HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance September 28 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
September 28, 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:
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
1. UPDATE FROM THE BELLINGHAM WHATCOM COUNTY CONVENTION
AND VISITORS BUREAU (AB2004 -327)
John Cooper, Bellingham Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau
(CVB) President, submitted and presented a Power Point presentation. He read
from his presentation (on file). The branding program identifies everything the
organization does. When developing the brand, they found seven core identities
and words that encapsulate those identities. The seven key words encapsulate
what makes this area a unique destination and place to live. Since January, they
have been outreach to educate agencies and businesses in the community on what
branding is about and how those agencies can be involved.
He continued to read his presentation regarding program areas. He thanked
the committee for the opportunity to present this update.
Roy asked if the number of visitors to the visitor's center is an increase from
last year. Cooper stated the number of visitor's is slightly less. This year, a
challenge is the construction on Interstate 5. There isn't signage directing people
to the downtown area. There is a trend of people who gather information from
visitor's centers through ways other than walking in the center, such as on the
internet.
Roy stated the destination product enhancement idea is a very good idea.
There are many beautiful areas around the county. Many may need public
restrooms or other kinds of facilities to make tourism more user friendly. Cooper
stated the CVB wants to move away from political issues and become more
objective in evaluating those kinds of needs.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
McShane stated a recommendation for Chuckanut Drive is to coordinate with
Skagit County, which is where the south end of Chuckanut Drive is located. Cooper
stated the coordination on Chuckanut Drive has been through the Councils of
Government (COG) in both counties. A transportation grant paid for a brochure on
Chuckanut Drive. COG received the grant to develop a scenic byway management
plan.
McShane stated that area will become a bigger and bigger draw. Cooper
stated he recognizes that visitors don't see county boundaries. The CVB does have
to do that kind of coordination.
McShane stated he encourages the CVB to coordinate and communicate with
all the agencies and folks who work in that area.
Crawford asked what's included in the $339 million. There is a farmgate
value of $300 million in the community. Cooper stated a State of Washington
researcher will look at standard industry codes (SIC's) for each county. The $339
million is the spending within those SIC's, including restaurants, hotels, recreation,
attractions, and transportation. The number represents direct visitor spending, not
indirect or secondary revenue.
Crawford stated they should look at the rest areas that will get people to stop
in cities in Whatcom County. Cooper stated there used to be a State welcome
center at Custer southbound to do just that. The State discontinued funding for
those facilities, and now have to rely on static kiosks. Those are key points of
intercept.
Crawford stated there are also a lot of Bellingham brochures on the ferries,
as well. Cooper stated that is due to the private sector. For instance, the museum
pays to have its brochures on the ferries.
Crawford stated he brings a first -time visitor to Whatcom County to Whatcom
Falls Park. He asked if that is a popular destination for people who stop in at the
visitor's center, since it's right down the road. Cooper stated visitor's countywide
are interested in trails, outdoor recreation, and sightseeing. Whatcom Falls Park
fits in that criteria, and is often recommended, especially if someone has a short
amount of time.
Crawford asked about the criticism from some folks who say the CVB only
promotes growth. Cooper stated the CVB is to attract visitors. They don't spend
money specifically to advertise for relocation. The visitor's guide does have a
relocation panel. Members of the CVB support that guide. No tax dollars go toward
that guide. The CVB is in the business of attracting visitors and sustaining the
destination as a quality place to visit.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2004 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, 12TH
REQUEST (AB2004 -325)
Crawford asked about the jail allocation request.
Wendy Jones, Chief of Corrections, stated they have run through all the
money allocated for medication at the end of June. At that point, the budget
supplemental went through, but it was delayed. There are a lot of sick inmates.
There is an increasing cost of medications. They must provide basic medication to
the offender population. They have a formulary. The physician and hospital work
to stick with that formulary. Unfortunately, there have been a few offenders who
have been very ill that require a fair amount of medication. One person in custody
was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). His medication costs about $2,500 per
month. That inmate is not leaving the jail any time soon. Several inmates have
come into the jail with HIV. There have been other incidents of drug- resistance
staphylococcus. Even though she wishes this was a one -time request, it isn't. For
the next two years, she's increased the budget for medication. She's looking for a
discount medical plan. Because they need to get medications 24 hours a day and
seven days per week, they are limited in who can provide the service.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the County's responsibility to provide medication
supercedes the use of any private insurance an inmate might have. Jones stated it
does.
Caskey- Schreiber asked what larger jails around the state are doing. Jones
stated they are having the same problem. That's one of the reason there is a new
program she's looking into. The inmate population in Whatcom County are at -risk
because of lifestyle choices in the community. Inmates will come into custody,
they are the County's legal responsibility.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if these people are segregated in the jail population.
Jones stated it depends on whether the inmate is directly contagious.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the County issues condoms. If someone gets
infected with HIV while in jail, the County will be responsible. Jones stated they
haven't. Any sexual behavior is explicitly prohibited in the facility. If they find out
about it happening, there is disciplinary action. One issue in the jail recently was
about a tattoo kit that the inmates had made from Bic pen ink and a paperclip.
They found the kit, but before that happen, three inmates tattooed each other.
Now, they have to test those inmates for hepatitis. It's something the officers are
on watch for.
Roy asked if the County has the same obligation in alternative sentencing
programs. Jones stated it doesn't.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
Roy asked if larger jails in different counties can buy medications as a group.
Jones stated that's what this program is that she's looking into.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated this year the health budget for
the jail will be over $1 million for the 6,000 offenders who come through the jail.
Medication costs are rising 25 to 30 percent each year. The nurses are assigning
medication now, which is an improvement. Unfortunately, the federal government
decided that jail inmates are not eligible for Medicaid. That is a flawed policy. It
transfers a federal mandate from the federal courts to the local governments. If
Medicaid were applied, the state and federal governments would each pay about
half the cost. Some private health insurance carriers do continue to pay for
inmates.
Jones stated the County recouped about $124,000 last year. Extraordinary
medical costs of pre -trial inmates are billed to the arresting jurisdiction. However,
medication is not considered an extraordinary medical cost.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she's concerned that jails and prisons are a
breeding ground for contagious diseases that are spread into the community when
the inmate is let out. She hopes that is different in jails than in prisons. Jones
stated the average length of stay for someone in prison is years. In jails, the
length of stay averages 24 days. They are very proactive with the health
department to catch sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis on offenders
because they are a high -risk population.
Crawford asked about the request for the radios and the dog. He asked why
they would buy used radios.
Carey James, Undersheriff, stated he found used radios in good condition.
The radios come with a good guarantee and a charger. The radios will be used in
the reserve program.
The dog was injured while taking a suspect into custody. The suspect hit the
dog on its back and in the head with a two by four. They have gone through the
Prosecutor's Office to get restitution. However, the suspect is not in a position to
pay for the dog.
Crawford asked about the microfilm services.
Shirley Forslof, County Auditor, stated there is a backlog of documents that
need to be microfilmed. They are enhancing the recording system. Because of
that, they have the backlog. They need additional money to cover the large
number of documents that were left over from 2003, and to continue the rest of
2004. The Secretary of State service is invaluable. She sends the disks there,
where a microfilm is created and stored. Therefore, there is off -site storage of
documents in the case of a disaster.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
Crawford asked why they are still using microfilm, when everything is digital.
Forslof stated it is the only long -term, guaranteed solution. There is a question of
whether a CD can be read in ten or 50 years. The State is looking into digital
archiving. A microfilm can be read with a magnifying glass.
Crawford stated there is increased revenue from recording services, which
will offset this cost.
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 A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND KERR
WOOD LEIDAL FOR THE NOOKSACK RIVER SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT
PLAN, IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,865 (AB2004 -328)
Paula Cooper, River and Flood Division Manager, stated this work is one
component of the final Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan for the lower
Nooksack River. This contract is the first phase of the work. It involves a lot of
data collection needed to define the overall management plan.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if they would look at the feasibility of mining the
river. Cooper stated it is one component of the overall management plan. The
tribes, State Department of Ecology (DOE), Army Corps of Engineers, and
Department of Fisheries will be involved in the first phase. The advisory committee
is aware this may not lead to actual extraction. However, some of the initial
phases need to be done regardless. This phased approach will provide the science
from the beginning. One option would be to design gravel removal to build fish
habitat.
McShane stated phase two will be a bigger cost. He asked if that would be
done after meander limits are established. Cooper stated there is a channel
migration study. They can let those two processes go along at the same time and
feed off each other. They're doing hydraulic analysis and getting into the sediment.
In the end, they all have to work together. It's okay to do them concurrently with
feedback.
McShane stated he may support excavations in the river in that context and
for the cost benefit.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND TOAD
MOUNTAIN COFFEE COMPANY TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS OF THE RESTAURANT /DELI ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE
COURTHOUSE (AB2004 -329)
Crawford asked the historical gross revenue.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they don't know that
information. They would look at daily receipts to have a record of what's going on
and to track the trends. The five percent of the gross revenue will pay for
maintenance, equipment, and utility costs. It's a service for the people using the
courthouse. The cost structure is designed to also keep the product costs low.
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
McShane continued to state that one idea is to staff the businesses with
developmentally disabled. It's an opportunity to provide employment and
interaction with the public. If used, part of the fee to the County could be
forgiven.
Desler said that he would raise the idea with the ownership of Toad
Mountain Coffee.
Roy stated she supports Councilmember McShane's idea. A Whatcom
County program is always looking for job sites for the disabled. The
Developmental Disabilities Council would be interested in this issue.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
COUNTY AND EBERLE VIVIAN FOR ADMINISTRATION AND CLAIMS
PROCESSING FOR THE SELF - INSURED WORKERS' COMPENSATION
PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $33,480 FOR 2005 AND 2006, AND
$35,154 FOR 2007 (AB2004 -330)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
CITY OF BELLINGHAM TO PRODUCE A GROWTH STRATEGY REPORT,
IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 (AB2004 -331)
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford stated he is opposed to the request. He is not in favor of funding
this. The County has more than met its obligation. The County does want to
promote a spirit of cooperation with the City, however he can't approve putting
money into these forums at this point.
Roy stated she is in favor of the request. Coordination of these activities is
critical. It's critical to have someone with expertise. Councilmember Fleetwood is
very supportive of this request.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Crawford opposed.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT NO. 200311018 BETWEEN WHATCOM
COUNTY AND BURLINGTON ENVIRONMENTAL INC. FOR THE
MODERATE RISK WASTE FACILITY OPERATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$125,770 FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$989,758 (AB2004 -332)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated the original contract with this
company was to replace the service that used to be provided by the City of
Bellingham. He did not include those things the County provided directly to that
facility. He's found the County is spending time and energy performing services
that this company could provide more efficiently under this contract, rather than
sharing tasks with the County. The cost proposed is approximately the same cost
the County spends on these activities already. They decided not to move ahead
with the acquisition of a storage building.
McShane asked the size of the building.
Penni Lemperes, Solid Waste Specialist, stated the building currently houses
55- gallon drums of hazardous waste that is eventually hauled away. To house
those materials, the building has to meet certain specifications.
Crawford asked the amount of money the County would save. Monsen
stated the two costs are about the same. It will reduce the County's time
commitment in dealing with it.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if this is land the County owns on Airport Drive.
Monsen stated it is. The site remains a County asset. The company will use the
County's property for the service.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
PHIL O'CONNOR TO LEASE THE HOUSE LOCATED AT 311 E. LAKE
SAMISH DRIVE, IN THE AMOUNT OF $795.00 PER MONTH (AB2004-
333)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Crawford stated he has scheduled the Finance Committee budget hearings.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated he wanted to discuss
emergency medical services (EMS). He introduced the new Medic One director,
Roger Christianson, who replaces Dave Hammers. There is a possibility of
changing the fee schedule to be up -to -date with Medicare requirements. The
current agreement requires that the City and County agree to a fee schedule. The
City Council adopted the fee schedule a couple of weeks ago. It is scheduled
before the Council tonight. He asked if the committee had any questions regarding
the ordinance amending ordinance 2000 -085, establishing service fees and
setting a fee schedule related to ambulance service charges (AB2004-
324), which is scheduled for a public hearing at this evening's meeting.
McShane stated the ordinance is appropriate, given the situation everyone is
in. The numbers make sense.
Crawford asked if there has been a fee for unsuccessful resuscitation before.
Roger Christianson, Medic One Director, stated that fee was charged as part
of an advanced life support (ALS) fee, even though it was a non - transport.
Medicare changed the law. Since they don't transport the patient, they can't do
that. However, Medicare has included the fee as part of the basic life support
(BLS) fee.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the County will address the future of EMS during
the budget cycle or in the spring. Desler stated he's been working closely with the
Mayor and Medic One officials on future issues they face as they conclude the
existing agreement. There are some changes the City of Bellingham proposes that
would affect some of the fire districts. The fire districts will pick up more of the
BLS transport requirements. That will change the revenues for the fire districts.
Also, they have set up meetings that include fire chiefs and commissioners
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/28/2004, 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.
representing all the districts and the cities. That group is making progress on how
to deliver EMS in the future. The budget will propose the cost of Medic One for the
next year. They're developing staff and consulting assistance to help with the
transfer.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she's met with firefighters, medic one providers,
and citizens in the rural areas. She hopes to continue with the medic one service in
some fashion. If necessary, have another levy at a significantly reduced rate to
subsidize the cost by half. Keep them as the main provider for ALS. She's
skeptical about whether the fire district will be able to do that for less money than
they are currently spending. She doesn't want to take that risk. Desler stated
they're still working this out methodically with a group of representatives from the
districts and cities. They have worked all year on this. One direction is that the
County would become an EMS district authority, similar to the flood district. The
County Council would serve as the Board of Directors. There would be an
administrative board to oversee the operations. Contractual arrangements would
be with the fire districts and cities. That concept is still being worked out.
Caskey- Schreiber stated that cost will probably be pretty high.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:15 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, 9/28/2004, Page 9