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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Sep 23 2025Whatcom 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 23, 2025 9:55 AM Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers HYBRID MEETING - MAY BEGIN EARLY - ADJOURNS BY 10:10 A.M. (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010) COUNCILMEMBERS Ben Elenbaas Jon Scanlon Mark Stremler CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 Committee Call To Order Roll Call Committee Chair Jon Scanlon called the meeting to order at 9:55 a.m. in a hybrid meeting. Present: 3 - Jon Scanlon, Mark Stremler, and Ben Elenbaas Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, and Kaylee Galloway Announcements Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council 1. AB2025-640 Resolution relating to the 2025 Whatcom County Coordinated Water System Plan Update Sue Sullivan, Health and Community Services, briefed the councilmembers and stated this is the last phase in the process of updating the Coordinated Water System Plan before sending it to the State Department of Health for their approval (if the resolution is approved by Council). Scanlon pointed councilmembers to page 231 of the final report which has all the comments on the plan and how they were included (or not) in the update. Donovan spoke about an email exchange between Councilmember Scanlon and the Planning Department about how this update links to what they have been talking about with the Comprehensive Plan in regard to urban growth area (UGA) expansions in areas that do not have a water service plan, and he asked Councilmember Scanlon whether his questions or concerns were satisfied with the response they got. He asked how this plan relates to the potential that jurisdictions have for expanding their UGAs and whether it is all working properly. Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, referred to the "Coordinated Water System Plan Questions and Answers" (on file), and stated she thought they had satisfied the questions in that and in a discussion with Planning and Development Services. If there are additional questions for PDS they can respond to those and consult with Health Department staff. Scanlon stated this report shows, in some water associations, how many additional hookups can occur within those areas, and he thinks it would be helpful for Council to consider that as they are discussing individual city Whalcom County Page I Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 Committee plans and the UGA plans. Elenbaas spoke about condition 2 under the NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED section of the proposed resolution which states: 2) A City's designation of a water service area that extends outside of an Urban Growth Area shall not be utilized as justification for later expanding the Urban Growth Area. He stated he would like it to read something more along the lines of "shall not be utilized solely..." Galloway stated she had a substitute resolution that amends that clause and has additional whereas statements as well, and that the amendments might get to some of the interests that Councilmember Donovan expressed around aligning this with the GMA and Comprehensive Plan. She reviewed her substitute version with the councilmembers. Elenbaas moved to consider recommending Galloway's substitute resolution ("Substitute Resolution (Galloway)"). Councilmembers discussed the motion. Elenbaas's motion that the SUBSTITUTE Resolution (Galloway) be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Scanlon, Stremler, and Elenbaas Nay: 0 Items Added by Revision Other Business Adjournment There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. "a[com County Page 2 Council Public Works & Health Committee Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 Committee ATTEST, `.>>t0 UNjY ° - 1 Catby Hilk u i CIP& •° '�� ' gSHiNG•° ✓� •000 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Jon Scanlon -via email 9/30/2025 Jon Scanlon, Committee Chair Meeting Minutes prepared by Kristi Felbinger Whalcom County Page 3