HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 12 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
November 12, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.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. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY AND
SETTING A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING THEREON PURSUANT TO
WCC 1.10 (AB2002 -355)
Warner Webb, Fire Marshal, stated it would take $3,000 to $5,000 in
retrofits to make the mobile home livable. It would take that much money for the
County to have it recycled. The Parks Department hopes to recycle what they can
of it in- house, rather than hiring it out. It is a very old mobile home. They
discussed the possibility of using it for storage, but an owner would still have to do
retrofits and upgrades.
Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation Department, stated the ideal thing is to
save money. Their good intention was to sell it and get money back to the County
as a surplus item. However, the Parks Department's outside crew would dismantle
it and recycle what they can. The cost will be nothing near $5,000. It is something
they can do over a period of time.
Brenner stated the mobile home is also infested with rodents, so there is a
health issue in addition to the safety issue.
Roy moved to recommend that the Parks Department dismantle and recycle
this mobile home.
Motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
1. RESOLUTION FOR HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON SALE OF A
PORTION OF COUNTY -OWNED PROPERTY (AB2002 -377)
Crawford asked if the County is selling the parcel to the State Department of
Transportation (DOT) for $500.
Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated that is
correct. This is part of the Boulder Creek project. The DOT is purchasing a portion
of the railroad right -of -way that the County owns. The County will still be able to
do the trail. There will be a pedestrian walkway over the bridge.
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Brenner asked if it finishes off the right -of -way. DeSpain stated the DOT
realigned the approach to the creek, so they have to use the County's parcel.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. RESOLUTION FOR HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON SALE OF
COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY, REQUEST NO. 02 -02 (AB2002 -378)
Roy moved to recommend approval of items two through four on the
Consent Agenda.
Brenner asked if this is included in the 61 parcels that Sudden Valley plans
to include in it's lot consolidation program.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated he didn't think so.
Brenner stated this is a good opportunity to reduce development in that
area. Desler stated he would find out from staff.
Barbara Cory, Treasurer, stated these parcels are not included. The
Property Management Committee asked that they be reviewed specifically.
Brenner asked if there is a legal way for the County to create a deal so these
lots are not developed. Cory stated there are certain criteria that Sudden Valley
Community Association looks for on the lots it uses in its program. They won't do
this for every Sudden Valley lot. She would have to get legal advice on putting a
condition on the sale.
Caskey- Schreiber stated this lot is ideal as a viable lot that could be traded
for a green belt lot. She asked if the Sudden Valley Community Association has
taken a look at this lot. Cory stated the community association looked at these
lots. They were not interested in purchasing these lots.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
McShane stated he would not support the motion. They need to take a hard
look at this policy. He's willing to wait on it until the Council gets a broader policy
on these environmentally sensitive areas.
Motion failed 1 -2 with Crawford in favor.
Desler stated the administration and legal counsel will ask for discussion on
these items tonight regarding how the County could restrict the development
potential of environmentally sensitive areas that are up for tax foreclosure.
3. RESOLUTION FOR HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON SALE OF
COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY, REQUEST NO. 03 -02 (AB2002 -379)
See item number two.
4. RESOLUTION FOR HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON SALE OF
COUNTY TAX TITLE PROPERTY, REQUEST NO. 04 -02 (AB2002 -380)
See item number two.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
AWARD OF BID #02 -80, THE ANNUAL LIST OF INDIVIDUALS AND
COMPANIES INTERESTED IN RENTING THEIR EQUIPMENT TO THE
COUNTY, IN AN AMOUNT THAT MAY EXCEED $35,000 WITH A
SINGLE VENDOR (AB2002 -381)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF FIVE POLICE VEHICLES OFF THE WASHINGTON STATE
CONTRACT, FROM SOUND FORD FOR A TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE OF
$116,312.65 (AB2002 -382)
Roy moved to recommend approval.
Crawford asked if this is part of the 2002 budget.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it is.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the administration looked at local providers.
Brad Bennett, Finance Manager, stated the options are to bid it out to local
bidders or go with the State contract, which is faster and cheaper. An issue with
bidders is that bidders can't discriminate in favor of local contractors.
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
COMMERCIAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
CORNWALL CENTER INC. FOR THE PARKING LOT AT 1800 BLOCK,
CORNWALL AVENUE, FOR PARKING LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE
BELLINGHAM SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER, IN THE TOTAL WHATCOM
COUNTY AMOUNT OF $1,000 AND A TOTAL ANNUAL CONTRACT
AMOUNT OF $9,000 (AB2002 -383)
Roger DeSpain, Parks and Recreation Department Director, stated this is a
lease to have 52 parking spaces at the Bellingham Senior Center.
Crawford asked how the cost shares were divided up. DeSpain stated the
City of Bellingham and Council on Aging decided to contribute a specified amount.
Crawford stated the County's share is only $1,000.
Roy moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT AMONG WHATCOM COUNTY, WATER DISTRICT 10, AND
THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM TO PURCHASE 61 SUDDEN VALLEY
PARCELS THROUGH THE 2002 WHATCOM COUNTY TAX
FORECLOSURE AUCTION IN THE COMBINED MINIMUM BID AMOUNT
OF $52,250 WITH WHATCOM COUNTY'S AMOUNT $13,250 (AB2002-
384)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Brenner asked if it is possible that someone other than the Sudden Valley
Community Association would bid on these properties.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that could happen, but there
hasn't been a lot of interest.
Sue Blake, Resources Planner, stated these are only lots no one else is
bidding on.
McShane stated these are lots that are very unbuildable.
Brenner asked why Water District 10 is included. Desler stated Water
District 10 has been a partner in this project.
Blake stated it is part of the watershed protection effort, which the water
district supports.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT AND
NORTHWEST HIDTA FOR RENEWAL OF THE DRUG COURT GRANT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 (AB2002 -385)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Brenner asked why they are doing this for half the year.
N.F. Jackson, Superior Court Clerk, stated that is what the High Intensity
Drug Traffic Act (HIDTA) agency wants. It is the first time they've granted funds
for six months instead of one year. The HIDTA pot of money is finite. With more
and more courts coming on line, the share for each court could diminish.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
LEAD ENTITY GRANT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE FOR
SALMON RECOVERY IN THE AMENDED AMOUNT OF $65,000 FOR A
TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF $130,000 (AB2002 -386)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
FIVE -YEAR CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AS
INFORMATION SERVICES AND QWEST CORPORATION FOR THE
COUNTY'S TELEPHONE PABX EQUIPMENT IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT
OF $66,857.76 (AB2002 -387)
Crawford asked what the telephone revolving fund is.
Brad Bennett, Finance Manager, stated the County pays the bill from a
balance sheet account, and then distributes the amount to all departments based
on their line counts and certain common costs.
Crawford stated there is a delay from the time a person dials into the
County offices to the time the phone starts ringing. He asked the reason for the
delay.
George Reid, Information Services Division Manager, stated the
administration is working with Qwest to determine the problem. It seems to be a
timing issue.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
Brenner stated it happens all over the county, not just with the County
phone system and not just with Qwest.
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Crawford asked if the County is paying the same price for the contract. Reid
stated the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) tariffs it, and the prices
have increased because the County has more incoming trunk lines.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
LEASE BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AS INFORMATION SERVICES
AND JOHN VON KRUSENSTIERN FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEASING
WAREHOUSE SPACE TO STORE COUNTY RECORDS IN THE AMOUNT
OF $17,726.40 PLUS TRIPLE NET (EST. $4,120) (AB2002 -388)
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
13. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT AND SIEMENS BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES FOR
ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS AND UPGRADES TO THE COURTHOUSE
HVAC SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $133,093.57 (AB2002 -389)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated this is an attempt to reduce
energy costs for this building.
Crawford stated they would consider this item and the next item together.
Mike Russell, Facilities Division Manager, stated that with this project, they
would end up saving close to $30,000 in energy costs. That savings will increase
as energy costs increase.
Crawford asked if there are some courtrooms that have
heating /ventilation /air conditioning (HVAC) problems. Russell stated there are.
They are updating those systems in those courtrooms. This item doesn't address
those problems.
Crawford asked how the County is doing in conserving energy in general.
Russell stated the County is still reducing its energy consumption by various
methods, including using fewer lights and using more efficient lights. The County
is using a grant from Puget Sound Energy for the energy efficiency upgrade
projects.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
Crawford asked about the building at Smith and Northwest Roads. Russell
stated they are rebalancing the HVAC at that location.
McShane moved to recommend approval of this item and the next item.
Caskey- Schreiber asked if the County has looked into solar panels for the
jail. Russell stated they have not because the jail is a 24 hours per day, seven
days per week operation. He is looking at a self - generating hydrogen system for
the future. It has a big price tag, but the County would not have to pay for any
energy consumption, and it takes care of heating and cooling.
Motion carried unanimously.
14. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT AND SIEMENS BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES FOR
ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS AND UPGRADES TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY
BUILDING HVAC SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $139,958.17 (AB2002-
390)
See item thirteen.
15. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND ECONORTHWEST TO DEVELOP A
REPORT SUITABLE FOR CONVERSION TO A COUNTY STRATEGIC
PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000
(AB2002 -391)
Hal Hart, Planning and Development Services Director, stated this is a
contract item through the Growth Management grant the County received last
year. There will be a series of benchmarks. It will help keep the permitting
process within the confines of 120 days.
McShane moved to recommend approval.
Crawford asked if this is a fully funded grant. Hart stated it is.
Brenner stated there aren't any improvements to increase the median
income, reduce the unemployment rate, or anything else meant to increase the
economy. Hart stated he hopes to bring a report to the Council on how the County
tries to accomplish the goals in the next year. He wants to do things that they can
easily quantify.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Brenner stated there is nothing different from what was done in the
committee. Most of the goals don't seem to be working. Hart stated this would
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
set the benchmarks for annual reporting. In order to know where they are going,
they have to set a course.
Roy asked how this fits with the economic development chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan.
McShane stated the background and purpose are straight out of the
Comprehensive Plan that is currently in place. There aren't any proposed changes
on the bulleted items. They could change them in Planning and Development
Committee today.
Roy stated she is concerned about the economic development
Comprehensive Plan amendment. She asked if the Council would sanction that if it
approves this item.
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, asked if the concerns about the
economic development amendment are about the recommendations from the Jobs
Based Economy Committee from 1997, or other things.
Roy stated she has general concerns about what is not in there, and what
should be in there. She is concerned about the lack of emphasis on the rural and
unincorporated parts of the county. Goodwin stated this is to implement economic
development strategy item 24 and the recommendations of the Jobs Based
Economy Committee from before. This is one thing they would do. If the
councilmembers want, other things can be added in. This is just one small
implementation piece.
Motion to recommend approval to the full Council carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, 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.
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/12/2002, Page 9