HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole January 26 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Committee Of The Whole
January 26, 2010
Council Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. in the Council
Conference Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Barbara Brenner, Sam Crawford, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, Ken Mann, L.
Ward Nelson and Carl Weimer
Absent: None
Mann moved to go into executive session to discuss the first two agenda items.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Crawford, Kershner, Knutzen, Mann, and Weimer (6)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Nelson (1) (out of the room)
(Clerk's Note: The Committee came out of executive session at 6:35 p.m.)
1. STRATEGY PLANNING DISCUSSION AND POSITIONS TO BE TAKEN
REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (AB2010 -018) [Discussion of this
item may take place in executive session (closed to the public) pursuant to
RCW42.30.140 (4)(a)]
2. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION REGARDING LUMMI ISLAND FERRY DOCK
NEGOTIATIONS (AB2010 -078) [Discussion of this item may take place in
executive session (closed to the public) pursuant to RCW42.30.110 (1)(i)]
3. DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNCIL'S PLANNING AND POLICY ANALYST
REGARDING WORK ASSIGNMENTS (AB2010 -017)
Crawford asked if they are going to have an executive session regarding
urban growth area (UGA) appeals.
Karen Frakes, Prosecutor's Office, stated that because (inaudible) it dovetails with
this discussion. They can go into executive session during this meeting. It doesn't have to
be advertised.
Crawford stated he would like a brief presentation from Council Policy Analyst
Rebecca Craven on her position, how her position came to be, her current work program,
and whether there is time in her schedule to work on other items.
Rebecca Craven, Council Policy Analyst, referenced and read from portions of her
memo to the Council dated January 25, 2010 regarding assignments. She described the
status of the 10 -year UGA review.
Frakes described who can file objections and petitions for review of the UGA review.
Craven continued to describe the status of her current assignments. Councilmember
Crawford talked to her about some of the items he would like her to do. The Public Works
Committee of the Whole, 1/26/2010, Page 1
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Committee discussed today another item it would like her to work on. Those items include
removing the provisional zoning on the general commercial zone in an area at Blaine Road
and Alderson Road; working with Jon Hutchings on an analysis of the effect to the County to
complete the coordinated water resources integration project (CWRIP) list if the recent
Flood Control Zone District tax increase were repealed, and; possibly seeking an extension
on the reply deadline from the Hearings Board.
David Stalheim, Planning and Development Services Department Director, stated
another work item for Ms. Craven could include the department's draft work program.
Craven stated she has been expecting all of the objections and petitions on the UGA,
and the Council would respond by February 12, 2010. She assumes she would be buried
until mid - February.
Craven stated other items she has been asked to work on include the process issues
in terms of the docket versus settlement; whether she should be involved in the Caitac
issue, in terms of working with the Council and administration on what comes back to the
County; changing the Flood Control Zone District Code by inserting veto authority for the
Executive and making the Chair of the Council also the Chair of the Board of Supervisors;
writing a primer on the statutes and Charter requirements regarding franchise issues, and;
researching the issue of the Comcast franchise agreement and related policy issues.
Crawford asked for a suggestion for bumping something off Ms. Craven's work plan
to accommodate this list of items. Craven stated she can add all the items to her work
plan, as long as she doesn't have to work on them all right away.
Nelson stated he has concerns about where they're going on the onsite sewer system
(OSS) issue, in terms of what the State is asking and what the State is requiring. He would
like more information sooner rather than later.
Frakes stated Prosecuting Attorney Randy Watts has an opinion on the constitutional
matter.
Nelson stated he would like information on the legislative intent. There are
requirements from the State Department of Ecology that interpret the intent of the
legislature. He would like to know the intent versus the desire, so they can design a
program that accomplishes the intent. Second, he would like to know what the County is
legally responsible for.
Brenner stated have that discussion in the Natural Resources Committee in two
weeks.
Crawford stated that isn't an issue for Ms. Craven. He's spent a lot of time on the
phone with Mr. Watts about this issue. They probably have a good point that the
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) oversteps the intent. None of the other counties
have challenged it. A question is whether Whatcom County will approach the State in a test
of its constitutionality. Don't go beyond what the WAC says, and then they're in the same
situation as the other counties.
Brenner stated the County can request an opinion from the Attorney General.
Crawford stated Councilmember Brenner can work on that.
Committee of the Whole, 1/26/2010, Page 2
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Crawford asked if the Council can put this list of work items on the table. Craven
stated it can, with the understanding that she won't come up with certain results within a
month.
Mann stated he would like to get a transfer of development rights (TDR) program
that works, especially if it's tied to upzones. He's willing to spend as much time as he can
to help with that.
Weimer stated it's part of the agricultural issue.
Crawford stated put everything on the table, regroup in the next four to six weeks to
see how the projects are going, and meet again in Committee of the Whole and see how
things are going. He asked if the Council concurs. They don't need to prioritize at this
point. Craven stated priority will be determined by time deadlines.
Crawford stated that Ms. Craven will write a memo summarizing this meeting and
where they're at.
The Council concurred.
Frakes stated she needs guidance on the request for extension. This is a proposed
motion requesting an extension to relook at the UGAs for the purpose of settlement. It's
written fairly well. She would like the Council to approve it.
Stalheim stated the extension is for the time to respond to everything. It's not an
extension of the ordinance.
to it.
Frakes stated the small cities and Caitec want this. She's sure Futurewise will object
Crawford asked if the Council agrees with the request for extension.
The Council concurred.
OTHER BUSINESS
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
The Council approved these minutes on March 16 , 2010.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@7.o.whatcorn.wa.us
Committee of the Whole, 1/26/2010, Page 3