Monday, February 9, 2015 -- The Third Meeting of the Charter Review Commission

The third meeting of the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission was held on Monday, February 9, 2015.

The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:30 pm by commission chairman, Ben Elenbaas.

After the flag salute and roll call, the floor was opened to public comments. We will publish the text of the public testimony when it becomes available.

• Dorothy Booth (Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting invitation)
• Stoney Bird (proposal for proportional representation amendment)
• Karl Uppiano (supporting equitable representation by district amendment)
• Bob Burr (encouraging non-partisanship and democracy)
• Gene Goldsmith (opposing diversity amendment to the preamble; proposal for term limits amendment)
• Roger Brown (proposal for amendment narrowing the pay differential between council members and the executive)
• Larry Kellerman (sp?) (supporting district-only voting amendment)
• Carole Perry (proposal for amendment requiring the general fund to be used for essential government services, not charity or non-profit benefits)
• Delaine Clizbe (proposal for amendment requiring stricter residency requirements for political candidates)
• Debbie Adelstein (follow-up information from her presentation last time)

The commission wrapped up deliberation on meeting locations, although they may revisit this again as needed. There were some conflicts with meeting location availability in Sudden Valley, so the clerk was instructed to see if some alternative locations are available. 

A considerable amount of discussion was devoted to determining how to balance the seemingly conflicting objectives of collecting citizen input and having sufficient time to debate charter amendments. A proposal to hold off debate on all charter amendments until near the end of the meeting series (in June) was rejected on a 2/3 roll call vote, required because such a rule change would restrict the commission's options. Finally, a compromise measure that would allow amendments to be debated as they are received, with a rule change that allows any commissioner to move to reconsider any amendment after a vote (usually only allowed for members of the prevailing vote) passed unanimously on a 2/3 roll call vote.

Thereafter, a number of amendments were read into the record, moved and seconded for consideration as old business in the upcoming meetings. 

Here is the audio from the full meeting:

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40 pm.