HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil May 9 20061 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Regular County Council
3
4 May 9, 2006
5
6 Council Chair Laurie Caskey- Schreiber called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in
7 the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
8
9 Present: Absent:
10 Barbara Brenner None
11 Dan McShane
12 Sam Crawford
13 Seth Fleetwood
14 Carl Weimer
15 L. Ward Nelson
16
17
18
19 FLAG SALUTE
20
21
22 ANNOUNCEMENTS
23
24 Caskey - Schreiber announced there was discussion regarding a possible land
25 acquisition (AB2006 -018) and discussion of potential easement acquisition
26 (A132006 -018) in executive session during the Committee of the Whole meeting.
27
28 Nelson moved to ask the administration to bring forward an agreement to accept
29 the gifted property of the six -acre site in the Kendall area and to request the administration
30 pursue grant applications affiliated with the East County regional center.
31
32 Motion carried unanimously.
33
34
35 OPEN SESSION
36 T
37 The following people spoke:
38
39 Kris Ungern, 2095 Northshore Road, submitted and read from his testimony (on file).
40 Regarding the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Program, people who would give up
41 their property rights willingly are in the minority. It is likely to be an unequal transaction
42 between landowners. Receiving area landowners would not be willing to reduce the profit
43 on their developments by paying adequate compensation for lost land use to the buyers.
44 The program favors large landowners in sending areas who can buy out small landowners
45 who are unable to build because of land use restrictions or moratoria. It is a misguided
46 policy solution that violates the laws of economics.
47
48 Jeffrey Banks, 435 West Alder Drive, Glenhaven, submitted and read from his
49 testimony (on file). He requests a dual speed traffic counter in the Glenhaven Lakes area.
50 Pedestrian safety continues to be an issue.
51
52 McShane asked if the roads in the association are public or private. Banks stated
53 they are public County roads.
Wihatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 1
Brenner stated she will schedule the issue in her Public Works and Safety
Committee.
Banks stated his purpose for addressing the Council tonight is to establish a
collaboration between the Public Works Department, the Council, the Sheriff's Office and the
Glenhaven community.
Karen Reich, citizen, asked for clarification of the Council's decision on the
discussion regarding a possible land acquisition (AB2006 -028) held in executive
session during the Committee of the Whole meeting, with action taken earlier, during
Announcements.
Caskey - Schreiber stated Council directed the administration to accept the gifted
parcel and intend to locate the East County Regional Center on that parcel. It is the parcel
in the proposed Balfour Village.
Johnnie Grames, 4478 Northwest Drive, stated he can't afford to buy an ad to warn
the public just what kind of judge Matthew Elich is. Judge Elich claims not to know who Mr.
Grames is. He has appeared before the Judge three times, including an appearance to the
Judicial Conduct Commission. Four years ago, he made the statement that Matthew Elich is
adversarial, injudicious, and ignorant of court conduct in issuing a permanent protection
order, based on one -sided evidence. There was an arbitrary abuse. of governmental powers
in violation of rules of court and fundamental rights granted all United States citizens. He
fears more dirty tricks, given the devious planting of derogatory statements pre -trial in
court and in school records, without service. These lies are made reference to him
throughout this hearing. He asked the affects on a young man growing up in a police state.
His son has psychological and drinking problems. Judge Elich threw out many drinking
under the influence (DUI) cases, which will get him a lot of campaign money from the
lawyers.
Mike Betz, 2630 Franklin Street, stated he attended the last Council meeting. A
group of people were concerned about the presence of the Minutemen on the border. He
was surprised to hear at the Human Rights Commission that many people would have been
upset with their resolution. The resolution does not mention the Minutemen. The City
Council had no trouble with their resolution. The resolution is not strong enough.
People who testified to the Council two weeks ago reported being harassed, and
were told they should report to the police. The problem is that they don't trust the police.
Lou Piotrowski, 9999 Mt. Baker Highway, stated the Foothills area needs the Kendall
Community Center. He thanked the Council for its commitment and support. He also
thanked Executive Kremen and Deputy Administrator Desler. Now that the site has been
identified, it is important that the Foothills community come together and move forward
with this site. Get it constructed and operating as soon as possible. He will work
cooperatively with the County and others to move it forward.
Alex Ramel, 2308 Woburn, Bellingham, stated he will talk about global climate
disruption and what government can do about it. Humans are affecting the global warming
mainly by burning fossil fuels. The 12 hottest years ever recorded have occurred in the last
14 years. There is a legitimate scientific debate about how these changes will impact the
weather, ocean currents, and ice caps. The scientific community agrees that increasing
concentrations of greenhouses can be expected to cause an increase in the average surface
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 2
temperature of the earth; human activity, predominately from burning fossil fuels, increases
the concentration of these gasses, and; the average global surface temperature is rising at
a rate that cannot be explained by any other factor.
The relevant question is what local government can do. There is a resolution on the
Council's agenda tonight that will commit the County to working on the climate protection
program. He has been working with the City to implement that program since last August.
An organization has agreed to fund the initial phases of the Climate Protection Program in
up to ten local governments in this region. The resolution would allow the County to take
advantage of that offer. A similar climate protection program has been implemented in 650
local governments worldwide, including Seattle, King County, Tacoma, Spokane, Spokane
County, and other governments in Washington State. More than eight percent of the
world's population is living in areas governed by governments that participate in this
program. They can make a global difference.
David Lobdell, 4200 Arnie Road, Blaine, stated he is still angry. The Planning
Department issued him an order to correct, which is a very unnecessary letter. It was
dated April 5, and delivered to him in an unacceptable manner. He wants a phone call.
They don't need to send registered letters.
He brings in stone from Pennsylvania by container. He gets a subsidized rate
because those containers are piling up on the East Coast. The containers are sitting empty
because the United States doesn't have anything to send back to China, where they came
from. China needs those containers back to continue shipping goods that the people in
United States consume. Many industries are dying or dead. He is very angry that every
government they have is killing small business, family, and the people who make this
country work. There are only two growth industries in the United States. They are
government and the energy industry.
Brenner stated she went to the State Human Rights Commission at the church. She
doesn't know what Mr. Betz was referring to. She did not talk about the resolution. She
talked about the Council's process, and that it's very important for the councilmembers to
do research before coming to conclusions. She did the research and also offered to go
anywhere, anytime, to see any form of harassment. She doesn't look like a police officer.
She is available often. She hasn't received a call yet to do that.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ORDINANCE ENACTING AN INTERIM TEXT AMENDMENT TO AMEND THE
WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP AND ASSOCIATED TEXT
PROVISIONS TO RESCIND THE URBAN GROWTH AREA DESIGNATION FOR
SUDDEN VALLEY (AB2006 -132A)
Caskey- Schreiber stated this item was withdrawn from the agenda and will be
rescheduled on June 6, 2006.
2. ORDINANCE ADOPTING A SHORT TERM PLANNING AREA ZONING OVERLAY
DESIGNATION IN THE FERNDALE UGA, WEST OF VISTA DRIVE (AB2006-
205)
Caskey- Schreiber opened the public hearing and the following people spoke:
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 3
Doug Robertson, 900 Dupont Street, stated he is the legal representative of one of
the parties of the application. The staff report identifies that conditions have been met.
One issue is identification of density. There are inconsistencies between the County
Comprehensive Plan and the City's Comprehensive Plan with regard to anticipated or
encouraged levels of density. He recommends that the change in the Comprehensive Plan
be granted to meet the demand for inventory in that area, for single family residential
development, and don't include a density requirement. There is a conflict between the
County and City about who will control density if and when the area is annexed. Given the
factors identified in the staff report, he asks that the change from long- to short-term
planning area be granted.
Tom Black, City of Ferndale Planning and Building Director, stated the City supports
the Planning Department staff recommendation to change from a long -term to short-term
planning area. He agrees with Mr. Robertson. Remove the condition that establishes a
minimum density.
Hearing no one else, Caskey- Schreiber closed the public hearing.
Brenner moved to adopt the ordinance.
Brenner moved to amend to remove density requirement. The City of Ferndale is
working toward those densities. That requirement does not treat all the small cities the
same. This is an opportunity to have a good development in Ferndale and work with the
City.
Nelson stated he agrees with increasing densities in urban areas, but this must be
done more cooperatively than through the annexation process. He won't support the
amendment. The cities look at their densities in accordance with infrastructure
requirements and ability to provide utility services. Instead, look at overall goals in urban
areas, and determine the level urban areas should be. Work with the cities to meet that
density overall. There are other areas that could have increased density, so the overall
density is achieved. Work through the interlocal agreement so both sides are working
together.
McShane asked staff to describe the purpose of Exhibit B. The next item is related
to this application, This level of density was agreed to by the developer. There is no reason
to do this when it was recommended for approval by the Hearing Examiner.
Matt Aamot, Planning Division, stated there are two rezone applications. This one is
on Vista Drive. Staff recommended the density condition.
Brenner stated Mr. Robertson said the request is to go from long -term to short-term
planning area. Mr. Black asked that the Council drop the density requirement.
Caskey - Schreiber stated that Mr. Black is just being consistent about the City of
Ferndale's position.
Weimer stated there is a different density required on the next item.
Brenner stated the County is requiring that the property be developed at a minimum
density of six dwelling units per net developable acre. She asked if Mr. Black just said that
the City would like to take that specific provision out. Aamot stated he did.
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 4
1 McShane stated the Council is having a public hearing because the Planning
2 Commission recommended that the request not be approved, but he moved to have a
3 public hearing on this ordinance, including this Exhibit B, as is. If the amendment is
4 approved, the item would require another public hearing. It's contrary to what the Council
5 put forward in the first place.
6
7 Brenner stated that when this was discussed at the Planning and Development
8 Committee, she made this motion during committee. The Committee did not approve her
9 amendment.
10
11 Crawford asked if they would have to have another hearing.
12
13 Karen Frakes, Senior Civil Deputy Prosecutor, indicated off the tape that the Council
14 would have to have another hearing.
15
16 Motion to amend was approved 4 -3 with McShane, Caskey- Schreiber,
17 Fleetwood opposed.
18
19 Caskey- Schreiber stated that the Council will hold another public hearing on the
20 ordinance as amended.
21
22 3. ORDINANCE REGARDING INSTALLING STOP SIGNS ON ENTERPRISE ROAD
23 (AB2006 -198)
24
25 Caskey- Schreiber opened the public hearing and, hearing no one, closed the public
26 hearing.
27
28 Brenner moved to adopt the ordinance.
29
30 Motion carried unanimously,
31
32
33 CONSENT AGENDA
34
35 Crawford reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee and
36 moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through 11.
37
38 Nelson stated he would vote on item one. He abstained during committee because
39 his wife has two relatives on the list. He discloses that information.
40
41 McShane withdrew items three, ten and 11.
42
43 Motion to approve Consent Agenda items one, two, and four through nine
44 carried unanimously.
45
46 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -33,
47 ON -CALL CONTRACTOR /EQUIPMENT LIST, AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS
48 TO PROVIDE LABOR AND RENTAL OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TO THE
49 COUNTY ON AN ON -CALL BASIS, ENSURING PREVAILING WAGES WILL BE
50 PAID IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, BY ACCEPTING ALL 25
51 RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE BIDS SUBMITTED, PERMITTING
52 SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE VENDOR AS DICTATED BY THE SPECIAL
53 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PARTICULAR 3OB, WITH PREFERENCE TO LOW
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 5
BIDDERS (IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MORE THAN $35,000 COULD BE SPENT
WITH A SINGLE VENDOR) (AB2006 -206)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -34,
ON -CALL RENTAL EQUIPMENT LIST, AND TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS TO
PROVIDE RENTAL OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TO THE COUNTY ON AN
ON -CALL BASIS, BY ACCEPTING ALL 10 RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE
BIDS SUBMITTED, PERMITTING SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE VENDOR
BASED ON EQUIPMENT AVAILABILITY AND SUITABILITY, WITH
PREFERENCE TO LOW BIDDERS (IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MORE THAN $35,000
COULD BE SPENT WITH A SINGLE VENDOR) (AB2006 -207)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -37
AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH LOW BIDDER AMERICAN
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF
TIMBER PILES AS PART OF PUBLIC WORKS RIVER & FLOOD DIVISION'S
EVERSON OVERFLOW BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$117,600 (AB2006 -208)
Crawford moved to approve the request.
McShane stated Mr. Monsen wrote a memo that the County has applied for State and
federal funds, and that it appears the County will be eligible for $160,000 in funds that will
reduce the County's cost and the cost of the sub -zone. That is more than what this
amendment is asking for.
Bruce Roll, Public Works Department, stated the total project is that amount. Also,
they have to do mitigation that has to be done through another program.
it.
McShane asked if that money is critical. Roll stated it is value added, if they can get
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -40
AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE MOST QUALIFIED AND BEST
OVERALL RESPONSIVE BIDDER, THE LYNDEN TRIBUNE, FOR THE DESIGN,
PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF VOTERS PAMPHLETS FOR THE UPCOMING
ELECTIONS, IN AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $50,000, SUBJECT TO THE
NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLDS AND THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES
AND ISSUES APPEARING ON THE BALLOT (AB2006 -209)
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -61 TO
LOW BIDDER, KENWORTH NORTHWEST, FOR THE PURCHASE OF A
REPLACEMENT LOWBOY DIESEL TRUCK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $119,431.76
(AB2006 -210)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SOLE SOURCE VENDOR, THE
BELLINGHAM HERALD, TO PRINT WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLICATIONS OF
EVERY KIND AND NATURE THAT THE COUNTY, AS A MUNICIPAL BODY, MAY
BE REQUIRED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON TO HAVE
PUBLISHED, IN THE AMOUNT OF $11.66 FOR A SINGLE COLUMN, PER
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 6
1 COLUMN ONE -INCH FIRST INSERTION, AND $10.78 PER COLUMN INCH FOR
2 THE SECOND AND ALL SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS (AB2006 -211)
3
4 7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
5 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND HERRERA ENVIRONMENTAL
6 CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR WATER QUALITY MONITORING SUPPORT
7 INCLUDING WATERSHED FRIENDLY GARDENING EDUCATION, WRIA 1,
8 MICROBIAL SOURCE TRACKING AND GENEVA BASIN COMPREHENSIVE
9 MONITORING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $149,021 (AB2006 -212)
10
11 B. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
12 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NAMI OF WHATCOM COUNTY
13 FOR ADMINISTRATION, COORDINATION AND SUPPORT OF WHATCOM
14 COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY SITES THAT OFFER
15 THE TEEN SCREEN PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,648 (AB2006 -213)
16
17 9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
18 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
19 PROVIDING 2060 OPERATIONS FUNDING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
20 HOMELESS HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM SERVING
21 WOMEN AND CHILDREN, IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,000 (AB2006 -214)
22
23 10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT
24 AMENDMENT #1 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ART ANDERSON
25 ASSOCIATES TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL WORK RELATED TO THE
26 ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PERMITTING OF THE MODIFICATIONS TO THE
27 LUMMI ISLAND FERRY SYSTEM TERMINAL FACILITIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF
28 $279,889, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $672,889 (AB2006 -215)
29
30 Crawford moved to approve the request.
31
32 McShane asked for a summary of where they are at. According to the memo, this is
33 not a commitment about the size of boat they buy, but there is an option for buying a larger
34 or smaller boat. He asked if they really need to move forward on fixing serious problems
35 with the wing walls. Some people are concerned the County will by a big, massive ferry.
36 This does not force the County to do that.
37
38 Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, stated approval does not force the County to
39 buy a bigger boat. Approval would allow the County to accommodate a larger boat in the
40 future. It also addresses deficiencies staff is finding now.
41
42 McShane asked if they will save much money by just addressing the deficiencies and
43 accommodating a small ferry. Rutan stated they still have to do a lot of work. There may
44 be a minor cost savings, but they would have to undo some of that work when go with the
45 new ferry.
46
47 McShane stated a fair bit of the money is for design for permitting, which has to be
48 done anyway.
49
50 Crawford asked when is the point of no return. Rutan stated they are not there yet.
51
52 Motion carried unanimously.
53
Whatcom County Council, 5/912006, Page 7
11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AMENDMENT #1 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND THE LUMMI INDIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL REVISING THE COUNTY'S
SHARE IN FUNDING TO COMPLETE THE SLATER ROAD FLOOD PROOFING
PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,777,000, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE
FUNDED OF $3,777,000 (AB2006 -216)
Crawford moved to approve the request.
McShane stated he is against this item. There was an interlocal agreement to
commit $1 million. They are now committing to $3.77 million. Besides the additional cost,
it seems that they will commit staff only because money is available on an issue that really
wasn't there. It takes staff away from working on higher priority items. It's a very
expensive project to enter into, and is not the best use of road tax dollars.
Caskey- Schreiber asked the Lummi Tribe portion of the cost share.
Bruce Roll, Public Works Department, stated the Lummi Tribe is bringing in $3
million. The County's cost is about $3.7 million. The total project cost would be $6.7
million.
Caskey - Schreiber asked how the project cost increased so much. Roll stated the
County entered into this project early on, not knowing whether or not they would be able to
acquire additional funds. There was a lot of work on a cost - benefit ratio to show if this
project is adequate for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be engaged.
They also had to refine existing costs for the contractor, who helped refine the numbers.
It's an expensive project.
Caskey - Schreiber stated there are several arguments for the project, including
bettering access to Ferndale, the Lummi Nation, and the casino. She wonders if they should
have negotiated 50 percent cost -share with the Lummi Nation. Now, the County is paying
the higher cost. She believed the County wouldn't pay the majority of the cost.
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, stated some cost escalation has to do with
grant application and trying to meet a cost - benefit ration. At that point, they looked at a
far narrower bridge. As they got into the project, staff realized the bridge can't be that
narrow.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if there is a way to do this for less money. Rutan stated
they could make it narrower. He would not recommend it. Make sure this is not the narrow
point in the entire road. When the existing bridge over the Nooksack is ever widened, make
sure traffic doesn't get choked up at this point.
Nelson stated he is concerned about costs. When evaluating east -west corridors,
Slater Road is a major access corridor. The industrial area out there has heavy
transportation needs. He asked if the project reduces impact to citizens in accessing the
east -west corridor. Rutan stated the cost - benefit analysis looked at the number of days
closed per year. The cost - savings analysis includes loss of business for those industries.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 8
Rutan continued to state that there is also a cost associated with access for
emergency services. The project will not make the road flood proof. The project will
greatly lessen the amount of time staff has to close the road.
Roll stated moving from a two -year flood event closure to a 100 -year flood event
closure. There is a much greater magnitude of protection from big floods.
Rutan stated some of the adjoining land uses will change. The State Department of
Natural Resources in interested in recreating the wetlands out there. Hydra- dynamics will
change, and potentially exacerbate problems with the existing road.
Brenner stated a huge population will often use the road. It is clear that these
issues have not just come up suddenly. These issues should be addressed in the Council's
Public Works and Safety Committee as they come up. She's concerned about who is
making the decisions. The Council needs that information in a timely manner to make
decisions sooner than this.
Crawford stated this is an excellent investment. It's expensive, and more than the
Council expected. However, when the road is closed, chaos ensues in Ferndale.
The background and purpose statement on Council packet page 143 is incorrect. BP
Refinery does not use this road, but Intalco and Conoco Phillips do use the road. Find out
how much those two industries pay in road taxes. This is a vital arterial the County must
upgrade and have available all year.
Caskey - Schreiber stated this is a heavily - traveled road.
McShane stated that if it is holding water back, think about how Marietta will be
affected the next time the water flows through after they put up the piers.
Caskey - Schreiber stated they were excited to have more water flowing through that
large area of land that the State Department of Fish and Wildlife acquired.
Motion carried 6 -1 with McShane opposed.
OTHER ITEMS
1. ORDINANCE ADOPTING SHORT TERM PLANNING AREA ZONING OVERLAY
DESIGNATION IN THE FERNDALE UGA SOUTH OF THORNTON ROAD
(AB2006 -186A)
Fleetwood reported for the Planning and Development Committee and moved to
adopt the ordinance.
Motion carried unanimously.
1A. CONSIDERATION OF THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RECOMMENDED APPROVAL
OF A PROPOSED PRELIMINARY LONG SUBDIVISION, PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT [AND SITE SPECIFIC REZONE] FOR "BLOMQUIST HEIGHTS,"
FILED BY DONALD LEAVITT (AB2006 -186)
Whatcorn County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 9
Fleetwood reported for the Planning and Development Committee and moved to
approve the proposed preliminary long subdivision.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. EXECUTIVE REQUESTS CONFIRMATION OF HIS APPOINTMENT OF ]AN
ESKOLA TO THE FOOTHILLS SUB -AREA PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(A82006 -222)
McShane moved to confirm the appointment.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF WHATCOM COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE
COUNTIES AND CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN (A82006-
223)
McShane moved to approve the resolution.
Caskey - Schreiber stated Whatcom County would have to pay a membership fee of
about $1,750 per year. For that money, the County would receive an intern to do an
assessment of the pollution and energy use and a plan to engage conservation and pollution
reduction in the county. It's a worthwhile venture. The best approach to deal with
problems like this is to work in their own backyard.
McShane stated Whatcom County produces a tremendous amount of energy that the
residents don't benefit from. Whatcom County is dominated by electricity that is exported
from Whatcom County by Seattle City Light. Those operations produce more electricity
than the county needs. The county is exporting non - carbon dioxide producing much power
for other communities. He hopes that assessment would take that fact into account. There
are communities like this that has been colonized as an energy exporter, without getting all
the benefits from it. Make an argument about what goes on for fuels production. Other
rules preclude those fuels from being produced elsewhere. Balance that appropriately with
their own local footprint. He supports the concept that every community try to reduce their
output.
Crawford stated he is against the resolution. It is a noble effort. The whereas
statements are questionable. There isn't a lot of consensus by the scientific community.
They haven't done any analysis on the cost to implement the action plan and monitor their
progress. Whatcom County and Bellingham consistently have been rated to have one of the
cleanest airsheds in the country. It reflects that the community is already very
environmentally conscious. It also has a lot to do with geographic location. This goes too
fa r.
Caskey - Schreiber stated the actual focus of this inventory is on the transportation,
waste, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and any other opportunities to be more
conservative. They claim that the community will get its fee back each year if the County
implements some of their strategies. It's not all about air. It's about using less energy
overall.
Alex Ramel, City of Bellingham, stated the primary focus is greenhouse gas
emissions, which are related to air pollutants in many cases. Greenhouse gases have a
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 10
global impact, no matter where they are emitted. It's important that all areas on the earth
look at the issue.
Regarding long -term costs, the program is structured in a way so that the initial
inventory is completed and presented to the Council. The Council would be able to look at
the easy ways to achieve energy savings, and decide where to set the target. The long-
term cost is up to the Council, once it has all the information.
Caskey - Schreiber stated that the dues of $1,700 may be high. It depends on the
population.
Brenner stated there is consensus about carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses. The
consensus may not be about the culprit. Sometimes greenhouse gasses naturally change
climates, as shown by archeological studies. The way to change things is having people
have ownership to these problems. She is interested in seeing what they can do with
incentives. They won't know that until someone provides a recipe of options.
Nelson stated he just got this, and hasn't had the information others have had to
study the subject matter. Some of the confusion lies in how the statistics are interpreted.
Many issues need to be discussed. He's not comfortable making a governmental position on
something without understanding the fiduciary impact to the local community. There are
costs for monitoring and review. The issue is worthy of discussion. He would like to study
it and review the information.
Caskey - Schreiber stated she attended a half -day workshop on this issue. There
were participants from many jurisdictions and agencies. Global warming would affect them
locally. The glacier on Mt. Baker that feeds the Nooksack River is shrinking significantly
every year. That will be a huge problem for the community in the future. There are things
they can do to make the county more energy efficient. This project will create an inventory
of areas where the community is not being as efficient as it could be. It could save the
County money in transportation costs, energy use, and in other ways. It's worthwhile
pursuing it. The problem may not be imminent, but this is a chance to change the course
and, if nothing else, save the County some money.
Brenner stated this a statement of the direction in which the County wants to move.
It does not commit any money to anyone, other than the annual dues. The main important
thing is that the project will provide information. When the Council has that information, it
can decide what it wants to do. People must have tools and ideas to take baby steps
toward the direction they want to go. This is a very little step. The Council could get
incredible information.
Weimer stated he is in favor of this. There is consensus among legitimate scientists,
ones that aren't hired by Exxon Mobile, that support it. The resolution doesn't commit the
County to anything. The project will give the Council information to know where the county
is at. The local level is almost being forced into this by the current federal administration,
which has made the country an embarrassment around the world. So many other countries
have already signed on to this. They can't even sell Ford and Chevy cars in other countries
because they don't meet their mileage standards. Start acting locally.
McShane stated one local refining company, British Petroleum, actually has a policy
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their production facilities worldwide. That was
one of their arguments for the co- generation plant proposal. He owns stock in Exxon, which
admits that global warming is occurring.
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 11
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2 Nelson stated no one will argue about global warming. The impacts of it are
3 debatable. The problem is the fiscal responsibility the County will have in developing an
4 action plan that will meet greenhouse gas reductions when implemented. The language
5 says the County will meet those goals.
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7 Caskey- Schreiber stated it is a resolution. There is a suggested target. There is no
8 force of law. Ramel stated the target is developed with local staff in conjunction with local
9 decision- makers.
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11 Brenner stated the Council will establish the target, and then work to meet the
12 target.
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14 Motion to approve carried 5 -2 with Nelson and Crawford opposed.
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17 INTRODUCTION ITEMS
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19 Nelson moved to accept the Introduction Items.
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21 Motion carried unanimously.
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23 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2006 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, EIGHTH
24 REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,186,667 (AB2006 -217)
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26 2. ORDINANCE CREATING THE WHATCOM COUNTY VETERANS ADVISORY
27 BOARD (AB2006 -218)
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30 OTHER BUSINESS AND COUN ILMEMBER REPORTS
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32 Caskey - Schreiber stated she went on a great tour with the Nooksack Salmon
33 Enhancement Association (NSEA). There is a hardworking bunch of people working on
34 salmon habitat restoration.
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36 Brenner stated she also went on the NSEA tour and stayed after to meet with state
37 representatives. They have a lot of good issues coming forward from the State to help
38 implement what NSEA wants to do.
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40 TVW filmed that meeting at the church, with the State Human Rights Commission.
41 Anything she said is on that film.
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43 Nelson stated he worked on a retreat for the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare
44 Access. Many issues were brought up, such as expanding how to reach out in the
45 community, getting to the school districts, and the nutrition programs. The State
46 legislature and agencies will help fund programs on this end.
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48 He will be away for the next two weeks for military training.
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50 Weimer stated he attended the Fundraiser for the Max Higbee Center for folks with
51 developmental disabilities. The center receives no County funding. They raise their own
52 funds. They raised over $10,000 at that Fundraiser. The Center gets good funding from the
53 Building Industry Association.
Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 12
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Brenner stated she attended the workshop about the ABC's of the Growth
Management Act (GMA). It was very good.
Caskey-Schreiber stated Mayor Landcastle would like to arrange a meeting for May
30 with the Bellingham City Council and the Whatcom County Council.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
The Council approved these minutes on May 23 , 2006.
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Whatcom County Council, 5/9/2006, Page 13