HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance September 25 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
September 25, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(3:01:14 PM)
Present: Ken Mann, Sam Crawford and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Kathy Kershner, Bill Knutzen, and Pete Kremen.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. ON -SITE SEWAGE SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FEE
STRUCTURE PROPOSAL (AB2012 -255A)
Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director, gave a staff report and asked for
direction on the proposed fee schedule for 2013 -2014. There will be a gap in revenue
available to pay for the program. Staff proposes a $19 fee for homeowners.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the inspections will still be done by
private inspectors, not County inspectors.
Jack Louws, County Executive, answered questions.
Weimer stated he generally supports the program. He asked and there was
discussion about whether the proposed amounts are accurate, whether there will be any
outreach materials for landowners regarding the program, and whether the County always
took a 22 percent indirect cost from the fees.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the difference between this proposal and
the proposal made a month ago and what exactly the $19 annual fee will pay for.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether gravity system owners will
realize a small savings and of the indirect costs. She doesn't agree with the assumption
that gravity systems need to be pumped every five years. She asked and there was
discussion of what the classes cost each year and doing more outreach. The County has
more requirements than the State. She asked the general cost to the homeowner of
upkeep on and installation of a septic system,.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/25/2012, Page 1
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Weimer asked and there was discussion of the source of the Public Works
Department contribution. He suspects it comes from the flood fee.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether the County has any extra
requirements from what the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) requires, and if there is
anything to make the program less expensive.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the causes of repair versus replacement.
The County requires replacement for causes that should only require repairs.
Mann stated he supports the proposed new fee structure. The structure is more fair
and stable. It doesn't punish the people who choose to comply.
Crawford stated he's not sure of the need for the property tax. He asked and there
was discussion of the public health problem from failing septic systems.
Brenner stated she had asked for specific information on the location of any systems
that were draining directly into ditches.
John Wolpers, Health Department, answered questions.
Weimer stated he supports the $25 fee because of evidence presented to the
Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committees of deteriorating water quality. The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just gave money to the State Department of
Ecology (DOE) for new inspectors in Whatcom County to work on fecal coliform issues in
agricultural areas. As soon as that happens, the farmers are going to ask why the County
isn't working on septic issues. He also supports increasing the proposed fee to $20, so they
don't have to use money from the flood fee.
Knutzen stated he supports the proposal.
Kremen stated everyone with a septic system is required by Washington State law to
comply, not just those in the Drayton Harbor or Lake Whatcom watersheds. Everyone
should share in the cost of the program.
Kershner stated she supports the proposal, and also supports Councilmember
Weimer's proposal to charge a $20 fee and not use money from the flood fund.
Brenner stated she wants to see the information she requested to see if the problem
is rampant. This is a basic service the County is supposed to provide. It's a punitive fee
either way. It won't save the overall population any money.
Mann stated the councilmembers seem to generally support the proposal. Delahunt
stated she will look into the option of charging the $20 fee instead.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2012 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, TWELFTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $108,908 (AB2012 -298) (3:42:21 PM)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/25/2012, Page 2
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 2.104, CODE OF ETHICS
(AB2012 -158)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked to have a
definition of "private interest."
Shane Roth stated a private interest occurs when a councilmember would lose or
gain financially more than the other councilmembers.
Karen Frakes, Prosecutor's Office, stated Mr. Roth's definition is accurate.
Dana Brown - Davis, Clerk of the Council, read the definition from the Whatcom
County Code.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether the rule of necessity applies in
quasi - judicial matters.
Kremen stated a councilmember who would receive a personal benefit should recuse
himself or herself from voting.
Frakes stated appearance of fairness issues are different from an actual conflict of
interest, in which the rule of necessity would not apply.
Kremen suggested amending language, "a personal or private interest." Frakes
stated a personal interest isn't defined.
Kershner referenced section 2.104.020 and suggested new language, "or when it
becomes known that a councilmember has a private interest." It's possible for a
councilmember to discuss an issue without being aware of a private interest until later in the
discussion.
Frakes stated she suggests language, "No elected county official shall knowingly
participate in the decision - making process."
Weimer amended his motion and moved to recommend approval to the full
Council with one amendment to section 2.104.020, "No elected county official shall
knowingly participate in the decision - making process."
vote:
The motion to recommend approval with the amendment carried by the following
Ayes: Mann, Crawford and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/25/2012, Page 3
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COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND RMS
CONSULTING SERVICES TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO
THE RMS REPLACEMENT PROJECT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $26,600, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT
OF $84,200 (AB2012 -303) (3:54 :13 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)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND GARY DOLIN FOR MENTAL
HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT THAT IS VARIABLE
DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF SERVICES PROVIDED AND WILL BE
AUTHORIZED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT (AB2012 -304) (3 :54 :53 PM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether there are any grants or other
funding that the County is not able to pursue due to staffing or other issues.
Polly Jones, Health Department, answered questions.
Kremen asked and there was discussion of whether there is a cap on the amount of
money provided.
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 MATTHEW MEYER FOR
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES, IN A TOTAL AMOUNT THAT IS
VARIABLE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF SERVICES PROVIDED AND WILL
BE AUTHORIZED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AS PER THE ATTACHED
REIMBURSEMENT RATES (AB2012 -305) (3 :57 :58 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.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/25/2012, Page 4
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 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, 9/25/2012, Page 5