HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole January 4 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
January 4, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 1:00 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 Tony Larson
Absent: Carl Weimer
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING GMHB ORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF
COMPLIANCE DEADLINE AND IMPOSING INVALIDITY (AB2011 -034)
Crawford stated that discussion of agenda item one may take place in executive
session pursuant to RCW42.30.110 (1)(i). Executive session will conclude no later than
2:00 p.m. If the meeting extends beyond the stated conclusion time, he will step out of the
meeting to make a public announcement.
Knutzen moved to go into executive session until no later than 2:00 p.m. to
discuss the first two agenda items, pursuant to RCW citations as announced by the Council
Chair.
Brenner asked if the Council can legally go into executive session before it's first
meeting of the year.
Karen Frakes, Prosecutor's Office, stated it can.
Mann asked why they are going into executive session.
Crawford stated they are going to discuss items pursuant to the RCW citations.
Mann stated the Council seems to be going into executive session too often. He'd
rather have the discussion in public. Frakes stated it would not be in the County's best
interest to have open discussion, including the people who are in the process of suing the
County, when receiving or seeking legal advice. The Council is not going into executive
session more now than any other time. She's been doing this job for over 20 years.
There's been no change in the last several months. They have always practiced this way,
and it's never been challenged.
Mann asked if the County is being sued or might be getting sued. Frakes stated the
County is in the midst of a lawsuit. An order was issued in litigation that the County has
been subject to for over five years. She needs an opportunity to talk with the Council. The
Council needs an opportunity to talk openly with her about the implications of what's going
on in the litigation and where they go from here.
Special Committee of the Whole, 1/4/2011, Page 1
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Mann asked if a challenge before the Growth Management Hearings Board is
technically the same as a lawsuit. Frakes stated it is.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen and Larson (5)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Weimer (1)
Abstain: Mann (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 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
Special Committee of the Whole, 1/4/2011, Page 2