HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 15 20051
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 15, 2005
Committee Chair L. Ward Nelson called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Sam Crawford Sharon Roy
Also Present:
Dan McShane
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE HOMELESS
HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAM AND
OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR DOROTHY PLACE IN
THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 (AB2005 -131)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CASCADE
VOCATIONAL SERVICES TO DEVELOP WORK- STUDY, INTERN AND
VOLUNTEER RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,660 (AB2005 -132)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Nelson asked who is doing this program. He asked if they are bringing in
both an intern and someone who is doing work - study.
Unidentified speaker stated they are. The statement of work requires them
to develop the three elements of work - study, volunteer, and intern.
Nelson asked if the $24,000 is to manage their activities. Speaker stated it's
a pilot project. She hopes down the road they won't need these resources, and
funds will pay for the services directly. Work -study students have matching funds,
so the County will get more service for less money. The program is through
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 1
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Western Washington University. Coordination, training, and oversight of the
program will be done through Cascade Vocational Services.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WHATCOM COUNSELING AND PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OUTREACH
SERVICES IN THE JAIL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,000 FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $185,122 (AB2005 -133)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked why
the jail doesn't pay for this.
Jackie Mitchell, Health Department Substance Abuse Supervisor, stated the
rationale is the Health Department is a better administrator than the jail of human
services funding. They know what services are needed and how to administer
them.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR THE OPERATION OF THE LAKEWAY YARD
WASTE FACILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $240,000 (AB2005 -134)
Nelson asked if this is a continued contract.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it is.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked if
the $120,000 is the amount they've been at in the past.
Bruce Roll, Assistant Director, stated this is the contract used last year. The
use has increased. A user fee has been implemented.
Crawford asked if they know how the user fee will impact people. A compost
business person in the county said the program doesn't encourage composting
businesses in the county to do yard waste. Roll stated this topic will be discussed
in the Solid Waste Plan update this year. There has been a dramatic increase in
curbside pick up of yard waste. The Solid Waste Executive Advisory Committee will
look at type and use of those services and discuss pushing the service into the
private sector. They will review the fee at the end of this year and the types of
waste going to the site.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 2
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Crawford stated there is now a fee to supplement what government
subsidizes. Facilities in the county don't make a lot of profit from their services.
The difference of whether they could operate profitably was approximately the cost
of the government subsidy. He asked if the County should have a discussion with a
county composting facility about subsidizing the private facility so it doesn't have to
charge anything. Roll stated that is an additional service to consider. Consider
what material is directed to curbside pickup, and then decide what other material
needs a facility. A question would be whether a facility is open to accept that other
material. The curbside pickup is for clean grass as opposed to bigger branches.
Crawford stated the mix of initial product going in could change. Curbside
pickup is an urban service. The actual product in the city ends up being different
from material in the rural areas. As the City changes its operation to accept types
of material such as grass clippings, the County could have an operation that
handles heavier materials. Roll stated that is an option he will present to the Solid
Waste Executive Committee, who is working through these issues as it develops the
revised Solid Waste Plan. He hopes that the outcome of this plan will create a
policy direction on where certain types of yard waste will go. For those recyclable
compost facilities, they need a mix of material to make it lucrative. Just having
branches, for instances, isn't lucrative. Part of the discussion is if there is enough
economic incentive to deal with the existing waste stream.
Nelson stated they may want to look at chipping instead of mulching. Roll
stated the City, County, and Solid Waste Advisory Committee are all interested in
finding out the types of long term facilities needed. There was talk years ago about
locating sites in the county. That effort was unsuccessful. This contract is for two
years. During that time, they will look at alternative methods. He hopes there is
clear direction in the Countywide Solid Waste Plan by the end of this year.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, WSU EXTENSION FOR PILOT
WATER QUALITY TELEMETRY TO SUPPORT STEWARDSHIP FOR
CENTENNIAL GRANT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 (AB2005 -135)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Bruce Roll, Assistant Director, stated he pulled this item from the agenda.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM UTILIZING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
INVESTMENT PROGRAM (EDI) FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 3
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
DEPOT MARKET SQUARE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $214,000 (AB2005-
136)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked the
status on the situation of someone being told he would not be allowed to sing songs
with the words "3esus" or "God" in them.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated he doesn't know the status of
the complaint.
Crawford stated it's probably become a legal issue. The Depot Market
Square is a model of the promotion of economic development in the community.
Local farmers will use the facility. What has been promoted and presented also is a
model of funding from a number of sources, including the private sector. Look for
more of those types of programs. It's a good use of Economic Development
Investment (EDI) funds.
Nelson asked the source of the money. Desler stated this is money from the
EDI Program, funded via the Public Utilities Fund from the Rural Sales Tax. The
Council voted to approve the grant. This is the contract.
Nelson asked if local farmer's could use the facility. Desler stated farmers
may use the facility during the Farmer's Market. There are other uses of the Depot
Market at other times, including park.
Nelson asked the input the County has to support rural economic
development, which is primarily agriculture. Desler stated the farming community
is in favor of this project. If, in the future, the City decides it no longer wants to
host the Farmer's Market at this venue, the County does not have veto power over
the use of the Depot Market Square. A lot of interests in the community have
pulled this project together.
Crawford stated the multipurpose aspect of the facility appeals to him.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #05-
10 FOR AGGREGATE CRUSHING TO THE LOW BIDDER, AGGREGATES
WEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $970,909.50 (AB2005 -137)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF LIGNOSITE FROM SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER, CURT
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 4
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
MEENDERINCK, LLC, FOR DUST CONTROL ON COUNTY ROADS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $64,800 (AB2005 -138)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF A MECHANICAL SWEEPER, USING THE WASHINGTON
STATE CONTRACT, FROM SAHLBERG EQUIPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$149,274 (AB2005 -139)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked if this
is a new sweeper.
Eric Schlehuber, Equipment Services Manager, stated it is a replacement
sweeper.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF FOUR REPLACEMENT VEHICLES, USING THE
WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT, FROM BUD CLARY CHEVROLET IN
THE AMOUNT OF $80,520 (AB2005 -140)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF EIGHT HYBRID SEDANS, USING THE WASHINGTON
STATE CONTRACT, FROM BUD CLARY OF YAKIMA, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$184,000 (AB2005 -141)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked how
the Toyota Prius vehicles are working for the County.
Eric Schlehuber, Equipment Services Manager, stated there are no significant
issues with the Prius.
Crawford asked what they are going to do when it's time to change out the
battery after 100,000 miles. Schlehuber stated the County will evaluate that
decision when it comes up.
Crawford asked about the vehicles they are replacing that have under 60,000
miles. Schlehuber stated they are Dodges from the early 1990's. Even though the
mileage is low, a 12 year old Dodge doesn't hold up. They will go to auction.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 5
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Nelson asked if the Sheriff's vehicles that once went to the state auction was
a special thing.
Brad Bennett, Finance Manager,
auctioneer for large industrial equipment
and have had great results.
stated they generally use a particular
The County contracts with a local firm,
Schlehuber stated the Health Department vehicles are used just in town,
which is part of the reason for the low mileage.
Crawford stated that is a lot of starting and stopping.
Schlehuber stated Equipment Services uses Berglund & Jones as the local
auctioneer.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF FOUR REPLACEMENT VEHICLES, USING THE
WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT, FROM BUD CLARY CHEVROLET, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $92,000 (AB2005 -142)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
13. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WYATT RUSS, ROBBY ADER, AND LUKE SWEDELIUS TO LEASE THE
HOUSE LOCATED AT 367 E. LAKE SAMISH DRIVE, BELLINGHAM IN
THE AMOUNT OF $895 PER MONTH (AB2005 -143)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the two -year budget did not plan
for receiving additional federal funds for additional criminal justice staff.
They are experiencing heavy workload in the permitting department. In
addition, staff is short of office space for people to work. The administration is
considering ideas, including fitting the criminal justice staff into existing spaces.
Some spaces will be used for the short -term. The next step is bringing an empty
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 6
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
floor of the Civic Center building into code to make it useful. They would move the
Public Defender's Office over to the third floor of the Civic Center building. The cost
to modify the space will be about $1 million. It's the last floor the administration
has not occupied because it is expensive to modify. He asked for feedback from
the councilmembers on those issues. Vacating the third floor allows flexibility to
expand the Prosecutor's Office and court staff.
Crawford asked if the idea is to expand the Superior Court to take up the
entire third floor. Desler stated that is not the plan. Other operations would use
some of the space. The Public Defender, like any office, doesn't like it's staff being
at different locations. At this point, they are exploring the benefits and costs of
moving that office to the Civic Center. It would provide more breathing room in the
courthouse. The Auditor's Office is asking for more space for election equipment.
There is more staff in the Information Services Division that need space. The
Prosecutor's Office has real problems with space. It's additional staff that has been
authorized will not have any space. The move will provide additional room for a
number of years.
There is also a space issue at the Smith and Northwest building, which was
supposed to be a temporary facility. The County has added a fair amount of staff
to the Planning Department over the last few years, and he predicts the County will
add more. The administration is currently making adjustments in the amount of
$300,000 to create a one -stop shop. That money doesn't include space for more
people. The overcrowding is beginning to impede staff's ability to work.
The Public Works Department is having similar problems. One option is to
move staff to other places in the county, or add portables at Smith and Northwest.
Another option is to put the entire Planning Department and other operations in a
building that would properly house those operations over the next few decades, and
tear down the existing building. The administration can figure out ways to finance
that building without tax increases. The administration wants to start a discussion
about that with the Council.
Nelson stated that for the Council to make a good response, it will need more
information. Bring forward details about all the options. If they are going to look
long term at effectively dealing with the growing county population, the County
should look at how population growth ties together with all County services. The
Council and administration will have to have a considerable amount of dialog about
location and physical buildings and will have to look at and evaluate what to do in
the meantime. He asked for information on the full -time equivalent (FTE)
employee changes in the past few years. Desler stated the administration is
interested in that information also. Some short -term options don't appear to be
viable.
Nelson stated they still need to acknowledge those options. Desler stated
the administration will gain additional information on the pros and cons of options.
Gaining that information will cost a modest amount of money. There is a lot of
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 7
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
pressure to make quick decisions that have historically resulted in solutions that
end up being long -term.
Nelson stated this committee should look at this issue on a regular basis.
Crawford asked how this fits in with the master facility planning effort.
They've discussed the option of putting the criminal justice facilities in a remote
location. That provides the entire courthouse for administrative functions. The
administration tried to engage the Council in a long -term planning process that
hasn't made any progress in the last year. The administration will have to take a
stronger position on what it wants to do and not engage in a lengthy visioning and
planning process. Propose a solution, and ask for the Council's support. The
administration wants to respond to a real need that is more immediate. HDR
Associates can present a proposal to the community, who can provide feedback to
the Council. The planning approach last year didn't work well. They need to get
things rolling one way or the other. Desler stated it would be valuable to use the
existing space more efficiently. There is not much sale value in that space now.
The use of the property at Smith and Northwest hinges on what the County decides
on the use of this area. Simultaneously, the administration is looking at sites for a
major justice center complex. In the meantime, he has issues with staff working in
hallways and stacked in work spaces inappropriately. The administration has
advocated for long -term planning of master facilities.
Desler stated another issue has to do with emergency medical services
(EMS). A working group has been addressing EMS for the future. He will begin to
bring forward their initial recommendations, which are not yet complete. They will
have a discussion with City Council next week. They want to retain the use of
existing trained paramedics in the community for advanced life support (ALS)
response. They want to also reduce the demands on ALS by having basic life
support (BLS) picked up by fire districts and fire departments, not Medic One. As
they need more capacity for ALS in the future, they will build up capacity in the fire
districts themselves. The fire districts will transition over time to ALS. They want
to use private providers to do some primary and secondary work on BLS response.
Private providers don't have capacity for ALS response. They have engaged the
local private ambulance service in those discussions.
The City of Bellingham proposed to bill the County $950,000 for EMS for the
year. As of April 1, the City will retract one of the four Medic One units back into
Bellingham. The County budgeted $1.35 million for the next two years.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Desler continued to state they would retain the fourth Medic One unit in the
county. The administration will provide the City with the full $1.35 million for that
service. There is still a deficit to do that for the remainder of the year. There is
less than $1 million in Medic One reserves. He will propose that the deficit, about
$300,000 for the year, come out of the reserves. Over the next few months, the
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 8
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
working group would finish detailed planning. The working group feels that a
unified solution, including all cities, the County, and all fire districts, is the best way
to achieve the most cost effective way to maintain EMS. Splitting the County and
City services is very daunting and expensive. He will provide a more detailed
presentation to the Council later. The administration will ask the City Council to
maintain the existing fourth Medic One unit for three more months and to use
reserves to pay the deficit. The larger question is about the growing cost of the
service. They need to find a long -term solution. Many of these decisions will be
made by the County Council. All fire districts have supported the work the County
has done so far. Everyone is united and working together.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
L. Ward Nelson, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/15/2005, Page 9