HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Sep 12 2023Whatcom County
Council Public Works & Health Committee
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Committee Minutes Final
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
11:55 AM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 1 P.M., MAY BEGIN EARLY
(PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT
www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Carol Frazey
Kaylee Galloway
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 12, 2023
Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m.
in a hybrid meeting.
Present: 3 - Carol Frazey, Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, and Ben Elenbaas
Announcements
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. A 202"-558 Resolution in the matter of considering vacating a portion of Camp 2 Road
Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, briefed the Councilmembers
and answered whether the potential vacation would be vacating the end of
another road, what this resolution does as just a consideration of a vacation,
and whether we expect a big outpour from the community.
Galloway moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye:
3 - Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay:
0
2. M12023- 59
Resolution in the matter of considering vacating a portion of County Road and an
unnamed alley within the Amended Plat of South Wickersham
Andrew Hester, Public Works Department, briefed the Councilmembers.
Galloway moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye:
3 - Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay:
0
Committee Discussion
1. A 20'21-50 Discussion of an ordinance establishing Paul Davis honorary signs on Lummi Island
The following people briefed the Councilmembers:
• Roland Middleton, Public Works Department
• Mary Ross, Lummi Island Community Association President
Frazey requested that, as we move forward, we look at everyone in our
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Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 12, 2023
Committee
community, and that signs and plaques are not just given to one
demographic.
Middleton stated he hopes Frazey volunteers to name the new boat.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated that what Frazey said has been on his
,mind and that they have a draft ordinance to form a committee to name
buildings, conference rooms, and other places such as parks. They will bring
something forward at the beginning of the year.
The related ordinance for item (AB2023-571) is on the agenda for
introduction tonight. Galloway had made a motion but a motion was not
needed.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED.
2. AB2023 -419 Discussion of an ordinance to amend WCC 2.145, Lummi Island Ferry Advisory
Committee
Donovan briefed the Councilmembers and stated he would like to discuss
the proposed language in Exhibit A regarding non -island members. He
would like to know whether the Council would like to have non -island
members just from unincorporated areas or whether they should also
include people who live in cities. He stated there is also language in the
ordinance about a representative from Lummi Nation and we have not
consulted with the Lummi Nation on whether they want to be represented or
not. He is wondering if that could be defined differently.
Councilmembers discussed Donovan's question about the off -island
membership.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, requested that the ordinance bring more
clarity to the current members and on whether they will serve out their
terms. He spoke about the mention about providing assistance from Public
Works and stated he is OK with doing that for a period of time, but if we do
it for this one, we have to keep in mind the rest of the boards and
commissions and that could be a substantial cost.
Donovan spoke about the question of unincorporated versus incorporated
and stated he would support the idea of broadening it to off -island residents
and not just ones in the unincorporated areas.
Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department Director, spoke about getting
input from the advisory committee on operations.
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Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 12, 2023
Committee
Kershner stated she would like to see language in the ordinance about
reimbursement of ferry fares for attending meetings and Donovan and Kosa
stated it already exists.
Kershner stated they could put an end date for support provided by Public
Works and we may need to hire someone to do this.
Galloway spoke about changes she would like the Councilmembers to
consider, including the name of the advisory committee and the location of
the meetings, and Kosa spoke about the location.
Galloway moved to amend to add a line to read, "There will be good faith
effort to host meetings both on and off -island."
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Galloway moved to change the name of the committee to Whatcom County
Ferry Advisory Committee.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Kosa answered whether there will be expense for the Committee
documentation needed to change the name of the committee.
Galloway stated she would like to provide some security to the members
who are currently on the advisory committee and would like to make sure
those members get to roll over. She also would like to change the language
that says, "A public comment session will be scheduled at all regular
meetings at which final action is taken" so that public comment can be at
every scheduled regular meeting.
Galloway moved to amend line 33 of page four of Exhibit A to strike "at
which final action is taken."
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered a question about State
law about public comment at special Council meetings, and stated Galloway
was talking about regular meetings.
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Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 12, 2023
Committee
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Kershner, Frazey, and Galloway
Nay: 0
Clerk's note: Kershner had to leave the meeting at 12:51 p.m.
Galloway stated they still need direction on the membership composition
and the questions that Donovan proposed.
Frazey stated (regarding whether to allow current members to roll over) she
would like to start over with membership and give everyone the chance to
apply or reapply.
Councilmembers discussed Frazey's comment and how that would work
with the ordinance, and also how current members might fit into Council's
decision on whether or not to include off -island people from cities or just
unincorporated areas.
Galloway moved to amend Whatcom County Code 2.145.040 (A) regarding
Membership and Term of office and combine it with the proposed idea in
Subsection B so that it reads, "A. The committee shall consist of nine voting
members. Five members will be residents or property owners on Lummi
Island. Four members will not reside or own property on Lummi Island.. and
reforence will b_givq _tqA1._,umrnJ Nati q iyp - %% .tative_and
uninc(1rporq_gd Whatccom County residents �hgp�ssible. w-W-m4&-1n-
un o�ate Wh on,- ty.
Councilmembers discussed the motion and whether they should engage the
Tribe first, and Galloway withdrew her motion.
Galloway moved to recommend continued discussion at the full Council
meeting tonight.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Frazey and Galloway
Nay: 0
Out of the Meeting: 1 - Kershner
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, clarified that this item does not
require a public hearing.
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.
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Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 12, 2023
Committee
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adiournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 1:04 p.m.
'S1�i i�lugyt,
ATTEST^°`°�
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL,
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Kathy Kershner-via email 9/20/2023
Dana Brdv v Tq-��g6' nbil CIO& Kathy Kershner, Committee Chair
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Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
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