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.
Keith Willnauer (assessor) and Debbie Adelstein (auditor) addressed questions about what impact proposed Amendment 8, "Shall the Charter be amended to provide voter education concerning county officials' election titles by requiring ballots to refer to the Assessor as the "Property Assessor" and the Auditor as the "Auditor and Elections Officer"?", would have on the operations and cost of government. They both seemed to think the cost would be minimal, but both wondered why it is really necessary.
There was a large crowd present for this meeting, due to the the local progressive community sending out an "all hands on deck" call for their supporters to show up to pack the house with those that wish to retain the “at large” voting system in the charter now, in opposition to proposed Amendment 1, "Shall the Charter be amended to provide for election of council members within the council district from which the candidate was nominated?". The house was especially packed, because the local libertarian and conservative community caught wind of this, and brought in their own reinforcements. It is hard to say how evenly packed, in fact, the house was.
Chairman Ben Elembaas invited the first speaker to be RE Sources organizer, Matt Petryni. Petryni asserted that a change to council representation by district was a move by the coal interests to further their agenda. There was a bit of a dust-up between the RE Sources people and Chairman Elenbaas when Mr. Elenbaas proceeded to read Petryni's entire "call to arms" email. The email essentially repeated Mr. Petryni's testimony, but some people seemed incensed to hear the same message from Mr. Elenbaas. This was called "uncivil" by some in later testimony. It was at least entertaining political theater.
The testimony went on for about an hour and a half. Many of the speakers seemed to be unaware that any decision by The Commission would simply go to the voters on the November ballot. If they were aware, then it exposed an unwillingness to put it to a vote of the people.
Some speakers were outraged that The Commission also had approved proposed Amendment 3, "Shall Charter Section 8.20 be amended to prohibit the County Council from proposing Charter amendments on matters that have been approved by a 2/3 majority of voters?", or proposed Amendment 10, "Shall Charter Section 8.23 be amended to prohibit the County Council from proposing any Charter amendment to Charter sections 2.12 or 2.13?" (these sections address changes in the nomination and voting of council members; many political scientists believe legislators should not be able to modify rules affecting their own positions). Again, many speakers seemed to believe The Commission has the last word, and will be passed into law.
Some speakers were outraged that The Commission also had approved proposed Amendment 3, "Shall Charter Section 8.20 be amended to prohibit the County Council from proposing Charter amendments on matters that have been approved by a 2/3 majority of voters?", or proposed Amendment 10, "Shall Charter Section 8.23 be amended to prohibit the County Council from proposing any Charter amendment to Charter sections 2.12 or 2.13?" (these sections address changes in the nomination and voting of council members; many political scientists believe legislators should not be able to modify rules affecting their own positions). Again, many speakers seemed to believe The Commission has the last word, and will be passed into law.
The Commission can only make recommendations to voters on the November ballot.
In the short time remaining after the last speaker was heard, and after the break, The Commission chewed through a bit of the now-smoldering agenda.
Proposed Amendment 8 was discussed, and failed on a 6~9 vote, with Donovan, Mutchler, May, Walker, Mackiewicz, and Ryan in favor.
Proposed Amendment 8 was discussed, and failed on a 6~9 vote, with Donovan, Mutchler, May, Walker, Mackiewicz, and Ryan in favor.
Proposed Amendment 13, "Shall the Charter be amended to include four political parties, instead of two, in the districting process?", was discussed, but scheduled for the April 27, 2015 regular Commission meeting.
Proposed Amendment 12, "Shall the Charter be amended to include a new section to require compliance with the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act and impose a civil penalty on violations of the Act?" was approved to be scheduled for the April 27, 2015 regular Commission meeting for further discussion.
Commissioner Bell proposed that the Commission schedule a public hearing prior to the final vote on all proposed amendments. The commission preferred to continue to allow "open session" as the traditional, historic public input method. The rest of The Commission seemed to agree that hearings are usually reserved for final legislation and rule-making, rather than simply putting options on the November ballot.
Commissioner Bell proposed that the Commission schedule a public hearing prior to the final vote on all proposed amendments. The commission preferred to continue to allow "open session" as the traditional, historic public input method. The rest of The Commission seemed to agree that hearings are usually reserved for final legislation and rule-making, rather than simply putting options on the November ballot.
Finally, a new proposed Amendment 14 was introduced. "Shall the Charter be amended to lower the threshold requirement for ballot signatures for Whatcom County Charter changes from 20% to 15% for citizen initiatives?", and was scheduled for the April 27, 2015 regular Commission meeting for further discussion.
Here is the audio from the full meeting:
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:50 p.m.
