HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 23 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 23, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:22 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(11:22:21 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 THE 2012 PROJECT BUDGET, SECOND REQUEST,
CIVIC CENTER EXTERIOR REPAIR PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $204,662
(AB2012 -313)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann asked and there was discussion of all the expenses spent so far on the Civic
Center building and whether this is a new expense.
Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department, gave a staff report and answered
questions.
Crawford asked to receive a summary of the cost of the building and the cost of
every improvement made.
Brenner stated don't throw any more money into this building.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of not being allowed to build a new
building at that site given its location to Whatcom Creek.
Brenner stated the order in which the work is being done is making the situation
worse. The windows have been leaking for years.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of whether staff want to work in that
building.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated an option would have lowered the cost a bit,
by not doing the siding above the fourth floor windows. He decided it was best to take care
of it for the long -term by not allowing the material to be exposed to the weather. The
request includes $136,000 in contingency funds he hopes they won't have to spend. He
encourages Council approval.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2012, Page 1
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Mann stated he can't vote to approve this item until he has more information on total
costs. The order in which work has been done on the building has seemed backwards.
Kershner stated that if the County engages in such a project in the future, it should
receive information on complete costs, including anticipated future costs.
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of previous work necessary on the outer
shell of the building, and how it's backwards to work on interior upgrades before fixing
window leaks. He hopes they won't find something like mold due to moisture problems.
Kremen stated the County's investment in the civic center was prudent. The building
location is optimum, and the County is able to leave other buildings it rented at fairly
substantial costs. Also consider the amount of parking space the County acquired, which is
at a premium in the civic center area. The County knew it would have to do some
improvements. In the long -term, any other alternative would have cost substantially more
and not been centrally located, which enables the County to operate efficiently and
effectively. The costs are frustrating, but there are also repetitive costs on the courthouse,
which is a newer, more expensive building. The money has had a good return on
investment.
Brenner stated the courthouse is also in terrible shape. They can't compare the two
buildings.
Mann stated he doesn't have the total picture and background of the building. Work
has been done piecemeal and wasn't managed as effectively as he would have liked. He
needs more information. The Council needs to watch every dollar.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Nays: Mann (1)
Crawford asked for a description of the public utility improvement fund.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, stated it is the same as the
economic development investment (EDI) fund.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2012 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET,
THIRTEENTH REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $212,411 (AB2012 -316)
(11:43:42 AM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann stated he's not in favor for the same reason stated regarding the previous
agenda item.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Nays: Mann (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2012, Page 2
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COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. RESOLUTION CONSENTING TO THE TERMINATION OF THE WASHINGTON
COUNTIES INSURANCE POOL PURSUANT TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
OF THAT ORGANIZATION (AB2012 -320)
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 AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND PIONEER
HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR
OFFENDERS RE- ENTERING THE COMMUNITY, AND CHRONICALLY HOMELESS
VETERANS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $336,255, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED
CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $639,510 (AB2012 -321) (11:44:38 AM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Gail de Hoog, Health Department, answered questions.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the purpose for the request and if this is
a rental subsidy for private housing, above and beyond the 36 permanent housing units.
Crawford asked if any of the offenders would be sex offenders, and whether the
County Council has any say over where sex offenders are placed.
Brenner stated the County has no say about where the Department of Corrections
places sex offenders.
Knutzen stated he is prone to support extra funding if priority is given to chronically
homeless veterans. He asked and there was discussion of whether they can make them a
priority with this money.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether there is a need for these
additional ten units, whether approval of the ballot proposition regarding homeless housing
will cross over this work, and whether the County should wait to see if the proposition is
approved.
Crawford stated he would like to receive information on the placement of sex
offenders.
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
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND JOHN VON
KRUSENSTIERN FOR WAREHOUSE SPACE TO STORE COUNTYWIDE RECORDS
FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,827.08 PER YEAR,
FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $104,135.40 (AB2012 -322) (11:57:04 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2012, Page 3
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Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of which County records will be stored.
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Jack Louws, County Executive
• Mark Burnfield, Administrative Services Department
• Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department
Weimer asked and there was discussion of moving toward a more paperless system
and digitizing records.
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 AMENDMENT FOR THE TERM OF SERVICES WITH MCASPHALT
INDUSTRIES LTD., IN THE AMOUNT OF $145,000 (CONTRACT TO BE
AMENDED FROM MAY 12, 2012, THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2012) (AB2012-
323) (12:02:34 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked and there
was discussion of whether they are getting asphalt from Canada.
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether they are getting a reduction
from another vendor and why they need to increase the budget.
much.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about chip seal and whether it's used too
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#12 -58 TO FABER CONSTRUCTION CORP. FOR EXTERIOR REPAIRS TO THE
CIVIC CENTER BUILDING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,391,912.20 (AB2012 -324)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Weimer (2)
Nays: Mann (1)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE A
RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT FOR HOVANDER HOMESTEAD PARK
RENTAL HOUSE LOCATED AT 5031 NIELSEN AVENUE FOR OCTOBER 1, 2012
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,600 (AB2012 -325)
(12:09:17 PM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2012, Page 4
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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 FREEDMAN & ASSOCIATES
FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES, IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $36,000
(AB2012 -326) (12 :09:41 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 12:10 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@�omhatcomma.us
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/23/2012, Page 5