HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole November 7 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Committee Of The Whole
November 7, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. in the Council
Conference Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken
Mann and Pete Kremen
Absent: Carl Weimer
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION FOR THE FLOOD
CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT (AB2012 -018) (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood
Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Attorney Present: None.
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION WITH COUNTY
EXECUTIVE JACK LOUWS AND SHERIFF BILL ELFO (AB2012 -018)
Attorney present: None.
Kershner stated that discussion of agenda items one and two may take place in
executive session pursuant to RCW42.30.110 (1)(b). Executive session will conclude no
later than 7:00 p.m. If the meeting extends beyond the stated conclusion time, she will
step out of the meeting to make a public announcement.
Kremen moved to go into executive session until no later than 7:00 p.m. to discuss
the agenda items pursuant to the RCW citations as announced by the Council Chair.
Mann stated he received phone calls regarding item two, and whether the Council is
getting ahead of itself. It doesn't seem there has been a lot of public process around the
property acquisition for the jail. He's heard concerns about that. He mentioned it to
Executive Louws.
Kershner stated they have to decide if the information they will discuss is executive
session -level information.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he and the Sheriff asked for permission on
May 8, 2012 to search for property and a jail planner. The group has met. All those
meetings are disclosable under public disclosure. They've come up with a recommendation
on a property. Today, he will talk to the Council about negotiating strategy. He's not
authorized to buy property without Council approval, which happens in executive session.
This is the start of the process to talk about negotiation strategy, which is allowable
according to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). He is scheduled to give a
presentation to the Council and community on December 4 regarding the property
proposals and jail planner search.
Mann asked if this discussion can wait until after the December meeting. Louws
stated it can, but there's no problem with telling the Council what is going on with the
Committee of the Whole, 11/7/2012, Page 1
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process and the Council is not taking action. He'd like the opportunity to do that with the
Council in executive session.
Mann stated he senses that this discussion is legitimate for executive session. He
supports moving forward on the jail issue. However, the last time around with jail siting, he
worries that they get too far ahead of the process and risk a backlash.
Kremen stated they are not going to do anything without public input.
Mann asked what they are doing tonight, if that's the case.
Kremen stated the Council must bring something forward for the public to consider.
Brenner stated they've been talking about the issues of sites and a jail planner. It's
not sudden. They don't usually talk about sites, because people can manipulate the price.
Mann stated the County can't pay more than appraised value.
Brenner stated they have paid more than appraised value.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Kremen and Weimer (5)
Nays: Mann (1)
Absent: Weimer (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on December 4, 2012.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
J
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
41 360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Committee of the Whole, 11/7/2012, Page 2