HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Work Session January 21 2020Whatcom County
Council Water Work Session
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Minutes - Final
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
10:30 AM
Civic Center Building Garden Room
COUNCILMEMBERS
Rud Browne
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Carol Frazey
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Water Work Session Minutes - Final January 21, 2020
Call To Order
Roll Call
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.
Present: 4 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Carol Frazey and Kathy Kershner
Absent: 3 - Rud Browne, Todd Donovan and Ben Elenbaas
Floodplains by Design Grant 2021-2023 Grant Round
Paula Harris, Public Works Department, gave a presentation summarizing how the
various flood planning programs work together, criteria for ranking projects, projects
included in the 2019-2021 Floodplains By Design grant funding, proposed or
continuation of projects for the 2021-2023 grant, and how they fit into overall capital
projects.
Harris and Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, answered questions
about property lines as they relate to the river and land acquisitions for future levee
reconfiguration and how that reconfiguration could affect the bridge, landowners that
might be impacted by work on Jones and Glacier -Gallup Creeks, and the cause of the
flooding problem on Slater road and how it might be addressed.
Watershed Planning Update
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, updated the Council on and answered
questions about watershed planning including the Department of Ecology's evaluation
process for determining whether the Nooksack river basin would be a candidate for
adjudication, an effort led by the Public Utility District (PUD) to do a regional water
supply plan, water use efficiency, recent meeting objectives of the Planning Unit, and
County staffs work with other various agencies regarding stream flow restoration
projects and grant funding. He also updated Councilmembers and answered questions
on the next five-year work plan for Lake Whatcom and work with a consultant on
potential impacts from septic systems on the lake.
The following people spoke:
Carole Perry
Planning Unit Presentation
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, introduced the presentation and the
following people spoke:
Kathy Sable presented from the private well owners caucus about permit -exempt
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Council Water Work Session Minutes - Final January 21, 2020
Adjournment
wells, Nooksack River adjudication, and legislation concerning comprehensive plans.
Karlee Deatherage presented from the environmental caucus and answered questions
about updating the 2005 Watershed Management Plan, stream flow rule making, and
how caucus members of the Planning Unit are appointed.
Max Perry and others (not named) answered questions about how caucus
representatives are elected to the Planning Unit and a prior rule about each caucus
updating the Council annually with a list of its goals.
The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on February 11, 2020.
ATTEST:
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w-Dana Brown-Ddv Council Clerk
Kristi FelbmA"Ninutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
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