HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance September 30 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
September 30, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:11 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(11:11:48 AM)
Present: Sam Crawford, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann, and Pete Kremen.
EXECUTIVE REPORTS
Jack Louws, County Executive, reported on the following items:
• An upcoming emergency operations center (EOC) disaster simulation.
• The most recent Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC)
Steering Committee and Board of Director's meeting regarding the State
budget.
• Progress on developing the County's 2015 -2016 budget for presentation in
October.
Sheriff Elfo, County Sheriff, answered questions regarding the EOC disaster
simulation.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
1. PRESENTATION ON THE WHATCOM MOUNTAIN BIKING COALITION'S
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF
MOUNTAIN BIKING TO WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2014 -303) (11 :17:37 AM)
Matt Durand, Whatcom Mountain Biking Coalition President, submitted and read from
handouts and a presentation (on file).
Councilmembers stated they appreciate the presentation and the mountain biking
community in Whatcom County.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about what the mountain biking
community would like to see from the County's newly acquired park lands and the County's
status for parks planning in that area.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, answered questions.
2. UPDATE FROM DLR GROUP ON NEW CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND
SHERIFF'S OFFICE HEADQUARTERS PLANNING (AB2014 -306) (11:40:15 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/30/2014, Page 1
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Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and stated he and the Sheriff will
recommend a sales tax of two - tenths of one - percent, but it's up to the Council to decide
whether or not to go for a sales tax measure or property tax measure. Interlocal
agreements will remand the cities' portions of the sales tax back to the County to pay for
construction. If everything works out, they will authorize an election for a sales tax
measure on the August 4, 2015 ballot.
(11:46:39 AM)
Bill Valdez, DLR Group Principal, and Erica Loynd, DLR Group, submitted and read
from a presentation (on file).
Buchanan asked and there was discussion about an estimate of the percentage of
design completion.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about having a community meeting for all
county residents.
Mann asked and there was discussion about the plans for the design, including court
space, and whether they should incorporate classroom spaces so the building doesn't
become just a warehouse.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about incorporating areas for mental health
triage and treatment and whether the plan is still to sell the facility at Bakerview to help pay
for this facility.
Bill Elfo, County Sheriff, answered questions. It's urgent to move forward to replace
the existing jail, which continues to fail, is expensive to maintain, and is grossly inadequate.
Sentences are being deferred right now. Move forward as quickly as possible.
Brenner stated include a service dog training program.
Browne asked and there was discussion about the design, including outdoor
recreation and video conferencing for the inmates.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about the cost of demolishing the current
facility and increased What -Comm expenses and location. Louws stated money from the
sales tax and provisions in the interlocal agreements will pay for bonds used to finance
construction of a new jail, disposition of the existing jail, construction of a sally port for the
courthouse, and for operations and programming. What -Comm is not included in this
agreement, but will be included in other agreements for 2016.
Crawford stated he would be interested in knowing the costs to demolish and
rehabilitate the site for a future purpose. He asked if the public meetings so far have been
well- attended. Valdez stated meetings have been well- attended.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN DLR GROUP AND WHATCOM COUNTY FOR THE
PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FULL DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT (CUP) FOR ESSENTIAL PUBLIC FACILITIES (EPF) PERMITTING
PROCESS FOR THE NEW ADULT CORRECTIONS FACILITY AND SHERIFF'S
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/30/2014, Page 2
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OFFICE HEADQUARTERS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $825,887 (AB2014 -306A)
(12 :29 :03 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. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2014 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FIFTEENTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $349,100 (AB2014 -301) (12 :29 :57 PM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked if this is an additional request to the original additional services
request (ASR). He stated Chief of Corrections Wendy Jones indicated it is an additional
request.
Browne asked and there was discussion about whether the increase was in demand
or in cost.
Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections, answered questions.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated the County spends over half a million dollars
per year on medication costs for jail inmates.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. RESOLUTION COMMENCING THE COORDINATED WATER SYSTEM PLAN
UPDATE PROCESS (AB2014 -253)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked about the history of this item.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Browne asked and there was discussion about why this item didn't go to the Public
Works Committee today and why it came to the Finance Committee instead.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about why the staff recommends removing
item number nine.
Crawford moved to amend to reinstate item nine.
Browne stated he's opposed to the motion to amend, because the language in item
nine is unclear.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Buchanan (2)
Nays: Browne (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/30/2014, Page 3
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Brenner asked and there was discussion about who will pay for the contract and the
ongoing committee costs.
Crawford stated he appreciates and respects the input that Mr. Richards has
contributed to this item.
The motion to recommend approval as amended 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 RH2 ENGINEERING, INC.,
FOR THE UPDATE OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY COORDINATED WATER
SYSTEM PLAN — REGIONAL SUPPLEMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $174,776
(AB2014 -267) (12:50 :58 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about whether the County is required to
have this plan and whether this will be run through the Planning Unit again.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
FOR ONGOING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNTY'S SIX
STREAM GAGES WITHIN THE NOOKSACK RIVER EARLY FLOOD WARNING
SYSTEM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,410 (AB2014 -308) (12 :54 :30 PM)
(Council Acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors.)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District Board of Supervisors.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CANCELLATION OF UNCLAIMED FUNDS MORE
THAN TWO YEARS OLD FROM THE WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL INMATE TRUST
FUND (AB2014 -309) (12 :55 :23 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)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/30/2014, Page 4
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2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CORNWALL CENTER,
INC., FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEASING LAND AT THE CIVIC CENTER BUILDING
SITE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $650 PER MONTH, WITH A 3% ANNUAL INCREASE
FOR THREE YEARS, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $32,632 (AB2014 -310)
(12:55 :42 PM)
Crawford asked for a staff report. He asked if the County has considered purchasing
the property and why the owner would keep the property.
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report.
Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
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 PURCHASE SNOW
AND ICE CONTROL PRODUCTS USING THE WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT,
THROUGH VENDOR LTI, INC., IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $80,000 (AB2014 -311)
(12:59:55 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 PURCHASE AUTO
ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES USING THE WASHINGTON STATE
CONTRACT, THROUGH VENDOR GITT'S AUTOBODY, IN AN AMOUNT OF
APPROXIMATELY $80,000 (AB2014 -312) (1 :00 :32 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 AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND AVOCET
ENVIRONMENTAL LAB FOR SPACE AT STATE STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,000 PER MONTH, TOGETHER WITH LEASEHOLD TAXES AT THE RATE OF
12.84% MONTHLY, FROM JULY 1, 2014 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2016 (AB2014-
313) (1:00:58 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked what action the Executive would like from the Council to implement
future plans and if they would address future plans through the budget process.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/30/2014, Page 5
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Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and answered questions.
Crawford stated there was a bit of controversy originally. He asked the Executive to
draft a resolution of Council support and present it to the Council in two weeks so there is
adequate public notice.
done.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about environmental work that must be
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. RESOLUTION SETTING THE HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE
SALE OF COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY BY NEGOTIATION, REQUEST #2014-
01 (AB2014 -314) (1:10:02 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about whether the negotiation included a
County easement to allow future County uses.
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and answered questions.
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 1:12 p.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, 9/30/2014, Page 6