HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 31 20091 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Finance and Administrative Services Committee
3
4 March 31, 2009
5
6 Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:14 a.m. in the
7 Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
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9
10 Present: Absent:
11 L. Ward Nelson None
12 Bob Kelly
13
14 Also Present:
15 Seth Fleetwood
16 Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
17 Barbara Brenner
18 Carl Weimer
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21 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
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23 1. OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY (AB2009-
24 162)
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26 The following people spoke:
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28 • Debbie Vanderveen, Veen Huizen Farms, submitted information (on file).
29 • Jeremy Vissar, Sumas, submitted information (on file).
30 • Ed Block, Lynden.
31 • Jason Vanderveen, Veen Huizen Farms.
32 • Sherm Polinder, Farm Friends President
33 • Chuck Antholt, Lummi Island.
34 • Carl Tayney, Carlgill Animal Nutrition, Ferndale, submitted information (on
35 file).
36 0 Henry Bierlink, Farm Friends.
37
38 Discussion included maintaining dairy and milk farms in Whatcom County, the
39 reduction of dairy operations and milk production; feed costs; geographic areas nationwide
40 where dairy farms have migrated; regulations in other states and jurisdictions; processing
41 capabilities in Whatcom County and other areas; disadvantages of the local dairy industry;
42 the reasons for a shrinking land base; how to maintain local feed; the effect of bio -fuels on
43 feed costs; mitigation required on agricultural land; the industry's farm gate value; waiving
44 or delaying property taxes as a farming benefit; anticipated milk prices for the remainder of
45 the year; whether soybeans can be grown in Whatcom County; the Asian market; the value
46 of the dollar; public policy issues that impact alternative income sources for farmers;
47 getting an anaerobic digester in Whatcom County; the cash flow among the feed suppliers,
48 dairies, and processors, and; public policy that could affect land costs.
49
50 Crawford stated the County Council would like to receive information from the
51 farming community that would present ideas and suggestions for solutions. The Council will
52 rely on the community to drive the effort to save the industry.
53
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/31/2009, Page 1
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Nelson stated the Council can put the agricultural protection overlay (APO) on all
rural lands used for agriculture.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE REPLACING WCC 1.14 (IN ITS ENTIRETY), DESIGNATING THE
WHATCOM COUNTY VOTING PRECINCTS BASED BASED ON NEW ANNEXATIONS,
LANGUAGE UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS TO BOUNDARY DESCRIPTIONS
(AB2009 -152)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Shirley Forslof, Auditor, gave a staff report.
Motion carried 3 -0.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2009 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, THIRD
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $720,867 (AB2009 -153)
The following people spoke:
• Brad Bennett, Administrative services Department, gave a staff report.
• Doug Chadwick, Sheriff Deputy
• Eric Schlehuber, Public Works Department
Discussion included whether the money for the Economic Development Council (EDC)
is additional or budgeted; how the night vision goggles would be used; whether they can
use existing tanks instead of buying the biodiesel tank, and; the type of grain used for the
biodiesel.
Nelson stated he would like to know exactly how the night- vision goggles will be
used. They are spending a lot of money on equipment.
Crawford stated the supplemental budget forms should be completed fully, unless
there is a security issue.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford moved to amend the ordinance to withdraw EDC funding and address this
funding specifically in two weeks.
Motion to amend carried 2 -1 with Kelly opposed.
Motion to approve as amended carried 3 -0.
3. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2009 WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL
ZONE DISTRICT BUDGET, SECOND REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,000
(AB2009 -154) (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS)
This item was not discussed.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/31/2009, Page 2
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2 COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
3
4 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD THE
5 BID AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH SINGLE SOURCE BIDDER, THE
6 BELLINGHAM HERALD, FOR OFFICIAL PRINTING SERVICES (AB2009 -164)
7
8 Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
9
10 Motion carried 3 -0.
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12 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
13 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE BELLINGHAM FOOD
14 BANK FOR THE COLLECTION, WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD
15 TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 (AB2009 -165)
16
17 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
18
19 Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, gave a staff report.
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21 Discussion included whether the County can do this, since they're doing it through
22 collection, warehousing, and distribution and local food bank staffing.
23
24 Motion carried 3 -0.
25
26 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE
27 SUPPLEMENT #1 TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
28 COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR THE DESIGN AND
29 CONSTRUCTION OF WEST ILLINOIS STREET AND TIMPSON WAY (AB2009-
30 166)
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32 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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34 Jim Karcher, Public Works Department, gave a staff report.
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36 Motion carried 3 -0.
37
38 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
39 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ESA ADOLFSON, INC. FOR
40 CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE BIRCH BAY WATERSHED ACTION PLAN IN
41 THE AMOUNT OF $26,000 (AB2009 -167)
42
43 Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
44
45 David Stalheim, Planning and Development Services Department Director, gave a
46 staff report.
47
48 Motion carried 3 -0.
49
50 5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
51 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND COLUMBIA VALUATION
52 GROUP, INC. FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING THE VALUE OF
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/31/2009, Page 3
1 CONSERVATION EASEMENT PURCHASES FOR FARMLAND PRESERVATION IN
2 THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 (AB2009 -168)
3
4 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
5
6 David Stalheim, Planning and Development Services Department Director, gave a
7 staff report.
8
9 Discussion included why the County doesn't use the County's hired appraiser.
10
11 Motion carried 3 -0.
12
13 6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #09 -10
14 AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND LOW
15 BIDDER IMAC FOR THE UPGRADE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AT CENTRAL
16 SHOP IN THE AMOUNT OF $135,301.05 (AB2009 -169)
17
18 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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20 Motion carried 3 -0.
21
22 7. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #09 -17
23 FOR THE ANNUAL DELIVERY AND SUPPLY OF ASPHALTIC MIXES IN THE
24 AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $85,000 - PUBLIC WORKS WILL AWARD ALL
25 BIDS AND SELECT THE VENDOR THAT HAS THE BEST VALUE BASED ON
26 PRICE AND COST TO TRANSPORT TO JOB SITE (AB2009 -170)
27
28 Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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30 Motion carried 3 -0.
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32 S. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO USE -WASHINGTON
33 STATE CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF GLASS BEADS FOR
34 TRAFFIC MARKING PAINT FROM VENDORS, ALPINE PRODUCTS, INC. AND
35 POTTER INDUSTRIES IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $77,000 (AB2009-
36 171)
37
38 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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40 Motion carried 3 -0.
41
42 9. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #08 -94
43 TO LOW BIDDER, NORTHWEST PUMP AND EQUIPMENT, FOR THE SUPPLY OF
44 AN ABOVE GROUND FUEL STORAGE TANK AND PUMP STATION FOR
45 DISPENSING BIODIESEL FOR COUNTY VEHICLES IN THE AMOUNT OF
46 $179,264.45 (AB2009 -172)
47
48 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
49
50 Discussion included using algae or methane instead of soybean biodiesel; the
51 County's decision to move toward biodiesel use, and; low- sulfur diesel.
52
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/31/2009, Page 4
1 Motion carried 3 -0.
2
3 10. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
4 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL FOR
5 SHELTER PLUS CARE HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES AND MASTER
6 LEASE HOUSING IN THE AMOUNT OF $86,763 (AB2009 -173)
7
8 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
9
10 Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, gave a staff report.
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12 Brenner stated she would like an update on this item.
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14 Motion carried 3 -0.
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16 11. RESOLUTION ORDERING THE CANCELLATION OF CHECKS MORE THAN TWO
17 YEARS OLD (AB2009 -174)
18
19 Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
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21 Motion carried 3 -0.
22
23
24 OTHER BUSINESS
25
26 Crawford stated he reminds councilmembers of the substance abuse and mental
27 health stakeholders meeting tomorrow. The State legislature is cutting $1 million from the
28 County Health Department, which is matched equally, for a total cut of $2 million.
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30
31 ADJOURN
32
33 The meeting adjourned at 12:43 p.m.
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