Committee of the Whole Nov 10 2020Whatcom County
Council Committee of the Whole
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste 4105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
VIRTUAL MEETING - MAY BEGIN EARLY; ENDS NO
LATER THAN 2:15 P.M.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
1:25 PM
Virtual Meeting
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 Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 11:10 p.m. in a
virtual meeting.
Present: 7 - Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Carol Frazey, Ben
Elenbaas and Kathy Kershner
Absent: None
Committee Discussion
1. AB2020-219 Discussion and update on strategies and other items related to COVID-19 (Council
and Health Board)
Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director, updated the
Councilmembers on the following:
• Increases in COVID-19 cases: The Health Department hopes that it
is a short-term spike.
• Statistics for Whatcom County on where the virus have been
contracted, with the majority coming from within a household or at
social events.
• Progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, the roles of the State and the
Health Department in administration, and a phased approach of
administration starting with priority populations.
She discussed with Councilmembers concerns about unforeseen
consequences of the vaccine, work with Peace Health on medical search
planning, mental health services associated with the COV1D-19 crisis, and
volunteer fatigue. She stated the community is needing able volunteers.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, and Lautenbach discussed with
Councilmembers an idea to identify and recognize key volunteers who have
served in the last six months and where people can go to see volunteer
opportunities online.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
2. AB2020-523 Discussion of proposed ordinance designating a Commercial Property Assessed
Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER) Program within Whatcom County
Donovan briefed the Councilmembers on the role of the County in
administration of the program and the impact it would have on County
Government. The following people also spoke:
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final November 10, 2020
• Rebecca Xczar, County Assessor
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
They discussed the impacts as listed in the Municipal Research CPACER
Information document (on file), looking at model documents, how to
collect funds associated with the program, where the program should be
housed in the County, ways to make up for costs of staff time, and whether
collaborating with other counties for administration of the program could
save money.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, discussed with Councilmembers
when the next committee meeting will start.
The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on December 8, 2020.
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Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
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