HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance April 23 20131
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
April 23, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(11:01:29 AM)
Present: Ken Mann, Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Bill Knutzen, Kathy Kershner and Barbara Brenner.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. OVERVIEW FROM EXECUTIVE LOUWS ON THE COUNTY'S MAJOR FUNDS
(AB2013 -149)
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and read from the information in
the Council packet regarding the major funds overview. Upcoming capital projects include
the Birch Bay berm, a fourth Superior Court courtroom, courthouse fourth floor water
damage repairs, upgrades to the northwest annex, the telephone system, the Planning
Department Tidemark system, and other information technology initiatives.
Mann stated he appreciates the presentation.
The following staff answered questions:
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
• Marianne Caldwell, Administrative Services Department
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the generators of the rural sales tax fund,
the impact to the County if they lose some of these revenue sources, funding plans for the
Olsen Creek trailhead and the Birch Bay and Portal Way signalization project, and using real
estate excise tax (REET) 2 funds for stormwater projects.
Brenner asked for information on courthouse damage. She asked and there was
discussion of whether the County has insurance to pay for water damage, why certain REET
2- funded paths and trails projects aren't funded with public works money instead.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2013 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FIFTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,533 (AB2013 -142) (11 :28:43 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/23/2013, 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
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the youth program curriculum
encourages youth to learn English.
Drew Betz, Washington State University (WSU) Extension, answered questions.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the $47,000 settlement.
Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the Council can withdraw an
item from the ordinance, the status of the boater safety fund.
Jeff Parks, Sheriff's Office, answered questions.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether they should allocate money for
the Lake Whatcom reconveyance while the decision is being appealed.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2013 WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL
ZONE DISTRICT BUDGET, FIRST REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,124,550
(AB2013 -143) (11:45:41 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the grant amount and the amount the
County is spending from its own funds.
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Mann stated and there was discussion of whether the County should not spend its
funds to bail out people who build on an alluvial fan hazard area and whether the County is
liable for natural hazards just because it issues a permit.
Knutzen stated he supports a project that gets actual work done rather than just
produces more studies.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A LOAN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CORNWALL HOUSING, LLC
TO SUPPORT THE CORNWALL HOUSING PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$300,000 (AB2013 -150) (11:51 :40 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/23/2013, 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
Regina Delahunt, Health Department, gave a staff report and stated it's important
for the County to partner in this effort. The project will be done with or without County
financial input. If the County provides funding, it will have an influence over the project.
Knutzen stated he thanks County staff and Catholic Community Services (CCS) for
helping him work through questions. He stated and there was discussion of problems
created by the City of Bellingham. He suggested amendments to the current contract, to
alleviate concerns of downtown merchants, which include:
• Council packet page 39, Part I, Item F, "Onsite live -in residential support
and /or counseling services..."
• Council packet page 39, Part I, Item F, add paragraph, "The borrower shall
designate /provide a contact person or position to respond to community
complaints, alerts, and concerns regarding its residents. This person shall
resolve concerns, report results to the complainant(s), and keep records of
any such incidents.
Records shall be made available for an annual review by a committee
approved by the County Council. It shall be considered a violation of this
agreement if the complaints, alerts, and /or concerns are not addressed to the
satisfaction of the committee and County Council and shall be subject to up to
a $10,000 penalty."
• Add a mechanism that would ensure that the borrower provide a structure on
the adjacent property to the south or on the current site that would make a
no net loss of parking requirements in the area.
The following staff answered questions:
• Liz Gallery, Prosecutor's Office
• Jack Louws, County Executive
Weimer did not accept the suggested amendments to his motion because he is not
clear about them.
Kershner stated and there was discussion that CCS facilities must be inspected to
meet certain funding requirements, which may take care of the concerns, and live -in staff
will have less oversight than staff who are on duty 24 hours per day.
Louws stated they would have to make recommended changes to CCS, which already
approved the contract. He doesn't think they will approve amendments. He supports the
project.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of the location of the project.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether this could wait for
Councilmember Knutzen to consult CCS about his suggestions.
Crawford moved to hold in committee for two weeks.
Weimer suggested holding in committee for one month to allow Executive Louws to
talk to Cornwall Housing.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/23/2013, 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
Crawford amended his motion and moved to hold in committee until an
unspecified future date.
Mann stated he doesn't support the project because it doesn't seem the contractor
has understood the concerns of the neighbors.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
FOR CARE NAVIGATION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES OF SPECIAL NEEDS
CHILDREN AND YOUTH, IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 (AB2013 -151)
(12:19 :17 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of getting information about monies they've
been using and contracts for the past five years.
Anne Deacon, Health Department, answered questions.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether anyone tracks data to find links
to fetal alcohol or prenatal care problems.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
BELLINGHAM TO OPERATE THE LAKEWAY YARD WASTE COLLECTION
FACILITY, IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $45,000 FOR 2013 AND $25,000 FOR
2014 (AB2013 -152) (12 :23 :08 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the history of and reasons for cost increases
to the service.
The following staff answered questions:
• Frank Abart, Public Works Department
• Jack Louws, County Executive
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/23/2013, 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
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#13 -10 FOR THE DELIVERY AND SUPPLY OF ASPHALTIC MIXES TO BOTH
VENDORS WHO PLACED BIDS (PUBLIC WORKS STAFF WILL SELECT THE
VENDOR THAT IS THE BEST VALUE BASED ON PRICE AND TRANSPORT COST
TO THE SPECIFIC JOB SITE), IN AN ANNUAL AMOUNT THAT COULD EXCEED
$35,000 (AB2013 -153) (12:27 :04 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of why they keep doing these if the money
is approved during the budget process.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#13 -28 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE OLSEN TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT
TO THE LOW BIDDER, FABER CONSTRUCTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$148,358.51 (AB2013 -154) (12 :28 :35 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He urges the Council
to expedite the project.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the bids received.
The following staff answered questions:
• Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department
• Jack Louws, County Executive
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the status of a gated access from a
Sudden Valley neighborhood.
Brenner stated take this from the paths and trails fund, which is part of the road
fund. She asked and there was discussion of whether they've used 15 percent from
conservation futures on maintenance and operations (M &O).
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#13 -09 FOR THE DELIVERY AND SUPPLY OF ASPHALTIC EMULSIONS TO THE
LOW BIDDER, PARAMOUNT PETROLEUM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,300,000
(AB2013 -155) (12 :34 :56 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/23/2013, 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
49
50
51
52
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPLY FOR A
PLANNING AND ENGINEERING GRANT THROUGH THE WASHINGTON
FEDERAL LANDS ACCESS PROGRAM FOR A MULTI -USE TRAIL BETWEEN
GLACIER AND THE DOUGLAS FIR CAMPGROUND (AB2013 -156) (12:35:19 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. This is simply to apply
for the grant.
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
1. DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 2012-
048, ADOPTION OF THE FINAL BUDGET OF WHATCOM COUNTY FOR THE
BIENNIUM 2013 -2014 AND RESTRICTING THE EXPENDITURE OF CERTAIN
FUNDS THEREIN (AB2013 -144) (12 :39:14 PM)
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and stated this is scheduled for a
public hearing tonight. The existing language has created challenges for the Finance
Division to close out the budget at the end of the year. There is also a concern about end -
of -year overages. He read from the suggested change to the ordinance in the agenda
revision item. He recommends the ordinance amendment in the agenda revision instead of
the item on Council packet page 169.
Weimer stated and there was discussion of the Council's original concern that the
Executive would be able to transfer large amounts of money from one department to
another department, for example.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the specific problems the administration will
experience.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
Crawford stated staff can attach information to the quarterly reports of all the cost
center transfers that have occurred that quarter.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the difference between appropriation
authority versus creating a cost center.
Kershner stated the County Council should be included in the list of elected offices,
so it's budget also isn't misappropriated.
Louws stated another example is funding the Information Technology (IT) Division to
fund its projects. The amendment doesn't allow the administration to spend more than
authorized in the budget.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/23/2013, Page 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Crawford stated and there was a discussion of how the Council wants some
assurance that prevents what happened with the $1.5 million that was put into a fund other
than the fund it should have been put in. He wants something in an ordinance that
prevents that from happening in the future.
Kershner stated the Council could give the Executive authority at the end of the year
to make transfers without knowing the numbers.
Knutzen stated the Council often votes down requests to move money from one fund
to another. He is against removing the requirement for Council approval. He has concerns
about the boater safety fund. Don't weaken current checks and balances that are in place.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:07 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &o.w hatcom .wa.us
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/23/2013, Page 7