HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 20 20141
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
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
May 20, 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
(11: 02:53 AM)
Present: Sam Crawford, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Ken Mann, Barbara Brenner and Pete Kremen.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. ANNUAL UPDATE FROM THE COMMISSION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
(AB2014 -202)
Susan Marks, Commission Against Domestic Violence Director, submitted and read
from a handout (on file).
Crawford asked and there was discussion about what to do in a situation when there
are unconfirmed rumors of domestic violence.
Kremen stated he would like to see and there was a discussion about a ten -year
review of domestic violence fatality trends and data.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about the bystander toolkit being
developed.
Browne asked and there was discussion about lowering the threshold to mandate the
distribution of information by law enforcement and other community members to potential
victims or perpetrators.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2014 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, TENTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,911,591 (AB2014 -178) (11:36:31 AM)
Browne moved to recommend adoption to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about the Gooseberry Point dolphin
replacement project and whether staff can move the dolphins if the County buys a new
ferry.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/20/2014, 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
James Lee, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Greg Brown, Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee (LIFAC), stated he was told
that the pilings would stay. Lee stated they've always known these pilings can be extracted
and modified in the future.
Brown stated the LIFAC is considering the option of moving the pilings a short
distance to alleviate future concerns. Lee described the purpose of the dolphins, the
construction design, and the practicality of changing the design if the County purchases
another boat.
Crawford asked the cost of moving the dolphins if they need to be moved for another
boat.
Buchanan asked and there was discussion about whether there is an adverse affect
to the Chief if they redesign the dolphins to accommodate a potentially bigger boat.
Mann asked and there was discussion about allowing LIFAC to consider the design
before anything is decided and encouraging the Public Works Department to engage the
LIFAC on making recommendations about anything related to the Lummi Island ferry.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about project timelines.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he responded to the Protect Lummi Island
Committee (PLIC) letter. He asked and there was discussion about what to do if there are
conflicting recommendations between the staff and professional consultants and the PLIC
and LIFAC.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 3.08,
PURCHASING SYSTEM, TO MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BID
SPECIFICATIONS, DEPOSITS, AND AWARDS (AB2014 -183) (11:59:06 AM)
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated this item comes from Councilmember Brenner.
Brenner gave a report and stated more than $4 million worth of contract
amendments have not gone through the Council this past quarter. Ten percent of a multi-
million dollar contract is a lot of money. Some of the amendments are more than ten
percent. The Council is the budgetary authority and is supposed to approve contracts. She
suggests amending the ordinance to allow the Executive to approve ten percent up to a
maximum of $25,000. The County needs to cap the ten percent.
Mann asked and there was discussion about whether the data compiled on a contract
amendment is accurate.
Crawford stated hold in committee, allow the Executive to review the
documentation, and give the Council a response on what they think will be the best
possibility. He moved to hold in committee for two weeks.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/20/2014, 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
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2014 FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT
BUDGET, FOURTH REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,725 (AB2014 -179)
(12 :06 :29 PM)
(Council Acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors.)
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)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND 2020 ENGINEERING, INC.
FOR THE BIRCH POINT STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STUDY, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $60,000 (AB2014 -186) (12 :07 :11 PM)
(Council Acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors.)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann asked and there was discussion about the history of this project, the genesis of
the problem, and whether the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grants the permit to
clear cut the ground.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about whether DNR owns the property.
Mann asked and there was discussion about whether the clearing operation suddenly
created problems with over - topping and erosion for the homeowners in the area, whether
DNR granted a permit to clear the forest even after there were already runoff and erosion
problems, if the County is getting stuck with the cost, and whether they are meeting the
goal of the conversion option harvest program.
Kraig Olason, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and answered questions.
Brenner stated a person has to gross only a small amount of income if it's converted
to agricultural use. The culverts that were installed were too small, and it created an awful
mess. DNR is responsible, but there isn't anything the County can do.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about whether DNR will participate in
funding.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/20/2014, Page 3
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
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON STATE
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WISER LAKE
INTEGRATED AQUATIC VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $15,450 (AB2014 -187) (12 :19:15 PM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about the amount of fecal coliform in the
lake due to a recent visit by a flock of trumpeter swans and of how much funding the
County will get from other sources.
Laurel Baldwin, Noxious Weed Board Coordinator, answered questions.
Buchanan asked and there was discussion about whether there are direct water
draws from Wiser Lake.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about whether there is emphasis on
prohibiting lawn fertilizers around the lake.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ELDRED &
ASSOCIATES, LLC, TO PERFORM FACILITATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR
THE WRIA 1 PLANNING UNIT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000, FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,000 (AB2014 -188) (12 :26 :22
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)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT BID #14 -28 FOR 2014 HOT MIX ASPHALT
PRELEVEL AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO THE LOWEST BIDDER, WHATCOM
BUILDERS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,083,838 (AB2014 -189) (12 :27 :20
PM)
Crawford stated pre -level is required before chip sealing to see if additional asphalt is
necessary first. It's necessary to extend the life of the pavement as long as possible.
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner stated certain authorities believe gravel isn't the best option and is only
needed on steep slopes and sharp curves.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/20/2014, Page 4
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
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 -23
FOR THE ANNUAL DRYDOCK REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
WHATCOM CHIEF FERRY TO THE LOW BIDDER, VIGOR MARINE, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $221,433 (AB2014 -190) (12:29:42 PM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Browne asked and there was discussion about the different bid amounts.
Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about the additional transportation and
labor costs to move the ferry to Tacoma.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
S. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #14 -18
FOR RENTAL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT TO ALL BIDDERS, IN AN AMOUNT
THAT MAY EXCEED $35,000 WITH A SINGLE VENDOR (AB2014 -191)
(12 :33 :27 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked and there was
discussion about why this is different from another type of contract and whether the limit is
per vendor or for the entire contract.
The following staff answered questions:
• Jack Louws, County Executive
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTHWEST YOUTH
SERVICES FOR HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $108,054 (AB2014 -199) (12 :36 :54 PM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Browne asked and there was discussion about the specific outcomes of the plan.
Polly Jones, Health Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/20/2014, Page 5
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
7. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND LYDIA PLACE FOR HOUSING
CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $216,675 (AB2014 -200)
(12:41:38 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)
OTHER BUSINESS
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CHARGES /FEES FOR PROVIDING ADVANCED
LIFE SUPPORT (ALS) AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICES IN WHATCOM
COUNTY (AB2014 -121A)
Crawford asked for an update on this item, whether all fire agencies in Whatcom
County are on the same page for this fee schedule, and whether all fire agencies charge the
same fees.
The following staff answered questions:
• Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
• Jack Louws, County Executive
Buchanan asked what constitutes the amount of service regarding unsuccessful
resuscitation.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:46 p.m.
ATTEST:
, Council Clerk
-, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/20/2014, Page 6