HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance April 24 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
April 24, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (11: 02: 05 AM)
Present: Ken Mann, Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Kathy Kershner, Barbara Brenner and Bill Knutzen.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. DISCUSSION OF THE BIRCH BAY DRIVE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITY
PROJECT (AB2012 -160)
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, gave a staff report and described the
project. The estimated cost is $10 million, which would be funded from several sources.
Roland Middleton, Public Works Department, submitted a handout (on file) and gave
a staff report.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• The specific details of a loan from the public works trust fund and other
funding sources.
• The application timeline.
• A lack of staff and resources to work on flood control projects.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about a design and funding that includes
restrooms and other amenities.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated the project will have tremendous
environmental and economic benefits for the Birch Bay community. They will also address
ingress and egress from Birch Bay next year. He described plans for the design. There are
many opportunities and sources for funding. The County has the capacity to make this
happen. He supports the project.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether the design will meet National
Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) requirements, in case Birch Bay
becomes subject to those requirements.
(11:19:17AM)
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether this area historically has had
storm surges, and how the designs will account for those types of storms.
Mann stated he supports the project.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 1
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE REPLACING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 1.14, IN ITS ENTIRETY,
DESIGNATING WHATCOM COUNTY VOTING PRECINCTS (AB2012 -154)
(11:22:08 AM)
Mann stated the Council received a replacement Exhibit A.
Debbie Adelstein, County Auditor, gave a staff report about precinct changes due to
Census results and redistricting.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of conflict within the city of Bellingham
because of the district boundaries.
Pete Griffin, Auditor's Office, answered questions.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether anyone has gone through the new
legal descriptions for review.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of political party opinion when the precincts
shrunk in the past and the emergency ordinance to enact the precincts quickly.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of district boundary changes between
District 2 and District 3 affecting the precincts.
Crawford moved to recommend approval of this item and the emergency ordinance
(AB 2012 -154A) to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING 2012 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, SEVENTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $246,471 (AB2012 -155) (11:33:28 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
• Jack Louws, County Executive
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the conservation futures transfer
complies with the intent of the fund to acquire, not to maintain property.
Park.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of adding staff to maintain the South Fork
Brenner stated and there was discussion of
• Not adding staff to the Parks Department.
• Not diverting dedicated funds.
• Bringing forward the jail planner position.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 2
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Kershner stated and there was discussion of approving some of these funds in the
County budget two years ago and how they must maintain what they acquire with the
conservation futures fund.
Louws asked that the committee withdraw the conservation futures fund request
from the ordinance so he can look into it further and bring it forward in two weeks.
Crawford moved to amend the motion to remove item seven.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Mann stated he would like information on whether the Council intentionally planned
for this item from the conservation futures fund during the last budget process.
The motion to approve as amended 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 ELEMENT
SOLUTIONS FOR THE NOOKSACK RIVER SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT PILOT
PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $103,800, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT
IN THE AMOUNT OF $131,800 (AB2012 -161) (11:51:10 AM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated the permitting process will take a long time
and be difficult and expensive. He asked and there was discussion of whether the Council is
prepared to spend the money it may take to make this happen. Wait six months or a year
and let Pierce County get through its process and see what happens.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the recommendation from the Flood Control
Zone District Advisory Committee.
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether this will also solve the problem of keeping the river below the flood
levees.
• Whether the cost is worth it to the flood staff.
Mann asked and there was discussion about whether the County can extract enough
gravel to manage the flood levels.
Weimer stated he's in favor of waiting for Pierce County to finish its work. He will
vote against this item.
Knutzen stated the State decided to disallow gravel extraction in response to Canada
making the same decision in the past, but Canada reversed its decision. He supports
continuing with the work that's already been done. He will vote for this item.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 3
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Brenner stated the results of Whatcom County's work can supplement other studies
on this issue, including information from Canada. Gravel extraction can be done without
damaging salmon.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the Tribes have input to gravel
extraction.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of whether an environmental impact
statement (EIS) be specific to this project or include other places along the river.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Crawford (2)
Nays: Weimer (1)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND MARK HOVEZAK DBA
ROSARIO ARCHAEOLOGY, LLC FOR CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT FOR
THE COTTONWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE BY -PASS PROJECT, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $22,753.22 (AB2012 -165) (12:07:03 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of the pay rate to the contractor.
Kraig Olason, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the request for qualification (RFQ)
process.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY AND
SETTING OF A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO WHATCOM
COUNTY CODE 1.10 (AB2012 -125) (12 :09 :31 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner stated she thanks the Executive for providing more information, but she still
doesn't have enough information.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he and the Public Works Department recently
discussed the equipment revolve and rent (ER &R) surplus criteria. He described certain
ideas for changing the policy. He will be able to provide more detailed information in the
future. The list as presented is reasonable.
Brenner stated trust the ER &R maintenance staff to decide on the life of the fleet
vehicles instead of using an arbitrary age and mileage guideline. She would like to know
what surplus items are being sold for.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 4
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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 AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM
COUNSELING AND PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC TO PROVIDE CRISIS MANAGEMENT
AND STABILIZATION TO ACUTE MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS IN THE
WHATCOM COUNTY ]AIL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,608, FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $140,887 (AB2012 -162)
(12:16:42 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 SNOHOMISH COUNTY
UTILIZING STATE HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING TO ENHANCE LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS' ABILITY TO PREVENT, PROTECT AGAINST, RESPOND TO,
AND RECOVER FROM TERRORIST ATTACKS AND OTHER DISASTERS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $121,464 (AB2012 -163) (12:17:08 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Kent Catlin, Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management, gave a staff report
and answered questions.
Mann asked and there was discussion of how the funds can be used.
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 PIONEER HUMAN SERVICES
TO PROVIDE WITHDRAWAL, OUTREACH, AND ENGAGEMENT SERVICES TO
OPIATE ADDICTED INDIVIDUALS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $183,135 (AB2012-
164) (12:20:28 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Jackie Mitchell, Health Department
• Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of what the medication is and the physical
effects of withdrawal systems.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 5
Mann asked and there was discussion of funding from the behavioral health fund.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of the nearest existing methadone
treatment center.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #12 -25
FOR ON -CALL RENTAL EQUIPMENT TO ALL BIDDERS, WITH THE INTENT OF
OBTAINING FIRM PRICING ON RENTAL EQUIPMENT IN AN ANNUAL AMOUNT
THAT COULD EXCEED $35,000 FOR A SINGLE VENDOR (AB2012 -166)
(12:26:08 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.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:26 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@�omhatcomma.us
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/24/2012, Page 6