HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance August 13 20021
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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
August 13, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Committee Chair Sam
Crawford in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present:
Dan McShane
Sharon Roy
Also Present:
L. Ward Nelson
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Barbara Brenner
Seth Fleetwood
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
Absent:
None
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #02-
51 NORTH BELLINGHAM AREA CLASS B ASPHALT OVERLAY PROJECT,
TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, WHATCOM BUILDERS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $192,453 (AB2002 -301)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked where in the North Bellingham area is this. She is concerned
that they do not do Bellingham's work in an area Bellingham is going to annex.
Mike Roberts, Assistant County Road Engineer, stated there are five lane
miles to overlay. The areas are the Alderwood, Cherrywood, Willowwood,
Redwood, and Cliffside areas. It is outside the city limits, but in the defined urban
area.
Brenner asked if this area will be annexed in the foreseeable future. Roberts
stated he is not aware that the City has plans for annexation.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND STEWARD +KING
PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE FOR MASTER FACILITIES PLANNING,
PHASE I, IN THE AMOUNT OF $94,375 (AB2002 -302)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
Crawford stated the committee would discuss this item and the next two
items concurrently.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the administration has been
discussing the need to do a master facilities plan for the County buildings. It is a
precursor to construction of a jail, consolidating the Health and Human Services
Department, and future building sites, rehabilitation, sale, and construction. They
considered a number of proposals, and selected a team to begin the yearlong
process. When completed, a series of recommendations will need Council review
and approval. At the end of the process, they will have a plan for the future. The
Council budgeted for this effort. They've gotten some grant funds to help pay for
this. The administration recommends also using rural sales tax money for this
effort. They will not use any general fund money for this project. This plan is
fundamental to making any large decisions on building and land investments by the
County.
Brenner stated she doesn't support this. She was told in the past that the
County has been doing this planning. She's concerned that they will find an
insulated third party to make recommendations, and then the County can change it
after the fact if they don't like the recommendation. This should have happened
before the Civic Center building was purchased. She said at that time that the Civic
Center purchase should have been part of an overall plan, and was assured that
planning was already being done. Desler stated the public deserves adequate
master planning before taking on new buildings or spending large amounts of
money on the buildings they already have. He is amazed that the County didn't do
master facilities planning before spending $27 million on the courthouse renovation.
The courthouse does not meet the County's needs. Any large corporation goes
through a master planning process to indicate where they are going to site their
buildings and what the purpose of the buildings is. Everyone needs to be involved
in the process. If it wasn't done before, it is legitimate to decry that, but they can
do it now.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if phase II is where they target purchase,
renovation, and acquisition. Desler stated future phases will include the specific
architectural engineering associated with a given project. For example, if they
decide to build a jail, they will do the planning for that jail in this project.
Roy stated buildings and facilities need to reflect programs and operations.
The Law and Justice Plan makes recommendations for things such as satellite
offices and upgrading the justice management information system. They know
research has been going on regarding law and justice issues. There will be a lot of
information related to specific aspects of the operations and programs. Don't look
at buildings separate from the operations. That information should be integrated.
Desler stated the administration's intent is to do that. He is asking that this effort
plan for 40 or 50 years. This may be the first of a number of future steps. The
only things they are not looking at are parks, trails, and senior activity centers,
which are excluded from the agreement.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
They've been encouraging the City of Bellingham to do the same planning
process. The City can join the County in this process. The County Council just
approved developing a new municipal corporation, the public facilities district. That
district is to integrate the City and County plans, so they can use this civic area
campus cohesively into the future.
Brenner stated the County's revenues are falling. There isn't anything that
indicates expanding revenues in the future. If this plan is going to happen, it
should happen in a way that they reduce and consolidate, not expand and relocate.
Desler stated a fundamental decision is what they predict for the County. The
Council can help them determine if the County is going to grow.
Crawford stated they are spending $350,000. The State provided a grant of
$50,000. He asked how much money is currently in the rural sales tax fund.
Desler stated there is approximately $4.7 million in the rural sales tax fund. The
fund accrues $1.8 million per year. They are seeking to use that fund source to pay
for other key facilities.
Crawford asked if the State Attorney General determined that this is an
appropriate use. Desler stated that is correct.
Crawford stated there has been a lack of coordinated planning for this issue.
When they began planning to develop a master facilities plan, he was shocked at
the price of the planning process. He supports the concept. The community would
like to know where a new jail will be and what the options are.
Nelson stated the request for proposals (RFP) process requested two
proposals. He asked if a limit of two is typical. Desler stated the administration
desired to look at different alternatives that might exist. They've seen a limit of
two used in other places.
Brenner stated the county will grow. Her concern is about where the county
will grow. Growth will happen more and more in incorporated areas. The other
cities and urban growth areas should be on board. When the Civic Center building
was purchased, she was told that there was already an ongoing planning process.
Desler stated that the Law and Justice Plan recommends that the County go
through this process to coordinate any other investment decisions. The County has
a lot of different functions. Many of them will be reflected in the growth happening
in urban areas. The Health Department and Auditor's Office are regional services.
The entire justice system is a regional system, irrespective of where people live.
Crawford asked who the liaison officer for the project would be. Desler
stated the facilities supervisor would be the liaison officer.
Brenner stated the City of Bellingham recently took back some of their court
services. That can happen as cities grow. They need to deal with the possibility
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
that some of the cities will take over some of the services as they expand. The
County needs long -range agreements with the cities to take over their services.
McShane stated the cities can't take over much regarding crime. It is State
law that a lot of the criminal charges would still pass through the County. Planning
for that will be tricky.
McShane moved to recommend approval of items two, three, and four to the
full Council.
Roy stated she would like to amend Council packet page 18, "Note: Article
....fn-ay will be implemented in a later phase of...." Parks, trails, and activity
centers are a critical part of the whole county planning process.
McShane accepted the suggestion as a friendly amendment.
Nelson asked if there is a financial impact to the change of the contract.
Roy stated there is not a financial impact.
Crawford stated this is an item that has been deleted from the contract
anyway. Councilmember Roy's intention is that anyone who reviews it in the
future would understand that the Council's intent is to pursue it in the future.
Brenner stated she hoped the process would seek public input.
Motion to recommend approval as amended carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND HDR ENGINEERING,
INC. TO PROVIDE FOR MASTER FACILITIES PLANNING, PHASE I, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $102,357 (AB2002 -302A)
See item two, above.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE OMNI- GROUP,
INC. TO PROVIDE MASTER FACILITIES PLANNING, PHASE I IN THE
AMOUNT OF $152,195 (AB2002 -302B)
See item two, above.
S. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL COUNTY ROAD FUNDS FOR
COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NO. 998002, PARK ROAD RECONSTRUCTION
IN THE AMOUNT OF $985,900 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF
$4,845,900 (AB2002 -303)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated that in 1997, Park Road
was moved forward on the priority list. It took four years to hire a consultant to do
permitting and two years to get a wetland permit. They started construction in
2001. It is a very poor area. It was very expensive to do the project. During
construction, the costs became worse. The project required more rock than they
thought. There are very poor soils with lots of moisture. The overrun costs are due
to more excavation, more riprap rock, and more gravel base than it was anticipated
they needed. They need an additional $110,000 above what he asked for. He
submitted a revised resolution with the amount at $4,955,00.
In hindsight, they could have done a lot more soils testing, but that would
have been expensive and difficult. It would have given them a more accurate
picture of how much they would have to expend. He takes responsibility for the
project overruns.
Crawford asked what the cost savings would have been if they had spent the
money and done the tests ahead of time. Mills stated they could have decided
whether they want to spend $5 million on the project, which is where they are at,
or the $4 million they approved originally.
Crawford asked if there wouldn't have been much cost savings and if it would
simply have been a matter of being more knowledgeable about the cost
requirements. Mills stated that is correct. The quantities of materials required
increased from what they estimated. If they had known about the increased
quantities, they might have gotten a better volume discount on the bids. However,
the volumes were already pretty high, so they had good bid prices to begin with. It
would have been a better tool for the County to decide whether or not it wants to
spend that much money on the road, or to consider doing something different with
the project.
Brenner stated it is an important project. It was important to have the soils
testing done up front so they look like they know what they are doing. She is
concerned that they will be back to do this again. Mills stated there are no
guarantees that Park Road will not continue to have more maintenance problems.
The road is still in a poor spot. They've taken care of what they can.
Nelson asked if the overruns pay for things they've already done. Mills
stated they are halfway through the $1.1 million of overruns.
Nelson asked how they get out of this, if the Council doesn't approve the
funds. Mills stated that if they stop the work now, it will be a gravel road without
guardrails or a surface. A few embankments are left to be finished.
The administration doesn't have to bring a project back to the Council unless
it goes more than ten percent over construction costs. He thought they were within
that limit. He should have come to the Council a lot sooner. At the time he
brought this forward, they'd just gone over the ten percent limit.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Mills continued to state that if the Council does not approve this project, the
project will not be finished. It will have to stay in the state it is in today. There is
pavement on the east end of the road, which is what they did last year because
they didn't want to leave it in gravel all winter long. In 2001 they did phase one,
which was mostly the east half of the project toward Highway 9. When they
finished last year, it was too late for the crews to chip seal. They decided to put
one layer of asphalt on that area. This year, they came through and finished the
west end of the project.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council. She asked about the
map (on file). Mills stated there used to be a very sharp curve with a 75- degree
radius. They softened the radius of the curve. In doing that, it pulled the road
away from the Park Store. It left a larger area. It is still in the County right -of-
way, which goes almost to the store's building. They are looking at what they can
do with the extra area in front of the store. They thought about installing a berm,
but that would have to be maintained and may be a sight distance problem and
safety hazard. They decided to chip seal that area, and install large traffic buttons
to guide drivers around the area. That is what they are proposing to do, which
hasn't made either of the constituents happy. They paved an area in front of the
store, which had a small paved area before the project. He decided to chip seal the
area to cut down on costs. It was pointed out that chip seal can get very hot in the
summer, it is thin, and motorcycles with kickstands can go right through a thin
layer of chip seal. He decided to pave a small slab in front of the store instead.
They've done that, and they are going to chip seal the rest.
Roy asked if it is part of the same package. Mills stated it is.
Roy stated a constituent is complaining about a site problem from her
driveway. Mills stated that when they paved that area, they installed plastic
candles around it to keep people off the brand new asphalt. The candles will be
removed. There shouldn't be any site distance problems at that intersection.
Brenner asked why they did not install gravel instead of paving the area in
front of the store. Mills stated the area had a small asphalt surface before the
project. They are putting back what was already there. If they left it gravel, the
gravel would kick into the road. They are going to pave all the driveway aprons
into Park Road so people don't drag gravel onto the road.
Brenner stated it might save them some money to not pave it. She asked
why they have to pave it. Mills stated they are trying to put back what was there
before.
Roy asked if the Executive approved the request for funds for the cost
overruns. Desler stated the Executive shares similar concerns.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
Caskey- Schreiber asked why they decided to change the bend in the road
when there have already been cost overruns. Constituents are concerned about
reshaping the bend in the road. Mills stated it was for safety purposes. The road
radius was so tight that a safe speed for the curve was 15 miles per hour. The
speed limit is 35 miles per hour on the road. Whenever they reconstruct a road,
they try to bring the curves up to the speed limit.
Brenner stated she is very concerned because the Executive hasn't signed off
on the request. The Council shouldn't do anything until the Executive signs off on
it. This is coming from the administration.
Nelson stated the sharp curve was to protect the railroad tracks. It slows
people down. He asked how often the railroad tracks are being used. Mills stated
he doesn't know that they are being used at all. He tried to petition to get the
tracks removed.
McShane stated he's appreciated Mr. Mills' work over the years. He asked
why this project was moved forward on the priority list. Mills stated there was a
concerted effort by residents to move the project forward.
McShane asked if the Engineering Division was interested in prioritizing this
higher. Mills stated it was not. It was on the list as something they would like to
do. Combine that with the extra interest by the residents, staff was able to secure
$1 million from the State for the project.
McShane asked how often projects get moved forward because of public
input. Mills stated it is rare.
McShane stated that the Council may react to any input more than it should,
because of that lack of input. There are a lot of roads in this county. They could
close some of the roads. Mills stated they are considering closing Frost Road
because it is used very little.
Motion to recommend approval of the resolution in the amended amount of
$4,955,000 carried 2 -1 with Roy opposed.
6. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NO. 902023
AND THE AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE SAMISH WAY OVERLAY
FROM INTERSTATE 5 TO THE BELLINGHAM CITY LIMITS, TO WILDER
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AS LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $1,734,765 (AB2002 -304)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONSULTANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CES,
INC. TO PROVIDE PHASE 1 DESIGN TO REPLACE POTTER ROAD
BRIDGES NO.'S 148 AND 149, IN THE AMOUNT OF $82,510 (AB2002-
305)
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
McShane asked why they need to replace the bridge.
Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated it is a single lane bridge.
They are receiving funds from the federal government to replace this. There has
been a lot of interest by the Nooksack Tribe, which has housing on the other side.
Whenever the County has to do repairs on the bridge, they have to close the road,
and residents don't have access. It is at a point where the old steel truss bridge
does not carry modern loads. It is still sound structurally.
McShane asked if the 80 percent federal match is for the length of the
project. Mills stated the 80 percent federal match is for the bridge replacement.
This request is for the design phase. They will take the cost results of phase one to
the federal government, which will approve the cost for phase two, final design and
construction.
Crawford asked if there is a salmon enhancement issue. Mills stated they will
have to meet all the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. This will be a
large project to permit.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
WHATCOM COUNTY AND CATALYST CONSULTING, TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR CONTINUED ADMINISTRATIVE AND
COMMUNICATION SERVICES FOR THE NON - MUNICIPAL WATER
DISTRICTS CAUCUSES THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
WATERSHED PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 (AB2002 -306)
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
McShane stated he did not vote for this last time.
Motion carried 2 -1 with McShane opposed.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CASCADIA
CONSULTING GROUP TO PERFORM A RECYCLING POTENTIAL
ASSESSMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE SOLID
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN, IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 (AB2002-
307)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner stated the County has a supposed solid waste specialist in the
position. However, that staff person isn't really a solid waste specialist. Eliminate
that position during the budget process. She is appalled and insulted that they are
doing this. A solid waste specialist is supposed to be able to do this.
Fleetwood asked where the solid waste funds come from.
McShane stated they come from garbage fees.
Roy stated she would support this, however she hoped Councilmember
Brenner would bring this up during budget time.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND EARTH
TECH TO ASSIST COUNTY STAFF AND THE LUMMI ISLAND PLANNING
COMMITTEE IN COMPLETING A DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE SUBAREA
PLAN FOR LUMMI ISLAND IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 (AB2002-
308)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford stated the Lummi Island Planning Committee is a good cross -
section of all the interests on the island. He wants to make sure staff is
comfortable with that.
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated the Lummi Island
Planning Committee is a group of citizens appointed by the County Executive.
Everyone who put in an application was included. She doesn't know if they are a
good cross - section of the interests in the community.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE ELECTION TO RECEIVE
NATIONAL FOREST RELATED SAFETY -NET PAYMENTS UNDER P.L.
106 -393 (AB2002 -309)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County receives $2 million
under the Secure Schools Funding Act from the federal government. Money is
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, 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.
divided into three titles. The County chooses how it divides the money. About 80
percent is designed to go in equal shares to county schools and county roads. The
remainder can be assigned to Title II or Title III. Title II funds are devoted to
efforts to improve trails, forest ecology, and fish habitat that is associated with the
National Forest. Title III funds relate to the County's interaction with the support
services in the National Forest.
Assigning money to Title III reduces other federal funds the County uses to
provide services throughout the community. The administration believes they don't
need to assign any more money to Title III. Last year, the County assigned
$404,000 to Title III that they can use over the next several years. Assigning
money to Title II would allow the County to focus on projects in the National Forest.
There is an advisory committee comprised of people from Whatcom and Skagit
counties. The advisory committee has a priority list of projects for the funds.
Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF THE GREATER WHATCOM
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION (AB2002 -248A)
Brenner referenced page I -3. In the first paragraph, it says the retail and
wholesale trade is about 25 percent of local jobs. In another section, the plan says
that the percentage is 26 percent. She would like the percentages to be the same.
In the third paragraph on page I -3, she asked for a definition of service industries.
The percentages for manufacturing and construction, retail and wholesale, and
service industries add up to 73 percent. She asked what the other 23 percent
represents.
On page I -9 regarding mineral resources, the types of mineral resources are
listed. She asked if peat is considered a mineral resource.
Steve Jilk, Port of Bellingham, stated it is a mineral resource.
Brenner stated the second paragraph in item three on page I -9 talks about
excavation of river gravel occurring primarily on the banks of the Nooksack River.
She asked if they are excavating river gravel now.
McShane stated they are not.
Brenner stated the language should say excavation used to happen, but
doesn't anymore.
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On page I -12, she was shocked to learn that Ferndale has almost as many
commercial acres as Bellingham. She asked if that statistic is correct. Jilk stated
he would check that statistic. He believes it is correct.
She asked about page II -3, the last paragraph and the last sentence. She
asked if the statistic regarding density per square mile is accurate. Jilk stated he
would check on that statistic also.
Brenner referenced page II -6, chart five, bottom graph age groups. She is
surprised that the amount of those people who are aged 65 and older has dropped.
She's heard that more retired people are coming into Whatcom County. Jilk stated
the numbers came from the U.S. federal census.
Brenner referenced page table three on page III -3 regarding jobs and wages.
She asked if they are saying that wages in the service industry have risen. Jilk
stated the number of people employed in the service industry has increased, but
the wages only increased from 13 to 21 percent. That statistic is an average of the
total wages in all industries paid in the county.
Brenner referenced page III -7 regarding forestry. She asked that the fourth
sentence in the second paragraph identify the specific watershed in references. Jilk
stated he will clarify that it references the Nooksack watershed.
Brenner referenced page III -12, regarding resale and wholesale, in the first
paragraph. The percentage should be consistent with page I -3, where it says that
retail and wholesale trade is about 25 percent of local jobs. The percentages for
that statistic are different.
Brenner stated page III -15 talks about government. She asked if the
statistic about growing public employment is accurate. She believes she was told
that County government has not grown. She was surprised at that statistic. Jilk
stated that statistic also includes Western Washington University, Whatcom
Community College, and Bellingham Technical College. Western Washington
University is now the single largest employer in the county. When they consider
the substantial employment increase at Western Washington University, the
statistic is accurate. The statistic is the average rate of growth since 1970.
Brenner referenced page III -23. The statement that government will grow
more rapidly than other sectors doesn't match with what she's heard about the
universities and what she knows about the County government. Wages are not
rising with inflation. She is surprised by this statistic.
She referenced page III -24, item five. The last sentence is completely
opposite of what she's been hearing during the labor negotiations. Jilk stated he
could clarify those two sections. They are talking about total wages in an industry,
not the average wage.
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Crawford asked Mr. ]ilk to address Councilmember Brenner's concerns at the
evening Council meeting. Jilk stated he would check the accuracy of and provide
clarification on Councilmember Brenner's concerns.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she is concerned about how the County government
fits into implementation and prioritization of the projects. She didn't see that
specified. The plan establishes criteria. She asked who would have the final say.
Jilk stated the recommendation for the prioritization process is one example of a
process that could be used. The recommendation was only provided as a basis for
getting some discussion going on how the prioritization process should go.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side B.)
Caskey continued to ask if they are comfortable putting this forward, and
later working out the process.
Crawford stated he would ask some very specific questions about the
County's role.
Caskey- Schreiber stated some of it seemed dated, given the definition of the
Economic Development Council (EDC) and its changing role. On page VII -6, the
items spell out the roles of the EDC and Chamber of Commerce. She asked that
the plan does not specifically define the role of the EDC. Jilk stated these
recommendations on the action plan items were finalized about six weeks ago. The
input the committee used to develop the recommendation was generated over a
period of nine months. The things that are currently happening in the EDC are very
recent. Put the recommendations in perspective. From the standpoint of a
countywide economic development program, one of the key elements is marketing.
The EDC has historically been the marketing /business attraction arm of the
economic development program for all of Whatcom County. When this
recommendation was developed, the EDC was doing that. The recommendation
says it recognizes that marketing and business attraction is a key piece of an
economic development program, and the EDC in place was doing that at the time
the recommendation was made.
Caskey- Schreiber stated she would be more comfortable in supporting this
document if the Port was willing to change the designation from the EDC specifically
to a lead entity in general.
Crawford stated that he has served as the Council's representative on the
EDC for the last two and a half years. The EDC, as he went into it, felt it had four
areas of responsibility. Those four areas were new business attraction, business
formation, business expansion, and retention. It became apparent to him that the
EDC was a staff of three people trying to take responsibility for a phenomenal task.
Those four areas cover all the aspects. There was duplication with the Chamber of
Commerce, Port of Bellingham, and other entities. The organization was trying to
be everything to everybody. Coupled with that were issues with the leadership of
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the EDC. The current board and community felt it was an ineffective organization.
All along, he supported and let people know that the EDC could best do marketing
of Whatcom County to outside areas. This proposal is mirrored by a current
process that the board of the EDC is going through to redefine what it is doing.
That process has not reached conclusion. He likes what this strategy tells the EDC
to do. it would help the EDC understand what it should be. There are a lot of
feelings about what the EDC should be doing. The EDC is a viable community
organization with a lot of private businesses involved. That entity needs to be told
what its role is.
Caskey- Schreiber stated her concern with the strategy is if the EDC continues
operating solely because of what this strategy says if it becomes defunct or if it is
better suited to combine with another entity.
Crawford stated they don't know where the EDC will be in two years. It is an
organization in transition.
Caskey- Schreiber stated that is her point. They should create some
flexibility in the strategy instead of requiring them to deal with an organization that
is in a precarious situation.
Crawford stated he would support a recommendation of the strategy with an
added sentence that says, "The effectiveness of the marketing efforts of the EDC
would be monitored on an ongoing basis, and their assignments may be
redirected." He asked if there are performance measurements on the EDC. Jilk
stated there is not specifically.
Crawford stated they don't know who it would be if it weren't the EDC. ]ilk
stated he agreed with Councilmember Caskey- Schreiber and suggested they amend
the language, "...and define the a lead marketing entity...." The EDC may
look quite different six months from now. There has been realization through this
CEDS process that economic development is a program and a process. It is not
just doing business attraction and building, creating, and maintaining jobs. A
broader perspective needs to be taken. The EDC or another economic development
agency needs to function within the bigger picture.
Fleetwood stated this is a living, breathing document that can be modified
and refined from time to time. Jilk agreed. They'd like to do annual updates.
There are two parts of this that are essential. This strategy creates an opportunity
for all public and private agencies to come together and focus on that work effort.
Secondly, the strategy provides an opportunity for the public to be involved in a
process, which seems to have been appreciated. They hope to continue the
process and make it an ongoing process. Do the updates to the strategy annually.
Fleetwood asked what action is triggered if the Council approves the
resolution to support the strategy at its evening meeting. ]ilk stated two things will
happen. It will provide an opportunity to submit the document to the federal
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, Page 13
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 Economic Development Administration (EDA) for their approval, which provides
2 funding opportunities for projects that are listed in the document. Secondly,
3 approval provides the opportunity for the Partnership to work with all the agencies
4 that are designated in the plan and to begin implementation strategies.
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6 Fleetwood stated a local newspaper was critical of the strategy. He read a
7 portion of the article. He asked for Mr. ]ilk's response to the article. ]ilk stated it
8 has been a tremendous opportunity. Based upon comments received at the nine
9 community meetings, this is the first time that there has been a true public process
10 to get input and use the input to develop any County plan other than the
11 Comprehensive Plan. The Port was initially hesitant in opening up the public
12 process. However, a true public process that will continue is a major step in the
13 planning process. Just because the Port has financed this Partnership, it doesn't
14 mean that the Port has the answer to what the community wants. The Port said
15 early on that the community needs to define for itself what is meant by "sustainable
16 development." That has been the issue in the County. People don't agree on what
17 they really want this county to be, in terms of development. One of the
18 recommendations in the strategy is to hold a community summit to define
19 sustainable development. The advisory committee went through nine months of
20 work, and decided they couldn't define it. There needs to be more public input and
21 dialogue on what it means in this county. They also need to define 'sustainable
22 development" in terms of this document. It may mean something different.
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24 He acknowledged the people who worked on the advisory committee for the
25 past nine months. Early on, they said they could complete a CEDS plan within a
26 couple of months by updating the statistics in the 1993 plan, and the EDA would
27 have been satisfied. However, early on they also said that they want this to be the
28 start of something fresh and new in the county, in terms of a process that the
29 community can buy into. This is the first major step.
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31 Desler stated they also need to adopt the CEDS as the Comprehensive Plan's
32 Economic Development Plan. Add language to the resolution on Council packet
33 page three, "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council adopts the CEDS as the
34 County's overall economic development plan." They need to have a plan officially
35 adopted by the County Council, according to State law. This document was always
36 intended to be the County's adopted economic development plan.
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38 McShane stated he is not comfortable adopting this as the economic
39 development plan, but it can guide the County's economic development plan
40 portion of the Comprehensive Plan. On page III -7, there was some editorializing
41 about the softwood lumber dispute. He is not sure it is accurate. It is out of
42 character from the rest of the document. ]ilk stated there has been an extensive
43 amount of work done by the Port and Chamber of Commerce working with four
44 large employers in the county. They are classified as "softwood reman" companies.
45 The Port did a study last year to see if the free trade zone could assist them in
46 working through the issue of the tariff. During that process, they collected
47 information on the effects of the tariff on those industries and the number of jobs in
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those industries. They also worked with Washington D.C. attorneys who deal with
trade agreements. They are now looking for assistance in lobbying on this issue.
McShane stated there have been studies done on timber prices for raw
timber in Whatcom County, the sawmills in Whatcom County, and the impact of the
cheap lumber coming out of Canada. The flip side is that there are portions of
Whatcom County's economy that would be helped by this. Jilk agreed. They would
like to have Western Washington University look at that.
McShane stated the language is very slanted. The other side of the coin is
the economic benefit to having that tariff for certain businesses. Jilk stated that in
terms of the number of jobs currently in place, these are accurate numbers. They
need to look at the other side before they take a position on the tariff. These
numbers of jobs are being threatened.
McShane stated Brooks Manufacturing is a substantial remanufacturing
company for lumber. It may be worthwhile to speak with that company.
Crawford stated this is not specifically a Finance Committee issue. He
suggested that they move this back to the full Council for recommendation of
approval. Some amendments may be suggested during the full Council meeting.
McShane moved to recommend approval of the resolution, as it is written, to
the full Council.
Roy stated she has a number of changes she wants to make during the
regular County Council meeting.
Desler stated they can't use Rural Sales Tax money on projects that have
been identified as important for this county, unless it is part of an officially adopted
overall economic development plan or the County's Comprehensive Plan. They are
not going to address the County's Comprehensive Plan again until November. In
order to adequately address some issues in this county, he advocated that this plan
was designed to be the vehicle for moving forward on economic development and
public facilities using the Rural Sales Tax. They have to get this document
approved at some point.
Crawford stated this document specifically addresses the Washington
Community Economic Revitalization Team (WA -CERT) process, but not the Rural
Sales Tax. Desler stated it does. The strategy lists projects that the County might
engage in. If the projects are listed in the plan, they are eligible for Rural Sales
Tax money. They are listed in the Community and Economic Development Project
List, at the end of the strategy.
Crawford asked if the facility improvements are eligible for the use of the
Rural Sales Tax money because they are listed in the appendix of the plan. If they
don't pass this, they don't get to use that money. Desler stated that is correct.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 8/13/2002, Page 15
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Motion carried 2 -1 with Roy opposed.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:07 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, 8/13/2002, Page 16