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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 17 20151 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Finance and Administrative Services Committee March 17, 2015 CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. ROLL CALL (11 :01:14 AM) Present: Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan and Ken Mann. Absent: None. Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen and Carl Weimer. EXECUTIVE REPORTS Jack Louws, County Executive, reported on the following items: • Hiring a new Public Works Department director • Open Government Training Act training • The recent project to develop a new County website • The status of the new jail project • 2016 Comprehensive Plan update timeline There was discussion on the status of the Lummi Island ferry fare adjustment and addressing water issues within the 2016 Comprehensive Plan update. SPECIAL PRESENTATION 1, PRESENTATION ON THE NEW WHATCOM COUNTY WEBSITE (AB2015 -090) (11 :16 :18 AM) Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department, gave a staff report and demonstrated the new County website. The following people answered questions: • Jack Louws, County Executive • Jill Nixon, County Council Office • Brian Johnson, Administrative Services Department The committee discussed the mobile version of the new website, how to access the Council agenda and packet items, how to contact someone at the County with a question about using the website, and ensuring that the County uses non - technical language throughout the website for clarity for the public. items. Linda Twitchell, Building Industry Association, asked about links to Council agenda Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/17/2015, Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL 1. RESOLUTION SETTING HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING OF THE SALE OF COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY BY NEGOTIATION - REQUEST NO. TR2015 -01 (AB2015 -091) (11 :48:21 AM) Mann moved to recommend approval. The committee discussed the property locations and getting maps that are clearer and more informative. Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, answered questions. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Browne, Buchanan and Mann (3) Nays: None (0) 2. RESOLUTION SETTING HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING OF THE SALE OF COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY BY NEGOTIATION - REQUEST NO. TR2015 -02 (AB2015 -092) (11 :50 :54 AM) Buchanan moved to recommend approval. The committee discussed the location and whether someone technically has a right to build in an historical meander zone. Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, answered questions. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Browne, Buchanan and Mann (3) Nays: None (0) COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A LOCAL AGENCY STANDARD CONSULTANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND TRANTECH ENGINEERING LLC FOR PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING WORK AND AN ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS TO AID IN SELECTING A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT OPTION FOR THE EXISTING SLATER ROAD /JORDAN CREEK CULVERT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,720.50 (AB2015 -093) (11 :53 :35 AM) Mann moved to recommend approval. The committee discussed the reason the item language shows "an amount not to exceed," the location of Jordan Creek, different options for solutions, and whether this is a component of the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP). The following staff answered questions: • James Lee, Public Works Department, submitted a handout • Joe Rutan, Public Works Department • Jack Louws, County Executive Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/17/2015, Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Browne, Buchanan and Mann (3) Nays: None (0) Lee gave an update on work being done at the site. The committee discussed using unpleasant chemicals near the creek; whether they've done an environmental review of the product; ensuring that the work is done properly, especially around waterways; getting approval from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and other organizations; whether the material fills the void or creates a bridge - like structure; and whether the material has been used for other projects. 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF WATERBORNE TRAFFIC LINE PAINT FOR 2015 USING THE WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT, FROM VENDOR ALPINE PRODUCTS, IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $500,000 (AB2015 -094) Mann moved to recommend approval. The committee discussed the long -term use of the product. Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department, answered questions. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Browne, Buchanan and Mann (3) Nays: None (0) 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF RETRO- REFLECTIVE MATERIALS, USING THE WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT, FROM VENDOR ALPINE PRODUCTS, IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $100,000 (AB2015 -095) (12:11 :29 PM) Buchanan moved to recommend approval. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Browne, Buchanan and Mann (3) Nays: None (0) OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURN , `111111101,, The �rrep g �a bl`�rned at 12:11 p.m. 4 -' Y d ATTEST: N Da���BroGvri � ��ivis Coun�fi Clerk l Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription WHATCOM OUNTY COUNCIL WH O OUNTY, WAS RJd Browne, Committee Chair Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/17/2015, Page 3