HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance August 4 20091
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
August 4, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Member L. Ward Nelson called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ATTENDANCE
Present: L. W Nelson and Bob Kelly
Absent: Sam Crawford
Also Present: Seth Fleetwood, Carl Weimer, Barbara Brenner, and Laurie Caskey-
Schreiber
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2009 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, NINTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $974,174 (AB2009 -329)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Ayes: Nelson and Kelly (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford (1)
Brenner asked if this is about taking money out of the general fund, not a tax.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it is.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND )ONES &
STOKES ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR EXTENSION OF THE SCOPE OF SERVICES
RELATED TO THE WHATCOM COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, IN
THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF $24,550, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT
OF $324,543 (AB2009 -333)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Discussion included incremental increases to pay for continued changes and using a
consultant instead of staff for these services.
The following person spoke:
• David Stalheim, Planning and Development Services Department Director,
answered questions about getting work done to comply with the December 1,
2009 deadline and the scope of work being done.
Ayes: Nelson and Kelly (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/4/2009, Page 1
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COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #09 -50
AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH LOW BIDDER, WELLMAN & ZUCK
CONSTRUCTION LLC, FOR THE DEMOLITION OF ELEVEN BUILDINGS AT BAY
HORIZON PARK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,640.18 (AB2009 -334)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Ayes: Nelson and Kelly (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford (1)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A SUB -
RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE KULSHAN
COMMUNITY LAND TRUST FOR ADMINISTERING AND COMPLETING THE
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 (GRANT
FUNDING THROUGH CTED) (AB2009 -330B)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Ayes: Nelson and Kelly (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford (1)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING, INC. FOR DESIGN ASSISTANCE OF
STORMWATER PROJECTS IN THE LAKE WHATCOM AND BIRCH BAY
WATERSHEDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $131,650 (AB2009 -335)
Discussion included the background of the contractor.
The following person spoke:
• Kirk Christensen, Public Works Department, answered questions about the
contractor.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Ayes: Nelson and Kelly (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford (1)
4. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PURCHASE
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FOR THE ASSESSOR /TREASURER REPLACEMENT
PROJECT FROM VENDOR IBM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $86,899.42 (AB2009 -336)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Ayes: Nelson and Kelly (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Crawford (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/4/2009, Page 2
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING THE 2ND QUARTERLY
FINANCE REPORT THAT COVERS REVENUES AND EXPENSES THROUGH JUNE,
2009 (AB2009 -268)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, submitted a presentation, the second quarter
financial report, the Whatcom County General Fund Projection as of 6/30/09 (on file), made
opening remarks, and read from the presentation. Whatcom County is about $3.7 million
below what is budgeted. They will reduce expenditures to match that reduction in revenue.
Discussion included transfers to the general fund from other funds; backfilling the
road fund with real estate excise tax (REET) in 2010; paying down ending fund balances
and one -time expenses; whether the furlough plan is included in the second quarter report
and how much it will save the general fund; union discussions and vote regarding layoffs
and furlough; a selective hiring freeze; department budget targets for 2009 and 2010;
prioritizing staff positions based on countywide programs, not department; a disconnect
between the Council's priorities and budget decisions and the administration's department
cuts; making the number of employees in 2010 equal to the number in 2004 or 2005; what
happens if the economy does not begin to rebound and how they would project for 2010
and 2011, including service areas and priorities; unfunded State mandates; indicators that
the economy is poised to rebound; inviting Dr. Hart Hodges to comment on the County
budget, and; using Pierce County's prioritization process before making any layoffs.
Desler submitted and read from a presentation on the Equipment Rental and
Revolving (ER &R) fund and a handout on equity accounts for County funds (on file).
Discussion included sharing equipment costs with other counties; changing County
policy to keep equipment as backup and not replace it as often; the Council's involvement
until the next budget cycle, and; inserting Council budget priorities mid - cycle.
Brenner stated discuss Pierce County's process in September.
Nelson stated they will postpone the discussion on the Administrative Services Equity
Fund until September.
The Committee concurred.
Desler submitted a list of County staff vacancies (on file).
Nelson asked for the job function of seven vacant planner positions in the Planning
Department.
The Committee concurred.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/4/2009, Page 3
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:34 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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L. Ward Nelson, Committee Member
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/4/2009, Page 4