HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Feb 23 2021Whatcom County
Council Committee of the Whole
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
VIRTUAL MEETING - ENDS NO LATER THAN 5 P.M. (TO
PARTICIPATE, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT
www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
3:20 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 February 23, 2021
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 3:20 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)
The following staff spoke:
• Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director
• Greg Stern, Health Officer
They updated the Councilmembers and answered questions about the
following:
• A COVID-19 variant which has now been identified in Whatcom
County
• The number of first doses of vaccine Whatcom County providers are
receiving this week from the state (2,540 first doses)
• The percent of eligible Whatcom County residents vaccinated: Forty
three percent of the comity have received a first dose and 20 percent
are fully vaccinated as of February 22, 2021
• Two initiatives including building a large-scale vaccination clinic,
and a mobile vaccine option piloted by the Health Department
• A second testing site at the Bellingham Airport available for
scheduling on the Test Directly website
• COVID-19 recovery and finding a new and better normal
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
2. AB2021-1 11 Discussion of resolution docketing comprehensive plan and development regulation
amendments
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a
presentation and answered questions.
The following additional people spoke:
"atcon: County Page
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final February 23, 2021
• Greg Aucutt, City of Bellingham Planning Department
• Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department
Director
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed the items listed on the
Substitute Exhibit A (Draft Docket - Revised 2.22.2021).
Donovan moved to eliminate the proposal (PLN2021-00002 TDR
Receiving Area) regarding Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) as it
appears here. The motion was seconded by Frazey.
Councilmembers and staff discussed the motion.
The additional people spoke:
• Brad Swanson, on behalf of the applicant
Donovan stated he would be willing to withdraw his motion if they could
come back to this.
Kershner moved that the committee recommend all docketed items to the
full Council. The motion was seconded by Elenbaas but Donovan's motion
was still on the floor.
Donovan stated he would be willing to withdraw his motion if they had more
time and if the proposal was precise to allow the transfer of just three
dwelling units.
Councilmembers and staff discussed whether the resolution could be
amended for tonight's meeting.
Donovan withdrew his motion.
Kershner moved to recommend approval of the whole substitute docket to
the full Council with an amendment to PLN2021-00002 to limit
development to a maximum of three densities as suggested by Donovan. The
motion was seconded by Elenbaas.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Kershner, Browne, Buchanan and Byrd
Nay: 0
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final February 23, 2021
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adiournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on March 9, 2021.
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