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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance July 10 20071 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL 2 Finance and Administrative Services Committee 3 4 July 10, 2007 5 6 Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the 7 Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. 8 9 Present: Absent: 10 L. Ward Nelson None 11 Dan McShane 12 13 Also Present: 14 None 15 16 17 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO- COUNCIL 18 19 1. ORDINANCE FOR REDUCING THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT'S 20 PETTY CASH REVOLVING FUND TO $4,700 (AB2007.276) 21 22 McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council. 23 24 Motion carried unanimously, 25 26 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, SEVENTH 27 REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 (AB2007 -277) 28 29 Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the Executive puts forward this request 30 to appropriate $500,000 for matching funds for the purchase of property at Lily Point in 31 Point Roberts. He described the property. Appropriating the money, even though it 32 wouldn't be used until an actual purpose took place, would show the granting organizations 33 that the County is serious about participating in this program. 34 35 Rand Jack, Whatcom Land Trust, submitted information (on file). The Land Trust has 36 been trying to put together this acquisition. A grant application is in to the Puget Sound 37 Near Shore Partnership Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program for $2 million, which 38 precipitated his request to the County. They've signed a purchase and sale agreement for 39 $3.5 million. The Department of Ecology has committed $500,000. A grant application is in 40 to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. In this grant program, $8 million total is 41 available in the state. This is one of the highest ranked projects in the state. There were 42 73 applications. He's been told informally that it's the second highest ranked application. 43 44 This is an extraordinary property. The State is interested in protecting it because of 45 its ecological importance. His application said there would be public access via trails and 46 access to the beach. The property has been used by the Salish Indians and Lummi Tribe. 47 The record of Native American use goes back 9,000 years. There are letters of support 48 from the Lummi Tribe. There have been a number of different proposals for developing the 49 property over the years. With the inflow of money from Hong Kong to Vancouver, 50 development is now a serious threat. 51 52 The Land Trust would raise the $3.5 million necessary to purchase the land. He is 53 asking the County to contribute $500,000, which is less than 15 percent of the cost. The Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2007, Page 1 1 Land Trust would then give the property to Whatcom County for a County park. Whatcom 2 County would then own the four corners of Point Roberts, There would be a conservation 3 easement on the property. There would be public access to the property. A variety of 4 wildlife use the area. It is an ecologically rich area. 5 6 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. 7 8 Nelson stated access to ecological shorelines is a critical need. They attract tourism. 9 He is disappointed that there are no planned enhancements to educate or provide anything 10 other than trails. People need places to go for recreation and education. Have a 11 partnership to use tax dollars to benefit more people than just trail walkers. .lack stated a 12 marine education group is interested in developing an educational program. The Land Trust 13 will also lead educational tours. Parking would be available. There would be access to the 14 beach. They haven't yet determined the details for the parking lot. The goal is to make it 15 accessible to people. The time is coming when there will be a ferry from Blaine to Point 16 Roberts, and a shuttle bus will take people to the beach access areas and camping areas. 17 18 Nelson asked the zoning for this location. He asked the plan for the future of this 19 location. 20 21 Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated this is listed in 22 the long range park land. He doesn't recall the zoning specifically, but all zones allow 23 parking for up to 30 vehicles. 24 25 McShane stated Point Roberts has transitional zoning. This was a partially- vested 26 plat. The Council denied an extension, which reduced the density. There is no water and 27 sewer service. A development adjoining this area is addressing the water and sewer issues. 28 The parking could be more than 30 spaces. He would have to review the zoning. They are 29 encouraging people to bike or walk from Lighthouse Marine park to the marina. This park 30 would be halfway between the two. 31 32 Nelson asked if there are facilities for recreational vehicle (RV) parking and tent 33 camping. McFarlane stated there are. There are 30 RV sites, several tent sites, and 34 overflow camping areas. Those sites reach capacity during busy times. They are 35 considering moving the playground area at the Lighthouse Marine Park, which would add 36 more camping sites. They can put in another ten to 15 campsites if they don't use it as a 37 group camp or picnic area. They need to get this on the planning schedule for next year. 38 Rather than doing needed upgrades, review the entire plan. 39 40 Nelson stated this new area could create more demand for services up there. In 41 addition to just trails, they must develop the facilities to accommodate the people who use 42 the trails. In the future, shorelines will attract people. Sack stated he agrees. This grant 43 program became available from a recent legislative session. They scrambled in one month 44 to meet the deadline. They haven't yet solved the details about the final use of the 45 property. The opportunity to use these grant funds is here. It won't be here in the future. 46 As the community becomes more populated and urbanized, even just trails will be valuable. 47 48 Nelson stated there are people who don't have places to go for longer than a day 49 hike. 50 51 Crawford thanked Mr. lack for bringing this forward. It's a good use of the 52 conservation futures fund. 53 Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2007, Page 2 Motion carried unanimously. COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A DRUG TASK FORCE CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY, TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR PAYMENT OF WAGES FOR ONE WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S DETECTIVE AND ONE BELLINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE IN THE AMOUNT OF $178,655 (AB2007 -287) McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH WASHINGTON STATE DNR TO LEASE FIELD OFFICE WORKSPACE IN THE AMOUNT OF $925 PER MONTH FOR TWO -YEAR TERM (AB2007 -288) Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR A 2007 APPLICATION FOR THE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR THE ADULT DRUG COURT (AB2007 -289) Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Crawford asked if they are just putting in an application. Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they are. Motion carried unanimously. 4. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY ROAD PROJECT #907019, EVERSON- GOSHEN PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION SMITH ROAD VICINITY, AND AWARD OF CONTRACT TO LOW BIDDER WHATCOM BUILDERS, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $187,120 (AB2007 -290) Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACTION PROJECTS FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY MARINE RESOURCES COMMITTEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $184,000(AB2007- 291) Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2007, Page 3 1 McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council. 2 3 Nelson asked about the scope of works. 4 5 Erika Stroebel, Public Works Department, stated they've been doing the Cliffside 6 Beach feasibility study, which is just finished. Now, they'll see if everyone feels it makes 7 sense to move on to phase two. They haven't decided if they are going to pursue phase 8 two. The grant agreement includes phase two. If they choose to not pursue phase two, 9 they will amend the grant agreement and engage in another nearshore project. No one 10 source of the wood was identified. There may still be current wood debris coming down the 11 Nooksack River. The question is how long it would take for wood to re- accumulate. The 12 feasibility analysis gives them a better historical view of the beach. They have a lot more 13 information than they did before. 14 15 Crawford stated they still don't know the sources. Stroebel stated that is correct. 16 There appears to be a historical source, They are considering whether they can use that 17 wood debris source. There are two areas where they can apply the material as a mulch, 18 after storing it and removing the salt content. One challenge of the nearshore projects -and 19 science in general is that the information isn't black or white. 20 21 Nelson asked if the grant for phase two is sizeable. Stroebel stated the County is 22 just one project partner, but not the lead. It would contribute a small portion of the cost. 23 The estimate was about $180,000 in total project cost to remove the material. 24 25 Crawford stated he would like to see the background on the cost estimate. 26 27 Nelson stated this item doesn't commit them to do anything other than consider 28 phase two. Stroebel stated that portion of the grant allows them to use the funds to 29 remove the wood debris. The partners are the State Department of Ecology, State 30 Department of Natural Resources, Northwest Straits Foundation, and Marine Resources 31 Committee (MRC). The County's role is support to the MRC, including administering this 32 grant. No funds for this project would come directly from the County. It's all pass- through 33 funds. 34 35 McShane stated he is on the MRC, which will have a long discussion about the scope. 36 37 Motion carried unanimously. 38 39 6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO 40 AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE CONTRACT WITH THE LUMMI INDIAN BUSINESS 41 COUNCIL FOR THE LUMMI SHORE ROAD /LUMMI VIEW DRIVE PHASE 2 42 CONSTRUCTION PROJECT (CRP 900905) IN THE AMOUNT OF $155,800, FOR 43 A TOTAL CONTRACT OF $1,355,800 (A132007 -292) 44. 45 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. 46 47 Nelson asked if this will ever be done. 48 49 Jim Karcher, Public Works Department, stated it's done. They've got the clean up 50 list now. 51 52 Motion carried unanimously. 53 Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2007, Page 4 7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #07 -58 TO LOW BIDDER VALLEY FREIGHTLINER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THREE 5 -YARD DUMP TRUCKS IN THE AMOUNT OF $290,379.38 (AB2007 -293) Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR LEVEE REHABILITATION WORK ON THE MT. BAKER RIM LEVEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $210,000 (AB2007 -294) Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR LEVEE REHABILITATION WORK ON THE SANDE- WILLIAMS LEVEE IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 (AB2007 -295) Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. McShane asked if the Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee has completed the channel migration zone for that area, and where that fits. James Lee, Public Works Department, stated the advisory committee has tried to establish a river management area. They have a conceptual boundary line. In some spots it is set back from the existing levee. He submitted the 2006 aerial photo (on file). The request is to repair two sites. He indicated the locations on the photo. A component of the Comprehensive Flood Management Plan is to establish a river management area for this reach. Not a lot of progress has been made. Until they get that direction, they must maintain the existing levee. This levee is active in the Army Corps of Engineers' repair program. Eighty percent of the work is funded by the Corps, 16 percent by the flood control district, and four percent by the local diking district. A separate project at site two is at the right bank of the Nooksack, which is migrating to the north. There is some risk of this levee being end run. Because this work is outside the footprint of the Sande - Williams levee project, it's not eligible for work under the Corps program. There is a proposed County project to extend the levee to create a more passive alignment. The permitting of that project won't be easy. They spend a lot of money to keep this levee in shape. There is much evidence that moving it back would be the thing to do, but they're not ready to do that yet. The setback structure is a completely separate project from the Corps agreements, which is just maintenance on the levee. McShane stated he is not happy with the amount of money they have to pour into that reach. It is damaging the property across the river. They've constrained the river too much. It's a losing battle. Beyond this reach into the entire flood zone district, he questions where the lion's share of the money is going. Most of the flood money is going to this local district. Set up a management zone. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2007, Page 5 Nelson stated they have to be cautious about expenditures that may or may not be a fix for today's world. However, the flood control tax was designed to protect the communities from Flooding. The Council is concerned that this levee may no longer be viable. Therefore, they should go through the process of the advisory board at the local level. They must decide how much agricultural land they want to protect. The river meanders a lot in that area. He will support this item because they are protecting the agricultural areas from any damage that may occur. They may need to also protect the other side, since the river also changes in that direction. They have to decide where they want this river to go. Establish a meander line. They are limited until that's done. McShane stated they've had an opportunity to do that, but the Council hasn't gotten a recommendation from the advisory committee. The levee is causing harm to salmon and other properties. The river will damage that levee over and over because it's too narrow. (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.) Nelson asked how long the levee has been there. Lee stated parts of the levee started in the 1950's. Those parts were merged into one levee segment in the 1990's. There is a distinction between providing additional flood protection versus halting lateral migration. Around site two, the levee could be classified as a revetment. It is high bank that has been rocked. The work there would halt channel migration, but does not protect from flooding. Nelson stated that damage to the current levee will result if they don't spend any money on either site one or site two, which would make the point moot. Then, the channel migration will shift inland. That's his concern. There is a commitment to protect the homeowners and agriculture in this area. He would have to be convinced that the economic impact is greater for salmon. He doesn't think there will be any changes to what is currently there. It would probably add more salmon habitat. McShane stated he will oppose this at the evening Council meeting, because of the larger issue. The County must establish these river management areas, or else it will have excessive expenses in certain reaches. That's the core issue. Determine what is the reasonable line for minimizing the costs for everyone and every area in the district being funded. If there is a highly constrained reach of the river with ongoing maintenance, then other projects outside of this reach are falling off the table. That's a real problem. They must work with the river. This is a challenging area with real problems. Now, they can come up with a better approach to save the districts money. The money can go to other districts that are equally deserving. Nelson suggested making a motion to have this area evaluated for a meander line. McShane stated he is willing to do that, but the flood advisory committee is not willing to do that. It has not provided a recommendation. There are land use issues. The critical areas ordinance (CAO) calls for an established channel migration zone that would tie in with the river management zone. That does need to be adopted. The language is there. The Council needs to make that adoption. He prefers that staff makes a recommendation directly to the Council as the Board of Supervisors. This is a decision that has frozen at the Flood Advisory Committee. It's very difficult to be a member of that committee and make those hard decisions in an area where they and their neighbors live. The Council can see the larger picture and may be able to make a reasonable decision. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2007, Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 McShane moved to reconsider. Motion carried 2 -1 with Nelson opposed. Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried 2 -1 with McShane opposed. OTHER BUSINESS Crawford asked about the ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Title 3 to provide for increasing the collection rate of sales tax from .08% to .09% (AB2007 -278). Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it does not increase the sales tax. It diverts a portion of the amount already collected back to the County from the State. ADJOURN Jill Ni The meeting adjourned at 11:59 a.m. ption k WH�It •� ._�. 6% C DaKq Bro�ht- Davis, ` il Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Crawford, Ommittee Chair Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2007, Page 7