HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance July 23 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
July 23, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:06 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(11:06:01 AM)
Present: Ken Mann, Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen, and Bill Knutzen.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, EIGHTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $178,129 (AB2013 -254)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Jack Louws, County Executive
• Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director
Mann asked and there was discussion of the item requesting closing a planner
position in the Planning and Development Services Department.
Crawford stated he's hearing positive feedback from citizens about the lean training
that Planning staff went through.
Brenner asked if there is anything that is real estate excise tax (REET) 2.
Mann stated there is not.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of using the Nesset Trust to purchase
tractor equipment directly. Also, the reconveyance costs are more than estimated.
Crawford stated put the $1.5 million back into the park improvement fund so they
can use the funds for park development. They don't need to purchase more parks.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/23/2013, Page 1
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION BY MCBRIDE AND ASSOCIATES REGARDING LEGISLATIVE
SESSIONS (AB2013 -258)
Jack Louws, County executive, introduced Tom McBride and Ben Bucholz from
McBride Public Affairs, LLC.
(11:19:43 AM)
Tom McBride, McBride Public Affairs, submitted and read from a memorandum
regarding 2013 Washington State Legislative Session Summary dated July 10, 2013 (on
file).
Ben Bucholz, McBride Public Affairs, submitted and read from a 2013 Legislative
Objectives Wrap -Up handout (on file).
McBride spoke about and there was discussion of the Parents Representation
Program. Whatcom County was not to receive any money for that program, but they
worked to get it fully funded in Whatcom County for the next two years.
Brenner stated Whatcom County does not need lobbyists.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of his experience working with the lobbyists
in Olympia, the contribution of several people to the success of getting a fourth Superior
Court judge for Whatcom County, and the disappointing outcome of the counties' attempt to
deal with the abuse of public disclosure and public records requests.
(11:39:58 AM)
He asked and there was discussion of the possibility of overcoming future challenges
from the Publisher's Association and eliminating obvious nuisance public records requests
while protecting legitimate requests.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of the extension of the Local Infrastructure
Financing Tool (LIFT). Louws stated he wants to work with Council in the fall on the
legislative issues for next year.
Mann asked and there was discussion about aquatic invasive species regulations.
Chris Brueske, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Kremen stated the Port of Bellingham should reconsider its position on the
emergency operations center at the airport if it wants to be a partner in joint lobbyist effort.
Louws stated they already have.
Brenner stated she is opposed to spending money on lobbying efforts. Louws stated
he is very busy, has less staff, and has a smaller budget. He is pleased with this service.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/23/2013, Page 2
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2013 -003 (FIRST AMENDMENT)
ESTABLISHING A PROJECT FUND FOR THE NEW JAIL PROJECT 2013 -2014
(AB2013 -255)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE NESSET FARM RESTORATION PROJECT
FUND AND ESTABLISHING A PROJECT -BASED BUDGET FOR THE NESSET
HOUSE RESTORATION PROJECT (AB2013 -256) (12:01:02 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)
4. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN INTERFUND LOAN TO FINANCE CASH FLOW
FOR THE NESSET FARM RESTORATION PROJECT FUND (AB2013 -256A)
(12:01:24 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)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND TETRA TECH, INC. FOR
DESIGN ASSISTANCE FOR STORMWATER PROJECTS IN THE BIRCH BAY
WATERSHED, IN THE AMOUNT OF $230,947 (AB2013 -259) (12:01:39 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors. He asked and there was discussion of the whether the
former mayor of Bellingham, who is now employed by this company, would be involved.
Kraig Olason, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. RESOLUTION AMENDING COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NO. 911003 AND
APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE LOW BIDDER, MATIA
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/23/2013, Page 3
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CONTRACTORS, INC. FOR THE MOSQUITO LAKE ROAD /NORTH FORK
NOOKSACK BRIDGE NO. 332 SCOUR MITIGATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$147,790 (AB2013 -260) (12 :03:25 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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 A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION
OF SHERIFFS AND POLICE CHIEFS TO FUND PERSONNEL TO STAFF THE
REGISTRATION PROGRAM OF SEX OFFENDERS AND KIDNAPPING
OFFENDERS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $140,026.07 (AB2013 -261) (12 :04 :14 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked and there
was discussion of where this association gets its money.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, stated it comes from the State.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND INTERFAITH COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTER FOR A TWO -YEAR PERIOD FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES
TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $76,752 (AB2013 -262) (12 :05 :21 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THRIVE BY FIVE
WASHINGTON TO PROVIDE NURSE HOME VISITORS TO SUPPORT LOW
INCOME FIRST TIME MOTHERS WITH VARIOUS RISK FACTORS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $176,799 (AB2013 -263) (12 :05 :57 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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 -50 FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOVANDER TRAIL TO THE LOW
BIDDER, WHATCOM BUILDERS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $115,444 (AB2013 -264)
(12 :06 :26 PM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/23/2013, Page 4
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Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the range of bids received.
Rob Lamb, Parks and Recreation Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR SURVEY WORK
AND CLOSING COSTS RELATED TO THE LAKE WHATCOM RECONVEYANCE, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $40,000, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $331,000 (AB2013 -265) (12:09:02 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)
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND HYLAND SOFTWARE, INC.
FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, SOFTWARE AND INITIAL MAINTENANCE TO
IMPLEMENT ELECTRONIC REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX SYSTEM (E- REET), IN
THE AMOUNT OF $145,542.99 (AB2013 -266) (12 :09:36 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann asked and there was discussion of asking title companies to contribute to the
cost since they receive benefits.
Steve Oliver, County Treasurer, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND DLR GROUP FOR
PRE - DESIGN AND SCHEMATIC DESIGN WORK FOR THE COURTHOUSE
COURTROOM RENOVATION PROJECT AND A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR
HOLDING /RELEASE FOR THE ADULT CORRECTIONS FACILITY, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $257,000, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT
OF $748,902 (AB2013 -267) (12 :11 :48 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked if this is just
for design, not for construction.
Mann asked the timeframe for this and how the County gave this work to DLR Group.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/23/2013, Page 5
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Crawford asked and there was a discussion of an analysis of options, incorporating
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), and what to do with the existing jail
facility.
Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF RADIOS USING THE WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT, FROM
VENDOR HARRIS CORPORATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $68,311.17 (AB2013-
276) (12 :20:00 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)
Jack Louws, County Executive, thanked staff for the work they did on this item in a
very short time.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:21 p.m.
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Council Clerk Ken Mann, Committee Chair
- Minutes Transcription
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/23/2013, Page 6