HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 24 20091
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
November 24, 2009
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:06 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Sam Crawford, L. Ward Nelson and Bob Kelly.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Laurie Caskey- Schreiber, Seth Fleetwood, Barbara Brenner and
Carl Weimer.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 3.37, SECTION 3.37.050
"USE OF FUNDS ", TO INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL SUPPLANTATION
LANGUAGE (AB2009 -433)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. The voters were told
that these funds would not supplant existing programs. Now the State is saying they can
supplant other money, even though the public didn't vote on it.
Crawford stated he will support this, but it's disappointing to have to use a local tax
instead of the State providing other funds. It seems like a bait and switch.
Brenner stated she won't support this item. She told people this would happen.
They don't have to accept this language from the State.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, gave a staff report and answered questions.
It's a useful tool to balance the budget.
Nelson stated he would support it, because it is their tax dollars and a decision that
would ultimately have to happen at some point. However, they should discuss how and why
these things happen. He is frustrated that they didn't present a plan to the public. They
should apologize to the public.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Nelson (2)
Nays: Kelly (1)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2009 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, TWELFTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $97,959 (AB2009 -434)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, gave a staff report.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Nelson and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/24/2009, Page 1
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3. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2010 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, THIRD
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $278,375 (AB2009 -435)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, gave a staff report.
The following people answered questions:
• N.F. Jackson, Superior Court Administrator, stated the 2010 budget did not
include any funds for family treatment. They are spending no money right
now.
• Peter Gill, Planning and Development Services, stated they received a grant in
2009, but contracts for spending the grant will occur in 2010.
Discussion included funding for drug court and family treatment and a grant for the
Planning Department.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Nelson and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE (WCC) TITLE 3 TO
ESTABLISH WCC 3.46, AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVE FUND (AB2009-
421)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford stated he is not in favor of creating a separate, new fund during this
economic distress. Until they pull out of the declining general fund situation, don't create
any new funds. He is frustrated with the State providing specific funding for specific
purposes. They must remain flexible to address the immediate health and public safety of
the residents.
The following people answered questions:
• Paul Schissler, Kulshan Community Land Trust Executive Director
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
Discussion included being eligible for other State and federal funding; creating a local
housing trust fund; goals and recommendations of the Countywide Housing Affordability
Taskforce (CHAT); whether the City of Bellingham has a mechanism for funding low income
housing; whether this would be only for rural areas; securing funding to help the private
sector produce affordable housing; the administration's recommendation, in light of its
effort to reduce and consolidate funds; whether they need to create a separate fund or work
within the existing accounting system, and; whether or not they should put restrictions on
how they get funding for affordable housing.
Nelson moved to amend to add language 3.46.040 °3. The Whatcom County
general fund shall not be used to support the affordable housing incentive fund."
The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Nelson (2)
Nays: Kelly (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/24/2009, Page 2
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Brenner suggested amending language in 3.46.030 "...to all eeenernic segments
qualified recipients of the community...." and in 3.46.040(1), "...funds and other types of
donations from sources that include...."
Desler referenced a scrivener's error and suggested amending 3.46.030, "...housing
services to the city county."
The motion to approve as amended carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Nelson and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE
WASHINGTON STATE MILITARY DEPARTMENT FOR FUNDING FOR FIRST
RESPONDER TRAINING TO ENSURE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS PREPARED FOR
THE 2010 OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,500
(AB2009 -439)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked to know how
much money has come into Whatcom County as a result of the 2010 Olympics.
Discussion included how much grant money the Olympics has brought into Whatcom
County and whether they will have to pay overtime to cover the shifts of those being sent to
training.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Nelson and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN THE WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND
WASHINGTON STATE COMMERCE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION FOR
WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR THREE OFFICERS; A HALF TIME PROSECUTOR
AND .5 FTE RECORDS SPECIALIST POSITION FOR THE NW REGIONAL DRUG
TASK FORCE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $192,243 (AB2009 -440)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Nelson and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
7. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM COMMUNITY
COLLEGE TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING FOR ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AND
GED CLASSES FOR PEOPLE RESIDING IN THE WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $36,374 (AB2009 -441)
Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Nelson and Kelly (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/24/2009, Page 3
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8. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETY
FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $453,309.41
(AB2009 -442)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He is reluctant about
this item and how much they spend on animal control. He will not vote for this item.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator
• Bill Elfo, Sheriff
• Laura Clark, Whatcom Humane Society Executive Director
Discussion included whether they can refer this item to the Committee of the Whole
later today to discuss this as a budget item; whether the Humane Society is willing to
reduce its services; cutting a specific amount or specific services; cutting the Humane
Society completely for a year, using King County as the precedent, and then redesigning a
program; County Sheriff responsibility to perform animal control; King County's changes in
service; State animal control requirements of the County; Humane Society of America
standards; whether the budget can be cut further, and; changes to the kennel licenses.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Nelson (1)
Nays: Crawford (1)
Absent: Kelly (1)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S
OFFICE AND WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF SHERIFFS AND POLICE CHIEFS
FOR FUNDING FOR THE REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER ADDRESS AND
RESIDENCY VERIFICATION PROCESS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $143,603.87
(AB2009 -443)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Nelson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kelly (1)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND EBERLE VIVIAN FOR
ADMINISTRATION AND CLAIMS PROCESSING FOR THE SELF - INSURED
WORKERS COMPENSATION PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,000
(AB2009 -444)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/24/2009, Page 4
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Ayes: Crawford and Nelson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kelly (1)
3. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #09 -81
TO THE LOW BIDDER, EBENAL GENERAL, FOR UPGRADES TO THE SHERIFF'S
COMPOUND AT POINT ROBERTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $240,870 (AB2009-
445)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, gave a staff report. The amount budgeted to
purchase a home was not enough. Bids came in at 50 percent or more higher than
budgeted. Another idea is to install one new home and significantly upgrade the second
home that's up there. They are going to install a new septic system to serve both homes.
They will also construct a deck and carport. They are able to do that with less than
$240,000. Facilities says they may run into issues because they are right at the limit of
funding. Hopefully they won't need to pay for contingencies, but he will request real estate
excise tax (REET) I funds in the amount of $25,000 to address any possible contingencies.
Brenner stated the real estate market in Point Roberts has been flat. People have
things sitting on the market that aren't selling. They still have to pay rent for the deputies
until the homes are built. She asked if the Sheriff feels it would be worthwhile to postpone
this. She asked how long the project will take.
The following people spoke:
• Bill Elfo, Sheriff, stated it wouldn't be worthwhile to postpone the project.
Information from a realtor and the Facilities staff indicate that home prices in
Point Roberts are high on a per square foot cost. The concern about delaying
the project is because they were only funded with rent money for the first six
months of 20096. They submitted a supplemental budget request that was
not recommended for approval to carry them over to 2010, until the project is
complete. They are in a position of not having rent money for 2010. The
only choice is to recall those deputies from Point Roberts, which creates an
issue with the collective bargaining agreement. If they have to pull the
deputies from Point Roberts, they are asking those deputies to find another
place to live with very little notice and over the holiday. The Executive's
Office anticipates that the project will be done by the end of the first quarter
in 2010. He doesn't know if they will meet that deadline. Plan to pay rent
until these homes are habitable.
• Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department, stated they should be able
to complete this project during the first quarter of 2010. Their only concern is
with permitting through the Planning Department. The septic system will cost
$26,000 and serve both homes.
Discussion included the use of real estate excise tax (REET) funds; whether there will
be enough REET funds to complete the East County Resource Center, and; possibly using
economic development investment (EDI) funds to complete the East County Resource
Center.
Crawford stated the administration needs to maintain that septic system annually. It
won't be cheap, and it must be done professionally.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/24/2009, Page 5
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Nelson asked about an item amounting to $140,000 for repair for 2009 in the six -
year capital improvement plan. Desler stated that is to make sure they can legally use the
REET 1 funds. The project has to be part of the Comprehensive Plan.
Nelson asked about maintenance of this place. He asked if there is a program to
maintain these facilities. Elfo stated the Facilities Division is responsible for the
maintenance of the buildings. They've had difficulty getting staff and contractors to get
there, through both borders. One of the biggest problems is deterioration. He would
encourage the Facilities Division to have an aggressive maintenance program.
Nelson asked if there will be policies to maintain these structures. Desler stated they
have not thought about a mechanisms for these particular buildings because they hope they
will last. They had an building rental and revolve (ER &R) fund that is being wiped away. It
will have to be dealt with annually as they create the budget.
Elfo stated prorated rent for the first quarter of 2010 will be $9,825.
Brenner stated they should amend the budget request from the Executive in that
amount. Desler stated they provided close to $13.2 million in budget authority in the
Sheriff's Office for 2010. They are more than happy to work with the Sheriff to do any
budget transfers within that money. They have not been putting forward additional
supplementary requests from the general fund.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Nelson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kelly (1)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council &.o.w hatcom .wa.us
52 Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/24/2009, Page 6