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HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2001-036WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2001 -229 CLEARANCES Initial Date Dale Received in Council O re Aenda Date Ass'nedro: Originator. Kraig Olson; ('� ( I�n1 p\,//)� - {�, F _ j \•/ Ili .IUL 02 2001 WHATCON COUNTY COUNCIL 7/10/2001 Introduction Divbian Heed: Sylvia Goodwin —Man 7/24/2001 P & D / Council Dept Head Hal 04- Prosecutor: Karen Frokes PurehmingiKmgen SUBJECT: Ordinance Creating WCC .34, Agricultural Advisory Committee ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance and Exhibits: A - Title 2.34, B - AAC Work Plan C- Long Term Work Program D - Letter of Support SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO Should Clerk schedule a hearing 7 ( ) Yes (X) NO Requested Date: SUMMARYSTATEMENT: The ordinance would make the Agricultural Advisory Committee a permanent committee. Atpresent the AgrieulturalAdvisory Committee sunsets in September of 2001. Adoption ofthis ordinance will allow the Agricultural Advisory Committee to continue to advise the County in matters that affect Whatcom County agriculture. Staff recommends Council approval of this ordinance. Distribution Request Indicate those who should receive a copy utter Council action. List rpeciiic names to the right. ADSFadustes Management ADS Finance ADS Human Resources ADS Info Services Assessor Auditor Cooperative Extension Craig MacConnell District Court Executive Heath Hearing Examiner ✓al COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: 2001 -229 7/10/2001: Introduced 7/2412001: Amended and adopted, 6-0, Imhof absent, One. #2001 -036 Belts Related File Numbers: Juvenile par" plannMg Sylvia Goodwin prosecutor Karen Flakes Public Works Sheri Superior Court Treasurer &he Ordinance or ResolutioqWumber (this item): ono if ) a 036 SPONSORED BY: Planning PROPOSED BY: Planning INTRODUCTION DATE: 7/10/01 ORDINANCE NO. goof -o16 CREATING THE AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR WHATCOM COUNTY WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council adopted the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan May 20, 1997, and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes agriculture as a major contributor to the local economy and a high quality of life for Whatcom County citizens; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan contains Goals and Policies that direct the County to conserve and enhance Whatcom County's agricultural land base, and to maintain and enhance Whatcom County's agricultural products industry as a long term sustainable industry, and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan recommends the establishment of an Agricultural Advisory Committee to assist in the implementation of numerous policies and tasks relating to the protection and enhancing the long-term viability of agriculture; and WHEREAS, the County Council declared its support in Resolution No. 99 -059 of the action plan developed by the Farm Futures Task Force which included the establishment of the Agricultural Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS, many County decisions can affect agricultural production and viability; and WHEREAS, the County desires the input of agricultural producers and others associated with agriculture on land use proposals, land use policies, economic strategies and other county, regional, state and /or federal programs that directly or indirectly affect agriculture in Whatcom County; and WHEREAS, the County desires agriculture to continue and supports the establishment of both public and private efforts to that end; and WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council initiated the process of establishing an agricultural advisory committee on a temporary basis by Resolution 2000 -006, which was charged to establish a definitive scope and purpose, develop a short 1- and long -term work plan which identifies the projects /programs anticipated and the responsible parties for implementing those programs, and WHEREAS, the Interim Agricultural Advisory Committee has completed all assigned tasks, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.34, Agricultural Advisory Committee is hereby established as outlined in Exhibit A to this ordinance, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Whatcom County Council finds the Work Plans (Exhibit B & C) to comply with and further the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. APPROVED this 24 day of July 2001 ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Dana Brown- Davis, Ward Nelson, Council Chair Clerk of the Council APPROVED as to form: KApproved () Denied >V Civil De 4&y Pros. Atty. ete Kremen, County Executive -2- EXHIBIT A Chapter 2.34 AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Sections: 2.34.010 Established. 2.34.020 Purpose. 2.34.030 Function. 2.34.040 Membership — Term of office. 2.34.050 Organization — Meetings. 2.34.060 Committee staffing. 2.34.010 Established. There is hereby established the Whatcom County Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC). 2.34.020 Purpose. The Agricultural Advisory Committee provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect agriculture. The AAC also provides a forum for farmers and others interested in enhancing and promoting the long -term viability of Whatcom County agriculture. 2.34.030 Function. A. To report directly to County Council or other appropriate advisory boards, commissions and committees as necessary to carry out the following functions: 1. Review and provide recommendations on zoning, Comprehensive Plan, sub- area plans, regulations and annexation issues of proposals which directly affect lands or agricultural activities in or adjacent to the Agricultural District or the Agricultural Protection Overlay District; and 2. Establish, promote and implement a comprehensive agricultural protection /preservation program; and 3. Analyze and develop recommendations that will assist the County in addressing other issues which affect agriculture at the county, regional, state and federal levels; and 4. Assist, upon request of the Director of Planning and Development Services, that department by providing review and comment on Comprehensive Planning and zoning related issues in or adjacent to the Agricultural District or the Agricultural Protection Overlay District. 2.34.040 Membership — Term of office. EXHIBIT A A. The committee shall consist of thirteen voting members consisting of one representative from the Whatcom County Conservation District Board, one representative from the Whatcom County Ag Preservation Committee, one representative from the agricultural processing industry and one citizen representing consumers of agricultural products. The remaining nine positions are to include agricultural producers representing both large and small scale producers of the various agricultural commodities produced in Whatcom County. In addition to the thirteen voting members, a representative of Cooperative Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Whatcom County Conservation District and Whatcom County Department of Planning and Development Services will serve on the committee in an ex- officio capacity. B. The county executive will appoint the citizen committee members with final confirmation by County Council. Citizen member terms will be four years; provided, that the terms of members first appointed will be staggered in the following manner; four members will have a four year term, four members will have a 3 year term and five members will have a two year term. 2.34.050 Organization — Meetings. Meetings of the committee shall be open and accessible to the public and shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. The committee shall determine its own meeting schedule, but shall meet at least quarterly. At every meeting, the committee will schedule an open session to take public comment on agricultural issues. Written records of meetings, resolutions, findings and recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public. The committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of business. The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who shall preside at its meetings. 2.34.060 Committee staffing. The Whatcom County planning and development services department shall provide staffing for the committee. The committee is authorized to request from the executive's office information from administrative departments as necessary. EXHIBIT B THE WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AAC) 2001 Agriculture brings many benefits to Whatcom County. Farm -gate income shows agriculture providing nearly $250,000,000 dollars annually (1997 Census of Agriculture), Dairy receipts account for 68 %, while berries make up nearly 15% of the total. Whatcom County is the top agricultural county on the west -side of the state and is ranked 6`h in the state overall and is in the top 3% of counties nationally for agricultural production. Farmland subsidizes residential uses. Nationally, even with Open Space taxation benefits, farmland receives on average $0.34 in services for each $1.00 paid in taxes while residential uses receive $1.15 in services for every $1 paid in taxes (American Farmland Trust - Cost of Community Services - Skagit County, We, 1999). AAC has many advocates. Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan lists the AAC as a key component of county agricultural protection efforts. The Farm Futures Task Force Action Plan included the formation of the AAC among their top priorities and the Ag Preservation Committee submitted a formal request to Council for adoption of an AAC. Council acted on that request February 8, 2000. The AAC was established by County Council Resolution No. 2000 -006 to provide recommendations and comments to Whatcom County regarding impacts of various proposals on agriculture and to develop a strategy for protection of the agricultural industry and land -base. MISSION STATEMENT The AAC has established the following mission statement to guide their efforts The Agricultural Advisory Committee provides review and recommendation to the Whatcom County Council on issues that affect agriculture. The AAC also provides a forum for farmers and others interested in enhancing and promoting the long -term viability of Whatcom County agriculture. The AAC's mission will be accomplished through the establishment and implementation of a work plan and by providing timely advise and comment to County decision makers regarding projects that could positively or negatively affect local agriculture. Public comment will also be sought through public forums and by providing time at each AAC meeting for public comment. EXHIBIT B WORK PLAN The overarching intent of all activities associated with the work plan is to retain a significant land base and an economically viable agricultural industry in Whatcom County. The work plan establishes a broad series of activities that were determined as essential elements of Whatcom County's agricultural protection /promotion program. The structure of the plan is based on seven goals and their objectives. Tasks or activities are included which seek to meet the established objectives. The following are the Goals and Objectives (the attached work plan includes all tasks associated with the Goals and Objectives). Agricultural Advisory Committee Work Plan Goals and Objectives 1. Create Equitable Tax System A. Implement tax incentives for farmers meeting conservation goals B. Explore Cost of Community Services and make adjustments to achieve equitability 2. Preserve Farm Land A. Develop farmland protection plans B. Develop mechanism to evaluate impacts of land use actions on agricultural operations C. Ensure compliance w/GMA regarding compact community development within the cities D. Establish farmland mitigation banking program E. Review and make recommendations regarding rezones from agriculture to other uses 3. Resolve Water Issues A. Review APC water issues & make recommendations to County Council 4. Minimize Regulation Impacts on Agriculture A. Ensure the existing & proposed ordinances & regulation are not overly burdensome to the reasonable conduct of agricultural practices EXHIBIT B 5. Minimize Development Impact A. Protect agricultural operations from nuisance suits and harassment B. Ensure zoning & development regulations incorporate protection measures that are intended to reduce impacts on ag lands C. Establish development impact fee ordinance 6. Implement Education & Information Programs pertaining to Agriculture A. Educate and reiterate the benefits of agricultural lands to the public, legislative bodies and regulators B. Monitor public opinion 7. Infrastructure A. Encourage creation of farm worker housing B. Create an agriculture advocate within county government to promote and assist existing and new agricultural ventures STRATEGY The AAC has established a short-term work Program that initiates those activities deemed most critical to providing immediate help to the farming community and establishing long -term farmland protection. The short -term work plan will be updated annually and includes projects which will be initiated within the next twelve month period. Many projects may continue into subsequent planning cycles. These projects will continue to be listed in the short-term work plan. Project implementation will be through partner agencies and groups. Local government, private sector and volunteer groups will be collaborating to carry out the tasks associated with the AAC's Goals and Objectives. The Whatcom County Planning and Development Services Department and the Whatcom Conservation District will continue to facilitate and provide primary staffing assistance to the AAC. Local and grant funds will be needed to carry-out the many activities identified in the work plan. EXHIBIT B Initial short-term planning projects include: Project Item of Lead /entity Funding Timeline LT Plan Title 20- Goal 4 PDS PDS Spring 01 -Fall 01 Conditional use Obj. A -1, update a Title 21 - AG Short Goal 4 PDS PDS Spring 01 -Fall 01 Plat Obj. A -1, b Pursue County Goal 7 APC /Farm To be 2001 Advocate Program Obj. Friends determined B -1, a -d Equitable tax Goal 1 American program, develop Obj. A -1, Farmland Trust scope /pursue A -3 (75 %) funding. County/local a. Growth Trends PDS /AFT Funds (25 %) Summer 01- Fall Mapping Project PDS staff 02 assistance b. Cost of Service AFTM/CD/ Grant Funded Study Consultant Winter 02 PDR Program PDS/WCD PDS (20 %) Summer 01 - Fall Research and WCD(80 %) 01 Proposal Develo ment Citizen Survey G.6 Obj. WCD Combined local Summer 01 -Fall B -1 funds/ Port, 01 other AGRICULTUAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chuck Antholt, Chair Jeff Bedlington Mike Boxx, Vice -Chair Jeff Canaan Debbie De Jong Rob Dhaliwal John Gillies Three Pheasants Farm Cascades Farms Inc. Boxx Berry Farm North Plain Farm Rhody Dairy, LLC Samson Farms NRCS EXHIBIT B Terri Noteboom Noteboom Dairy Sherman Polinder Ronelee Farm Russell Simonson Poultry Farmer John Steensma Steensma Dairy Tom Thornton Cloud Mountain Farm Roger Van Dyken Consumer Representative