HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 11 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 11, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (11: 02:27 AM)
Present: Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann and Tony Larson.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Bill Knutzen and Carl Weimer.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. UPDATE FROM THE BELLINGHAM - WHATCOM COUNTY COMMISSION
AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (AB2011 -131A)
Sue Parrott, Bel ling ham - Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence,
submitted a handout (on file) and gave a staff report and described the safety and
accountability audit, gaps in service, and recommendations.
The following person answered questions
• Susan Marks, Bellingham - Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic
Violence
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether there was consideration given to
impacts to the children of the victim.
Mann asked and there was discussion of the next step to implement the
recommendations.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of cultural barriers.
Larson asked and there was discussion of prioritizing recommendations that have a
direct affect on the physical safety of the victim.
Mann asked and there was discussion of who funded the audit.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether the County or Commission
reach out to school districts.
Mann asked and there was discussion on their progress on the recommendations of
the past three audits.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2011, Page 1
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COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION SETTING A SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL FOR THE YEARS 2014 AND 2015 (AB2011 -314) (11:27:53 AM)
Kershner stated the information in the Council packet has incorrect figures. The
correct figures are $22,000 for 2014 and $22,500 for 2015. She asked and there was
discussion of tying the Council salaries to the Executive's salary.
Weimer asked and there was discussion of resetting the Executive's salary before the
election and before approving this resolution.
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether a salary commission would make
this resolution moot.
Larson asked and there was discussion of the history of how the Council sets its
salary schedule. He moved to amend the resolution to keep the current salary of $20,000
through 2015.
Kershner stated and there was discussion of getting information on whether this
Council can vote on their own salary or reduce it's salary for 2012 and 2013.
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Larson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Abstain: Kershner (1)
2. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING REGULAR WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING DATES FOR 2012 (AB2011 -315) (11:36:17 AM)
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)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON STATE HEALTH
CARE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE OUTREACH TO WASHINGTON RESIDENTS
RESIDING WITHIN WHATCOM COUNTY WHO ARE POTENTIALLY ELIGIBLE
TO BE ENROLLED IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM (AB2011 -321) (11 :37 :06 AM)
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 LUTHERAN COUNSELING
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2011, Page 2
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NETWORK FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES FOR WHATCOM
COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE NO OTHER READILY AVAILABLE SOURCE OF
FUNDING TO PROCURE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (AB2011 -322) (11:37:34
AM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council. She asked and there
was discussion of whether this is a new community agency.
The following person answered questions:
• Ann Deacon, Health Department
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 AN
AMENDMENT OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
COUNTY AND WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY TO CONTINUE THE JOINT
SHARING OF COSTS FOR FACULTY POSITIONS IN WSU EXTENSION, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $83,542, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF $931,458.90
(AB2011 -323) (11:38:50 AM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Larson asked and there was discussion on where the other funding comes from.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• The facility cost.
• The agricultural agent position.
Larson asked and there was discussion of whether the County reviews their budget.
Mann asked and there was discussion of approving this expense in the biannual
budget process.
Kershner stated she wants more information about the public benefit of Cooperative
Extension services. She moved to hold this in committee until the next Finance Committee
meeting.
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 AN
AMENDMENT TO A GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY TO PROVIDE SOLID WASTE
COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT AND LITTERING AND ILLEGAL DUMPING
ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,973, FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED AMOUNT OF $151,889 (AB2011 -324) (11 :48:27 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2011, Page 3
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Larson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person answered questions:
• Jeff Hegedus, Health Department
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• What this specifically pays for.
• The dump flowing into the Nooksack River at Foothills Recycling. She would
like the money to go toward solving that problem rather than disposal
companies that are already complying.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
MODIFICATION TO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
COUNTY AND WHAT -COMM COMMUNICATIONS CENTER TO INTEGRATE THE
$1.5 MILLION REVENUE SHARING PLAN THAT WAS RECENTLY APPROVED BY
THE WHAT -COMM ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD (AB2011 -325) (11:55:07 AM)
Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Dave Dahl, City of Bellingham Police Department
• Rob Wilson, City of Bellingham Fire Department
Kershner asked and there was discussion of what the modification really means.
Larson asked and there was discussion of how much they've banked and will bank
for Next Generation (NG) 911.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of charging the NG911 tax on products that
aren't telephones.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the potential for replacing What -Comm
facilities.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AMENDMENT TO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BENNETT
ENGINEERING FOR MONITORING SERVICES FOR THE CEDARVILLE AND Y
ROAD LANDFILLS TO ADD ADDITIONAL TASKS TO THE SCOPE OF WORK AND
EXTEND THE TERM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,501, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED
CONTRACT OF $251,011 (AB2011 -326) (12:02:21 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person gave a staff report and answered questions:
• Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2011, Page 4
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether they can use money from the
Department of Ecology.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
7. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WASHINGTON STATE
RECREATION & CONSERVATION OFFICE FOR GRANT FUNDING TO
RENOVATE THE BOAT LAUNCH FACILITY AT LIGHTHOUSE MARINE PARK, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $240,000 (AB2011 -327) (12:05:01 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council. She is happy to see
this come forward.
The following person answered questions:
• Eric Axelson, Parks and Recreation Department
Knutzen asked if the County will charge fees and if there are any other boat launches
in the County parks.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
2. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION ON PROJECTED ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
AND PROCESS FOR SUPERIOR COURT (AB2011 -320) (12:06 :53 PM)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, submitted a handout (on file) and gave a staff
report. They propose consolidating services. These changes will result in cost savings and
improve the function of justice in the community. Later this year, he will discuss with the
Council modifying the current system of three Superior Court Judges to a system with four
Superior Court judges. They will initially save about $100,000.
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Chuck Schneider, Superior Court Judge
• Ira Urich, Superior Court Judge
Mann asked and there was discussion of whether this is a result of a joint task force
effort.
Larson asked and there was discussion of any potential conflict associated with a
Court Administrator who would report both to the County Executive and Superior Court
Judges.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of impacts to Juvenile Court and why it was
removed from the judicial branch in the first place.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2011, Page 5
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of whether the potential savings includes a
new judge.
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• How and when they expect to implement these changes to the organizational
structure.
• Involving the candidates in the discussions.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the administration requests the
Council to approve the purchase of a replacement voicemail system (AB2011 -330).
He submitted a handout (on file) and gave a staff report.
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department
• Chris Wilson, Administrative Services Department
Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• The vendor of the current system.
• Whether the request is for a repair or a new system.
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• The life cycle of the phone system.
• Whether this voicemail system will be compatible with a new total phone
system.
• How many phone handsets the County uses.
• The ballpark investment for a total new system in a few years.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of cloud -based operations, which have
much lower costs.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether this system will allow them to
keep voicemails for public records requests.
Mann asked and there was discussion of upgrading the email system and whether it
will integrate with a new phone system.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
Kershner stated and there was discussion of:
• Following up on whether the County has received the Lummi Island lease
agreement from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
• Developing a new reimbursement system for employees whose supplemental
pay has been revoked.
• Whether the Planning Department has a staff person who can be shared with
the Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2011, Page 6
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Kershner asked the Committee to begin consideration and discussion of reviewing
the Council policy analyst position. The Council could benefit from having someone who can
work on issues on behalf of the Councilmembers, particularly on Comprehensive Plan
review. They can talk about it during the discussion this fall on the status of the County
budget.
The Committee concurred.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they will fine -tune the 2012 at the
November 9, 2011 Council meeting. November and December is a good time to review this
topic. The Council Clerk or Council Chair could submit an additional service request (ASR).
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:50 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, 10/11/2011, Page 7