HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council February 15 20191
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Special County Council
February 15, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Barbara Brenner, Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, Carol
Frazey, and Satpal Sidhu.
Absent: Tyler Byrd.
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE POSSIBLE OPENING OF AN EMERGENCY
SHELTER
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report on current operations, permitting
requirements, and planning for future events.
Louws and the following staff answered questions:
• Bill Elfo, County Sheriff
• Karen Frakes, Prosecutor's Office
• Tyler Schroeder, Administrative Services Department
Councilmembers and staff discussed the specific emergency that necessitates the
special meeting, City of Bellingham permitting requirements and potential exemptions, the
current status of and processes for finding shelter for unhoused individuals during the
current cold weather event, the capacity of current shelters, gaps in service, liability
concerns, and the processes of the County's Department of Emergency Management.
Jim Peterson, HomesNow, spoke on the status of capacity of current shelters, costs,
and gaps in service.
Michael Lilliquist, Bellingham City Council Member, answered questions.
Councilmembers and staff continued to discuss City of Bellingham regulations and
the possibility of opening an emergency shelter location in a County facility within the City
of Bellingham, including protocols for severe weather shelters in the emergency disaster
management plans, and whether the Council can appropriate funds for these issues.
Ron Schultz, Bellingham Seventh-Day Adventist Church Pastor, spoke about his
Church's experiences in providing shelter services.
Councilmembers and staff continued to discuss trained and untrained staff resources
and coordination between the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Special County Council, 2/15/2019, Page 1
1 The following people spoke:
2 Amy Glasser
3 Krista Rome
4 Ronna Loerch
5 Hans Erchinger-Davis, Lighthouse Mission Ministries Director, spoke on his
6 organization's services and capacity.
7
8 (Clerk's Note: Councilmember Sidhu left the meeting at 3:05 p.m.)
9
10 • Autumn Lynn
11 • Lynnette Allen
12 • Sarah (inaudible)
13
14 Buchanan moved to respectfully request the administration open the Civic Center
15 Garden Room for shelter as soon as possible after Bellingham permitting allows.
16
17 The motion was seconded.
18
19 Councilmembers and staff discussed the Council instructing the Executive to take
20 over the City of Bellingham's jurisdiction and encouraging Bellingham to reopen their
21 shelter.
22
23 Buchanan restated the motion that, in coordination with City of Bellingham and
24 once the City makes its permitting decision at 4:00 p.m., the County make every effort to
25 open the Civic Center Garden Room so it's available and staffed for a shelter immediately.
26
27 Brenner moved to call the question.
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29 The motion to call the question was seconded.
30
31 The motion to call the question carried by the following vote:
32 Ayes: Brenner, Browne, Buchanan, Donovan, and Frazey (5)
33 Nays: None (0)
34 Absent: Byrd and Sidhu (2)
35
36 The main motion carried by the following vote:
37 Ayes: Brenner, Browne, Buchanan, Donovan, and Frazey (5)
38 Nays: None (0)
39 Absent: Byrd and Sidhu (2)
40
41 The following people spoke:
42 • Jocelyn Mansfield
43 0 Marcus D., HomesNow
44 0 Michael Lilliquist
45 • Jim Peterson
46 0 Rachel Duval
47 • Von Ochoa
48 • Jim Peterson
49
50 Councilmembers spoke about the development of the County's new crisis
51 stabilization facility and coordinating the efforts of the Lighthouse Mission and HomesNow.
52
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Special County Council, 2/15/2019, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:42 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on February 12, 2019.
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WHATnCOUNTY COUNCIL
WHAT�lVTY, WASHINGTON
Rud Brbwde, Council Chair
Special County Council, 2/15/2019, Page 3