HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 11 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
October 11, 2005
Committee Chair L. Ward Nelson called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present:
Sam Crawford
Also Present:
Barbara Brenner
Dan McShane
Absent:
Sharon Roy
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION TO SET A HEARING TO SELL TAX -TITLE PROPERTY BY
PUBLIC AUCTION, REQ. #2005 -03 (AB2005 -378)
Crawford stated he went to the property and talked to the neighbor who is
interested in the property. The neighbor said he would redeem it. However, he
found out that this neighbor isn't adjacent to the property. It's difficult to access
the parcels in question. He has no problem with putting this to a hearing, but he
doesn't see why the County should say the parcel is buildable or nonbuildable.
Also, the parcels sent to hearings last week aren't technically buildable. He doesn't
understand why the County would declare this parcel nonbuildable.
Barbara Cory, Treasurer, stated this parcel has already been through
foreclosure, so there is no opportunity to redeem it. It sounds like the neighbor is
talking about another parcel. The issue is whether the property was nonbuildable.
The applicant was only interested in the parcel if it is sent forward as buildable.
That was the issue. Mr. Desler met with Mr. Watts about the reason Mr. Watts
made a recommendation to send it forward as a nonbuildable parcel.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that even though the parcel is in
the city of Blaine, it's appropriate for the County to provide the best information
available so there is no intent to mislead anyone. There may be other opinions
about that.
Nelson stated the property is mostly underwater. Only one small corner of
beach would be accessible. He asked if it is the authority of the legislative body to
maintain the parcel as County land. Cory stated the County can, only if it pays the
taxes.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2005, 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.
Nelson asked if the County would have to go through a bid process. Cory
stated it would not.
Nelson stated he would consider the County's purchase of the land since
shorelines are a precious commodity. Don't deal with this problem in the future.
Maintain the area as a protected shoreline.
Crawford stated that is a different issue. He's neutral about that idea. His
issue is with trying to tell folks whether land is buildable or not.
Nelson moved to recommend to the full Council to not send this item to
auction, and to recommend that the County use funds, possibly Conservation
Futures funds, to pay the debt and maintain the property for shoreline purposes.
Brenner stated she liked the idea.
McShane stated he liked the idea. It's all tideland. Tidelands in the state
should never have gone into private ownership. It's a benefit to the community.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM COUNTY HOME RULE
CHARTER TO CORRECT SCRIVENER'S ERRORS AND CLARIFY THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF ADOPTED ORDINANCES (AB2005 -365)
Crawford moved to recommend adoption to the full Council
Motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NORTHWEST
WILDLIFE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION, INC. FOR THE OPERATION
OF A PUBLIC WILDLIFE REHABILITATION FACILITY (AB2005 -386)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. The contract
talks about additional pens and structures. He asked if the contractor would build
other structures.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated they are
temporary structures.
Crawford stated there was discussion about whether or not the public could
view the animals when the initial discussion about this place occurred. At the time,
the contractors were not excited about it. He asked if there was further discussion
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2005, 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.
about that possibility. McFarlane stated the contractor's concern was about
disturbance to the animals being rehabilitated. The contractor has run groups
through there. They've talked about and are receptive to having open houses for
the public.
Crawford stated the contractors told him they are not in the business of
running a zoo. He asked if the lease is silent about who makes that decision.
McFarlane stated the lease is silent on that issue.
Crawford stated get the contract started to see how it works. If there is a
desire to expand an educational or public viewing component, they can talk about
it. McFarlane stated there is mutual benefit to let the public view the facility at
times. Access depends on what they're rehabilitating at the time.
Crawford stated another issue was that the location's adjacency to the
highway is a concern for natural habitat and animal recovery. McFarlane stated
that is not an issue. The contractor is moved in and the location is working well.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
PARAMETRIX, INC. TO COVER ADDITIONAL WORK RELATED TO THE
ADOPTION PROCESS OF THE SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $123,820, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF $486,820
(AB2005 -387)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He asked if the
County administration usually anticipates cost overruns on contracts.
Jeff Chalfant, Senior Planner, stated this contract was funded by the State
Department of Ecology for a certain amount of work. The adoption process was not
funded. This contract is for additional funding to fund the process that wasn't
previously funded. The additional $50,000 is for work with the Marine Resources
Committee (MRC) to coordinate restoration planning.
Nelson asked if the costs were not anticipated. Chalfant stated they were not
anticipated. The County has to do the shoreline inventory of marine shorelines
anyway. This is an opportunity to work with the MRC to be more efficient. They
are talking advantage of an opportunity to work with the MRC.
don't.
Nelson asked if they anticipate any additional costs. Chalfant stated they
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2005, 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.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ART ANDERSON
ASSOCIATES TO PROVIDE MARINE ENGINEERING AND FERRY
SYSTEM PLANNING, DESIGN AND DESIGN OVERSIGHT FOR LUMMI
ISLAND FERRY SYSTEM TERMINAL FACILITY CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $393,000 (AB2005 -388)
Nelson stated staff went out for a bid for proposals. Five groups responded.
The County did a limited amount of work with Art Anderson and Associates in March
in the amount of $15,000. The phase two contract was for $115,000. He doesn't
have a problem with what they're trying to accomplish. He questions the process.
It appears that the County took a $15,000 contract with Art Anderson and
Associates to get them in place to win the phase two contract.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated that was their intention. Moving
into this project, he wasn't clear about the scale of the project and its feasibility.
Therefore, in the selection process, they found out that all firms are not equally
capable of dealing with boat design and dock design issues. There is an advantage
to having two firms, each specializing in one of those two areas. The first task of
the two consultants was to determine key issues and scale, including the dock
issues. Then staff worked with Elliot Bay on boat design. Then staff found they
needed to consider system issues with Art Anderson to make sure the design
process for the boat was still correct. They knew they would still have to do actual
design and permitting for dock improvements. They've gone through enough to
know the scale and scope of dock work needed. Now, they are prepared to move
into design and permitting.
Nelson stated there were originally five bidders. He asked if the other three
didn't meet the standards, or if Art Anderson made the best bid. Monsen stated he
is prohibited by law to ask for a bid for engineering and architectural services.
Selection is based on qualification. It wasn't difficult to identify these two firms
during the interviews.
Nelson stated that even if the County had gone out for a bid after the
$15,000 contract expired, the other three firms wouldn't have been qualified.
Monsen stated that he envisioned boat and dock design both as components of this
contract work. Last spring, they weren't prepared to execute a contract for dock
design. Their intention is to minimize the scope of the effort to save money. Only
focus on those things that can be designed and built.
Brenner stated she recalled that they've done this process quite a few times.
She asked if this will be included in recovery costs that they would like to get back
from fare recovery when all this is done. Monsen stated these are capital costs, not
part of any future recovery rate. This is an expense the County incurs as a capital
improvement.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2005, 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.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND RE SOURCES
PROVIDING COMMUNITY EVENT RECYCLING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
USED BEVERAGE CONTAINERS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,385
(AB2005 -389)
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner stated she's seen commercials for Seattle's required electronics
recycling program. She asked if Whatcom County has looked into the same kind of
program.
Bruce Roll, Assistant Director, stated the County helped sponsor and
publicize private sector recycling programs through Home Depot and others. In
addition, the County supports efforts at RESources where they are reconditioning
and using those electronic pieces. There is an active program. Staff is thinking
about doing some of that disposal at the toxic waste site. Now, they are looking to
see if the private programs are adequate.
Brenner asked if staff has contacted people in Seattle about their program.
She would also like information on the locations in Whatcom County that take in
computers for recycling. Roll stated staff can do that.
Nelson stated they are charging $6. Roll stated Whatcom County's partners
are free.
Brenner stated she would like a future committee discussion on the program
and whether it's something Whatcom County should consider. Roll stated he will
bring forward information at a future date.
McShane stated they are limited in what they can do. Any of the programs
have to go through the Solid Waste Executive Committee. The Solid Waste
Executive Committee discussed this issue. It wasn't a high priority. Some
committee members believe it's a fad.
Crawford stated he recently had some difficulty trying to find someone to
recycle a television. He ended up taking it to the dump. It would be nice to have a
comprehensive list of how to dispose of a wide range of consumer goods. Roll
stated that information exists. There is a hotline available for the community.
Crawford stated it appears that the hazardous materials, such as lead, are
ignored at the dump. One has to pay more to be more responsible. He couldn't
find on the County's website where it said how to get rid of a television.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2005, 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.
McShane stated many people want to reduce the amount of waste by
recycling. It creates a dilemma from a solid waste perspective. It's cheaper to get
rid of hazardous soil than it is to get rid of garbage. It's a matter of whether or not
they want to set a priority for disposing of hazardous materials. It won't save the
community any money. Trying to recycle the amount of stuff they use, including
lead, is a policy decision. It costs money to recycle.
Nelson stated the County used to have a solid waste program that was
changed by the court. It was a primary example of recycling in the community, but
people wanted a competitive bid. Through a competitive process, it becomes
cheaper to just throw things away in the waste stream.
Monsen stated televisions are made up of many contaminated components.
The more contaminated something is, the higher the handling fee.
Nelson asked if it is appropriate for local communities to have an additional
tax or fee to raise funds to make them recyclable items. Monsen stated
communities have attempted to generate money to change both the practices and
to subsidize startup businesses. When creating those incentives, they get into tax
theory and authority. Once they move into the financial arena to change social
characteristics, a number of doors open up. Society will continue to build and
consume products that do not lend themselves to being recycled. Ultimately, the
marketplace drives the incentive to make products more recyclable. They are
seeing that happen. Recycling is not easy to do with some products such as
televisions and computers. This discussion used to happen regarding washers and
dryers. A business had to be created to make them more recyclable. That didn't
happen overnight.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. RESOLUTION TO SET HEARING TO SELL SURPLUS PROPERTY BY
AUCTION, REQ. #03 -05 (AB2005 -390)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, asked to withdraw this item. He is
having discussions with an adjoining property owner. It's appropriate to remove
this item from consideration at this time.
Crawford asked the location. Monsen stated the location is to the north of
Nugent's Corner. The property has never been and will never be a quarry. The
County acquired the property to develop the quarry in theory. At that time, more
than 20 years ago, they determined the property was not appropriate for a quarry,
but the County purchased it anyway.
Nelson withdrew his motion.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/11/2005, 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.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:40 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, 10/11/2005, Page 7