HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole January 11 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Committee Of The Whole
January 11, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 1:38 p.m. in the
Courthouse Fifth Floor Conference Rooms 513/514, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham,
Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken
Mann, Tony Larson and Carl Weimer
Absent: None
OPEN DISCUSSION
1. ANNUAL REORGANIZATION OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL (AB2011-
056)
County Council Chair
Knutzen moved to nominate Crawford.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (6)
Nays: None (0)
Abstains: Brenner (1)
County Council Vice -Chair
Brenner moved to nominate Knutzen.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Executive Pro - Tempore
Weimer withdrew his name from consideration.
Knutzen moved to nominate Kershner.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors Chair
Mann moved to nominate Crawford.
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 1
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
Kershner nominated Larson.
Weimer withdrew from consideration and said he would serve on the Health
Committee.
Knutzen nominated Mann and Kershner.
The nominations carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Health Committee
Knutzen nominated Kershner and Weimer.
Larson nominated Brenner.
The nominations carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Planning and Development Committee
year.
vote:
Brenner nominated Brenner.
Mann nominated Knutzen.
Mann nominated Larson.
Crawford stated he appreciates Councilmember Mann's work on the committee last
Larson withdrew from consideration.
Kershner nominated Mann.
The nominations to appoint Mann, Brenner, and Knutzen carried by the following
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Public Works and Safety Committee
Brenner nominated Larson, Mann, and Brenner.
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 2
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The nominations carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Natural Resources Committee
Knutzen nominated Crawford.
Larson nominated Knutzen and Weimer.
The nominations carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Bellingham International Airport Advisory
Mann nominated Larson.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Council of Governments
Weimer nominated Knutzen and Crawford.
The nominations carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Developmental Disabilities Board
Brenner nominated Weimer.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District
Brenner nominated Weimer.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Economic Development Council
Knutzen withdrew from consideration.
Mann withdrew from consideration.
Knutzen nominated Larson.
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 3
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EFSEC
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
This position was not appointed.
Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee
Crawford nominated Knutzen.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Intergovernmental Tribal Relations Committee
LEOFF
Brenner nominated Knutzen and Brenner.
The nominations carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Mann nominated Mann.
Crawford withdrew from consideration.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Local Emergency Planning Committee
Crawford withdrew from consideration and nominated Weimer.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Marine Resources Committee
Knutzen nominated Mann.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Mental Health Advisory Board
Brenner nominated Brenner.
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 4
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The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
North Sound Mental Health Administration
Brenner nominated Kershner.
Mann asked what it is.
Kershner stated it is the five - county regional Mental Health Board, including
Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties. It handles mental health
funding from the State and federal governments. It provides a broader umbrella of services
in the region. The Mental Health Advisory Board feeds into this regional Board. Elected
officials from each county serve on the board. It meets once every other month. She will
be the Board Chair this year.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Northwest Clean Air Agency
Brenner nominated Weimer.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Northwest Regional Council
Knutzen nominated Kershner.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Opportunity Council
Crawford withdrew from consideration.
Knutzen withdrew from consideration.
Brenner nominated Larson.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District
Mann nominated Weimer.
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 5
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The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Public Defense Advisory
Knutzen nominated Brenner.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Public Health Advisory Board
Brenner nominated Kershner.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Weimer nominated Brenner.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Substance Abuse Advisory Board
Brenner nominated Crawford.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Urban County Caucus /WSAC Legislative Steering Committee
Brenner nominated Kershner.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Whatcom Transit Authority
Mann nominated Knutzen.
The nomination carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Larson, Crawford, Brenner, Weimer, Knutzen, Mann and Kershner (7)
Nays: None (0)
Crawford asked why Councilmember Mann did not ask for consideration.
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 6
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Mann stated the Board already has many pro - public transit members. It would be
good to have a wider range of viewpoints on the Board.
2. DISCUSSION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING STRATEGIC
PLANNING TO ESTABLISH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, PRIORITIES, AND
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS (AB2011 -057)
Crawford stated there are many times throughout the year when councilmembers
remark that there are few opportunities to proactively discuss the Council's priorities. Per
the Charter, the administration and legislators must collaboratively and proactively work on
County policy. This is a discussion for councilmembers to bring forward ideas. He read
through emails from councilmembers (on file) about items they would like to discuss.
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Dan Gibson, Prosecutor's Office
• Frank Abart, Public Works Department
Discussion included talking about general issues and key points first and refining
those at a later meeting; having a strategy meeting on a regular basis; responsibilities
being shifted from the federal and State governments to the local government; the State
government protecting itself by no longer funding services that must be provided;
forecasting economic changes in other levels of government; prioritizing unfunded
mandates; focusing on economic development and projects that will create jobs in the
county, and; the redistricting process.
There was discussion about emergency medical services (EMS) in the county,
including having discussions with all the fire districts and fire departments about issues,
ideas, and concerns; potentially developing a new EMS plan; the time it will take to develop
a new EMS process; presenting the Council with a plan for working on EMS changes;
districts and departments providing basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS)
services; paying for services from the EMS fund; whether the Council should be involved in
the planning meetings; paying for a professional facilitator during these planning meetings;
whether the City of Bellingham will be included in the process; making sure progress is
made over the next two or three years by establishing a timeline; whether they want to
include Bellingham and change the existing plan versus creating a new plan without
Bellingham, and; being clear about what to address.
Crawford stated the County Council may like to have a seat to participate in those
planning discussions. The Council is very interested in progress being made.
Kershner stated address training for people in the county who want to provide the
service. Also, make sure they're not purchasing the highest possible level of service if they
don't need it.
There was discussion about the Whatcom County ferry, including the option of
creating a ferry district; different taxing models, including how King County taxes for
ferries; creating a countywide taxing district; how much the County general fund
contributes to the ferry; how much money a levy would generate; using a tax levy and bond
as a grant match; the possibility of purchasing a used ferry; the potential cost of a new
ferry and docks; tasking the discussion of whether or not the County can purchase a new
ferry to the new Lummi Island Ferry Task Force; creating a new ferry plan to attract a
grant; whether the federal government can provide funding for a new ferry; whether a
bonding agency would offer lower rates; addressing the current fare schedule before long-
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 7
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term replacement; whether they can tax the casinos; whether the administration should
develop a plan for replacing the ferry; whether they can work with the Governor about ferry
financing; how much it costs annually to keep the old ferry running versus annual costs for
a new ferry; whether the County needs to have a plan to create a ferry taxing district, and;
asking if the administration can begin to form a ferry plan, including developing an ongoing
ferry advisory committee.
(Clerk's Note: The Council took a five - minute break at 3:40 p.m.)
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Wendy Jones, Sheriff's Office
• Jeff Parks, Sheriff's Office
There was discussion regarding a proposed new jail, including the environmental
impact statement (EIS) process; the next steps in the process; the locations of the two sites
being considered; the history and purpose of the jail sales tax; the potential size of a new
jail; the administration's upcoming public meeting on this issue; preparing to talk to the
voters about paying for a major new jail; the operational costs of a new jail; the status of
the jail fund; not developing a jail bigger than what they need; providing rehabilitation
services in addition to jail space; reasons why there have been spikes in the jail population;
the advantage of building a horizontal jail design to allow for phased construction as more
space is required; forecasting bed needs in the short -term and long -term future; whether
Whatcom County can pay another county to house its inmates; the condition of the existing
jail; the possibility of jail privatization; outsourcing non -core corrections functions, such as
medical care and food service; the questions of whether jail costs are spiraling out of control
versus whether they are at capacity and need to build something more modern; whether an
expansion of the Division Street facility is in the County's best interest; whether the City
would allow a jail in certain locations, and; the process for developing a long -term solution.
There was discussion about economic development, including the fund balance of the
economic development investment (EDI) funds; how the EDI funds can be used; using
funds to support economic development agencies such as the Northwest Economic Council
and Center for Economic Vitality; urging economic development agencies in the community
to unify; borrowing from the fund balance to finance the purchase of jail property; using
existing resources and not asking to borrow money in this economy, even though rates are
low; asking a local consortium to step up in terms of approaching economic development;
measuring economic development success on real, new job creation; using assets specific to
tourism development on a major tourism promotion project over the next three years; using
economic development funds on a program to fast -track permits for businesses that will
employ people; using economic development funds to help overcome challenges that home -
based businesses face; how the loan program works; letting the cities know that the County
will help attract viable, attractive employment prospects for this area, no matter where in
the county it is located;
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Sam Ryan, Planning and Development Services Department Director
• Roxanne Michael, Planning and Development Services Department
• Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director
There was discussion about planning issues, including the Growth Management Act
(GMA) historic timeline; the Agricultural Advisory Committee recommendation regarding the
agricultural overlay; addressing ditch maintenance with a farm plan; the County's options
for reviewing the Shoreline Management Program; the possibility of removing the
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 8
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agricultural protection overlay (APO) on a portion of the rural zone, while strengthening it in
other, targeted areas; the status of the work on the 2011 Comprehensive Plan update; how
the Yew Street area fits into the 2011 update; whether the City's recommendation would
indicate whether or not the Yew Street area should be taken out of reserve; the status of
the City of Bellingham's update process; the status of the Lake Whatcom reconveyance,
and; the status of a transfer of development rights (TDR) program.
(Clerk's Note: The Council took a dinner break from 5:02 p.m. to 5 :35 p.m.)
CLOSED DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION WITH ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY PROSECUTOR DANIEL
GIBSON TO ADDRESS MEDIATION ISSUES (AB2011 -018)
2. STRATEGY PLANNING DISCUSSION AND POSITIONS TO BE TAKEN
REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (AB2011 -036)
Crawford stated that discussion of agenda item one of the closed discussion may
take place in executive session pursuant to RCW42.30.110(1)(i) and discussion of agenda
item two of the closed discussion may take place in executive session pursuant to
RCW42.30.140(4)(a). Executive session will conclude no later than 7:00 p.m. If the
meeting extends beyond the stated conclusion time, he will step out of the meeting to make
a public announcement.
Weimer moved to go into executive session until no later than 7:00 p.m. to discuss
the first two agenda items, pursuant to RCW citations as announced by the Council Chair.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Kershner, Mann, Larson and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Knutzen (out of the room) (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council4o.w hatcom .wa.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Sam Crawford, Council Chair
Committee of the Whole, 1/11/2011, Page 9