HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance February 10 20151 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Finance and Administrative Services Committee
3
4 February 10, 2015
5
6 CALL TO ORDER
7
8 Committee Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
9 Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
10
11 ROLL CALL
12
13 (11:01:36 AM)
14
15 Present: Sam Crawford, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
16 Absent: None.
17 Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen and Carl Weimer.
18
19 EXECUTIVE REPORTS
20
21 The Executive reported on the following items:
22 • The selection of a new vendor for the Auditor's Recording Division and a
23 licensing subagent for the Ferndale area
24 • The Lummi Business Council notice of their plans to construct a new marina
25 at Gooseberry Point
26 • Asset distribution of the emergency management system (EMS) with the City
27 of Bellingham
28 • The revised cost estimates for the new jail and Sheriff's headquarters
29 • The distribution of new sales tax if approved by the voters
30 • Progress on the new County website
31 . Recent parliamentary procedure training
32
33 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
34
35 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 3.08, PURCHASING
36 SYSTEM (AB2015 -042)
37
38 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council, and stated he is
39 against the ordinance.
40
41 The committee discussed whether the current system provides enough transparency
42 to the public on budget items and contracts; the Council's legislative responsibility to review
43 the budget; the process for approving big capital projects, and; reviewing pass- through
44 money and interlocal funding.
45
46 Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and stated he is opposed to the
47 proposed ordinance for a variety of reasons. The administration will present a proposed
48 change at a later date, which will request an increase in his budget authority.
49
50 The committee discussed the visibility and transparency for the public to see what
51 contracts are being executed.
52
53 Browne moved to hold in committee to the last meeting in March.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/10/2015, Page 1
1
2 The committee discussed the balance between giving the Executive flexibility to
3 approve contracts and getting contracts before the Council for approval in a timely manner.
4
5 Browne stated he would like to see an analysis of the number of contracts and their
6 size.
7
8 The motion to hold in committee carried by the following vote:
9 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
10 Nays: None (0)
11
12 COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
13
14 1. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE TREASURER'S LIST OF PETITIONS FOR
15 PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS (AB2015 -058) (11:36:25 AM)
16
17 Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
18
19 The motion carried by the following vote:
20 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
21 Nays: None (0)
22
23 2. RESOLUTION CANCELING UNCOLLECTIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES
24 (AB2015 -059) (11:36:44 AM)
25
26 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
27
28 The committee discussed why they would have personal property against out -of-
29 state aviation companies.
30
31 Steve Oliver, Treasurer, answered questions.
32
33 The motion carried by the following vote:
34 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
35 Nays: None (0)
36
37 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
38 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON STATE
39 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH
40 PROMOTION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF
41 $65,000 (AB2015 -060) (11 :38:24 AM)
42
43 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
44
45 The motion carried by the following vote:
46 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
47 Nays: None (0)
48
49 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
50 LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND COMPASS HEALTH, A
51 WASHINGTON HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEASING
52 THE FACILITY LOCATED AT 3645 E. MCLEOD ROAD, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10
53 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS (AB2015 -061) (11:38:50 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/10/2015, Page 2
1
2 Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council,
3
4 The committee discussed the location of the facility, who owns the property, the
5 condition of the facility, and whether the County staff inspect the facility.
6
7 Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
8
9 Crawford stated he suggests that the Council receive an inventory of County facilities
10 and property that includes their uses.
11
12 The motion carried by the following vote:
13 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
14 Nays: None (0)
15
16 S. RESOLUTION REQUESTING COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR AN INTERLOCAL
17 AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE WHATCOM COUNCIL OF
18 GOVERNMENTS (AB2015 -062) (11:43:52 AM)
19
20 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
21
22 The committee discussed whether there are changes from the previous agreement
23 with the Council of Governments and how the allocation of costs works.
24
25 Brenner asked to see the current agreement to compare the changes.
26
27 Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
28
29 The motion carried by the following vote:
30 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
31 Nays: None (0)
32
33 6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF
34 NOOKSACK'S SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EDI FUNDING IN
35 THE AMOUNT OF $180,000, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDI BOARD, AND
36 AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AMEND THE INTERLOCAL
37 AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF NOOKSACK TO REFLECT THE ADDITIONAL
38 MONIES (AB2015 -063) (11:46:41 AM)
39
40 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
41
42 The motion carried by the following vote:
43 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
44 Nays: None (0)
45
46 7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
47 RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
48 MATTHEW AND LAUREN GRUND FOR THE NESSET CARETAKER HOUSE
49 LOCATED AT 6176 SAXON ROAD, IN THE AMOUNT OF $485 PER MONTH
50 (AB2015 -064) (11 :47 :15 AM)
51
52 Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
53
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/10/2015, Page 3
1 The committee discussed market value, bases for the lease amount, and tax
2 implications for the employee.
3
4 Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, answered questions.
5
6 The motion carried by the following vote:
7 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
8 Nays: None (0)
9
10
11 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
12
13 1. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THAT LEED (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND
14 ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN) "SILVER" CERTIFICATION FOR THE NEW ]AIL
15 AND SHERIFF'S HEADQUARTERS IS NOT FEASIBLE (AB2015 -047A)
16 (I1: 49:05 AM)
17
18 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
19
20 Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, gave a staff report on lifecycle cost analyses and
21 the heating and cooling system design challenges and options.
22
23 The committee discussed the impact of postponing the resolution a year, until they
24 get a lifecycle cost analysis and know the changing technology for energy efficiency.
25
26 Crawford withdrew his motion and moved to delay a decision on LEED Silver
27 certification, with the awareness that decisions made now, particularly with heating and
28 cooling, will impact decisions in the future. He recommends no committee recommendation
29 at this time.
30
31 Jack Louws, County Executive, reported on the lack of cost - effectiveness of the LEED
32 certification.
33
34 The committee discussed whether the $2.2 million cost for LEED certification would
35 be included in the cost estimate that goes before the public for a vote; the cost - estimate
36 information in the Council packet; whether a geothermal heat pump is necessary for LEED
37 certification of a jail; and the need for minimizing long -term costs.
38
39 Michael E. Smith stated the elected officials should uphold the highest standards.
40 LEED Silver can be obtained. They don't need a geothermal heat pump to achieve LEED
41 Silver certification. The design team should continue to try to achieve the LEED standard
42 without including a geothermal heat pump.
43
44 Brenner asked for a presentation on the difference between LEED certification status
45 and Eagle certification status.
46
47 The motion carried by the following vote:
48 Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
49 Nays: None (0)
50
51
52
53
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/10/2015, Page 4
1 OTHER BUSINESS
2
3 There was no other business.
4
5
6 ADJOURN
7
8 The meeting adjourned at 12:03
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22 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WH 0 UNTY, WASHINGTON
Ru Browne, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/10/2015, Page 5