Chairman Kathy Berg called the meeting to order at 7:12 pm.

Steering Committee members present were: Kathy Berg, Earl Listabarger, Frank Oldrich, Vic Cantelmo, Sandra Stillion, Carol Sandvig, Doralee Booth, Tom Vuyovich, Catherine Mahaffey, Pauline Nefcy, Kelvin Barton, Jeri Smith, Ellen Shea, Cynthia Colinares, Ted Morris, Karen Vaden, and Jo Slivinski.  Also present was Hal Hart, Director of Whatcom County Planning & Development and twenty seven (27) guests signed in.

Ø  The Minutes for the May 24, 2006 meeting were accepted as written.

Chairman Berg discussed the need for a Vice-chair for the Birch Bay Steering Committee to assist her with the many details of leadership and provide a sounding board for planning agendas and setting direction.  After some discussion:

Ø  Wayne McFee with a 2^nd by Lisa Guthrie nominated Jeri Smith for the Vice-Chair position.  Jeri was elected unanimously.

Public Comment:

Ted Morris reported on the boat launch hearing.  Hearing Examiner Bobbink ruled in favor of allowing the permitting process to move forward on the boat launch at the Birch Bay State Park.  Improvements will be made on the 60-foot gravel launch, proper parking for 20 cars will be established and a flush toilet is planned.  Hopefully a grant can be secured and the improvements begin by July 2007.

Gerald Larson explained the Shore Stewards program.  This program is to help shoreline residents feel connected to the entire nearshore community and take more pride and enjoyment in their beach.   When residents understand the natural processes at work on the beach they are better equipped to make choices that will keep our waters cleaner and benefit all of our marine life.  There are no fees or dues required to join Shore Stewards.  No classes or meetings to attend. The goal is simply to educate those who live along the shoreline or in shoreline communities.

Special Guests:

Western Washington University Huxley students Jesse Jarosz, Jamie Theuer, and Darci Hanson reported on their environmental impact analysis project regarding the proposed Sea Grass Cottages on Semiahmoo Spit.  The proposed 20-acre development will have 68 residential units with a 90-foot setback from the shoreline.  Spit landforms are ever-changing but the analysis considered the spit to be stable and suitable for development.  Drayton Harbor is in the migration flight path and home to some 10-15,000 birds.  There are 41 different bird species recorded and since 1979 there has been a 47% decline in population.  Drayton Harbor is one of the 53 most important bird areas in Washington State and is being considered for National recognition.

Implementation Subcommittee reports:

Parks, Recreation, and Open Space – Ted Morris

• Meeting every 2 months on the 3^rd Monday.  The next meeting is August 21 at 6:30 at the Birch Bay Bible Church.
• Continuing to map out the parks and/or County-owned land and land upon which County has easements in Birch Bay.
• Reported on the red tide restrictions in Birch Bay possibly due to the warm summer months.
• 2 more mutt mitt stations are planned.  One will be placed in front of the Dirty Dog Wash and one possibly at north Cottonwood Beach at the bottom of Cedar St.
• Working on the pedestrian/bike trails master plan.
  
  

Ø  A motion was made by Ted Morris with a second by Carol Sandvig to ask for Birch Bay Steering Committee endorsement of the master plan for pedestrian and bike trails as developed by the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Implementation Subcommittee.  The motion passed unanimously to endorse the plan.

Land Use, Economic Development, and Infrastructure – Kelvin Barton

• Working on inserting place holders to amend the Birch Bay Plan with language regarding 8 different items.  Addressing such things as recreational zoning, historical overlay, light industrial zoning, etc.
  
  Governance – Kathy Berg

• RFP feasibility study has been delivered and is on Dewey Dessler’s desk.
  
  Task Force for Stormwater Management/Shellfish Protection – Eli Friedlob
  
  

• The committee has been busy reviewing the substance of the Birch Bay stormwater draft plan.
• Working on preparing a summary of the draft plan.
• The next phase is for a small group to work with Public Works and gain approval of County Executive Pete Kremen.  Another small group will take charge of getting education out to the public and keep them informed.
  
  Shoreline Enhancement – Kathy Berg
  
  

• RFP for the feasibility study has been released and the County had 4 responses.  Telephone interviews are scheduled at the end of the week and Gerald Larson will participate from the BBSC.  The County will bring the selected companies in for a discussion and the final selection will be made.
  
  Transportation/Public Safety – Doralee Booth, Claudia Hollod
  
  

• John Everett, the new transportation planner for Whatcom County attended the last meeting to get acquainted with the subcommittee.  His first job description will be to rewrite/amend the Birch Bay transportation element for the Birch Bay Plan.  John will also be doing traffic analysis impacts and developing a concurrency ordinance for all of Whatcom County.
• Fire District #13 is in litigation concerning fire mitigation fees in Birch Bay.
  
  Design Guidelines – Jeri Smith
  
  

• Working on place holders for possible changes in the Birch Bay Plan.  Looking at such things as tree retention, setbacks, height restriction, cottage-style housing, etc.
• A consultant has been hired.
• Jeri Smith is stepping aside as Chairman of this committee to take on her new responsibilities of Vice-Chair of the BBSC.  Craig Telgenhoff will be asked to Chair the committee.
  
  Hal Hart, Director of Whatcom County Planning & Development ended the meeting with an update on Whatcom County projects in, for and around Birch Bay.
  
  The next meeting of the Birch Bay Steering Committee will be July 26, 2006, 7:00 pm at the Birch Bay Bible Community Church.
  
  The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm by Chairman Kathy Berg.

Respectfully submitted,
Doralee Booth, Secretary
With some details provided by Kathy Berg