HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole PM May 8 20181 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Special Committee of the Whole
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4 May 8, 2018
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7 CALL TO ORDER
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9 Council Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. in the Council
10 Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
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13 ROLL CALL
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15 Present: Barbara Brenner, Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd
16 Donovan, and Satpal Sidhu.
17 Absent: Tim Ballew
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20 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
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22 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF DRAFT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN FOR
23 WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT
24 REGULATION AMENDMENTS (AB2018 -147)
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26 Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, referenced and read
27 from the staff report beginning on Council packet page 42 and answered questions.
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29 Councilmembers and staff discussed how often the list is updated, the changes to
30 levels one, two, and three; having meetings in the area of impact; the voluntary density
31 credit program; location limits in the vacation rental regulations; and the public participation
32 plan level assigned to Cherry Point issues.
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34 Byrd moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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36 The motion was seconded.
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38 The motion carried by the following vote:
39 Ayes: Browne, Buchanan, Donovan, and Sidhu (4)
40 Nays: Brenner and Byrd (2)
41 Absent: Ballew (1)
42
43 2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF REET I FUNDING TO
44 SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI -USE BUILDING EXPANSION AT
45 THE EAST WHATCOM REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTER (AB2018 -131)
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47 Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and answered questions.
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49 Buchanan moved to request that the administration sit down with proponents and
50 discuss cost - saving measures, and give an update to the Council in four weeks. He stated
51 he would also like to hear from the public.
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53 The motion was seconded.
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/8/2018, Page 1
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2 Councilmembers discussed the impact of delay and changes on the grant
3 opportunity, the possibility of finding other donors, prioritizing other projects, redesigning
4 the building to remove unnecessary features, improving the design of the roof, fire
5 suppression methods, and saving money on the ongoing life of the building.
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7 Greg Winter, Opportunity Council, answered questions on the federal grant program
8 and the money from the Opportunity Council.
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10 Paul Schissler answered questions about value engineering.
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12 Shorty Bjornstead spoke about the purpose and uses of the existing facility.
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14 Rebecca Boonstra spoke about taking the time to make sure the design is right and
15 about the purpose of the roofed outdoor area.
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17 Winter stated the Opportunity Council continues to consult with the architect on the
18 design.
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20 Jeff Bolts, Foothills Community Partnership Steering Committee, spoke about the
21 project budget and food access to the community.
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23 Dave Bach spoke about using the resource center as an emergency use facility and a
24 revenue taxing district to fund costs for construction and maintenance.
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26 Kai Jansen spoke about services for kids and supporting the expansion.
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28 Councilmembers discussed the possibility of leasing the building to collect
29 maintenance costs, the design of the basketball court, and continuing to find opportunities
30 to reduce costs.
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32 The motion carried by the following vote:
33 Ayes: Brenner, Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, and Sidhu (6)
34 Nays: None (0)
35 Absent: Ballew (1)
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38 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
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40 1. UPDATE ON EFFORTS RELATED TO ESTABLISHMENT OF A BUSINESS
41 ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AB2018 -132)
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43 Sidhu gave a report on the process to create a business advisory committee and
44 economic development functions in the county.
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46 Councilmembers discussed the benefits and concerns with forming a business
47 advisory committee, focusing solely on business owners, and introducing a proposed
48 resolution or ordinance to form the committee.
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50
51 OTHER BUSINESS
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53 There was no other business.
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/8/2018, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on June 19, 2018.
ATTEST:
rj
" r
Dane�13rown- Davis, °Coun,cii Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Trbnscription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COU , WASHINGTON
Rud rowne, Council Chair
Special Committee of the Whole, 5/8/2018, Page 3