HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance June 3 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
June 3, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(I1: 02:22 AM)
Present: Sam Crawford, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Ken Mann, Barbara Brenner and Pete Kremen.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. ANNUAL PRESENTATION FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTIES RISK POOL
(AB2014 -017)
David Goldsmith, Washington Counties Risk Pool Member Services, submitted and
read from a presentation (on file).
Vyrle Hill, Washington Counties Risk Pool Executive Director, presented the County
with a certificate of membership (on file) and continued the presentation on the financial
highlights of fiscal year 2013.
Goldsmith concluded the presentation regarding the risk pool's operating philosophy.
(11:35:38 AM)
Crawford asked and there was a discussion about where Whatcom County stands in
terms of claims relative to the entire pool. He would like to see a chart of the amount
contributed and paid out per county and per capita.
Browne stated that if the County invests in risk reduction, premiums should be
lower. He asked and there was discussion about who is the County's liaison with the risk
pool and what types of claims are categorized under general liability. He would like to see
that detailed information and compare it to other counties.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about whether the risk pool talks to the
County before or after the County buys high -risk property, whether the risk pool considers
repercussions of a settlement, and about claims regarding parks.
Kremen stated and there was discussion about the possibility that one or two major
claims could jeopardize the risk pool and asked whether the County would be responsible
and liable if parks operations were shifted to a separate parks district. He stated and there
was a discussion about an incident in which the risk pool and County had different opinions
on the outcome of a particular settlement, but the County deferred to the experience of the
risk pool.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/3/2014, Page 1
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 3.08,
PURCHASING SYSTEM, TO MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BID
SPECIFICATIONS, DEPOSITS, AND AWARDS (AB2014 -183) (12:00:33 PM)
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated the Council is in charge of contracts. He listed
all the contracts he signed in January in his memo to the Council dated June 3, 2014
regarding contract review (on file). He will continue to update the list of contracts on a
regular basis and provide that list to the Council.
Brenner stated and there was discussion about the reason behind her proposed
changes in the Code. She would also like the Council to have oversight on how the County
spends any grants it receives.
Crawford stated and there was discussion that Councilmember Brenner should
suggest specific amounts to amend in Exhibit A.
Browne stated the Council should consider the inflation rate when adjusting contract
limits. He would like to know what other counties do. He can't support any changes
without reviewing that information.
Mann stated not many contracts fall under code section 3.08.090(N). He is not
interested in changing the way the grants are administered. Councilmember Brenner
should make specific recommendations for changes.
Brenner stated grants should be just as transparent.
Mann asked and there was discussion on whether the County has any control over
grant or pass- through monies.
Louws stated the ten percent leeway in terms of the Public Works Department
contracts is crucial so projects don't get shut down. Right now, the program works.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, described the requirements of
pass- through and grant monies.
Browne asked and there was discussion about the ten percent contingency; an
option being that the Council approves an amount that includes a contingency, and then the
Executive would have authority to spend the money and contingency without further
review; and whether the original $10,000 threshold set ten years ago needs to be adjusted
for inflation. He is concerned where there is liability issues with pass- through monies.
Kremen stated and there was discussion that the Executive can come to the Council
with information on what's going on with a contract as a courtesy, even though the
Executive has the authority to approve the contract without Council review.
Browne stated and there was discussion about doing what's most efficient for the
County and taxpayers.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/3/2014, Page 2
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2. ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2013 -027, TO ESTABLISH THE
SUPERIOR COURT FOURTH JUDGE COURTROOM RENOVATION PROJECT
FUND AND ESTABLISH A PROJECT BASED BUDGET FOR THE SUPERIOR
COURT FOURTH JUDGE COURTROOM RENOVATION PROJECT (AB2014 -206)
(12:34:11 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2013 -2014 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, 11TH
REQUEST, TO APPROPRIATE $1,422,464 TO FUND A TRANSFER FROM NON -
DEPARTMENTAL TO SUPERIOR COURT 4TH JUDGE REMODEL PROJECT FUND
(AB2014 -207) (12 :34 :30 PM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about whether any grants are available to
help the County fund this effort.
Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND KIBBLE & PRENTICE, A USI
COMPANY, FOR BENEFIT CONSULTATION SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY'S
SELF - INSURED MEDICAL PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,500 IN 2015;
$51,000 IN 2016; AND $53,500 IN 2017 (AB2014 -211) (12 :36 :11 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. RESOLUTION AMENDING CRP NO. 914004 AND APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
LOW BIDDER, ORION MARINE CONTRACTORS, INC. FOR THE GOOSEBERRY
POINT FERRY DOLPHIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$698,631.50 (AB2014 -212) (12 :36 :45 PM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about the possibility of placing the dolphins
wider to accommodate the possibility of a new ferry, whether Coast Guard regulations will
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/3/2014, Page 3
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allow the County to continue using the Whatcom Chief indefinitely, and how close the
annual costs of maintenance are to exceeding the cost of a new ferry.
The following staff answered questions:
• Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department
• Jack Louws, County Executive
• James Lee, Public Works Department
Kremen stated and there was discussion about whether the Whatcom Chief does not
meet certain Coast Guard standards and requirements, making the County is subject to
lawsuits. Any new ferry would have to be built or configured to meet the County's
configuration requirements.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about the cost of moving the dolphins after
they're installed.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INTERLOCAL COOPERATION IN REGIONAL
CONSORTIUM REQUIRED FOR HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS
PROGRAM FEDERAL FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING (AB2014 -213)
(12:45:56 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #14 -24
AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE LOW
BIDDER, FABER CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, FOR WHATCOM COUNTY
COURTHOUSE COURTROOM RENOVATIONS, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$949,309.71 (AB2014 -214) (12:47:06 PM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
S. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND REICHHARDT & EBE
ENGINEERING, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR SOUTH
FORK PARK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $55,522.94 (AB2014 -215) (12:47:37 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about the construction schedule.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/3/2014, Page 4
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Rob Lamb, Parks and Recreation Department, submitted a handout (on file) and
answered questions.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about whether citizens are allowed access
to the Nesset Farm property and whether there will be public access from the south.
river.
Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department, answered questions.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about whether there will be a trail to the
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:54 p.m.
ATTEST:
, Council Clerk
-, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/3/2014, Page 5