HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 22 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
November 22, 2005
Committee Chair L. Ward Nelson called the meeting to order at 11:03 a.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Sam Crawford Sharon Roy
Also Present:
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Barbara Brenner
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2005 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET,
REQUEST #12, IN THE AMOUNT OF $923,766 (AB2005 -430)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL " "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF AN ANNUAL SUPPLY OF EQUIPMENT LUBRICANTS
USING THE WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT, IN AN AMOUNT TO
EXCEED $35,000 (AB2005 -433)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO
CONTRACT AMENDMENT #1 BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
COMPU -WORKS PACIFIC FOR THE WENET DATA INTEGRATION
PROJECT TO PROVIDE FURTHER PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
IMPLEMENTATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,807, FOR A TOTAL
CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $287,957 (AB2005 -434)
parts.
Nelson asked if this would break the project down into more manageable
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2005, 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.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated this is one phase of the project,
which is divided into different phases. This project is funded with some federal
funds. It's a key component of the criminal justice system. It is the highest
priority of the Law and Justice Plan.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND COMPU -TECH, INC.
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW AND
ENHANCED AS /400 BASED CIVIL PAPER TRACKING SYSTEM FOR THE
WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF USING BORDER PROSECUTION GRANT
FUNDS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,000 (AB2005 -435)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WILSON
ENGINEERING, LLC TO PROVIDE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND
ESTIMATES FOR GENEVA AREA STORMWATER RETROFITS AND CABLE
STREET RECONSTRUCTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $247,220 (AB2005-
436)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND J. A. BRENNAN
ASSOCIATES, PLLC TO PROVIDE SERVICES NECESSARY TO DESIGN
AND INSTALL LANDSCAPE DEMONSTRATING WATERSHED- FRIENDLY
GARDENING PRACTICES AT BLOEDEL - DONOVAN PARK, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $19,930 (AB2005 -437)
Crawford asked why the County is doing something at Bloedel- Donovan, a
city park.
Bruce Roll, Assistant Director, stated this is the best location for the
program. They've partnered with the City to use this site.
Crawford asked if the City is participating financially. Roll stated it is. The
City has agreed to maintain it once it is up and going.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2005, 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.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if half of the project is funded by a centennial grant
to the City. Roll stated the grant was to the County.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND RE SOURCES TO
PROVIDE FOR CONTINUATION OF A WASTE REDUCTION/ RECYCLING
AND HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE HOTLINE TO WHATCOM
COUNTY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,000
(AB2005 -438)
Nelson 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 RE SOURCES TO
COORDINATE AGRICULTURAL PLASTICS COLLECTION AND
RECYCLING OPPORTUNITIES IN WHATCOM COUNTY, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $18,065 (AB2005 -439)
Nelson stated this is a new contract to educate people in agricultural areas
about recycling certain products. Regarding feed sacks, there was always a
concern about the spread of disease. He asked if there was any discussion on how
the recycled sacks may spread diseases.
Bruce Roll, Assistant Director, stated there was no discussion about that
topic. This program is to remove and recycle the products, not to move them to
another location. He can bring this up as an issue to address. This is part of a total
of $75,000 for starting new programs. The Health Department can evaluate the
risks.
Nelson stated make sure there is a mechanism in place to prevent rapid
transmission of disease.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THOMSON WEST
PUBLISHING COMPANY FOR A THREE -YEAR SUBSCRIPTION FOR
ONLINE AND HARDBOUND LEGAL RESEARCH TOOLS FOR THE
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2005, 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.
WHATCOM COUNTY LAW LIBRARY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,492.92
ANNUALLY ($40,478.76 OVER THREE YEARS) (AB2005 -440)
Nelson asked if they have to do this each year.
Dave McEachran, Prosecutor, stated this is a multi -year contract to increase
their ability to provide online research. It also reduces book costs. This is an
increased amount from what was budgeted. The legislature just increased the civil
filing fees from $12 to $17, so revenue will cover this cost. They will also ask to
increase their share of the filing fees from $17 to $20. This increased cost will be
covered by the additional revenue from the increased fees.
Nelson asked if they are currently using online research data and if the cost
is going up. McEachran stated they are using the online data and the cost is going
up. He introduced the acting law librarian.
Virginia Tucker, Acting Law Librarian, stated this contract makes more online
resources available, including practice materials, sample forms, and updated
treatises. More and more often, the public is trying to do their own research. This
package shifts resources to online. It also adds capacity so two computers can be
used at the same time instead of one. In addition, the hard copy materials they get
will now be discounted 50 percent, which will also save money.
Nelson asked about CD -ROM's purchased a while ago. Tucker stated most
services have now gone online, so they won't purchase any more CD's.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. RESOLUTION TO SET HEARING TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTY BY
AUCTION, REQ. #03 -05 (AB2005 -390B)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Nelson stated the Council received a letter from the Glenhaven Community
regarding issues happening in the community. One issue expressed in the letter is
that there are only three officers who patrol all of Whatcom County, so response
would be delayed. When he joined this Council 12 years ago, he was told that
there are only three deputies on duty. The County population is 177,300. About
44 percent is in the unincorporated area. Whatcom County ranks about eighth or
ninth in the state in criminal justice service employees. Whatcom County is at
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2005, 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.
1.181 officers per thousand in population. Many of the larger counties have a lower
amount. The number of deputies hired for patrol since 1993 is 20. He asked
what's going on. The Finance Committee may have to follow up on this issue.
What is happening with crime has an overall impact on law and justice costs.
Brenner asked if the comparisons include all criminal justice employees or
just the deputies.
Nelson stated the comparisons are just of patrol deputies.
Crawford asked if the question is how they can only have three patrol
deputies 12 years ago, hire 20 more deputies, and still have only three deputies on
duty per shift.
Nelson stated that is his question.
Crawford stated one concern of the letter was that the concentration of
population was greater in Sudden Valley, so there is an assigned deputy, but
because of the road closure, response is delayed.
Nelson stated he hasn't gotten to that concern in the letter yet. When there
are road closures, they should at least have the capacity to provide protection in
these communities.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she's glad this has come forward. Deputies have
said they are understaffed and the department needs more deputies in the east
County. Since she has been a councilmember, the Council has added deputies.
Kevin Moyes, Chief Deputy, stated he hasn't been in the administration since
1993, so he can't answer all of the question. He can't say where the 20 new
deputies have gone. However, there are a variety of reasons for the staffing. They
have changed patrols work four ten -hour shifts to have overlapping shifts. On day
shift and graveyard, there is a minimum of one sergeant and three deputies. On
swing shift, there is a minimum of one sergeant and four deputies. On any day, at
least five or six deputies are in court. Some of those deputies are in court on their
days off, while on vacation, or while scheduled for patrol.
Nelson stated they can be subpoenaed for court, but sometimes they can
provide written testimony. He asked if they have to be there in person. Moyes
stated they have to go to court if the prosecutor wants them there.
Another issue is the methamphetamine (meth) strike force team. The Sheriff
put a couple of the patrol deputies into the meth strike force team. How deputies
explain response to the public may not be clear to the citizens. There is also a
traffic unit. The number one complaint to the Sheriff's Office is speeding. They
took some of the patrol deputies to form a traffic unit with a supervisor that
oversees the unit.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2005, 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 stated they hired three or four road deputies ten years ago. It was
supposed to pay for itself because of traffic tickets they generated.
Crawford stated traffic ticket revenue is up this year.
Moyes stated that since 9/11, things have changed. They have gotten more
calls for assistance. Over 100 people per month are turned away at the border and
then hang out in this area. They can't get into Canada. They are trying to go to
Alaska. The last couple of murders in Whatcom County were directly related to
people who were turned away from entering Canada and were hanging around
here.
Three patrol deputies is the minimum. Now, eight deputies are assigned to
the graveyard shift. Two sergeants are also assigned. By the time they count the
people who are off for vacation, training, or other reasons, the average number of
staff is one sergeant and four deputies.
Nelson asked if they're saying that the comment about three officers being
on patrol isn't accurate, because they also have the traffic unit, the meth task
force, and other deputies who could respond. Moyes stated that is correct, but
each of those units have a specific mission. The traffic unit's mission doesn't
handle possible break -ins, for example.
Nelson stated he would be interested in hearing about the shift and patrol
structure, particularly for the East County. He asked for a presentation.
Brenner asked if the sergeant is on patrol also. Moyes stated the sergeants
are on patrol.
Nelson stated the Council may need an education process. Moyes stated the
calls are more violent than they used to be. More weapons are involved in assaults
and domestic violence. That requires that more than one deputy respond. One
recent domestic violence call required 12 deputies.
Crawford asked about the number of satellite stations and if they help.
Moyes stated they do help. Some don't have the needed computer access. He
listed the locations of the stations. All are at fire stations around the county.
Crawford asked about the citizens' concern about the bridge being out.
Moyes stated it is tough. The deputy who is stationed in Sudden Valley also covers
the southeast quadrant patrol area of the county. To adjust for the bridge being
out, they have to send someone down the freeway to Cain Lake unless a deputy is
on Highway 9 and can divert to respond to a call from that area. It takes a couple
hours to drive that route.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/22/2005, 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.
Brenner stated there will be a request for more deputies for the meth task
force.
Nelson stated the Council must look at what the community looks like and
compare it with other communities, keeping in mind that this community isn't the
same as other communities. He thanked Chief Moyes for talking to the
councilmembers and asked for a future presentation on how deputies are
dispatched.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.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, 11/22/2005, Page 7