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Whatcom County Council

WHA-CON-2018-12-04 December 04, 2018 Whatcom County Council Regular Whatcom County
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The Whatcom County Council held its final meeting of 2018, addressing significant policy issues including immigration protection, water association regulations, and fee schedule increases. The most contentious discussions centered around a drinking water code amendment related to water associations and a resolution supporting health protection for immigrant families. Council approved an amended letter to the Department of Homeland Security opposing federal changes that would restrict public health benefits based on immigration status, passing 6-1 with Councilmember Byrd opposed. The long-debated drinking water ordinance was ultimately tabled for expedited comprehensive plan review after months of delays and legal concerns about proper procedure. Council also approved controversial fee increases for 2019 despite concerns about lack of detailed justification, and authorized significant funding for economic development initiatives. The meeting featured extensive public testimony from labor union members supporting Cherry Point industrial operations and citizens advocating for water association reforms.

**Resolution 2018-050 - Health Protection for Immigrant Families:** Passed 6-1 (Byrd opposed). Formally opposes federal public charge rule changes that would restrict benefits to immigrants and their families. Council also approved 6-1 an amended letter to federal agencies opposing the rule changes. **WCC 24.11 Drinking Water Code Amendment:** Motion to table passed 5-2 (Brenner and Byrd opposed). After extensive debate about comprehensive plan compliance, Council chose to table the ordinance and direct staff to begin expedited docketing for comprehensive plan amendment process. **2019 Unified Fee Schedule:** Adopted 5-2 (Brenner and Byrd…

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**Immigration and Public Health:** The resolution sparked significant debate about federal immigration policy's intersection with public health. Health Director Regina Dillahunt explained how proposed federal "public charge" rules would discourage legal immigrants and citizens from accessing health services, creating community health risks. Councilmember Byrd opposed the measure, arguing it provides benefits to individuals here illegally while U.S. citizens lack healthcare access. Supporters emphasized the public health necessity of ensuring all community members can access immunizations and communicable disease treatment regardless of immigration status. **Water Association Regulation:** The drinking water code amendment aimed to address monopolistic practices by water associations, particularly cases where a…
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**Labor Union Members (Local 292):** Michael Gallegos, Michael Roach, Judy Wilson, Hannah, and Trevor Smith spoke supporting Cherry Point industrial operations, emphasizing the need for family-wage jobs and expressing confusion about Council's perceived anti-oil industry stance. They urged cooperation with Cherry Point companies for economic transition planning. **Water Association Reform Advocates:** Antone Caruso, Sandy Lawrence, Michelle Palmer, and Abigail Sands testified about problems with Deer Creek Water Association, describing forced easements, unreasonable fees, and being required to pay for services they don't receive. Roger Hobbs provided technical analysis supporting the code amendment. **Climate a…
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**Council Chair Rud Browne, on water association delays:** "This has been at this for six months now and I've been here to talk to you... we went down this chasing the rabbit hole of walk and all this anyways that's water under the bridge we can't bring it back." **Councilmember Tyler Byrd, on immigration resolution:** "If someone has is here illegally we're gonna get them support and that support is probably gonna come through some sort of taxpayer dollars... we have a lot of US citizens tha…
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**January 15, 2019:** Next regular Council meeting (no January 8 meeting due to quorum concerns). Staff will return with resolution to docket drinking water code amendment for expedited comprehensive plan review process. **Early 2019:** Fee schedule review promised for specific areas of concern including incarcerat…

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**Immigration Policy Response:** Whatcom County formally opposes federal changes to public charge rules affecting immigrant access to health benefits, with official letter sent to federal agencies. **Glacier Water District:** Approved comprehensive water system plan after months of delay, removing 90-day extension. **2019 Fees:** Various county fees increased effective 2019, including development, health, and administrative fees despite some opposition.…
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# A Full Council at Year's End: Whatcom County Council's December 4, 2018 Meeting The winter chill that had settled over northwest Washington seemed to follow residents into the Whatcom County Council chambers on Tuesday evening, December 4, 2018, as the seven-member council convened for their final regular meeting of the year. Council Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., with all members present: Barbara Brenner, Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Carol Frazey, and Satpal Sidhu. The agenda would span from routine budget amendments to contentious debates over water rights, economic development funding, and immigration policy. The meeting began with approval of a letter to the Lummi Indian Business Council supporting an inter-governmental agreement for the Birch Bay Drive pedestrian facility project — a reminder of the complex relationships between county government and tribal sovereignty that shape regional planning decisions. ## The Cherry Point Debate: Jobs Versus Environment The evening's most emotionally charged moments came during public comment, as members of Laborers Local 292 filled the chambers to speak about Cherry Point industrial facilities. The union members, still wearing work clothes from their shifts at refineries, brought an urgency to their testimony that reflected growing anxiety about the council's proposed comprehensive plan amendments affecting industrial zoning. Michael Gallegos, speaking for Local 292's 1,400 members, addressed the council directly: "We voted for some of you people so listen to us. Earlier today you had a special committee meeting and it seemed as if the council was confused as to why people thought you were against or anti-oil. You need to express your support for the oil industry." The frustration was palpable as one speaker after another from the building trades emphasized the same theme: uncertai…
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### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council met on December 4, 2018 for their regular meeting, with committee sessions during the day and an evening council meeting. The council addressed a contentious water association ordinance, approved an economic development contract despite concerns about performance metrics, and passed a resolution supporting immigrant health services amid heated debate about federal immigration policies. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Water Association:** A quasi-governmental entity that provides water service to properties within a designated area. These associations can require property owners to connect to their system and pay fees, even if the property owner already has a functioning well. **Committee of the Whole:** A format where all council members meet informally to discuss issues without taking formal votes. This allows for more flexible discussion before items come to the full council. **Comprehensive Plan Amendment:** A formal process required to change the county's long-range planning document. Some code changes trigger this requirement, which involves public hearings and Planning Commission review. **Public Charge Rule:** A federal immigration policy that considers whether immigrants have used too many public benefits when determining eligibility for green cards or citizenship. **Executive Session:** A closed meeting where the council discusses confidential matters like real estate negotiations, personnel issues, or pending litigation. **Consent Agenda:** A group of routine items that the council can approve together without individual discussion, unless a member requests to pull an item for separate consideration. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Satpal Sidhu | County Executive | | Rud Browne | Council Chair | | Barbara Brenner | Council Member | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member | | Todd Donovan | Council Member | | Carol Frazey | Council Member | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member | | Tyler Schroeder | Deputy County Executive | | Regina Dillahunt | Public Health Director | | Karen Frakes | County Prosecutor | | Antone Caruso | Property owner with water association dispute | ### Background Context The meeting occurred during a period o…
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Social Services Utilities Government Operations Cherry Point City Of Bellingham Deer Creek Water Association Laborers Local 292 Planning Commission Port Of Bellingham Public Health Advisory Board Whatcom County Health Department Antone Caruso Barbara Brenner Barry Buchanan Carol Frazey Joy Gilfillan Karen Frakes Michael Gallegos Regina Dillahunt Rud Browne Satpal Sidhu Todd Donovan Trevor Smith Tyler Byrd Tyler Schroeder Budget Finance Cherry Point Climate Change Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Fee Schedule Government Operations Immigration Policy Incarceration Prevention Labor Unions Public Health Water Resources