HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources March 3 20151
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
March 3, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carl Weimer, Barry Buchanan, and Rud Browne
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner and Pete Kremen
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO THE WATER RESOURCE INVENTORY
AREA 1 (WRIA 1) PLANNING UNIT (AB2015 -081)
Browne submitted a handout with suggested amendments (see file).
There was discussion about whether the amendments, specifically to number 5,
would be practical for every caucus.
Weimer asked if the requirements would be on- going. He would like to hear from
Planning Unit members.
Brenner stated do not remove the wording in the "Resource Needs" section. Make it
clear that the Council wants to work with the Planning Unit.
Buchanan opened it up for public comments.
Larry Helm, water association caucus, stated they need money to be properly
organized.
Carol Perry stated listen to the input of citizens who are not Planning Unit members.
Karen Brown, well owners caucus, stated the well owners outreach is difficult.
Weimer asked if the well owners caucus has kept minutes.
Ann Russell, environmental caucus alternative representative, stated she is not sure
what the Council wants. She supports keeping more minutes from this time forward, but
she is concerned about providing information from past meetings.
Steve Jilk, Public Utility District, stated establish the Planning Unit as a standing
advisory committee.
Browne stated the structure of the organization is the problem. The Planning Unit is
self- appointed, so they may not be working effectively for constituents. He would like to
know how members derive their authority.
Natural Resources Committee, 3/3/2015, Page 1
Kremen stated the Council needs to be more flexible instead of more restrictive with
the Planning Unit groups.
Sylvia Goodwin, Port of Bellingham, stated the process has been more casual, and
formal minutes are not practical.
Jilk stated the Planning Unit should not just be an advisory committee, but set up a
more formal relationship between the Council and the Planning Unit.
Skip Richards, Planning Unit Member, stated If this resolution is passed, look at it as
a living document. If there are issues with it, the Planning Unit can bring those back to the
Council. He is concerned about divulging all the inner workings of a caucus and some of the
issues they discuss, such as water rights. The Council does not have the legal authority to
require such detailed documentation. As far as the $10,000 budget goes, the Planning Unit
has not received guidance on how to request funds from it. The Council is asking for a lot of
work but not giving the support. And without the work, the Council is not giving financial
help. This is a catch 22. Some members are not being used in a way that makes the most of
their expertise. There has also been no response to previous submittals made by the
Planning Unit. They need follow- through from the Council and a way to access the money
that is there for them.
Weimer moved to recommend approval of the original resolution to the full Council
Browne stated it is not responsible to fund a group that is not delivering results. The
Planning Unit would be more efficient if they had a committee structure. He proposed an
amendment to request meeting minutes from the caucuses as referenced in his submitted
proposal.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he expected that someone from the Planning
Unit would put forth a budget request to draw from the $10,000 that's been appropriated,
and it would be discussed and voted upon by the full membership, but this hasn't happened.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works, stated they are moving forward with hiring a facilitator.
He asked what the Council wants them to facilitate and what the Council wants staff to do?
An idea is to have a staff coordinator instead of a facilitator.
Buchanan stated have face -to -face sessions with the Planning Unit to foster proper
communication with the Council.
Browne moved to amend to remove the sentences as noted in his submitted
version under the "Resource Needs" section.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Weimer and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
The motion to recommend approval as amended carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Weimer and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
Weimer stated and there was discussion about creating a wildlife committee and making
sure it is made up of qualified people.
Natural Resources Committee, 3/3/2015, Page 2
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ADJOURN
% ',the meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
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Dana BroWan- D..avis, C,aulgitll Clerk
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Kr-isti Felbinger, Minutes Trans ription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
--W TCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Barr hanan, ommittee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 3/3/2015, Page 3