HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 23 2006WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
May 23, 2006
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:07 a.m, in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Carl Weimer L. Ward Nelson
Also Present:
Barbara Brenner
Dan McShane
Laurie Caskey - Schreiber
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. BELLINGHAM- WHATCOM COUNTY COMMISSION AGAINST DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTED BY SUE PARROTT, COMMISSION
DIRECTOR, AND REGINA DELAHUNT, WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR (AB2006 -227)
Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director and Commission Against Domestic
Violence Chair, stated she has been impressed with how collaborative all the partners are,
including treatment providers and law enforcement. Folks work hard together to improve
the system.
Each year, the Commission presents an annual report to the City and County. She
submitted the annual report (on file). Domestic violence occurs in every segment of
society. It really impacts some of the clients the Health Department services. Domestic
violence is a public health issue for the County.
One accomplishment of the Commission is the benchmarking report. It is included in
the Council's packet. The Commission has worked with all partners to collect data on the
prevalence of domestic violence. They analyzed the data to make some predictions.
Also, the Commission and City of Bellingham received a grant called the Grants to
Encourage Arrest. A lot of good work is going on with that. She thanked the Council for its
support over the years. It is money well- spent.
Sue Parrott, Commission Against Domestic Violence Director, stated the Grants to
Encourage Arrest program was awarded to the Commission and City of Bellingham. There
are some recommendations of the safety audit that the community couldn't implement
because of funding. Also, the Commission wanted to conduct the next phase of the audit,
which focuses on probation and prosecution. They submitted an application to conduct a
safety audit and implement recommendations from the first audit. They have received
those funds. There is information in the Council packet on what they are doing and have
done. They just completed training for law enforcement agencies, and will standardize a
new risk assessment protocol.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/2312006, Page 1
I They also just completed training for all corrections staff in the jail, which was a
2 recommendation of the first audit. The training was to increase the staff's understanding of
3 the dynamics of domestic violence. Offenders are still a risk while in jail and can reach
4 victims.
5
6 Some funding went to a nonprofit service agency to expand on -scene advocacy to
7 the entire county. After a domestic violence call, law enforcement connects the victim with
8 an on -call advocate.
9
10 There is funding for the Sheriff's Office to purchase specialized equipment. They
11 have selected ten deputies to specialize in domestic violence response and investigation.
12
13 The grant includes funding for the Commission, which has hired an additional staff
14 person. The Commission is currently conducting a safety audit on the County Prosecutor,
15 City Prosecutor, and District Court Probation. The audits will result in recommendations for
16 change. Many recommendations are not resource - dependent. The City and County fund
17 the Commission for basic operating expenses, which enabled them to do this additional
18 work.
19
20 As Commission director, she must be aware of what they are doing in Whatcom
21 County and also what's happening nationally. The Commission could bring those ideas
22 here. The Commission is a small organization. It is fortunate to work in a community with
23 many other practitioners, stakeholder groups, and others who are willing to take on this
24 issue. She finds other partners for other issues. The annual report includes examples of
25 when partnerships have happened. For example, the Commission is working on a
26 consistent recommendation for the criminal justice system on domestic violence offenders
27 and firearms. They would like to improve access to firearms. The greatest percentage of
28 fatality from domestic violence is from firearms.
29
30 The benchmark report is in the Council packet. It is the Commission's third report.
31 She has spent time on the data before. This year, they are seeing an increase in almost
32 every data set in the report, which is adjusted for population changes and statistical
33 significance. The year 2004 was one of the highest years in almost every index. The data
34 doesn't say why it is changing. An increase doesn't necessarily mean the problem is worse
35 or domestic violence rates have increased. It could simply mean there is more community
36 education, law enforcement is doing a better job, or other variables.
37
38 New data in this report is the reactivity over a three -year period. They have
39 reviewed recidivism rates. Twenty percent of individuals were charged for domestic
40 violence more than one time. Some people think that statistic is low. This data also shows
41 that 30 percent of individuals re- offended in another jurisdiction in the county. That's why
42 all the criminal justice partners must be connected and have assess to the same
43 information.
44
45 Crawford stated this is a great way to look at the information. Other indicators show
46 there are more cases. That could be because they have better tools to identify those
47 people. The 20 percent statistic seems low. If they can get that number down, even if the
48 number of cases double, they know they are having a post- arrest impact. Parrott stated
49 they weren't able to look at felony level cases. This compilation is limited.
50
51 McShane stated 52 percent of the first additional incidents is assaults. The more the
52 number of additional incidents has to do more with violating the orders. It is disconcerting
53 that the first violation of the order is violent. Parrott stated it is concerning. Over time,
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/23/2006, Page 2
people are violating orders. That raises the question of why people aren't taking their
orders seriously.
McShane stated dealing with the problem quickly is critical. Parrott stated the data
raises lots of questions. It gets people thinking.
Crawford asked if the data is collected countywide. Parrott stated it mostly is. They
tried to include the Tribes as well, when they could. They couldn't get that information for
all data sets. The goal was for countywide information, not information by jurisdiction.
Weimer asked if there is jurisdictional information also, and if certain areas stand
out. Parrott stated they didn't pull that information out this year. She did that one year in
the past. There were some differences. The city with the highest rate was Ferndale and the
city with the lowest rate was Lynden. That was strictly the offense rate as reported by law
enforcement.
The most significant increases in 2004 were jail bookings, protection orders,
probation referrals, and some of the service provider numbers.
Weimer asked if there are examples around the country where certain programs
created a decrease in numbers. Parrott stated benchmarking is challenging. When she first
started, she tried to find out what other jurisdictions use as measures. She found little
information. She found that different offices set different goals. There isn't much out there
about what the goals should be. The goal depends on the measure.
Crawford stated the measurement of re- offenses is significant. They have an
almost - impossible task to educate everyone in the community so no one offends initlaily,
however they need to react to the first offense. He asked if this is tied to alcohol and
substance abuse. Parrott stated there is a link, but it is not cause and effect. It is co-
occurring. Providers try to screen for alcohol and substance abuse.
Bruce Van Glubt, District Court Probation, stated the domestic violence perpetrator
treatment program evaluators are required to include a substance abuse evaluation
element. The court order will include a requirement that the offender follow the assessment
recommendations. If substance abuse is an issue, the offenders are required to have a
substance abuse evaluation. Research shows that alcohol and substance abuse does not
cause domestic violence. It could escalate the violence, but not cause it.
Brenner stated domestic violence may escalate the substance abuse. Domestic
violence is another problem the offenders have.
Parrott stated they can't ignore the issue. They must understand how the two
problems connect.
COMMITTEE DIgCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2006 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, EIGHTH
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,028,208 (AB2006 -217)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated about half of the total general fund
portion is for the Planning and Development Services Department. There is $200,000 in
grant revenue. They haven't calculated all the fee revenue. There will be some revenue
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/23/2006, Page 3
from short- plats. Generally, the revenues tend to be about where they were last year,
except for the short- plats.
Crawford stated some of those applications will take years to go through the process.
That $300,000 will get thin after several years.
Crawford stated he wants to discuss the commute trip reduction program. He's
concerned about the County starting a new program when the Council of Governments
(COG) has managed to find resources elsewhere. The funding issue doesn't make the
program go away. It just expands or contracts any opportunity for the program to do
something. He will support it at this point, but reluctantly. He would like COG to provide
more information for the upcoming budget cycle. Generally, they all understand the benefit
of commute trip reduction. He asked why the County should be involved.
Susan Horst, Council of Governments Commute Trip Reduction Program Manager,
submitted a spreadsheet (on file). The first reason the County should be involved is that
this is not something new. They are taking something they know works and expanding to a
larger audience. The second benefit is to County citizens. People in this community
understand that automobile trips affect the quality of life here, and they would like to make
changes. What's stopping them is physical barriers and mental barriers, such as lack of
information and lack of motivation. She can help people with those things. That's what this
program is about. The program can give people incentives and information to motivate
them to change. People are interested in making a change, but they have to start. where
they are. They can't force them into a program. If people are interested in making a
change, she can get proper information to them. That is the benefit to the citizens. They
want to make a change. She knows what it's like to drive on the roads at rush hour. If
people need to drive a lot for the job, the traffic problems are disconcerting. However,
people want to make changes.
Brenner stated she's concerned that they're not raising the percentage very much.
One problem is that there should be a guaranteed ride home in more instances than just
emergencies. She has a real problem with the claim about smart trip school programs. The
district gets paid per student that rides the bus. There is a disincentive to get the kids to
walk. They need better commuter bus service from the small cities to Bellingham, very
frequently during rush hours.
Crawford asked the number of years they've been doing commute trip reduction.
Horst stated they have been doing the program since 1997. The handout is about how the
County benefits. The County leverages quite a bit of money with its $20,000 contribution.
The $250,000 listed on the scope of work has gone up a bit. There is $825,000 every three
years. She read the list of funding sources. This is a very large program.
Brenner asked their influence on the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) for
changing habits. Horst stated she is an educator and marketer. There are some low -
hanging fruit. People want to make changes, but have physical barriers to making that
change. That is a long -term problem that requires a lot of people and enough people who
ask for the service. Start out serving the people who want to and can make changes now,
but don't have the information they need to make the changes. That's where they start.
Then, build momentum to justify making other changes.
Weimer stated there has been a 4.5 percent reduction in nine years. He asked the
number of trips that is.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/23/2006, Page 4
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Horst stated there are about 200 trips. They don't get to count people who already
carpool or ride the bus. They just claim the change.
Weimer asked the funding before this. Horst stated the total funding was $80,000.
That is just money from the State to do the work trip program. In Whatcom County,
citizens think this is a good idea and want the program expanded.
Brenner asked if they are working with the school systems. A problem is that the
schools get money for each kid that rides the buses. Horst stated she agrees with the
conundrum. Start with people who have enthusiasm for the project, then build something
that works to create a reason to talk to people about the school buses.
Weimer asked what the Latimor project is. Desler stated the County contracted with
a person named Latimore to assist with designing a more effective system for processing
permits. Recommendations resulted from the work. The administration is asking for Mr.
Latimore's assistance with some follow -up work. The project is about improving the permit
process.
Crawford asked whether the specific recommendations will be implemented.
Hal Hart, Planning and Development Services Department Director, stated they will.
Now, they are working on five of the 14 recommendations. He described the five
recommendations. The volumes are much larger than they were five or six years ago.
Crawford asked about the new Planner I for short- plats. He asked if the counter can
take people throughout the day, rather than just in the mornings. Hart stated they are
trying to look at that. Last year they were at 23. Today, they are at 171. Working with the
Public Works Department is key. They are looking at how to get through the technical
review committees. They are talking about twice as many technical review committees just
to get through. That is a bigger problem. Another problem is just getting back to people
who call for information. Communication needs to be improved.
Crawford stated it's hard to understand why they would be open in the morning. The
number of staff doesn't affect how many people apply for short- plats. Spreading it out over
the day would avoid the buildup in the morning. They don't have to man the counter.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the County is mandated to process the short-plats within a
certain timeframe. Hart stated they are. In fact, they've sent out a note saying that the
County will get to them in the order they arrive. Within that, the staff is trying to work
through it in a reasonable way.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the land rush that happened as a result of the proposed
moratorium will go away when the moratorium is resolved. Hart stated they are trying to
cross -train people in different areas and focus the staff on larger team projects. To move a
project forward, it will take a team leader. The Guide Meridian project alone is a huge
consumptive process. All the property owners are responding to the widening of the Guide
by moving back septic systems, which requires review and approval.
Caskey- Schreiber asked how much the staff has increased in the last four years.
Hart stated they went from 52 or 54 to about 70 right now. Eighty five percent of the
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/23/2006, Page 5
program is focused on permits. The increases are a result of getting permits out in a timely
manner. They are catching up this year.
Crawford stated the County is not following State regulations in terms of timeliness.
The short-plat issue will go a lot longer than two years. The stuff getting short- platted
today is more marginal than what used to get short- platted. These things will drag out for
years. There will be no shortage of work for these people.
Brenner stated part of the problem is the huge turnover. The County has not
replaced some of the specialists. Also, Planning staff, not the Planning Director, should be
answering general calls with simple questions from the public.
Crawford stated that his experience as a user is that staff is consistent about call-
backs within a day or two. The loss of ]ay Irwin is significant.
Weimer stated he supports funding for the water resource inventory area (WRIA)
plan implementation. Funding for that project used to be under the Public Works
Department. When the project was transferred to the Planning Department, the associated
employees were not transferred. He asked if the number of employees in the Public Works
Department has decreased accordingly. Desler stated the remaining Public Works staff are
working on other issues, and are no longer funded with the water resource fund. There are
many good reasons to move forward with implementation by Planning and Development
Services staff. There are many vacancies in the Public Works Department.
Weimer asked if there has been growth -creep in the Public Works Department as a
result of those same positions that were budgeted for this work. Desler stated the
administration doesn't believe that is true. There is a need for additional capacity in the
Public Works Department to carry on with the things for which the Council is calling.
Weimer asked why the funds for chipper equipment is coming from the Planning and
Development Services Department, not the Public Works Department, since this equipment
has been in the County Solid Waste Plan. Desler stated its being organized through a grant
through the Northwest Clean Air Agency and the Fire Marshal's Office, which is in the
Planning Department. It's not part of the Solid Waste Division.
Hart stated he has been working with the State Department of Natural Resources on
wildfire prevention. The rules on wildfire prevention and burn permits will be changing.
Weimer stated that all communities should have access to this equipment.
Caskey - Schreiber stated the chipper is mobile, so it can go anywhere it is needed.
The money is settlement money from Conoco Phillips to the Northwest Clean Air Agency.
Warner Webb put forth a request for this project, intended to serve the entire county. Burn
permits are handled through the Planning and Development Services Department.
Weimer stated he recommends that this issue go through the Solid Waste Advisory
Committee. Hart stated he will find out more about that.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Caskey- Schreiber asked about the Lummi Island groundwater study.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/23/2006, Page 6
Roland Middleton, Planning and Development Services Department, stated he will
present an update to the Committee of the Whole tonight.
Motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -41 TO
LOW BIDDER, DIEHL FORD, FOR SIX SMALL UTILITY VEHICLES, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $117,138.13 (AB2006 -228)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -S7 TO
LOW BIDDER, CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, FOR THE SUPPLY OF
PRE - STRESSED CONCRETE VOIDED SLAB BRIDGE GIRDERS, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $83,735.09 (AB2006 -230)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #06 -47 TO
LOW BIDDER, FRONTIER FORD, FOR FIVE HALF -TON EXTENDED CAB PICKUP
TRUCKS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $98,006.08 (AB2006 -229)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE UNITED
STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, MT. BAKE R- SNOQUALMIE
NATIONAL FOREST, TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR A DEPUTY TO PATROL THE MT.
BAKER- SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,000
(AB2006 -231)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A SUB -
RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTHWEST
REGIONAL COUNCIL, FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF UHF
REPEATERS FOR MOUNTAINTOP FIXED SITES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE OUR
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS TO COMBAT TERRORISM, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$46,550 (AB2006 -232)
Crawford asked who uses these repeaters.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/23/2006, Page 7
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it is a law enforcement system for the
Sheriff's Office and all the smaller towns.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A SUB -
RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF
FERNDALE, FOR THE PURCHASE OF A FIXED GENERATOR FOR THE CITY OF
FERNDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT'S
ABILITY TO RESPOND TO AND CONTINUE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
OPERATIONS DURING NATURAL AND MAN -MADE EMERGENCIES, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $20,000 (AB2006 -233)
Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A SUB -
RECIPIENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH
HOSPITAL, FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO PORTABLE VENTILATORS TO
ENHANCE THE HOSPITAL'S ABILITY TO CONTINUE CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS AND RESPOND TO THE HEALTH CARE
NEEDS OF WHATCOM COUNTY DURING NATURE AND MAN -MADE
EMERGENCIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,800 (AB2006 -234)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
WHATCOM COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, TO ASSIST IN FUNDING THE
WHATCOM SMART TRIPS PROGRAM TO REDUCE AUTOMOBILE TRIPS AS A
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL TRIPS THROUGH EDUCATION, ASSISTANCE AND
INCENTIVES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS,
FOR A TOTAL OF $60,000 (AB2006 -235)
Crawford stated he would prefer to amend this to be for this year only, and then deal
with it as a budget item.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they can adjust the contract to one year
only, with renewals available for two more years. It's appropriate to do.
Crawford stated he respects the Council of Government's desire for funding certainty.
However, the Council needs to make certain it is getting accountability as the program
progresses. They've already learned that much of this is subjective. Monitoring the
program makes more sense for the taxpayers. Desler stated item VII in the contract
addresses reduction in funding. If the County decides it is not able to fund this, it has the
option to withdraw funding.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 512312006, Page 8
1
2 Motion carried unanimously.
3
4 9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO COMPLETE THE
5 PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1661 BAKER CREEK PLACE,
6 BELLINGHAM (AB2006 -236)
7
8 Crawford asked if this is the animal control shelter.
9
10 Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it is. It authorizes the Executive to
11 enter into the purchase and sale agreement.
12
13 Crawford stated the County is being challenged by the cost of the operating
14 expenses. The costs so far are extraordinary.
15
16 Weimer moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
17
18 Motion carried unanimously.
19
20 10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO COMPLETE
21 ACQUISITION OF AN EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC PARK PURPOSES IN THE
22 AMOUNT OF $10,000 FROM THE 3ENSEN FAMILY LIVING TRUST UTILIZING
23 THE CONSERVATION FUTURES FUND (AB2006 -237)
24
25 Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
26
27 Weimer asked if this is mature old growth.
28
29 Rand Jack, Whatcom Land Trust, stated this is mature second growth.
30
31 Motion carried unanimously.
32
33
34 OTHER BUSINESS
35
36 There was no other business.
37
38
39 ADJOURN
40
41 The meeting adjourned at 12:27 p.m.
42
43
44
45 Jill Nixon, Min` ription
46 ��� Y C
47 ��t .... �O
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4$ ATTESTS• HAr WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
49. WHA COM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
50
51 = —
52 = •
53 Dana owr% �{is�2, Kiel S Crawford, Co mittee Chair
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r7i1tgry4Ry,�BdAministrative Services Committee, 5/23/2006, Page 9