HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 25 20111
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 25, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:08 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (11: 09:55 AM)
Present: Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann and Tony Larson.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Sam Crawford, Carl Weimer, Bill Knutzen and Barbara Brenner.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. PRESENTATION BY RON PETERSON AND KATHY WALKER REGARDING THE
WHATCOM EXCHANGE NETWORK ( WENET) (AB2011 -332)
Kathy Walker, Whatcom County Law and Justice Council, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file) regarding the development history of WENET and the status of the
project.
(11:21:04 AM)
Ron Peterson, WENET Project Manager, described the federal mandate to begin
sharing data among jurisdictions. He gave a demonstration of the WENET system.
The following person spoke and answered questions:
• Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of evolving toward cloud technology.
Mann asked and there was discussion of how WENET will connect to state and federal
agencies.
Brenner asked and there was discussion of the potential upgrade of WENET from
computer upgrades.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AMENDMENT TO 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) (11:41:18 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/25/2011, Page 1
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Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Drew Betz, Washington State University (WSU) Cooperative Extension, submitted
and read from a presentation (on file).
(11: 59 :25 AM)
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Sue Blake, Cooperative Extension
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• County funding for the integrated pest management (IPM) program.
• Hiring a dairy specialist to focus on commercial agriculture.
• The number of WSU Cooperative Extension staff in Whatcom County who are
tenured.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of the total number of Cooperative
Extension volunteers.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of:
• How Cooperative Extension staff decide which grants to pursue and programs
to implement.
• What Cooperative Extension volunteers do.
• Whether Cooperative Extension and the County departments, such as the
Health Department, collaborate or duplicate efforts.
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• The positions being funded.
• The percentage of the total employee salary the County pays.
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of focusing efforts to involve commercial
agriculture.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2011 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, TENTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $338,191 (AB2011 -329) (12 :15 :27 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• Anne Deacon, Health Department
• Gail de Hoog, Health Department
• Jeff Parks, Sheriff's Office
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Mann asked and there was discussion of:
• The funding source for the homeless housing fund.
• How the County has unexpended funds.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/25/2011, Page 2
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Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• Why they are serving the same number of people with the increase to the
homeless housing fund.
• How many people who qualify are not being served.
Brenner stated and there was discussion of the Health Department staff's efforts to
plan for future shortfalls.
The following person answered questions:
• Jeff Parks, Sheriff's Office
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• The cost of and funding for the boating safety program.
• Potential enforcement of invasive species inspections.
Mann stated he needs clearer information on the source of funds for the homeless
housing fund. He moved to amend that request to $15,000, so the Health Department can
leverage a grant. There was discussion of the source of funds.
The motion to amend failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann (1)
Nays: Kershner and Larson (2)
The motion to recommend approval carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner and Larson (2)
Nays: Mann (1)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
TO PROVIDE SHELTER PLUS CARE LEASING SPECIALIST SERVICES FOR
LONG TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS PERSONS WITH SERIOUS
MENTAL ISSUES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,326 (AB2011 -335) (12 :43 :38 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)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTHWEST DATA SUPPORT
FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE WITH CREATING ANNUAL FEE
ROLLS FOR 2012 AND 2013 FOR THE BIRCH BAY WATERSHED AND AQUATIC
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (BBWARM) DISTRICT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$23,299.35 (AB2011 -336) (12 :44 :13 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person answered questions:
• Kraig Olason, Public Works Department
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/25/2011, Page 3
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Knutzen asked and there was discussion of the frequency of requests regarding
BBWARM.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of an assessment dispute on a recreational
vehicle (RV) park.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of how a property owner disputes
stormwater assessments.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, ACTING ON
BEHALF OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT, TO
ENTER INTO A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY FOR ANNUAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNTY'S
STREAM GAGE NETWORK IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,820 (FCZD SHARE IS
$62,400) (AB2011 -337) (12:49:38 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control
Zone District Board of Supervisors.
The following person answered questions:
• Paula Cooper, Public Works Department
Mann asked and there was discussion of why it costs so much to monitor six stream
gauges.
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
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BLACK MOUNTAIN
FORESTRY CENTER TO LEASE APPROXIMATELY 5 ACRES AT SILVER LAKE
PARK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS ON FORESTRY, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $1.00 PER YEAR (AB2011 -338) (12:52:03 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)
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL
FOR WHATCOM COUNTY HOMELESS SERVICE CENTER HOUSING AND
ESSENTIAL NEEDS PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,933,640 (AB2011-
339) (12:52:30 PM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/25/2011, Page 4
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The following people answered questions:
• Ann Deacon, Health Department
• Gail de Hoog, Health Department
Larson asked and there was discussion of the difference in the hourly rate.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether they can reduce costs by partnering with non - County agencies.
• Whether the County can require participants to get vocational training and
take responsibility for becoming independent.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of whether this is for more than one
specialist.
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 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BERK & ASSOCIATES TO
PROVIDE CONSULTANT SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT INCENTIVE
DEVELOPMENT TASKS FROM THE AGRICULTURAL STRATEGIC PLAN AND
FACILITATE THE RUCKELSHAUS DECISION - MAKING PROCESS (AB2011-
279A) (1:01:12 PM)
Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person gave a staff report and answered questions:
• Samya Lutz, Planning and Development Services Department
Kershner asked and there was discussion of additional information the Council just
received.
Brenner stated table this item until after next week's Agricultural Advisory
Committee meeting and until she has a chance to review the new information.
Knutzen asked and there was discussion of:
• The opt -in date.
• The funding that will be available if the County opts in.
Larson stated get a presentation from someone who is opposed to this process to
hear both sides of the issue.
Crawford stated and there was discussion of:
• The purpose of the request being about hiring someone to give the County
information on the process, not obligating the County to opt in or opt out of
the Ruckelshaus process.
• The County becoming eligible for money if they opt -in.
• No drawback to opting in.
Knutzen stated and there was discussion of not having to pay for more information
on Ruckelshaus, since there are places to get information at no cost.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/25/2011, Page 5
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Weimer stated and there was discussion of:
• Looking at this contract at the same time as the Farm Friends contract.
• rehiring agriculture staff instead of paying for this contract.
Wes Kentch, Agricultural Advisory Committee, stated a concern is implementation of
the Agricultural Strategic Plan. They don't need to opt in to Ruckelshaus because the
County has the critical areas ordinance. There are too many unfunded mandates from the
State. The Berk & Associates contractor wrote part of the critical areas ordinance that is
flawed. Don't hire them again. Instead, hire someone in -house to write the plan.
Roger Almskaar, Land Use Consultant, stated Berk & Associates didn't have anything
to do with writing the critical areas ordinance (CAO). His property rights group is concerned
because they need to reform the CAO. His group would like to be involved if they go
forward with Ruckelshaus.
Lutz stated they can take the Ruckelshaus portion out of this contract. Keep in mind
the timeline if they want a third party to work on Ruckelshaus.
Kershner stated get a presentation on the Ruckelshaus process from Eric Johnson at
the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC). There shouldn't be an expense to
the presentation.
Debbie Vanderveen, citizen, stated she agrees with Councilmember Kershner. Also
include comments from the agricultural community.
Kershner moved to hold in committee.
Mann stated the councilmembers would work with staff and WSAC to schedule a
presentation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Larson (3)
Nays: None (0)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE 2011 -2012 BUDGET - BIENNIUM REVIEW
(AB2011 -299)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, submitted handouts (on file) and gave a staff
report. He described the fund projections in the handout. There will be a small reduction in
staffing. There won't be big changes in spending. There will be reductions in interest
income.
Brenner stated the County will also suffer reductions in State funding.
Kershner asked and there was discussion of exploring the possibility of the Council
hiring its policy analyst position.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/25/2011, Page 6
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to
Larson asked and there was discussion of:
• Whether the projected budget revenues and expenses for 2011 and 2012 are
different.
• Addressing reimbursable expenses for staff.
Desler stated they will discuss the projections in more detail in November.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:51 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, 10/25/2011, Page 7