HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance June 18 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
June 18, 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: Absent:
Dan McShane None
Sharon Roy
Also Present:
Barbara Brenner
Laurie Caskey- Schreiber
Seth Fleetwood
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2002 BUDGET, REQUEST #7 (AB2002-
223)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the proposed budget includes
$100,000 to pay for the mercury study. Of that, $45,000 comes from the City of
Bellingham, $10,000 comes from Water District 10, and $45,000 comes from the
County's Water Resources fund.
Another item is to appropriate $45,000 to contract with an organization that
submitted a proposal under Title III of the Secure Schools Funding Act, to allow the
youth to do restoration work throughout the county.
Item three is $13,000 for extra help and upgrading the Planning
Department's Tidemark system. Funding would come from fees.
Item four is $40,000 to fund an aggregate study. He proposed a change to
that item. Initially, they tried to fund half the cost of the study from the general
fund and half from Road fund. However, the Road fund isn't legally appropriate for
this function. The administration recommends that the entire money come from
the general fund.
Crawford asked if it would be appropriate to use the Road fund for the actual
on- the - ground projects. He asked if it would be legal to use the Road fund for any
road - related studies.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, stated there are a number of studies that
the Road fund can be used for to perform. It is not clear when it is a direct benefit
to the road system, compared to being more general in nature.
Crawford stated that is why they were going to split the cost of the program.
Monsen stated there was some discussion with the State Auditor on this issue. The
Auditor asked if the Road fund would normally perform the study, in its current
scope, on its own. The answer is no, which suggests that the Road fund is not
eligible to pay for a portion of it. It is different than changing the design of the
study for the purpose of roads.
Brenner stated they wouldn't fund it because they have other priorities. If
they had all the money in the world, they probably would fund it. Monsen stated he
is only relating the State Auditor's opinion. If they went forward with using the
Road fund money, they would get a State Audit finding.
Roy asked if it is part of the Growth Management Act (GMA) to do the study
for 20 years.
Crawford stated this came out of the Natural Resources Committee last year
as an inventory.
Brenner stated the County could take this as far as it wants. They could do
nothing, and still fulfill the GMA requirement because they have information
already. This study goes into more detail. She doesn't support the study because
it is for the benefit of private companies. The aggregate doesn't have to stay in the
county.
Hal Hart, Planning and Development Services Director, stated the GMA
requires an inventory of available resources. This study would update the status of
that inventory, to be consistent with 2004 objectives of growth management.
McShane stated there are practical limitations on how far gravel can be
shipped by truck. Shipping in the Puget Sound can move gravel more easily, but
here, away from Puget Sound, the limiting factor is trucking. Also, they will
probably see gravel come from the Bow area of Skagit County.
Roy asked if they need to spend $40,000 to do this now.
McShane stated they are supposed to do a study, according to the
Comprehensive Plan. Where they build houses in the future will impact where the
gravel will come from. This is a study. It does not set any policy. By having a
study, they can make rational policy decisions.
McShane moved to recommend approval of the ordinance with the funding
for the aggregate study coming solely from the general fund.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Roy opposed.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
AND THE SALMON RECOVERY FUNDING BOARD TO INVENTORY FISH
BARRIER DRAINAGE STRUCTURES IN THE WRIA 1 BASIN, FOR A
TOTAL OF $708,390 WITH A COUNTY MATCH OF $177,097 (AB2002-
230)
Crawford stated the County is getting over $500,000 from the Salmon
Recovery Funding (SRF) Board, and the County contributes $177,000. He asked if
that comes from a portion of the Flood fund.
Steve Fox, Resources Planner - Fish Biologist, stated part of the money is
coming indirectly from the Road fund, and part of it is coming indirectly through
salaries and equipment.
Roy asked about the timeline. It looks like a lot of activity is for evaluation
and inventory. It looks like the timeline is several years. Fox stated the proposal is
not to fix and replace any culverts, but to inventory the ones that need to be fixed.
The SRF Board grant expires after four years. They propose to do the study within
a couple of years. They are doing the repairs basin -by- basin. They will complete
the inventory in one sub - basin, and move to next sub - basin. Conceivably, they can
begin repairs on one sub -basin as soon as they finish the inventory for that sub -
basin.
Crawford asked if this request includes funding for fixing the culverts. Fox
stated it does not. The County has a dedicated fund for designing and replacing
culverts. It isn't in this item.
John Thompson, Resources Planner - Endangered Species Act, stated the
County does fix culverts as they go along with the road projects. Part of the reason
they went for the grant was to get funding for extraordinary projects, other than
the usual day -to -day stuff. Lacking a comprehensive inventory where they can
assign a fish priority, most funding sources are not going to fund the repairs. With
the inventory done, they will be able to prioritize each sub - basin. They can identify
the type of blockage. They can look at things comprehensively and act proactively.
They will become more attractive to granting agencies.
McShane stated they are looking at the six -year Transportation Improvement
Program later today. The fish barrier removal is ranked as priority number seven.
He asked if that item will follow this inventory.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated funds are dedicated in
the six -year Transportation Improvement Program for culvert barrier removal.
They will be prioritized by the results of this study and local knowledge. They can
use road funds to replace the culverts that cross under County roads.
McShane asked if they would reassess the financial needs as this inventory
happens. This is a high priority. Mills stated the permitting of these culverts is
under a lot of scrutiny, which involves the Corps of Engineers and State and federal
fish agencies. Initially, they are trying to replace two or three each year.
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY
AND THE SETTING OF A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING THEREON
PURSUANT TO WCC 1.10 (AB2002 -231)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Brenner asked why they are selling the vehicles with low mileage.
Mary Green, Equipment Rental and Revolve (ER &R) Manager, stated the
Tempo, Aries, and Spirit are in the motor pool. They have had mice problems and
lots of repairs to them. They are lemons, and no one will drive them. The
upholstery and paint are bad.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT AMONG WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES, THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM AND WATER DISTRICT
#10 TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO PERFORM MERCURY SOURCE
INVESTIGATION WORK IN LAKE WHATCOM IN THE CONTRACT
AMOUNT OF $100,000 (AB2002 -232)
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council. He was very
resistant to this, but the Health Department has come up with a good project.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES AND THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TO
PROVIDE FOR A STUDY TO REVIEW EXISTING AND NEWLY
COLLECTED DATA TO EVALUATE POTENTIAL SOURCES OF MERCURY
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
IN LAKE WHATCOM, IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $156,100 WITH
A COUNTY AMOUNT OF $78,500 (AB2002 -233)
Crawford asked the difference between this and the previous item.
Regina Delahunt, Health and Human Services Director, stated the previous
item was an interlocal agreement with the City of Bellingham and Water District 10
to allow them to fund the study.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL COUNTY ROAD FUNDS FOR
COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NO. 992224, YEW STREET ROAD
RECONSTRUCTION (AB2002 -234)
Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated this was a joint project
with the City of Bellingham. It had a late construction start. They had to do a full -
blown detention pond. The costs were higher. The right -of -way for the detention
pond site was expensive. It required more rock than they anticipate. They found
buried utilities. This was a very large project. He is comfortable that the cost
overruns were justified and necessary. He doesn't feel that the contractor gouged
the County. They need additional funds to wrap up final payments for the project.
Crawford asked how cost overruns work. Once the contract is awarded, he
asked how they account for overruns and who is responsible to pay for them. Mills
stated the contracts are made up of unit prices. In this case, for example, they
used more rock than was anticipated.
Crawford asked why they did not go over the hill. Mills stated this project
has two phases. They only received State and federal funds for the north half. He
hopes to get funds for the south half during the next round of federal funding. It's
in the six -year plan. The next round of federal funding is coming forward next
year. He will push hard to get matching funds for the project.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT FOR TEMPORARY PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE TO LUMMI
ISLAND AND GOOSEBERRY POINT WHEN THE WHATCOM CHIEF IS IN
DRY DOCK, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 (AB2002 -235)
Crawford asked if this is the same amount that they paid last year.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
Mary Green, Equipment Rental and Revolve (ER &R) Manager, stated they
paid about $27,000 last year. The rental rate per day is the same, but the dry dock
last year was one week longer. The rate is $18.75 per day. They will pay less this
year because dry dock is only two weeks this year and was three weeks last year.
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
Crawford asked how they are doing for dock construction for the passenger
ferry. Green stated they are working on it currently. It is in the budget this year.
It won't be ready for dry dock this year.
Fleetwood asked who bids on the passenger ferry. Green stated there was
only one bidder this year. The San Juan Shuttle did not bid this year.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST TRAIL ASSOCIATION USING FUNDING FROM THE
" "SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS AND SELF - DETERMINATION ACT OF 2000"
TITLE III FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,500 (AB2002 -236)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the county receives funds from
this Act. The County Council designated funds to go into the Title III program.
After following up with a request for proposal (RFP) process and Resource Advisory
Committee (RAC) process, the administration recommends one project that would
be done by contract with the Pacific Northwest Trail Association. They are going to
organize at -risk youth in the county to work during an eight -week summer program
on trail maintenance and stream restoration. The administration recommends
approving the contract. The RAC also recommends it.
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Jeri Krampetz, Pacific Northwest Trail Association Executive Director, stated
this is the second year of this program in Whatcom County. Last year, it was
funded meagerly from the Nooksack School District. This is the first year of funding
under Secure Rural Schools Act. It is only one of seven programs that they have
along the length of the trail from Clallam County to Whatcom County. The program
will gift back re- vegetation of many native trees and shrubs to the County. There is
a lot of support in the community for the program. She has applied for Title II
funds for next year. The program will begin a yearlong program through the
Bellingham School District in February.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
WHAT -COMM COMMUNICATIONS CENTER SERVICES, IN THE 2002
AMOUNT OF $611,766 (AB2002 -237)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that, for 17 or 18 years, there
has been an interlocal agreement with many of the fire districts and cities in the
county for a common communication center for emergency response. The program
is funded from a cellular phone and landline charge that is added to every phone
bill. That money goes to the Treasurer, then transferred to the City of Bellingham.
The cost above and beyond that tax source is split between jurisdictions. The
contract for the last five or six years ended at the end of 2001. The County and
cities have been involved in negotiating a new five -year agreement. The first year
of the agreement would provide for a payment of $611,766 from the non -
departmental budget. The 2002 budget includes that amount. The amount is
about the same as in 2001. The County pays for the cost of dispatch for Sheriff's
deputies and fire district personnel outside of the City of Bellingham and City of
Lynden. The county contributes a separate amount for the service, through the
emergency medical services contract.
Lt. Rick Sucia, What -Comm Deputy Director of Operations, stated he was
available for questions.
Crawford asked how they dispatch sheriff deputies, as opposed to police.
Sucia stated that all What -Comm employees are employees of the Bellingham
Police Department. A console and staff person is set aside for the sheriff deputies.
Crawford asked about the split into two dispatch centers. Sucia stated that
happened about two or three years ago.
Desler stated this agreement is a reconstruction of the original agreement to
include the roles and responsibilities of the new fire dispatch center. They had one
combined dispatch center to handle all calls.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Desler continued to state that the What -Comm Board allowed for a new
dispatch center.
Crawford asked if that was done for efficiency reasons. Sucia stated they
created a redundant system in case one center goes out for any reason. A
secondary center can take over and do the functions of both locations.
Brenner asked about the County collecting the excise tax. She asked what
the tax is based on. Desler stated it is a tax on phone lines and cellular phone
lines. The revenue that comes from that tax source is not enough to sustain the
operation.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
Brenner asked if the additional levy is a charge to the County. Desler stated
it is.
Brenner asked for a breakdown of what the County's portion pays for. Desler
stated the County Sheriff's portion in 2001 was $480,000 and the Whatcom County
fire district portion was $131,000. Those amounts cover all the operations and
staffing costs.
Brenner asked if the County has any budget oversight. Desler stated there is
an administrative board that reviews any general policies and the proposed budget.
Crawford asked if the phone assessment is a ceiling established by law.
Sucia stated it is.
Crawford asked if every county supplements the dispatch center with general
funds. Sucia stated there is no one that can fund it on the tax alone.
Desler stated the County has the legislative authority to raise the cellular
phone line charge from $.25 to $.50 per line. The administration is still working on
that recommendation. Fewer people are using landlines, and more are using
cellular phones.
Brenner stated everyone should pay the same amount, because everyone
uses the same service.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT EXTENSION BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND NANCY
JORDAN TO ASSIST WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN UPDATING AND IMPLEMENTING THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $5,000 FOR A
TOTAL AMENDED CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $15,000 (AB2002 -238)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County Council authorized
the Planning Department to add a staff member to help develop the economic
development section of the Comprehensive Plan. The County received grant money
to do that. The Planning staff advocates retaining a consultant instead of hiring a
staff member. The consultant has been working with Planning Department. They
would like to use this consultant's time to finish up some activities. The
administration recommends approval.
Brenner asked how this person was hired.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
Hal Hart, Planning and Development Services Director, stated they County
issued a request for proposals (RFP). It came to the Council for approval.
McShane moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Roy stated there is potential for Whatcom County to take advantage of new
technologies for power generation. Be as creative as possible with the economic
development plan, in terms of new power generation technologies, such as wind
power generation. Hart stated he would report that request to the Port of
Bellingham, working through the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
(CEDS).
Motion carried unanimously.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT EXTENSION BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SSP -
PREFERRED ANIMAL CARE TO PROVIDE ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES,
IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $295,824 (AB2002 -149A)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County entered into a
contract with Security Specialists Plus (SSP) five years ago. The contract allowed
for two additional one -year extensions. The County Executive indicated that he
wanted to potentially terminate the contract at the end of the five -year period.
Upon further examination, the administration recommends the one -year extension
that is allowed in the contract, with modest financial changes. One of the two
changes is to not provide the 2 Yz percent increase. That is a savings of about
$7,500 for the year. The contractor retains the fees collected as a result of the
work done. The fee revenue is approximately $85,000 per year. The
administration will propose an increase in fees, with the increased amount going to
the County. SSP has agreed to both changes.
Janet Hanan, 6 Beaver Circle, Bellingham, stated she is the adoption
coordinator for the Alternative Humane Society. Too many volunteers and
eyewitnesses have reported violations in the conditions of the animals at SSP,
particularly cage size, ventilation, temperature, and exercise. The County
admittedly has little budgetary ability to correct the situation. She proposed an
oversight committee to make sure there are no more violations, and that SSP is in
full compliance with the original request for proposal (RFP). SSP has not been
meeting the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) guidelines, to which the
contractor must adhere. County taxpayers are paying nearly $300,000 per year for
animal control services. Since SSP is not complying with at least some of the
provisions, the taxpayers are not getting their monies' worth. The County Council
is obligated to see that contractors who receive public monies comply with all terms
of the contract. With the few employees that SSP has and with the apparent policy
if firing the few dissident volunteers, they can't run the shelter the way she wants
them to. Include a provision in the contract for an oversight committee and an
advisory committee.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, 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.
Crawford stated the contract specifies that the kennel shall comply with the
HSUS guidelines. He asked how the administration verifies that. Desler stated the
administration has not measured against the precise standards that might come out
of the HSUS guidelines. The contractor says that they are following the guidelines.
Other people have commented that the contractor is not following the guidelines.
Crawford asked if there is a State agency that looks at this stuff. Desler
stated no.
Crawford asked if an oversight committee would be appropriate. Desler
stated it would be appropriate. The Executive is working on elements of a proposed
animal control advisory committee. The administration intends to propose an
advisory committee with certain charges and membership.
Crawford asked if the advisory committee would be related to the contract.
Desler stated it wouldn't be related. The contractor is required to work with all
organizations in Whatcom County concerned with animal welfare. An animal
control advisory committee does not need to be included in the agreement because
it is a function of the County government. The administration will ask the
contractor to cooperate, and potentially be a part of the committee. The contract is
for one year. The committee needs to become organized. There is adequate
language in the scope -of -work and services required to allow the work of an animal
control advisory committee to properly monitor what is going on. The County has
adequate authority to do the things that might be recommended by an advisory
committee.
Roy stated that if the County is spending close to $300,000 of the public's
money, they should have some sort of right to do a reasonable amount of
oversight. They should have been doing oversight all along. She assumes that it
won't be heavy- handed, and that the responsibilities of the oversight committee
would be clear to the members. There would be a clear charge, so it is not ruled by
everyone's personal agendas.
Mary Lee Rustand, Security Specialists Plus- Preferred Animal Care (SSP -PAC),
stated she has spoken to Mr. Desler about the committee. SSP -PAC supports the
advisory committee. She asked that the people who are chosen for the advisory
committee are people who would not one day come into direct competition.
Veterinarians, regional representatives from the HSUS, and law enforcement would
be examples of appropriate members. A conflict might arise from advisory
committee members who might bid on the contract. SSP -PAC is open to the idea of
an advisory committee. She supports anything that serves the community and the
animals. There isn't a question of SSP -PAC not working and complying with the
advisory committee.
McShane asked if they would consider the Humane Society potential
competition. Rustand stated she would.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/18/2002, Page 10
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
McShane asked if Ms. Rustand would not be interested in having a member
or director of the Humane Society being on the committee. A lot of people belong
to the Humane Society. Rustand stated someone from the regional office or
another county would be appropriate.
McShane stated he was surprised and pleased with SSP being receptive to
this idea. It's important that the committee work. In his work, he deals all the
time with people who are his competitors. Rustand stated an advisory committee is
one issue. If it gets into a situation in which the advisory committee looks into
their financial information that goes into their bid, there will be a conflict. Her legal
counsel advised her that the problem is that someone who sees her financial
information may bid against her. In addition, it creates a problem with the RFP
process, from the County's position. She doesn't want to do anything that would
also place the County into a difficult position. Regarding advice and
recommendations, they already communicate with people in the Humane Society
organization.
Desler stated the County doesn't see the advisory committee as being a
conflict with the bidding process. The County will offer a fair and complete RFP
process. If it means that they distribute all the public information to all the
potential bidders, that should occur. The committee wouldn't have access to
proprietary or information that is not public.
Esther Rosenthal, Point Roberts resident, stated her neighborhood has had a
problem with Bull Mastiff dogs in the neighborhood since 1997. The dogs were
loose. She was referred to SSP. The contractor was friendly, and knew what the
law was. Warnings and citations were issued. The neighbors issued witness
statements. The dogs were declared as potentially dangerous dogs. At a hearing,
the declaration was reversed. She was harassed and attacked by the dogs. The
owners were advised to put up a fence, and they put up an electronic fence.
However, the dogs eventually began to run loose again.
She contacted SSP again, and the response was that the animals were not to
be allowed to run unsupervised. The owner finally built a wooden fence. One of
the dogs was sent away, and the house went up for sale. The house hasn't been
sold. They just found out that the dog that was sent away would be returning.
One woman was recently attacked. She recently contacted Mrs. Rustand in April on
this issue. There have been many witness statements, but no citation has been
issued. Mrs. Rustand has not responded to her letter dated May 23. Something
must be done to deal with these people who flout the law, such as stronger
ordinances or citations. It is a problem of safety in the community that has not
gone away. The dog has again been declared potentially dangerous.
Crawford stated that SSP has regularly advocated to the County Council
stronger rules regarding animals.
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Deborah Sallee, 5603 Noon Road, stated she had hoped that SSP would
make some changes over the past few months. They've said the allegations are
not true. However, people are still seeing the same things there, such as dogs not
being walked enough, no blankets, cats in dog carriers, untreated injured animals,
contaminated food and water, and lack of food. She would like to see the
conditions of the contract to include working with an oversight committee. That
should be part of the contract. The contractor has had several months to make
changes, and they have not. They are being paid to take in the animals that are
victims of neglect and abuse. They don't have any equipment to handle the large
farm animals, which is part of their contract, such as trailers and housing.
Patricia Moss, Bellingham resident, stated she tried to visit SSP, but she
couldn't find it. There is no sign to get there. She finally had to ask how to get
there. There is no ventilation. Cat cages have plexiglass, and the room they are
housed was very hot. The dogs looked extremely stressed. There were not any
blankets in their cages. The purpose of a shelter is to house and care for animals
until they are adopted. Some stress is inevitable, but if they are under that amount
of stress, they will become sick or develop behavior problems, resulting in them
being euthanized. She suggested that there be an audit to see how the money is
being used, or an advisory board to look into the County's investment.
Caroline Rice, 2600 Donovan #5, Bellingham, stated this contract is being let
without any change to require monitoring for adherence to the standards of
performance required in the contract. The contract also does not provide for fiscal
auditing, particularly for substandard performance and operational costs. There is
money available within the funding amount. She related an example of a visit to
the shelter on a hot day. She observed an inadequate ventilation system, high
humidity, and wet dog runs.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side 8.)
Rice continued to state that she also witnessed that the dogs did not look
comfortable. That doesn't meet the terms of the contract. In the cat rooms, the
door was closed, there was no window, and there was a table fan in the room. The
humidity level was uncomfortable. The cats were uncomfortable and listless.
This contract has run for nearly five years. Over $1.5 million has flowed
from the County to SSP. It was apparent within the first year of operation that the
facility, as built, was inadequate in terms of ventilation and humidity control.
Nothing has changed. They do not resolve this kind of a problem with a table fan.
She is concerned that the owners have not addressed this problem with the
building. They don't usually see oversights like this continue by people who are
meeting all other terms of a care contract for dependent creatures.
There are staff members of the Humane Society of the United States as close
as Seattle. Their professional job tasks include the ability and training to perform
professional, independent audits of animal care shelters. They have an
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independent resource to tap, if the County can't locate this resource within the
county. He's concerned that Executive Kremen hasn't developed a timetable for
getting this committee started. There is no outline for standards or guidelines for
the committee. Mr. Kremen was clear that this would be an advisory committee
only, and would not do any monitoring. They cannot monitor for purposes of
determining whether allegations are true or not true about the daily care of animals
without some kind of scheduled, established, repetitive monitoring.
Roy moved to recommend approval to the full Council, to get it on the table.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:50 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, 6/18/2002, Page 13