HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance April 28 20091
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
April 28, 2009
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
L. Ward Nelson None
Bob Kelly
Also Present:
Seth Fleetwood
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Carl Weimer
Barbara Brenner
SPECIAL PRESENTATION AND COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION OF FIRST QUARTER REPORT AND DISCUSSION OF FEE
INCOME (AB2009 -212)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, submitted and summarized the quarterly
report (on file) and submitted and read from a presentation (on file) on various revenue
sources; planned capital improvement projects at Western Washington University providing
construction revenue to the County; destination sales tax for internet sales, and; County
existing debt and interest rates.
The following people spoke:
• Bill Elfo, Sheriff, spoke on the drop in number of bookings and jail stays.
• Wendy Jones, Jail, spoke on jail revenue other than jail fees.
Discussion included the reason for the fund balance beginning in 2009 at $1 million
less than planned; changes in sheriff and jail revenue; fee charges based on actual costs;
distribution of sales tax increases; impacts and costs of Council policy direction on Planning
Department long -term planning; comparing planning fees with those of other counties;
unplanned workloads in the Planning Department; budget deficits in other counties in the
state, and; recommendations from the administration to address the deficit.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Discussion continued and included developing a plan for the County to glide into a.
different level of service; making projections for delivering services during this economic
low point; lowering expectations and getting creative to lessen the deficit; options other
than employee layoffs; criteria used to decide how to offset costs; ideas from departments
for reducing costs, and; why the administration hasn't begun to work with the Council to
adjust the budget until now.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/28/2009, Page 1
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OTHER BUSINESS
SWINE FLU UPDATE FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR REGINA
DELAHUNT
Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director, gave a staff report
Discussion included using and modifying the existing plans for a pandemic outbreak;
working with local medical community; release, distribution, and local storage of the
Centers for Disease Control and ,Prevention (CDC) strategic national stockpile of antiviral
medication; contingency plans to cover for key personnel in critical service fields; definition
of a level three pre - pandemic, and; coordinating with Western Washington University.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE WHATCOM
CONSERVATION DISTRICT REGARDING PROVIDING TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
TO THE COUNTY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPAL PROGRAM IN THE
AMOUNT OF $195,000 (AB2009 -213)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department, gave a,staff report.
Discussion included the amount that will directly help the farmers rather.than paying
for staff; continued funding for 2010, and; whether this service is mandated.
Motion carried 3 -0.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND POINT RECYCLING AND
REFUSE LLC FOR THE JOHNSON ROAD POINT ROBERTS LANDFILL FACILITY
TO BE USED AS A DROP BOX AND RECYCLING CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF
$50 PER MONTH (AB2009 -214)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Dan Gibson, Prosecutor's Office, stated the amount was traditionally $50 per month
and has been increased to $1,000 per month. He gave a staff report.
Discussion included moving forward with this while a matter is pending before the
Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) and the possibility of contracting with other
entities.
Motion carried 3 -0.
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT FOR SERVICES BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND KERR WOOD
LEIDAL ASSOCIATES TO ASSESS CHANGED CONDITIONS TO THE UPPER
JONES CREEK WATERSHED AND FURTHER DEVELOP THE MITIGATION
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/28/2009, Page 2'
1 ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFIED IN THE JONES CREEK ALLUVIAL FAN STUDY IN
2 THE AMOUNT OF $44,700 (AB2009 -215)
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4 Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, gave a staff report. This item should be
5 acted upon as the Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors.
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7 The following person spoke:
8 Chris Hatch, Acme /Van Zandt Flood Sub -Zone Chair, stated the sub -zone
9 supports the work. He described the contract, project, and community
10 process. He would like to discuss options with the Council at a future water
11 resources work session.
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13 Discussion included the location; the debris flow study and a reassessment of what is
14 going on in the upper watershed.
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16 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.
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18 Motion carried 3 -0.
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20 4. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2009 WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL
21 ZONE DISTRICT BUDGET, THIRD REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,386,980
22 (AB2009 -207) (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD
23 CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS)
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25 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.
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27 The following people spoke:
28 • Paula Cooper, Public Works Department, answered questions.
29 • Mary Green, Public Works Department, answered questions.
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31 Discussion included money budgeted for calibration; evaluating additional monies
32 through the County Water Resources Integration Project (CWRIP); flood - related
33 expenditures, and; spending more on emergency projects as needed.
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35 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side 8.)
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37 Discussion continued and included anticipated money from Federal Emergency
38 Management Agency (FEMA).
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40 Motion carried 3 -0.
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42 S. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2009 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FOURTH
43 REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,140,000 (AB2009 -208)
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45 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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47 Discussion included money for the Economic Development Council (EDC).
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49 Motion carried 2 -0 with Crawford out of the room.
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Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/28/2009, Page 3
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6. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 3.16.110, REMOVING
SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO RCW 36.67 (AB2009 -187)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Crawford out of the room.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #09 -19
TO LOW BIDDER PUGET SOUND SECURITY FOR SECURITY SERVICES AT
GOOSEBERRY POINT FERRY IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $60,680
(AB2009 -21$)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Crawford out of the room.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #09 -32
TO LOW BIDDER NOLAN'S ROOFING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE METAL
ROOFS ON THE RENTAL CABINS AT SILVER LAKE PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF
$36,781.50 (AB2009 -217)
Kelly moved,to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Crawford out of the room.
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #08 -57
TO VENDOR PAPS MACHINERY FOR THE PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT
TRUCK MOUNTED DITCHING MACHINE IN THE AMOUNT OF $286,168.75
(VENDOR IS WILLING TO HONOR 2008 PRICING) (AB2009 -218)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people spoke:
• Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department, answered questions and gave a
staff report.
• Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, answered questions.
Discussion included the dropping cost of used machinery; the difficulty of writing and
evaluating a bid for used machinery; purchasing used equipment during this economy;
contracting for the equipment and work; getting a better deal than this, even though it may
take more work, and; trying to help local community members keep their jobs.
Nelson withdrew his motion and moved to hold this item in committee until they
review available used equipment.
Motion carried 3 -0.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4 /28/2009, Page 4
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4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD RFP #09 -30
TO SOLE RESPONDENT, THE LYNDEN TRIBUNE, FOR DESIGN, PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION OF VOTERS' PAMPHLETS FOR AN AMOUNT THAT COULD
EXCEED $35,000 (AB2009 -219)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 3 -0.
S. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND PIONEER HUMAN SERVICES
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING HOUSING FOR HOMELESS EX- OFFENDERS
IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,086,987 (AB2009 -220)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 3 -0.
6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A ONE -
YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CASEY
HOLLORAN AND ETHAN ROE FOR 673 N. LAKE SAMISH DRIVE IN THE
AMOUNT OF $895 PER MONTH (AB2009 -221)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 3 -0.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated there are
projects.
qN
issues rv.i C p. of Load ,
a
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, submitted informatioraidPp i nd
gave a project update on the Yew Street Road and Lincoln Road projects. x _
Discussion included funds withdrawn from the projects; whether the ptoJ6 s wil,�a:`~
continue; finding funds for these projects; taking a portion of the Yew Stn et:Roa'8 areaa,,o`ut
of the urban growth area (UGA); continuing any project if it's not in the UGA ;' th'e 'City of
Bellingham's annexation phasing plan; which project should be funded; money lost if they
don't continue the Yew Street Road project, and; the STP funding process.
Joe Rutan, Public Works Department, described the designs of each project and
existing maintenance needs of both areas.
Nelson stated Lincoln Road is the next - highest project on the six year program.
They should fund that project if they have to choose between the two.
Crawford stated continue to keep Lincoln Road as a priority during a better economic
environment. Don't give up $2.25 million granted to the Yew Street Road project.
Kelly stated he agrees with Councilmember Nelson.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/28/2009, Page 5
1 Desler stated they can find additional real estate excise tax (REET) money for both
2 projects. The administration wants to know if the Council continues to fund these two
3 projects.
4
5 Abart stated the administration asks the Council whether the Council is still
6 committed to the Yew Street Road project or whether they should give up the $2.25 million
7 of STP funding.
8
9 Desler stated there has been a ruling that granted $5.5 million to the plaintiff on the
10 French case. Fifty percent of the money was assigned to the drunk driver. The other° 50
11 percent was split between the State Patrol and Whatcom County. Whatcom County's
12 portion is $715,000. The drunk driver doesn't have that kind of money. Because of the
13 nature of the law, the plaintiff will therefore get to decide how the rest of the money is
14 allocated to the two other parties. The County may be on the hook for all or a portion of a
15 certain amount of the money, to be split with the State.
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17 There was discussion about whether the decision could be appealed; County
18 insurance rates, and; how the County became culpable, and how to rectify the problem.
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21 ADJOURN
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23 The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
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27 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 4/28/2009, Page 6