HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 29 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 29, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (11: 04:55 AM)
Present: Ken Mann and Tony Larson.
Absent: Kathy Kershner.
Also Present: Sam Crawford, Bill Knutzen, Barbara Brenner and Carl Weimer.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2011 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, THIRD
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $722,246 AB2011 -114
Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
Larson asked and there was discussion of
• Paying for Lake Whatcom reconveyance services that have already been
contracted and rendered.
• The total value and status of the Lake Whatcom reconveyance contract.
• How to stop the contract with the State Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) regarding the Lake Whatcom reconveyance.
Brenner stated don't move ahead with any more of this funding. Once the
reconveyance is done, more people will go into the watershed, which isn't good for the
watershed. It's better to remain a protected, working forest.
Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director, gave a staff report on
the status of the Lake Whatcom reconveyance.
Knutzen stated a working forest is best for the watershed, and the Parks Department
won't be able to take care of it any better than the DNR. Don't spend more money before
funds are allocated.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the money the County has spent on the
reconveyance so far.
Jeff Parks, Sheriff's Office, gave a staff report on the Sheriff's Department boat
purchase.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/29/2011, Page 1
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Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the current Boston Whaler is appropriate for the bay.
• How the Sheriff's Office crosses the bay now.
• The types of situations in which the boat may be deployed in the bay and how
often the boat is deployed.
• Prioritizing local and regional boat builders to bid on the design project, which
would save on the cost to ship a new boat here.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Coordinating with other marine patrol law enforcement.
• Making sure that the engines are four - stroke and the trailer is galvanized.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• The age of the current boat.
• The contingency of responding to Lummi Island if the ferry were no longer in
service.
Larson moved to amend the motion, to vote on items two and six separately. The
motion would be to approve items one, three, four, five, seven, and eight.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
Larson moved to approve item two regarding the Lake Whatcom reconveyance
funding.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann (1)
Nays: Larson (1)
Absent: Kershner (1)
Larson moved to approve item six regarding the Economic Development
Investment (EDI) application regarding affordable housing.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann (1)
Nays: Larson (1)
Absent: Kershner (1)
Crawford asked and there was discussion of the EDI application regarding affordable
housing, item six.
Paul Schissler, 714 Wilson Avenue, Bellingham, gave a report on the project status.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion about the agencies' abilities to pay back the
money eventually.
Desler described the loan repayment process.
(11: 55:25 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/29/2011, Page 2
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Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• Homes never coming out of affordable status.
• The Council's previous request to address concerns about not developing a
perpetual program.
Larson stated they've developed a loan program that has the potential for never
being paid back. They are trying to make an affordable housing argument into an economic
development argument.
Greg Young, City of Ferndale, stated he is in favor of the program. Affordable
housing is economic development. Not all economic development gives living wage jobs. It
has a short -run benefit of providing jobs to build the homes. The long -run benefit is to
allow people with different backgrounds to find employment and perpetuate the American
dream.
John Moon, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, described his program. The
cost of impact fees are a big barrier to the program. Once the Habitat home is sold or
transferred, it goes into the competitive program. Their business model doesn't allow for
them to keep the house affordable forever.
Nancy Larson, Whatcom /Skagit Self -Help Housing Executive Director, described her
program. Her program does not require perpetual affordability. This program would save
her homeowners about $13,000 on their loan amount, which is about $50 per month. She
suggested that the loan program be payable on sale or on refinance. Many of her
homeowners refinance in three to four years. If their income goes over 80 percent of the
County median income, the homeowner is required to refinance. In her case, that money
would be paid back to Whatcom County rapidly.
There was discussion about the options to and Council's desire for revising the
program, possibly using the Habitat for Humanity or Self -Help Housing model.
Mann moved to reconsider item six.
The motion to reconsider carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
Mann moved to hold item six regarding the EDI application regarding affordable
housing in committee for one month and request that the administration amend the
proposed program to address concerns regarding loan payback that were expressed today.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON
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STATE DIVISION OF ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE FOR SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND OUTREACH SERVICES AB2011 -120
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
THE JET OLDSTERS ASSOCIATION OF FERNDALE FOR FERNDALE SENIOR
ACTIVITY CENTER STAFFING AND OPERATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$102,812 AB2011 -119 (12:29:01 PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND REID MIDDLETON, INC. TO
PROVIDE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING NEEDED TO COMPLETE A
CONSTRUCTION BID PACKAGE FOR A NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL, INTERSECTION
IMPROVEMENTS, ILLUMINATION, PAVING, GRADING, SIGNING AND
CHANNELIZATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $176,692.91 AB2011 -121 (12:29:19
PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether local engineering firms have any
priority in the bid process.
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY (SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPT OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT) AND SNOHOMISH COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE
OF ALLOCATING GRANT FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITY OF LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT
TO PREVENT, DETER, RESPOND TO AND RECOVER FROM CATASTROPHIC
AND /OR TERRORIST EVENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $264,408 AB2011 -122
(12:33:13 PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/29/2011, Page 4
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether there is any leverage with
Homeland Security to use the Olympic Coordination Center.
Jeff Parks, Sheriff's Office, gave a staff report and answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
5. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
FERNDALE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING THE USE OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT FUNDS FOR PUBLIC FACILITY COSTS RELATED
TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOMES IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.2
MILLION AB2011 -123
Larson moved to hold in committee to the last meeting in April.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ON AGING TO PROVIDE STAFFING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AT THE
BELLINGHAM SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $102,812
AB2011 -124 (12:38:50 PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked if this was the only organization that bid.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department, described the bid respondents.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
7. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTH SOUND MENTAL
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION FOR CRISIS RESPITE BEDS AND STAFF AT THE
CRISIS TRIAGE FACILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $286,000 AB2011 -125
(12:40:01 PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/29/2011, Page 5
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Absent: Kershner (1)
8. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ELIZABETH SNYDER, MS,
LMHC TO PROVIDE OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES TO
WHATCOM COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE NO OTHER READILY AVAILABLE
SOURCE OF FUNDING TO PROCURE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN AN
AMOUNT THAT IS VARIABLE DEPENDING ON NUMBER OF SERVICES
PROVIDED AND AUTHORIZATION BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AB2011-
126 (12 :40 :27 PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
9. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
LYNDEN TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR STAFFING AND OPERATIONAL
SUPPORT, INCLUDING MINOR CUSTODIAL SUPPLIES, FOR THE LYNDEN
SENIOR CENTER IN 2011 AND 2012 (AB2011 -132) (12 :41 :10 PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kershner (1)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION ONLY
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING WHATCOM COUNTY'S PURCHASE OF
DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND
PRESERVATION AB2011 -117
Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Committee, gave a staff report. The
Whatcom Land Trust was instrumental to the purchase of development rights (PDR)
program development. The contract maintains the PDR relationship. Four to five percent of
the total direct cost of the easement purchases have gone to the Land Trust. The proposal
would substantially reduce that percentage.
The following person answered questions.
• Rand Jack, Whatcom Land Trust
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the Land Trust money is to be used for potential future litigation.
• Whether the litigation fund has grown large enough that they no longer need
to fund it.
• Who would pay for any potential litigation.
• The potential for creatively using the dedicated litigation funds for other uses.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/29/2011, Page 6
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of costs for administration.
Jack asked that County staff draw up a new, three -year contract with the new
formula of three percent applied to the first $150,000 of property value, two percent applied
to the amount from $150,00 to $500,000 in property value, and one percent applied to any
amount of property value over $500,000.
Lutz stated she will come back with a new contract at the last meeting in April.
OTHER ITEMS
There were no other items.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:57 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�omhatcomma.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Ken Mann, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/29/2011, Page 7