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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources February 14 20121 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Natural Resources Committee February 14, 2012 CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Carl Weimer called the meeting to order at 9:32 a.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. ROLL CALL (9:31:01 AM) Present: Carl Weimer, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford. Absent: None. Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen and Kathy Kershner. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL 1. RESOLUTION AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 100.06, SUBZONE ADVISORY COMMITTEES, REGARDING MEMBER REQUIREMENTS (AB2012- 045) Knutzen moved to recommend approval to the Flood Control Zone District Board Of Supervisors. Weimer stated and there was discussion of: • Councilmember Mann's concern that someone outside the subzone may be a member of the advisory committee. • His concern that the language goes beyond allowing a British Petroleum (BP) representative and would allow representatives from anywhere to be on the advisory committee. He moved to amend section 100.06.030, "Each advisory committee shall consist of five members, each e€ with at least four members who+f► reside in the respective subzone; reside with;„- the Fespeetive distFiet. The fifth member may reside within the respective subzone or represent a rate payer from within the subzone so long as any representative of a rate payer is primarily employed by that rate payer at a site within the subzone. Members of the advisory committee...." Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether the language prohibits a property owner who doesn't live in the subzone from being on the subzone. Knutzen stated add language in the sentence so a property owner of the district is not excluded. He proposed a friendly amendment to amend, 100.06.030, "Each advisory committee shall consist of five members, eaeh e# with at least four members whof reside in the respective subzone, Fepresents a Fate payei= that does not Feside within the Fespeetive distFiet. The fifth member may reside or own property within the respective subzone or represent a rate payer from within the subzone so long as any representative of a rate payer is primarily employed by that rate payer at a site within the subzone. Members of the advisory committee...." Natural Resources Committee, 2/14/2012, Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 Weimer accepted the friendly amendment. Brenner stated and there was discussion of the Council appointing the advisory committee members. The motion to amend carried by the following vote: Ayes: Weimer, Knutzen and Crawford (3) Nays: None (0) The motion to approve as amended carried by the following vote: Ayes: Weimer, Knutzen and Crawford (3) Nays: None (0) 2. DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION FOR PARK AND TRAIL PURPOSES (AB2012 -071) (9:42:11 AM) Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director, submitted a handout and gave a staff report. The next step is an appraisal on the property. Funding is available in the Conservation Futures fund. This is an area where salmon come in across the river. There isn't waterfront property, but they can do salmon enhancement work. Brenner stated and there was discussion of making a creative attempt at restoring the home and outbuildings. Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the status of the easement. Weimer asked and there was discussion of: • The potential use of the home and outbuildings. • Whether this is included in the Park Plan. • The status of the Conservation Futures fund and its various demands. Knutzen asked and there was discussion of requiring the property owners pay for the appraisal. Crawford moved to recommend moving forward with the appraisal to the full Council. Brenner asked and there was discussion of: • Asking for the first right of refusal. • The last time someone lived in the house. Kremen asked and there was discussion of the option of paying the property owner's asking price in lieu of the appraisal. Crawford asked and there was discussion of: • Whether this property has issues with flooding and whether that impacts the value. Weimer offered a friendly amendment to have Mr. McFarland talk with the property owners about the price, and bringing that price to the Committee of the Whole in executive session, before going forward with an appraisal. Natural Resources Committee, 2/14/2012, Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Crawford accepted the friendly amendment. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Weimer, Knutzen and Crawford (3) Nays: None (0) OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 10:02 a.m. ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Please contact the Council Office to obtain an official, signed copy: 360- 676 -6690 or council(g-.o.w hatcom .wa.us Natural Resources Committee, 2/14/2012, Page 3