HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works December 12 19951
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4 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
5 Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
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7 December 12, 1995
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9 The meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara
10 Brenner in the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
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12 Also Present: Absent:
13 Ken Henderson None
14 Alvin Starkenburg
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16 1. DISCUSSION REGARDING LAKE WHATCOM WATERSHED
17 SEWAGE CONTROLS (AB94 -581A)
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19 Brenner opened the discussion by noting Patty Mullin's letter (on file) regarding
20 her perceptions of inefficient ways of dealing with septic system controls in the Lake
21 Whatcom Watershed.
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23 Brenner noted she would like to hear the alternative ideas Mullin has, especially
4 any money - saving, environmentally sensitive ideas, as well as from staff why these ideas
25 have not already been incorporated.
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27 Chris Chesson, Environmental Health, responded to a question by stating the
28 Health Department decided the Watershed needed more stringent regulations than the
29 rest of the County because of its environmentally sensitive area status.
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31 Patty Mullin, sewage disposal designer, noted that she felt the new regulations- -
32 which came out in January of this year - -were stringent. She felt the additional Lake
33 Whatcom Watershed regulations were unnecessary. Mullin noted the excessive
34 regulations sends a message of disinformation to the public in that anything less than
35 these regulations would be endangering the public. She advocated density control
36 through zoning rather than sewage regulations and suggested annual inspections in the
37 third zone (1,000 feet or more from the Lake) for any system.
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39 Discussion followed regarding certification, licensing and /or bonding being
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Public Works Minutes, 12/12/95, Page 1
1 Dick Gilda commented. He suggested inspection on a complaint basis rather than
2 annually. He also requested clarification about which system was being discussed.
3 Mullin responded by stating it was a pumping system above ground.
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5 Marc Lansden asked about footage regulations.
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7 Brenner thought the committee's topic today was about innovative ideas to
8 maintain a good environment in the Watershed by investigating the possibility of
9 different systems and requirements in the third zone.
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11 Chesson explained his position of maintaining consistency regarding his
12 inspections.
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14 Lansden spoke about Sudden Valley's collector lines for every lot.
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16 Brenner moved to request the Executive to have staff draft criteria regarding a
17 non - traditional septic system in the third zone of the Watershed, allowing for annual
18 inspection.
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20 Discussion followed.
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22 Henderson noted there is a problem with getting citizens to serve on the Sewage
23 Control Appeals Board.
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25 Bod Woods, Council Budget and Program Analyst, mentioned regulatory reform
26 and procedures regarding the Appeals Board function.
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28 A discussion followed on sewage tank size.
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30 Starkenburg moved to amend Brenner's motion to suggest that the Health
31 Department work with the Executive and continue to seek input by the designers.
32 Brenner stated she would accept this as a friendly amendment.
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34 Motion carried unanimously.
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36 Bonding was briefly discussed.
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Public Works Minutes, 12/12/95, Page 2
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The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
W) TIA
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11 ATTEST:
17 ler�k
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Works Minutes, 12/12/95, Page 3