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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance October 7 20031 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they are not the final approved minutes. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Finance and Administrative Services Committee October 7, 2003 The meeting was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Committee Chair Sam Crawford in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington. Present: Absent: L. Ward Nelson None Sharon Roy Also Present: Seth Fleetwood Laurie Caskey- Schreiber Barbara Brenner Dan McShane COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL 1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT PROGRAM APPLICATION AND RECOMMENDATION (AB2003 -333) Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated this is the first application for the new Economic Development Investment (EDI) program that was instituted a few months ago. The Port of Bellingham submitted an application to do infrastructure development to support the expansion of a local business called Wood Stone. The original application was for a $500,000 grant. The Rural Sales Tax Committee recommended that the County Council consider approving a grant for $166,000 and a loan to be paid back over a period of 20 years in the amount of $334,000. This is in keeping with the character of the EDI program the County Council approved. This is a $4.8 million project. Other State grant and loan funding has been acquired for this project. The Port of Bellingham will bond to cover the additional cost of expansion. The project is physical infrastructure on public property to allow Wood Stone Manufacturing to expand significantly. Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Nelson asked if the County would hold the fund, in terms of liability. Desler stated the County would loan money to the Port of Bellingham, and the Port of Bellingham would be responsible for paying the loan amount back to the County. Nelson stated it is a great idea and a good example of partnering to help economic development and provide jobs in the community. He's concerned about the ability for reconstruction over the 20 -year loan. He asked if the County would be part of any expansion project. Desler stated this grant and loan would only cover this project. If there were a future project for which the Port asks for more County funds, the County Council would be involved in that decision at that time. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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 EDI program is only designed to work with other public entities to invest in public infrastructure. Brenner asked if the committee considered a loan for all the requested amount instead of just a partial amount. Desler stated it did. The Port originally requested a 100 percent grant. The committee members considered a series of options. The committee recommends a one -third grant and two -third loan, which follows the County Council guidelines, which intended that the majority of the funds be in a revolving fund. There was no motion at the committee to make the request a total loan, but there was some discussion about it. Crawford asked about the committee decision to make it a two - thirds loan and one -third grant. Desler stated it was a unanimous decision on the part of the committee members present. The first five years of the loan would be paid back on the interest only. Interest and principal would be paid during years six through twenty. Fleetwood asked the process they objectively gauge whether or not this particular application is good or not. Desler stated there are a series of questions in the application relating to the number of jobs created, the value of the jobs, and other questions. The intent of the EDI Program is to foster economic development, strengthen both existing activity and foster new economic activity. The committee included mayors, directors of different organizations, and others who reviewed and recommend this application. Nelson asked if a County councilmember is on the committee. McShane stated he was unable to attend the second meeting, but attended the first meeting. The application letter said EDI funds would be dedicated to sewer, road, water, and related infrastructure. He asked what that related infrastructure might be and how broadly defined it is. Bill Hager, Port of Bellingham Director of Properties, stated it would go for infrastructure improvements. As the County and City reviews their plans it will include sewer, water, street, and storm improvements. McShane stated there was discussion of dealing with stormwater on the west side of the runway. He questioned that at the time. He asked if that is being considered. Hager stated it is not. The stormwater facility on the southwest basin will be reserved for airport dependent uses only because of its capacity. For Wood Stone, they will have to create either underground vaults or open water storage if they can get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). McShane stated the Port has criteria for return on investment. He asked the return rate. Hager stated it is eleven percent for land and improvements, or nine percent for land only. The return for this project is about three percent, which is why the Port is looking for other sources to help Wood Stone. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 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 the other sources would make up for the return being less than the normal amount. Hager stated that with those other sources, there is a three percent return. It's a transaction that the Port would normally not do according to standard policy. The Port is reducing its return for Wood Stone and is helping to get other agencies to contribute. McShane asked if there is a policy in writing for reducing that standard return. Hager stated there is not. If they do not meet the standard of return, only the Port Commission can reduce it. Once the funding package is put together, it will have to go back to the Port Commission who will make a determination to proceed. The Commission understands and is aware of the project, but has not given final approval to the lease package yet. McShane asked if the Commission has a policy that it follows when making the decision for approval. Hager stated Wood Stone needs to demonstrate that it is a stable and growing company. McShane stated he's watched companies grow and be purchased by larger companies. He asked if there is some assurance that these jobs would stay local or become a subsidiary of a larger company. Hager stated the Port would look for a long -term lease with Wood Stone. Brenner stated the Wood Stone project is a good one. She's concerned about the proposed financing. The jobs are one thing, the people who take those jobs are another thing. The County cannot guarantee that people from outside the county won't come into the county and take those jobs. The jobs may exist, but that doesn't mean these efforts will reduce the County's unemployment level. Roy stated one concern is about rural sales tax money being given to the Port for a non -rural project. She's also concerned about application questions D9 and D10. She's concerned about the amount of public money going into this enterprise. They are taking taxpayer money and giving it to the Port, another taxing agency to which the citizens pay taxes. The private investment is minimal. Desler stated the rural sales tax money is collected in a number of rural counties. The rural sales tax fund comes from all the economic activity throughout the community. The County would like to focus on activity in the northern and eastern tiers of the county. He's also heard that there's an desire to have economic development where new jobs are created at existing companies. The advisory committee asked the question a number of times of whether Wood Stone can afford this. The Port said Wood Stone contributed a significant amount of money to the project initially, along with the rent it will pay over time that will make the EDI payment. This investment only goes to roads, water, sewer, and storm. It will benefit other adjacent properties as the Port finds other economic activity that will be a part of the improvements. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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 the reason the Port sets the return goal is so that it can support this kind of infrastructure on its own. Desler stated the Port finds tenants, improves the property through a bond, and pays the bond with the tenants' rents. The Port is asking the County to be a partner, along with the State of Washington in this effort. Dodd Snodgrass, Port of Bellingham Economic Development Specialist, stated the Port is constructing a manufacturing facility. These funds are going toward the infrastructure to serve that facility. The company doesn't own the building, so it can't count the value of the building. However, the company is putting in equipment, supplies, and other types of investment. There are questions in the application about criteria and evaluation. There's economic impact related to the project that the application doesn't ask. The jobs that are being created include 44 direct jobs and 57 indirect jobs. The employee base is in Whatcom County. Many of the employees are from unincorporated Whatcom County. The expansion will generate $3 million annually in additional economic impact in terms of wages, benefits, and other values to Whatcom County. The number of businesses in the county that work with the company is remarkable. He anticipates an additional $1 million in local business contracts. There was no question in the application that reflected the amount of additional economic impacts in the county. Brenner stated she would like this be a complete loan. The County is not dealing with Wood Stone. It's dealing with the Port of Bellingham. She has a problem with the County giving the Port of Bellingham a grant. They are dealing with a government entity that has its own ability to raise taxes and other things like that. When the Council is entrusted with this kind of money, she would be more inclined to give a grant to a private company. The two - thirds /one -third split sounds arbitrary. Crawford asked for information on how this was changed from full grant request to a partial loan. He asked the terms of the loan. He would like to know from Wood Stone and the Port what makes or breaks this deal. Desler stated the initial thought with the EDI Program was that 40 percent of the money would be assigned to County infrastructure issues to sustain economic development in the community. About 40 percent would be available in a revolving loan program and 20 percent would be available for grants for public infrastructure. The 40/20 percentages equal to a one - third /two -third split. The terms recommended by the committee are that the payment be phased over twenty years; the first five years payment would go to interest only at a rate of 1.5 percent; the payments during years six through 20 would go to interest and principal. The 1.5 percent interest rate is low, but they were trying to offer a modest rate to make the application attractive to people. Caskey- Schreiber stated she agrees that this hits the taxpayers twice for economic development. Wood Stone is a fabulous company. They are going to do Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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. quite well. She has a problem that they are creating 44 jobs at a cost of $4 million. This is a good investment for the Port. It will get its money back in the property investment. She asked if the County will get it's money back via the property tax the business doesn't pay. The Port doesn't give the County anything. This is not an ideal project. There are bigger issues in the county needed to address the overall economic picture, such as the communications issue. Whatcom County was unavailable to the outside world for six hours. She hoped to resolve that issue soon. Snodgrass stated the Port is a public agency. They don't assess property taxes for their tenants. However, they pay a leasehold excise tax, which is 12.84 percent of the rent. When those funds are collected, they go to the State. The State retains 53 percent, and 47 percent comes back locally. About $43,000 per year is going to Whatcom County from Wood Stone for the Whatcom County taxing districts. This project is outside the City of Bellingham, and the funds are returned to the county jurisdictions. There is a revenue benefit to the County. Hager stated the Port allocates all the property taxes it collects towards public access, environmental cleanup, and projects or programs that don't have a return. The Port relies on the eleven percent return to do expansion. Whenever the Port goes below the set levels, it influences the Port's ability to finance in the future. That's why it was important to look to other sources for the Wood Stone project. Without the County's help, this project will impact the Port's degree to continue investing in the future. The difference between a grant of one -third and an entire loan is about $2,000 per month to the Wood Stone Corporation. Once they know all the funding pieces, they still have to get approval. Keith Carpenter, Wood Stone Corporation, stated Wood Stone gets offers to sell the company every week. They've never even entertained the idea. The reason they do that is because this is where they want to live. It's not easy to do this from Whatcom County. It would be easier to do it from a port city because they have a world market. When Wood Stone leased the building from the Port, he didn't know that expansion would involve so many other government agencies. He simply wants to stay competitive in a world market. If he was to take Wood Stone's available cash resources and invest them into real estate, he would not be able to reinvest in the company in ways it has to do to stay competitive. The world market doesn't care where he lives or who finances him. Having the Port be his real estate partner enables him the engineering manufacturer he needs to be to grow. The market won't wait for him to keep his place in the market. About 80 percent of the money his company generates stay in Whatcom County. Wood Stone gets offers to be purchased from companies all over the United States and Europe. He also gets offers from other counties in Washington State and Oregon that want him to move the company. He chooses to stay in Whatcom County. This is a great opportunity for the government agencies to support economic development in Whatcom County, which is a place that needs some support. The future of most communities will be with small manufacturers like his company. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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 thanked Wood Stone. This is the best business he's seen provide the living wage jobs they always talk about. The County has spent $500,000 on preserving agricultural lands that already have the jobs. Here, the County is getting back $334,000 with interest and is only spending out around $160,000 for 44 jobs that exceed the minimum wage. He is in favor of supporting infrastructure for businesses. The County needs to be more proactive in encouraging companies to stay in this community. The County needs to be more proactive in enticing businesses to locate here. This is an appropriate and judicial way to support that. Caskey- Schreiber asked how private businesses that aren't leasing Port property or dependent on another public entity compete with the ones the County is subsidizing. That's the issue she wrestles with. Nelson stated they have to look at how it helps the entire community. That's why the Economic Development Council (EDC) was tasked with looking at projects to bring them forward, so the County can help with infrastructure and land supply issues. There are many ways to help the community. There is always competition between government and the private sector. Crawford stated the Port would be amenable to any private sector business approaching them. Caskey- Schreiber stated that's her point. It drives the businesses away from being a property tax payer to being subsidized. Crawford stated that's the reason for the Port. The Port exists for economic development. Roy stated Wood Stone is not investing capital in the project. This is a large government subsidy. She asked if that is the County's way to help the local economy. Nelson stated Wood Stone is investing $500,000 in equipment and materials through its bank. Roy stated the ratio between public and private money is lopsided. This is the first project they've looked at. She asked if this is going to be their policy in the future. She's concerned about the amount of money being spent for 44 jobs. Nelson stated that's the same concern he has when they spend $500,000 for agricultural preservation. Roy stated they already know that the agricultural industry brings in $250 million per year. Nelson stated the individual farms they spent money on don't contribute $250 million. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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. Caskey- Schreiber stated they need a certain amount of acreage to keep the industry. Brenner stated she has a problem comparing this to agricultural land. When the County spends money on agricultural land, it supports a total industry, not just one individual. This request is to support an individual business. The business is terrific, but the County is giving a grant to the Port. The Port is what will realize a financial benefit. This property will be improved and stay improved into the future, whether or not Wood Stone stays. Nelson stated this does meet the criteria for supporting an industry, which is manufacturing. Whether or not Wood Stone is there, the infrastructure will remain for other businesses in the future. He's in favor of agriculture. With this request, there will be a return on the investment. Brenner stated the infrastructure will be there for whatever moves in, which may not be manufacturing. It supports an individual business, not the manufacturing industry. They're not the same thing. (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.) Roy moved to recommend to the full Council to amend the request and change the loan structure to a 100 percent loan. Nelson stated he needed to know if that would be agreeable to the parties. These are contracts that are worked out ahead of time. Either they do the deal or not. McShane stated it was clear to him that, whatever the grant is, this isn't a done deal. The Port Commissioners still have to evaluate and approve the package. Roy stated the details of this have not been finalized. If this is the way the Council wants to go, the next step is to work out the detail. They can get a sense of where the Council is before they have the details. Motion to amend failed 1 -2 with Roy in favor. Motion to recommend to the full Council carried 2 -1 with Roy opposed. COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS AND THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY CONSERVATION Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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. CORPS FOR SALMON ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES COUNTYWIDE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE TEN MILE CREEK AND BERTRAND CREEK WATERSHEDS FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 8, 2003 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2004, IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,400 (AB2003 -334) Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Crawford asked if this is fully funded. John Thompson, Resources Planner /Endangered Species Act, stated it is. Motion carried unanimously. 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE HOME PORT LEARNING CENTER TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION TO YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,000 (AB2003 -335) Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM LAND TRUST FOR CONTINUATION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE WHATCOM COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM, EXTENDING THE CONTRACT TO OCTOBER 31, 2004 (AB2003 -336) Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Kraig Olason, Senior Planner, stated this is the same contract and is for a new year. They haven't spent any dollars to date. Crawford asked the County Council provided funding to the Planning Department for the work on this program. Olason stated they've assigned a planner to work on it. Motion carried unanimously. 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SUDDEN VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, CITY OF BELLINGHAM, AND WATER DISTRICT 10 TO ASSIST IN THE PURCHASE OF SUDDEN VALLEY PARCELS THROUGH THE 2003 WHATCOM COUNTY TAX FORECLOSURE AUCTION, IN AN AMOUNT OF UP TO $8,250 (AB2003 -337) Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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. Crawford asked if this is similar to the purchase of Sudden Valley parcels it's done in the past and continue to do. Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that's correct. The amounts were slightly decreased. Erika Stroebel, Resources Planner, stated they are still working on the joint agreement. There may be some modifications as people are removing their parcels from the auction list. She is also working with other jurisdictions that are also reviewing the joint agreement. If there are any more changes to the distribution of funds from each jurisdictions, she will come back to the Council. Crawford stated the City of Bellingham didn't want to fund this. Stroebel stated that was two or three years ago. The City participated last year and is considering participation this year. In the past, they felt they didn't have adequate time to review the proposal. Roy asked why people are withdrawing their lots. Stroebel stated the people are paying their back taxes and being removed from the auction list. Nelson stated the total cost for the foreclosure is $30,676, yet the purchase price is for $33,000. Stroebel stated the amounts should be the same. Crawford stated there is language that says the contributions from the jurisdictions will be proportionally reduced if the total purchase price is less than whatever amount they approve. Stroebel stated the foreclosure costs are one portion of the costs. The minimum bid is the total cost. Two lots currently have homes and have a higher minimum bid. The County will not bid on those two parcels. The highest amount they'll go is $33,000. Motion carried unanimously. S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) FOR ONGOING STREAM FLOW GAGE NETWORK OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE EARLY FLOOD WARNING PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,775, OF WHICH $33,775 WILL BE THE COUNTY'S SHARE AND $11,000 WILL BE FUNDED BY THE USGS (AB2003 -338) Nelson moved to recommend approval to the full Council. It is a great program. Motion carried unanimously. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 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. 6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CASCADE BUSINESS PARK FOR NEIGHBORHOOD OFFICE RENTAL, FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,600 (AB2003 -339) Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council. Crawford asked if this is a new location, in lieu of the Slater Road location they discussed a month or two ago. Dustin Hurlbut, Chief Civil Deputy, stated that's correct. They initially negotiated for the Slater Road project. It was free, but they were going to pay the taxes on the property. They lost that site because they took too long. They found this site, which is smaller but more centrally located. They need a central office where they can have the sergeants set up and have shift briefings. They are saving between a half hour and hour per day per deputy by not having the shift briefings in Bellingham. The offsite offices they've identified are small, one -room offices. They need a place with a conference table and offices for the sergeants. They've identified this site. It's a little small, but it is large enough. They can use the money from the previous supplemental budget request, but he will put in an additional services request (ASR) for next year's rent. Crawford asked the square footage. Hurlbut stated it is about 1,000 to 1,200 square feet. They are getting the location for a good price. Roy stated she appreciated the data sheet from the Sheriff's Office related to the areas of the county that are the source of calls to the Sheriff's Office. She asked if this location is a permanent solution to the problem, and if it's close enough to their areas of highest need. Hurlbut stated this fills an interim need at this point. They are moving forward with the offsite offices. A number of them are up and running now. They're working very well. The problem with the site is that the location is centrally located, but it also enters onto the Guide Meridian, and the deputies will have trouble with access because of the traffic. Also, the location is too small for their ultimate need. As they look at the offsite jail study they are also looking at co- locating office functions there. The city is too congested for the deputies to be located. It takes 20 minutes to get out of town. This is an interim site for two years until they can identify another site that is big enough and serve locational needs. Nelson asked if this is strictly for meetings, or if there is capacity for evidence storage. Hurlbut stated there is no capacity for evidence storage because of all the criteria required for secure storage. There is an evidence storage site at Smith and Northwest that the deputies can use without coming into town. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 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. Brenner stated she doesn't support a jail at Smith and Northwest because of the school and playgrounds in the area. She asked if they considered the Smith and Northwest site for something like this, instead of Cascade. Hurlbut stated it came up during the facilities study. The Smith and Northwest site was their first choice for location. They wanted to put a building on that site, but it was cost - prohibitive. He didn't want to ask for a large amount of money to set it up. They knew they could do it for less money to start with. They really want to study this to begin with to make sure it works well. Over the next two years, they will work out the problems with setting up a site and ultimately settle at a facility. They would like to be at Smith and Northwest because of the infrastructure that's already there. It's a perfect location. Motion carried unanimously. COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE WHATCOM COUNTY 2004 ANNUAL ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM (AB2003 -332) Brenner stated this item is supposed to be scheduled in the Public Works Committee. Joe Rutan, County Engineer, stated this is a budgetary issue, and was told it needed to come before the Finance Committee. He agreed that there are issues that could be referred to the Public Works Committee, including Frost Road, gravel road conversions, and other items. Brenner stated the resolution is not a budgetary issue. When the contracts come forward is when it comes before the Finance Committee. Traditionally, this has been brought to the Public Works Committee. She would like it forwarded to the Public Works Committee. Rutan stated the Council packet includes a fact summary sheet for every project funded for construction in 2004. Crawford asked if this item will be scheduled in the Public Works Committee in two weeks, and how referring it to the Public Works Committee would affect the timeline. Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated the normal process is simply to introduce the item and then deal with it during and following the public hearing. Approval of the annual construction program is a budget matter. However, there are elements of the project deserving of discussion. Referring to the Public Works Committee in two weeks still affords opportunity to act after the public hearing in two weeks. It simply needs to be adopted prior to or at the same time as the budget. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 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. Brenner stated there was plenty of controversy on the last round of this. There are several issues she would like to deal with in more detail. Crawford asked if the County is done with Park Road. Rutan stated there are minor things to be completed. McShane stated he hesitates going forward with the Frost Road culvert bridge replacement project. Consider closing the road at that location. Jim Karcher, Engineering Manager - Design /Construction, stated they are done with Park Road. Crawford stated this will be referred to the Public Works Committee in two weeks. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription /X—E&i71 Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Sam Crawford, Committee Chair Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 10/7/2003, Page 12