HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Mar 21 2023Whatcom County
Council
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Minutes - Final
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
6PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON AT 311 GRAND AVENUE SUITE
101, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT
www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010), AGENDA
REVISED 3.16.2023
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Carol l±razey
Kaylee Galloway
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Minutes - Final March 21, 2023
COUNTY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in a
hybrid meeting.
ROLL CALL
Present: 7 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
FLAG SALUTE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
There was no report.
MINUTES CONSENT
Byrd moved to accept the minutes consent items. The motion was seconded
by Frazey (see votes on individual items below).
1. M►N2023-022 Committee of the Whole Executive Session for March 7, 2023
Byrd moved and Frazey seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED
BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
2. MIN2023-023 Committee of the Whole for March 7, 2023
Byrd moved and Frazey seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED
BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
3. MIN2023-024 Regular County Council for March 7, 2023
Byrd moved and Frazey seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED
BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
4. MIN2023-026 Water Work Session for March 14, 2023
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Byrd moved and Frazey seconded that the Minutes Consent be APPROVED
BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. AB2022-641 Ordinance adopting the Buildable Lands Report
Matt Aamot, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the
Councilmembers.
Buchanan opened the Public Hearing and the following people spoke:
• Perry Eskridge
• Darcy Jones
Hearing no one else, Buchanan closed the Public Hearing.
Byrd moved and Galloway seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a Public
Hearing be ADOPTED.
Kershner stated she is happy to be supporting this and thanked the Planning
and Development Committee, Buchanan thanked Councilmember Elenbaas
for his work in the Planning Committee, and Elenbaas thanked
Councilmembers for their collaboration.
Byrd's motion that the Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing be ADOPTED
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2023-010
2. AB20233-127 Resolution adopting the Healthy Children's Fund Implementation Plan
Buchanan stated a hearing was held at the last meeting and kept open. They
will allow people who spoke on this item during the public hearing at the
last meeting to speak again if they wish since there were some changes to
the Resolution.
Buchanan opened the Public Hearing and the following people spoke:
Emily O'Connor
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• Cliff Langley
• Name not stated
• Natalie Chavez
• John Marshall
• Lindy (last name not stated)
• Hannah (last name not stated)
• Christina Jackson
• Name not stated
Hearing no one else, Buchanan closed the Public Hearing.
Frazey moved and Galloway seconded that the SUBSTITUTE Resolution
Requiring a Public Hearing be APPROVED.
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated there is a revised version
after committee.
Elenbaas moved to amend the implementation plan to include $1 million
per year worth of funding toward the food bank. The motion was seconded
by Kershner.
Elenbaas gave his reasons for the motion and Councilmembers discussed
the motion and whether it falls within the scope of the Healthy Children's
Fund.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Elenbaas and Kershner
Nay: 5 - Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, Buchanan, and Byrd
Kershner moved to amend page 12 of the plan to add the following
language:
Whatcom County Government will apply equity values, practices,
and commitments to all aspects of the Healthy Children's Fund,
including data collection, identification of service priorities,
contracting, program and service implementation, engagement,
communication, and evaluation. No individual or provider receiving_
or offerinservices shall be re wired to be vaccinated for
COVID-19 to participate Additionally,...
The motion was seconded by Elenbaas.
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Galloway asked whether there is going to be a vaccine requirement or if this
would be duplicative.
Kershner stated because there are some organizations that still have vaccine
mandates outside of County government, and this would be County -funded
services, she would like to make this statement in the plan so that
organizations that are participating would know that they cannot require a
mandate on their customers and/or employees whether they are receiving or
offering services from County funds.
Donovan asked whether it applies to specific or all vaccines and Kershner
stated it would be for COVID-19 specifically.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, and Byrd,
Nay: 0
Abstain: 1 - Donovan
Frazey moved and Galloway seconded that the Resolution Requiring a Public
Hearing be SUBSTITUTE APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried
by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Enactment No: RES 2023-007
3. AB2023-158 Ordinance declaring public necessity for and the authorization to acquire certain
property rights by eminent domain for the E. Smith Road and Hannegan Road
Intersection Improvements Project
Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, stated he is available for
questions.
Buchanan opened the Public Hearing and, hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Kershner moved and Byrd seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a Public
Hearing be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Elenbaas
Enactment No: ORD 2023-011
4. AB2023-172 Ordinance adopting amendments to Whatcom County Code Chapter 16.50,
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER) Program
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Cliff Strong, Planning and Development Services Department, briefed the
Councilmembers.
Buchanan opened the Public Hearing and, hearing no one, closed the Public
Hearing.
Galloway moved and Donovan seconded that the Ordinance Requiring a
Public Hearing be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
OPEN SESSION
Enactment No: ORD 2023-012
The following people spoke:
• Dan Gentry
• Paul Burrill
• Lyle Sorenson
• Cliff Langley
• Daniel (last name not audible)
• (first name not audible) Price Jr.
• Natalie Chavez
• Hannah (last name not stated)
Hearing no one else, Buchanan closed the Open Session.
CONSENT AGENDA
(From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved to approve Consent Agenda items one through three and five
through eight (item four to be voted on separately).
Elenbaas requested they consider Consent Agenda item number six
separately.
Councilmembers voted on items one through three, five, seven, and eight
(see votes on individual items below).
1. AB2023-177 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and S. S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc. to make
refinements and modifications to the Whatcom County Groundwater Model, in the
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amount of $210,640 for a total contract amount of $496,656 (Council acting as the
Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
2. AB2023-196 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Heston Hauling LLC to provide towing, removal and disposal
services for abandoned vehicles that have been declared as junk on the county right of
way in the amount of $32,000
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
3. AB2023-198 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Ecology to the
2021-2023 Biennial Stormwater Capacity Grant in the amount of $25,000.00 for a
total amended contract amount of $75,000.00
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
4. AB2023---206 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County, the City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham for
increased cost of joint consultation and government affairs services in the amount of
$48,000 per year
This item was considered separately (see below after the Consent Agenda).
5. AB2023-208 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine in support of the Wellfield Pump
Station Infrastructure Project in the amount of a $375,000 grant and a $125,000 loan
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
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and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
6. AB2023-209 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Pyramid Communications for public communications
for the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force in the amount of
$138,850, for a total amended amount of $227,650.
This item was considered separately (see below after the Consent Agenda).
7. AB2023-210 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine for the G Street Sewer
improvement project in the amount of a $1,875,000 grant and a $625,000 loan
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
8. AB2023-211 5 Request authorization for County Executive to enter into a contract with PFM
Financial Advisors, LLC for financial advisor services in the amount of $39,000
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED BY CONSENT. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDERED SEPARATELY
4. AB2023-206 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County, the City of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham for
increased cost of joint consultation and government affairs services in the amount of
$48,000 per year
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED.
Frazey stated she would like the County to put a Request for Proposal
(RFP) out again and just see what is out there.
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Kershner spoke more about the discussion that took place in Committee.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, answered whether the County will be
considering an RFP next year or in ten years. He stated the discussion in
Committee was that we will be having the lobbyist come and give a report in
April and the Administration can make this a one-year contract.
Galloway stated a year from now we will be in the middle of the legislative
session again so if they were going to consider an RFP for someone to start
in 2024, then we should be putting the RFP out in a few months. She
requested that they schedule a discussion on session strategy at the first
meeting in May so they can start thinking about 2024 and what their
timeline is. She wants to make sure the scope of work is looked at and
updated if necessary.
Frazey asked whether the Executive would be talking to the City and the
Port and stated for the past ten years the Council was supposed to have
updates. She wants to make sure, if we are going to keep the same contract,
that everyone is following it. She would like to recommend we do an RFP.
Sidhu stated when he was on the Council there were two presentations by
the lobbyists to the Council. There was not much activity during the
COVID-19 pandemic but we were satisfied with their performance. When
they come to Council in April we will bring a list of all the things we have
been able to do over the last few years and where we have been successful.
But there are two other bodies involved and they have to consider this too.
He requested they give them some time. There will be plenty of time to put
an RFP out so that they can assign somebody by December before the
January session.
Frazey stated Council has only seen this contract because the cost went
above the $40,000 threshold and she wonders if the City Council or Port
Commissioners have seen it. She can't see where they have presented to the
Council for the last 10 years and they were supposed to.
Buchanan stated he brought this up about nine years ago to the County
Executive at that time. When he was on the Bellingham City Council they
had meetings about it and there was a real consolidated set of priorities that
came out of those meeting from the City.
Kershner asked what the County's share of the amended costs are, and
whether the $48,000 is just a replacement of the previous cost and not an
additional amount. She stated before we find someone new, let's get this
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presentation in April to see what they have been doing for us and we can go
from there.
Kershner's motion that the Interlocal be AUTHORIZED carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 4 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Nay: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey
Abstain: 1 - Galloway
6. AB2023-209 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Pyramid Communications for public communications
for the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force in the amount of
$138,850, for a total amended amount of $227,650.
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED.
Elenbaas asked whether some of these things could be done by County staff
or by volunteers.
Buchanan answered what the message is that this group is putting out, and
whether they are working for the Stakeholder Advisory Committee or just
the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force.
Byrd stated this is a very important skill set that they contract out but the
rates they are charging are on the pricey side. He stated it would be worth
them reaching out and looking at some other sources as well and also
looking at whether we are getting paid media buys at cost.
Kershner asked whether they could have this group come to a Committee
meeting in a couple weeks to give an overview of what they are doing and
what messages they are putting out. She asked if the contract could wait for
a couple weeks.
Frazey asked if this was time sensitive and Buchanan stated the contract
expires March 31 st.
Galloway spoke about maybe taking the paid media buys off of the vendor's
obligations and doing it in-house to bring the total cost down.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, answered whether the contract could be
extended for two weeks and stated this is important work.
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Councilmembers and Sidhu discussed that the Council will not have a
meeting for three weeks (as opposed to two) because of spring break,
finding out whether the vendor is resourced past the end of the contract so
they could keep working, and whether there is a better way to do this.
Kershner's motion that the Contract be AUTHORIZED carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 5 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway
Nay: 2 - Elenbaas, and Kershner
OTHER ITEMS
(From Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee)
1. AB2023-1149 Ordinance amending the project budget for the Academy Road Stormwater
Improvements Project Fund, request no. 3
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2023-013
2. AB2023-155 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code 2.128, Business and Commerce
Advisory Committee, to revise membership
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Substitute Ordinance be ADOPTED.
Kershner moved to change the amended version to read, "two of the largest
for -profit employers in Whatcom County." The motion was seconded by
Elenbaas.
Councilmembers discussed the motion, that there is more conversation to
be had on this, whether the employers should be for- or non-profit, whether
this item should be held, what the Business and Commerce Advisory
Committee suggested as far as adding positions, the fact that employers
value good school districts when they are recruiting, whether someone
from the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee could come and
present to the Council on April 1 lth.
Buchanan moved to hold to April 1 lth, 2023. The motion was seconded by
Donovan.
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Kershner withdrew her motion.
Galloway suggested a friendly amendment to make it April 25th and
Buchanan accepted. She stated she is interested in having the committee's
feedback on what it would look like to add both a K-12 and an early
learning/child care non -voting representative.
Donovan stated he would hope the Council would have a discussion, before
hearing from the Business and Commerce Advisory Committee, who it is
they want to be hearing from on this and what the goals of the Council are.
Councilmembers discussed having that discussion on April 1 lth, that the
Business and Commerce Advisory Committee only asked for two positions,
and an encouragement to review the establishing Ordinance which outlines
the purpose and functions of the committee.
Buchanan's motion that the Ordinance be HELD (AND REFERRED TO
COMMITTEE) carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Motion approved to hold until April 25 with a work session on April 11.
3. A.B2023-1185 Ordinance amending the 2023 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 4, in the amount
of $7,015,999
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED.
Elenbaas stated in order to vote yes on items like this he needs to approve
of every single thing in there. He much prefers to vote on them separately.
Kershner's motion that the Ordinance be ADOPTED carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2023-014
4. AB2023-186 Ordinance amending the project based budget for the Courthouse Improvement
Fund, request no. 4
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
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and moved that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Temp Absent: 1 - Byrd
Enactment No: ORD 2023-015
5. AB2023-189 Request for motion to approve the Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) Plan
2023-2025 Update
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Request for Motion be APPROVED.
Councilmembers discussed whether they have to create this fund because of
finding that is now available from the State, and whether it is incentivizing
shorter sentences than should possibly be there by monetizing it.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, explained how this is part of the process
for getting the County's grant.
Kershner's motion that the Request for Motion be APPROVED carried by
the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
6. AB2023-195 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to support operations at the
permanent supportive housing facility 22 North in the amount of $25,000 for a total
amended contract amount of $268,950
Kershner reported for the Finance and Administrative Services Committee
and moved that the Contract be AUTHORIZED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Byrd
(From Council Public Works and Health Committee)
7. A132023-145 Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2022-058 to change the due date of the Child
and Family Well -Being Task Force Phase III report
Kershner reported for the Public Works and Health Committee and moved
that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
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Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2023-016
8. AB2023-166 Ordinance establishing a compost procurement policy
Kershner reported for the Public Works and Health Committee and moved
that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Enactment No: ORD 2023-017
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
1. AB2023-182 Appointment to fill a vacancy on the Child and Family Well -Being Task Force,
Applicant(s): Samantha Cruz -Mendoza
Byrd moved and Frazey seconded that the Council Appointment Requiring
Introduction be APPOINTED by acclamation.
Elenbaas asked whether the applicant was in attendance but no one
responded.
Byrd's motion that the Council Appointment Requiring Introduction be
APPOINTED carried by the following vote:
Aye:
7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay:
0
2. AB20233188
Appointment to vacancies on the Wildlife Advisory Committee, applicant(s): Erin
Deinzer, Cris Gonzalez, and Anne Johnson
Kershner moved and Galloway seconded that all three applicants be
APPOINTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye:
7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay:
0
3. AB2023-190
Appointment to fill vacancies on the Sumas/Everson/Nooksack Flood Subzone
Advisory Committee, Applicant(s): Robert Bromley (Council acting as the Flood
Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Kershner moved and Frazey seconded that the Council Appointment be
APPOINTED.
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Elenbaas spoke about the applicants.
Kershner's motion that the Council Appointment be APPOINTED carried by
the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
4. AB2023-194 Appointment of (1) councilmember to the Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism
board and discussion on adding this board to the annual council re -organization.
Kershner moved to nominate Galloway. The motion was seconded by
Frazey.
Councilmembers discussed the motion and whether they should appoint
someone else other than Galloway.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Elenbaas
Buchanan moved to add this board to the annual Council re -organization.
The motion was seconded by Kershner.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, and
Buchanan
Nay: 0
This agenda item was APPOINTED.
Appointed Galloway 6-1 with Elenbaas opposed and voted 7-0 to add this board to the annual Council
re -organization.
CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
1. A132023-201 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of Adrienne Renz to the
Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee
Donovan moved and Kershner seconded that the Executive Appointment be
CONFIRMED.
Elenbaas asked whether this was the only applicant.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated there were two and this applicant was
recommended by the Housing Advisory Committee because of her
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background and knowledge.
Donovan's motion that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED carried
by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
2. AB20233-207 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of Richard Joss to the
Whatcom County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Byrd moved and Frazey seconded that the Executive Appointment be
CONFIRMED.
Elenbaas asked whether there was only one applicant.
Byrd's motion that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED carried by
the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
3. AB2023-213 Request confirmation of the County Executive's appointment of Vanessa Bronsema to
the Whatcom County Salary Commission
Fraley moved and Galloway seconded that the Executive Appointment be
CONFIRMED.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, answered whether this is the commission
that decides Councilmembers' salaries and stated it is.
Elenbaas stated he would recuse himself.
Sidhu described the specifications for who the Executive appoints and the
process he followed, and answered questions.
Frazey's motion that the Executive Appointment be CONFIRMED carried by
the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Abstain: 1 - Elenbaas
ITEMS ADDED BY REVISION
There were no agenda items added by revision, but Introduction item
number 5 was withdrawn by the originator via an agenda revision.
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INTRODUCTION ITEMS
Buchanan stated Introduction item number five was withdrawn.
Byrd moved to introduce items one through four. The motion was seconded
by Galloway.
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated that Introduction item
number four was a substitute. Clerk's note: Introduction item number one
was also a substitute.
Councilmembers voted on items one through four (see votes on individual
items below).
Councilmembers discussed whether amendments on a substitute version
needed to be voted on separately but they do not.
1. AB2023--200 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Section 1.14 Election Precinct
Boundaries
Byrd moved and Galloway seconded that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance
Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
2. AB2023-204 Ordinance amending the Whatcom County Budget, request no. 5, in the amount of
$631,850
Byrd moved and Galloway seconded that the Ordinance be INTRODUCED.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
3. A B202,3--205 Ordinance amending the project based budget for the Lake Whatcom Park Trail
Development Fund, request no. 2
Byrd moved and Galloway seconded that the Ordinance be INTRODUCED.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
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Council Minutes - Final March 21, 2023
Nay: 0
4. AB2023.174 Ordinance adopting various minor amendments to Whatcom County Code Title 20,
Zoning; Title 21, Land Division Regulations, and; Title 22, Land Use and
Development
Byrd moved and Galloway seconded that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance
Requiring a Public Hearing be INTRODUCED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
5. AB2023-199 Ordinance to Repeal Ordinance 2023-004
This agenda item was WITHDRAWN.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, OTHER ITEMS, AND COUNCILMEMBER UPDATES
Councilmembers gave committee reports and other updates.
Galloway moved to recommend the SWISS (Skagit, Whatcom, Island,
Snohomish, and San Juan Counties) Regional Partnership slate of Janet St.
Clair from Island County for Chair and Ron Wesen from Skagit County as
vice chair. The motion was seconded by Buchanan.
Councilmembers discussed the motion with Satpal Sidhu, County
Executive.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Abstain: I - Elenbaas
Councilmembers continued updates.
Sidhu reported on the closure of the Alcoa Intalco aluminum smelter.
ACTION SUMMARY: Motion approved 6-0-1, with Elenbaas abstaining, to recommend the SWISS (Skagit,
Whatcom, Island, Snohomish, and San Juan Counties) Regional Partnership slate of Janet St. Clair from Island
County for Chair and Ron Wesen from Skagit County as vice chair of SWISS.
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The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on April 11, 2023.
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