HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole July 14 20161
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee of the Whole
July 14, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, Satpal Sidhu, Carl Weimer, Todd
Donovan, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. AUDIENCE MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO COMMENT ON THE FOLLOWING
CHAPTERS AND APPENDICES OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN: APPENDIX F, 6 -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM; APPENDIX
G, WATER RESOURCES & SALMON RECOVERY; CHAPTER 7, ECONOMICS;
CHAPTER 11, ENVIRONMENT
No one spoke.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDICES
1.. DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON THE
FOLLOWING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPENDICES (AB2016- 047L):
APPENDIX F, SIX -YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM; APPENDIX G,
WATER RESOURCES & SALMON RECOVERY (DELETING TRANSPORTATION
IMPACT FEE BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND REPLACING WITH A NEW
APPENDIX G RELATING TO WATER RESOURCES AND SALMON RECOVERY
PROGRAMS)
Appendix F
Forrest Longman, Council Office, stated they are working from the version he
submitted to Council on July 14 at 11:30 a.m. (on file).
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix F, the Proposed
Improvements Projects table on page F -13, to remove the demolition of the Northwest
Annex. She described the history of the building.
The motion was seconded.
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 1
Councilmembers discussed the possibility of remodeling the building rather than
demolishing it, how specific the capital improvement program needs to be in this table, plans
for a roundabout at the Northwest Annex intersection, other possible uses for the Northwest
Annex building and land, whether old buildings need to meet code standards, using grant
money to remodel the building, and whether the listed funding sources in the table are
binding.
Brenner amended her motion to change language for the Northwest Annex on the
Proposed Improvements Projects table, "demolition maintenance."
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, and Donovan (6)
Nays: Weimer (1)
Mann moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix F, pages F -14 through F -15:
"Future Needs
Most Sheriff's Office functions are currently based in the Public Safety Building
adjacent to the Courthouse and are remote from the majority of Sheriff's
Office Bureau of Law Enforcement and Investigative Services functions that
take place in unincorporated Whatcom County. This results in inefficiencies
and delays. Space and design factors in current facilities preclude
consolidating various functions performed throughout the agency (reception,
finance, etc.) and result in redundancies. Because of these issues, existing
Sheriff's Office facilities and associated functions will be consolidated (except
for "Resident Deputy" program facilities), and a leeated en 1,11 e sote of the
pFepesed w -jaii may be co- located with the jail.
Proposed Improvement Projects
A new, expanded, or remodeled Sheriff's facility ce leea ed with the pFeposed
new jai -E . is proposed within the six year planning
period. T4-,e A new Sheriff's Headquarters...."
Councilmembers discussed whether the general fund will pay a bond for the
Sheriff's headquarters.
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Councilmembers discussed whether it's a problem for staff to remove the table
regarding Proposed Improvement Projects.
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix F, page F -17; Existing Jai/
Beds table to change the jail bed count of the public safety building from 283 to 212 and to
change the total number of beds accordingly.
The motion was seconded.
Councilmembers discussed the capacity of the public safety building.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 2
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Mann moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix F, page F- 16, "Maintain
adequate facilities for daily emergency management activities and, during an emergency or
disaster, for the emergency operations center. The facilities will provide sufficient space for
activities relating to emergency /disaster planning, mitigation, response and recovery.
Existing facilities may be expanded, remodeled, and /or new facilities developed in response
to inereasing changing need."
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Mann moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix F:
• Page F -17, "Maintain Sheriff's Office adult corrections facilities... available
funding. Existing facilities may be expanded, remodeled, and /or new facilities
developed in response to increasing changing need."
• Page F -18, "-in an effort, to nmot— t- he— ca-a-r +t- y— Fieed,-he GetAnty .-. s —te
eanstruct a n-ew lA4L+lt r,....-.-..-.tio ca =A . in c.-.md- tenta#v-e4y .. , s a, . _ d u , _ d _ _ ° p eR-- with �_ ter, 5 , �'1' - the ,,,czrn
open �
1 I't— jcCr�.'TfC'�ir.... i r.... v ,..+ .a �. ..1 .........
As an interim measure, existing correction facility improvements are planned
so that these buildings can continue to function until the jail is expanded,
remodeled, and /or new facilities developed in response to inereasing changing
need.
The cost ja i l--ts a p rep€ i mat e- eest of
the nts to r lfiti ,
-$41' ith " - r.^_e..._ds that -would be repa+d-w#t-- ea--i,TC'd+r
sales t ar[H ' _ }_ d and the �, f sheen be
law-.
�'-] s�-n- pTCrv=en�ere�rii� r l�f� 1�1:
• Page F -19, "Maintain juvenile detention facilities and alternative corrections
programs to provide safe and secure methods to provide accountability and
support for minors who break the law. Existing facilities may be expanded,
remodeled, and /or new facilities developed in response to +nereasing changing
need."
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Appendix G
Brenner moved to return all of Appendix G to Chapter 11.
The motion was seconded.
Councilmembers discussed the reason language was moved to Appendix G.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 3
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -2, lines 27 -35:
"The WRIA 1 Joint Policy Boards are comprised of members of the WRIA 1
Joint Board and Salmon Recovery Board. This organizational level interacts
with federal, state, and regional organizations at a policy -level and pFeYides
pe+4cp--- rel -ated-4irect; tee; to coordinate the implementation and
management of the WRIA 1 Watershed Management Plan - Phase 1, the
WRIA 1 Salmonid Recovery Plan and and other related activities. €ef -pt-r- ses --of -war", plans, programs, ete;-�litienally, the
•---- 4�Rd$rf8g•r-a- r-1s/erct-i6Tra to tvav7- c'rrd ta �.- GijissuLivc uvuia, as
e— Prfe `i 4 a ~v , eet-in "
*-l' cTY'T.i YtP �3A� aJ JLF /11L policy
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -3, lines 24 -28:
"2005 WRIA 1 Watershed Management Plan - Phase One
The 2005 WRIA 1 Watershed Management Plan was eafftp+et-ed approved in
2005 sta (ehelders and Bever -er�t by the
Joint Administrative Board, Planning Unit (by consensus), and the County
Council. Pursuant to subsequent state requirements, a WRIA 1 Watershed
Detailed Implementation Plan was approved by the Joint Administrative
Board, Planning Unit, and County Council in 2007. It provides a roadmap for
addressing water quantity, water quality, instream flow, and fish habitat
challenges."
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -5, line 29 -32,
"Capacity problems in the district's sewer line, which serves Geneva and Sudden Valley,
have caused overflows into the lake in the past. An aggressive program to preclude
stormwater infiltration has eliminated reduced the overflow problems to a large extent."
The motion was seconded.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 4
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -6; line 30 -36,
"A significant cause of declining oxygen levels has been from residential development in the
watershed. Past development permitted by the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County has
led to increased phosphorus loading into the lake, which stimulates algae growth. Bacteria
that consume the dying algae deplete the dissolved oxygen, leading to lower oxygen levels
in the lake. Past pc
p-he�50eFUS leading to the lake7"
The motion was seconded.
Councilmembers discussed the level that forestry practices contribute phosphorous to
Lake Whatcom and the watershed, and the differences between old and current forestry
practices.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner and Mann (2)
Nays: Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (5)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -8, lines 5 -10,
"The joint resolution included goals for watershed management that extended beyond
urbanization. Goals were included for stormwater management, on -site waste systems,
conservation, forest management, spill response, hazardous materials transport and
handling, data /information management, education /public involvement, and other topics. A
joint strategy was weed —te approved for developing specific plans to meet the adopted
goals."
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -12, lines 1 -5,
"The primary purpose of the FCZD is flood hazard management. Revenue generated for this
purpose is accomplished in two ways: (1) a county -wide uniformly applied `eFv4 e eharJ_
tax; and, (2) supplemental revenue generated within localized Diking Districts and Sub -
Flood Districts where specific local project activity is planned."
The motion was seconded.
Councilmembers discussed taxes versus levies.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -12, lines 24 -26,
" Whatcom County's Critical Areas Regulations aim to protect people and property in
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 5
1 Frequently Flooded Area (FFAs) by requiring that any development in these areas conforms to
2 WCC Title 17, Flood Damage Prevention."
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4 The motion was seconded.
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6 The motion carried by the following vote:
7 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
8 Nays: None (0)
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10 Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -13, lines 15 -26,
11 "The current Permit boundary covers approximately 15,000 acres and generally includes the
12 following areas:
13 0 ...
14 4 Birch Bay Urban Growth Area (Beginning �k}
15 Additionally, though not within the NPDES permit area, the County has made—the
16 entire Lake Whatcom watershed subject to the illicit discharge detection and elimination
17 requirements of the Permit through ordinance and agreement with the Department of
18 Ecology."
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20 The motion was seconded.
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22 The motion carried by the following vote:
23 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
24 Nays: None (0)
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26 Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan Appendix G, page G -16, lines 34 -38,
27 "The WRIA 1 Salmonid Recovery Plan (2005), a chapter of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery
28 Plan, guides restoration in the Nooksack River and adjacent watersheds. This plan was
29 developed in partnership with Nooksack Tribe, Lummi Nation, Washington Department of Fish
30 and Wildlife, Bellingham, Whatcom County Government and the small cities of Whatcom
31 County."
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33 The motion was seconded.
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35 The motion carried by the following vote:
36 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
37 Nays: None (0)
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39 Weimer moved to approve items 11 through 35 as shown beginning on packet page
40 62 and are regarding comma use and other grammatical changes.
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42 The motion was seconded.
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44 The motion carried by the following vote:
45 Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
46 Nays: None (0)
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Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 6
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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7 ECONOMICS
1. DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 7, ECONOMICS (AB2016 -047G)
Mann moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 7 -10, Policy 7A -2, "Foster a
diverse, private- sector job base, which will provide family -wage jobs at the state median
income level or greater, and facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses. A+R
body ef ..�,.ded
-c� --bas ^ eerni-ties that pr t',e and �..�- ; Btf5mess
Sta". Up, Retention, and .F�siie? , and Reer,.it -me it woll experience—m-efe--jeb — grew,
f er =rrc growth, Rd�virri =_ resilieney z an these that peiid-- , vily on fecr-i-1.itfnefA
iiie6d+n,g-_wiing-awa-y1Eax businesses-."
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (6)
Nays: None (0)
Abstains: Brenner (1)
Mann moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 7 -11, Policy 7A -3, "Employ
innovative techniques to recruit and develop a diversified mix of businesses for a broader
economic base, starting with the creation of a new economic development program to be
funded ideally with monies collected under RCW 82.14.370. This program will be governed by
a sunset provision whereby it will automatically terminate after seven years if it was not able
to document its efforts were contributing to an equal or greater number of new jobs for the
money invested in it, compared to other economic development projects funded by the
community."
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (6)
Nays: None (0)
Abstains: Brenner (1)
Mann moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 7 -12 to create a new policy, "7B -6:
A forward focused marketing strategy and a professional outbound lead generation program
shall solicit inward investment from targeted industry sectors that are forecast to provide
growth in the type of family wage jobs that the community is well positioned to support.
. 7 Policy The program shall provide these leads to
organizations such as Team Whatcom, the Port, non - profits, and private sector partners that
offer the best fit based on the nature of the lead and the partners commitment to
continuously demonstrate /verify high levels of responsiveness and customer satisfaction."
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (6)
Nays: None (0)
Abstains: Brenner (1)
Mann moved to delete the proposed new policy 7B -8.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 7
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The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11 ENVIRONMENT
1. DISCUSSION AND PRELIMINARY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTER 11, ENVIRONMENT (AB2016 -047K)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan page 11 -26 to amend a previously -
approved new policy, "111-1-8: Identify and /or update wellhead protection areas and critical
aquifer recharge areas and incorporate into the Critical Areas Ordinance. This information
should be available to the public."
The motion was seconded.
Councilmembers discussed the inaccuracy of the Department of Ecology well
database.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to reconsider an amendment approved on July 12 to Comprehensive
Plan page 11 -30 to create new policy 113 -7.
The motion was seconded.
The motion to reconsider carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Donovan restated the motion that was approved on July 12 to create a new policy,
"11J -7: Encourage the Department of Ecology to provide flexibility in the application of the
water relinquishment rules simultaneous with establishing a water bank /water exchange
program in Whatcom County in cooperation with stakeholders."
Councilmembers discussed the current Department of Ecology water bank program.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (6)
Nays: Brenner (1)
Brenner moved to approve proposed amendments to Comprehensive Plan page 11-
39 to amend a new policy, "11L -14: Continue to consider the value of wildlife habitat
h `'a" ,ter -vat4 ave- beeff4dervt-i€ied used in PDS's wildlife
habitat mapping for land use planning purposes. This is for wildlife for which habitat
conservation areas have been identified."
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 8
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The motion was seconded.
Councilmembers discussed a concern that people would be required to map wildlife on
their property.
Browne suggested a friendly amendment, "...This is not intended to require
landowners to fund any additional studies."
Brenner accepted the friendly amendment.
Forrest Longman, Council Office, restated the motion, "11L -14: Continue to consider
the value of wildlife populations for which habitat conservation areas have been identified
used in PDS's wildlife habitat mapping, their associated habitats, and connectivity in land use
planning that may impact them. This is for wildlife for which habitat conservation areas have
been identified."
Brenner agreed with the restated motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
Brenner moved to amend Comprehensive Plan pages 11 -40 and 11 -41:
• Goal 11M: Protect and enhance natural systems ecosystems that support
native fish, plant, and wildlife populations and habitat.
• Policy 11M -11: Formulate and implement a comprehensive, landscape- based,
environmental management program to protect fish and wildlife. The program
should include the following:
• Formulate an administrative approach to the review of development and
planning proposals that consider natural system policies...;
• Investigate and develop programs for acquisition and restoration of important
fish, plant, and wildlife habitat areas...;
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Mann, Sidhu, Browne, Buchanan, Weimer and Donovan (7)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
Buchanan announced the meeting on the critical areas ordinance review schedule and
the resolution for docketing the Cherry Point Urban Growth Area (UGA) review.
Personius reported on updating the draft Comprehensive Plan with all changes for
Council introduction on July 26 and a public hearing and Council decision on August 9.
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 9
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:24 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on January 24, 2017.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Bay uchanan, Council Chad
Special Committee of the Whole, 7/14/2016, Page 10