HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 25 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
May 25, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (11 :00 :54 AM)
Present: Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Bill Knutzen and Sam Crawford.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2010 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, TENTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $556,762 (AB2010 -213) (11 :01 :21 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Dan Gibson, Prosecutor's Office
Discussion included why they are appropriating $395,062 from the Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) Fund; open enrollment in the training program at Western
Washington University; whether the County should notify the City of Bellingham that the
County will terminate the interlocal agreement per the terms of the agreement; whether
paying for training this year is a commitment to continue paying for training in future years;
having an executive session discussion on what happened during negotiations, and; funding
for the Civic Center remodel project.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Mann and Weimer (2)
Nays: Kershner (1)
There was discussion about scheduling an executive session to discuss the EMS
mediation.
Kershner moved to reconsider the vote.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 1
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Nays: None (0)
Weimer moved to hold the ordinance in committee for two weeks.
Crawford stated they can go forward with the remaining items. Desler stated the
administration can submit a substitute ordinance.
Weimer amended his motion and moved to recommend approval to the full
Council, without the $395,062 for the paramedic training class.
Brenner asked why they are paying for Parks Department costs outside the context
of the budget.
Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director, described the Parks
Department items in the ordinance.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM AND THE OESER COMPANY
FOR CLEAN UP OF CONTAMINATED MATERIALS IN LITTLE SQUALICUM PARK
(AB2010 -219) (11:27 :16 AM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Dan Gibson, Prosecutor's Office, gave a staff report and stated Bellingham is still in
negotiations with Oeser. Bellingham's intent is that Oeser will pay for the bulk of cleanup,
and no costs will be passed on to the County. Approve this request in concept, without
County contribution. If there are significant amendments, the administration will bring
them back to the Council.
Discussion included future liability for any toxic materials on the site and
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cleanup requirements.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DIVISION OF
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND WASHINGTON STATE MILITARY
DEPARTMENT FOR GRANT FUNDING TO SUPPLEMENT EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT OPERATING BUDGET, IN THE AMOUNT OF $55,358 (AB2010-
220) (11 :31 :42 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 2
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Discussion included whether this is tied to the $62,000 interoperability grant in the
budget ordinance.
The following person answered questions:
• Doug Dahl, Emergency Management Division.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND KINGWORKS CONSULTING
ENGINEERS FOR DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR SILVER LAKE
PARK DAY LODGE RENOVATIONS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,940 (AB2010-
221) (11 :33:17 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Discussion included language in the contract for E- Verify and discussing this in the
context of the budget while delaying the work.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Mike McFarland, Parks and Recreation Department Director
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. RESOLUTION AMENDING CRP NO. 909009 AND APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE TO AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR - RUTSATZ ROAD
REPAIR" TO LOW BIDDER TRIMAXX CONSTRUCTION, INC., IN THE AMOUNT
OF $161,093 (AB2010 -222) (11 :35 :34 AM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Discussion included contract rates of $1 per hour; the bid form and planned
quantities of materials needed for the project; approving a contract that says the contractor
must pay prevailing wages; ensuring traffic control safety; the potential for change orders
and additional costs; what makes a contractor qualified for a project; site checking on a
contractor; the number of people who live on Rutsatz Road beyond the slide area; other
options instead of repairing Rutsatz Road, and; the level of the County's obligation to
provide public roads.
The following people answered questions:
• Joe Rutan, Public Works Department
• Jim Karcher, Public Works Department
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 3
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OTHER BUSINESS (11 :53:40 AM)
Nick Kiniski, Point Roberts Fire District 5 Chief, stated Point Roberts is the only place
in the county that doesn't get automatic response from advanced life support (ALS) medics.
He's been offered a scholarship to attend the paramedic training in Seattle. There are
certain other financial obligations. He asks the County Council to contribute to his
paramedic certification. He described his background. If they can get ALS in Point Roberts
part time, BC Ambulance may move a medic into Tsawwassen to back him up, and he would
be a back up for the BC Ambulance medic in Tsawwassen.
Mann asked what happens if Chief Kiniski decides to move away. Kiniski stated it's
not about money for him. That wouldn't be the right thing to do. He's invested a lot of his
time in this.
Brenner asked if the City of Bellingham refused him training. Kiniski stated he's
been turned down by the City of Bellingham as a paramedic in Point Roberts, because he is
not a Union member. Since the Union found out he got the scholarship, Local 106 is trying
to block him from going to paramedic school.
Mann stated he would like a copy of that letter from the City. The County Council
received a letter on this issue. It would be difficult for him to approve anything, because it
seems the EMS program and agreement may be up in the air.
Weimer stated it sounds like cooperation between EMS folks and British Columbia is
in the works. He is in favor of this request. Hopefully this can go through the EMS Advisory
Group for a recommendation. Kiniski stated he's confident the Chief's Association will
support him. The course starts in June. He would move there in September for ten
months.
There was discussion about how emergencies are handled in Point Roberts now; how
this item would come forward formally, and; how long Chief Kiniski's scholarship will be
available.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, answered questions. The administration is
prepared to put forward a proposal immediately. They would like to hear feedback from the
County Council. He will prepare an introduction item for the $50,000 expense for tonight.
Crawford stated Lummi Island folks will attend the meeting tonight to express their
concerns about negotiations. He asked where the administration is at with discussions with
the Port of Bellingham. Desler stated they've had fruitful discussions with the Port and
Executive. He hopes to discuss something with the Council in a couple of weeks.
Weimer asked for an update on discussions with the Lummi Nation.
Crawford stated the Lummis acknowledged the County's request to cancel the last
meeting to compare services. It's the County's move to propose another meeting.
Desler stated the administration intends to have a robust public review process when
they have any information and options.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 4
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
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official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�omhatcomma.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Ken Mann, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/25/2010, Page 5