HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance August 9 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
August 9, 2011
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
Present: Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann and Tony Larson.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Bill Knutzen, Carl Weimer and Sam Crawford.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
Crawford stated the Council, in executive session, had agreed to the Prosecuting
Attorney's request to get additional legal assistance in defending the rural element before
the Growth Management Hearings Board. All the legal deadlines are before the next Council
meeting. The Council agreed to hiring the assistance, but it doesn't have the budget
authority. The contract is done by resolution and will be before the Council tonight. Dewey
Desler will describe how to approve the budget authority.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the Council could approve the contract
for legal assistance tonight. Through the Executive's authority, they can do a budget
transfer of lines items from personnel to professional services. The Council will act on the
supplemental request for professional services. The Council will not need to take action
other than to approve the contract tonight. It is understood that the budget ordinance will
come at the next meeting.
Mann stated the Council received communication about which attorney the County is
hiring. Desler stated the contract is with Lesa Starkenburg - Kroontje. They must have a
contract in place so the administration has the authority to pay expenses related to the
contract.
Brenner stated it is important for councilmembers to separate their positions on the
issue from understanding good representation and the law about conflicts of interest.
1. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE
DISTRICT AND SUBZONES BUDGET, REQUEST #1 (FOR BIRCH BAY
WATERSHED AND AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DISTRICT), IN THE
AMOUNT OF $336,238 (AB2011 -258)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District Board of Supervisors.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/9/2011, Page 1
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2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO
BECOME THE LEAD AGENCY FOR THE FOR HOUSING AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS
PROGRAM (AB2011 -260)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Ann Deacon, Health Department
• Gail deHoog, Health Department
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• Alternatives to Whatcom County as lead.
• Advantages.
• Whether this money is just transferring to the Opportunity Council.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the County, as lead agency, has oversight of how the funds are
used.
• Requiring users of the system to contribute rather than becoming stuck in the
system.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WOMENCARE SHELTER TO
PROVIDE HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE OPERATION OF THE WHATCOM HOMELESS SERVICE CENTER IN THE
AMOUNT OF $15,000 (AB2011 -261)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND INDUSTRIAL CREDIT UNION
FOR THE ON -SITE SEWAGE SYSTEM LOAN PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF
$111,000 (AB2011 -262)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Kyle Dodd, Health Department
• Kim Sutton, Industrial Credit Union
• Terry Heinz, Health Department
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/9/2011, Page 2
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Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• How far the funding will go.
• Whether the County is essentially guaranteeing the loan.
• How the loan program works.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether the County's money is at risk of the
loans default.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of placing liens on properties.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of when the Opportunity Council program
will come before the Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY
FOR INSTALLATION OF NEW CONCRETE RAILROAD CROSSING SURFACE ON
SLATER ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,585 (AB2011 -263)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person answered questions:
• Joe Rutan, Public Works Department
Larson asked and there was discussion of how the County negotiated with BNSF.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE AND
STABILIZE A PORTION OF SILVER BEACH CREEK FROM BROWNSVILLE
DRIVE TO EAST 16TH PLACE IN THE AMOUNT OF $510,824 (AB2011 -264)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person answered questions:
• Kirk Christensen, Public Works Department
Crawford stated this project is important for affecting the phosphorous level in Lake
Whatcom Basin 1. He described the project.
Larson asked and there was discussion of the pilot project and whether they can
monitor the impacts.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/9/2011, Page 3
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT USING THE WASHINGTON
STATE CONTRACT FROM ALCATEL- LUCENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $87,758.94
(AB2011 -265)
(Clerk's Note: The Committee discussed this item and the next agenda item
concurrently.)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Art Edge, Sheriff's Office
• Dan Cruz, Coscomm Chief Executive Officer
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the technology used in the equipment.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR CONSULTING, PARTS AND
INSTALLATION AS PART OF THE ONGOING INTEROPERABLE
COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT FROM COSCOMM IN THE AMOUNT OF
$178,203.26 (AB2011 -266)
(Clerk's Note: See Consent Agenda item five for discussion of this item.)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried
Ayes: Kershner,
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
by the following vote:
Mann and Larson (3)
1. DISCUSSION OF 2011 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT (AB2011 -272)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, referenced handouts submitted the previous
day (on file). Revenue is slightly above projections, due to one -time tax revenues items.
Expenditures are on target for the year. One problem includes charges for services in the
Health Department and Planning Department. Shortfalls are being addressed by not
rehiring staff that leave. Therefore, the budget remains in balance and is on target.
Using this information, they have forecast projections to the end of the year. They
are spending approximately $900,000 more each year, which comes off the fund balance.
At the end of 2011, they should have the balance they originally projected when they
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/9/2011, Page 4
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adopted the budget. At the end of 2012, they will be about $500,000 above original
projections.
He referenced and described the handout titled Puts and Takes - General Fund
Projections to 12/31/11.
The following person answered questions:
• Marianne Caldwell, Administrative Services Department
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• How sales tax is not meeting projections.
• Whether any of the pass- through money that didn't come through the Health
Department was the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program money.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the expenditure and health insurance
assumptions for 2013.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the budget supplemental request from
the Sheriff's Office for two deputies and requested offsets.
Larson referenced the ordinance amending the 2011 Whatcom County Budget,
eighth request, in the amount of $113,608 (AB2011 -269). He asked and there was
discussion of the date that the new deputies would start.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:20 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, 8/9/2011, Page 5