HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 28 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 28, 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
(11:01:53 AM)
Present: Sam Crawford, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Ken Mann, Pete Kremen, and Barbara Brenner.
EXECUTIVE REPORTS
There were no Executive reports.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2014 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, SIXTEENTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,755,000 (AB2014 -334)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Jeff Carrington, Birch Bay Parks District Chair, spoke about the future development
of the park. They will pledge community dollars to develop the property in the future. They
plan to move the Visitor's Center to the property. They are looking at all funding options,
including fundraising. They need public facilities for tourism.
Browne stated use a public /private partnership for facilities, which could provide
funding for restrooms.
Mann stated he appreciates the community's enthusiasm, but he's concerned about
providing future funding for anything. The community, not Whatcom County, must engage
in construction, improvements, and maintenance. He supports property acquisition, but the
County should not commit more than that. Carrington stated they planned that the
community would develop anything beyond the parking and restroom. That's in the
proposal. It's a County park, so a partnership is necessary. He asked if Councilmember
Mann plans to gift the park to the community. They have contractors who will build
facilities. Grant money will be available. They need help and guidance from the County,
but the community is committed to developing the park.
Mann stated he's glad to see the community commitment and participation. The
County is committing a lot of money to the purchase. He won't guarantee that he will vote
for any future funding.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/28/2014, Page 1
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Browne stated his enthusiasm for additional funding requests depends on the
community's ability to find grant and other funding sources.
Brenner stated the community will work out property maintenance, so the County
will save money on maintenance costs.
Kremen stated he agrees with Councilmember Browne about engaging in a
public /private partnership with a local business at that location. Birch Bay needs permanent
restroom facilities. There should be a partnership agreement with the County for
maintenance.
Browne asked and there was discussion about the maximum lease length for vendors
in a public park.
Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
Doralee Booth stated create a cement trailer pad so a host can stay at the park all
summer long for security.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
Crawford stated councilmembers should meet with community groups at a meeting,
rather than individually. He invites any community group to come forward to this
committee or the Council so the public is informed at all steps of the process. This is a good
use of the conservation futures fund and for the Birch Bay community.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
REAL ESTATE PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
MT. BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY
4.2 ACRES FOR PARK PURPOSES IN MAPLE FALLS, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$235,000 (AB2014 -335) (11 :31:39 AM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked if there is any potential for a public /private partnership in Maple Falls.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, answered questions.
Kremen asked what the zone is and how the price was determined.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND FLEX -PLAN SERVICES FOR
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLAIMS PROCESSING SERVICES FOR THE DIRECT
REIMBURSEMENT DENTAL PROGRAM EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2015, IN THE
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/28/2014, Page 2
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AMOUNT OF $3 PER PARTICIPANT PER MONTH, OR $27,540 /YEAR
MAXIMUM AT CURRENT ENROLLMENT (AB2014 -336) (11 :34 :26 AM)
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)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SHEARER DESIGN LLC FOR
DESIGN OF THE SOUTH PASS ROAD /SAAR CREEK BRIDGE 212
REPLACEMENT PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $55,868 (AB2014 -337)
(11:34:58 AM)
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. RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CANCELLATION OF WARRANTS MORE THAN A
YEAR OLD (AB2014 -338) (11 :35 :41 AM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Browne stated include language that makes it clear that the term 'warrants' refers to
un- cashed checks rather than warrants for an arrest.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CANCELLATION OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
MORE THAN A YEAR OLD (AB2014 -339) (11 :36 :58 AM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He's not sure why they
are letting people off the hook for paying. He knows the cost of collection isn't worth it, but
don't send the message that people can not pay their debts.
Crawford stated make the violation for parking more than the minimum amount for
collection.
The following answered questions:
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
• Jack Louws, County Executive
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
S. RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CANCELLATION OF EMPLOYEE ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE MORE THAN A YEAR OLD (AB2014 -340) (11 :40 :52 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/28/2014, Page 3
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Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked if these are all employees who no longer work for the County.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
Kremen asked which committee, if any, has been assigned to work on the Comcast
franchise agreement. The County should not renew the agreement without substantial
changes to the prior agreement. It should go out to bid. He's heard too many complaints.
Comcast has a monopoly. Their service isn't as advertised. There was discussion on the
negotiation process.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated County staff is working on the agreement. He
will schedule staff to give the Council an update on the agreement. The Council has not yet
made any decisions on anything.
Kremen stated he would like to meet with the staff who are working on this
negotiation.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:53 a.m.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/28/2014, Page 4