HomeMy WebLinkAboutSurface Water Work Session June 21 20161
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Whatcom County Council
Special Surface Water Work Session
June 21, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m. in the Civic
Center Garden Level Conference Room, 322 Commercial Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Satpal Sidhu, Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan and
Carl Weimer
Absent: Rud Browne and Ken Mann
SURFACE WATER WORK SESSION (AB2016 -024,
1. JOINT BOARD UPDATE / PLANNING UNIT / CWSP UPDATE
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, gave an update on the Coordinated Water
System Plan (CWSP). It is incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan by reference. The
Planning Department plans on it being adopted about the same time as the Comprehensive
Plan. He submitted a handout (on file) with proposed changes to Section 8. Delete
paragraph 8.1 regarding Tribal Water Issues.
Buchanan stated he's waiting for a letter on the issue from the Lummi Indian
Business Council Chair.
Stoyka updated on the Planning Unit regarding the schedule, a proposal for outreach
and education that will come to the Council, a request for proposals (RFP) to update the
water resources inventory area (WRIA) 1 website, and an update of the comprehensive
water resources plan.
The Joint Board has not met since March 31. Staff team will put together language
for the interlocal agreement to merge the Joint Board and Salmon Recovery Board. The
proposal will go to the Joint Board in July.
The Council discussed the Joint Board's authority, the membership of the Salmon
Recovery Board, the Council's preliminary direction regarding the final agreement, and the
overlap of multiple WRIA committees.
Stoyka continued the update on a request to include the watershed improvement
districts on the combined board, Joint Board funding and costs, funding from the Puget
Sound Partnership, groundwater modeling, and the water supply coalition.
Carole Perry stated there is a lot of confusion about all the WRIA committees.
Weimer asked if the Planning Unit is issuing the RFP for a website update. Stoyka
stated the County would have to do the update.
Weimer stated that in March 2015, the Council asked the Planning Unit, via a
resolution, for review and information on six different programs. The Council hasn't heard
anything back, and should resend resolution 2015 -004 to the Planning Unit.
Surface Water Work Session, 6/21/2016, Page 1
2. FLOODPLAINS BY DESIGN GRANT PROPOSAL
Paula Harris, Public Works Department, submitted a handout (on file) on the
Floodplains by Design grant application and flood program capital project schedule. She is
developing a full proposal for the application, due July 1.
The Council discussed the estimated budget amount, whether Ms. Harris should
present to the Planning Unit, and the Puget Sound Partnership's requirements and
connection with the State.
3. WATER RESOURCES FUNDING OPTIONS
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, submitted and read through a presentation
(on file).
Councilmembers discussed using funds from the real estate excise tax (REST) funds
and the structure of the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management
(BBWARM) Program. Stoyka answered questions about projects that the BBWARM funds,
whether Birch Bay is in the National pollution discharge elimination system (NPDES) area,
whether the 2009 utility study included Birch Bay, allowing people a reduced fee or tax
based on property improvements that reduce impacts to water, the biggest recent and
anticipated costs, and the assessment methodology for stormwater utilities.
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, answered questions about the
history of funding sources, whether some kind of utility could replace BBWARM for enhanced
stormwater services, and whether funds collected in Birch Bay for a countywide utility could
be used in other places.
4. OVERVIEW OF COUNTY WATER PLANNING COMMITTEES
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, submitted and read through a presentation
(on file).
Councilmembers discussed a process for central planning for water issues.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
November 22, 2016,
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
B Vrruchdnan, Council Chair
Surface Water Work Session, 6/21/2016, Page 2