CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON
Fireplace Room, 625 Halleck Street
Wednesday, June 03, 2009, 06:30 PM
Book: 63, Page: 1
Summary of Event
It was important to review the effectiveness of this process with participants. To this end, Mr. Jefferson thanked everyone present and asked for feedback on the format. Mr. Snapp asked the crowd if they thought this format should be used again and with other groups and the response was strongly in favor.
Participants responded favorably and liked it better than a public hearing as it allowed for structured give-and-take. In particular, all parties had the opportunity to hear other persons' opinions and suggestions at a level that went well beyond the surface. The small circle format created an atmosphere where people where respectful of each other, listened intently and there was ample time to be specific about their perspective. Everybody who was in attendance had a chance to participate when they wanted to. It was clear that having more people there to participate would have generated a richer discussion. This format seems particularly suited to bringing parties together that need to hear and understand the other person's perspective. It seems to allow enough time and creates a respectable atmosphere where issues can be safely discussed in detail.
Several people stated they would like to participate in another Fishbowl discussion on this issue with more neighbors in attendance.
Staff was very enthusiastic about the format. It was noted that the process allowed for the type of rich discussion that usually happens in the hallway after a public hearing. Council members agreed that this format worked well for them as well.
MINUTES:
CALL TO ORDER BY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, STAN SNAPP
AB18462 A FISHBOWL DIALOG TO DISCUSS THE EFFECTS OF SILVER BEACH PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION EFFORTS ON THE SILVER BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS
Moderator, David Jefferson welcomed the participants and explained the Fishbowl process.
Mr. Jefferson conducted an interview of Dr. Robin Matthews to provide an overview of her studies of the lake and her insights into what has changed in the last five years. Dr. Matthews explained the phosphorus-algae cycle and how it affects water quality. It is clear that phosphorus reduction is necessary to increase and sustain water quality.
Mr. Jefferson began the Fishbowl exercise and introduced the first topic:
Topic #1 – How will the Silver Beach Ordinance [SBO] change my life?
Staff explained that with the SBO nothing on a person's property has to change unless a homeowner makes changes to the property that would trigger a permit application. The SBO will not cure the lake. It is just one component that deals with the “built environment.” There is another effort, the Silver Beach Creek Pilot Project [SBCPP], that will be an educational program to teach residents of the watershed how to manage their property to improve the water quality of Silver Beach Creek flowing into Lake Whatcom.
Steve Hood of the DOE warned that in the long term, eventually, everyone who lives in the watershed is going to have to make changes like those in the SBO. There will be no way to avoid it if water quality issues are to be effectively addressed.
Neighborhood participants raised the following issues:
· Worry that their experience of living on the lake will be diminished.
· The call for tall trees will obstruct the view of the lake. There should be a maximum height for trees to preserve view corridors.
· People purchased the property for the unique characteristics that were there at the time.
· How can property owners keep what they have and still give the City what it needs?
· There is no property tax relief for giving up desirable characteristics of the property.
· There are no incentives to be compliant.
· There needs to be a handbook that spells out what residents can do to improve how stormwater is managed.
· Policies should encourage those who live in the watershed and developed a relationship with the lake to stay.
· Many more neighbors who should be at this meeting did not come.
Staff responded to these concerns by acknowledging that there should be incentives. There is also the potential for engineering solutions to the forestry sections that could provide for a larger area of vegetation with lower height.
Topic #2 – Leadership
Mr. Jefferson explained that leadership is a big topic encompassing City, Council, management and neighborhood leadership among others. Who/what is driving the changes? How can the City set examples? How can the City use its leadership more effectively? Where should scarce resources be directed? Are the City and the citizens on the right tract with these initiatives?
Council members explained that what is driving the issue is the water quality reports that are given to Council every year. The TMDL report is a big factor. A quick and easy fix is not possible. Worries about carcinogens in the lake also adds to the urgency to make changes.
Mr. Hood noted that the carcinogen danger is incremental and the risk is increasing. The water is very good, but it is not as good as it used to be.
Staff expressed that the significantly rising costs of treatment of the source water was a big driver in the City's proactive approach. There is a point at which it will be too late to prevent the necessity of building a new and grossly expensive treatment plant.
Neighborhood participants raised the following issues:
· The City is only one of the players, the others are Lake Whatcom Water Service District (LWWSD) and the County. The City should take a more aggressive stance with them.
· Stormwater runoff from Silver Beach School is much greater than anything that comes from all the homes together.
· Bloedel Donovan and other City properties in the watershed need to demonstrate the principles.
· Copies of the ordinance should be handed out to new homeowners in Silver Beach or there should be a notebook with the ordinance and other information in the home for sale, so there is full disclosure to buyers.
· There needs to be a handbook that is simply written and easy to understand to help residents learn how to deal with their stormwater.
· If someone can find an engineered solution to stormwater from his/her property, would that owner still have to plant trees?
· Should there be a greater effort to controlling geese?
Dr. Matthews explained that geese present an esthetic problem but do not contribute to the phosphorus issue.
Staff responded that the City is trying to do everything it can to find effective solutions in technology. There is a new interlocal agreement with the County to solve problems with Silver Beach Creek and staff will continue working with the County on the full range of issues in the watershed. The SBCPP will provide direct education to property owners who want to work with the City.
Council members acknowledged that the City could do more, though it doesn't have authority to be more aggressive with the County and LWWSD.
Topic # 3 – Stewardship
Mr. Jefferson reviewed a definition of stewardship: “refers to a responsibility to take care of something one does not own. It is an ethic that embodies cooperative planning and management of environmental resources of organizations, communities and others to actively engage in the prevention of loss of habitat and facilitate its recovery in the interest of long term sustainability” He pointed out that those who live in the watershed are stewards of the Lake Whatcom area by default. How do the Silver Beach neighbors do more of it and promote that? This part of the discussion centers around:
Ø Silver Beach Pilot Project
Ø How to be better stewards, acknowledging that many in the neighborhood are trying to be good stewards already
Ø How can the City increase participation?
Neighborhood participants raised the following issues:
· One of the problems with stewardship is that the results are not measurable so it is hard to keep people motivated.
· The standards for stewardship should be set high because everyone in the watershed is representing everyone outside the watershed about 13 -1.
· People are selfish and will not volunteer. The City should provide incentives such as lower taxes.
· Money is an issue. Some people would tear up their driveway and replace it with pervious material if they could afford it.
· Everyone should do something and SBNA can provide leadership.
· There needs to be education and there are experts in the neighborhood already teaching classes. There needs to be a way to get the residents' attention and get them interested.
· There needs to be predictability.
· If everyone is doing what they are supposed to and the City is doing the appropriate job, then residents can be asked to take a role.
Staff responded that the SBCPP will provide the education and that efforts will be made to explore the possibilities for incentives.
Council members present noted and appreciated the positive attitude of the participants of this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM
Stan Snapp, Lake Whatcom Reservoir Committee Chair
ATTEST: J. Lynne Walker, Legislative Coordinator
APPROVED:
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