HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Oct 24 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, October 24, 2023
1:30 PM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 2:30 P.M. (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 October 24, 2023
Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Kathy Kershner called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m.
in a hybrid meeting.
Present: 3 - Carol Frazey, Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, and Ben Elenbaas
Announcements
Special Presentation
1. AB2023-568 Presentation from the Community and Organizational Development Division of
Whatcom County Health and Community Services
Lynnette Bennett, Health and Community Services Department, read from a
presentation (on file) and answered whether this division was enacted by
code or resolution or whether it was decided on internally.
Galloway referred to the Charter language on creating departments but
Buchanan stated this is a division.
Kershner stated a year ago or so there was a concept about what the
division's work would be looking like and now we get to see some of the
details and all the puzzle pieces start to fit together.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated this has been an ongoing effort for
almost two years.
This agenda item was PRESENTED.
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2023-675 Resolution adopting Equipment Rental and Revolving (ER&R) Management Policy as
required by the County Road Administration Board
Galloway moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL.
Brett Piepel, Public Works Department, stated he was available for
questions.
Galloway amended her motion and moved that the SUBSTITUTE
Resolution be recommended for approval and she described the changes in
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Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final October 24, 2023
Committee
the substitute version.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, commended Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works
Department Director, and Piepel and stated more revisions and reforms are
coming.
Piepel answered what his title is and stated it is Assistant Superintendent of
Equipment Services.
Kershner stated we did not have an internal resolution and the CRAB policy
in place before, so Public Works put it in place and Galloway added an
amendment. She asked if that is what they are considering today and Piepel
stated it is.
Elenbaas stated he would love to see this type of internal policy all over,
like in Planning and Development Services.
Galloway's motion that the SUBSTITUTE Resolution be RECOMMENDED
FOR APPROVAL carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
2. AB2023-699 Resolution supporting the Lummi Indian Business Council's (LIBC) state of
emergency declaration in response to the fentanyl crisis
Galloway moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL.
Councilmembers stated they appreciate Elenbaas putting this forward.
Elenbaas briefed the Councilmembers and stated he is not advocating that
the Council do anything that is not in compliance with current State law in
light of questions that the County's Prosecuting Attorney's Office has had
with the bold actions the Lummi Indian Business Council (LIBC) is taking
as outlined in the resolution. He wants to make sure this is written in such a
way to say the Council wants to support and partner as much as they can
within the bounds of the law. The steps they are taking are bold steps, but
the crisis in front of all of us is dire enough that it is warranted.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated he and several other representatives
from the County discussed the issue with members of the LIBC, and one
legal question was whether they have the ability to put stops which are
prohibited by State law. The other was whether the Sheriff s Office could
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Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final October 24, 2023
Committee
stand side by side with their police during these stops. It was decided the
Sheriff's Office is not able to perform that function with them, but the
County will provide them support. The County representatives encouraged
the LIBC to have a member of their police force join the county's drug task
force.
Elenbaas stated he understands the concerns, but part of his purpose with
this resolution is that we can come together as a group, even if there are
barriers, if we need to be advocating for change or flexibility. He
understands the Prosecutor's concerns but he believes we should help them
as much as we can.
Galloway's motion that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 -
Nay: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adiournment
Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 1:59 p.m.
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°Dana Brown- Vi's Couricil°'Clerk
Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Kathy Kershner-via email 11/8/2023
Kathy Kershner, Committee Chair
mhatcom County Page 3