HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole March 14 1985WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Minutes -- Thursday, 3 -14 -85
The Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole meeting
was called to order by Chairman Roehl at 7:35 p.m., March 14,
1985, with all members present except Hawley and Muenscher.
DISCUSSION ON COUNTY HERBICIDE POLICY
Chairman Roehl explained the purpose of the meeting and
noted that a separate meeting for public hearing purposes would
be held at a later date.
Three proposed drafts regarding the County herbicide policy
were submitted by Councilmembers Johnson, Cole and Becker.
Following discussion of the three proposed drafts,
JOHNSON MOVED THAT HIS DRAFT BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE OF
THE WHOLE TO WORK WITH.
COLE MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 1, line 23 Add the following paragraph:
"It is the policy of Whatcom County to minimize the use
of chemicals for vegetation control along road rights -of -way,
and to utilize chemicals only as a last resort."
ROEHL MOVED TO AMEND COLE'S AMENDMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Delete "and to utilize chemicals only as a last resort."
Roehl spoke to the amendment.
The motion to amend failed.
BECKER MOVED TO AMEND COLE'S AMENDMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Delete "and to utilize chemicals only as a last resort."
Add the following: "and to set specific'goals and timetables
for minimizing the use of chemicals." (in place of deleted phrase)
The motion to amend carried.
Cole's motion to amend, as amended, carried.
BECKER MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 1, line 22, add the following paragraph after the
word "Agriculture; ":
Committee of the Whole
Minutes - 3/14/85
Page 2
(BECKER AMENDMENT)
"WHEREAS, the goals of this program should include, along
with its other goals related to road safety and weed
control, the goal of minimizing the use of herbicides in
consideration of the uncertain risks posed by herbicides
to human health and safetv:"
The motion carried.
BECKER MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 1, line 27: Delete the word "approved" and insert
in its place "those fully registered"
The motion to carried.
COLE MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 2, line 3: Add the following new sentence "Further,
the Department of Public Works shall engage in an on -going
program to upgrade the expertise of its personnel in the
selection and safe application of herbicides."
Cole spoke to the motion.
Becker spoke in support of the motion.
The motion carried.
BECKER MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 2, line 3: Add the following sentence after the word
"herbicides." : The Public Works Department, in consultation
with the County Industrial Safety Officer, shall develop a
program to protect the safety of employees and others who
work or come in contact with the County's herbicides, and
shall develop a written procedures manual covering the
selection, storage, transportation, application and disposal
of chemicals used by the program.
The motion carried.
COLE MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
p. 2, line 9: Add the following sentence after the word
"treated." Change the period to a comma and insert:
"and the person and telephone number to contact for
further information or to register protests. A faithful
record of comments and protests received shall be made and
preserved."
The motion carried.
Committee of the Whole
Minutes - 3/14/85
Page 3
COLE MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 2, line 7 - After the word "stations," add the
following: "the roadsides to be sprayed,"
The motion failed.
Chairman Roehl spoke in support of the development of a
herbicide plan put together by the County Administration in
conjunction with some citizen input, with the plan presented
to Council for final approval.
BECKER MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 2, line 13 -- Delete the paragraph on lines 13, 14
and 15. Add in its place the following:
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that' the Executive, in consultation
with interested citizens, shall prepare a long range
integrated vegetation management plan. The plan shall
identify sensitive geographical areas in the county where
spraying should not take place or should be used as a
last resort; the identification of such areas may be
initiated by petition of a substantial number of citizens_
of the area; the criteria for defining such areas shall
include such factors as the presence of groundwater, rela-
tively high use by pedestrians or children, and any other
criteria the Executive deems appropriate. Such areas shall
i no l rn ri a• 1'
Hansey spoke against appointing another citizens advisory
board.
BECKER'S AMENDMENT ALSO INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING CHANGE
ON PAGE 2, LINE 20: "E. Other reads -i-a areas that may be..."
The motion carried.
COLE MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Between lines 19 and 20, insert the following:
E. Areas covered by "Owner Will Maintain" agreements.
E -.F. Other areas that may be...
The motion carried.
Council Committee of the Whole
Minutes - 3/14/85
Page 4
COLE MOVED TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Page 2, line 9: Add the following new sentence:
"The notices shall also provide information on the right
to enter into "Owner Will Maintain" agreements."
Cole spoke to the motion.
The motion carried.
Chairman Roehl suggested that the draft resolution, as
amended at this meeting, be drawn up and made available to the
public. A meeting time for public hearing could then be
scheduled in order to allow for public input, further amendments
from Councilmembers and possible final adoption.
Cole suggested that Councilmembers may want to file any
other amendments to the draft resolution early in order for
those additional amendments to receive input during the public
hearing process.
Chairman Roehl announced that copies of the resolution
as amended will be available to the public after it has been
corrected with tonight's amendments.
Ed Fienken stated that normally they would like to begin
spraying in March, but that due to the colder weather, it would
not hurt to wait until the first part of April.
Cole questioned whether this should be in resolution or
ordinance form and suggested that it be done in ordinance form.
Johnson spoke in support of passing the resolution first
and then later on introducing an ordinance.
Chairman Roehl will get together with staff to determine
another meeting date for further discussion on this resolution.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
n
Carol Ebergson
Clerk of the Council
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
William P. Roehl
Chairman