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Home My WebLink AboutPublic Works Nov 10 2020Whatcom County Council Public Works & Health Committee COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 Committee Minutes - Final VIRTUAL MEETING - MAY BEGIN EARLY; ENDS NO LATER THAN 5 P.M. Tuesday, November 10, 2020 2:25 PM Virtual Meeting COUNCILMEMBERS Todd Donovan Carol Fracey Kathy Kershner CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020 Committee Call To Order Roll Call Committee Chair Carol Frazey called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. in a virtual meeting. Present: 3 - Carol Frazey, Todd Donovan and Kathy Kershner Absent: None Also Present: Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, and Ben Elenbaas Special Presentation 1. AB2020-522 Presentation from Puget Sound Energy on storm response Carryn Vande Griend, Puget Sound Energy, gave a presentation and answered a question about the solar energy project at the Whatcom Falls Water Treatment Plant. This agenda item was PRESENTED. 2. AB2020-097 Update on the Lummi Island ferry The following people briefed the Councilmembers on funding options (presentation on file) for a ferry and answered questions: • Roland Middleton, Public Works Department • Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department • Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Councilmembers and the speakers discussed when Public Works got feedback on the BUILD grant, whether the County would have to incur the $4.4 million retrofit costs if they do not stay on track with the current four-year cycle of County Road Administration Board (CRAB) funding, a request for a head nod from the Councilmembers for the ferry funding group to continue working with KPFF Consulting Engineers to come up with a financial plan with a few alternatives to consider, whether funding should come from creating a countywide ferry district or the Road Fund, approaching funding by deciding what percent should come from various funding sources, and bringing alternatives that include the possibility of debt financing. Councilmembers discussed the steps forward and concurred that Public Works should look into funding options (that include a countywide ferry Whatcom County Page I Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020 Committee district and that do not) and bring back to the Council, through the ferry financing group, the results of the work. This agenda item was PRESENTED and discussed. 3. AB2020-142 Report from Health Department on an update and review of Point Roberts Solid Waste Management Jeff Hegedus, Health Department, briefed the Councilmembers. This agenda item was REPORTED. Committee Discussion 1. AB2020-463 Discussion of a request received from the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) to amend Whatcom County Code regulations relating to mandatory curbside residential garbage collection in Point Roberts Councilmembers discussed the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee's involvement in what is happening in Point Roberts, what the majority of the residents support, whether all residents receive meeting information, and transparency in public meetings. Councilmembers and the following people discussed different garbage pick-up options and whether all residents are aware of the options: • Jeff Hegedus, Health Department • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive This agenda item was DISCUSSED. 2. AB2020-486 Discussion of proposed ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 8.10, Solid Waste and Residential Recycling Collection, regarding solid waste collection in Point Roberts, WA Councilmembers discussed different garbage pick-up options, the path forward, the process for updating the plan, better communication and more transparency with Point Roberts, how the proposed Ordinance would change the collection mechanism, whether they need to look at the makeup of the Point Roberts Advisory Committee (PRAC) or dissolve it, whether garbage collection should be on the ballot, and whether Public Works and Health Committee members would like to recommend the Ordinance for tonight. Donovan moved to hold in committee. The following people discussed with Councilmembers: Whatcom County Page 2 Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020 Committee • Jeff Hegedus, Health Department • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Councilmembers and the speakers discussed the timeline for when the Treasurer needs information from the Health Department in order to certify the tax roll for next year, determining the make-up of people living in Point Roberts, whether any decision made should be made with permanent Whatcom County residents in mind, getting rate estimates from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), the possibility of removing it from the County's tax rolls, and whether the County would have to pay for what is not collected. Donovan restated his motion and stated he would like to hold this until they can get rate information from the UTC for a two -can default and a one -can option then go back to the community and see how that looks. Browne referred to an email just received from the president of the PRCAC. Donovan's motion that the Discussion be HELD IN COMMITTEE until they can get rate information from the UTC for a two -can default and a one -can option then go back to the community and see how that looks carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Frazey, Donovan and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Tana Brown-Tlavic Clerk of the Council ren„A�tA 7 f rmat.^ r6, r L.., holding this item ' l�,....... itte, n n)n)n AQ I �. queested confirmation t—at by 11V1Ulll�, Lill ILlJlll 111 VVL111l 11LLGG, C1"1_VGV-`to / should be withdrawn from Introduction tonight. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council AB2020-498 Presentation of the 2020 Public Works Winter Snow and Ice Policy and request for a motion from Council in support of the policy The following people briefed the Councilmembers and answered questions: • Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director • Gina Miller, Public Works Department • Marie Duckworth, Public Works Department Councilmembers and the speakers discussed whether there is anything taken into consideration such as terrain or less car counts when determining Whatcom County Pine 3 Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020 Committee priority roads, tools that the Public Works Department will use for communication and community outreach, and a new online snow priority routes map. Kershner moved that the Request for Motion be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION(S) to recommend that the Council support the proposed 2020 Public Works Winter Snow and Ice Policy. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Frazey, Donovan and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 2. AB2020-431 Resolution affirming racism as a Public Health Crisis Councilmembers discussed why there are two resolutions (this one and AB202-525) whether they should be held in Committee, and the progress of Councilmembers Browne and Elenbaas acting as representatives working on the Resolution with the Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB). Donovan moved to recommend to the Council that the Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB) Resolution be approved. Councilmembers discussed the Resolution, whether it should be held in Committee, and how this Resolution relates to AB2020-525. The following person also spoke: Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director Kershner moved to amend the Resolution to change the language of the 5th paragraph from "killing" to "death" as follows: "WHEREAS, in response to the kigia�! eath of George Floyd and the death of countless others..." Councilmembers and Lautenbach discussed the motion to amend. Lautenbach spoke about the involvement of the community in the formation of the Resolution. There is a meeting scheduled with the Council representatives and the representatives of the PHAB. Donovan withdrew his motion to recommend approval. Frazey requested that the version that comes forward after working with the Whatcom County Page 4 Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020 Committee PHAB be a strike -through of the original. Kershner withdrew her motion to amend. Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council said they need a motion if they would like to hold the Resolution. Donovan moved that the PHAB Resolution be HELD IN COMMITTEE for two weeks. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Frazey, Donovan and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 3. AB2020-525 Resolution recognizing inequality and unconscious bias and its effects on community health Donovan moved to hold the Resolution in Committee for two weeks. Councilmembers discussed the Resolution and whether it should be discussed until it goes through the channels of working with Councilmember Elenbaas and Browne and the Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB). Donovan withdrew his motion to hold. Elenbaas withdrew the Resolution from the agenda. This agenda item was WITHDRAWN by the proposer. items Added by Revision There were no agenda items added by revision. Other Business Adjournment There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m. A?uitcom County Poke 5 Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020 Committee ATTEST: g� ;Dahl frown Taviouficil Clerk VA el A Kristi FeIl iilger,,Minutes'Transcription Whatcom County Page 6 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Carol Frazey-via email 12/1/2020 Carol Frazey, Committee Chair