HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 22 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
November 22, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (10:01:51 AM)
Present: Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann and Tony Larson.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Carl Weimer, Barbara Brenner, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY
RELATIONS STEVE SWAN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WESTERN
(AB2011 -370)
Steve Swan, Western Washington University (WWU) Vice President, described
WWU's national rankings by various publications and organizations, funding challenges, and
efforts to be a part of the local community. He also described University programs,
including the Compass to Campus program for middle school children, a science and math
education program for teachers in the local school districts, and WWU student and employee
volunteer efforts. Last, he described WWU's economic and small business development
efforts in the county. He submitted an annual report and brochure (on file).
Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• Reduced funding from the State and its impact on tuition and fees.
• A decline in applicants to the University.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• Creating a method of communication between elected officials and the
department heads of the journalism and political science departments.
• Creating an intern program for those students.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• The effects to administration by the loss of 200 University employees.
• Extracurricular activities and services that have been cut.
• Transitioning certain University services into profit centers.
• Whether the University is working with the City on invasive species in Lake
Whatcom.
Larson asked and there was discussion of the University's capital facilities budget in
the next five years.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 1
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Kershner stated the Council is willing to work in partnership with the University to
get through this time of budget challenges.
2. WHATCOM COUNTY CONSERVATION SUMMARY FOR 2011 (AB2011 -382)
(10: 30:45 AM)
Regan Clover, Administrative Services Department, gave a staff report and update
on programs and tasks she accomplished in her position. She submitted handouts (on file)
and described energy savings in County facilities, cost savings achieved through the waste
reduction program, the commute trip reduction program, and conservation staff meetings
with departments. In the future, she would like to expand the energy savings program,
assess fleet fuel consumption costs, and reduce the County's paper consumption costs.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether Ms. Clover was involved in the Whatcom Farm Finder program.
• The community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
• What is discussed in the Food and Farming workshops.
• Getting the word out that the water rights issues need to be resolved to
promote agriculture.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of:
• The effects of broadening the facility temperature.
• How to calculate cost savings due to reduced energy consumption.
• Involving Ms. Clover in any facility remodel designs to enhance energy
efficiencies.
• Why the County didn't take advantage of the Community Solar Initiative.
• Rooftop wind energy generators that allow a building to recoup its energy
costs.
• County employee participation in the commute trip reduction program.
• Exactly how many farms are supported by the CSA program.
• Whether the County is out of the International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) membership.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of increased gas costs at the Civic Center
Annex.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE LUMMI NATION FERRY LEASE FUND
(AB2011 -358)
report.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of where the money comes from.
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, answered questions and gave a staff
Crawford asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the County has worked with the Lummi Tribe on defining the project.
• Whether the Tribe has talked about providing matching dollars.
Larson asked and there was discussion of how the County and Tribe agree on
whether a project meets the terms of the lease.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 2
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Larson 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. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2012 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, SECOND
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,196,813 (AB2011 -360) (10 :58:15 AM)
Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, submitted a handout regarding budget
supplemental request item 21 (on file).
• Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
• Marianne Caldwell, Administrative Services Department
• Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director
• Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director
Brenner asked and there was discussion of what it means to record savings.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• Reducing County Health Department programs due to reduced funding from
the State.
• Whether the department is shifting focus back to services rather than policy.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of the positions that serve programs being
eliminated.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the status of the increase in the Women,
Infant, and Children (WIC) Certifier position, supplemental budget request item seven.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of where the County will get money to offset
the reduction in the HIV /AIDS program and oral health program.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether the County can shift the WIC
program to a community partner.
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• Supplemental budget request item 21, the Treasurer interest income, and the
amount of reduced earnings.
• What is included in the cost to complete the Assessor Treasurer System,
supplemental budget request item 23.
(11 :26 :14 AM)
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether the costs for ferry parking are
part of the lease agreement.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 3
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Brenner asked and there was discussion of:
• The nature of the ferry dock improvements.
• When the Mosquito Lake Road Bridge was last done.
• Why they are doing a structural overlay on Hannegan Road.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether they can get aerial photographs
and pictometry at a lesser cost.
Crawford asked for and Mr. Desler gave a staff report on supplemental budget
request item 31 regarding the 2012 payment to Whatcom Medic One.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of:
• The call volume in relation to the costs of the program.
• The reason for reduced call volume.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the City of Bellingham removing the basic
life support (BLS) service from its service.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether the fire districts get reimbursed
for BLS.
(11:51:01 AM)
Brenner stated and there was discussion of not funding a new Hovander River Walk,
supplemental budget request item 37, so they can fund stormwater facilities.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Not funding the Roeder Home project, supplemental budget request item 35.
• The different options for electronic time keeping, supplemental budget
request item 38.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
Larson asked and there was discussion of the reason for the change in
intergovernmental revenues.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND REICHHARDT & EBE
ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE COTTONWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENT DESIGN ASSISTANCE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $78,019.52
(AB2011 -378) (12:01:44 PM)
Kershner 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)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 4
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ZONE DISTRICT AND BIRCH BAY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT FOR BIRCH
BAY WATERSHED AND AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION (AB2011 -380) (12:02 :14 PM)
Larson moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District Board of Supervisors.
Kershner asked whether this is related to the low impact development (LID) project.
Kraig Olason, Planning and Development Services Department, indicated it is not.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND VISITING NURSE HOME CARE
TO PROVIDE NURSING SERVICES AT THE WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL AND
WORK CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $783,290 (AB2011 -372) (12 :03 :10 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether this is 100 percent general fund.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether the County receives a Medicaid
reimbursement.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND DR. STUART ANDREWS, M.D.
TO PROVIDE PHYSICIAN SERVICES AT THE WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL AND
WORK CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $65,610 (AB2011 -373) (12 :05 :32 PM)
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)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND MAO WESTWOOD PHARMACY
TO PROVIDE PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES AT THE WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 5
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AND WORK CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $137,622 (AB2011 -374) (12:05:49
PM)
Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections, gave a staff report and stated the actual amount
spent on medications per year is about $500,000 for the year.
Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY SERVICES RECOVERY CENTER TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINUANCE
OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE EVALUATION SERVICES TO YOUTH REFERRED TO
AND SENTENCED UNDER THE CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY DISPOSITION
ALTERNATIVE IN JUVENILE COURT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000, FOR A
TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF $60,000 (AB2011 -375) (12 :08:24 PM)
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)
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND IDENTIX
BIOMETRIC SOLUTIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRONIC
FINGERPRINT MACHINES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,015 (AB2011 -376)
(12:08 :52 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person spoke:
• Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections
Brenner asked and there was discussion of whether they have the ability to do
electronic fingerprinting.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTH SOUND
MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION FOR CRISIS RESPITE BEDS AND STAFF
AT THE TRIAGE CENTER AND TO CONTINUE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES AT THE RAINBOW CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $411,156, FOR A
TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $697,156 (AB2011 -377)
(12 :11 :31 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 6
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The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE WASHINGTON STATE
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY TO PROVIDE A WASHINGTON CONSERVATION
CORPS CREW TO DO PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE SALMON RECOVERY, WATER
QUALITY, AND SHELLFISH PROTECTION PRIORITIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$30,000 (AB2011 -379) (12 :12 :05 PM)
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)
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND REISNER
DISTRIBUTOR, INC. TO EXTEND THE TERM OF SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE
OF PROVIDING FUEL THROUGH A CARD LOCK FUELING SYSTEM FOR FLEET
VEHICLES, IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $400,000, FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $1,200,000
(AB2011 -381) (12 :12 :31 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person spoke:
Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department
Brenner asked and there was discussion of what is included in this cost.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
Desler stated the motion should clarify that this request is to provide fuel through a
card lock system.
OTHER BUSINESS
Larson asked and there was discussion of whether the County will opt in or opt out of
the Ruckelshaus process.
Kershner gave a report on the WSAC conference and shifting responsibilities from the
State to the local levels.
The following person spoke:
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 7
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Mann stated and there was discussion of legally giving preference to local bidders in
a bid request process. He would like to schedule a presentation about the issue.
The Committee concurred.
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(g-.o.w hatcom .w a.us
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2011, Page 8