HomeMy WebLinkAboutSurface Water Work Session September 19 20171
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Whatcom County Council
Surface Water Work Session
September 19, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. in the Civic
Center Garden Level Conference Room, 322 Commercial Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Satpal Sidhu, Barry Buchanan, Ken Mann, Todd
Donovan and Carl Weimer
Absent: Rud Browne
SURFACE WATER WORK SESSIOM_(AB2D17 -024
1. WATER PLANNING UPDATE
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, reported on the Watershed Management
Board's last meeting in June, during which they discussed the purpose of the new board;
making the meetings more relevant, and; an appropriate structure for the Board.
Steve ]ilk, Public Utility District (PUD), spoke about the questions regarding the
intent and purpose of the Watershed Management Board and communication with elected
officials.
Stoyka submitted handouts (on file) and reported on Water Week and a symposium
event on water issues.
Weimer stated Council passed a motion asking the Public Works staff to propose a
funding district for Lake Whatcom efforts. The Council should pass a resolution stating the
purpose of a funding district. He submitted a draft resolution (on file) that will go to the
Council at its next regular meeting.
2. PLANNING UNIT PRESENTATION
The following Planning Unit members referenced and reported on their memo to the
Council dated August 23, 2017 in the Council packet and answered questions:
• Andy Ross, non - government water systems caucus
* Ann Russell, environmental caucus
s Linda Twitchell, land use caucus
• Dick Whitmore, forestry caucus
* Karen Brown, exempt well owners caucus
Dan Eisses, water districts caucus
Planning Unit members reported that no one knows where they are with water
planning, and the County is responsible for being the water resource inventory area (WRIA)
1 lead agency. They must name a specific County staff person to be responsible for and
coordinate the water management plan, water - related efforts, data collection and
Surface Water Work Session, 9/19/2017, Page 1
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management, and strategic planning. Also, have a big - picture strategic plan and track the
success of projects that have been implemented. They don't need a new plan. Use the
Comprehensive Water Resource Plan that has already been put together. It may need to be
updated. Define the vision for a restored WRIA 1. If the County had followed through with
the plan when it was created, there would not have been a Hirst decision.
The Planning Unit members read through and described the three recommendations
in the memorandum and answered questions on how to proceed with local solutions given
the political situations at the State and federal governments; recommendations in the 2005
plan; whether the County can be the lead agency without cooperation of other individuals
and agencies; funding, and; creating a durable plan that lasts, despite political changes.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, described the history of watershed planning
and implementation.
3. OVERVIEW OF 2018 -2023 WATER RESOURCES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
(WRIP)
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, submitted an updated handout of the water
resources improvement program (WRIP) (on file).
Stoyka and the following Public Works Department staff referenced and reported on
the program, described each project line item, and answered questions:
Kirk Christensen
• Kraig Olason
• Roland Middleton
Paula Harris
Staff answered questions on project engineering (PE) cost estimates; the benefit
evaluation score (BES); prioritizing based on risk versus the benefit evaluation score;
including staff time in the estimates, and; funding projects from special districts.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.
The gQmn01,approved these minutes or
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Dena Browq -si av lequncil Clerk
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
November 21, 2017.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Surface Water Work Session, 9/19/2017, Page 2