HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 26 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 26, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:03 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(11: 03:45 AM)
Present: Ken Mann, Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Kathy Kershner, Pete Kremen, and Bill
Knutzen.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION WITH WHATCOM COUNTY PROSECUTOR DAVID MCEACHRAN
REGARDING HIDTA GRANTS (AB2013 -131)
Dave McEachran, Prosecuting Attorney, gave a staff report on the high intensity drug
traffic area (HIDTA) program. The County receives over $165,000, spent on an attorney in
his office to prosecute cases. In the recent years, drug trafficking has shifted from
marijuana to cocaine and methamphetamine. The joint agencies meet every two months to
review their efforts. Drug traffic routes are also used to traffic weapons. They've been able
to trace the origin of the transported drugs all the way to Columbia.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the destination for drugs coming
from Mexico is British Columbia and whether the County is reimbursed separately for
prosecution.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN MT. BAKER FOOTHILLS CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE AND WHATCOM COUNTY TO AUTHORIZE FUNDING FOR THE
BAKER BIRCH BAY TOURISM PROMOTION PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$247,000 OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT
OF $400,000 AS ORIGINALLY RECOMMENDED BY THE LODGING TAX
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AB2013 -053) (11:12:42 AM)
Crawford stated and there was discussion of concern about overlap between
Whatcom County Tourism and this Birch Bay /Mt. Baker Tourism effort. The Birch Bay /Mt.
Baker group has agreed to move away from efforts in Lummi Island and Point Roberts,
which has assuaged his concerns. There was also a concern from a representative from
Hampton Inn. He supports the request.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/26/2013, Page 1
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Mann stated and there was discussion of a lack of collaboration between the two
agencies. They've since collaborated to reduce funding and extend the timeframe. He
moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and answered questions.
Alex Nephew, Hampton Inn, stated he would like someone to be able to track
whether increased activity is a result of this promotion. Make sure this program continues
to bring more people and tax dollars into Whatcom County. He wants to see the
deliverables.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of whether the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee (LTAC) makes this recommendation. Nephew stated it does.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of Mr. Nephew's comments from the last
meeting about the agency not meeting their contract obligations, whether the reports
referenced in the scope of work are being created, and LTAC discussion of reasonable
tracking efforts.
Carole MacDonald, Birch Bay /Mt. Baker Chamber of Commerce, answered questions.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of efforts to track website use.
Mann stated and there was discussion of coordinating and collaborating with the
professional county tourism group, which has experience in these efforts. He encourages
the Mt. Baker group to work with the county tourism agency.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of the value of tourism to the local economy
and about collaboration among the agencies.
Loni Rahm, Bellingham /Whatcom County Tourism, stated there are standards,
methods, and measurements for tracking tourism efforts.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of why the Mt. Baker representatives were
not invited to the LTAC meeting.
Louws described the efforts of the LTAC.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of the Hampton Inn being annexed into the
city of Bellingham.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2013 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FOURTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,410 (AB2013 -105) (11:43:35 AM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/26/2013, Page 2
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Brenner stated and there was discussion of spending real estate excise tax (REET) II
funds. She won't support the ordinance. It's not appropriate to spend REET II money on
the park docks until they have an estimate of stormwater costs related to the jail.
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report.
Knutzen stated he is against the request. He asked and there was discussion of
money for the Emergency Management Division and a Homeland Security grant for
emergency management.
Jeff Parks, Sheriff's Office, answered questions.
Brenner stated she supports the requests from the Sheriff's Office. Other funds are
available for repairing the dock.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Weimer (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford (out of the room) (1)
3. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE WHATCOM COUNTY FORESTRY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE (AB2013 -098) (11:48:23 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the possibility of including members who
own forestry land, but who don't live in Whatcom County.
Knutzen stated those forest owners could find someone in their employment or
someone else who meets the requirements to represent them on the committee.
Weimer stated he has the same concern about setting a precedent of allowing non -
County residents on County advisory committees.
Knutzen suggested a friendly amendment to amend 2.123.040, "...two
commercial forest landowners or their eligible representatives, two harvesters..."
Weimer accepted the friendly amendment, to recommend approval with Knutzen's
friendly amendment.
The motion to recommend with an amendment carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MASTERS,
MATES AND PILOTS (MMP) AND INLANDBOATMEN'S UNION OF THE PACIFIC
(IBU) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING AND SETTLEMENT (AB2013 -116) (11:53:25 AM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner stated there needs to be a comprehensive summary. She can't tell the
difference. They had talked about one thing that isn't included.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/26/2013, Page 3
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Wendy Wefer - Clinton, Administrative Services Department, stated councilmembers
received a memo from staff on March 12 about this collective bargaining agreement.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -039, SALARY SCHEDULE
AND POLICIES FOR UNREPRESENTED WHATCOM COUNTY EMPLOYEES
(AB2013 -117) (11 :55 :32 AM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Jack Louws, County Executive, gave a staff report and read from his memo. He's
committed to providing internal equity to unrepresented staff, given the eight bargaining
unit contracts.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether this is the first raise given to
unrepresented employees since the recession.
Wendy Wefer - Clinton, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of whether the closure days would be
revenue - neutral and raising salaries. If the departments make cuts, they may not have the
money to do things that are required.
Kremen stated and there was discussion of working with the Executive and how the
Council built the budget based on a reduction in closure days from ten to six. Some of the
elected officials indicated that there isn't acceptance or a willingness to comply with the
reduction that the administration is asking for. Had he known then what he knows now, he
would not have supported eliminating the six closure days. Consider the issue before
moving forward.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of keeping closure days instead of making
departments cutting their budget and whether the budget cuts will come before the Council
for its approval.
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 FLOOD CONTROL
ZONE DISTRICT AND WASHINGTON STATE RECREATION AND
CONSERVATION OFFICE FOR THE CANYON CREEK BARRIER REMOVAL
PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $365,310, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT
IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,339,060 (AB2013 -118) (12 :18 :22 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Flood Control Zone District
Board of Supervisors.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/26/2013, Page 4
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Mann stated and there was discussion of protecting people who build on alluvial fans
and the public benefit of this project.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of continuing to issue permits in this area.
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 BERK & ASSOCIATES, INC.
RELATED TO THE 2016 WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
AND UGA REVIEW, IN THE AMOUNT OF $140,000 (AB2013 -119) (12:21:31
PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann stated about $60,000 is from the County, and the rest is divided among the
Cities.
Crawford stated and there was discussion about the Office of Financial Management
(OFM) population projections.
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
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SNOHOMISH
COUNTY FOR FUNDING THE STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $48,380 (AB2013 -120) (12:22:56 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)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND REISNER
DISTRIBUTOR, INC. FOR CARD LOCK FUEL SERVICE, IN THE AMOUNT OF
APPROXIMATELY $300,000, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE
AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $2,300,000 (AB2013 -121) (12:23 :15 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether this is bid.
Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/26/2013, Page 5
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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
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE POLLUTION
IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $164,000
(AB2013 -122) (12:24:20 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion about Public Works staff doing water quality
monitoring when several State and federal agencies already do water quality monitoring.
Erika Douglas, Public Works Department, answered questions.
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 EDGE ANALYTICAL LABS FOR
WATER QUALITY ANALYTICAL TESTING SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$29,700 (AB2013 -123) (12 :29 :11 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)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AMENDMENT TO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
WHATCOM COUNTY AND CDW -G TO COMPLETE THE COUNTYWIDE E -MAIL
SYSTEM UPGRADE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,825, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED
CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $123,105 (AB2013 -124) (12 :29 :24 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)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/26/2013, Page 6
1 ADJOURN
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3 The meeting adjourned at 12:29 p.m.
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6 ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
7 WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council4o.w hatcom .wa.us
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/26/2013, Page 7