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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
PROPOSED 2002 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET
November 1, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Committee Chair Robert
Imhof in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present:
Marlene Dawson
Sam Crawford
Absent:
None
DISCUSSION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S 2002 RECOMMENDED
BUDGET (PARKS AND RECREATION; PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES; WHAT -COMM /COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS /MEDIC ONE /NON-
DEPARTMENTAL; MISCELLANEOUS) (AB2001 -206)
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation Director, stated last December two key
members of the staff retired. He has been able to fill those positions. Last year,
the department completed the rebuild of the Tennant Lake tower. This year, they
built the Hovander Park shelter. The Public Works Department and Planning
Department helped with the project. Another partnership was with the Harborview
Lions Club to bring the Vietnam War Memorial to Hovander Park. Also, he received
a state grant from the Interagency for Outdoor Recreation. It was matched with in-
kind labor for a project on the Pine and Cedar trailhead to increase parking
capacity, install portable restrooms, and to improve the tread going to the top. The
drainage has been a problem. Pine and Cedar are part of the Chuckanut Mountain
trail system. There are four access points to that system. One is in Skagit County
operated by DNR. Another access at Larrabee State Park operated by the State
Park system. A third access is at California Street, operated by the City of
Bellingham. The fourth access is at the Pine and Cedar trailhead. The system is
getting unbelievable use.
Another project is the mobile mowing program. In the past, the department
kept mowers at various facilities. With the purchase of a pickup and trailer, a
mowing team goes to the various locations. The mowing team is very efficient and
familiar with the equipment, and is used instead of seasonal help. The hours the
department saved are 250 hours of mowing time. Next year will be more because
they didn't start this year until the summer.
Another program was to install two photo -tech systems to bring energy back
into the grid system. The County gets a credit for the power. It will take a number
of years to recoup the dollars, but as power rates increase, that time will be less.
They were also able to use Intalco employees, who were looking to help the
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 1
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community. One program the Intalco employees helped with was the Tennant Lake
restrooms. They've done other projects.
The Blaine Senior Center applied for a grant from the Boeing Employee Fund
to purchase weight training equipment. The program is modeled after the Western
Washington University (WWU) program for seniors. The program has been a
success at WWU. Eighty seniors have gone through the training at the Blaine
Center. Another 50 seniors are on the list to learn to use the equipment. It is
something they need to have in the Lynden, Bellingham, and Ferndale.
Imhof asked if there is funding for that. DeSpain stated he will explore it.
The four major senior centers are seeing increasing use and are becoming
community centers in addition to just senior centers. The Bellingham Senior Center
is being used as a group meeting space for various organizations.
This was the second year for the lifeguard program at Samish Park. The
County is providing broader protection to citizens at that facility.
In the year 2002, the department will do one more phase on the structure at
Hovander park to construct a chimney for the cooking area. In the budget this
year, money is set aside for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements in
one of the cabins. That may actually go into next year.
Imhof asked for an update on the Teen Adventure Program (TAP). DeSpain
stated the program is doing very well. The department has coordinated with all but
one school district and other community youth programs. This year, they offered
75 different classes for 2,000 people. One of the big programs was with the
Meridian School District Stars Program. The Parks Department helped the program
provide for youth alternatives. The 21St Century Grant works with the Readiness to
Learn Program. REI awarded the TAP program $1,000 for equipment.
The transfer from the Sheriff's Department to the Parks Department has to
do with the Plantation Rifle Range. A bullet containment barrier is a wall they need
at the rifle range. They are seeing encroachment at the rifle range from homes
being built nearby. They need to be a little safer. The problem is not with the
general public because they are supervised. When the law enforcement agencies
use the range, they model a SWAT team situation. They put up different scenarios
and are shooting in different directions. They need to be more prepared for that.
Also, the National Guard has called and is using the facility at no cost.
Imhof asked if they could expand the boundaries of the rifle range to prevent
encroachment. DeSpain stated he tried to obtain that land. The landlord for the
rifle range property was Trillium, but it was sold. They need to get 60 acres around
the rifle range to own. It costs $5,000 to rent per year, and the County has $1.5
million in improvements.
Imhof stated there should be grant funding available through law
enforcement channels.
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 2
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DeSpain stated the County could also possibly use Conservation Futures
funds if they only use it for a barrier. They need to do it quickly.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Hal Hart, Planning and Development Services Director, stated permit
numbers are a good indication of overall activity. The overall permit numbers are
holding constant. Activity remained high in some areas and lower in other areas.
Activity is higher in shoreline management efforts for single family homes. The
department gets most of the complaints on shoreline and ground disturbance
issues. The permitting area that is down is in the short - platting realm. People
compensate by doing exempt divisions. That was anticipated.
Another trend is that the people are beginning work on old, grandfathered
subdivisions. The problem is that they were grandfathered under old rules, so they
go through a complex situation that is staff intensive. Another trend is that there
were 157 ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, and zoning changes from 1997 to today.
When the County makes those changes, there has to be staff retraining. When the
rules change, they also have to tell the development community. Next year, they
are contemplating 16 to 18 changes to the Comprehensive Plan and other requests
for zoning changes.
Another trend is with the geographic information system (GIS) program.
They are seeing a greater need for GIS systems and more people wanting to use
the system. They are using it with shoreline inventory process to characterize
watersheds and other things in the years ahead. Changes in plans and ordinances
create an ongoing training effort and an effort to train other departments when
things change. This year, the department is involved in subarea planning. Staff is
making efforts to outreach into the community. In the year ahead, the department
will enter into an innovative economic development partnership with the Port of
Bellingham. That will be the hallmark of this next year.
He will be working closely on capital facilities planning for the next year and
a half.
His emphasis in the department is on outreach to the public regarding the
permit process and changes in the permit process. That is why one of the ASR's
was for a display booth. He may be able to get that funded through grants. There
is a need to explain to people what the Planning Commission, Planning Department,
and Public Works Department are doing in various areas in the county. They can
make an arrangement with a local store or commercial person to display the
information.
Another important activity has been reorganization of the front counter.
Reorganization began through an audit process, and then they developed ways to
improve efficiencies to follow the audit. The staff did some retraining. Cashiering
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 3
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is done separately from other services. They are using the resources they already
have in a better way.
The most significant change is adding the fire marshal burn permit program.
He expects to earn revenues from that program. He expects sluggish growth in the
year ahead, but the permit numbers are strong.
He will look at new efforts for transportation planning in the county while
working with the Council of Governments, especially in the east county. That would
help the Port of Bellingham to take away from the I -5 corridor and spread traffic
out. It would connect rural businesses to economic opportunities. He will also look
at the Gateway industrial area. Department managers are encouraging that
development to come forward.
Crawford asked what has happened with the appeal of the Gateway
Industrial project at Bakerview.
Sylvia Goodwin, Planing Division Manager, stated nothing further has
happened. At this time, the urban growth area (UGA) and gateway industrial
zoning are valid. The City of Bellingham appealed it, and it is in the scheduling
process.
Imhof asked if there are any unapproved additional services requests (ASR's)
that are critical. Hart stated they are all valid requests. Given the nature of the
budget this year, what is approved is consistent with what he asked for. The
largest request deals with the Tidemark system. It is the system that is the heart
of Roland Middleton's division. The system moves permits from point A to point B.
The department has a goal to move towards electronic government. Planning and
Development Services (PDS) is a couple of steps away from that. By not moving
this forward this year, it stretches the timeline out. There are some upgrades to
accomplish this year without that system and within the existing budget. The
Tidemark system helps the staff track the permit as it goes through the process.
That is the primary goal of the system.
Dawson asked where they are with the archeological maps. Hart stated he
sent staff to training. He continues to negotiate with the State.
Roland Middleton, Land Use Division Manager, stated they are looking at
establishing the memorandum of understanding with the office of Archeology and
Historic Preservation. Staff is doing that systematically so as not to lengthen the
building permit process. They want to address the issues with regard to cultural
resources, but do it exactly right. They will do the archeological review in -house
instead of sending it to Olympia. The County will incur a responsibility for upkeep
of the information. This project is not one of listed goals, but part of a listed goal to
do an evaluation and reorganization of the Land Use Division. He is hoping to
streamline the different areas, including the cultural resources area.
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 4
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Hart stated the staff doesn't want to add to timelines for review. Keep the
system user - friendly.
Crawford asked reason for $30,000 for the Conservation District. Hart stated
it is to do farm plans. The Conservation District asked to increase the number of
farm plans over the years.
Goodwin stated it is an ongoing program. If it is not funded, the
Conservation District has no capacity to do farm plans. Farm plans are mandated
by the critical area ordinance to be done by the Conservation District. If the County
doesn't fund the mandated farm plans, the County would have to amend the critical
area ordinance. The County can't mandate that the Conservation District do
something, without the County paying for it. The Conservation District could charge
the property owners for the farm plans. The Conservation District requested an
additional $15,000 on top of what they get now to do a study of Bertrand Creek.
Crawford asked if the County is the only source of funding for the farm plans.
Goodwin stated the County is, for critical area ordinance issues. The Conservation
District receives other money from the Department of Agriculture for other works,
but not for those particular farm plans.
Crawford asked when the farm plan kicks in. Middleton stated a farm plan
has to be done when a farmer wants to do something on his or her property. If an
agricultural activity is within a buffer, his enforcement officer will contact the person
to tell the owner to move out of the buffer or get a farm plan.
Crawford asked if there was discussion with the Conservation District on
what it will do if it doesn't get funding. Goodwin stated she doesn't know what the
Conservation District will do. They might be able to do a user fee. The other
option is for the farmer to move out of the critical areas and not get a farm plan.
There is a backlog of requests for farm plans because the $15,000 the County pays
now is not enough to do them all. Not funding the farm plans would make the
waiting list go away.
Crawford asked how many they do a year. Hart stated the Conservation
District writes about 30 farm plans per year.
Crawford asked if the administration discussed the funding cut for the
Conservation District farm plan funding.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated he tried to focus on outcomes.
He did not get information on the savings that would occur in the County by this
program. He needs to know the benefits to the County.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Desler continued to state that, with regard to farm planning, that County has
to set priorities. He doesn't want to hinder farmers, but farmers ought to
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 5
1 contribute to this effort. They are the ones who seek to develop the property. He
2 is interested in entertaining other ideas for funding.
3
4 Crawford stated the County developed the critical area ordinance to address
5 fecal coliforms in the streams. They are talking about changing long -term
6 behaviors and beliefs held by the dairy community in terms of raising cattle in
7 streams and near streams. It has been County practice to exercise caution when
8 implementing new regulations that have a financial implication on the farmer. One
9 creative solution was that site - specific plans could be developed. He toured some
10 of the farms that have farm plans. The farmers were very enthusiastic. The result
11 of thirty plans per year is a measurable outcome. Given the overall potential cost
12 of the critical area ordinance, this seems like a bargain. Another outcome would be
13 to have a review of the fecal coliform in the streams on an ongoing basis. They
14 have to take a practical approach to helping these farmers. Not funding the farm
15 plans would be a shift in practice and policy on how the County has approached
16 helping the dairy farmers specifically and the agricultural community in general.
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18 Imhof stated it has been going for three or four years. The people who were
19 most impacted, especially the ones who are responsible, have already gone through
20 the program. It may be time to shift away from it. Begin to wean them off it, and
21 pay half. Still put the $15,000 into the water quality testing on Bertrand Creek,
22 and then make the farmer take some responsibility to get that done. They receive
23 a benefit also. This program was done as an experiment to entice people into the
24 program.
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26 Hart stated they have to look at it holistically. The County is potentially
27 looking at a large expenditure for the first time in the purchase of development
28 rights for agriculture. There are many efforts at voluntarily planting in the Ten Mile
29 Creek. All but two of the landowners in the Ten Mile Creek watershed are doing
30 plantings. Another reaction to the Snohomish County critical area ordinance has to
31 do with a right to plow ordinance. The County needs to work closely with the
32 agricultural community. Look at all the things the County is doing.
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34 Imhof stated the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is
35 beginning now, too. There are programs in place to benefit the farmers and move
36 them back from the stream.
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38 Hart stated that in the year ahead, they have to do the five -year evaluation
39 of the Comprehensive Plan. An issue to look at is whether the County is imposing
40 additional burden on what the normal practices are.
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42 Desler stated the administration welcomes a complete dialogue with the
43 Council on who pays for land use regulations that the County requires. There are
44 impacts when the County changes regulations. There are going to be significant
45 costs in modifying the procedures. As revenues decline, look at increasing fees to
46 pay for the cost of services. Whatcom County has had the lowest increase in tax
47 rates of all municipal corporations in the State of Washington. That is something to
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 6
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be proud of, but it comes with careful review of the things they do and how they
are paid for.
WHAT -COMM /COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS /MEDIC ONE /NON- DEPARTMENTAL
Desler stated the County uses the non - departmental fund to pay for services
that are inside the corporation of Whatcom County, but are shared between and
among many departments. The non - departmental fund is sharing the cost of
things that benefit all departments. The budget reduces the money that flows
through the non - departmental fund. Most of the contributions the County makes to
organizations that it purchases services from are either level or slightly reduced.
The only exception to that is the contribution the County makes for the cost of
Whatcom Medic One.
Imhof asked about an increase to the North Cascade Chamber of Commerce.
Desler stated that is funding out of hotel /motel tax. It is one -time assistance for
more advertising and distribution of information about the benefits of the North
Cascade community. The administration moved money from Ferndale Chamber of
Commerce to this area.
Imhof stated that the ambulance item is increased a bit, but the rest is
status quo.
Brian Chesler, citizen, stated he would speak on behalf of Henry Bierlink
about the starling control program. They have been trying to match County funds
from the dairy and blueberry growers. They have been successful with the
program. The program contracts with the U.S. Department of Agriculture through
their animal damage control division. There is a full time trapper for the county
who spends three days a week controlling starlings and pigeons. The other two
days are spent on coyote, skunks, and airport issues. He thanked the Council for
its contribution.
Brad Burdick, Mount Baker Theater, thanked the Council for its ongoing
support of education programs. Fifteen thousand kids enjoy the theater a year.
Gordon Rogers, Council of Government, stated they are ready and able to
assist with projects that are of a bigger scope and are difficult to handle financially.
The Council of Governments can cooperate with cities, County, and other entities.
Imhof asked if financing for COG is based on a per capita basis. Rogers
stated it is for the County and the City.
Joy Keenan, Whatcom Volunteer Center, thanked the Council for continuing
its level of funding. The center has over 2,000 volunteers and 300 partner agencies
that use volunteers. The County government gets about 18,000 hours of volunteer
service per year. Hovander House is operated and open because of volunteers.
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 7
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Intalco employees have volunteered 7,000 hours. They have built playground
equipment throughout the county, worked at food banks, and done other programs.
MISCELLANEOUS
Crawford asked how leave payout works. Desler stated the County asks the
departments to estimate when they expect various members of the staff to retire.
When a person retires, he or she is able to cash out the values of his or her sick
and vacation leave. The administration tries to get departments to cover those
expenses of the cash out, as a part of the regular budget, but that is not always
possible. The administration set up a fund to cover those cash out requirements.
If they put it in the department's budget, it might leave a great deal of budget
authority where it is not necessary if the person doesn't leave. If it is a non -
departmental line item, it allows the administration better control over those
dollars. It is a management tool.
Imhof stated he would talk to George Boggs about the Conservation District
program. He would also talk to Hal Hart about the permit plan upgrade. He would
like to see the permit information on the internet so a person could track his or her
permit from home.
Desler stated the County has many choices to make in how it spends its
money. The administration is trying to develop plans that get at the most effective
approaches for the issues that exist. They continue to challenge the departments
to focus on those things that have the most impact to improve quality of service to
the citizens. If the department can't justify an investment that they propose to
make, based on those two outcomes, then the administration does not get excited
about it. They are working on plans for how to approach the systems he described.
If plans are proposed mid -year or other than through the normal budget process,
and it appears that the plan is a useful investment that results in achievements,
then he will bring it forward to the Council in a supplemental budget request. The
Council hasn't seen some of the changes, investments, or allocation of resources in
this process during August through now, because the administration is not ready to
present to the Council a clear path for achieving better customer service and
reducing costs. When they get to that point, and the administration is ready to
address it, it will address it.
There will be a few technical corrections prior to adoption. There are
constant changes every day. One change since the budget was delivered is a clear
indication that the City of Bellingham will fund $40,000 to the Law and Justice
Council and its efforts. That revenue and expenditure is not in this budget. The
administration will propose a technical correction from $50,000 to $90,000 or more,
which includes the amount the County is budgeting.
It is important to this administration to look to the Council for direction,
assistance, and wisdom. The administration respects the work of the Council, and
wants to continue with the direction of the strategic plan.
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 8
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Robert Imhof, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Service Committee - 2002 Budget, 11/1/2001, Page 9