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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket Special Council Jan 31 2023Whatcom County Council (Special) COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Meeting Agenda Tuesday, January 31, 2023 1PM Council Conference Room/Hybrid Meeting HYBRID MEETING - ANNUAL COUNCIL RETREAT (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON AT 311 GRAND AVENUE SUITE 105, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR 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 (Special) Meeting Agenda January 31, 2023 Call To Order Roll Call Announcements Individuals who require special assistance to participate in the Council's meetings are asked to contact the Council Office at 360.778.5010 at least 96 hours in advance. Special Council Item 1. AB2023-102 Annual Council retreat to discuss 2023 priorities and projects and review general Council rules, policies, and procedures Items Added by Revision Other Business Adiournment Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 41712025 File ID: AB2023-102 File Created: 01/26/2023 Department: Council Office Assigned to: Council (Special) Agenda Date: 01/31/2023 Whatcom County Agenda Bill Master Report File Number: AB2023-102 Version: 1 Entered by: DBrown@comhatcomma.us File Type: Request for Motion Primary Contact Email: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM: COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 Status: Discussed Final Action: 01/31/2023 Enactment #: Annual Council retreat to discuss 2023 priorities and projects and review general Council rules, policies, and procedures SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: Council to meet for its annual retreat. Topics of discussion may include: • Quorum issues • Legislative priorities • Policy planning (identify policy priorities and projects to work on in 2023) • Council's WSAC representative: o Preferred method for WSAC representative to get information to Council o How to engage with shared lobbyist o Guidance - speaking on specific bills (whether on behalf of WSAC or consistent with legislative objectives or policies supported by Council) • Advisory committees/boards/taskforces o How can Council best engage with these groups o Are all groups still meeting, have enough members for a quorum, relevant to County's needs? o Does Council wish to schedule regular updates from each group? HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 41712025 Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2023-102) Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To: 01/31/2023 Council (Special) DISCUSSED Attachments: Galloway 2023 Policy Priorities, Council Boards and Commissions Summary, Council and Executive Boards and Commissions Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 4/7/2025 2023 Policy Priorities Kaylee Galloway BROADBAND 1. Update Interlocal Agreement between Port of Bellingham and Whatcom PUD to include Whatcom County staff representative in steering committee. Clarify roles, responsibilities, management structures, and communication. 2. Contract with PUD to draft Broadband Priority Map 3. Develop notification system to facilitate utility coordination 4. Require all new and renewed franchise agreements include a coordination of construction activities clause 5. Require installation of conduit at all new developments and certain road construction projects (consistent with Broadband Priorities Map). Transfer ownership of conduit to PUD at no cost for their operation, maintenance, and management. Include a moratorium on re - digging unless emergency or administrative approval. CLIMATE ACTION 1. Energy County Facilities • Improve LEED or develop net -zero standards for all new County buildings o energy efficiency, renewable energy, living building, smart metering o consider options for retrofitting existing buildings o Use of Cross -Laminated Timber and other low-carbon/carbon storage building materials • Prepare for and apply to state and federal funding opportunities for renewable energy and storage • Conduct an assessment on all county buildings for viability of deploying solar and estimated cost Renewable Energy Generation • Update wind energy code (draft currently in PDS, going to Planning Commission in Feb) • Community Solar program on County owned lands o Work with PUD, who is working on a study for expanding their residential service, and/or PSE 2. Transportation (See Resolution 2022-033) Electric Vehicles and Charaina Stations • Assessment of County fleet and proposal/timeline for transition to electric or alternative fuels • Installation of EV Charging Stations at key County facilities and parks o work with PUD and/or PSE o consider vehicle to grid opportunities • Code requiring Industrial, Commercial, and Multifamily residential development to require certain # or % parking spots as EV charging ready Alternative Transportation • Implement Regional Trails Plan building out from cities (Partnership between Parks/PW) • Enhance bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity • Update County Code to require transportation impact fees for new development to fund development of non -motorized trails • Support development and implementation of improved transit options 3. Land Use • 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update (See Resolution 2022-036) o Incorporate climate change, watershed management, and salmon recovery • Review/revise coastal and riverine floodplain development regulations and development of voluntary incentive programs, i.e. reduce development in the floodplain and other climate impact zones, development of Geohazard Reduction Program that removes development rights and imperiled residential structures from geohazard and climate impact zones • Consider update to Shoreline Management Plan after Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Project is completed 4. Water • Support Nooksack Adjudication and invest staff and funding in implementation of the Solutions Table process • Flood mitigation and adaptation • Implement water use efficiency standards for new development and promote voluntary water conservation programs • Water Bank or comparable market -based mechanism • Lake Whatcom water quality o Creation of a Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Committee o Reduce/remove development rights/pressure o Ensure forest management projects have a net positive impact 5. Salmon Recovery • Correct fish passage barriers o Ensure fish passage barriers/corrections included in all County road/bridge assessments o MOA with Tribes o Implement updated Salmon Recovery Plan (to be completed this year) • Work with non -profits such as Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association on habitat and riparian restoration projects • Support South Fork Nooksack River Integrated Floodplain Reconnection Project 6. Forestry • Forest Management Plans for Lake Whatcom Park, Canyon Lake Community Forest and Stewart Mountain ($100,000 secured in 2023 budget) • Evaluation of the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan o Expanded compliance monitoring o Expanded Interjurisdictional Committee membership o Science/data collection and analysis to determine impacts of forestry on water quality • Economic Assessment for maintaining viable forestry economy and timber industries and development of forestry industry revitalization effort/investment — better/more efficient equipment, mass timber, what other investments need to be made to accommodate climate resilient forest management • Monitor DNR Carbon Project and local harvests — increase communication/consultation with DNR and ask for more data • Enforce Timber Management Plans submitted by landowners for Open Space Timber Classification 7. Agriculture • Expand the Conservation Easement Program (funding secured for .25 FTE in 2023 and 1 FTE in 2024) — Conservation Futures • Review recommendations of 2019 Rural Land Study and review potential rezone of Rural Study Areas • Food Systems — work with Food System Committee • Work with Conservation Districts to recruit more CEP applications and promote climate resilient practices • Address remaining challenges with slaughter/packinghouse regulations — Ben? 8. Recreation • Evaluation of recreation impact on environment • Recreation management • Education and Outreach on responsible recreation • Tubing/recreation broadly in South Fork Nooksack (Stewart Mountain, South Fork Park, DNR lands will also have impacts) • Regional Trails Plan o Connectivity and new development 9. Environmental Health/Justice • Health Department climate vulnerability assessment(s) — floods, wildfires/smoke, heat 10. County Operations • Improve cross department coordination between PDS, PW, Health and Parks HOUSING Health and Human Services • Resolution recognizing housing/homelessness as a public health crisis • Expanding housing inspections/testing for health related concerns o Ex: mold, meth, solid waste, lead, asbestos • Institute stronger conditions of funding such as rental safety standards, rent increase limitations, or model lease • Expand complaint system • Continue to expand shelter capacity / capacity build for community partners Planning and Development • Economic analysis of affordability and availability of housing — post buildable lands and in conjunction with Comp plan update, evaluation of 2016 housing chapter o Socioeconomic study based on income levels, number of jobs, and housing stock current and projected that is affordable at those levels. • Evaluation of permitting requirements and timeline — streamline? Incentives? • Tiny House Registry — work with State and City of Bellingham • Explore code amendments allowing for and expediting ADUs in UGA and R5 • Improve rental conditions o Inspections - FTE/co-fund with City of Bellingham o Improve code enforcement and issuance of penalties for non-compliance • Short- and long-term rental registration or business license o Tax incentives? Other ideas • Explore County as landowner in community land trust model — Local Improvement district • Work with City of Bellingham (or other cities) on safe parking / shelter / tiny home villages Consider Whatcom County Business & Commerce Advisory Committee Housing Recommendations: The County should: 1. Reduce the complexity and the cost of compliance of code. 2. Prioritize density in existing city boundaries and urban growth areas while supporting limited annexations. 3. Provide incentives for permanently affordable home ownership and rentals for occupants whose incomes range from 50% to 150% of area median income. We request that you: Budget: 1. Add an FTE planner to focus on affordable housing in Whatcom County. 2. Adopt the Multifamily Tax Exemptions of 8, 12, and 20 years. 3. Use EDI funds as a long term, low interest loan to pay for onsite infrastructure for affordable housing. Land Use/Building permits: 1. Approve land use permits within 4 months, and building permits within 3 2. Adopt voluntary inclusionary zoning, with incentives for permanently affordable homeownership and rentals. 3. Adopt as a pilot program, an ordinance similar to Spokane C36232 to allow ADU, duplexes, and up to 4-plexes in all single-family zones within urban growth areas. 4. Allow building permits to be approved by 3rd party outside sources 5. Enact digital permitting for land use and building permits. 6. Allow single staircase in multifamily buildings 7. Extend all county land use permit timelines to a minimum of 5 years to align subdivisions, conditional use permits, stormwater permits, development agreements, and wetland permits. 8. Extend Critical Area Permits and Consultant reports with the Preliminary Plat or Land Use Permit. 9. Allow applicants to bond clearing, grading, and stormwater permits before Public Facilities Construction application approval. 10. Expedite permitting for permanently affordable housing (complete permit sets approved within 90 days). 11. Preserve existing mobile home parks. 12. Create a minimum 7-day notice for a Hearing Examiner date. 13. Increase the notice period for rent increases to 90 days. Planning Department Staff 1. Schedule informal monthly meetings between Planning director, staff, land use consultants, tenants, and for -profit and non-profit developers for feedback in both directions. 2. Require phone calls and emails to be returned within two business days. 3. Tighten coordination between Public Works and Planning to avoid conflicts and confusion. Comprehensive Plan/Consolidated Plan 1. Support the following annexations in the 2026 Comp Plan: South Caitac UGA Reserve, Yew St, and Alderwood. 2. Create a wetlands mitigation bank available to developers. 3. Expand the analysis of cost -burdened households by income, to 200% of MFI. 4. Target an average rental vacancy of 3-5% for all income levels, and available housing supply of 4-6 months for all income levels. INVENTORY OF COUNCIL -APPOINTED BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES: 2023 State Mandated Board of Equalization *An appeal body Acts on behalf of County Council. Not advisory to Council Board meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the year as needed to hear appeals Reporting Requirement: None Vacancies: None Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) Panel Advisory to County Council Meets Annually Reporting Requirement: Must submit an updated plan to County Council (historically, every two years) Vacancies: None * Law and Justice Council AND Incarrpratann PrPupnte n and Rpd--.corm T-,cL F„�,,, May advise County Council Meets Monthly Reporting Requirement: None Vacancies: None Noxious Weed Control Board *Inspection and Enforcement. Not advisory to County Council Meets every other month Reporting Requirement: Annual summary and as requested by County Council Vacancies: None Open Space Advisory Committee This committee does not have any members at this time. Advisory to Assessor flfleets-Gnee peFyeaF, in August e; ep`ew,b___ -r- Reporting Requirement: None Planning Commission Advisory to County Council Meets second and fourth Thursdays Reporting Requirement: None Vacancies: One Public Health Advisory Board Advisory to Health Board (County Council) and Health Dept. Director Meets every other month Reporting Requirement: None Vacancies: Three (appointments pending) Solid Waste Advisory Committee Advisory to County Council and Executive Meetings quarterly Reporting requirement: None Vacancies: One *Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committees: Not State mandated, but required per Closure Response Strategies Advisory to Shellfish Protection District Board of Supervisors (County Council) Reporting requirement: None Drayton Harbor: Vacancies: Three Portage Bay: Vacancies: Four Page 1 Updated 112612023 INVENTORY OF COUNCIL -APPOINTED BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES: 2023 Not State -Mandated Address and Road Name Citizens Appeal Committee *An appeal body On hiatus until further notice Not advisory to Council Note: This committee has been inactive because the Engineering Division has not been working on County road names and addresses. Therefore, Committee is suspended until further notice of the Engineering Division Business & Commerce Advisory Committee Advisory to County Council Meets Monthly Reporting Requirement: None Vacancies: None Child and Family Well -Being Task Force Advisory to County Council, Executive, and other officials Meets Monthly Reporting Requirement: 2x per year (March 30 and Sept. 30) Vacancies: None Climate Impact Advisory Committee Advisory to County Council and Executive Meets Monthly Reporting Requirement: Must update Climate Action Plan every 5 years at minimum Vacancies: None Forestry Advisory Committee Advisory to County Council Meets Monthly Reporting Requirement: None Vacancies: None Horticultural Pest and Disease Board *Inspection and Enforcement. Not Advisory to County Council Meets 4x per year Reporting Requirement: None Vacancies: One *Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force AND I aw and '„stir.° Ce-u ,. Advisory to County Council and County Administration Meets monthly Reporting requirement: 2 x / year (1 written). Vacancies: None Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee Advisory to County Council Meets Monthly Reporting requirement: None Vacancies: None Surface Mining Advisory Committee Advisory to County Council and PDS Meets as needed (generally during Comp Plan update process) Reporting requirement: None Vacancies: Two Wildlife Advisory Committee Advisory to County Council and Planning Department Meets monthly Reporting requirement: None Vacancies: Nine Page 2 Updated 112612023 INVENTORY OF COUNCIL -APPOINTED BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES: 2023 Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors (County Council) Not State -Mandated Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee Advisory to FCZD Board of Supervisors Meets monthly Reporting requirement: None Vacancies: None Flood Control Sub -Zone Districts (3) AND Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management Advisory Committee (BBWARM) Advisory to Board of Supervisors Meeting schedules vary. Generally, meetings are called as needed or quarterly Reporting requirement: None 2 Vacancies on the Acme/VanZandt Subzone 1 Vacancy on BBWARM No Vacancies on Lynden/Everson Subzone 4 Vacancies on Sumas/Everson/Nooksack Subzone Page 3 Updated 112612023 If you are applying for one of the following boards, committees, or commissions, please send this application to the Whatcom County Executive's Office: 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 108 Bellingham, Washington 98225 Phone: (360) 778-5200 Fax: (360) 778-5201 ■ Agricultural Advisory Committee ■ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Committee ■ Behavioral Health Advisory Committee ■ Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence • Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee • Boundary Review Board ■ Civil Service Commission ■ Conservation Easement Program Oversight Committee ■ County Appeals Board ■ Developmental Disabilities Board • Development Standards Technical Advisory Committee ■ Ethics Commission • Food System Committee ■ Housing Authority of Whatcom County ■ Housing Advisory Committee ■ Lodging Tax Advisory Committee ■ Marine Resource Committee ■ North Sound Behavioral Health Organization Advisory Board ■ Northwest Senior Services Board ■ Parks and Recreation Commission ■ Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee ■ Rural Library Board ■ Salary Commission ■ Veteran's Advisory Board If you are applying for one of the following boards, committees, or commissions, please send this application to the Whatcom County Council Office: 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 105 Bellingham, Washington 98225 Phone: (360) 778-5010 Fax: (360) 778-5011 • Acme/VanZandt Flood Control Sub -Zone Advisory Committee • Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management Committee ■ Board of Equalization ■ Business and Commerce Advisory Committee ■ Child & Family Well -Being Task Force ■ Climate Impact Advisory Committee ■ Criminal Justice Treatment Account (CJTA) Panel ■ Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee ■ Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee ■ Forestry Advisory Committee ■ Horticultural Pest and Disease Board ■ Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force/Law and Justice Council ■ Justice Project Stakeholder Advisory Committee ■ Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee • Lynden/Everson Flood Control Sub -Zone Advisory Committee ■ Noxious Weed Control Board ■ Open Space Advisory Committee ■ Planning Commission ■ Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee ■ Public Health Advisory Board ■ Solid Waste Advisory Committee ■ Sumas/Everson/Nooksack Flood Control Sub -Zone Advisory Committee ■ Surface Mining Advisory Committee ■ Wildlife Advisory Committee RCW 42.17A.005 (7) "Candidate" means any individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office. An individual seeks nomination or election when he or she first: (a) Receives contributions or makes expenditures or reserves space or facilities with intent to promote his or her candidacy for office; (b) Announces publicly or files for office; (c) Purchases commercial advertising space or broadcast time to promote his or her candidacy; or (d) Gives his or her consent to another person to take on behalf of the individual any of the actions in (a) or (c) of this subsection.