HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 20 20011
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 20, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Committee Chair Robert
Imhof in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Sam Crawford None
Marlene Dawson
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01-
17 TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, HARDWARE SALES, FOR
THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF ADS N -12 CULVERT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$53,667.73 (AB2001 -101)
Dawson moved to recommend approval, and stated that it was interesting
that the fittings are not always standard.
Crawford stated the process seems stacked because Hardware Sales is the
ADS distributor in the area, so it doesn't matter what other people bid.
Mike Roberts, Maintenance and Operations, stated the County has used this
type of pipe in the past, and they would like to continue using it. The brand that
others bid on was not compatible. The price of the different types of pipe is
comparable.
Crawford stated that the County would have to get bids from other ADS
dealers to compare apples to apples.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01-
24 TO THE LONE BIDDER, WASHINGTON CULVERT, FOR THE ANNUAL
SUPPLY OF ALUMINIZED AND GALVANIZED CULVERT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $59,693.34 (AB2001 -102)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2000 -043 AND RE-
PRIORITIZING WHATCOM COUNTY PROJECTS FOR THE WASHINGTON
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/20/2001, Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION TEAM (WA -CERT)
(AB2001 -103)
Imhof stated that this item would be referred to the full Council for
discussion.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WHATCOM CRISIS
SERVICES, TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE
BELLINGHAM / WHATCOM COUNTY COMMISSION AGAINST DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,500 (AB2001 -104)
Imhof asked if this was in the budget, and the request was only to spend the
money.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated yes.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Crawford stated he is not a member of the Domestic Violence Task Force, but
attends the meetings. The Task Force went from monthly meetings to quarterly
meetings. There are concerns about doing that. It was the majority wish of the
commission to do that. He will continue to attend meetings and stay involved to
monitor the County's bang for its buck.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND SUN COMMUNITY SERVICES TO
PROVIDE SHORT -TERM TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES TO
WHATCOM COUNTY CONSUMERS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, IN THE
CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $67,102 (AB2001 -105)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Imhof asked the structure of this type of housing, and whether it is family or
individual housing.
Andy Burn, Human Services Manager, stated Sun Community Services
operates the Sun House, which is a six -bed house. Through this contract, the
County supports beds. It is short -term transitional housing for people getting out
of hospitals who don't have a place to live.
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/20/2001, Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO
AMENDMENT #3 TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF FERNDALE CONCERNING
ANNEXATION AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE FERNDALE UGA
(AB2001 -106)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Hoag asked if the Council had approved this previously.
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated no. The County does not
approve annexations. This is only an interlocal agreement regarding the
annexation to make sure County services are taken care of, County roads would be
transferred to the city, and all public services are there. They've reviewed it.
There are no issues to address.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO
AMENDMENT #4 TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY
OF FERNDALE CONCERNING ANNEXATION (AB2001 -107)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Imhof asked the difference between this and the previous agreement.
Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated it is a different area.
Crawford stated that, as shown on the bottom of packet page 65, the City of
Ferndale creeps toward the City of Bellingham. A peninsula of the County is being
developed. He asked why they are not drawing the boundary straight across the
bottom.
Imhof stated a swamp goes across there. He didn't know why it's not
squared off. Goodwin stated the County could say it's an abnormal, irregular
boundary and appeal it or ship it off to the city for review if it is a concern.
Hoag asked if the properties are in the UGA. Goodwin stated they are.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
CITY OF EVERSON CONCERNING ANNEXATION AND DEVELOPMENT
WITHIN THE EVERSON UGA (AB2001 -108)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/20/2001, Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Motion carried unanimously.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND LAKE WHATCOM RESIDENTIAL
TREATMENT CENTER TO PROVIDE FOR THE RENT SUBSIDY PROGRAM
SUBSIDIZING LIVING RESIDENCES FOR 50 MENTALLY ILL
CONSUMERS, IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $69,000 (AB2001 -109)
Imhof moved to recommend approval. He's heard that this is the best
facility with the best care in many states.
Motion carried unanimously.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
SERVICES NORTHWEST, TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE FAMILY
RESPITE AND RELIEF PROGRAM PROVIDING OVERNIGHT RESPITE
AND /OR SHORT TERM CARE RELIEF IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF
$28,210 (AB2001 -110)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CASCADE VOCATIONAL —
COMMUNITY ACCESS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR PERSONS WHO ARE
NOT ABLE TO ACCESS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES DUE TO THE
SEVERITY OF THEIR DISABILITIES OR OTHER BARRIERS, IN THE
AMENDED AMOUNT OF $8,887 FOR THE TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED
$59,000 (AB2001 -111)
Dawson asked about the specific activities.
Andy Burn, Human Services Manager, stated that this is to help people with
disabilities get out and enjoy as much of the natural environmental as they can.
People go to museums and explore their interests. Whatever the individual care
plan is for an individual, community access is supposed to follow it to the extent it
can.
There is a change in the structure of the amendments. For years, whenever
the caseload changes, it would require a complete set of contract amendments.
This is a template for many contracts in the program. They will no longer list the
consumers by code, and will handle them administratively. The only changes
before the Council will be if it exceeds the contract amount.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/20/2001, Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WHATCOM COUNSELING AND
PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC, TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $231,000 (AB2001 -112)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Crawford asked about the proposal to move the .5 full -time equivalent (FTE)
employee to a full FTE for developmental disabilities, and whether it comes before
the Council since the money is already allocated.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that is the proposal, and the
money has been allocated.
Andy Burn, Human Services Manager, stated it would be before the Council
next month.
Crawford asked if they've looked at whether there could be a similar finding
of resources to move the substance abuse person from .5 FTE to a full FTE.
Burn stated he had a similar argument. He hadn't identified the money in
the budget. Now he is working with the state, and they think they can identify
money. He didn't want to come forward with the FTE request unless they have the
dollars.
Crawford stated the need is great. He would be supportive, especially if the
money were to be found.
DISCUSSION OF THE REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT FROM THE WATER
RESOURCE INVENTORY AREA (WRIA) 1 CAUCUSES (AB2001 -121)
Dawson stated she was the sole person at the subcommittee meeting who
thought the County should stay within its $50,000 budget. They've got eight
months left in the year. The caucuses expected $50,000 for the year. Using
$50,000 for the remaining eight months is sufficient. The Council is setting itself up
to give them more money next year.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/20/2001, Page 5
1 Crawford stated they tried to look at these requests concurrently. The
2 subcommittee reviewed the applications singly, and then as a whole packet. The
3 subcommittee looked for common threads, such as costs for staff time, which
4 generally runs about $30 per hour for the various groups. In looking at what would
5 be practical for their efforts, the subcommittee decided that two newsletters per
6 year and two forums per year were what the majority of the groups think they can
7 get along with. The original request was for $250,000. The subcommittee defined
8 the eligibility of the requests by whether they met criteria. By comparing what the
9 groups wanted to do, and applying those practical levels, the subcommittee came
10 up with a figure of $9,600 per year. They started applying some the $30 per hour
11 criteria, taking out technical support criteria, and realized that other applications fell
12 in that same range. For the sake of rounding off, the subcommittee decided on
13 $10,000 per group. The water districts asked for $4,960. The private well owners
14 did not get an application in because they are going through a change in their
15 representation. The subcommittee figured that the private well owners would need
16 about the same as the water districts, $5,000. The agricultural caucus and
17 diking /drainage caucus submitted a combined application because they wanted to
18 pool their efforts and monies. The subcommittee did not want to award one more
19 than another, so it awarded $20,000 to the combined group of agricultural and
20 diking /drainage caucuses. The subcommittee came out with a total of $70,000,
21 which is six groups at $10,000 per year and two groups at $5,000 per year.
22 Councilmember Dawson suggested amortizing down for the remaining months in
23 the year. Jeff Monsen informed them that there would be about $25,000 in the
24 Public Works Department budget that will not be spent this year. If they exceeded
25 $75,000, then they would need to do an additional service request (ASR).
26
27 Hoag stated a farmer contacted her who served on a caucus and also on the
28 shellfish committee. The farmer mentioned that every time he serves on it, he has
29 to hire a milker to replace him on his farm. It is good that people are willing to give
30 their time, but some of the caucus members have to give up their money. The
31 request from the agriculture caucus doesn't pick up things like that. It would be
32 nice to compensate for that cost for the non - governmental entities.
33
34 Dawson moved to accept the proposals as amended, with the amounts
35 reduced to a total of $50,000.
36
37 Crawford stated there is good rationale for funding the full amount for the
38 year. There is money in the budget for this. They are not talking about these
39 groups being around forever. It is a process that has an end to it. He didn't
40 anticipate having this cost four or five years down the roads.
41
42 Dawson stated Whatcom County has been providing a lot of input through
43 the entire process. Most other entities have not had to appropriate funding like
44 Whatcom County has.
45
46 Motion to approve $50,000 failed 1 -2 with Dawson in favor.
47
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/20/2001, Page 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Crawford moved to recommend the funding level in the amount of $69,960
for the caucuses as presented by the water caucus subcommittee.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Dawson opposed.
Crawford stated his concern about rotating power outages in this area, and
questioned whether the County has taken steps to mitigate any problems, such as
having a Sheriff's vehicle in certain areas. He asked if there are plans in place to
deal with that, given the warnings that have been given.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the administration has been
monitoring what has going on, and is working with state Department of Emergency
Management. The administration is planning internal discussions with key
management staff related to contingency planning. The administration will propose
some deliberate actions that won't affect the budget. The administration had made
plans, which the Council approved, to ensure that electrical requirements are fully
functioning and in place for core functions of the County, assuming that there was a
medium -term disruption of power.
Crawford stated he'd heard that there is no advance warning given, due to
security concerns. He asked if governments themselves are given an advance
warning. Desler stated it appears that there are projections made to plan on
disruptions. They've been told that the county should expect to see those this
summer.
Hoag stated there are 6,900 megawatts of new power plants coming on line
in the west this year by July, with an additional 1,300 megawatts by December of
this year. In terms of security, if they look at what has occurred in California, there
are alerts that will let them know of a brief and rolling blackout. People generally
know it is coming.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:34 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Robert Imhof, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/20/2001, Page 7