GA Advocate
Sept. 14, 2011, Issue

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
• UPCOMING MEETINGS 
• IS EVERY PUDDLE OR DITCH A "CRITICAL AREA”? – two Sept. 15 seminars 
• POLITICAL DEBATES / GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BBQ MEETING – Sept. 21 
• ENDORSEMENTS 
• GMHB DECISION ON RURAL ZONING  
• BELLINGHAM ACTION PLANS 
• C&D RECYCLING 
• TITLE 17 FLOOD CODE REVISION  
• BIAWC ‘BUILDER’ BOARD POSITIONS 
• BIAWC FALL CLASSES 

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 26, 7 p.m.
Public hearings will include:
• Preliminary 2012 General Fund Revenue Budget including the property tax levy
• Update to the Sehome Neighborhood Plan.

WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Tuesday September 27, 7 p.m.
 
Next GAC meeting:  Thursday, Sept. 22
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IS EVERY PUDDLE OR DITCH A "CRITICAL AREA”?
Thursday, Sept. 15 – afternoon and evening wetlands seminars
Due to high interest following Whatcom CAPR’s May seminar on wetlands, CAPR and BIAWC are bringing hydro-geologist and engineering geologist Steve Neugebauer back to present two wetlands programs at BIAWC on Thursday, September 15.  A technical presentation for engineers, wetlands scientists and consultants is planned from 1-5 p.m.  Steve will talk to property owners and a lay audience from 7-9:30 p.m. about how the presence of a legitimate wetland is scientifically determined. Both sessions will be held at the BIAWC, 1650 Baker Creek Place, Bellingham. WA 98226. Admission is $40 per person for the technical presentation, and $20 per person for the general session, or $50 for both. There is a discount for those who attended CAPR’s earlier wetlands seminar on May 21. For more information and registration, contact Chet Dow at (360) 592-4345.
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POLITICAL DEBATES / GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BBQ
Wednesday, Sept. 21, dinner 5:30-6:30, debates 6:30-8 p.m.
Candidates from all local races are invited to attend, and candidates from three major races are scheduled for short debates: Whatcom County Executive, Doug Ericksen v Jack Louws; County Council District 1, Tony Larson v Pete Kremen; Bellingham Mayor, Kelli Linville v Dan Pike. Guests are welcome, but PLEASE RSVP by Tuesday, Sept. 20, to events@biawc.com so we can have enough food on hand. A BBQ burger dinner is available for $5.
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ENDORSEMENTS
Following our Sept. 21 debates (above), GAC will consider endorsement recommendations at its 11:30 a.m. meeting Thursday, Sept. 22.  These go to the Board, which will make decisions on endorsements.
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GMHB DECISION ON RURAL ZONING
Sept. 9, the Growth Management Hearings Board published its decision in the July 26 hearing on rural zoning. The Board found the County's retention of R-2A zoning in rural areas does not violate the GMA. This closes the rural density issue from the original 2005 appeal but the LAMIRD issue from that appeal remains open and has been combined with appeals of the 2011 rural element ordinance. The Board has revised its hearing schedule and the hearing is now scheduled for Nov. 21. The Board's orders on both of these issues are available on the county website.
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BELLINGHAM ACTION PLANS
Public review and comment is open on Action Plans to establish the needs, resources, priorities and proposed activities of the Bellingham Community Black Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program and other Department of Housing and Urban Development programs. To see the draft 2011 amended plan and the 2012 plan, click here. For more information, contact Dave Stalheim at dbstalheim@cob.org or 778-8300.
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C&D RECYLCING
The BIAWC is working with Bellingham building official Jim Tinner to revise a C&D Recycling proposal to make it easier for builders to use their own crews to deliver materials to be recycled.
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TITLE 17 FLOOD CODE REVISION
The County Council’s Natural Resources Committee agreed Sept. 13 to keep this in committee for another 3-4 weeks, and to ask Planning staff to review the Title 17 changes for compatibility with the CAO and SMP.  A BIAWC task force is sending a second letter detailing specific considerations of concern.
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BIAWC ‘BUILDER’ BOARD POSITIONS
The BIAWC Board of Directors is working to fill 5 builder board member positions for 2012.  If you are interested in participating or know someone who would be good for these spots, please send a nomination to Brian Evans at briane@biawc.com. GAC also is looking for a builder member who would be interested in serving as GAC chairman next year; please encourage people to consider this.
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BIAWC FALL CLASSES
• "WASHINGTON STATE ENERGY CODE UPDATE" class
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1 to 4:30 p.m. at BIAWC, 1650 Baker Creek Place
-- Registration required by Sept. 16
This year a new (2009) International Energy Code went into effect in Washington, introducing more stringent requirements for home building and remodeling. WSU will present tips of the trade on compliance with the new IECC. A blower door test demo is planned. Cost: $20 for BIAWC/Built Green members; $35 for general public. To register, contact Linda Twitchell, 671-4247 or lindat@biawc.com.
•  "Lien Law” and "Construction Contracts”
morning and afternoon sessions on Wednesday, Sept. 28
-- Registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 21
"Lien Law,” 8 a.m. to noon: Understand the circumstances in which you must give a preliminary lien notice to an owner and/or general contractor, and the rules on preparation and recording, setup, filing and foreclosing of a claim. The class is worth 4 real estate clock hours, 3 insurance CE hours.
"Construction Contracts,” 1 to 4:30 p.m.: Covers what to include or avoid in a contract with an owner or general contractor, clauses designed to resolve disputes and limit warranties. Worth 3.5 real estate clock hours, 3 insurance CE hours. For CGA/CGB/CGR credit – must attend both classes. 
Cost: Lien Law – BIAWC members $125; nonmembers, $200.
         Contracts – BIAWC members $150, nonmembers $200.
Register via the BIAW webpage: Lien Law, click here. 
Construction Contracts, click here.
• For other courses on tap this fall, see the BIAWC website.
"Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) Training”
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18-19
"CESCL Re-Certification”
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 20.
"Green Building for Building Professionals”
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27-28.
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