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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole July 8 2008WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Committee Of The Whole July 8, 2008 Council Vice -Chair Seth Fleetwood called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. Present: Absent: Barbara Brenner Carl Weimer Bob Kelly Sam Crawford Laurie Caskey- Schreiber L. Ward Nelson COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL 1. DISCUSSION WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE WHATCOM COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION (AB2008 -018) Nelson moved to go into executive session to discuss this item for five minutes. Motion carried unanimously, 2. DISCUSSION REGARDING WORK ASSIGNMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE COUNCIL'S PLANNING AND POLICY ANALYST (AB2008 -059) Rebecca Craven, Council Policy Analyst, stated Councilmembers Brenner and Weimer were interested in talking about whether she should try to find a way to solve the Titus' problems with zoning and permitting issues. The Council received an email this afternoon with information (inaudible). The Planning Department checked on the electrical and sewer work done (inaudible). Caskey - Schreiber stated she empathizes with their situation, but is leery of wrapping rules around for one individual. She's had complaints from citizens about people who live in recreational vehicles (RV's) and harming or reducing the value of someone else's property. The Planning Department should come up with ideas to deal with this. It's not the Council's place to rewrite laws to accommodate one situation. Brenner stated it's not about just this situation. They may find out the Titus' don't qualify. This is about this kind of problem. There are laws that cover the sewer and electricity issues. There are noise laws and sewage laws. She's not saying they can operate illegally. She is saying that if it's about setbacks in an urban area, she'd like to look at that issue. There should be zero setbacks in urban areas. They are trying to get the cities to allow zero setbacks. This is in an area zoned as urban. Be more flexible in urban areas. Crawford stated this is not an issue for Ms. Craven to work on. Councilmembers Brenner and Weimer can pursue this issue with the Planning Department within the purview of their Council responsibilities. There are many things the County can do to change the Committee of the Whole, 7/8/2008, Page 1 codes for this. They can't adjust everything for one situation. They can identify a series of similar problem, and propose docketed text changes over time. It doesn't make sense to have Ms. Craven work on a fix for this issue. Don't take today's email seriously. They don't know the true financial situation of these people. Of all the things the Council is doing, this is probably not one the Council staff needs to pursue. Kelly stated he agrees with Councilmember Crawford. Whatcom County has an entire Planning Department that should look at this. If necessary, the staff will bring forward something for the Council to consider and go through the process. At tonight's Council meeting, provide a statement that says the Council has looked at the issue, and ask for an update from staff, so it shows they are looking at the issue. Brenner stated this decision is a big mistake. This is the tip of the iceberg. They are supposed to be fluid enough to respond to people's problems. This isn't about one person. It's a test case. If they put it through the Comprehensive Plan process, it will be decades before anything happens. Crawford stated that even though he is cynical about the process, he respects it. If the process is broken, they should change it. Brenner stated they hired Ms. Craven to do things that are important. This is very important. Craven stated she has a list of things (inaudible). She is still working with the Planning Department on zoning options in the Lake Whatcom area. Crawford asked when the Council will get an update on that issue. Craven stated she hopes to produce something in August. She is also working with the Public Works Department on the total maximum daily load (TMDL) review and responses. She is working with legal counsel on the Bellingham urban growth area (UGA) appeal. She is also working on the consolidated water resources integration project (CWRIP), including a stormwater utility resolution expressing the Council's intent to establish a stormwater utility for Lake Whatcom and the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) area. There is work regarding the relationship between the County and the Flood Control Zone District. She explained the work being done on that issue. Brenner asked if the discussion about the Titus issue is done. Fleetwood stated there aren't enough votes to direct Ms. Craven to work on it. Caskey- Schreiber stated -she could ask administrative staff about working on it. Brenner stated both she and Councilmember Weimer tried to get staff to do something. Staff won't do anything. Crawford stated Councilmember Brenner may make a motion if she wants. She may get voted down, but then the Council would be on the record about where it stands in terms of directing staff to work on that problem. Committee of the Whole, 7/8/2008, Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 OTHER BUSINESS AD30URN Th meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m. Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcrip ion The Council approved these minutes on September 9 , 2008. ATTEST: ONW111111"Wil WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON I",— JU h Fleetw d, Council Vice -Chair Committee of the Whole, 7/8/2008, Page 3