024 which could save us about $288,000. She also likes the idea of pulling from alternate revenue sources and gave some ideas on how they might use those funds.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated the Behavioral Health Fund is something they need to make investments on the behavioral health facility. He is hoping for behavioral health investments in this legislative session
and if money comes our way we are going to need some matching or additional funds. If we use the fund now, we are taking money away from the other part of public safety.
Schroeder answered what the health of our Road Fund looks like, whether we have sufficient reserves, and whether we would also have to use some banked capacity. He thinks between $200,000 to $400,000 additional diversion to the General Fund to cover law enforcement would be a reasonable amount.
Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director, stated the Behavioral Health Fund is very specific in its uses. It is not for equipment or supplies so it could not meet the needs for buying vehicles for the deputies. Direct services are the priority of the Behavioral Health Advisory Board and not behavioral health deputies. There are a lot of demands on this fund in terms of direct services.
Bill Elfo, Sheriff, spoke about Sheriff’s Office challenges and demands. He stated this is something that has been long overlooked so he will hold and ask for five and five (ten) deputies.
Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department Acting Director, Elfo, and Schroeder answered whether there is enough flexibility in using the Road Fund.
Schroeder spoke about possibilities for option two (other General Fund
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 22, 2022
ASRs) and stated there are five total new proposed FTEs. He answered whether there was any review of the actual budgets countywide deeper than just the ASRs and whether there is anything they need to look at.
Donovan stated option one (four in 2023 and three in 2024) would get us to a sixteen percent (16%) reserve fund balance. Then, if the Road Fund covers two that would be nine deputies, so we are just looking for funding for one additional FTE.
Sidhu spoke about the changes proposed for the Planning and Public Works departments to relieve pressure on them and stated both departments were under scrutiny during the ASR process.
Councilmembers and staff discussed funding the seven deputies (four and three) from the General Fund and two from the Road fund, saving $288,730 in 2023 by delaying the hiring to the second half of the year, and whether hiring other positions which they are approving should be delayed instead of the deputies.
Donovan moved to add five new deputy FTEs in the first year of the biennium, and add four in the second year of the biennium, any two of those being funded through the Road Fund, and seven through the General Fund, with the understanding that they come back with a supplemental for the 10th deputy after they see how this goes with nine. The motion was seconded by Galloway.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed whether they are including using the Behavioral Health Fund, and whether seven positions out of the General Fund is doable.
Kershner suggested a friendly amendment to look at funding one position out of Behavioral Health Fund in 2024.
Sidhu spoke about waiting for the supplemental to decide on which fund to use instead of predetermining how to fund that position now, and waiting to see what the Legislature does in this legislative session on the behavioral health side.
Donovan withdrew his motion (because they had already previously approved to fund ten deputies).
Donovan moved to reconsider the motion to approve five deputies in 2023 and five in 2024.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 22, 2022
Councilmembers discussed the motion.
Donovan re-stated his motion and moved to rescind the motion to approve ten (five in 2023 and five in 2024) deputies to give them some flexibility to consider nine. The motion was seconded by Galloway.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed the motion to rescind, how much delaying hiring would save in 2023, whether it would affect operations as much as only adding nine deputies, and whether funding two deputies from the Road Fund gives the Sheriff’s Office adequate flexibility.
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered whether a motion for how the positions would be funded could just be an additive to the original approved motion for ten deputies.
Schroeder answered where they could find the fund balances for the Behavioral Health Fund and Road Fund in the published budget.
The motion to rescind failed by the following vote: Aye: 2 – Donovan and Frazey
Nay: 4 – Buchanan, Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner Abstain: 1- Galloway
Councilmembers discussed with the Clerk of the Council whether a motion is now needed for how they should fund the ten deputies.
Schroeder stated one option the Council could consider is to delay hiring until June of 2023 with the budget showing that those positions would be funded for half of the year. Do the same for 2024 (delay hiring and update the budget to show that), and accomplish a Road Fund diversion increase to cover two of the deputies. That means there would be eight covered by the General Fund, two covered by the Road Fund, and the budget would be updated to show the actual hiring of those positions delayed to the mid part of the year.
Buchanan moved to fund eight deputies with the General Fund, and two with the Road Fund, and update the budget to show the actual hiring of those position being delayed to the mid part of each year. The motion was seconded by Galloway.
Schroeder answered what the fund balance would be in the second year of the biennium with eight funded out of the General Fund.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 22, 2022
Kershner suggested a friendly amendment to fund two positions from the Behavioral Health Fund and reduce the General Fund to six positions.
Buchanan stated he would accept the friendly amendment if they give the Administration the flexibility to weigh between the Behavioral Health Fund and the Road Fund to see what ratio or direction might be the best.
Kershner reworded her amendment to fund six positions from the General Fund and four out of the Road Fund and Behavioral Health Fund, giving the Administration the flexibility to decide how that would happen.
Buchanan accepted the friendly amendment.
Councilmembers discussed whether they have to make a motion to be
specific on how it is funded and they discussed the motion. Kershner withdrew her friendly amendment and Buchanan accepted.
Buchanan amended his motion for the two positions not funded out of the General Fund to have flexibility to come from the Road Fund or the Behavioral Health Fund. So, the motion would be to fund eight deputies with the General Fund, and two with either the Road Fund or the Behavioral Health Fund, and update the budget to show the actual hiring of those positions being delayed to the mid part of each year. The amended motion was seconded by Kershner.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 – Byrd, Donovan, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, and Elenbaas Nay: 1 – Frazey
Kershner moved increase the Council “Travel Other” budget to $10,000 to be used by Councilmembers and staff for travel. The motion was seconded by Galloway.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 – Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, and Byrd Nay: 1 – Frazey
Kershner moved to add ASR number 6836 into the budget (adding a community crisis communication education and outreach position) for the Department of Emergency Management. The motion was seconded by Byrd.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 22, 2022
MOTION SUMMARY:
Councilmembers discussed the motion and the impact on the General Fund reserves.
Elfo stated the County would pay sixty percent (60%) and the other forty percent (40%) would come from the emergency management council (the other participating jurisdictions).
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 – Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, and Elenbaas
Nay: 0
Schroeder stated they have two small items that will be in the technical correction with the document that gets incorporated into the budget for tonight. As soon as they update that document, which includes technical corrections and Council changes that Council just accomplished, they will send that to Council and will update the document for this evening.
Kershner stated she does not think they should forget about the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy and stated she wants to watch that fund and ensure that they are not collecting money that is just going in and causing their fund balance to increase over the next four or six years because that money is not helping our community when it is just sitting in a fund balance.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.
Motion approved to fund eight deputies with the General Fund, and two with either the Road Fund or the Behavioral Health Fund, and update the budget to show the actual hiring of those position being delayed to the mid part of each year (2023 and 2024).
Motion approved to increase the Council “Travel Other” budget to $10,000 to be used by Councilmembers and staff for travel.
Motion approve to add ASR 6836 (Community Program Specialist) into the budget to add a community crisis communication education and outreach position for the Department of Emergency Management.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
Whatcom County Page 6
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final November 22, 2022 Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on December 6, 2022. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 7
******************************************
Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes – Final
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 3:45 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING – ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M.; MAY BEGIN EARLY (PARTICIPATE IN-PERSON AT 311 GRAND AVENUE SUITE 105, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT http://www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown-Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final December 6, 2022 Call To Order
Roll Call
Absent: Announcements
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:46 p.m. in a hybrid meeting.
Present:
6 – 1 –
Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey, and Kaylee Galloway
Kathy Kershner
Committee Discussion
1. AB2022-717
Discussion regarding the Council’s general meeting rules Frazey spoke about why she brought the item forward.
Councilmembers discussed having a two-minute public comment speaking limit, having a more systemic conversation about what their role is as the Legislative branch, increasing their capabilities to engage the community, whether they could conduct a study or evaluation about how things are done, and whether changes could be made to honor everyone’s time as well as civic engagement.
They discussed ideas including having committee meetings on one day and Council meeting on another day, keeping the open public comment period in the beginning of the meetings to give the opportunity for people to speak to them on topics they may be voting on later, putting a time limit on the open public comment period, better articulating in advance of public comment who the Council is and what topics are related to them, analyzing how much of Council’s time on a Council day is spent in open session, not changing anything from what they are doing, doing a half an hour of public comment at the beginning of the meeting and finishing after they are done with their agenda, having more public comment in committee meetings, identifying concerns about agenda items and better communicating information about them prior to the meetings, trying different things out to see how they work, and asking speakers to sign up to speak so they can be called down and ready at the podium to save time.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke in favor or an organized open session, and suggested an idea that if someone speaks on a topic at one meeting, they have to take a break for one or two meetings to speak on that topic again.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final December 6, 2022
Councilmembers discussed the ideas.
Elenbaas moved to have sign-up sheets for both open session and public hearings. The motion was seconded by Buchanan.
Elenbaas stated that he does not want it to be limited only to people who sign up and Councilmembers spoke about it not being mandatory.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 – Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, and Galloway Nay: 0
Absent: 1 – Kershner
Councilmembers discussed learning from other jurisdictions as well as evaluating the current system, trying to diversify the way people can engage, ensuring they honor decorum rules around keeping Council Chambers respectful and inclusive, Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) guidance for public comment, how other councils break up their day in terms of committees versus public hearings, what they could put on a different day if they broke it up, the Executive hosting his own biweekly Executive comment time for things about which people want to speak to him or the Administration, providing a document to help people understand who the Council is and what they do and what other entities are out there so they know where to go with their comments, and establishing an advisory panel to help speakers come together to engage on a topic they are passionate about and to give them the ability to work on it in a way that is meaningful and helpful to what they are trying to achieve so they can then provide information to the Council.
Elenbaas moved that, in order to alleviate confusion about the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County Council, we move the County seat from Bellingham to the City of Ferndale. The motion failed for lack of a second.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED. Items Added by Revision
Other Business Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes – Final December 6, 2022
The County Council approved these minutes on January 10, 2023. ATTEST:
______________________________ Dana Brown-Davis, Council Clerk
______________________________ Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
___________________________ Todd Donovan, Council Chair
Whatcom County
Page 3
noisy waters northwest 
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