HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance January 29 2008WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
January 29, 2008
Committee Member L. Ward Nelson called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Sam Crawford None
Bob Kelly
Also Present:
Barbara Brenner
Carl Weimer
Seth Fleetwood
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR (AB2008 -021)
Crawford nominated Ward Nelson.
Nomination carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE APPROVING PROJECT -BASED BUDGET REQUEST NO. 2008 -1,
CRP #907002, FOR FERRY DOCK IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$2,300,000 (AB2008 -048)
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated this is for improvements to
Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point. It is for replacement of two dolphins on the Lummi
Island dock, wing walls on the Gooseberry Point dock, and miscellaneous electrical repairs.
This work is required whether or not the County purchases a new ferry.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued, below.)
2. ORDINANCE ADOPTING 2008 BUDGET SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST #3 IN THE
AMOUNT OF $2,324,391 (AB2008 -049)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the net impact on the general fund is
about $56,000. Many requests are re- appropriations of items the Council approved for
2007, but weren't completed in 2007. New is an increase in the cost of the Hearing
Examiner and an increase in the cost of rental housing. He discussed the emergency
medical service (EMS) and Medic One funding. The Council originally budgeted about
$400,000 for 2008.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/29/2008, Page 1
1
2 Nelson asked about the contract with Geneva Consulting for water resource
3 inventory area (WRIA) implementation. He asked who is working on that project.
4
5 David Stalheim, Planning and Development Services Director, stated Peter Gill
6 coordinates implementation with Becky Peterson, who facilitates the committee and works
7 on the website updates. She's not doing research.
8
9 Nelson stated Ms. Peterson is identified as a researcher.
10
11 Brenner asked who is in charge of Transpo Group and the concurrency program.
12 She asked if the Council will vote on a concurrency program. Stalheim stated it will. This
13 results in an ordinance that will come to the Council eventually. The work is expected to be
14 done by this Spring, but it then has to go through the Planning Commission if the ordinance
15 has land use controls. It can come directly to the Council if there are just financial issues.
16
17 Nelson asked that the staff person in charge be listed on the supplemental budget
18 request forms.
19
20 Brenner asked if the electronic waste item includes the Solid Waste Advisory
21 Committee recommendations.
22
23 Jeff Hegedus, Health Department, stated this originally comes from the State's
24 adopted regulations. He described the history of Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
25 173 -900 and the County's response to the regulation. This is compatible with the discussion
26 at the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. He described the local source control agreement
27 between the Department of Ecology and Puget Sound Partnership. They will work with
28 businesses on their electronic disposal needs.
29
30 Nelson stated the environmental health specialist is grant funded for 18 months. He
31 asked about that funding being continued every two years. Hegedus stated the ongoing
32 funding is secure.
33
34 Nelson asked how the program works. Hegedus stated the Department of Ecology
35 and others are planning to do outreach right now. They'll offer free technical assistance to
36 businesses onsite, tailored to their industry.
37
38 Nelson asked if they've identified certain areas or industries. Hegedus stated some
39 industries are higher priorities. He's not sure if they'll work by industry or geography.
40
41 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
42
43 Motion carried unanimously.
44
45 1. ORDINANCE APPROVING PROJECT -BASED BUDGET REQUEST NO. 2008 -1,
46 CRP #907002, FOR FERRY DOCK IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF
47 $2,300,000 (AB2008 -048)
48
49 Brenner asked if they know if the Gooseberry Point dock can be used after 2010,
50 when the County lease expires.
51
52 Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated there isn't a new lease yet,
53 but they are discussing it. They need to do repairs and maintenance soon, regardless of
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/29/2008, Page 2
1 whether or not they renew the lease. It will take many years to move the dock or go
2 somewhere else, if they so decide.
3
4 Kelly stated it's too early to get the type of answers they need. The Lummi
5 representatives and County staff are in discussions now. Many issues must be resolved.
6 He's heard that either one or both parties may consider moving the dock, but that's not
7 clear now. At this point, it's all speculation. He will encourage the Lummi representatives
8 to come to a resolution and then have a discussion with the County.
9
10 Abart stated the dock relocation study is getting off the ground now. Staff will be
11 back to the Council for many additional repairs before dock relocation takes place.
12
13 Brenner stated she doesn't agree that it's speculation. The Lummi representatives
14 have said they want economic development in that area. This is the first she's heard that
15 the County wants to relocate.
16
17 Nelson stated all the options have to be considered in the planning process. He
18 asked if there may have to be other considerations if and when a new ferry is put in place.
19 Abart stated that's correct.
20
21 Nelson stated that at this point, these repairs are necessary as a safety issue with
22 the current dock and current ferry.
23
24 Weimer asked how much of this request is for upgrading the dock for the new ferry.
25 Abart stated about 80 percent is for repairs they need, regardless.
26
27 Brenner stated the Council needs to make a policy decision now, before they spend a
28 lot of money. Don't do upgrades for a new ferry if they're not sure the dock will be there.
29
30 Nelson stated it's not upgrades. It's design work that needs to be done.
31
32 Brenner stated the design work will be different if the dock is in a different location.
33 Abart stated that is correct. He's added this design work now because it would be much
34 cheaper than to come back and do it later.
35
36
37 COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
38
39 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
40 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BELLINGHAM WHATCOM
41 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE
42 SKI TO SEA FESTIVAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,000 (AB2008 -062)
43
44 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
45
46 Motion carried unanimously.
47
48 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT
49 AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE WASHINGTON
50 DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY FOR THE LOCAL SOURCE CONTROL
51 PARTNERSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF $162,546 (AB2008 -063)
52
53 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/29/2008, Page 3
1
2 Motion carried unanimously.
3
4 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
5 COORDINATED PREVENTION GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
6 COUNTY AND THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY FOR SOLID
7 WASTE COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT AND LITTERING AND ILLEGAL
8 DUMPING ENFORCEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $142,465 (AB2008 -064)
9
10 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
11
12 Brenner asked what is happening with enforcement. She asked how they prioritize
13 what gets done.
14
15 Jeff Hegedus, Health Department, stated they get it all done. Funding has increased
16 37 percent. The scope of work has stayed the same. Historically, the Public Works
17 Department has subcontracted this work from the Department of Ecology. Now, the Health
18 Department contracts directly with Department of Ecology for solid waste enforcement. The
19 Public Works Department is contracted with the Department of Ecology for implementation.
20 The Health Department does enforcement. The Public Works Department implements solid
21 waste programs.
22
23 Brenner stated that on the Birch Bay Lynden Road, there is a large pile of abandoned
24 vehicles. Hegedus stated they are working on that location.
25
26 Nelson asked if that is the same as private property dumps. Hegedus stated they
27 are Title 8 violations. Illegal dumping tends to be a Title 24 violation. The Health
28 Department works with both violations.
29
30 Nelson stated there are different legal issues.
31
32 Crawford ask if "No Dumping" signs help or hurt. Hegedus stated they help.
33
34 Nelson asked if there is an advertised hotline. Hegedus stated people can call the
35 Health Department.
36
37 Nelson stated advertise a hotline in brochures for people. Have one phone number
38 for everything. He asked if the Health Department handles dumping on private property
39 that isn't attended to. Hegedus stated it does.
40
41 Motion carried unanimously.
42
43 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
44 RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND FRED
45 SANKUS TO LEASE THE HOUSE AT 3211 NORTHSHORE ROAD IN THE
46 AMOUNT OF $1,400 PER MONTH (AB2008 -065)
47
48 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
49
50 Motion carried unanimously.
51
52
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/29/2008, Page 4
1 5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE AMENDMENT
2 #1 TO THE CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
3 COUNTY AND CH2M HILL, INC. FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE WATER
4 RESOURCES INTEGRATION PROJECT IN THE TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF
5 $333,100 (AB2008 -066)
6
7 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
8
9 Motion carried unanimously.
10
11 Crawford asked the timeline.
12
13 IVelson stated phase two is five months. The County committee is moving this
14 forward more rapidly than he anticipated. They are doing an excellent job.
15
16 Crawford stated they can use the model indefinitely without having to rely on
17 CH2MHill to always consult on it.
18
19 Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated the County owns the model.
20 It's not proprietary.
21
22 Crawford stated priorities will change.
23
24 6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
25 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS FOR THE
26 "TOWARD ZERO WASTE INITIATIVE" IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,750 (AB2008-
27 067)
28
29 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
30
31 Motion carried unanimously.
32
33 (Clerk's Note: Discussion continued, below.)
34
35 7. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD APPROVAL UNDER
36 WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT TO VENDOR PPI GROUP FOR THE
37 PURCHASE OF REPLACEMENT SURVEY EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF
38 $70,191.51 (AB2008 -068)
39
40 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
41
42 Motion carried unanimously.
43
44 S. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
45 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND HIRSCH CONSULTING SERVICES FOR
46 DRAYTON HARBOR WATER QUALITY MONITORING IN THE AMOUNT OF
47 $20,917 (AB2008 -069)
48
49 Kelly moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
50
51 Motion carried unanimously.
52
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/2912008, Page 5
1 6. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
2 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIONS FOR THE
3 "TOWARD ZERO WASTE INITIATIVE" IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,750 (AB2008-
4 067)
5
6 Crawford stated the scope regarding the Green Building contract and the Green
7 Building conference is very different from the "Toward Zero Waste Initiative." He asked if
8 this is a component being presented at the Green Building conference.
9
10 Penni Lemperes, Public Works Department, stated it is. It goes along with green
11 building, but is more about zero waste for businesses. They will use models from existing
12 businesses who have zero waste.
13
14 Crawford asked how they know if this cost can be done for less. One group is
15 interested in doing this. Lemperes stated they've had a lot of interest from businesses
16 about this type of program. Sustainable Connections tries to plan ahead for how many
17 businesses may want to attend.
18
19 Crawford asked if the Solid Waste Advisory Committee vetted this. Lemperes stated
20 the Solid Waste Advisory Committee wanted a request for proposal (RFP) and a budget of
21 $75,000 for this. That happened. All the applications they received went through the Solid
22 Waste Executive Committee. They were really excited about this because it reaches the
23 business community. One was initially turned down. There were six or seven all together.
24
25 (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
26
27 Brenner stated Sustainable Connections' conferences are always very well- attended
28 and always present something new.
29
30 9. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL
31 AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE WASHINGTON
32 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DIVISION OF GEOLOGY AND EARTH
33 RESOURCES, TO PRODUCE A GEOMORPHOLOGY MAP OF WESTERN
34 WHATCOM COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,500 (AB2008 -070)
35
36 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
37
38 Brenner asked who is going to do this.
39
40 Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County will contract with the State
41 Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DNR will make arrangements with specific
42 geologists to be involved.
43
44 Nelson stated this can help with identifying fault lines for the critical areas ordinance.
45
46 Crawford stated try to make the product accessible to the public on the internet.
47 Desler described the history of this item.
48
49 Motion carried unanimously.
50
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53
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/29/2008, Page 6
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OTHER BUSINESS
Frank Abart, Public Works Director, stated he formally withdraws an item previously
scheduled on the committee's agenda two weeks ago, the request approval for the
Executive to enter into an agreement for consulting services between Whatcom
County and Cascadia Consulting Group for outreach services to promote waste
reduction and recycling in the amount of $30,000 (AB2008 -046).
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
L. Ward Nelson, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/29/2008, Page 7