HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Sep 26 2023COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes ® Final
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
3:25 PM
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 4:30 P.M., MAY BEGIN EARLY
(PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT
www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, •' CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Ben Elenbaas
Carol Frazey
Kaylee Galloway
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final September 26, 2023
Call To Order
Council Chair Barry Buchanan called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in a
hybrid meeting.
Present: 7 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, Carol Frazey,
Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
Announcements
Committee Discussion
1. AB2023,-582 Discussion of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocation
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Strategic Initiatives Special Programs Manager,
briefed the Councilmembers on the most up to date spending plan and the
Executive's recommendations for additional budget proposals in the staff
memo (on file).
Buchanan stated he and Galloway are bringing forward a request for funds
for Pacific Northwest Plateful.
Steve Swan, Pacific Northwest Plateful, presented on their organization.
Galloway moved to fund Pacific Northwest Plateful for $115,000 out of
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the Food Security section. The
motion was seconded by Buchanan.
Councilmembers discussed the motion with Bresler and Tyler Schroeder,
Executive's Office. They discussed whether they should hear other requests
first before voting on this, whether this would be putting the request on the
list for future consideration or to actually approving to fund it, whether
there is enough to fund multiple requests, the fact that the spending chart
does not acknowledge any lapse from existing allocations, and whether this
request should be considered with the biennium adjustment for ongoing
funding and what effect that would have.
Schroeder stated if the Council moves forward with one-time ARPA
funding, the Administration could work with the food banks to understand
how to get a contract developed and a framework for potentially contracting
into the future. Council could fund this request through ARPA for next year
and then talk about structurally supporting the food bank and non -profits
like this moving forward in the mid -biennium or the next biennium.
Wkatcom County page 1
Council Committee of the whole Committee Minutes - Final September 26, 2023
They discussed that the food banks are buying directly from farmers which
is a win -win, and that they might look at the Community Development
Block Grants to see if there is opportunity for funding the connection
between the agriculture community and the food banks.
Councilmembers discussed the process for the additional community
requests listed in the memo and the motion.
Galloway's motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and
Kershner
Nay: 0
Schott-Bresler answered when the Request for Proposal (RFP) would be
going out for some sort of capital request for shelters and what the plan is
for capital versus operating funding for Justice Project -related things.
Kershner stated there is not any ARPA funding that is dedicated to our
senior population.
Kershner moved to add $350,000 for the Christian Health Care Center for
an emergency Information Technology and communication infrastructure
update to the funding list. The motion was seconded by Elenbaas.
Councilmembers discussed the motion, whether details of the request are
attached to the memo, how many people the requested funds would help,
and whether they should hold the motion so that the organization can come
to present to the Council.
Galloway moved to hold this motion until the organization is able to come
to present. The motion was seconded by Donovan.
Councilmembers discussed the motion and in which committee a
presentation should be scheduled. Buchanan suggested they keep the
presentation in the Committee of the Whole.
Galloway's motion to hold carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, and Buchanan
Nay: I - Elenbaas
Approximate Timestamp: 30:22
Councilmembers, Schott-Bresler, Schroeder, and Satpal Sidhu, County
Executive, discussed a letter of request about residential electrification, all
Wbatcom County Page 2
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final September 26, 2023
of the requests under the Climate Action header (in the memo), whether
ARPA funding will be used toward the Lummi Island Ferry and why it is not
mentioned in the memo, and not losing ARPA funds if they go into the
General Fund.
Elenbaas moved to include Mt. Baker School District's request for
$150,000 in ARPA funding. The motion was seconded by Kershner.
Councilmembers discussed the motion, looking again at the Council's letter
to the Department of Natural Resources regarding management of State
public lands and the pause of the Brokedown Palace sale, whether the
funding to the school district can go toward something specific, whether it
could be a loan, and not setting a precedence for supporting every
beneficiary in every timber sale the State decides to pause.
Galloway moved to hold this until they can have a representative of Mt.
Baker School District come to Council and present on their proposal. The
motion was seconded by Frazey.
Councilmembers discussed the motion to hold Elenbaas' motion.
Galloway's motion to hold carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4 - Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Buchanan
Nay: 3 - Elenbaas, Kershner, and Byrd
Elenbaas moved to fund the East Whatcom Regional Center for $150,000
to upgrade the kitchen to commercial standards. The motion was seconded
by Kershner.
Schott-Bresler answered a question about who submitted this request, and
she stated that it is one of the Administration's recommendations for ARPA
funding.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, Byrd, and
Donovan
Nay: 0
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTIONS) APPROVED.
Whateont County Page 3
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final September 26, 2023
Motion approved to fund Pacific Northwest Plateful for $115,000 out of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in
the Food Security section.
Motion approved to hold the motion to add $350,000 for Christian Health Care Center for an emergency Information
Technology and communication situation to the funding list.
Motion approved to hold the motion to include Mt. Baker School District's request for $150,000 in ARPA funding
until the Mt. Baker School District can come to present on their proposal.
Motion approved to fund the East Whatcom Regional Center for $150,000 to upgrade the kitchen to commercial
standards.
2. AB2023-479 Discussion of an ordinance to amend WCC 2.145, Lummi Island Ferry Advisory
Committee
Donovan stated the draft ordinance was amended as discussed in the last
meeting (September 12, 2023). They have a placeholder in the last ("Be it
finally ordained") statement of the ordinance for how long a facilitator
might work with the group so they need to figure that out.
Councilmembers discussed the time period for the facilitator.
Donovan moved to amend to have a date certain of six months in the
Ordinance where it says,
" BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that
the County Executive and Public Works Department will coordinate
to hire or contract for a facilitator for the Lummi Island Ferry
Advisory Committee until it
Donovan amended his motion to amend the last statement in the ordinance
so that it reads:
" BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that
the County Executive and Public Works Department will coordinate
to hire or contract for a facilitator for
C e-unto-- six months.
The motion was seconded by Elenbaas.
Councilmembers and Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, discussed the motion
91tatcon: County Page 4
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final September 26, 2023
and whether there should be a sunset date for the facilitator.
Donovan withdrew his motion and moved to strike Lummi Island Ferry
Advisory in the "Be it Finally Ordained" statement so that it reads: "... hire
or contract for a facilitator for the committee."
The motion was seconded by Kershner.
Councilmembers discussed that the group may then have a facilitator
forever. Kershner suggested they just strike the whole last statement and let
the Administration come to the Council with a proposal for a facilitator.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated the Administration will make a note
and will make a proviso for a facilitator in the mid -biennium budget. Then it
would not be in the ordinance.
Donovan withdrew his motion.
Kershner moved to strike the last `Be it Finally Ordained" clause. The
motion was seconded by Byrd.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Frazey, Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan., Byrd, Donovan, and
E1cnBaas
Nay: 0
Kershner moved to amend Whatcom County Code 2.145.030 (D) in
Exhibit A to change the first instance of the word "will" to "may" so that it
reads:
D. The county council and the county executive ° qjU consider
the committee's recommendations and advice when making
ferry -related decisions. The county council and/or county executive
will make the final decisions on all ferry -related matters.
The motion was seconded by Frazey.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 7 - Galloway, Kershner, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, and
Frazey
Nay: 0
Clerk's note: Time for the meeting ran out so the remaining agenda items
WHatcom County Page 5
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final September 26, 2023
were not discussed.
F 1 1;... r
Motion approved to strike the last Be it Finally Ordained clause in the ordinance.
Motion approved to change the first instance of the word "will" to "may in Whatcom County Code 2.145.030 (D) so
that it reads:
"The county council and the county executive MAY consider the committee's recommendations and advice when
making ferry -related decisions."
3. 132023_-583 Discussion of a resolution supporting the use of Economic Development Investment
(EDI) funds for affordable housing
This agenda item was NOT ACTED UPON.
4. AB2023-569 Discussion of councilmember proposed mid -biennium modifications to the
2023-2024 Whatcom County Budget (modifications approved by council will be
submitted to the Administration per budget instructions)
This agenda item was NOT ACTED UPON.
1. AB2023--636 Discussion and approval of a letter to Senator Cantwell, Senator Murray, and Rep.
Larson regarding the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
1
Adiourntnent
This agenda item was NOT ACTED UPON.
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m.
The County Council approved these minutes on October 10, 2023.
Whatcom County Page 6
Council Committee of the Whole Committee Minutes - Final September 26, 2023
')ddn d
ATTEST;,"
"v ` ' ���''
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Dana 9r"n-Da,6i ,-, gtinc1I Clerk Bar chanan, Council Chair
ylj�- Ut�, Wtn@
Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
Whatcom County page 7