HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources August 8 20171
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
August 8, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Carl Weimer, Satpal Sidhu, and Todd Donovan
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner and Barry Buchanan
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
3. DISCUSSION WITH WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING
POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR LAKE WHATCOM PROGRAMS (AB2017-
251)
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, gave a staff report on the
discussions they've had regarding programming and the future of the Lake Whatcom
program and on options for funding work in the watershed.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, submitted a handout (on file) and gave a
staff report on all the costs of funding inequity, special districts in the county, and funding
mechanisms.
Hutchings answered questions on and councilmembers discussed determining what
measure they would use to establish a fee, creating a special flood subzone district around
the Lake Whatcom watershed that would be similar to the Birch Bay Watershed Aquatic
Resources Management (BBWARM) district, agreeing to a framework now and determining
the details in the fall, possible fee exemptions, whether lawns would be considered an
impervious surface, and reduced grant funding.
Weimer moved to recommend to the full Council to request the Public Works
Department to create and present to the Council a proposed framework for a flood subzone
or stormwater utility in the Lake Whatcom watershed, and the Council will determine details
once they know how many parcels would be in the district.
The motion was seconded.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Weimer, Sidhu, and Donovan (3)
Nays: None (0)
Natural Resources Committee, 8/8/2017, Page 1
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH BLOCKED CULVERTS
(AB2017 -235)
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, answered questions on the status
of the drainage system, blocked culverts and beaver dams; how staff deals with them; how
they impact wetland and peoples' properties; a particular culvert at Everson Goshen Road;
beaver deterrents; potential gifts of public funds; and whether the infrastructure is up -to-
date.
2. WHATCOM COUNTY PARKS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON
POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FARM ANIMAL DISPLAY AT
HOVANDER HOMESTEAD PARK (AB2017 -250) DISCUSSION WITH WHATCOM
COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS REGARDING POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR
LAKE WHATCOM PROGRAMS (AB2017 -251)
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, submitted and read from
a presentation (on file) and described the current condition of the animal exhibit, plans for
an upgrade to an interactive concept, and fundraising for upgrades.
He answered questions on the volunteer program, the status of the Hovander House,
fundraising for the capital project, the hours that the interactive exhibit would be open to
the public, applying for funding as an historical structure, and the large animal exhibit.
The Committee concurred to recommend that the Parks and Recreation Department
go forward with developing option 3, the interactive concept for the animal exhibit upgrade
at Hovander Homestead Park.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10.42 a.m,
ATTEST; A, `. LI
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Dana Brown- ' t §4i(0,n61 Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM )COUNTY, WASHINGTON
dd Donovan, Committee Chair
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Natural Resources Committee, 8/8/2017, Page 2