HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Work Session Nov 16 2021Whatcom County
Council Water Work Session
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Minutes - Final
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
10:30 AM
Virtual Meeting
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 Water Work Session Minutes - Final November 16, 2021
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 10:34 a.m. in a
virtual meeting.
Present: 7 - Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas,
Carol Frazey, and Kathy Kershner
Absent: None
Water Resources Update
This item was not discussed.
Discussion with WRIA 1 Plannin2 Unit (Part 1)
Ander Russell, WRIA 1 Planning Unit, briefed the Councilmembers,
referred to a letter sent to Council (on file in the Meeting Details) and
answered whether they currently have a chair chosen from one of the groups
or a paid facilitator who is paid to facilitate the meetings.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about the role of the Planning Unit,
whether it should be redefined, whether it should function as an advisory
committee to the Council on water issues, and whether the Watershed
management plan should be integrated with the Comprehensive Plan.
Clerk's note: The discussion was paused to allow Public Works staff (who
have been working on a flood response) to present the next item when they
were available. See the continuation of this discussion after the Overview of
FI—i Control Zone District Budget item belo:v.
Overview of Flood Control Zone District Budget
The following people presented and answered questions:
• Paula Harris, Public Works Department
• Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department
Stoyka answered how much of the water settlement allocation will go to
technical studies and what the studies might be.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about water settlement funding from
the State and the County for 2020 and 2021 and how funding might be
handled for the future as they know more information.
Discussion with WRIA 1 Planninlf Unit (Part 2)
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Council Water Work Session Minutes - Final November 16, 2021
Councilmembers and Russell discussed how County staff will work with the
Planning Unit to update the Watershed Management Plan and whether the
Planning Unit should have a duel role and act as an advisory to the Council.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about defining the roles of the
Planning Unit.
Frazey spoke about the Planning Unit having a facilitator from outside of
their group, having an advisory role to the Council, and providing a list of
what help they would need from staff.
Overview of WRIA 1 Data Hub
Other Business
Adiournment
This item was not discussed.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, updated the Councilmembers on the
following:
• The Administration's trip to Spokane has been canceled.
• The State has sent a person from the Army National Guard to look at
concerns about the Ferndale Levy due to today's flooding event.
• The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is not struggling despite
statements made to that effect.
Councilmembers discussed what the Special Council meeting is for
tomorrow.
The meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on November 23, 2021.
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Krish Felbinger,-Minutes°Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATC yO{ M COUNTY, WA
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Bar chanan, Council Chair
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