HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole May 10 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee Of The Whole
May 10, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. in the Council
Conference Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (2 :01 :42 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Sam Crawford, Bill Knutzen, Kathy
Kershner, Carl Weimer and Tony Larson.
Absent: None.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTIES
RISK POOL - AB2011 -017
David Goldsmith, Washington Counties Risk Pool Member Services, submitted and
read from a presentation (on file).
Vyrle Hill, Washington Counties Risk Pool Executive Director, continued the
presentation regarding 2011 finances.
Goldsmith concluded the presentation.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of how much review is given to claims
under $50,000.
(2:34:17 PM)
Mann asked and there was discussion of why Kitsap County left the Cooperative.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of the County's deductible.
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING RECONVEYANCE ISSUES - AB2011 -180 (2 :40 :38
PM)
Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director, submitted and read from
a presentation (on file).
(2:56:59 PM)
McFarlane read from an email answering the Council's questions regarding the
reconveyance (on file).
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/10/2011, Page 1
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The following person also answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• The annual forest tax fire assessment and suppression costs.
• The financial loss to the school districts.
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• The Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan lawsuit.
• The number of landslides in the watershed.
• Whether Whatcom County would do a better job of managing the land than
the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
• The number of development rights on the land.
• Whether there is a concern that the DNR is not properly protecting the lake.
• Whether there is public access to the land right now.
• Whether a County park would generate more activity in the area, and if that
additional activity will create more or less of an environmental concern.
• The primary justification for the additional costs.
• Where the County is in the process and the Council's role in the reconveyance
process.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the logging roads are asphalt or gravel.
• Who would do a habitat conservation plan (HCP).
• Who is responsible for responding to infestations or tree diseases.
• The suitability of the Landscape Plan.
Brenner stated don't discuss Galbraith Mountain in this context and as the same
package.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• The difference in financial impact estimates between the County and the Mt.
Baker School District.
• Whether the County would install and maintain a footbridge across Smith
Creek.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• Parking for the Ken Hertz trailhead and all the nearby land.
• The possibilities for future trailheads and access points.
Pete Kremen, County Executive, stated he has been working with the City of
Bellingham on this reconveyance for several years. He thanked the councilmembers for
taking time on this important issue. If the reconveyance happens, it will be one of the most
significant things that any County Council or Commissioner has ever done for Whatcom
County citizens, especially in terms of water quality. The reconveyance is very important to
the City of Bellingham.
Kershner asked and there was discussion about:
• Consolidating all the parcels into the different uses and values.
• Whether they are trying to package all the lands that aren't prime logging
lands into the reconveyance.
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/10/2011, Page 2
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Claire Fogelsong, City of Bellingham Public Works Environmental Resources Manager,
read from the City's position paper on the reconveyance. The City offers its support in
managing the properties over time. The City would like to explore a way to help with
maintenance and operations costs, perhaps through a conservation easement. The
reconveyance is so important to the City that it is willing to consider extending maintenance
dollars to this land.
Larson asked and there was discussion of how the County would provide more
protection than the DNR, given there are no development rights and how well the
Landscape Plan protects the land.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the occurrence of natural landslides
versus landslides caused by logging practices.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion about:
• The Department of Ecology, which has said that the landscape plan is
adequate for water and air quality.
• The miles of proposed trails and existing roads.
Larson asked and there was discussion of when the property originally belonged to
the County.
Mann stated he thanks Director McFarland for this presentation.
OTHER ITEMS
There were no other items.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on June 7, 2011.
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
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/10/2011, Page 3