HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 24 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
May 24, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (11:10:45 AM)
Present: Kathy Kershner and Ken Mann.
Absent: Tony Larson.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Sam Crawford and Barbara Brenner.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL ZONE
DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE
JONES CREEK BANK PROTECTION PROJECT - AB2011 -190
(Note: Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors)
The following people reported and answered questions:
• ]on Hutchings, Public Works Department
• Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, submitted a handout (on file)
• Theresa Sygitowicz, Acme /Van Zandt Flood Subzone Advisory Committee
Chair, submitted and read from a letter (on file)
• Chris Hatch, Acme /Van Zandt Flood Subzone Advisory Committee Member
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether road funds typically contribute to these projects.
• The source of subzone funding.
• Why the Subzone Advisory Committee believes the area isn't eroding.
• Whether the berm protects the area on the other side of it.
• How much money the subzone has and its contribution percentage to this
project.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of
• Why the Subzone would oppose sections of the project, given the erosion and
low contribution amount.
• What a permanent solution would involve.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Respecting the recommendations of the Subzone Advisory Committee.
• Existing buffers and banks in the area.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/24/2011, Page 1
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Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• What happens and what is at risk if the other half of the bank washes away
and there is a flood.
• The purpose of the staff recommendation.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether this project precludes a more long -term, permanent solution.
Kershner moved to recommend that the Board of Supervisors support the staff
recommendation, which includes two components.
Brenner stated they must respect the wishes of the Subzone Advisory Committee.
Put the decision off for two weeks to see if staff and the Advisory Committee members can
reach an agreement.
Mann stated don't spend the subzones money if they don't want to. He suggested
a friendly amendment to not approve item two.
Kershner accepted the friendly amendment.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
Hutchings stated this is not scheduled before the Board of Supervisors. It's an
administrative matter. They will move forward as discussed.
Crawford stated the vote constitutes only two members of the Board.
Kershner moved to reconsider the vote.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
Crawford stated it's not really the Board's decision. The engineer recommended it.
He respected the concerns, but it's a minor part of the project. There is clear evidence of
erosion. The residents are concerned, because they built their own berm.
Weimer stated the bank is eroding as staff described. He supports the project as
staff recommends.
Brenner stated don't spend the money if the residents don't want to.
Kershner withdrew her motion.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2011 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FIFTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,182,185 - AB2011 -179 (11 :51 :17AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/24/2011, Page 2
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Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, described the requests and answered
questions.
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council. She asked and there
was discussion of:
• The funding source for the first item regarding the What -Comm contract
adjustment.
• Why the general fund pays the fire district portion.
• Whether a perimeter fence would be a more cost - effective way to handle the
threat as described in the Jail Fund request.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ESA ADOLFSON,
INC. TO AMEND THE ORIGINAL SCOPE OF WORK IN THE AMENDED AMOUNT
OF $19,872 FOR A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF $257,478 - AB2011 -191
(12:00 :30 PM)
Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of where this project is headed and the
Planning Commission work on this project.
Crawford stated that Councilmember Brenner has asked over the years to incentivize
low impact development, which would provide some sort of regulatory or financial relief.
They targeted a particular environmentally sensitive area in Birch Bay to start.
Peter Gill, Planning and Development Services Department, gave a staff report and
answered questions.
Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether there is any harm in waiting for review by the Planning Commission,
and wait on tasks six through eight.
• Whether there is harm in waiting until the national pollutant discharge
elimination system (NPDES) standard is issued in July or August.
Brenner stated this is complicated, which is a problem. They don't expect
widespread acceptance by residents, so this is to make the program easier for homeowners
to understand.
Mann asked and there was discussion of why people are upset about the incentive
program.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/24/2011, Page 3
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The following people spoke:
• Michelle Luke, Planning Commissioner
• Dave Onkels, Planning Commissioner
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether this proposal has potential to clean up and clarify the program to
make things easier for individual homeowners.
• When a proposed stakeholder group plans to meet.
Weimer stated and there was discussion of a stakeholder group that should
represent a variety of opinions.
Crawford stated that this item and convening a stakeholder group are exclusive of
each other. The stakeholders will be part of the consideration.
group.
Mann stated they can implement this request and also implement a stakeholder
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether this contractor will take in all the information from these
stakeholders to craft a simpler, more incentive -based program.
• Why they are doing this now instead of after the advisory committee.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND
LINSLEY, KRAEGER ASSOCIATES, LTD. FOR THE PREPARATION OF A
TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTING THE RECENT CALIBRATION AND
REFINEMENT WORK TO THE FEQ HYDRAULIC MODEL, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$36,000 - AB2011 -192 (12 :30:25 PM)
(Note: Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of
Supervisors)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Board of Supervisors. She
asked and there was discussion of why the preparation of a technical report wasn't part of
the first contract.
Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and answered questions.
Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• How long this model would be valid.
• How the flood plain changes over the years.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/24/2011, Page 4
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3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON
ASSOCIATION OF SHERIFF'S AND POLICE CHIEFS TO CONTINUE TO FUND
THE RECORDS SPECIALIST POSITION IN THE DRUG TASK FORCE, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $18,525 - AB2011 -193 (12:33:48 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #11 -35
TO THE LOW BIDDER, WESTERN REFINERY SERVICES, INC. FOR STREET
SWEEPING AND CLEANING SERVICES IN THE LAKE WHATCOM AND LAKE
SAMISH WATERSHEDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $98,200 PER YEAR FOR UP TO
THREE ANNUAL RENEWALS - AB2011 -194 (12:34:27 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and answered questions.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of how this relates to the Bellingham City
Council interlocal agreement for similar services at a much lower cost.
Mann asked and there was discussion of why they are funding yet another street
sweeping service.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of the funding source for this contract.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of:
• The rates offered to the City of Bellingham for the same service.
• Whether they have to renew the contract for two more years.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF THREE CROSS BAND REPEATERS FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY
SHERIFF'S OFFICE USING THE WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT FROM
DANIELS CORPORATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $235,000 - AB2011 -195
(12 :42 :04 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/24/2011, Page 5
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6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #11 -40
TO TRIVAN TRUCK BODY LLC FOR INTERIOR CONVERSION AND
INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT IN THE COMMUNICATIONS VAN FOR THE
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $113,615.83 -
AB2011 -196 (12:42:30 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Mann (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Larson (1)
OTHER ITEMS
There were no other items.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:43 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, 5/24/2011, Page 6