HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance July 22 20031
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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
July 22, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Committee Chair Sam
Crawford in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present:
L. Ward Nelson
Sharon Roy
Also Present:
None
Absent:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET,
EIGHTH REQUEST (AB2003 -243)
Brad Bennett, Finance Director, read the list of the budget request items.
John Ostlund, Public Defender, stated they've put in a supplemental budget
request to retain a temporary attorney. The driving force is the continuing increase
in felony caseloads. In March 2002, felony caseloads jumped up 25 percent. They
continue to grow from there. In addition, they've had seven homicide cases in the
office. To handle the felony caseloads, he's had to switch attorneys from juvenile
court and district court to felony court. There is one full time attorney doing
juvenile civil cases, and 2.5 doing the juvenile criminal cases, which are 896 new
cases and 700 probation violations.
In district court, he had to transfer a .5 attorney to felony court. That leaves
too many cases for the remaining attorneys for district court. He hired a temporary
attorney to work in district court. He doesn't have the money to continue that
position past the end of July. This is not a temporary situation. It will carry on
next year. He will have to ask for an extra attorney next year or work out
contracts. This request only carries him through the end of 2003.
Crawford stated they took the Public Defender funding level and increased it
due to the issues with the Kinney case. Ostlund stated he'd hired temporary
attorneys during the Kinney case. They have been let go. That was temporary
funding.
Crawford asked about office space. Ostlund stated they had space in the
Olympic Building. However, without a cohesive unit, it was inefficient for managing
staff. He has a small amount of space on the second floor where his investigators
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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.
are located. They are tight on space, but they are able to handle the space they
have.
Crawford stated there was some discussion earlier about the funding
situation between the Public Defender and the Prosecutor's Office. Ostlund stated
more funding to the Public Defender doesn't create more work for the Prosecutor.
More funding for Prosecutor creates more work for him. Both offices are
overworked. The problem with Whatcom County is that it is still low on the list of
counties for handling caseloads. He is very efficient because they are handling the
number of caseloads they have with the staff they have. A significant number of
cases are not getting tried in a timely manner.
Roy stated she appreciated Mr. Ostlund's memo. It was a clearly outlined
piece of information. She appreciated the case count statistics comparing two
years. They have to look across the system to see if they can move people from
court to court. She was pleased to see that information and those adjustments
were already made. There are convincing figures that show they are squeezing
everything they can from these departments. She will support the request. She
asked if they could refuse to accept district court cases for 60 to 90 days. Ostlund
stated he has had to do that in the past temporarily, for no more than 60 days.
The ethical guidelines as an attorney and supervisor require him to temporarily
suspend taking cases. It's difficult to switch attorneys from the different courts
because of the court calendars.
Roy asked if this increase in felonies is related to population increases.
Ostlund stated he told the Criminal Justice Commission they need to look into that
question. Crime rates have gone down nationwide and statewide, but the statistics
in Whatcom County are fuzzy. The issues are population and proximity to the
border. There are a lot of drug cases attributable to the county's proximity to the
border. Until a few months ago, heroin was the drug of choice. A lot of heroin
addicts are long -term residents, not transients. Now, the problem is with
methamphetamine. Those addicts are more transient. Another problem is with
violent crimes. Whatcom County has had an interesting history of homicides from
other counties.
Crawford stated that the Whatcom County law and justice budget has gone
up over the past several years because they are adding more money to the criminal
justice system. Therefore, the County is out in the community doing more law
enforcement. An outcome of that is that they produce a broader record of crime
because they've dedicated the resources to deal with that crime. He asked if a
portion of the increased crime rate is due to Whatcom County dedicating more
money throughout the entire criminal justice system. Ostlund stated that to a large
extent, the personal behavior of people would be the same whether or not there is
law enforcement. A police presence does deter a certain amount of crime. Certain
crimes are being prosecuted in Whatcom County that are matters of the
Prosecutor's policy, such as border cases. There are policy matters on property
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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.
crimes and suspended driving license crimes. Generally, they are not safer if they
cut or double the amount of money in law enforcement.
Crawford stated the statistical nature of how they look at crime is affected by
what resources they put into fighting crime. He is not advocating that they cut the
funding by half or at all. Ostlund stated it is a bureaucracy that builds upon itself.
Roy moved to recommend approval of the ordinance to the full Council.
Nelson stated he made suggestions to Mr. Ostlund for changes to the final
proposal that will come forward during the budget process.
Neil Clement, Deputy Director, stated there is a tremendous amount of
things going on with homeland security. Some of the timelines are rather short.
He will be back several times over the next few months. Five counties have just
been awarded $3.2 million collectively for homeland defense. There are some
items he will bring back in the near future.
Crawford asked about communications. Clement stated the communications
project is on hold pending other priorities at this point. They don't know what
might be coming down the road regarding national communications. They just
received equipment for northern tier law enforcement agencies to be dispatched by
the Border Patrol, which will be going to an encrypted system. The biggest
problem for first responders is inoperable communications. They will have to
address it seriously in the next few years.
Roy asked about northern tier communities. Clement explained that the
northern tier law enforcement communities include Blaine, Lynden, and Sumas.
The Border Patrol has dispatched them. The Border Patrol, now under Homeland
Security, is going to an encrypted system.
Roy asked if this would affect the communication between that northern part
of the county and the rest of the county. Clement stated they are looking for
additional funds to add that equipment into the emergency operations center
(EOC), Everson Police Department, and the Sheriff's Office. It doesn't solve the
problem of having the entire first response community communicate, which is much
bigger.
Motion carried unanimously,
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
RECREATIONAL TRAIL EASEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM
COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION AND CRYPTICAL ENVELOPMENT,
MARK WEINBERG, PRESIDENT, TO GRANT A NON - EXCLUSIVE
RECREATIONAL TRAIL EASEMENT FOR PUBLIC RECREATIONAL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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.
PURPOSES FOR A SECTION THAT LIES WITHIN WHATCOM COUNTY'S
PORTION OF THE INTERURBAN TRAIL (AB2003 -261)
Lynne Givler, Parks Operations Manager, stated this is an easement
previously held by Puget Sound Energy. The easement was sold to Cryptical
Envelopment that was not recorded. In the meantime, Cryptical Envelopment sold
interest to Mark Weinberg as an individual. This updates the ownership interest in
that easement. The total length is approximately 750 feet, and is mostly seven
feet wide. It is adjacent to another easement they already have. The remaining is
about 57 feet wide. There is no financial impact.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimous /y.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WESTCOAST COUNSELING & TREATMENT
CENTER FOR CONDUCTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE ASSESSMENTS FOR
CLIENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ADATSA FUNDING FROM DSHS, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $139,874 (AB2003 -262)
Andy Byrne, Human Services Manager, addressed items two through four.
These items are professional services contracts resulting from requests for
proposals (RFP's) or requests for qualifications (RFQ's) and all come from the
substance abuse program, using State money. The first is a treatment program to
do substance abuse assessments. The other two are prevention programs.
Crawford asked if the Substance Abuse Advisory Committee reviewed these
items. Byrne stated it has.
Roy moved to recommend approval of items two through four.
Roy asked about how they are going to do long -term evaluation.
Crawford stated this was a point of discussion on the Substance Abuse
Advisory Board.
Nelson stated they couldn't evaluate the long -term benefits of a single
program. They have to look at cause and effects in the community. See that there
is not a growth rate in the substance abuse problems in the community.
Byrne stated it's very difficult to say that one particular project has long-
term impacts.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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 stated most of the Substance Abuse Advisory Board members feel
they put too much emphasis on treatment and not enough emphasis on prevention.
It's less expensive if kids don't start.
Roy stated she would like to take that money and work with families in
giving them support. The mentoring program approaches that concept. Byrne
stated there is another contract for strengthening families.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF WHATCOM
COUNTY TO CONDUCT THE "'SMART MOVES" PROGRAM FOR
SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000
(AB2003 -263)
See Consent Agenda item two.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF
NORTHWEST WASHINGTON TO CONDUCT THE "SCHOOL BUDDIES"
PROGRAM FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$20,000 (AB2003 -264)
See Consent Agenda item two.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY
OF BELLINGHAM TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE
OUTREACH TO HOMELESS PEOPLE WITH CO- OCCURRING DISORDERS
PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,607 (AB2003 -266)
Andy Byrne, Human Services Manager, addressed Consent Agenda items six
and seven. Item six is a contract with the City of Bellingham, through a community
development block grant. He's known since January that the County will have that
money, but the money just came in from the federal government. Those dollars
come to the County from the City. The money is bundled with other money. The
County has already contracted with an organization to do outreach for co- occurring
disorders. This is the money he was counting on to co -fund the professional
services contract. These dollars may be available again next year.
Crawford asked if this is a housing issue. Byrne stated it provides partial
funding for outreach to homeless people with co- occurring disorders to get them
into treatment.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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 asked what it means when it references the outcomes being
according to program records. Byrne stated they could see if the person was
enrolled in a system or program previously. This is a contract with Whatcom
Counseling. It's easy to identify the client. If they succeed with the clients, it
needs to be documented. He gets reports on the numbers of people. His division
monitors that program.
Nelson stated the mission is becoming overloaded with these people. He's
glad to see the City of Bellingham addressing these needs. Byrne stated this
program will help those people get into treatment faster.
Roy asked if the numbers of these kinds of folks are going up. Byrne stated
they are. The chronic homelessness numbers are going up. There is a ten -year
plan to eliminate chronic homelessness.
Nelson stated they don't see as many on the street as they did in the past,
due to the success of places such as the Rainbow Center. Byrne stated many of
those folks are homeless, but are getting involved. If someone were having
trouble, this contract would address it. He is not asking to do more work for people
already in treatment.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously,
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & HEALTH SERVICES, DIVISION OF
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR
OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
SERVICES TO INDIGENT AND LOW- INCOME CLIENTS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $2,443,456 (AB2003 -267)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Andy Byrne, Human Services Manager, stated this is a biennial contract with
the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA).
Motion carried unanimously,
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT
TOBACCO AND YOUTH TOBACCO PROGRAMS, IN THE AMENDED
AMOUNT OF $111,800, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT AMOUNT
OF $1,493,264 (AB2003 -270)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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.
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND SHEARER DESIGN L.L.C. FOR THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF
SUNRISE ROAD BRIDGES #87 AND #88, IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,675
(AB2003 -265)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Motion carried unanimously.
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & HEALTH SERVICES TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO EXTEND THE TERM OF AGREEMENT FOR
AN ADDITIONAL THREE MONTHS, TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
NURSING HOME VISIT SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WITH BABIES AND
YOUNG CHILDREN AT RISK FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT THAT
ARE REFERRED BY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, IN THE AMENDED
AMOUNT OF $11,717, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT AMOUNT
OF $204,645 (AB2003 -268)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Janet Davis, Community Health Manager, stated the contract is only for
three months. The funds are pass- through dollars.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT
FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE MONTHS, TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC
HEALTH SERVICES TO ASSESS HEALTH INFORMATION ON CHILDREN
IN FOSTER CARE TO ENSURE THEY RECEIVE REQUIRED HEALTH
CARE, IN THE AMENDED AMOUNT OF $12,699, FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $211,947 (AB2003 -269)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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,
11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
NOOKSACK INDIAN TRIBE TO DEVELOP A DRAFT WRIA 1 SALMON
RECOVERY PLAN, IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,500 (AB2003 -271)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
John Thompson, Resources Planner /Endangered Species Act, stated the
County received a grant from the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a draft
of the salmon recovery plan for this area and doing increased stakeholder
involvement. The contract with the Nooksack Tribe would be to develop the
technical elements of habitat component of the recovery plan.
Crawford asked about Consent Agenda Item twelve. Thompson stated that
item is to help facilitate meetings. They are starting with previous versions of the
draft plan that were developed by staff from the County, Tribe, City of Bellingham,
and Department of Fish and Wildlife. There wasn't a lot of stakeholder or
community input. This time, they need to involve stakeholders and get feedback as
they develop the new version of the recovery plan. The Nooksack Salmon
Enhancement Agency (NSEA) role is to help facilitate the meetings, develop the
strategy, and implement the strategy for getting stakeholder feedback.
Roy asked if this dovetails with the discussions in today's Natural Resources
Committee meetings. Thompson stated it would. The grant from the Department
of Fish and Wildlife will go to this and a contract with the Agricultural Preservation
Committee for Vern Vandegarde's project at Bertrand Creek. That is something
they've stressed in developing this with NSEA and the Tribe. For the stakeholder
involvement, they have to go with what they've already learned at Bertrand Creek
and use that structure. They have to deal with involving stakeholders at a
watershed scale. The more they can identify frameworks that work on the smaller
scale, they can identify how to engage a community to get a plan that meets the
test of the Endangered Species Act and also the community's needs. The end of
the year isn't the end of the contract. They have additional phases to do. The
Shared Strategy for Puget Sound program desires a description of the
commitments and actions within the different watersheds in Puget Sound by the
end of the year. By June of 2004, they would like to see a draft of the Nooksack
chapter.
Nelson asked if this is the draft proposed by the water resources inventory
area (WRIA) work groups. He asked if it is going to the Nooksack Tribe. Thompson
stated this is just the salmon recovery portion.
Nelson stated it looks like it includes proposals on all the issues. Thompson
stated it is separate from the watershed management plan.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, 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.
Nelson asked if it works with the tribes on salmon enhancement. Thompson
stated this is the Endangered Species Act (ESA) plan. It identifies the actions and
commitments in WRIA 1 to specifically deal with Chinook and bull trout, and also
look at other species of salmon. That ties into the watershed management plan
overall goals. The Nooksack Tribe will provide the technical power to draft the
sections. The Lummi Nation will review the drafts and provide feedback. Hopefully
the County, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and City of Bellingham will provide
staff resources also. The Nooksack Tribe will do the bulk of the work. Other folks
will work closely with NSEA and Nooksack Tribe to make sure there is a good
product at the end of the year.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
NOOKSACK SALMON ENHANCEMENT ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE
STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT AND PROCESS ASSISTANCE WITH THE
DEVELOPMENT OF A DRAFT WRIA 1 SALMON RECOVERY PLAN, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $22,500 (AB2003 -272)
(Clerk's Note: See Consent Agenda item eleven for discussion of this item.)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZATION APPLICATION FOR A COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AWARD CONTRACT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $27,850 FROM WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
COMMUNITY, TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (AB2003 -273)
Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously,
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:01 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, Page 9
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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.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/22/2003, Page 10