HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works November 7 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
November 7, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(1:41:39 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann and Pete Kremen.
Absent: None.
Also Present: None.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SIX -YEAR
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR WHATCOM COUNTY FACILITIES FOR
THE YEARS 2013 -2018 (AB2012 -327)
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted a substitute
page F1 that incorporates Councilmember Mann's suggestions (on file). Because of a typo
on page F5, change the acreage of land in inventory, °1,941 6,375" to match the changes
from the Planning Commission.
Michelle Luke, Planning Commission Chair, gave a report about the Planning
Commission amendment to the list of existing parks. Without a definition of "developed," it
was hard to make a list that is definitive. The Commission evaluated acreage based on
whether they are useable, not developed. Have a definition for "developed."
Mann stated remove the word 'developed" from the language above the list of parks
on page F5, "...acres of deve+eped parks at the various locations throughout the County.
This inventory shown below is a partial list of deve+eped land owned by the...." Aamot
stated the level of service (LOS) standard is 9.6 acres of developed parks per 1,000 people
in the county, whatever that means. The function of the list is to compare it to the
projection of future needs. Removing the language won't serve the function of determining
whether there is a shortfall.
Mann stated they already can't do that. It is more confusing than it needs to be.
Aamot stated a function of the LOS is defined in the Zoning Code section 20.80.212. It
talks about having adequate facilities to allow the County to approve development. This list
of projects shows that the County is meeting the LOS. If they remove 'develop," there is
no documentation of whether the County is or isn't meeting the LOS.
Brenner stated they need to define what is developed. Aamot stated they talked
about reviewing the LOS in 2014.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 11/7/2012, Page 1
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Kremen stated it is inaccurate and gives a false sense of reality. The heading is
"Parks." The connotation is that it is land that is useable for recreational purposes. One
can't recreate in the Canyon Lake Creek Community Forest, which is about one -third of the
entire park acreage. It gives a false sense of reality in terms of parks available for
recreation. Aamot stated the staff recommend items one through 25 on the list. The
Planning Commission added items 26 through 33.
Mann stated it's helpful they added the other parks to the list, but get to the most
accurate version by removing the word "developed."
Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department, stated the Planning Commission
intent was to show all the park facilities and acreage. Lands are classified differently for
parks and recreation. The Plantation Rifle Range is a special use facility that doesn't qualify
for certain types of funding. It is not technically a park. If they want to show existing park
facilities and open space lands, that would encompass both the developed and undeveloped
land. The LOS is based on developed land. The 'developed" category has to do with city
parks with playgrounds and swings or parks like Hovander and Silver Lake. There are new
national guidelines, which they will include in the database over the next year. They use
open space, which is trails and minimal development. Whatcom County has a lot of those.
They need to make those definitions in 2014. Today, it suffices for the descriptions to
specify park and open space facilities.
Aamot stated it doesn't relate to the LOS.
Brenner stated this list is partial, but it's weird to have two different numbers
between the heading and the list total.
Mann moved to amend page F5, "Existing Deve+eped Parks Facilities and Open
Space Areas The 2012 inventory of County -owned parks and open space areas shows a
total of 7,145 acres with 1,941
This inventory shown below is a partial list of
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
Aamot referenced two typos to items 29 and 30.
Mann moved to substitute the existing page F -18 in the packet with the substitute
page F -18 provided by staff today.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend per her email regarding the real estate excise tax
(REET). Take it out of F6, F7 as key funding source, on F9 remove REET and levy parts,
and F11 remove REET from the first paragraph.
Mann stated he won't support the motion. It ties their hands significantly.
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 11/7/2012, Page 2
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Brenner asked why they don't use conservation futures funds and general funds on
F11. McFarland stated conservation futures can't be used for development. They can use a
portion for maintenance. Conservation futures is primarily acquisition.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner (1)
Nays: Mann (1)
Absent: Kremen (out of the room) (1)
Brenner referenced her email regarding page F -17 and asked what services will be
removed from the civic center building. They were told the civic building is for consolidation.
Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department, stated they are consolidating
other departments in the civic center building. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is
considering moving into the old Olympics building at the airport as a consolidated center for
everyone. It will be a positive move.
Brenner referenced her email regarding page F -22 regarding future ferry needs and
moved to amend, "...over the six -year planning period. The Sox Year- TFaRSPeFtatien
.. for a new ferFy itself-. Therefore, it will be appropriate...."
They may end up with a new ferry that's not larger. It wouldn't necessarily be LOS. Aamot
stated
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner referenced her email regarding page F -29, numbers seven and eight.
Russell stated that projects need to be on the list in order to spend certain funds. The total
description of the project isn't known just yet. As they develop the new jail, they won't
know how they will use the old jail. The planning contractor will help work out that plan.
To use funds, they're adding it to the CIP.
A couple of years ago, they did a master plan for the area at the Northwest Annex.
They aren't sure what they are going to do. Part of it depends on how they develop other
projects. In order to spend funds, the project must also be in the list.
Brenner referenced her email regarding page F30 regarding capital costs. She asked
if they do need numbers, even though the plan isn't exact. Russell indicated they do.
Brenner moved to recommend Introduction to the full Council as amended.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION APPROVING A COMPREHENSIVE SEWER SYSTEM PLAN FOR
WHATCOM COUNTY WATER DISTRICT NO. 13 (AB2012 -318) (2:21:23 PM)
Brenner stated she called District 13. This is what they want. It's already been
approved by the Public Works Department and Health Department. Council approval is a
formality. She moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann and Kremen (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�omhatcomma.us
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 11/7/2012, Page 4