HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 4 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
May 4, 2004
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in
the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present: Absent:
Dan McShane None
Sharon Roy
Also Present:
None
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. ANNUAL UPDATE FROM THE BELLINGHAM- WHATCOM COUNTY
COMMISSION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (AB2004 -188)
Bruce Van Glubt, District Court Probation Administrator, stated the Domestic
Violence Commission deals with education, collaboration, and strengthening
community response. The commission brings together groups that District Court
and District Court Probation have had problems bringing together in the past. The
commission has been actively involved in quarterly meetings with domestic violence
batterer treatment providers to brainstorm regularly to bring people together. The
commission also was active in setting up treatment and evaluation standards for
people who have been ordered to attend batterer's treatment. This is one of the
few communities in the State that has any standards. They've written up policies
and gotten judges to set down consistent expectations. They've gotten batterer
treatment providers to follow those expectations. Evaluations are very consistent.
He is confident that people are getting quality evaluations.
The University of Washington and the Office of Administrator of Courts area
doing research locally on evaluations completed in Whatcom County. District Court
has a complete and comprehensive database. This is the only community in the
state that has both a consistent evaluation process and a database to track
progress of the clients. He has been working with them to evaluate the
effectiveness of the programs. It is a long term project. The commission has
brought together all those groups for this project to happen.
Sue Parrott, Domestic Violence Commission Director, stated she would
discuss the safety audit. The commission went through a strategic planning
process this year. The information on that process is included in the Council
packet. The commission's original comprehensive plan from four years ago is also
included in the packet. The commission is putting that plan to rest. Things from it
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, Page 1
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 have been melded into the strategic plan. This past year, the commission
2 published a new edition of a resource pamphlet and distributed it to the
3 community. The commission did quite a bit of community education and training,
4 targeting the small cities' councils. She did training as a result of the safety audit.
5 They've trained the What -Comm dispatchers on domestic violence. The Bellingham
6 Police also did extensive training, including one on risk assessment. The
7 commission is involved in domestic violence awareness month. It planned for and
8 funded most of the events. Community collaboration is a key element for success.
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10 Projects worked on last year and completed this year include a project to try
11 and institutionalize routine domestic violence screening for all health care
12 providers. Right now, they have a pilot site that is willing to develop a model
13 protocol, which they will take to other health care provider offices. They are trying
14 to develop something that is easy to use in physicians' practices.
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16 Crawford asked if they would do something similar for clergy and counselors.
17 He asked how they're networked into the domestic violence system. Parrott stated
18 it varies. It's a population the commission has not focused on, but easily could.
19 They sent a mailing last year to all churches in the Interfaith Coalition that included
20 a handout about responding to a victim and abuser. Beyond that, there's plenty
21 more they can do.
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23 The safety audit was a project of the commission. They audited What -
24 Comm, the Sheriff, the Jail, and the Bellingham police. To date, 36 of the
25 recommendations are complete, 21 are in progress, and seven aren't done because
26 they are resource - dependent. Two recommendations have not been addressed.
27 That is a phenomenal response from those agencies, which weren't required to
28 follow the recommendations. What -Comm has a draft domestic violence policy that
29 is being reviewed right now. The Bellingham Police implemented 23 of 24
30 recommendations. The Sheriff is in the process of reviewing policies and training to
31 implement this summer and fall. Some of the issues around technology have been
32 harder to address because of a lack of resources.
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34 One outcome of the audit was that the Sheriff's Office and Police Department
35 will do an additional risk assessment on a routine basis. Nationwide, there are
36 gaps in terms of understand the history and context of a domestic violence
37 incident. Domestic violence usually involves many incidents that haven't been
38 brought to the attention of law enforcement. The responding officers don't know
39 the danger of an offender unless officers take the time to understand what is really
40 happening in the relationship. As a result of the audit, law enforcement is now
41 asking three questions of a victim. By asking those questions, the victim can let
42 law enforcement know if the person is very dangerous. That information can be
43 used by the Prosecutor. It's a shift away from the specific incident and focuses on
44 the bigger picture.
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46 The Jail has implemented a number of recommendations from the safety
47 audit. They decided a few recommendations weren't appropriate, and they can't
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, 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.
implement one recommendation because of resource issues. It is not appropriate
to do an automatic phone block as recommended because it prevents the inmate
from making any phone calls, but the jail staff will do it only at the request of the
victim. It is also not appropriate to put a special wristband around domestic
violence offenders as recommended to listen for any threats offenders may make
for their victim. Jail staff said they already use wristbands for problematic
prisoners, and they don't want to cause confusion by having more wristbands.
The overarching recommendations include conducting focus groups with
victims and survivors to provide input on how the system can work better. It will
find a way to institutionalize that perspective.
The commission is currently planning the second phase of the audit, which
will happen this fall and which will include District Court Probation and the
prosecutor offices of Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Crawford asked if funding is the same this year. Parrott stated the County
provided funding equal to the City this year, which was an increase. The
commission looks for additional funding throughout the year. This year it will have
to hire consultants for the audit, so it will have to raise about $30,000.
Roy stated it sounds like the Sheriff's Office and Police Department are on
two paths to get to the same goal. She asked about the Sheriff having difficulty
implementing recommendations because of resource issues. She asked if it has to
do with accessing records. Parrott stated that's part of it. Part of the problem is
technology and part of the problem is the staffing level. Reports aren't entered
electronically. Once entered electronically, they won't have the extra data entry
steps.
McShane asked if the training for corrections officers in the jail is not a
recommendation being implemented because of a lack of resources. He also asked
if they are planning for training for the deputies, but haven't done it yet. Parrott
stated that's correct. It's not the top priority. It will happen this year, but is taking
a little longer than anticipated. Regarding the jail, she was told there is no money
for overtime, and it will require overtime to receive domestic violence training.
They can do a training session in an hour.
McShane asked who would do the training. Parrott stated that's negotiable.
There are domestic violence service providers that could provide the service, or she
could provide the service.
Crawford asked about money allocated from the federal government for the
management information system (MIS). It's been discouraging to have
inconsistent responses, reports missing information, technology and resource
limitations, and information not being shared across the systems. At some point,
he wants to see a result. He wants to see problems with information sharing
addressed.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, 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.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County received a grant for
$1 million. They are in the process of implementing the grant. The result should
be that it would take far less staff to handle data. There should be much better
data for purposes like this and for all people in the justice system. They are
working on a complicated scope of work for a team from Compu -Tech. When the
contract is prepared, it will be presented to the Council in about a month.
They should all be apologetic for the nature of the entire justice information
systems. Implementation of information sharing systems is on its way. It's one of
the most important things they can do to increase efficiency in the justice system.
They hope to see more effective and efficient operations.
Roy asked if this team would include consumers of the product, such as law
enforcement personnel. Desler stated most of the planning involves mid - managers
in the justice system.
Parrott stated this year she's working with the Northwest Regional Council to
get an elder abuse council formed to address the issue of elder abuse. That will be
a first for the community. It's an exciting piece of collaboration.
Crawford thanked Ms. Parrott for her hard work and contribution to the
issue. This is a valuable program for the community.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CRP NO. 904008 AND AWARDING THE
BID FOR THE SUBDIVISION OVERLAY, CRYSTAL AND MAPLE
BEACHES, PT. ROBERTS, TO THE LOW BIDDER, WHATCOM BUILDERS
INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $319,405 (AB2004 -190)
McShane asked if this is an overlay of an existing road.
Chris Brueske, Engineer Manager, stated it is only an overlay. There is a
limited amount of digging on Marina Drive where there are base failures.
McShane asked about the issue of buried Native American remains. Brueske
stated they have already completed an archeology survey of the area. There is an
archeological consultant should anything be found.
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CRP NO. 902004 AND AWARDING THE
BID FOR THE LAKEWAY DRIVE /TERRACE AVENUE OVERLAY FROM
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, 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.
BELLINGHAM CITY LIMITS TO LAKEVIEW STREET TO THE LOW
BIDDER, WHATCOM BUILDERS INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $281,413
(AB2004 -191)
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND WHATCOM COUNSELING & PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC FOR MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $36,068 (AB2004-
192)
Andy Byrne, Human Services Division Manager, stated this contract seems
straightforward. There is money from the North Sound Mental Health
Administration, resulting from a fee. However, this money from the North Sound
Mental Health Administration came specifically for the County to find and develop a
consumer - oriented project, which is a project designed and done by workers with
mental health issues. This project delivers not only additional mental health
services to people on the street, but also through means of peer counseling. The
other objective is that it works to train and employ people at the rainbow center in
recovery.
Sharon Matthews, peer support program nurse educator, stated this is the
most exciting and rewarding project she's seen in the 35 years she's worked in the
mental health field. She's trained 25 consumers to be peer support counselors. Of
those, 11 have become employed and others have returned to school for their
master's degrees. This is an important program. The latest project is for housing
homeless people who are not in mental health services.
Julian Marsh, peer counselor and mental health consumer, stated the
Gladstone House project is a transitional housing for individuals who are interested
in getting mental health services, who are not currently enrolled in the services,
and who are also homeless. It provides a base for homeless individuals to begin
getting the services they need. Those people would likely be eligible for services
through the Regional Support Network or other agencies. There will be five beds in
the house. The project will be staffed by four Rainbow Center staff such as he.
The individuals will receive support before being enrolled in case management.
McShane stated it's a great program. He's excited about the changes at the
center. One federal idea he recently read about is to target the mentally ill through
the homeless program because it is more cost effective. More federal dollars would
be directed that way.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that article also talked about
transition housing and linking services for a specialized population. A regional
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, 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.
representative of the federal government will be in town to meet with the homeless
commission this week. The County and City of Bellingham administrations have an
opportunity to meet with that representative later this month.
The County has an opportunity to address similar options around that model
with the 20/60 housing program that is being formed. Someone from the Rainbow
Center may choose to be a part of that program.
Roy stated mental health consumers at the regional retreat are very excited
about this project. She asked if the peer support is focused on the homeless. They
also need a lot of mental health services in the jail. She asked if there would be
any peer support in that environment. Marsh stated they already do have a
program in place where peer counselors at the Rainbow Center have clearance to
do visitations at the jail. They coordinate with other providers. The jail refers
inmates with mental health needs to the Rainbow Center staff. Peer counselors go
to the jail weekly and meet with inmates at the jail.
Byrne stated the peer program and the Whatcom Counseling Clinic employee
received the statewide Mental Health Advisory Council's Service Excellence Award.
It is recognized statewide as a model for other communities to follow.
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #04-
30 TO THE LOWEST BIDDER, WILDER CONSTRUCTION, FOR THE
ASPHALT CONCRETE OVERLAY AND PRELEVEL AT MISCELLANEOUS
COUNTY LOCATIONS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $662,620 (AB2004 -193)
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #04-
40 TO THE LOWEST BIDDER, PACIFIC CONCRETE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
FOR THE SUPPLY OF PRECAST CONCRETE GIRDERS, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $78,552.35 (AB2004 -194)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #04-
44 TO THE ONLY BIDDER, WASHINGTON CULVERT, FOR THE ANNUAL
SUPPLY OF ALUMINIZED AND GALVANIZED CULVERT, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $51,359.57 (AB2004 -195)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, 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.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF LIGNOSITE FROM SOLE SOURCE MEENDERINCK LLC
FOR DUST CONTROL ON COUNTY ROADS IN THE AMOUNT OF $85,000
(AB2004 -196)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Crawford stated a local attorney, Mr. Chmelik, has been playing a role as
facilitator to come up with an interlocal agreement between the City of Bellingham
and the County for emergency medical services (EMS).
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that last December the
Executive announced the formation of a group of people that could advise the
County and community about EMS funding options.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Desler continued to state that right after that announcement, a delegation
of fire commissioners requested to delay the creation of the committee until they
put forward their own proposal. There was a desire to use Frank Chmelik, who is
an attorney who represents fire districts and other public entities across the state,
in a role that would build a new EMS authority for Whatcom County.
The EMS authority would be created by interlocal agreement. There would
be a board similar to the Council of Governments. The duties would be to oversee
and operate EMS in the community through a contract. There has been a series of
meetings of the affected individuals. The administration has been working with the
people from the City of Bellingham and the fire districts to crafting an interlocal
agreement for all cities and the county to sign. A draft is being circulated. Portions
of it have been discussed in the newspaper. There was mention of a potential tax
increase to fund EMS.
Some of the announcements the mayor is making and attributing to the
County are things he is not aware of. For instance, they talked about forming a
new tax to go before the public in the next couple of years, but he hasn't been a
part of that discussion. It will be up to the EMS authority to work that out.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, 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.
The EMS authority would be a seven - member board that includes two
representatives each from the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County. There
would be one representative each of the small cities, fire districts, and medical
community. The board would hire a staff and executive director to implement
emergency medical services in the community, which could involve contracting with
the City of Bellingham for this service.
To begin with, the City of Bellingham has requested a six -year commitment
through the year 2010. The County would contribute $1.35 million to the authority
the first year, with a 5.9 percent increase each of the six years. The agreement
would run at least through 2010, and potentially beyond that. They would
terminate the existing agreements with the City of Bellingham. There are a series
of issues they have to work out about the transfer of authority. The current assets
would be shifted to the EMS authority.
The administration has been working with Civil Prosecutor Dan Gibson on the
issue. They're continuing to work with others on the team as well. Ultimately, the
Council will be presented with a complex interlocal agreement.
Crawford asked the administration's position if this were to come forward as
described, with a financial commitment for six years as described. It might be
inevitable that they would go back to the public for another levy proposal. Desler
stated there has been discussion that the EMS authority would take that leadership
role. It's unusual for the County to be involved with such an extensive amount of
money from the general fund to pay for EMS. Also, this is a six -year commitment,
which is unusual. He's not aware of any other arrangement. Even union
agreements are for only three years.
Crawford stated the levy was going to be for six years. It sounds like the
agreement is being crafted that the authority would take over at the end of the six
years, but that the County would be responsible the first six - years. Desler stated
the County Council has to approve the EMS levy, which has to be confirmed by the
City Council. The EMS authority would have to ask the County Council to do a levy.
It would also have to go to the City of Bellingham Council to confirm the County
Council action.
Crawford stated the County is being asked up front to make a six -year
commitment. He asked how the County administration would respond to that
request. Desler stated he hasn't talked to the Executive extensively about this.
The Executive would recommend that it would take a much higher priority, because
of the legal obligation the County has. It would become a mandate. It sets in
stone a set amount of money. It's something they'd have to start with as a
building block for the budget.
Roy stated they have a board that will look over all the options and
possibilities, including financial options. That board wouldn't have the authority to
recommend that the City of Bellingham and County contribute certain amounts.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, 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.
She asked how the board and the separate negotiations meet. Desler stated it's
tentative that the City and County would contribute this money. The ability to bill
insurance companies for the service would be run through the authority, which
would be set up in the next three or four months.
Roy asked if any levy would supplement or replace what the City and County
contribute. Desler stated it could do either. This board does not have a taxing
authority. It's a voluntary association of governments.
McShane stated the County reached a point where it cannot possibly raise
the amount of money needed to maintain the level of service. The only way to
raise the money was to get a levy, but it was not approved. The City of Bellingham
could just say it will take care of its own citizens. The City desires to provide
service in the county, but not at the level that it has been. The City will maintain
that level of service in the city. They will see a decline in the level of service
outside of incorporated Bellingham. That's okay, it makes sense. His concern with
the agreement is that the County should be clear about not having a system that
crashes in six years. This is a bridge for six years. The term six years was chosen
because the City of Bellingham wanted to make commitments to its employees.
The 5.9 percent increase each year is a lot of money. At the end, the County
would contribute about $2 million per year. The County is being asked to make a
commitment that really increases the amount of money. His concern is that
doesn't send the message to this new board that the County is not going to keep
providing that much money. The board needs to get the message that it has to
come up with other funding. There's an equity issue. The residents of the City of
Bellingham are paying twice, once for the City general fund and once for the
County general fund. There are different ways for services to be created in the
county. The board would oversee that process. Desler stated the County had an
agreement with the City three years ago for one and a half year termination clause.
The City got nervous about that, so it negotiated to a three and a half year
termination clause. Now, the City is asking for a six or more year agreement. The
language has to be negotiated more. The commitments they make to the
professional firefighters is important to the City. The City doesn't want to reduce
the level of staff in the organization now.
Crawford stated previous agreements were regarding service. All the City
said about money was that they'd sit down and figure it out every year. The new
agreement is about money, and making the commitment to a specific financial
amount. It's a different scenario. He understands why the City would want that.
Desler agreed. The negotiation process worked to a certain extent. The County
was able to ask questions that would constrain the rampant growth.
McShane stated he is concerned about ramping the money up every year. It
will cause the level of service to be maintained. If the level of service starts to
decline because the money isn't there, the motivation isn't there. They need the
motivation or they will be cursed six years from now. They need to have a healthy
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/4/2004, Page 9
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
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are not the final approved minutes.
discussion on how that committee will be appointed. Include people on the board
who are linked to taxing authority.
Crawford stated they would have a presentation in two weeks from the
Farmer's Market.
Desler stated there will be a budget retreat on June 8. The materials are
being prepared. In addition, the WA -CERT materials will arrive today.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.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, 5/4/2004, Page 10