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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services September 21 1989r' WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL PUBLIC SERVICES AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE September 21, 1989 The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Councilman Mary Vanderpol, acting as chairman in the absence of Corky Johnson, who was out of town. Councilman Dan Warner also was present. 1. REQUEST TO VACATE THE UNUSED PORTION OF SALLY'S LANE ON LUMMI ISLAND, FILED BY STEVE LUKE AND KUMAR CHAVRE' 2. REQUEST TO VACATE A PLATTED COUNTY ROAD KNOWN AS DIVISION STREET LYING BETWEEN ALLAN'S ROAD & CORDATA PARKWAY, AKA WOODS ROAD, FILED BY WHATCOM COUNTY. Both items one and two were not discussed; both hearings were to be opened at the Council meeting and continued until the October 5 meeting. Item one was delayed due to a processing error in the Council Office; Item two was delayed at the petitioners' request. 3. REQUEST TO VACATE PORTIONS OF COMMERCIAL STREET AND FIFTH AVENUE (BLAINE), FILED BY R.E. HABENICHT AND KLAUS H. BRANICKI There was discussion of the Engineer's recommendation that no payment for the vacated land be required. The committee decided to bring the matter to the Council without a recommendation, until it was explained why no payment is needed. 4. REQUEST TO NAME AN UNNAMED COUNTY ROAD AS "FLAMBEAU ROAD," FILED BY ROGER BOETTCHER County Engineer Ed Henken noted that this is a private easement, not a county road. The sign will need to appear on H Street Road for safety reasons. WARNER MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND APPROVAL. Motion carried. 5. NEW APPOINTMENT OF JUDY POTTER TO A FIRST, FULL THREE -YEAR TERM ON THE T.V. RECEPTION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT I BOARD TO RUN FROM 8/31/89 TO 8/30/92. SHE WILL BE REPLACING RICHARD MONAGHAN WHO RESIGNED FROM THE BOARD AT THE END OF HIS TERM 6. NEW APPOINTMENT OF KERRY LINDNER TO A POSITION ON THE T.V. RECEPTION IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT I BOARD WHICH HAS BEEN VACANT FOR SOME TIME. THE TERM WILL BE Public Services Minutes, 9/21/89, Page 2 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND WILL RUN UNTIL 8/30/91 Vanderpol and Warner discussed the TV Reception Improvement District's purpose. WARNER MOVED THAT BOTH APPOINTMENTS BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. Henken said his staff had contacted the City of Blaine about this request to close Drayton Harbor road to through traffic. Blaine's master plan provides for the eventual vacation of a portion of the road within their boundaries, with it being relocated away from the shoreline. They had planned to hook into the portion of Drayton Harbor Road that people are wanting closed. However, Henken said Blaine should plead its own case. He noted that Blaine has not been cooperative with the county in assisting with the cost of improvements in that area. Warner said closing this road could set a precedent; from now on', anyone who doesn't like traffic rushing by their home could petition to have a road. closed. Henken noted that this formerly was the only access to Semiahmoo Point. Now Semiahmoo Drive connects to Lincoln. Still, this road is the shortest route to the resort. There was more discussion. WARNER MOVED TO SEND THE PETITION FOR ROAD CLOSURE TO THE ENGINEER, LOCAL FIRE DISTRICTS /DEPARTMENTS, THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DEPARTMENTS AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, REQUESTING A REPORT. Motion carried. 8. OTHER BUSINESS STEWART MOUNTAIN: Warner said that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee has asked the Council to delay the scoping process on the new landfill locations being proposed, in order for them to re- examine the fatal flaw criteria of the Stewart Mountain site. He said it seemed to be a legitimate area of inquiry. WARNER MOVED TO REQUEST THE ADMINISTRATION TO DELAY SCOPING OF THE STEWART MOUNTAIN SITE TO ALLOW THE SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TIME TO RE- EXAMINE THE FATAL FLAW CRITERIA. Vanderpol said he would vote in favor of the motion, for the sake of consideration. He said the Council should make sure it would be legal to delay the process at this point, and find out what the Executive thinks of the proposal, before Public Services Minutes, 9/21/89, Page 3 voting. There was discussion. Emily Jackson, the County Council's representative on the SWAC, said the SWAC has admitted to overlooking some important information that may have had an impact on the decision that sent the Stewart Mountain site sailing through the fatal flaw .criteria. For one thing, the map being advertised as the Stewart Mountain site is incorrect; this was verified by Jean Gorton, a Trillium Corporation vice president (Trillium owns the property in question). Jackson said SWAC would like to temporarily draw the site back because continuing with the process, under the circumstances, could open the county to litigation. Warner suggested that a substitute motion would be in order. WARNER MOVED TO DELAY ACTION ON THE STEWART MOUNTAIN SITE UNTIL A FURTHER REPORT IS RECEIVED FROM THE SWAC. Vanderpol said he didn't think it appropriate for the Council to vote on this matter. He said he wanted to make sure this sort of action is under the Council's jurisdiction and authority. Warner pointed out that the administration could be asked by the Council to look into the matter more closely. There was more discussion. Vanderpol said the matter belongs with the administration. Jackson said both branches of government need to be involved. Warner proposed another substitute:. motion: WARNER MOVED TO SUPPORT THE SWAC'S REQUEST TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO DELAY SCOPING TO ALLOW RE- EXAMINATION OF THE SITE. Vanderpol asked why it was necessary to support what SWAC had done. Vanderpol said the proposal by SWAC would upset the entire landfill siting process. There was more discussion; then Vanderpol suggested that it would be more appropriate to ask the administration to report on the matter. Warner agreed. There was more discussion. Jim Maricle, of 3326 Cedarville Road, said it appeared this was another case of a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. When state laws were established, they did not consider the needs of a Home Rule county, he said. He suggested the County go back to the state, ask them to change the laws for solid waste so the intent and direction is clear. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY) WASHING Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk arvin G. Vanderpol, Member