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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance January 31 2006WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Finance and Administrative Services Committee January 31, 2006 Committee Member Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:08 a.m. in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. Present: Absent: Carl Weimer L. Ward Nelson Also Present: Laurie Caskey- Schreiber Seth Fleetwood Barbara Brenner SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR (AB2006 -022) Crawford stated this item will be postponed for two weeks when Councilmember Nelson is present. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A 29 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BELLINGHAM WHATCOM 30 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FOR ADVERTISING AND 31 PROMOTION OF THE ANNUAL SKI TO SEA FESTIVAL, IN THE AMOUNT OF 32 $29,000 (AB2006 -038A) 33 34 Crawford stated Councilmember Brenner asked that this be put back on the agenda. 35 The item failed in Council two weeks ago. 36 37 Brenner stated she stated her reasons two weeks ago for voting against this item. 38 Her reason was that the Chamber had become a political action committee (PAC). The 39 Council should not donate money to an organization that is, in part or in whole, a political 40 action committee. Since that vote, she found out that the Chamber is not a political action 41 committee. When the Chamber president campaigned this last year in local races, he was 42 not speaking for the Chamber. She had commented two weeks ago that she would support 43 funding the program if the Chamber dissolved the PAC. Since there is no PAC and the 44 person wasn't speaking for the Chamber, she would like to reconsider her vote. 45 46 Caskey - Schreiber stated she also spoke against the funding for Chamber activities. 47 Two years ago, Mr. Oplinger announced that the Chamber would become more politically 48 active and cease taking taxpayer dollars. Last year, Mr. Oplinger said the Chamber would 49 not take dollars for the Chamber's operating budget, but only for the Ski -to -Sea Festival. 50 At that point, the Council warned him that is a fine line. Mr. Oplinger assured the Council 51 he would only advocate for business during elections and not get into candidates. However, 52 during the most recent local election, the Chamber got very involved in candidate 53 campaigning. She submitted information from Better Community Solutions (BCS) that Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 1 shows Mr. Oplinger's support as the Chamber of Commerce. Also, people have said they were at a BCS rally and reported that Mr. Oplinger was a ringleader there. Whether or not Mr. Oplinger is acting in his official capacity doesn't matter. It's hard to separate the individual from the organization. Now, if people speak out against subsidizing the Chamber in any way, they are labeled as anti- Ski -to -Sea, which BCS did with Bellingham City Council Member Barbara Ryan. As an elected official, she feels like she is being blackmailed to keep funding the Chamber. Mr. Oplinger crossed the line when he asked the Council to subsidize his activities with taxpayer dollars. One of the Chamber's top five goals for 2004 was to concentrate on 2005 local elections with the objective of identifying appropriate candidates for positions in play. Clearly, the Chamber has crossed the line. She doesn't trust them enough to give them more taxpayer dollars with the hope they won't keep advocating local races. She doesn't like it that they politicize the Ski -to -Sea Festival, which is a wonderful event she's always supported. Last year, Councilmember Roy argued against funding the Chamber, but she argued against that. She believed Mr. Oplinger when he said he wouldn't get involved in local races, but he lied to the Council. To not politicize the event, turn it over to another organization. Ken Oplinger, Chamber of Commerce, stated he personally was involved in the last election. It's unfortunate if that is the reason for the Council's decision not to fund Ski -to- Sea. As he said last year, the Chamber intention was not to take taxpayer money for operating money. The money today comes from the hotel /motel tax, which must be used for specific purposes, including marketing the area. This money is used to leverage Ski -to- Sea for marketing opportunities. Last year, he sent copies of paid invoices to the County and then received reimbursement from the County for those approved expenses. He attempted to take this money to use the money positively and for a specific purpose. Fleetwood asked how the public could interpret Mr. Oplinger's campaign activity in any way other than as a Chamber representative, given the fact that a variety of different items from Better Community Solutions has his name on them, next to his position with the Chamber. Oplinger stated Councilmember Fleetwood is right. That was unfortunate. He was asked to participate in Better Community Solutions and became more involved than he originally planned. He did not have an opportunity to write the pieces or provide input, and regrets the way it was handled. Caskey- Schreiber asked if it is possible for the Chamber to release the marketing rights to something like the Visitor's Bureau. Oplinger stated they could talk about it. There are other avenues to look at it. The Chamber has a 501(c)(3) with a separate board. If it's an issue of perception about how the money is being provided, it can be the contracting entity. Since the Ski -to -Sea Festival's inception, the Chamber has been involved or owned it in its entirety. The Chamber is extremely proud of it. Pat Rowe, Chamber of Commerce Development Director, stated Ski -to -Sea is the least politicized event he's ever been associated with. People who participate aren't asked their political leanings. It is about families and race participants. If the Council wants to jump on the Chambers bones about politics, do it about something other than Ski -to -Sea. The monies spent for promotion has been shown. Brenner stated she understands that there is no PAC. Move ahead this year. She still wants to speak to the Chamber about its activities during the political season. She can see where the misunderstanding came from. Some of the folks from the Chamber or Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 2 Building Industry Association would be very upset if the Council donated tax money to an organization that has a strong political history and has entered into local political races. In the past, she didn't see the Chamber enter into the political races. Drew Schmidt, Victoria San Juan Cruises Owner, stated he is a former Chamber Chair and a member of the hotel /motel tax advisory committee, which is in favor of the Ski - to -Sea Festival getting this money. The PAC was never formed. Audrey Borders, Chamber Board member, stated don't take her politics into consideration when considering Ski -to -Sea Festival funding. It's for the general goodwill of the community. When the County chooses not to fund the festival, she feels she's being blackmailed and kept from being able to voice her political opinions. Weimer stated he voted against the resolution last time, only in part because of the politics. People in any group have the right to their politics outside of the group. His concerns are more about the contract itself. Allowable expenses are specific to printing, mailing, and advertising to outside visitors, but things are being paid that don't fit those three categories. Rewrite the contract more clearly. Expenses not allowed by the contract are being reimbursed. Until that is cleared up, he won't support the request. McShane stated the County Council used to hear from the Chamber often on a variety of issues. He recalls that the Council would do whatever the Chamber asked. The Chamber has decided to get involved in electoral politics and talk about how the County Council and City Council are not friendly toward business. Yet, the Chamber has not said what it would like the Council to change. He has not ever heard from the Chamber, except when it wants to get some money from the County. Get involved. He suggested that the Chamber, to be an advocate and politically involved on issues, it should get involved with the County Council. Give specific suggestions of what the County Council can do that would be better for business, other than give the Chambers money. The organization has lost a lot of credibility with him because of that. The Council needs people like Chamber representatives to weigh in on business issues. That is a big part of the organization, but the Chamber hasn't been doing it. The only avenue the chamber has followed was to get involved in an insulting campaign. The Chamber could do a lot better. The County and City government will work with them, but the Chamber hasn't worked with the County and City. He doesn't know how the Council has been business unfriendly. Caskey - Schreiber stated she's not saying the Chamber has politicized who participates in the race. She's saying that the Council is making a decision about funding for the Chamber, and people are coming to the Council and saying the Chamber is involved in certain political activities. The Council has to be accountable to the taxpayers. When the Chamber becomes political, it will be a target. The Council has to be accountable to all people, even ones with a different perspective. It's a struggle. She is not against Mr. Oplinger, who is doing what he was hired to do. He is a self - proclaimed lobbyist. This is the direction the Chamber wanted to go. If they want funding for the Ski -to -Sea race, hand it over to someone who isn't politically involved. Crawford stated he likes Mr. Oplinger's leadership of the Chamber and wants to see it continue. It's fresh for the community. Mr. Oplinger has expanded the membership. He and his business are Chamber members. it is a vibrant, active chamber of commerce. At the same time, it's inappropriate for the Council to give money to a politically active group, no matter what they support. The Chamber was told that the Ski -to -Sea Festival needed to be done by a separate entity. The Council's past contribution was conditional. He will support it now because otherwise he considers it breaking a commitment by not giving the Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 3 $29,000 this year. It is already in the budget. However, he agrees with his fellow councilmembers. This event must be operated by a board that isn't a political brute. The Chamber needs to be politically active, but in a way that is separate from public funding. He wants the County to continue to help fund Ski -to -Sea, but not if operated by a political group. Crawford moved to recommend approval of the request. Motion failed 1 -1 with Crawford in favor. 2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2006 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, SECOND REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,933,277 (AB2006 -055) Brad Bennett, Finance Division Manager, stated this budget amendment adopts the budget for County road program for 2006. The administration originally planned to fund the road program on a project -by- project basis, but there are complications with the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) reporting requirement. This amendment also funds ferry operations out of a separate fund and provides operating costs for one year. Crawford asked if the Council already agreed to implement ferry operations through a supplemental fund. Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated that is correct. Bennett stated the amendment also includes additional office space for the Public Works Department. The amendment re- appropriates money for vehicles from last year. Crawford stated these budget amendments normally say whether they are adopting 29 changes to the budget already passed. That isn't what's happening. He asked how the 30 money is shifted around. Bennett stated the 2005/2006 budget overall took a big drop in 31 2006, largely because the road fund capital project budgets were not adopted in the 32 2005/2006 biennium. The thought was to adopt them project -by- project. 33 34 Crawford asked if this lump sum was anticipated. Bennett stated it was. If they 35 don't do this, they don't have any capital appropriations for road projects that weren't 36 contracted in 2006. 37 38 Crawford asked if the amount was not included because they didn't know what the 39 projects would be. Bennett stated that is correct. He is an advocate of project -by- project 40 funding because projects may span more than one fiscal year. They become difficult to 41 track. However, there are other governmental reporting requirements that can't take in the 42 project budgeting concept. Therefore, the administration must decide how to comply with 43 those requirements and get buy -off from the CRAB. 44 45 Crawford stated the road fund balance goes up one year and down the next. He 46 asked where they are at, and if the road fun is solvent. Monsen stated they will have that 47 discussion this spring. Council packet pages 44 and 45 have that information. In short, a 48 couple months ago, the Council approved the 2006 annual construction program. 49 Historically, the Council also approved the budget for the program same meeting. In this 50 case, the Council approved the program without budget authority. Nothing in this program 51 is unusual from what they've seen in past years in terms of impact to the road fund. Staff 52 would also like to get into project based budgeting. They are working on getting that in 53 place. By this summer, they will have it figured out. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 4 Weimer stated he supports the ordinance. Applied benefits seem to be high compared to salaries and wages. Monsen stated the benefit is based on productive hours, not salary hours, which includes a percentage of sick and vacation. Welmer,asked about temporary office space. A cost of $100,000 for furniture seems expensive. Monsen stated the initial estimate was $150,000. The goal is to spend less than that. They are also promoting fully furnishing this space with new furniture that will be transferred into the new building. This is an acquisition for furniture for a new building. Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #05 -116 TO LOW BIDDER, ZUMAR INDUSTRIES, INC., FOR THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $115,756.67 (AB2006 -063) Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #05 -117, ANNUAL SUPPLY OF MINERAL AGGREGATES, BY ACCEPTING ALL BIDS FROM THE SEVEN (7) BIDDERS AND PERMITTING SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE VENDOR AS DICTATED BY THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PARTICULAR JOB, IN AN ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF MORE THAN $35,000 (AB2006 -064) Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #05 -118, ANNUAL SUPPLY OF RIP -RAP ROCK, BY ACCEPTING ALL BIDS FROM THE FIVE (5) BIDDERS AND PERMITTING SELECTION OF THE APPROPRIATE VENDOR AS DICTATED BY THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PARTICULAR JOB, IN AN ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF MORE THAN $35,000 (AB2006 -065) Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF LIGNOSITE, ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, FROM CURT MEENDERINCK LLC, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $70,000 (AB2006 -066) Crawford asked if the bidder is still the sole source, if the amount has gone up, and if the bidder is still using the materials from Georgia Pacific. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 5 Eric Schlehuber, Equipment Services Manager, stated the Georgia Pacific material is gone. The reason for the price increase of 28% for pickup and 22% for delivery. Demand has gone up. He hopes that the actual per ton price may be lower. Crawford asked if there is a new product alternative to lignosite. Schlehuber stated they will look into other products. (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.) Crawford stated it's not petroleum -based product. Schlehuber stated that is correct. Crawford stated he suggests there would be resistance to petroleum -based products, even if the cost is significantly lower. Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated one alternative is gravel conversions to chip seal so they don't have to deal with dust at all. He still promotes that program widely. This product is not reliable. They will look for alternatives. Crawford asked where the product originates, and if the contractor is the sole source. Schlehuber stated the material comes from Oregon and the contractor is the sole source. He is the only vendor around with heated tanks to store the material. Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THE FOLLOWING ROAD MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS USING WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACTS FOR AS NEEDED MATERIALS IN THE CURRENT YEAR — ROAD STRIPING PAINT AND BEADS $400,000; HERBICIDES $80,000; TIRES $50,000; GUARDRAIL & MATERIALS $50,000; AND RUBBERIZED ASPHALT $40,000 (AB2006 -067) Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Weimer stated he talked to Mr. Schlehuber yesterday about the herbicides used. There is a federal court order now requiring setbacks from waterways for one of the herbicides. Eric Schlehuber, Equipment Services Manager, stated he would pass the information along to the herbicide crew. Joe Rutan, Assistant Director, stated they use a 200 foot setback, but the required setback is less than that. They mark the setbacks with markers to identify where they stop applying the product. The goal is to use as little as possible. Weimer stated the spray plan looks good. Motion carried unanimously. 6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A PROJECT GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE INTERAGENCY Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 6 COMMITTEE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MAJORITY OF THE INDOOR FIRING RANGE TARGET CARRIER SYSTEMS, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000, WITH A 50% CONTRIBUTION BY WHATCOM COUNTY, FOR A TOTAL PROJECT COST OF $100,000 (AB2006- 068) Crawford asked the location of the range. Brad Bennett, Finance Division Manager, stated the range is the Plantation Rifle Range. Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated there are matching grants. This is the system that runs the targets downrange back and forth. It is used mostly by law enforcement. The system is about 15 years old, but most systems generally last 10 years. Crawford asked where the Interagency for Outdoor Recreation gets its funding. Parks stated this grant is funded from concealed weapons permit fees and is intended for gun range improvements. Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND VID -SMITH FOR VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES FOR THE WATERSHED - FRIENDLY GARDENING EDUCATION PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,300, OF WHICH $15,000 IS TO BE FUNDED THROUGH A CENTENNIAL GRANT WITH THE BALANCE FUNDED BY THE COUNTY - APPROVED 2006 LAKE WHATCOM BUDGET (AB2006 -069) Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked if the contract includes evaluation of program viewers. Bruce Roll, Assistant Director, stated the intent is to expand the existing program for both Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. He hopes the video will be shown at civic groups and to others who are interested in those practices. The net benefit is a product that can be used by a number of groups. They usually have more requests from those groups. He doesn't know what goes on with channel 10. Crawford asked if this went out for bid. Roll stated it did. He doesn't know who else bid on it. Weimer stated he supports the request. It would be nice to know the impact. Find some way to determine whether this method works. Roll stated they can find some of that information through a survey they did last year to talk about existing practices and knowledge. There will be at least one more survey. He can add that question to it. Crawford stated make the information as entertaining as possible. Motion carried unanimously. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 7 8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTHWEST YOUTH SERVICES FOR OPERATING THE TEEN COURT PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,500 (AB2006 -070) Steve Reynolds, Juvenile Court Administrator, explained the history of the program and its funding. It is an extension of the diversion program. Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. Crawford stated the Juvenile Court Administration staff does incredible work with the juvenile cases. 9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM LAND TRUST FOR THEIR CONTINUING ASSISTANCE IN THE WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL. PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM, WITH A MINIMUM FEE OF $3,000 PER EASEMENT OR A 6% FEE ON THE FIRST $150,000 OF EACH EASEMENT PRICE (WHICHEVER IS GREATER) AND A 4% FEE ON THE PRICE OF EACH EASEMENT OVER $150,000 (AB2006 -071) Kraig Olason, Senior Planner, stated the County has contracted with the Land Trust for the last three years to monitor conservation easements in perpetuity. This request establishes funds kept in a special account for properties managed for Whatcom County. The Land Trust is also allowed to bill the County for out -of- pocket expenses. 29 Crawford asked the cost last year for the fee portion. Olason stated last year the 30 County purchased the Paul Dairy and spent about $31,000 for the conservation payment. 31 32 Crawford asked if this is a one -time for each purchase. Olason stated it is. This 33 fund will be in their accounts and dedicated to any sort of enforcement action the County 34 has to take. The Land Trust is building up this balance. At some point, they may reduce 35 that percentage as they get a larger balance. 36 37 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. 38 39 Weimer asked if this ever goes out for bid or if anyone else is interested in providing 40 this service. Olason stated the organization would have to be a federally recognized long - 41 term conservation service. The Land Trust has 30 or 40 easements they monitor annually. 42 It is their primary focus. 43 44 Crawford stated he got a complaint from Glacier. The Canyon Creek buyout property 45 was a traditional dumping spot. The people who owned the property took care of it. When 46 care went to the Land Trust, dumping became a problem again. It is something to be 47 aware of. Don't let properties become derelict. Olason stated the Land Trust is responsible 48 for monitoring the easements, which ensures that the conditions placed on the property are 49 honored by the owner, but the owner retains ownership. 50 51 Weimer asked if the time spent on out -of- pocket costs is not limited and asked if 52 that has ever been a problem. Olason stated that in practice, the Land Trust puts together 53 a background document, which is a description of the farm condition at the time the Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 8 easement is put on. The Land Trust writes that document and bills the County for it. Other than that, the Land Trust time has been voluntary. They are a partner, and the primary point of contact with the land owner. There has been discussion about the County being more specific if the Land Trust is going to have a limited role. Crawford stated it is a long -term question. He has discussed with the administration the implications of any entity running this generations down the road. Olason stated Exhibit A includes a discussion of the reversionary process, if the Land Trust decides to disband, for example. As the County gets more property, it is becoming more of an issue for the County. Motion carried unanimously. 10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTH SOUND REGIONAL SUPPORT NETWORK, DBA THE NORTH SOUND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, FOR CONTINUATION OF FUNDING FOR A COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR SENIORS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,309, WHICH IS FUNDED FROM A FEDERAL BLOCK GRANT (AB2006 -072) Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTH SOUND REGIONAL SUPPORT NETWORK, DBA THE NORTH SOUND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, FOR CONTINUATION OF FUNDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,982, WHICH IS FUNDED FROM STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES (AB2006 -073) Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 12. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTH SOUND REGIONAL SUPPORT NETWORK, DBA THE NORTH SOUND MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, FOR CONTINUATION OF FUNDING THE JAIL DIVERSION PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $135,422, WHICH IS FUNDED AS A PILOT PROJECT AS A RESULT OF SENATE BILL 5763 (HARGROVE BILL) (AB2006 -074) Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 13. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND COPPER BUILDING ASSOCIATES, A WASHINGTON GENERAL PARTNERSHIP, FOR A THREE -YEAR LEASE OF A 6,000 SQUARE FOOT SPACE IN THE COPPER BUILDING FOR USE Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 9 BY WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $269,635.60 PLUS $7,416.30 DEPOSIT FOR THE THREE -YEAR LEASE TERM (AB2006 -075) Crawford stated the Council was apprised of discussions and pursuit of real estate deals that were not disclosed at the time, in executive session. The contract has been negotiated. He asked the status of the County's assets in general, based on previous discussion and why there is still a need for this. Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated there are many facility planning issues. This proposal is for temporary office space while they finalize administrative office space at the Smith and Northwest location. This move has to do with space needs at the Smith and Northwest facility. The Planning Department is growing, so the Public Works staff needs to move out of the Smith and Northwest facility. Crawford asked if the lease payment is monthly. Monsen stated it is. Crawford asked if parking issue has been dealt with. Monsen stated it has been, creatively. They are moving the staff parking area and will create carpools. Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 14. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT ADDENDUM NO. 1 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND RUSTAND, INC. FOR CONTINUING TO OPERATE THE OFFSITE WORK RELEASE FACILITY FOR MINIMUM - SECURITY WORK RELEASE INMATES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $562,500 FOR 2006 AND $638,750 FOR 2007 29 (AB2006 -076) 30 31 Crawford asked the changes to the contract. It's a good program that has worked 32 well. 33 34 Greg DePaul, Administrative Lieutenant, stated they are continuing operations as 35 they are now. The contract amounts are maximum estimates for those years. The new jail 36 facility will open soon, and this contract amount will probably be substantially reduced in 37 2006, to around $420,000. The new jail facility will open in September, when the County 38 will move a lot of the people to the new jail facility. In 2007, he expects the population at 39 the work release site to increase again with a different type of offender that would be 40 allowed. Usually, the cost per bed is offset some by revenue collected by offenders who 41 stay at the work release site. The work release offenders pay a substantial portion of their 42 costs. 43 44 Crawford asked about behavioral problems. DePaul stated people automatically go 45 back to jail if there are problems. There is some contraband. They are attempting to-make 46 these people productive members of society. They try to correct behavior if they can. If 47 they can't, they have to bring the offenders back to main jail. After the new facility opens, 48 there may be some cases where work release offenders would be put into the new facility. 49 The idea is to keep the fe[ons in the existing facility. Therefore, the jail space will have to 50 be used wisely. 51 Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 10 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 36 37 Crawford asked if the new jail facility will be opened in September. DePaul stated that is the estimated opening. There is a penalty to the contractor if the new jail facility is not done on time. Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 15. RESOLUTION CANCELING UNCOLLECTIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,432.78 (AS2006 -077) Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINES5 There was no other business. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 12:26 p.m. Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Sam Crawford, Committee Member Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/31/2006, Page 11