HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance June 15 20041
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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
June 15, 2004
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:05 a.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Dan McShane Sharon Roy
Also Present:
Seth Fleetwood
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR
THE EXCHANGE OF COUNTY -OWNED PROPERTY AND CASH PAYMENT
FOR CITY OF BELLINGHAM OWNED PROPERTY (AB2004 -213A)
Crawford stated no action will be taken today.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated there have been a number of
documents passing back and forth between the City and County. The City
proposed their own real estate purchase and sale agreement. The County
suggested modest changes to the agreement, including allowing shared
indemnification, verifying the County's commitment to maximize jail use, making
sure the City discloses information on any hazardous waste on the property, and
seeking to close the purchase as soon as possible instead of waiting. They have
written a short -term lease in case the property cannot close by June 30. A bridge
lease would meet the zoning requirements.
There is more work going on today with the attorneys on modest land use
changes. He anticipates a proposed agreement before the Council during the next
Council meeting. If it's necessary to hold a special meeting before then, they could
do that.
Another issue is that the city proposed a full cash price on the sale of the
property. Instead of $500,000, the County would pay $873,000. There is an issue
about handling the water retention issues around the site. The City proposed that
they would carve off 1.25 acres of a neighboring lot composed of an existing waste
site. The City would trade that acreage to the County for the Holly Street property.
The Executive thinks that's acceptable. The County would pay full price for the
Division Street property and include property on Holly Street for the approximately
1.25 acres neighboring the Division Street property. This would be done through a
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, 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.
lot line adjustment. Staff is working on legal descriptions now. He submitted a
copy of an aerial photograph of the area (on file). A portion of the neighboring lot
will be used for stormwater retention.
Crawford stated the plan is that the County will pay full cash price for the
Division Street lot, and also receive about an acre of a neighboring site for
stormwater retention, in trade for property on Holly Street.
Desler stated the administration wants to amend the last budget proposal for
the purchase of the property to add $296,000. They will introduce that today, and
have the hearing on June 29. He submitted that material to the Council on Friday.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if a hearing on the 29th will be too close to the
deadline. Desler stated language written at the time the document was approved
will allow a lease. The lease would run until the County closes on the property.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the City Council will have already approved this
when it comes to the County Council on June 29. Desler stated the City will review
and approve this agreement on Monday. The County Council will receive it at its
next meeting.
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2004 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, 7T"
REQUEST (AB2004 -226)
McShane asked for information on their relationship with U.S. Customs and
how it affects overtime.
Carey James, Undersheriff, stated the County provides deputies when
available for the outbound inspections at points of entry. The work is paid for by
U.S. Customs.
McShane asked if the County is reimbursed at an overtime rate. James
stated it is.
McShane asked how the extra work affects the deputies. James stated this
is a low priority. The County has other obligations, such as the security at the
airport. The work at Customs is done when deputies are available. It's not
mandatory.
McShane asked the number of hours the deputies are working.
Marvette Gwinner, Accountant, stated the schedule is to work two deputies
per day on eight hour shifts. The County doesn't necessarily fill each shift. The
work is off -duty overtime. The deputies are asked if they would like to work these
shifts. Last week, only four days were covered. In May, the County billed for
$10,000. The positions are not filled every day. The airport is the primary
responsibility.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, 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.
McShane asked if this has an impact on County overtime, and if the County
would have to pay for this duty anyway. James stated it does not. This money is
strictly for this purpose. It can only be used when the deputies support Customs.
McShane asked if the deputies providing support to Customs would normally
be providing overtime for the County. James stated they would not. The deputies
work for Customs on their off duty time.
McShane asked what happens if a deputy is called in to work at the County
while working at Customs. James stated the deputies are pulled from Customs to
the Sheriff's Office, at the County's expense.
McShane stated he is worried about a deputy who is called in to do overtime,
and who has worked overtime at Customs. James stated the program is designed
to not impact the County financially or in any other way. The money is set aside by
Customs to support Customs when deputies are available.
McShane asked if the deputies go out in County sheriff cars. James stated
they do, for liability purposes. This way, the County gets reimbursed, and liability
is cut.
McShane asked if there is financial coverage in the agreement for the car
that is gone to Customs. James stated there is.
McShane asked about staffing two people per day. James stated that's
typical, but there might be only one person. If the County can't fill a shift, Customs
will use law enforcement from other local jurisdictions.
McShane asked why Customs has chosen to not higher additional people.
James stated they figure it's cheaper to pay periodic overtime rates rather than hire
someone directly.
McShane moved to recommend approval of the ordinance to the full
Council.
Motion carried unanimously,
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WHATCOM LAND TRUST FOR THE CANYON CREEK ALLUVIAL FAN
ACQUISITION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $127,000, FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $527,000 (AB2004 -233)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, 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.
Crawford moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion failed 1 -1 with Crawford in favor.
Crawford stated the original offer was adequate.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND TRIMAXX
CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR MOSQUITO LAKE ROAD CULVERT
REPLACEMENT AT JOHNSON'S CREEK (CRP 903008) IN THE AMOUNT
OF $211,845 (AB2004 -234)
McShane asked if this is funded through a federal grant program.
Mark Handzlik, Engineer - Stormwater Design, stated it is. The County got a
grant for $23,000 in 1999 from the Salmon Recovery Funding (SRF) Board that
went toward design. Now the County has another $11,000 in the coffers for
construction. There should be some SRF Board dollars for funding.
McShane asked if there are federal dollars. Handzlik stated there is not.
Crawford asked how big the culver will be. Handzlik stated it's 19 feet wide
and 12 feet wide. They will fill it in about 40 percent to simulate the stream
bottom.
McShane stated there is federal money on the bridge project on the middle
fork. Handzlik stated there is.
McShane asked if there is another piece of Mosquito Lake Road that has
federal funding. Handzlik stated that project is on the books for next year. These
two projects are about a mile apart.
McShane stated he would not be as keen on doing this if there weren't
federal funding for those two bridges.
Joe Rutan, County Road Engineer, stated they're opening up about two miles
of Chinook run habitat.
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND JEFFREY
A. LUSTICK FOR CRIMINAL INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES FOR
DEFENDANTS FOR WHOM THERE EXISTS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, 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.
WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, SUPERIOR, JUVENILE AND DISTRICT
COURTS (AB2004 -235)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND HANDEL
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR PURCHASE AND
CUSTOMIZATION OF A CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR JUVENILE
OFFENDERS AND STATUS OF OFFENDERS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$153,365 (AB2004 -236)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. RESOLUTION SETTING A HEARING TO SELL TAX -TITLE PROPERTY BY
PUBLIC AUCTION, REQ. #07 -04 (AB2004 -237)
Crawford moved to recommend approval.
McShane asked if these are in a flood hazard zone, and if the County should
sell them off, hoping the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will
purchase them later.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated he doesn't recall the Property
Management Committee discussing whether or not this is in a flood hazard
management area. The County has this lot. People adjacent asked to purchase it.
McShane stated he had trouble finding the location on a map. It's a policy
issue about going down this path.
Crawford stated that if someone wanted to develop, the person would have
to get an elevation study and do extra studies, even if it is in a flood hazard area.
He asked if there are structures on the site.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated he doesn't recall there being
structures. If the lot were developed, the owner would have to meet all conditions.
This is in an area that has flood issues, but the County is in the beginning stages of
deciding what the County wants to do about this area. He recalls that the
interested party for this property is an adjacent property owner who would
consolidate properties rather than encourage additional development.
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, 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.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, asked if the councilmembers had any
questions regarding the clean green facility. Also, the WA -CERT ranking process
concludes on June 29. If there's anything else the councilmembers want, he would
be happy to provide that information. There was talk about having some
presentations, but he would need time to organize it if the Council wants those
presentations.
Crawford asked how the clean green facility affects the County. Desler
stated the County has a cost of $120,000.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated the County covers 40 percent of
the cost from the solid waste fund, which is jointly managed among the County and
all the cities. This is the only facility in the state that operates at no cost to the
users. The growth is outpacing their ability to provide the service at no cost. Find
a way to stay within a predictable budget and start charging for the service.
Crawford asked the appropriate action from the Council. Monsen stated at
the time of the 2005 -2006 budget proposal is a modified agreement that will
include a fee for service.
Crawford stated he recalls that before the burn restrictions, they provided it
as a no -cost incentive as an alternative to burning. Now, people can't burn
anyway. There is an argument to be made for a no- charge facility, since people
pay for it with tax dollars. He doesn't know what an alternative would be for the
people. Monsen stated there is now a curbside pickup of clean green, which is
taken to compost chipping services or construction demolition services. This is a
noncommercial site. Some opportunity still needs to be there for people who can't
fit their large woody debris into the bins for the commercial pickup.
Crawford asked if the large composting facility on Hannegan has an interest
in pursing a public use to generate material for them to recycle. Monsen stated
they prepared a bid to receive material from this site. The low bidder was Skagit
Soil. The County pays the bidder to handle the material.
Crawford asked if it doesn't pay for the vendor to take the material at no
cost, because the vendor gets to use it for material they can sell. Monsen stated
that's correct. The County pays for site operation and the transport of the
materials collected. The City pays for composting of the materials, which is still a
higher percentage of the cost. He recalled that the cost of operating the site is $6
to $9 per user.
Crawford stated a benefit of the location at Hannegan and Pole road is that
city users will be less willing to drive there.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, 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.
Desler stated the City of Bellingham manages and operate the facility, and
requests a subsidy from the County. The request this year was contained in the
budget request the County Council approved. The City decided to reset the budget
and added additional costs. It asked for more money to make the site viable. The
Solid Waste Executive Committee said it wouldn't recommend to the County Council
additional funding. The newspaper said the County refused to pay its share. That's
not accurate.
Crawford asked if the use has gone up accordingly with the new Clean Air
requirements. Desler stated that's not the driver for the increased costs. The site
doesn't accommodate as much volume as is going through there. There is a cost of
keeping the site clean regarding stormwater. Also, cars driving out of the facility
are leaving a lot of dirt on the road. There are additional costs the City has that it
has identified, but also the City has distributed costs to other parts of the
organization.
Monsen stated the City of Bellingham supervises the site. Even though the
agreement with the City allows them to cover all operating cost, the City did not bill
to the site the cost of running it. The use started to grow enough that the City
began to recover all operating costs. Second, the site is undersized for how its
being used. Repair and maintenance activities were done so the site could function
better. Those two factors have created the appearance that costs have grown
faster than use. That increased use will continue to happen more frequently
because of overuse of the site.
Crawford asked if there is State or Northwest Air Pollution Authority
(NWAPA) money for the service. Monsen stated the response from the State is to
start charging a fee.
McShane stated one could say that operating the system has been done with
a subsidy. There have been other composting subsidies, including classes on
composting and low cost composting bins. It's a matter of choosing where to put
that subsidy. If either council chooses to deviate from what they've done with the
site in the past, there is an arbitration clause. Or, they can pay for a subsidy like
that outside of the solid waste fund. Monsen stated the County can either work
through the solid waste fund, which requires agreement from the City, or to use
another financing source other than the solid waste fund if the County choose to
independently subsidize other efforts.
Crawford asked if the Council will see projected impacts of a user fee and
what a user fee will look like. Monsen stated they had planned on presenting that
information to the Council during the budget process, but due to the issue in the
press and before the City Council, it may come forward sooner.
Crawford asked why the City Council closed the facility on Sundays. Monsen
stated it's a popular service. Any appearance in reduction in service will affect the
people.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, 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.
Desler asked if the City could charge a fee. Monsen stated ultimately it's a
City decision. The City will prepare a proposal suggesting what proportion of solid
waste fund subsidy should occur to make the operation work. A significant factor
with fees is that they can eat up the fees simply by managing cash on the site. The
City already looked at ways to purchase a use ticket, so the site operator simply
has to punch a ticket.
Crawford stated RDS can take a truckload of debris for $3, and is making a
profit.
Desler stated that at the next Council meeting, the administration will
present a resolution for a one -tenth of one percent increase in sales tax. In the
Finance Committee, councilmembers will hear from administration on how that
money will be used.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Desler stated he will do a presentation. Let the public start to see that
information.
Crawford asked if there is a way for that presentation to be done in a format
that they can take on the road to community groups. Desler stated the
administration can do that.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/15/2004, Page 8