HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Jun 7 2022Whatcom County
Council Committee of the Whole
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
3:25 PM
Hybrid Meeting
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COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Carol Frazey
Kaylee Galloway
Kathy Kershner
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final June 7, 2022
Call To Order
Roll Call
Council Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 3:48 p.m. in a
hybrid meeting.
Present: 7 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
Absent: None
Announcements
Special Presentation
1. 'AB2022-2292 Presentation from Human Services Division regarding Homeless Housing Programs
The following people presented:
• Ann Beck, Health Department
• Chris D'Onofrio, Health Department
• Ashley Geleynse, Health Department
• Amanda Burnett, Health Department (did not speak)
They answered a question about the timeline and goals for each of the
Request for Proposals (RFPs) going out this summer, whether they have a
sense of what communities of people are off of their radar (as mentioned in
the presentation), and whether they have any resources or programs that
support people that are aging and maybe losing their housing.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Committee Discussion
1. A B2022-311 Discussion relating to draft Interlocal Agreements with the cities of Bellingham,
Everson, Lynden, Nooksack, and Sumas concerning planning, annexation and
development within urban growth areas
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, presented
and answered whether they can proceed without having the interlocals from
Ferndale and Blaine, whether the ten-year time period for reimbursement
for projects is still a factor, why Ferndale and Blaine have not agreed yet,
and who is proposing the changes for Ferndale.
Councilmembers concurred that they did not have concerns on the
interlocals presented today.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final June 7, 2022
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
2. AB2022-318 Discussion of a draft ordinance granting Cascade Natural Gas Corporation a
franchise for the transportation of natural gas in Whatcom County
Christopher Quinn, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, briefed the
Councilmembers and stated they are here to update the Council on the
status of the franchise agreement with Cascade Natural Gas (CNG).
Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, and Quinn answered questions
about the original term of the agreement, whether this agreement is talking
about CNG being able to maintain their gas lines in the County right of way,
what the Climate Impact Advisory Committee's thought process was behind
shortening the term to seven years or whether they even weighed in on that,
whether a longer term agreement would benefit the County, whether CNG is
OK with the term, whether the franchise fee is a new fee, and whether there
are any projects that CNG is now going to abandon because the seven year
term is not long enough.
Buchanan stated he is happy with what the County has been able to negotiate
and the work the Climate Impact Advisory Committee has done.
The speakers answered when they will come back to Council with an
Ordinance for introduction, whether Federal or State agencies would
require the majority of the language in the Ordinance even if we did not
include it, whether anyone took issue with the insurance and bond
requirements, whether it would be better for the County to lock CNG into a
longer contract since they are a known entity and a good provider, and
whether the County would have the opportunity to go back to the table and
amend the franchise agreement to reflect the most up-to-date policies in
the event that State or Federal regulatory policies change.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:43 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on June 21, 2022.
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Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final June 7, 2022
ATTEST:
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