HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Nov 9 2021Whatcom County
Council Committee of the Whole
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
2:50 PM
Virtual Meeting
VIRTUAL MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 4:45 P.M. (TO PARTICIPATE, SEE
INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL
360.778.5010)
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 9, 2021
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 2:50 p.m. in a
virtual meeting.
Present: 6 - Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, and
Carol Frazey
Absent: 1 - Kathy Kershner
Announcements
Special Presentation
AB2021-65_1 Presentation from Health Department, Human Services Division staff to review interim
shelter options over the winter season
The following people presented:
• Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director
• Ann Beck, Health Department
Beck answered where people should check in for winter shelter, whether
the facility at 1013 West Holly Street would only open if there is a
particular weather trigger, and the shelter capacity this year compared to
last year.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Committee Discussion
1. AB2021-395 Discussion and periodic update of the Shoreline Management Program
Cliff Strong, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the
Councilmembers and he and the following people answered questions:
Ryan Ericson, Former Planning and Development Services
Department staff
Mark Personius, Planning and Development Services Department
Director
They answered questions about projects listed in Exhibit J, whether there is
a trigger for starting those projects, how they keep focus on items that are
on the list, a request sent to Council (via email on this date) from the
Building Industry Association of Whatcom County to delete the term
"professional membership" from the proposed changes to Whatcom County
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021
Code 16.16.900 Definitions item number 7 under the definition of
"Qualified professional," and whether the public hearing for the related
resolution should be held open until the final ordinance adopting and
effecting the update is on the agenda for consideration.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
2. AB2021- 656 Discussion of proposed options for financial assistance to Point Roberts
The following people briefed the Councilmembers and answered questions:
• Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
• Jed Holmes, Administrative Services Community Outreach
Facilitator
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed looking into distributing
money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund to the 59 people
in Point Roberts whose unemployment benefits ran out, directing some of
the funds to pay the utility to make up for late water payments, whether
unique types of businesses that are not covered would be covered with
option three, limiting help with utilities to people who actually live in their
houses, and how many numbers of people crossed the Canadian border
yesterday now that it is opening.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
3. AB.202_[ -6 5 Discussion of the County Executive's recommended 2022 Biennium Budget
Adjustments
The following people briefed the Councilmembers and answered questions:
• Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed a suggested change to create a
County Buildings Fund under the Capital Facilities Fund and maybe
dedicating one percent of the General Fund or using the budget lapse to
fund it. Sidhu answered questions about the recently passed Federal
infrastructure bill and how it might affect the County.
Schroeder spoke about the infrastructure bill, and how money might be
allocated.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed the proposed new fund, how it
should be funded, whether the related ordinance would have to be
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021
re -introduced if the Council makes changes after the Water Work Session
next week, when they should discuss FTE changes, possibly scheduling a
special meeting, and Councilmembers providing topics to the
Administration by November 16 that they would want to discuss on the 23rd
(regular meeting date).
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered questions about
possible special meeting dates.
Frazey stated she attended the exit interview for the audit and acknowledged
the excellent work of the County's Finance Department.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. A1320 1 12 Discussion and request for motion regarding County Council meeting broadcast on
Bellingham public access television (BTV) and streaming on YouTube
Cathy Halka, Council Legislative Analyst, briefed the Councilmembers.
Councilmembers discussed the issue, whether they have had
communication from the City Council or from the Mayor's Office, how
citizens access meeting information, who is making the decision not to air
the meetings on BTV, and whether they should send a letter to the
Bellingham City Council.
Councilmembers concurred that Browne would draft a letter to the City
Council.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
There were no agenda items added by revision.
Browne stated that about this time last year they approved the budget on the
condition that they would do a merger of the 9-1-1 services and suggested
they allocate time at the next Council meeting to do a presentation on the
results of that.
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, asked if he would like it to be in
the evening meeting or during the day and Browne stated he would like it to
be in the evening meeting in two weeks.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021
Adiournment
Councilmembers discussed whether the discussion should be in the evening
meeting or in Committee and the history of the issue, and Browne amended
the date to December 7, 2021.
The meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on November 23, 2021.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Bar uchanan, Council Chair
Whatcom County Page 4