HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Committee of the Whole PM December 4 2018WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special Committee of the Whole
December 4, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd
Donovan, Carol Frazey, and Satpal Sidhu.
Absent: None.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING PRELIMINARY DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND
ZONING AMENDMENTS — CHERRY POINT (DISCUSSION TO FOCUS ON
INDUSTRY RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS ASKED BY COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER)
(AB2018-076D)
Laura McKinney, Alcoa Intalco Works, played a video and gave a presentation on
what they do at Alcoa. She answered questions about the fossil fuels used at Alcoa in the
production process, plans for modernizing the Alcoa facility in Ferndale, clean operations
compared to other smelters in other countries, and air quality emissions.
Tim Johnson, Phillips 66 Ferndale, spoke about renewable energy projects at the
refinery. He referenced the November letter to the Council and answered councilmembers'
questions about impacts to transportation systems, liability and insurance coverage for
receiving crude oil by rail, disaster response agencies learning about each others policies
and procedures, shifting to a lower carbon footprint by reducing demand instead of reducing
supply, how the current moratorium restricts refining or other business growth, who would
be responsible for a derailment in Bellingham, and whether crude or refined oil is more
combustible.
Pam Brady, BP Cherry Point Refinery, gave a presentation on the refinery's history,
current volume produced, employment numbers, location, environmental stewardship,
efforts toward energy transition, risk management, and oil spill response.
Brady and Jim Verburg, BP Cherry Point Refinery, answered questions on the
definition of biomass, audit agencies, whether there is opportunity at the refinery to further
reduce emissions, whether old rail cars are used for shipment, sources of crude oil, the
industry's responsibility to quell misinterpretation of the Council's intent in passing certain
legislation, liability if there were a train derailment, and the amount of crude oil storage
capacity necessary for refining operations.
DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 24.11, DRINKING WATER
(FROM NOVEMBER 7, 2018) (AB2018-303)
Byrd moved to recommend adoption to the full Council.
Special Committee of the Whole (PM), 12/4/2018, Page 1
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The motion was seconded.
The following staff answered questions:
• Karen Frakes, Prosecutor's Office
• Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department
• Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department
Councilmembers and staff discussed legal review, review by the Water Utility
Coordinating Committee (WUCC) and Planning Commission, avoiding case -specific changes,
Council's regulatory authority loans, the Comprehensive Plan amendment process, the
County Council's authority, a review of the relationship between water associations and the
County Code, the Comprehensive Plan docket schedule, and hiring outside legal counsel.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Brenner, Byrd, Frazey, and Sidhu (4)
Nays: Donovan and Buchanan (2)
Abstains: Browne (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on January 15, 2019.
ATTEST:
Dana Brow,P, `b` pis,(,Council Clerk
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATC C QU COUNCIL
WHATC 0 N , WASHINGTON
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Rud Br wne, Council Chair
Special Committee of the Whole (PM), 12/4/2018, Page 2