Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) Regular Meeting of the Board Members Tuesday August 8, 2017 MINUTES In Attendance: Joel Lantz, Chairperson (representing Point Roberts Voters Association) Jeff Christopher (representing the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association) David Gellatly (representing Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce) Keith Glading (at large) Linda Hughes (at large) Guests: Pat Harper Sonya Liu Steve Wolff Bennett Blaustein Jane Donaldson John Dickinson Rhys Kesselman Dave Lee Nima Soleimany Margo Getsinger Matt Bath Louise Klaponki Judson Meraw Elena Bath Edwin Klaponki Jeff Hegedus John Wolpers Pat Grubb The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman Joel Lantz. MOTION: Keith Glading moved to adopt the Minutes of July 11 th regular meeting, as presented. Jeff Christopher seconded the motion. Pass 5-0 MOTION: Keith Glading moved to adopt the Minutes of July 15 th special meeting, as presented. Jeff Christopher seconded the motion. Pass 5-0 Chairman Lantz announced that this meeting is being recorded, and he thanked Bennett Blaustein for attending the meeting and handling all of the technical equipment for that purpose. The plan is to post meeting videos on YouTube in the future to encourage those who are unable to attend the meetings to view the videos, become informed, and engage the PRCAC on issues. Chairman Lantz announced on behalf of the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association to announce the Annual General Meeting of the Taxpayers Association that Congresswoman Suzan del Bene would be in Point Roberts for an Open House style meeting on Saturday August 12 th at 3:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Old Business Chairman Lantz re-introduced Jeff Hegedus and John Wolpers from Whatcom County Health Department, who are here to provide an update on the Solid Waste Initiative and discuss potential steps forward.
Jeff Hegedus provided an overview of the work that has been undertaken on this initiative since May 2016 when it began. The most recent step was the request from the PRCAC that Mr. Hegedus make inquiries with the County Treasurer regarding the potential use of property tax funds to fund a mandatory curbside trash collection program. Mr. Hegedus reminded the crowd that the community of Point Roberts has been demonstrating willingness and interest in trash solutions, including mandatory collection, since at least 2001, when certain articles began being published on this topic in the local All Point Bulletin newspaper. Mr. Hegedus reviewed a variety of potential scenarios he discussed with the County Treasurer, looking for options to propose to the community of Point Roberts. Ultimately a property tax scenario is not possible but a fee-based program that is collected through property taxation is possible, similar to the fee paid for on-site sewage on annual tax statements. Discussion ensued identifying the steps that would be taken to implement such a fee based program, noting that County Council would be presented with the amendment to the ordinance for their vote. The matter would not go to a public vote, but public input is always welcome at the County Council meetings. Discussion ensued about how a system like the fee-based program suggested would work, basically all property owners would pay for and receive basic service, whether they used it or not. Each property owner could then add services that they would contract directly with the local service provider, i.e.,extra cans or a return cans to the top of a driveway service. There was some discussion of anticipated push-back from property owners who do not use such a service, but recognized that not all property owners use their water allotment but still have to pay the basic rate. A utility is a utility and when the entire community participates there are more resources to draw from, potentially lowering costs and increasing services for everyone. More discussion ensued about logistics, illegal dumping, and extra services. Jeff Christopher asked Mr. Hegedus how long it might take to implement such a mandatory collection program being discussed. Mr. Hegedus reiterated his conversation with the County Treasurer, indicating that every November fee properties need to be identified, so it is too close for it to happen this year, but potentially could be implemented in 2018, saying there is still a lot of work to do. David Gellatly reminded us that once a model is established, it will have to be presented to the UTC for tariff allocations. Each service has a separate tariff, ie curbside collection, driveway can service, etc. Mr. Hegedus was asked by Jeff Christopher if a critical path could be identified and Joel Lantz asked whether Jeff Hegedus would be willing to be the Project Manager of all these moving
parts to keep moving forward toward implementation toward mandatory curbside collection. Mr. Hegedus said that his job is basically critical path analysis and he could and would act at the Project Manager, saying the next step would be to have a conversation with the local service provider and create a feasibility plan. MOTION: Jeff Christoper moved to formally request that Mr. Hegedus act as Project Manager and begin developing a critical path analysis. Joel Lantz seconded the motion. Pass 4-0 David Gellatly abstained. Chairman Lantz asked Pat Grubb if he would be able to assist by publishing a story to help get the word out. Jeff Christopher added that it is important to let people know that this is not fait de complete, it is simply an analysis of a potential program. Chairman Lantz opened the next topic of discussion on WCC 20.72 and Point Roberts Special District text amendments by recapping the discussions held at the July 15 th special meeting, reminding everyone that the Minutes of that meeting were adopted at this meeting and are available online at PointRobertsCAC.org. Joel recapped his conversation with the county about zoning changes, and he provided a written summary of his discussion with Gary Davis, Planner at WCPDS, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes. David Gellatly provided copies of a draft email that he intended to send to County Executive Jack Louws and the Port of Bellingham regarding an updated Economic Development Plan for Point Roberts, which had not yet been sent. All indicated willingness to seek help finding funding for a new Economic Development Plan and also to look at the 2001 Subarea Plan, which contain cumbersome restrictions and unfair zoning. MOTION: Jeff Christopher moved to approve the sending of David Gellatly s email to the County Executive and to the Port of Bellingham requesting assistance and action on the development of a new Economic Development Plan. Keith Glading seconded the motion. Pass 5-0. Keith Glading wondered if the new RV business on Gulf Road is struggling due to the restrictions of 20.72, because he noticed the building was once again up for sale. The owner of the building, Joan Dickerson, recalled the difficulties she has had over the years with running a business on her property, especially when the County would impose changes that affected her business without any notification or ability to participate in the process. There was a discussion amongst everyone in the room about attracting new businesses to Point Roberts. Joel Lantz mentioned that there has recently surfaced renewed discussion of the potential disposition and next steps for expenditure of the Transportation Benefit District funds. He recently had a discussion with Joe Rutan, County Engineer / Assistant Director at Whatcom
County Public Works and a summary of that discussion was presented and is attached to these Minutes. It was agreed by the Board to invite Joe Rutan to the PRCAC regular meeting in October. Keith Glading reminded Joel that he was going to contact County Executive Jack Louws with a request for a small budget of petty cash to help cover some of the expenses of this board that are currently being entirely borne by Joel personally, and some other potential expenses, such as paying for a member to attend a Roberts Rules of Order course, photocopying, website and domain name costs, etc. Joel Lantz didn t want to make that call so Linda Hughes offered to make the request on behalf of the Committee. Jeff Christopher initiated a discussion about PRCAC members attending other local groups and associations meetings to expand the level of communication this committee has with the community. New Business: Jeff Christopher has prepared a draft proposed PRCAC By-Law Articles for everyone to take home and review for discussion at our next regular meeting. It was agreed to add correspondence to the Agenda, now that PRCAC has an email address to receive communications from the public, outside the venue of these regular meetings. Open Session: Discussion was held about possibly changing the time that PRCAC meetings commence to potentially attract a larger audience. It was decided to keep the meeting commencement time the same for now. There was some discussion about the lack of bids for the local library construction project, and the Chamber of Commerce initiating a business improvement movement. David Gellatly thanked the members of PRCAC for their time and dedication to the many topics and projects that come before us for consideration and action. There being no further business to conduct at this time, the meeting was adjourned.
8/8/17 PRCAC TBD funds update per conversation with Joe Rutan County Engineer/Assistant Director @ Whatcom County Public Works (WCPW) Current TBD balance: $945K + change 2016 addition to funds: $65K Keep in mind TBD is not just an account but it is also a Special District The Special District Officers in this case are Whatcom County Council Expenditure process: o This is basically the same process we did this year for the CP/WCC 20.72 merge o The recommending bodies, which are PRCAC (on behalf of the community) AND WCPW agree on proposed expenditure of some/all funds for specific proposed project(s). o WCPW staff creates an agenda bill (think WCPDS staff report). o The bill if presented/reviewed at a Public Works Committee Meeting (day department internal meeting). o Bill is then introduced at a regular bi-monthly Council meeting. o Two weeks later, at next bi-monthly Council meeting, there is a public hearing and Council may vote on the expenditure recommendation that night. o If Council approves (majority vote of 7 Council members) then it moves forward and County Executive signs it into law within 10 days. Joe Rutan and his team are more than happy to come to our next PRCAC meeting to discuss process further, answer questions, and present data on best bang-for-buck on various types of projects. Should we put them on the agenda for September or perhaps October PRCAC meeting? Should we try one-more-time to change TBD ordinance verbiage?
8/8/17 PRCAC Process to change zoning per conversation with Gary Davis Planner @ WCPDS Same process as we did this year for the CP/WCC 20.72 merge o PRCAC on behalf of the community brings a re-zoning recommendation to Whatcom County Planning & Development Services (WCPDS) o WCPDS prepares a staff report/recommendation o WCPDS presents the staff report/recommendation to Whatcom County Planning Commission in regularly scheduled open public meeting o If the Planning Commission approves the recommendation (majority vote) then it moves forward o WCPDS staff introduces the recommendation at a Council day meeting o WCPDS staff presents the recommendation at a regularly scheduled Council meeting with a public hearing o Council votes yes or no (majority vote) on the recommendation @ same Council meeting o If voted yes Executive signs into law within 10 days Per Gary, if the specific zoning changes requests come from PRCAC, on behalf of the community, then the county make take it on at no cost/fees, as was done for CP/WCC 20.72 merge. This would not have to be aligned with the once-a-year Comprehensive Plan timeline. Per Gary, all of Point Roberts is designated Rural Community and consequently all zones fall under that. So the process could be done at any point Considerations: o Let s be sure we clearly determine what the real purpose of this is. o What are we trying to accomplish and is this the best way to do it? o Need to consider RC & STC property owner rights & wishes. o The permitted, administrative, and conditional uses for RC & STC o What zoning designation would we change RC & STC to?