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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works July 10 20181 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Public Works and Health Committee July 10, 2018 CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. ROLL CALL Present: Barbara Brenner and Barry Buchanan Absent: Tim Ballew Also Present: Rud Browne, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, and Satpal Sidhu SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 1. PRESENTATION BY WHATCOM CONSERVATION DISTRICT ON FIREWISE PROGRAM (AB2018 -089) George Boggs, Whatcom Conservation District, submitted and read from two handouts (on file) and updated the committee on the program. He answered questions about how the County can help during this budget cycle and how the Conservation District provides technical assistance to a community. 2. PRESENTATION ON WHATCOM COUNTY'S SYRINGE SERVICES PROGRAM (AB2018 -212) Cindy Hollinsworth, Health Department, read from a presentation in the Council packet and answered questions about comparisons with Skagit County, locations of syringe services, the need for a mobile unit, creating a program that allows someone to use Skype to connect with a nurse, and mailing a kit to those who are known users of the service as opposed to a face -to -face interaction. Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director, answered questions. Staff and councilmembers discussed making sure old syringes are properly disposed as an important aspect of the service, preparing an additional service request (ASR) for additional mobile services, national trends in opioid use, how the syringe program can save the community money as a whole, and why there is a steady increase in opioid use. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL 1. DISCUSSION AND SELECTION OF ONE COUNTY -OWNED SITE FOR SAFE STORAGE NOW PNW STORAGE LOCKER PILOT PROJECT (AB2018 -139) Carmen Gilmore and Brittany Jones, Safe Storage Now Pacific Northwest (PNW), submitted and gave a presentation (on file) on five potential storage locker locations and answered questions on the types of surfaces on which the lockers can be mounted. Public Works and Health Committee, 7/10/2018, Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Buchanan moved to recommend location A to the full Council. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Brenner and Buchanan (2) Nays: None (0) Absent: Ballew (1) Gilmore and Jones continued the presentation and answered questions on requirements for someone to participate in the program, what happens if a tenant fails to make payments, custom versus existing used lockers, program metrics, how to move the tenants into permanent homes and jobs, refining the intake and exit questionnaires, and next steps and timelines. Jack Louws, County Executive, spoke about the permitting process through the City of Bellingham and answered questions. Councilmembers discussed the possibility of selling advertising space to write off the expenditures of the program, whether it's wise to lose County parking spots, and promoting the program because it doesn't use taxpayer dollars. The presenters concluded the presentation. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m. ATTEgT:, C 0 a Dana B`r.otr� is,fC�rncil clerk f p� ��� �y �s Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair Public Works and Health Committee, 7/10/2018, Page 2