HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 13 20091
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
October 13, 2009
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:08 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Sam Crawford and L. Ward Nelson.
Absent: Bob Kelly.
Also Present: Seth Fleetwood, Laurie Caskey- Schreiber, Barbara Brenner and
Carl Weimer.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. UPDATE FROM THE NORTHWEST ECONOMIC COUNCIL - 11120 DAY
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT AND KEY FLAGSHIP INITIATIVES" (AB2009-
017)
Bruce MacCormack, Northwest Economic Council (NEC) Chairman, stated that at the
previous presentation to the Finance Committee, he took seriously the councilmembers
comments and concerns. He read from a presentation (on file). They have focused on
three areas, Associate Development Organization (ADO) responsibilities, Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) responsibilities, and developing three accelerator
programs. They are working together with many other agencies and economic institutions
to develop harmonious, cooperative, and coordinated activities.
Discussion included adding tribal and private sector representation to the board of
directors; finding qualified and trained personnel; developing new boards to focus on
specific programs, and; the success of the NEC in the past four months; matching worker
training and experience with available jobs, and; defining restrictive regulatory practices.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, ACTING ON
BEHALF OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT, TO
ENTER INTO A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY FOR ANNUAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COUNTY'S
STREAM GAGE NETWORK IN THE AMOUNT OF $72,380 (FCZD SHARE IS
$58,820) (AB2009 -388) (COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY
FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District Board of Supervisors.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Nelson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kelly (1)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/13/2009, Page 1
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COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. RESOLUTION TO SET HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING OF THE SALE OF
COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY BY NEGOTIATION — REQUEST #TR2009 -03
(AB2009 -389)
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)
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued after Consent Agenda item four.)
2. RESOLUTION TO SET HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING OF THE SALE OF
COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY BY NEGOTIATION — REQUEST #TR2009 -04
(AB2009 -390)
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)
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued after Consent Agenda item four.)
3. RESOLUTION TO SET HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING OF THE SALE OF
COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY BY PUBLIC AUCTION — REQUEST #TR2009 -05
(AB2009 -391)
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)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
#09 -71 AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH LOW BIDDER, RTB
ELECTRICAL AND POWER, FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A
GENERATOR AT CENTRAL SHOP, IN THE AMOUNT OF $175,925.16 (AB2009-
392)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The following people answered questions:
• Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator.
• Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director.
• Mike Russell, Administrative Services Department.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/13/2009, Page 2
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Discussion included the purpose of the generator; how the generator operates; the
size of the Central Shop, and; the benefits of the generator.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford and Nelson (2)
Nays: None (0)
Absent: Kelly (1)
Fleetwood asked about Consent Agenda items one (AB2009 -389) and two
(AB2009 -390), and how the negotiation process works.
Steve Oliver, Treasurer, answered questions.
Discussion included the Treasurer's authority to negotiate with potential buyers and
a description of the negotiation process.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
2. PRESENTATION ON FERRY DOCK /TIDELANDS LEASE STATUS WITH THE
LUMMI NATION (AB2009 -387)
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, submitted and read a presentation
(on file). He will pursue the five -year lease with the Lummi Nation over the next few
months.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, answered questions. The County
administration desires a lease longer than five years, but the Lummi Tribe wants the County
out of there in five years.
Discussion included whether the Alaska ferry dock would work for the Whatcom
Chief; whether the Gooseberry Point dock and the Alaska ferry dock are the only docks in
Whatcom County that allow vehicle loading and unloading; another option for a passenger -
only ferry; how often the Alaska ferry uses the dock in Fairhaven; whether the County
administration will recommend option B now or work on that recommendation with the
County Council; greater risk from a longer ferry route; engaging the federal government
and an attorney in this negotiation; the County commitment to partnering with the Lummi
Nation on a variety of road projects; requesting financial assistance from the federal
government to remedy this dilemma; whether any option besides Fairhaven can be
implemented in five years; establishing a citizen committee of Lummi Island residents to
help the County work through options for rerouting the ferry; consulting with the Coast
Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other organizations
on determining the viability of different routes; convening a meeting of the
Intergovernmental Tribal Relations Committee, and; convening an executive session of the
County Council.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
3. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION REGARDING THE MID - BIENNIUM 2009 -2010
BUDGET REVIEW (AB2009 -366A)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/13/2009, Page 3
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Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, submitted and described a handout on the
Whatcom County general fund cash balances (on file).
The following people answered questions:
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
• Marianne Caldwell, Administrative Services Department
Discussion included closing certain funds and moving those funds to the general
fund; shedding $5 million in cash reserves since 2008 to sustain operations; actual taxes
and other revenue being less than estimated by approximately $3.4 million; how the budget
assumptions made in 2008 were incorrect; focusing on how to move forward instead of how
they go where they are now; using three measures to stabilize the budget: funds transfer to
the general fund, furloughs, and hiring freeze and attrition; projections for real estate excise
tax (REET) funds I and II and the conservation futures fund, and; continuing to be flexible
and willing to make sacrifices.
OTHER BUSINESS
Crawford stated they need to talk about funding for Superior Court in the future.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they are having difficulty keeping total
expenditures down in Superior Court. They are working daily with the Superior Court
judges and administrators. They are close to getting a balanced budget.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m.
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
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official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�omhatcomma.us
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/13/2009, Page 4