HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance July 24 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
July 24, 2012
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: 03:04 AM)
Present: Ken Mann, Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Kathy Kershner, Pete Kremen and Bill Knutzen.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING 2012 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, TENTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 (AB2012 -246)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Knutzen stated he is opposed to this request because it takes money from the real
estate excise tax (REET) fund. The boaters should pay for this somehow. A bigger problem
is the boat launch. Find a different funding source. He asked and there was discussion of
whether a funding source from an aquatic invasive species regulation can be used instead of
the REET fund.
Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director, answered questions.
Brenner asked how much longer they are going to keep using funds from the REET
fund. Instead, use the park improvement fund money. They need the REET money for
stormwater improvements. Don't use REET funds for park projects.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of how the design for the project has
affected funding. The Department of Fish and Wildlife doesn't follow its own dock design
requirements.
Weimer stated there are many uses for REET. He asked and there was discussion of
whether the REET fund is robust enough to continue supporting these projects.
Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the amount of money collected each year
from Park Department boat rental.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 1
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Brenner stated the amount of money in the REET fund won't cover even half the
cost of stormwater requirements, not to mention a new jail facility. They need to save the
REET funds for those.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of funds in the park improvement fund that
were supposed to have gone to the conservation futures fund.
fund.
Mann asked and there was discussion of funding projects from the park improvement
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Dave Pros stated Mike McFarland does excellent work. He lives across from the park
and is in the process of trying to fix his dock. They may want to have everything functional
at the park, but the docks there now are already functional. There are ways to fix it for less
than the current cost estimate. Prevent future damage from wakeboards in the small part
of the lake. The County used to collect a fee from non - county residents who use the park.
Last, lower the rent on the vacant house so that revenue is available for repairs.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of whether Mr. Pros has a dock
improvement permit from the State for his design.
2. RESOLUTION APPROVING STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR COUNTY COUNCIL -
APPOINTED CITIZEN BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND TASK
FORCES (AB2012 -225)
Mann stated Councilmember Brenner submitted a revised version. It has become
an emotional issue. Establish criteria for Council- appointed committees. He moved to
recommend approval of Councilmember Brenner's version to the full Council.
Kershner asked that this be pulled from the agenda. She would like to change the
tone from a policy to a guideline.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of whether Councilmember Brenner worked
with any commission members.
Mann stated the changes from Councilmember Brenner are fine. The document is
innocuous. It basically asks people to treat people with respect and don't divulge
confidential information.
Brenner stated her changes removed a paternal tone and keep the language simple.
Weimer stated he also supports withdrawing the resolution. He asked and there was
discussion of whether the committees are subject to the open public meetings act and open
public records act. He referenced the Charter requirement that says the Executive is to
make all appointments and asked why the Council makes appointments.
Kershner stated and there was discussion of how this only pertains to Council -
appointed boards and commissions, and whether they should discuss if the resolution
should apply to the Executive - appointed boards and commissions.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 2
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Crawford referenced the Planning Commission bylaws asked and there was
discussion of why this has come forward and why the Council wants to create a standard of
conduct. He is not in favor of this at all. Drop the whole thing.
Mann described the background of this issue and the reason this has come forward.
A set of standards and guidelines that lets people know what the Council expects is a fine
thing to have. Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) issues are significant.
Crawford stated the issue from last year when there was an employee complaint was
the event that triggered this guideline, but this document doesn't address that incident.
Mann stated he's not trying to address a particular incident. Have something to
hand to appointees that explains how the Council wants them to behave and what the rules
are.
Kremen stated a policy provides clarity and can be universal. He asked and there
was discussion of what precipitated this resolution.
Dana Brown- Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered questions.
Stu Clark stated he used to be mayor and a city council member of Seward, Alaska.
He currently volunteers on Whatcom County commissions. It would be helpful to have a
standard of conduct and information for volunteers.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he is willing to work with the Council to
develop a general code of conduct for all advisory committee members. Condense it so it's
not larger than the board /commission application. The citizens are working in at -will
positions unless mandated by ordinance. Tighten and abbreviate the language so it fits on
the application. It would be good to have a countywide policy.
Kershner stated she, Councilmember Brenner, and Councilmember Mann may work
on the guidelines with the Executive.
Mann withdrew his motion.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. RESOLUTION AMENDING CRP NO. 912001 AND APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE TO AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO THE LOW BIDDER,
WHATCOM BUILDERS, INC., FOR THE LAKE WHATCOM BOULEVARD
STRUCTURAL OVERLAY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $865,752 (AB2012 -248)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Jim Karcher, Public Works Department
• Joe Rutan, Public Works Department
Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• Why they went over budget.
• What happens if the Council doesn't approve this resolution.
• Whether the speed limit on a road impacts the degradation rate.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 3
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the impact, if any, of the project on
Strawberry Point on stormwater.
help.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether a weight limit on the road would
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 AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ELLIOTT BAY
DESIGN GROUP, LLC FOR ON -CALL SUPPORT FOR THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY
SYSTEM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF
$25,000 (AB2012 -249) (12 :00 :26 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)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#12 -52 TO THE LOW BIDDER, FOSS MARITIME COMPANY, FOR THE ANNUAL
DRYDOCK REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WHATCOM CHIEF FERRY, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $348,772 (AB2012 -250) (12 :00 :50 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of what the County will receive for this.
Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Stu Clark stated they are putting two rebuilt engines in a hull that is 50 years old.
He asked if anyone has done a cost - benefit of the expenditures made on the vessel. The
current value assigned to the vessel seems to be only a book value, not a true value.
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
#12 -55 TO THE LOW BIDDER, HBD MARINE, FOR THE SUPPLY OF A
REPLACEMENT GANGWAY AT SAMISH PARK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,164.53
(AB2012 -251) (12 :05 :50 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Knutzen stated he is against this request and using the real estate excise tax (REET)
funds for parks.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 4
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Kershner stated and there was discussion of considering who pays into and benefits
from the REET fund and finding a different mechanism to pay for Lake Whatcom stormwater
projects.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of the different things which the two REET
funds may pay for, and ramping up funding into the REET I fund, which can be used for a
new jail facility.
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
#12 -55 TO THE LOW BIDDER, NORTHWEST DOCKS, FOR THE SUPPLY OF A
REPLACEMENT DOCK AND FISHING PLATFORM AT SAMISH PARK, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $130,266.08 (AB2012 -252) (12 :13 :56 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the bid specifics.
Rob Lamb, Parks and Recreation Department, answered questions.
Brenner stated don't use real estate excise tax (REET) funds.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#12 -60 TO THE SOLE BIDDER, SCOUGAL RUBBER CORP., FOR THE SUPPLY
OF REPLACEMENT RUBBER MOLDED STEEL APRON FLAPS FOR THE
GOOSEBERRY POINT FERRY TERMINAL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,567.79
(AB2012 -253) (12 :15 :30 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)
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION
OF SHERIFFS AND POLICE CHIEFS FOR PERSONNEL TO ASSIST WITH THE
REGISTERED SEX AND KIDNAPPING OFFENDER TRACKING PROGRAM, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $140,762.33 (AB2012 -254) (12 :15 :57 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked and there
was discussion of how the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs is funded.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/24/2012, Page 5
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111
►
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 12:17 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, 7/24/2012, Page 6