Chapter 2.126
WHATCOM COUNTY CLIMATE IMPACT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sections:
2.126.040 Membership – Term of office.
2.126.050 Organization – Meetings.
2.126.010 Established.
There is hereby established the Whatcom County climate impact advisory committee. (Ord. 2022-021 Exh. A; Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A).
2.126.020 Purpose.
The Whatcom County climate impact advisory committee provides review and recommendations to the Whatcom County council and executive on issues related to the preparation and adaptation for, and the prevention and mitigation of, impacts of climate change. (Ord. 2022-021 Exh. A; Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A).
2.126.030 Function.
To advise the county council and the executive, support the county’s climate action efforts, and work with county staff for related activities as follows:
A. With data analyses from various departments or outside agencies, evaluate and report on Whatcom County’s compliance with meeting targets for greenhouse gas reduction set forth in the county’s current climate action plan, and set targets, evaluate and report on the 100 percent renewable energy goal established in Ordinance 2017-080; and
B. Periodically recommend to the county council new or revised targets that meet or exceed state and federal greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy goals; and
C. Update the climate action plan, at a minimum every five years, or as needed to meet targets; and
D. Make recommendations to the Whatcom County council about policies and budget priorities that will support a stable and just transition for workers and businesses, wherever possible encouraging and supporting a predictable shift towards clean energy and low carbon alternatives within the same or similar industry; and
E. Review available science, and recommend to the county council the adoption of appropriate guidelines for anticipated future sea level rise, risk of flood, fires, drought and other impacts of climate change to be used in community planning and capital facilities development; and
F. Recommend updates to the Whatcom County comprehensive plan in accordance with meeting Whatcom County’s goals to mitigate climate change, and prevent, adapt to, and prepare for climate change impacts; and
G. Recommend updates to Whatcom County land use policies and development regulations to support Whatcom County’s goals to prevent, adapt to, and prepare for climate change impacts; and
H. Serve as a conduit for public education, information exchange, and engagement in support of Whatcom County’s climate change mitigation and impact prevention, adaptation, and preparation goals; and
I. Make recommendations relevant to Whatcom County’s climate change mitigation and impact prevention, adaptation and preparation goals to the Whatcom County council and Whatcom County executive regarding state and federal policy priorities. (Ord. 2022-021 Exh. A; Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A).
2.126.040 Membership – Term of office.
A. The committee shall consist of 11 voting members. A minimum of seven of the members will have previous work or educational experience in subjects including: climate change; renewable energy development; energy conservation; climate impacts on health, farming, fisheries and food security; land use planning; tribal environmental policy and flood mitigation and planning. Elected officials and staff from the cities within the county are eligible and encouraged to participate as members. A county council member shall serve on the committee as a nonvoting member. A quorum shall consist of at least half of the appointed voting members.
B. The county council shall appoint the committee members and consult with county staff and various offices to identify the expertise required to address current climate mitigation and adaptation needs. Member terms will be three years from the year of appointment. Members of the committee shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 2022-021 Exh. A; Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A).
2.126.050 Organization – Meetings.
Meetings of the committee shall be open and accessible to the public and shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. At every meeting, the committee will schedule an open session to take public comment on issues associated with the committee. Written records of meetings, resolutions, research, findings and recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public. The committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of business. The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who shall preside at its meetings. The committee shall determine its meeting schedule and agenda, but shall meet at least quarterly. The committee may form and appoint ad hoc committees to work on specific issues, so long as at least two committee members are also members of each ad hoc committee. (Ord. 2022-021 Exh. A; Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A).
2.126.060 Committee staffing.
The committee is encouraged to operate and hold its meetings as independent of county staffing and resources as possible. Staffing and other resources for the committee shall be requested through the county executive’s office. The committee is authorized to request information from administrative departments as necessary, through the county executive’s office. (Ord. 2022-021 Exh. A; Ord. 2017-080 Exh. A).