HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 29 20011
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
May 29, 2001
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Committee member
Marlene Dawson in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham,
Washington.
Also Present:
Sam Crawford
Robert Imhof
Absent:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST AIR
POLLUTION AUTHORITY (NWAPA) AND WHATCOM, SKAGIT, AND
ISLAND COUNTIES FOR FUNDING OF AN OUTDOOR FIRE PERMIT
WARDEN (AB2001 -164A)
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated that this agreement was
presented a couple of weeks ago. It does not get into any options. It is just an
agreement with the Northwest Air Pollution Authority (NWAPA) that the County will
get involved in some kind of fire permitting process. There are issues of whether or
not the County conducts a fire warden program.
(Clerk's Note: Councilmember Imhof arrived at 12:10 p.m.)
Dawson moved to recommend approval of the agreement.
Crawford stated staff wanted direction on one of the options.
Hoag stated that NWAPA wants to know which way Whatcom County is going
to go, but that is a separate item.
Nelson asked if this would be implemented in the 2002 budget. Desler
stated there has been no discussion on appropriation.
Imhof stated that there is money to offset some of the costs.
Nelson asked how long this would allow rural burning.
Imhof stated it is until an alternative comes forward. NWAPA has to decide
every three years whether there is an alternative to burning in certain areas.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/29/2001, Page 1
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2 Crawford asked what would be considered a recreational fire greater than
3 three feet in diameter.
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5 Hoag stated a fire to burn downed trees that would later be used to roast hot
6 dogs could be considered a recreational fire.
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8 Motion to recommend the memorandum of agreement carried 2 -1 with
9 Crawford opposed.
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11 Crawford stated that they still need to go to the fire districts.
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13 Imhof stated the County has done that for the last ten years. Most of the
14 people at the fire districts are volunteers, and they don't want the responsibility.
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16 Imhof moved to recommend approval of option one, which is to have two fire
17 wardens for the three counties. The Council would have to look at the additional
18 cost to the County. That is something to negotiate with Skagit County and Island
19 County.
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21 Hoag stated Skagit and Island counties have already decided that they would
22 do a joint program. The question was whether Whatcom County would join. The
23 $40,000 cost to the County is before the permit fee revenue is taken from that
24 cost, for a total net cost to the County of only $15,600. The net cost to the County
25 of option two would be $36,267.
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27 Imhof stated that a lot less revenue would be taken in this year.
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29 Hoag stated there is a question of how the $43,000 from NWAPA would be
30 split, because it is for the three counties. If the County opted for option two, it
31 would receive its portion of the $43,000, which would be $14,333. If the County
32 went with option one, that amount would go into the joint program. There is some
33 disagreement among the jurisdictions about whether the money would be split by
34 thirds or be based on population.
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36 Imhof stated that is something that needs to be negotiated.
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38 Dawson stated the County should be able to back out at any time to establish
39 its own program.
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41 Hoag stated option two is to hire an additional full -time equivalent (FTE)
42 employee to follow up on all citizen inquiries and educate and enforce all open
43 burning. The program would go away in five years due to open burning no longer
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/29/2001, Page 2
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being allowed. She questioned why they have to hire a full FTE for additional staff.
Right now, the County covers most of those duties with the existing staff.
Warner Webb, Deputy Fire Marshal, stated the County currently pawns a lot
of work off on NWAPA and the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR). All
that Whatcom County has done is the easy stuff. Possibly, he can get together with
others to get the numbers and information on the table. NWAPA informed the
County recently that the County is eligible for more than it's share of $14,000
because it is a county with a larger population. He wanted to put together a better
proposal.
Hoag stated she was concerned about joining in with the two other counties
because the fire warden may not be available if in another county.
Imhof withdrew his motion to recommend approval of option one.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01-
41 FOR FIVE REPLACEMENT ONE -HALF TON PICKUP TRUCKS TO THE
LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, DWAYNE LANE'S DODGE, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $115,556.10 (AB2001 -169)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01-
52 FOR THE LAKE WHATCOM /GLEN HAVEN AREA ASPHALT PRELEVEL
AND OVERLAY PROJECT TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER,
WHATCOM BUILDERS, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $512,915 (AB2001-
170)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01-
56 FOR THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF ASPHALTIC MIXES FOR COUNTY
ROAD PROJECTS, TO THE APPROPRIATE LOW BIDDER FROM THE LIST
OF VENDORS, BASED ON JOB LOCATION, DISTANCE FROM THE PLANT
AND PRODUCT AVAILABILITY, IN THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF
APPROXIMATELY $375,000 (AB2001 -171)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/29/2001, Page 3
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Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01-
57 FOR TWO REPLACEMENT TRACTOR MOWERS TO THE LOWEST
RESPONSIVE BIDDER, BRIM TRACTOR, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$89,539.74 (AB2001 -172)
Dawson questioned whether it is legitimate to deal with people across the
border.
Mary Green, Equipment Revolve and Rental (ER &R) Manager, stated the bids
go on the internet. They are not sent across the border. The County does not get
the exchange rate on new tractors, only used tractors. The only thing the County
would save is the cost of the sales tax.
Imhof asked if these are going to be surplused. Green stated they are.
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND NORTHWEST CARE ADVOCATES TO PROVIDE COORDINATION OF
MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $56,000 (AB2001 -173)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND CASCADE
VOCATIONAL - INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYMENT TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR
PLACEMENT AND FOLLOW -UP SERVICES NECESSARY TO ASSIST
INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO OBTAIN AND
CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT FOR REMUNERATION IN COMMUNITY
EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS, IN THE AMENDED AMOUNT OF $7,500 FOR
A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF $80,233 (AB2001 -174)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/29/2001, Page 4
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Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH LESLIE PETERSON TO PURCHASE THE SECOND OF
THREE FLOOD DAMAGED PROPERTIES UNDER THE HAZARD
MITIGATION GRANT FROM THE WASHINGTON STATE MILITARY
DEPARTMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $127,500 (AB2001 -175)
Dawson questioned how far east of the Nooksack River this property is
located.
Paula Cooper, Special Projects Engineer, submitted a map.
Imhof asked about other properties. Cooper stated this grant came from the
Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) in looking for repetitive loss
properties. This property has one of the highest repetitive loss costs in the county.
Dawson asked how many structures are on the building. Cooper stated there
is a house and an outbuilding. It is on the south side of the road.
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Hoag asked if the County could use the property for mitigation. Cooper
stated it could, the County just can't build a new structure unless it is a park -like
structure. The County could use it for mitigation.
Imhof stated there is no dike in front of it. Cooper stated that is correct.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM COUNTY
AGRICULTURE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT FUNDING
THE WRIA WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT —
AGRICULTURE/ DIKING DRAINAGE DISTRICTS CAUCUSES, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $18,560 (AB2001 -176)
Crawford asked if this is what the Council agreed to at an earlier meeting.
Bruce Roll, Water Resources Manager, stated that is correct. This is two
caucuses getting together to use a single contract provider.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/29/2001, Page 5
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2 Motion carried 2 -1 with Dawson opposed.
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4 Dawson stated the amount of money was too much.
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6 9. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NOS. 994010
7 AND 998021 AND THE AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE MAINTENANCE
8 REPAIRS AND PAINTING OF THE LUMMI ISLAND AND GOOSEBERRY
9 POINT FERRY DOCKS TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, BOSS
10 CONSTRUCTION, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $550,128.04 (AB2001-
11 177)
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13 Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated the large ticket item is
14 replacement of the aprons.
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16 Imhof stated it is the maintenance work on the dock, not just paint.
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18 Mills stated the work would replace the hydraulics and electrical system. It is
19 not just re- painting the dock.
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21 Crawford asked how often they do this work. Mills stated painting is done
22 every ten years. The ramps have been in for 20 years.
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24 Crawford stated this assumes a successful negotiation for use of the
25 Gooseberry Point dock.
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27 Imhof moved to recommend approval.
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29 Motion carried unanimously.
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31 10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
32 CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ST.
33 JOSEPH HOSPITAL TO PROVIDE SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISIS
34 INTERVENTION SERVICES IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $82,656
35 (AB2001 -178)
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37 Dawson moved to recommend approval.
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39 Motion carried unanimously.
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41 11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
42 CONTRACT AMENDMENT OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
43 WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM TO EXTEND THE
44 EXPIRATION DATE TO DECEMBER 31, 2001 (AB2001 -179)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/29/2001, Page 6
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Crawford moved to recommend approval.
Nelson asked if this is done annually.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the five -year agreement ended
at the end of 2000. The County has been in negotiation to retain interests that are
important to the County. The contract has lapsed. The County has said it would
not approve any money unless there is an extension of the agreement.
Motion carried unanimously.
12. RESOLUTION TO CREATE MONEY PURCHASE PLAN AND TRUST
ADOPTION AGREEMENT FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY SUPPLEMENTAL
RETIREMENT PLAN (AB2001 -180)
Dawson moved to recommend approval. She questioned whether everyone
who is going to contribute needs to sign up by the date this goes into affect.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the drop -dead deadline for
current employees is July 20.
Dawson questioned the percent that the County will match. Desler stated
the County would match 50 cents on the dollar up to two percent of the employee's
annual salary.
Hoag questioned whether an employee cannot amend the amount they
contribute. Desler stated it is a federal law that the contribution rate not be varied.
Hoag stated that seemed odd to her. Desler stated that is the requirement
under federal law. Once a person chooses a contribution percentage, that
percentage is what the person is required to contribute. Participants can use the
457 plan, in which contributions can be varied.
Hoag questioned whether the County would ever contribute more than two
percent. Desler stated the County would only contribute two percent, regardless of
how much the employee chooses to contribute.
Hoag asked for a copy of the federal law before the evening meeting.
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/29/2001, Page 7
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13. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & HEALTH SERVICES, DIVISION OF
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE (DASA) HIDTA GRANT, FOR DRUG
COURT FUNDING, IN THE GRANT AMOUNT OF $100,000 (AB2001-
181)
Dawson moved to recommend approval.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated this is a new source of funding.
The administration is still seeking other sources.
Imhof asked the amount budgeted to the court system. Desler stated he
would have to look for that information.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:40 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, 5/29/2001, Page 8