GA Advocate
Oct 21, 2011, Issue

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• UPCOMING MEETINGS 
• CITY/COUNTY ON GROWTH MANAGEMENT 
• BELLINGHAM "PERFORMANCE MEASURES PROJECT” 
• BIRCH BAY AD HOC COMMITTEE 
• L&I RATE INCREASE – HEARING  
• BUILT GREEN® ORIENTATION for EVERYBODY 

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Monday, Oct. 24, regular meeting 7 p.m.

Planning & Community Development, 1:45-2:45 PM
AB19352 and 3: Amendments to the 2011 Action Plan allocating federal funds from HUD for low and moderate-income citizens of Bellingham
AB19204: Update on discussions regarding future development of former "DOT” property in the Sunnyland Neighborhood.

WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
Finance Committee (11 a.m.) and evening consent agenda includes:
• A contract between Whatcom County and Berk & Associates to provide consultant services to implement incentive development tasks from the Agricultural Strategic Plan and facilitate the Ruckelshaus decision-making process (AB2011-279A)
Planning and Development Committee (3 p.m.):
• Review of draft interlocal agreements between Whatcom County and the cities of Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack and Sumas relating to planning, annexation and development within urban growth areas (AB2011-340)
Evening agenda also includes
• Resolution clarifying the intent of Whatcom County Ordinance 2010-067 on permit extensions. (AB2011-317)
• Introduction of 2 ordinances approving development agreements for approximately 552 acres in the Smith Road/Guide Meridian area (Caitac) from R10A to R5A (AB2011-345), and 9 acres in the Smith Road/Guide Meridian area (Caitac) from R10A to TC, and amending the Comprehensive Plan land use designation from rural to rural tourism (AB2011-346).

No County Council meeting is planned on Nov. 8, election day.
A regular meeting and committee meetings will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9, instead.

Next GAC meeting:  11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27
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CITY/COUNTY ON GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Bellingham City Council report from an Executive Session on Oct. 10:
LITIGATION: City of Bellingham v. Whatcom County re URMX Growth Board Appeal:
Staff provided information on the City’s appeal to the Growth Board. LILLIQUIST / BORNEMANN moved to authorize settlement of the City’s appeal under the following terms: (1) Whatcom County reduces the size of allowed nonresidential uses in the URMX zone from 5,000 sq. ft. back down to 2,500 sq. ft., and (2) Whatcom County and the City follow an expedited process for entering into a new interlocal agreement on planning, annexation, and development within the City’s Urban Growth Area.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0 with KNUTSON abstaining (due to his absence at the Executive Session.)
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BELLINGHAM "PERFORMANCE MEASURES PROJECT”
On Monday, October 31, 2011, noon to 2 p.m., in the Mayor’s Boardroom there will be a City Council work session to discuss the City’s Performance Measures Project, click here,
http://www.cob.org/features/council-goals.aspx
which was developed in 2009 to increase alignment between department and program budgets and work plans, employee work plans and performance reviews, and long-range strategic goals:
• Clean, Safe Drinking Water
• Healthy Environment
• Vibrant Sustainable Economy
• Sense of Place
• Safe and Prepared Community
• Mobility and Connectivity Options
• Access to Quality of Life Amenities
• Quality, Responsive City Services
• Equity and Social Justice
For additional information, please contact Marty Mulholland at 778-8050 or by email at MMulholland@cob.org. This meeting is open to the public. You may send comments in writing to the Council Office, 210 Lottie Street.
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WHATCOM COUNTY – BIRCH BAY AD HOC COMMITTEE
October 25, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Civic Building, Garden level conference room.
Peter Gill is asking for feedback on "a fresh approach to low impact development and critical area protection in the Birch Bay Watershed.”
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L&I RATE INCREASE – HEARING
Wednesday, 1 p.m. Oct. 26,  Bellingham Public Library
Rates are scheduled to increase an average of 2.5% in 2012, the lowest increase in five years. That is an average, however.  For the building and construction trades, the 2012 increase would be 6%.  For more on the program, see the Washington State L&I webpage.
http://www.lni.wa.gov/News/2011/110920proposedrates.asp
Mail or e-mail written comments to Douglas Stewart, stdu235@Lni.wa.gov, Employer Services Program Manager, P.O. Box 44140, Olympia, WA 98504-4140 before 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2011. Faxes may be sent to 360-902-4729.
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BUILT GREEN® ORIENTATION for EVERYBODY
3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at BIAWC
Ted Clifton, Built Green® state president and a LaConner building professional, is bringing a two-hour presentation on Built Green® to us, free of charge, on Oct. 26.  Anyone in the building trades is welcome to attend.  There’s a move afoot to make Built Green® the basis for a Washington state green building standard.  If you want to know what the program involves and offers, how this relates to what you’re already doing, and whether Built Green® offers ideas you might want to use – this is the man to ask. His talk includes marketing information and practical advice on the Built Green® certification process.  Please RSVP to Linda Twitchell at lindat@biawc.com so we can get a head count.
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