HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 28 20061 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Finance and Administrative Services Committee
3
4 March 28, 2006
5
6 Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. in the
7 Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
8
9 Present: Absent:
10 L. Ward Nelson None
11 Carl Weimer
12
13 Also Present:
14 Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
15 Barbara Brenner
16 Dan McShane
17
18
19 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
20
21 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2006 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, FIFTH
22 REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,209,371 (AB2006 -145)
23
24 Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked what the jail
25 fund is.
26
27 Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections, stated it is the one -tenth of one percent sales tax
28 passed on November 2004 for operations.
29
30 Nelson asked about $56 cost per inmate charged by Snohomish County. He asked
31 how much the Whatcom County spends per day. Jones stated Whatcom County spends $61
32 per inmate per day this year.
33
34 Nelson asked if the County could send more inmates to Snohomish County. Jones
35 stated Snohomish County doesn't have enough jail space for all of Whatcom County's
36 inmates, and won't take many of the offenders. Snohomish County takes Whatcom
37 County's low risk offenders.
38
39 Nelson asked if Snohomish County's cost of $56 per day is a reflection of better
40 efficiency in their new jail. Jones stated it is a reflection of the fact they have more people
41 to divide their expenditures. Next year, Whatcom County's per day cost will go down
42 because jails are a heavily" fixed -cost business. The more people, the cheaper the per -unit
43 cost.
44
45 Motion carried unanimously.
46
47
48 COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
49
50 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -03 TO
51 THE SOLE BIDDER, I.M.A.C. INC., FOR THE FABRICATION AND
52 INSTALLATION OF BUNKS IN THE JAIL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,500
53 (AB2006 -154)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/28/2006, Page 1
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
2. REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF 40 LAPTOP COMPUTERS AND
RELATED ACCESSORIES FOR USE IN SHERIFF VEHICLES USING A CITY OF
LYNNWOOD BID AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT (VENDOR DAYTECH, INC.)
IN THE AMOUNT OF $223,660.94 (FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM A HOMELAND
SECURITY GRANT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT) (AB2006 -155)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
3. REQUEST APPROVAL TO USE THE DISCOUNT PRICING OFFERED ON PUBLIC
WORKS BID #06 -27 FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PANEL
SYSTEMS AND SUPPLEMENTAL FURNITURE FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S
OFFICE NEW LOCATION UTILIZING NEXT LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER,
TRICO OFFICE INTERIORS (LOW BIDDER WITHDREW THEIR OFFER FOR
THIS PR07ECT), IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000 (AB2006 -156)
Brad Bennett, Finance Division Manager, stated the administration bid , included
language requesting a price quote if the County purchases additional furniture. In this
situation, the low bidder couldn't supply the type of modules needed by the Public
Defender's Office.
Weimer asked the number of employees in the Public Defender's Office.
Mike Russell, Facilities Division Manager, stated there are 37 or 47 employees in the
Public Defender's Office.
Weimer stated the cost works out to about $3,000 per person for office equipment.
That seems expensive.
Linda Harduar, Administrative Assistant, stated the most expensive cost is from ten
or 15 cubicles that must be eight feet high with doors. The cubicles must be soundproof for
confidentiality. They are moveable and of a good quality that should last. The rest of the
40 existing office equipment will be moved.
41
42 Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
43
44 Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
45
46 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE
47 AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND BLACK MOUNTAIN
48 FORESTRY CENTER FOR A PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT AREA AND
49 ARBORETUM AT SILVER LAKE COUNTY PARK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1.00 PER
50 YEAR (AB2006 -157)
51
52 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
53
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/28/2006, Page 2
Caskey- Schreiber stated a nearby resident had some complaints, but the forestry
center will hopefully run a cleaner operation. There have been excess equipments and
trucks. The operation that has been going on does take away from the beautiful character
of the homestead.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated the Parks
Commission met onsite with members of the Black Mountain Forestry Center. Also, Parks
Department staff met out there and talked about several things that needed to be
corrected, including materials that were left out in trucks and whether the trucks would be
restored or moved offsite. Those issues were taken care of. The center will move the
informational panel along the driveway into the exhibit area to maintain that view. There
was a proposal to establish an arboretum for educational and practical purposes. It will also
screen some of the equipment. There is an element of landscaping. The Park Commission
has given tentative approval. It will be an enhancement to the park and added value to the
forestry center. They have addressed all the concerns regarding aesthetics. There is value
to the center. It is used by schools and is a tourism draw. The agreement is good. The
Property Management Committee also reviewed this. The Executive has been kept apprised
of the status as they've moved forward.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the Parks Department gets involved in the curriculum.
McFarlane stated the forestry center is a 501(c)(3) non - profit. It takes care of its own
curriculum. The Parks Department will hire someone who will coordinate those interpretive
and educational programs happening on all parks properties.
Caskey- Schreiber stated that's a good idea. One citizen concern was using taxpayer
property to promote an agenda.
Brenner stated the County has addressed the concerns of the citizen.
Councilmembers should go on one of the tours the forestry center provides. In addition to
schools, people from other countries go on these tours. This is specifically about the history
of logging in the county. The perspective is all historical.
Weimer asked if the County has recourse if the semi - trailers show up again. It looks
like it does. He asked if the County has recourse regarding the curriculum. McFarlane
stated the center has outlined the curriculum to the Park Commission, which meets annually
with the Black Mountain Forestry Board. Their focus is historical.
Crawford stated the County is allowed to terminate the contact without cause. Even
though there is a five -year lease, the County can terminate the contract with 90 days'
notice. He asked if the landscape, as presented in Exhibit B, is voluntary and not required
by contract. McFarlane stated it is.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WOMENCARE SHELTER AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES PROVIDING FUNDING FROM COUNTY 2060
OPERATIONS FUNDS FOR AN ADDITIONAL 400 HOURS OF CASE
MANAGEMENT TO INCREASE ASSISTANCE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
RESIDING AT THE WOMENCARE SHELTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000
(AB2006 -158)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/28/2006, Page 3
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND DUMAS & ASSOCIATES, INC.
TO PROVIDE FACILITATION AND COORDINATION SERVICES TO THE HEALTH
DEPARTMENT AND THE FIVE WORK GROUPS ENGAGED IN THE PANDEMIC
INFLUENZA PLANNING FROM MARCH THROUGH JULY 2006, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $31,200 (AB2006 -159)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked the funding
source.
Terry Hinz, Assistant Director, stated funding is all from grant dollars from the
federal and State governments.
Weimer asked if they ever considered doing this in- house. Hinz stated there was
that consideration, but they didn't have the resources to do it. It was a priority project for
the Executive, to start right away.
Crawford stated he is not in favor of spending general fund dollars on this issue.
He's glad there are grant fund dollars.
Caskey- Schreiber stated it is similar to the Whatcom Leadership program. It is a
similar model, to groom leadership to respond in a crisis situation. Hinz stated this program
is like the Whatcom Leadership program. They are trying to build relationships with the
community in advance, in case there is an event, and they will have resources to call upon.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE US
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR REHABILITATION OF A NON - FEDERAL
FLOOD CONTROL WORK PROJECT FOR BERTRAND CREEK'S LEFT BANK, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $666,000 (AB2006 -160)
Paula Cooper, River and Flood Division Manager, stated these are two separate items
because they are separate levee segments with separate agreements. Staff asked the Army
Corps of Engineers to delay the repair so the County could use their cost -share money in an
improved project to set back the levees. The concept for the new levee system is in the
Council packet.
Typically, this would go through the Project Review Subcommittee for a formal
recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to implement the project at a specific cost
share. Unfortunately, the meeting didn't happen, so there is no recommendation from the
subcommittee. The full Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee met, but they didn't
have the final cost, only an estimate that was a little higher than the actual cost. They
didn't have any acquisition costs. The committee generally supports the project. The
project is in the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan. A diking district
committee member said it is time to fix the levees correctly once and for all.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/28/2006, Page 4
The cost -share is typically 85/15. That would have been a cost to Diking District of
about $150,000, which is well beyond their means. The district will contribute $20,000 to
the project. That is a sizeable contribution for the diking district.
Crawford moved to recommend approval of this item and Consent Agenda item
eight to the full Council.
Weimer asked if this is an opportunity to do salmon enhancement. Cooper stated
the setback includes a vegetative buffer between the levee and the creek.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
S. • REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE US
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR REHABILITATION OF A NON - FEDERAL
FLOOD CONTROL WORK PROJECT FOR BERTRAND CREEK'S RIGHT BANK, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $491,500 (AB2006 -161)
See Consent Agenda item seven for discussion and approval of this item.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WALKER AND ASSOCIATES
TO COLLECT DIGITAL ORTHOPHOTOGRAPHS ON THE MAINSTEM NOOKSACK
RIVER TO BE USED IN THE SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR
GEOMORPHIC MAPPING, IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,800 (AB2006 -162)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A SUB -
RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
BELLINGHAM, BELLINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE PARTIAL
FUNDING FOR ONE FTE FROM THE BELLINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
ASSIGNED TO THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL DRUG TASK FORCE, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $47,222.50 (AB2006 -163)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT PROGRAM INTERLOCAL LOAN AND
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF SUMAS
TO FINANCE THE BOWEN FIELD EXPANSION PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$350,000 (AB2006 -164)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked the
recommendation of the Economic Development Investment (EDI) Board.
Brad Bennett, Finance Division manager, stated it was approved.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/28/2006, Page 5
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
12. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY AND THE
SETTING OF A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING THEREON PURSUANT TO WCC
1.10 (AB2006 -165)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Nelson absent.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
T meeting adjourned at 11:41 a.m.
rt- >
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
�t%t1u i 11111111
ATTEST `-,0 � C O ,'�,,�i.
44 C
•
Dark BrSw* Ob+bT %qfl -il CTi
ShING
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sa Crawford, Comm tee Chair
il
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/28/2006, Page 6