HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole April 13, 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Committee Of The Whole
April 13, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken
Mann, L. Ward Nelson and Carl Weimer
Absent: None
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING
WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 2.02, COUNTY COUNCIL (AB2010 -143A)
- And -
2. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING
WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 2.03, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (AB2010-
143B)
WCC 2.02.020
There was discussion on clarifying or changing the way they do things now; clarifying
the Ethics Commission section of the County Code; whether a sitting councilmember should
or should not vote for himself or herself; how six councilmembers can either work together
and discuss issues or stick with their voting blocks without keeping an open mind; how
timeframes can be manipulated; adding more confusion by trying to clarify one particular
situation; paying for a special election; creating a new set of rules that set a precedence
and may not be defensible; checking qualifications of applicants; whether or not they should
allow a sitting councilmember to be a nominee for a vacancy; the Ethics Code allowing the
opportunity for abuse, and; whether or not they should continue the Ethics process or rely
on State laws governing the actions of elected officials.
Kershner moved to amend Council packet page 71, Whatcom County Code (WCC)
section 2.02.020(B), "...shall ftet be eligible for appointment, unless that councilmember's
term will expire within 75 days of the appointment."
Brenner suggested a friendly amendment to structure the sentence in the positive,
not the negative.
Kershner accepted the friendly amendment.
Committee of the Whole, 4/13/2010, Page 1
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Nelson suggested language, "A vacancy can only be filled by a non - sitting
councilmember."
Brenner suggested language, "If a councilmember resigns or is no longer available
for office, a special election will be held within 90 days."
Kershner withdrew her motion.
Knutzen moved to keep section 2.02.020 as it is currently, without the added, bold
language in the Council packet.
Crawford stated that's the way the language exists currently, and it doesn't need a
motion.
Knutzen withdrew his motion.
WCC 2.02.025
Discussion included whether or not a councilmember should be allowed to nominate
himself or herself for a Council vacancy.
Crawford referenced the proposed language change to section 2.02.025(8) on
Council packet page 71.
The following person answered questions:
Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council
Crawford moved to amend 2.02.025(B), "...s#aR may..."
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Crawford, Knutzen, Kershner and Nelson (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Weimer (1)
Brenner moved to amend 2.02.025(A), "...regular meeting. No councilmember
may nominate or vote for himself or herself, but they may be nominated by another
councilmember."
Kershner suggested a friendly amendment to amend 2.02.025(A), "...regular
meeting. No councilmember may nominate himself or herself, but may be nominated by
another councilmember."
Brenner accepted the friendly amendment.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes:
Brenner, Crawford, Knutzen and Nelson (4)
Nays:
Mann (1)
Abstain:
Kershner (1)
Absent:
Weimer (1)
Committee of the Whole, 4/13/2010, Page 2
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Nelson moved to amend 2.02.025(A), "...regular meeting. No councilmember may
nominate or vote for himself or herself, but they n9ay be nenginated by anetheF
counemingernbeF."
Brenner suggested a friendly amendment, "...vote for him or herself, but they may
A nominated councilmember shall be allowed to
vote for other nominees."
Nelson did not accept the friendly amendment, because it goes under the
procedure section in 2.02.030.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Knutzen and Nelson (4)
Nays: Mann (1)
Abstain: Kershner (1)
Absent: Weimer (1)
WCC 2.02.030
Discussion included whether a majority vote should always be four votes and what
happens if there were multiple vacancies on the Council.
Nelson moved to amend 2.02.030(A), "An appointment to fill a vacancy on the
council shall be approved by majeFity vete ef the eel a majority affirmative roll -call vote
of the council."
Nelson amended his motion to amend 2.02.030(A), "An appointment to fill a
vacancy on the council shall be approved by majeFity vete ef the eel an affirmative roll -
call vote by a majority of the council."
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Crawford, Knutzen, Kershner and Nelson (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Weimer (1)
Brenner moved to add to the end of 2.02.030(A), "The council majority shall be
four votes."
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Knutzen, Kershner and Nelson (5)
Nays: Mann (1)
Absent: Weimer (1)
Crawford stated they will hold this in Committee to continue discussion and
amendments.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Committee of the Whole, 4/13/2010, Page 3
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:18 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Sam Crawford, Council Chair
Committee of the Whole, 4/13/2010, Page 4