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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
May 8, 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 (11:05:24 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 OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH
PLANNING FOR A NEW JAIL (PRESENTED BY EXECUTIVE JACK LOUWS AND
SHERIFF BILL ELFO) (AB2012 -156A)
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Jack Louws, County Executive, submitted handouts (on file)
• Bill Elfo, County Sheriff
Louws read from the handout regarding the three requests of the administration to
the Council. Moving the correctional facility out of the downtown core is the best option for
the county, because it would allow expansion as needed.
Elfo stated design a horizontal jail layout to reduce operational expenses and allow
for future expansion as needed. Expand agricultural program to provide work for the
inmates, which can't be done downtown. Locate the jail near Interstate 5 for transport
efficiency to downtown court appearances.
Louws described the map handout (on file) and described the size of other facilities
in the state comparable to the Bellingham civic center area. Instead of building a new jail
downtown, reserve the downtown area for future office expansion. Also, if there is a need
to evacuate a jail facility, it would be easier in an area not in the downtown area.
The first request is for County staff to present a list of criteria to use and work with
the real estate community to identify property.
The new jail planner task list includes eight tasks for the jail planner that include an
update and expand the existing needs assessment, develop site description and selection
criteria, help with conceptual design, help with the staffing formula, develop the operational
budget, create a final report for public review, and participate in a public process. Whatcom
County has not yet accomplished these tasks, which must be done before hiring an
architectural or building design firm. Do this concurrent with the property purchase, so the
jail planner can provide input on the actual site purchase.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/8/2012, Page 1
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The third request is to reinstate a law and justice committee.
Elfo stated the purpose of a law and justice committee is to look at current and
future law and justice issues. For now, focus on moving forward with a new jail and with
mental health and jail alternative options.
Crawford moved to recommend that the full Council support the three action items
listed in the memo to the Council dated May 8, 2012 regarding new jail recommendations.
Weimer stated he supports the motion. He asked and there was discussion of how
soon they can hire a jail planner.
Brenner stated she supports most of the request. She asked and there was
discussion of an option to create a one -story jail with businesses located above it and the
success of the Law and Justice Council.
Kremen described and there was discussion of the purpose of the original Law and
Justice Council. A new Council shouldn't focus only on creating a new jail. Its goals and
objectives should look at the entire criminal justice system, not just a new jail.
Mann stated and there was a discussion of ruling out the possibility of a new
downtown jail before hiring a jail planner.
Brenner stated talk with the City of Bellingham about available land in the downtown
area.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of the Jail Task Force recommendation for
location.
Kremen stated it's not feasible to have a jail with the potential for expansion in the
future in the downtown core. Having a single -story or possibly a two -story facility is more
operationally efficient. Also, a multi -story facility must be built all at once. There is no
expansion opportunity. There isn't enough land available for anything but a multi -story
facility.
Crawford stated they ruled out the option of a jail downtown years ago. The future
of downtown Bellingham area is intended for a museum and theater district. A jail won't be
the best and highest use for this downtown area.
Brenner asked about and there was discussion of visiting the Score facility.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Nays: Mann (1)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING INITIAL RESPONSE TO
THREAT OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN LAKE WHATCOM (AB2012 -042)
(11:42:28 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/8/2012, Page 2
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The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department
• Laurel Baldwin, Noxious Weed Control Board Coordinator
Hutchings gave a staff report and stated the staff requests the Council to make a
decision on moving forward with an initial response. He asked the Council to vote on
affirming the proposed actions as described in the memo beginning on Council packet page
66. He described the cost estimate proposed on Council packet page 68.
Weimer moved to recommend approval of the proposed request to the full Council.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the Watershed Advisory Board has
looked at this proposal.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of adding language to the last bullet item of
the proposal, "attend or coordinate events."
Weimer accepted the suggestion as a friendly amendment. He asked and there
was discussion of adopting ordinances to give the County jurisdiction to stop infested boats.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the timeframe for stage three leading to
a formal licensing program in 2013.
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of realizing the issue goes beyond Lake
Whatcom, and includes all the lakes in the region. Make sure the program is countywide.
Kershner stated the state of Minnesota included infestation information in their utility
bills. She described the experiences in Minnesota. Educate the community as much as
possible, but understand that they can't guarantee prevention of this or any other invasive
species in the lake. Put enough money into a program to make a difference, but not so
much that it won't make any more of a difference.
Brenner stated a regional program could be funded by the participating regions, not
the State. Start with Lake Whatcom, and then expand the program.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE ADDING AN
ADDITIONAL VENDOR, ENNIS PAINT, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF
WATERBORNE TRAFFIC LINE PAINT BY PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE AND
OPERATIONS (AB2012 -168) (12:11:00 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)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/8/2012, Page 3
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2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #12 -22
AND ENTER INTO A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH THE LOW BIDDER,
MIKE'S ROOFING, INC. FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF PORTIONS OF THE
COURTHOUSE ROOF, IN THE AMOUNT OF $131,527 (AB2012 -169) (12:11:18
PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked and there
was discussion of the long -term issue of the siding problem.
Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department, answered questions.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the cause of window mold.
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 -12 FOR THE DELIVERY AND SUPPLY OF ASPHALTIC MIXES TO BOTH
VENDORS WHO PLACED BIDS AND THEN 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 OF
APPROXIMATELY $85,000 (AB2012 -170) (12:12:55 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)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 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@7.o.whatcorn.wa.us
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/8/2012, Page 4