HomeMy WebLinkAboutSurface Water Work Session July 17 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
Special Surface Water Work Session
July 17, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Council Vice -Chair Bill Knutzen called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. in the
Whatcom County Civic Center Annex, Garden Room, 322 N. Commercial, Bellingham,
Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann, Pete Kremen
and Carl Weimer
Absent: Kathy Kershner
SURFACE WATER WORK SESSION (AB2012 -024)
Crawford referenced the ordinance imposing an interim moratorium on the
acceptance of new applications for divisions of land resulting in lots smaller than
five acres within the Lake Whatcom Watershed (AB2012 -040A) and stated this item
is before the Council at its next meeting on July 24, 2012.
A 10 -acre parcel owner will submit a short plat. He proposes the Council change the
interim language to allow no densities greater than one home per five acres, which will
allow the applicant to submit a plat that is clustered, which is better environmentally. He
asked if the Council is interested in the change to allow that clustering. The Council would
have to change next week's action to an emergency ordinance instead of an interim
ordinance. The cluster design will better - protect the watershed by using less impervious
surface.
Brenner stated she concurs.
Kremen stated he also concurs, but set a limit of creating no more than two lots or
allow on no more than ten or 20 acres. If the owner is going to submit the application
anyway, and definitely has the ability to develop two lots, he concurs.
Mann asked if they're sure they can get two lots.
Crawford stated he will ask the applicant's representative to show him the design
and show that they can get the two lots.
2. 2013/14 WATER RESOURCE PROGRAM BUDGET - LEVEL -OF- SERVICE
OPTIONS
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and stated they will talk
about where they are in the budget process; level -of- service assumptions; the
administrative and policy questions regarding staffing levels, big projects, and stormwater
funding sources; program changes for stormwater and natural resources, and; opportunities
for further discussion.
Surface Water Work Session, 7/17/2012, 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
They are three full -time equivalent (FTE) employees short in the water resource
program, including a project engineer, a geologist, and a planned national pollution
discharge and elimination system (NPDES) staff person. In addition, they are losing the
NPDES phase II manager. Of the two positions allotted for working on the NPDES
requirements, they will be down to zero staff. The permit will be finalized in August. They
contract out for the work that was done by the stormwater project engineer. The body of
work for the NPDES permit will require more than one FTE.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether they can contract out for the
stormwater work.
Hutchings continued the staff report on big capital projects planned, which include
the Canyon Creek levee setback improvement, the Deming levee improvement, and the
Geneva stormwater projects.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of a project happening at Strawberry Point.
Hutchings continued the presentation regarding stormwater funding. Funding in the
past has come for capital projects from the real estate excise tax (REET) and grant funds.
The stormwater program will begin to need non - programmatic funds for maintenance and
administration. They will begin to shift from engineering to managing projects. Therefore,
the stormwater fund balance must be big enough to fund that work over time.
The County can't get grants or REET funds for those costs. The question is what will happen
in 2015.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether any cost for defense of water
rights issues could come from the flood fund.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about declining REET funds.
Kirk Christensen, Public Works Department, continued the staff report about
stormwater program changes in 2013 and 2014. He submitted and read from a handout on
the 2013/2014 budget proposal (on file).
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether the State Department of Ecology
(DOE) has said specifically that it wouldn't fund NPDES in 2014, or just hasn't said anything
yet about funds that may be available that far ahead.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether NPDES is funded from the federal
government, and if the DOE gets funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether they can change the wording on
the repair and maintenance projects so they qualify as capital projects.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether the NPDES requirements in Birch
Bay are a County expense or Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management
(BBWARM) District expense, and if that cost is included in the 2013/2014 estimates.
Erika Stroebel, Public Works Department, continued the staff report about natural
resources program changes. She submitted and read from a handout on the 2013/2014
budget proposal (on file). The Marine Resources Committee (MRC) focus will change due to
lower revenues received from the Puget Sound Partnership.
Surface Water Work Session, 7/17/2012, Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
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
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether $10,000 is enough for aquatic
invasive species. She asked if it's just for the program, and not for anything the County
may decide to do. She asked and there was discussion of whether there will be any related
capital improvements.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the lack of information in the 2013/2014
budget estimates for the Lake Management District #1 /Lake Samish subzone.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of an update on the direction the County is
heading to fund the aquatic invasive species program and a potential boater licensing
program.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of the feasibility of keeping track of and
licensing boats that use Lake Whatcom. He asked and there was discussion of the purpose
of a boat license sticker.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of how the staff would cut $60,000 due to
the loss of MRC funds if they have to.
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, continued the staff report on the river and
flood program. She submitted and read from a handout on the 2013/2014 budget proposal
(on file). She stated the Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee is reviewing the
proposed budget. She hopes they'll approve it at the next meeting.
Mann asked and there was discussion of an update on the PL84 -99 vegetation
requirements and if the Lummi Nation will contribute to the Deming levee project.
Hutchings submitted a handout (on file) and summarized the big picture of the three
funds and various revenue sources.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the County can use conservation
futures funds for property acquisition in Marietta.
Mann asked about the history of the flood fund fee from 1992.
1. STATUS REPORT ON DEMING LEVEE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, submitted and read from a presentation (on
file). She described the options for project design, and stated they chose the cheaper
alternative that has the most cost - benefit. She described the project plans.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether the wetland behind the levee is
natural and why they care about preserving it.
Mann asked about and there was discussion of the expense of moving the public
facilities compared to the cost of this project.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether there is potential financial help
from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Mann asked and there was discussion of why the Tribe is unhappy with the flood
plain mapping.
Surface Water Work Session, 7/17/2012, Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:23 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on August 7, 2012.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�o.w hatcom .wa.us
Surface Water Work Session, 7/17/2012, Page 4