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Home My WebLink Aboutord2022-021' Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2022-131 File ID: AB2022-131 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Amended and Adopted File Created: 02/15/2022 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us Department: Council Office File Type: Ordinance Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 03/08/2022 Agenda Date: 03/08/2022 Enactment #: ORD 2022-021 Primary Contact Email: chalka@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.126 (Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee) SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.126 (Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee) to add a county councilmember position and clarify role of the Office of Climate Action HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To: 02/22/2022 Council INTRODUCED Council Committee of the Whole Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 03/08/2022 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT(S) Aye: 6 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 1 Elenbaas Absent: 0 03/08/2022 Council SUBSTITUTE ADOPTED AS AMENDED Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 31912022 Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2022-131) Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Attachments: Proposed Ordinance, Proposed Ordinance - Substitute for 3.8.2022 Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 31912022 PROPOSED BY: GALLOWAY INTRODUCTION DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2022 ORDINANCE NO. 2022-021 ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATOM COUNTY CODE 2.126 (WHATCOM COUNTY CLIMATE IMPACT ADVISORY COMMITTEEE) TO ADD A COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER POSITION AND CLARIFY ROLE OF THE OFFICE OF CLIMATE ACTION WHEREAS, in 2016, Whatcom County Council adopted policy 10D-6 to the Comprehensive Plan calling for the creation of a Climate Impact Advisory Committee to review the implementation of the Climate Action Plan; and WHEREAS, on December 5, 2017, Whatcom County Council adopted Ordinance No. 2017-080 establishing Whatcom County Code 2.126 Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS, on November 9, 2021, Whatcom County Council approved Resolution 2021-049, including a commitment to execute the Whatcom County Climate Action Plan; and WHEREAS, the 2021 Climate Action Plan identified a need to establish an Office of Climate Action, led by a Climate Action Manager; and WHEREAS, Whatcom County Council adopted ordinance 2021-068 on November 24, 2020, adopting the 2021-2022 Biennium Budget, inclusive of funding for a Climate Action Manager; and WHEREAS, Whatcom County Council finds value in adding a non -voting, Councilmember position to the membership of the Climate Impact Advisory Committee to keep updated on activities and progress towards achieving the goals of the Climate Impact Plan; and WHEREAS, additional clarifications regarding the role of the Climate Impact Advisory Committee and the Office of Climate Action are needed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.126 is hereby amended as outlined in Exhibit A to this ordinance. tA,i�QP thin day of March , 2022. ATE ..,fit"y 1 Dana BrbAXt11 I i ,T-1@rk of the Council APPR(OyED AS TO FORM`. Karen Frakes (by email 2/15/2022) Civil Deputy Prosecutor WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHAT OM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Todd Donovan, Council Chair Satpal Sidhu, ounty Executive ( ) Approved ( ) Denied Date Signed: ' I �/Z� EXHIBIT A: Chapter 2.126 WHATCOM COUNTY CLIMATE IMPACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Sections: 2.126.010 Established. 2.126.020 Purpose. 2.126.030 Function. 2.126.040 Membership - Term of office. 2.126.050 Organization - Meetings. 2.126.060 Committee staffing. 2.126.010 Established. There is hereby established the Whatcom County climate impact advisory committee. (Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A). 2.126.020 Purpose. The Whatcom County climate impact advisory committee provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County council and executive on issues related to the preparation and adaptation for, and the prevention and mitigation of, impacts of climate change. (Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A). 2.126.030 Function. To advise the county council and the executive, support the County's climate action efforts, and work with county staff for related activities as follows: A. With data analyses from various departments or outside agencies, evaluate and report on Whatcom County's compliance with meeting targets for greenhouse gas reduction set forth in the County's current Climate Action Plan, and set targets, evaluate and report on the 100 percent renewable energy goal established in Ordinance 2017-080; and B. Periodically recommend to the county council new or revised targets that meet or exceed state and federal greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy goals; and C. Update the Climate Action Plan, at a minimum every five years, or as needed to meet targets; and D. Make recommendations to the Whatcom County council about policies and budget priorities that will support a stable and just transition for workers and businesses, wherever possible encouraging and supporting a predictable shift towards clean energy and low carbon alternatives within the same or similar industry; and E. Review available science, and recommend to the county council the adoption of appropriate guidelines for anticipated future sea level rise, risk of flood, fires, drought and other impacts of climate change to be used in community planning and capital facilities development; and F. Recommend updates to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan in accordance with meeting Whatcom County's goals to mitigate climate change, and prevent, adapt to, and prepare for climate change impacts; and G. Recommend updates to Whatcom County land use policies and development regulations to support Whatcom County's goals to prevent, adapt to, and prepare for climate change impacts; and H. Serve as a conduit for public education, information exchange, and engagement in support of Whatcom County's climate change mitigation and impact prevention, adaptation, and preparation goals; and I. Make recommendations relevant to Whatcom County's climate change mitigation and impact prevention, adaptation and preparation goals to the Whatcom County council and Whatcom County executive regarding state and federal policy priorities. (Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A). 2.126.040 Membership — Term of office. A. The committee shall consist of 11 voting members. A minimum of seven of the members will have previous work or educational experience in subjects including: climate change; renewable energy development; energy conservation; climate impacts on health, farming, fisheries and food security; land use planning; tribal environmental policy and flood mitigation and planning. Elected officials and staff from the cities within the county are eligible and encouraged to participate as members. A County councilmember shall serve on the committee as a non -voting member. A quorum shall consist of at least half of the appointed voting members. B. The county council shall appoint the committee members and consult with the county staff and various offices -to identify the expertise required to address current climate mitigation and adaptation needs. Member terms will be three years from the year of appointment. Members of the committee shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A). 2.126.050 Organization — Meetings. Meetings of the committee shall be open and accessible to the public and shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. At every meeting, the committee will schedule an open session to take public comment on issues associated with the committee. Written records of meetings, resolutions, research, findings and recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public. The committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of business. The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who shall preside at its meetings. The committee shall determine its meeting schedule and agenda, but shall meet at least quarterly. The committee may form and appoint ad hoc committees to work on specific issues, so long as at least two committee members are also members of each ad hoc committee. (Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A). 2.126.060 Committee staffing. The committee is encouraged to operate and hold its meetings as independent of county staffing and resources as possible. Staffing and other resources for the committee shall be requested through the county executive's office. The committee is authorized to request information from administrative departments as necessary, through the county executive's office. (Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A).