HomeMy WebLinkAboutSurface Water Work Session June 14 20111
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Whatcom County Council
Special Surface Water Work Session
June 14, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford 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 and Tony
Larson
Absent: Kathy Kershner and Carl Weimer
SURFACE WATER WORK SESSION (AB2011 -024)
1. CONSIDER FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT (FCZD) PROJECT REVIEW
SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2011 SMALL PROJECTS
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, referenced the operational definition for
the cost -share program in the cost -share ordinance regarding repair and maintenance of
damaged levees (on file). Every year, the flood control zone district solicits projects from
various people and organizations, and then reviews and recommends projects to the Board
of Supervisors.
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, submitted and read from handouts and a
presentation (on file). She described the process for reviewing and ranking each project
and described the status of each project in the presentation.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• The project review subcommittee membership.
• The negative effects of a deflection berm.
• How trees and vegetation enhance or detract from levee slope stabilization.
Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• The clay bank at the Deming levee.
• The possibility of cutting a new channel at the Dozer Corner project.
• Whether work done on the Hovander Park levee a year ago was done so
poorly that it failed.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• The vegetation on and around the Deming levee.
• Whether there are any residences in the area of the Dozer Hole and Dozer
Corner project.
• Whether they should create agreements in perpetuity when working with
private landowners.
Surface Water Work Session, 6/14/2011, Page 1
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Concerns from the Mt. Baker School District about raising the Deming levee.
• Whether they would establish meander limits in the Code to help with
situations like the Dozer Corner.
• A secondary levee a private citizen installed near the Abbott Road levee.
• Whether the property at Kamm Creek and the Nooksack River is in the
floodway.
There was discussion about the issue of allowing multiple uses, such as trails, on
levees in parks.
Cooper stated the advisory committee ranked the projects in the following order:
1. Bertrand
2. Harksell
3. Kamm
4. Jones riprap
5. Scott Ditch
6. Dozer Hole
7. Jones dredge
Hutchings stated not all projects will go forward in 2011. The vegetation
management projects received lower scores and ranks. They must develop a structure for
ranking the vegetation management projects.
2. REVIEW AND AFFIRM FCZD 2011/2012 BUDGET PRIORITIES AND WORK
PROGRAM
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, submitted and described the flood control
zone district 2011 work program review (on file). They've had to reallocate staff in 2011
due to staff shortages and changes.
Cooper described the staff assignment changes in the handout. These changes have
not yet gone to the advisory committee. The highlighted items have significant fulltime
equivalent (FTE) employee changes. She described the highlighted changes.
There was discussion about uncertain and subjective federal oversight of levee
vegetation management.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the re- vegetation program
includes any mitigation of longer term issues regarding re- vegetation.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the new membership of the Flood Control
Zone District Advisory Committee.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about the effect to the County of the
proposed changes to the Clean Water Act.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of scheduling another flood tour. Combine
a trip to the proposed South Fork Park with the Parks Department Director.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the benefits of participating in the national
flood insurance program.
Surface Water Work Session, 6/14/2011, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:54 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on July 12 , 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
Surface Water Work Session, 6/14/2011, Page 3