HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 12 20101
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 12, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Ken Mann called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m. in the Council
Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL (10:06:12 AM)
Present: Kathy Kershner, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Bill Knutzen, Barbara Brenner and Sam Crawford.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR 2011 AND 2012
(AB2010 -244A)
Mann gave a report and referenced a list of services provided by Whatcom County
(on file).
The following person answered questions:
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Discussion included using the Pierce County resolution, as shown in the Council
packet, as a model for Whatcom County; maintaining existing park capital facilities rather
than purchasing more park land; (10:11:30 AM) whether the Council should revise its
budget direction already given to the administration; bringing forward a written proposal;
whether the timing of this discussion is appropriate; getting information on how many funds
the County has, the sources of those funds, and prioritizing within those funds; whether
there are specific plans for the different funds; whether they should treat the departments
equally; not doing across - the -board cuts, and; creating a living document that defines
priorities all the time.
Brenner stated that she would like the Council to say that public safety is the highest
priority of essential services, and parks programs and acquisition should be reevaluated.
(10 :16 :19 AM) Also, go back to the annual budget process.
Weimer stated look specifically at the different funds to prioritize how money is
spent.
2. REPORT ON EXPENSES INCURRED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE AUGUST
25, 2010, PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY (AB2010 -345) (10 :34 :19 AM)
Frank Abart, Public Works Department, gave a staff report and stated this was meant
to be a written report only.
The following person answered questions:
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/12/2010, Page 1
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• Joe Rutan, Public Works Department
Discussion included whether the extra costs were to get the County through the rest
of the year, or through a specific situation and the amount of roads striped each year.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A JOINT
FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE US
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE ANNUAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF
THE COUNTY'S STREAM GAGE NETWORK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $74,615
(AB2010 -346) (10:40:19 AM)
Weimer 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
Discussion included how much more they are going to pay to the U.S. Government;
whether the County can negotiate a lower cost, and; whether there is an alternative, private
service provider.
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 LEASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND PAMELA AND STANLEY
ADAMS FOR 9006 LAKE ROAD, MAPLE FALLS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $650 PER
MONTH (AB2010 -347) (10:43:21 AM)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person answered questions:
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Discussion included whether these rental leases cover maintenance costs; whether
the Parks Department inspects the properties during the lease periods, and; how the lease
funds collected are spent.
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 LEASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND JENNI BROWN FOR LEASE
OF 3211 NORTH SHORE ROAD, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,300 PER MONTH
(AB2010 -348) (10 :47 :31 AM)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/12/2010, Page 2
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Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND
THE US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS BUREAU
OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, TO COVER OVERTIME AND IMPACT COSTS
DURING THE 2010 OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS GAMES, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $60,465 (AB2010 -349) (10:47:52 AM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
EASEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND PUGET SOUND
ENERGY, INC. FOR UNDERGROUND FACILITIES AT THE NORTH END OF
HOVANDER PARK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 (AB2010 -350) (10:48:22 AM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
S. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
AGREEMENT WITH WHATCOM COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 5 TO SUPPORT A
PORTION OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PARAMEDIC TRAINING AS
AUTHORIZED THROUGH THE EMS PLAN AND SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
REQUEST #11 OF THE 2010 BUDGET, IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 (AB2010-
351) (10:48:46 AM)
Kershner moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following person answered questions:
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Discussion included the status of the controversy surrounding this item; training
these people within the County; whether the training has begun; whether this went through
the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Board; how the employee will keep his certification,
given the low call volume in Point Roberts; the conflict among the paramedic service
providers; the need for a paramedic in Point Roberts, and; District 7's willingness to train
staff.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Kershner, Mann and Weimer (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/12/2010, Page 3
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OTHER BUSINESS
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they entered the next stage of selling
bonds. The Council will discuss that this evening. He described the specifics of the bond
rating, uses of the funds, and projected interest costs. The administration will bring forward
a substitute document showing the results of this morning's bond sales.
Discussion included whether they will save money annually; if the bond amounts are
more than what the County has currently; the County's debt ratio, and; the amount of the
annual bond payment.
Weimer asked the source of funds used for the Council of Governments (COG) dues.
Desler stated the COG dues is paid from the general fund, non - departmental.
Weimer asked if it can be paid from the road fund, since it's for transportation
planning. Desler stated they can't pay that cost from the road fund. People have concerns
about the budget. (11:02:04 AM) He is willing to meet with each councilmember to go over
the budget in detail.
Brenner asked why the County pays more in COG dues than the City of Bellingham.
Desler stated he can't say. The County often finds itself in the position of giving funds to
the cities. Jim Miller can explain the reason for the COG dues. The County pays most for
COG, and gets few votes. It's the same with 9 -1 -1 dispatch. He's tried to tell those folks
that the County can't continue that into the future. The County can no longer do everything
for the cities, which have more robust sales taxes and options for other taxes that the
County doesn't have.
Discussion included tax rates and costs associated with funding for special districts
(11:08:49 AM) for special districts; how fire districts and the County pay based on a rate
per dispatch call, and; paying for fire district aid calls versus fire calls.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council a&o.whatcom.wa.us
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Ken Mann, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/12/2010, Page 4