HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance September 11 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
September 11, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:13 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(11:13:53 AM)
Present: Ken Mann, Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen and Barbara Brenner.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. PORT OF BELLINGHAM ASSOCIATE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION UPDATE
(AB2012 -295)
Dodd Snodgrass and John Michener, Port of Bellingham, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file).
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of scheduling a joint Port and Council
meeting to discuss and remove regulatory barriers.
Mann asked to know more details about regulatory barriers and a list of the
companies surveyed.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated and there was discussion about serving the
public better within County departments.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the Northwest Economic Council.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF WHETHER TO INCLUDE FEDERAL AND STATE RACES IN
PRIMARY LOCAL VOTER PAMPHLET FOR FUTURE YEARS (AB2012 -280)
Debbie Adelstein, Auditor, gave a staff report and described the background and
current system of the State's publishing of their election candidates. The question is
whether publishing the pamphlet makes a difference in voter turnout and whether the
County should do what the State does not. The additional cost would be $6,000.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 1
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Mann asked and there was discussion of how many people called to ask for a State
pamphlet.
Brenner stated it's very important to print the pamphlet to educate people about who
they're voting for.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of how much it costs to print out the State
pamphlet and make it available to the libraries and senior centers.
Adelstein stated the Citizen Advisory Committee discussed the question and
recommends making the State information available in the local voter pamphlet.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of the information in the pamphlet that is
provided by the candidate.
Mann stated he is fine with the current practice.
Brenner stated not all candidates get financial assistance or buy their way into office.
They don't have name familiarity.
Knutzen stated he agrees that more information is better, so he would be willing to
spend the money to include the State and federal elections in the local voter pamphlet.
2. PRESENTATION ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW
RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR ALL BUREAUS OF THE SHERIFF'S
OFFICE (AB2012 -281) (11:50:17 AM)
Bill Elfo, Sheriff's Office, gave a staff report and introduced the consultant and
presenter, Dr. Ralph Ioimo from Public Safety Consultants, Inc. (PSCI).
Ralph Ioimo, Public Safety Consultants, Inc., submitted and read from a presentation
(on file).
Knutzen asked and there was discussion about interoperability with other agencies
and the Whatcom Exchange Network (WENET) and the possibility of overloading the
County's Department of Information Technology (DoIT) staff, given projects he's interested
in taking on.
Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the timeline for implementation. A new
system is critical and will save the County money.
Mann asked for a copy of the functional requirement document.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 2
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, ACTING ON
BEHALF OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT, TO
ENTER INTO A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY FOR ANNUAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNTY'S
STREAM GAGE NETWORK IN THE AMOUNT OF $77,880 (FCZD SHARE IS
$63,240) (AB2012 -282) (12 :05:47 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors
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
JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE
CITY OF ABBOTSFORD, BC, THROUGH AN ACCOMPANYING MOU (AB2012-
283) (12 :06 :28 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors
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
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
CITY OF ABBOTSFORD TO FUND INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A
NEW STREAM GAGE LOCATED IN THE EVERSON -SUMAS OVERFLOW
CORRIDOR, IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,580 (AB2012 -284) (12 :06 :49 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors
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 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BROWN AND
CALDWELL FOR INCREASING THE SCOPE OF WORK AND BUDGET TO
INCLUDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR PERMITTING, DESIGN AND BID
READY DOCUMENTS FOR THE DEMING LEVEE UPSTREAM IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $392,890, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF
$468,490 (AB2012 -285) (12 :07 :19 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 3
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether this is the final modeling effort
before they get started on projects in the field.
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the County uses this contractor for
other contracts.
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 RENEW
INSURANCE FOR THE WHATCOM CHIEF FERRY FOR POLICY YEAR
09/30/2012 THROUGH 09/30/2013 (AB2012 -286) (12:09:46 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 THE WASHINGTON STATE
MILITARY DEPARTMENT TO SUPPLEMENT THE WHATCOM COUNTY
SHERIFF'S OFFICE DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT'S OPERATING
BUDGET TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE DAY -TO -DAY EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,941 (AB2012 -287)
(12:10:05 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 ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SKAGIT COUNTY FOR
FUNDING FOR A NURSE - FAMILY PARTNERSHIP NURSE SUPERVISOR, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $27,987 (AB2012 -288) (12 :10 :33 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of a change in healthcare provisions for
people who fall into the categories of Medicaid and Medicare.
Judy Ziels, Health Department, stated that initiative is not related.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 4
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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
TWO -YEAR SUBSCRIBER AGREEMENT WITH WEST PUBLISHING TO PROVIDE
WEB -BASED AND PRINTED LEGAL RESEARCH TOOLS TO THE WHATCOM
COUNTY PROSECUTOR, IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,031 (AB2012 -289)
(12:12:07 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)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR SERVICES WITH NW COMMUNICATIONS &
CELLULAR, INC., RADIO MAINTENANCE COSTS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,500,
FOR A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF $140,000 (AB2012 -290) (12:12:25 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)
6. RESOLUTION TO AMEND CRP NO. 912004 AND AWARD THE CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT FOR FERRY APRON RESURFACING TO LOW BIDDER, WESTERN
INDUSTRIAL INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 (AB2012 -291) (12:13 :02
PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked and there
was discussion of whether this is coordinated with the striping and re- queuing project.
Frank Abart, Public Works Department, indicated it is.
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
CHANGE ORDER #2, TRIMAXX CONSTRUCTION, INC., FOR COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUTH PASS ROAD STRUCTURAL SLOPE REPAIR
PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,075.99 (AB2012 -292) (12:13:54 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked and there
was a discussion of the reason for the project.
Jim Karcher, Public Works Department, answered questions.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 5
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE US COMMODITY CREDIT
CORPORATION ACTING THROUGH THE NATURAL RESOURCES
CONSERVATION SERVICE, WHATCOM COUNTY, AND WHATCOM LAND TRUST
FOR THE FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $217,500 (AB2012 -293) (12:15 :00 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner stated the Land Trust has become too political, and she's not comfortable
approving contracts with them.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the role of the Land Trust in this project.
Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services Department, answered questions.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of how this agreement is affected by
properties the County did not approve.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
Sharon Westergreen stated she is a deputy in the Public Defender's Office. She is
not speaking on behalf of the Public Defender's Office. The deputies will not receive the
merit based promotions they've earned. Four staff have earned a promotion to senior
deputy that they won't get. Therefore, the County will lose experience in the Public
Defender's Office, which is a violation of Washington Supreme Court rules on how public
defense is run. The Supreme Court set caseload limits on public defenders and minimum
experience requirements. They can't replace experienced attorneys with attorneys right out
of law school. More senior attorneys will have to take up the more serious cases of less
experienced attorneys until they hit their caseload limits. Then the court will have no choice
but to appoint private attorneys within the community to take the serious felonies. That's
not cheap.
Brenner stated this issue was before the Public Defender Advisory Committee.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he is aware of the new caseload regulations,
and will work on it through the budget process.
Brenner asked to see information on how much the County pays for outside legal
counsel.
Westergreen stated all the prosecutor's are senior deputies. Only fifty percent of the
public defenders are senior deputies.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/11/2012, Page 6
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Kremen stated there has been a significant exodus in the Public Defender's Office for
various reasons.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 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, 9/11/2012, Page 7