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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance November 13 20011 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 it 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 49 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Finance and Administrative Services Committee November 13, 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 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. DISCUSSION REGARDING 2002 FUNDING FOR THE INTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH CASE COORDINATION PROJECT AND EMERGENCY JUVENILE DETENTION MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (AB2001 -375) Imhof stated this project was begun midway into 2001. The intent is to go out for a Request for Proposals (RFP) to continue the services. Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated money was not placed in the 2002 budget to continue this project. The concern was about the County's ability to sustain a project like this. There are services in the budget for juveniles. Also, Whatcom County is a member of the North Sound Regional Support Network (NSRSN), which serves youth who are critically disabled with mental health problems. Steve Paus, Juvenile Court Administrator, stated the detention services that they provide for mentally ill kids have been going on for about six years. They began the 2001 budget with an amount of $22,000 in that line item. That amount has been carried on for quite a few years. He put in a supplemental budget request of $15,000, and made a proposal to the Law and Justice Council to increase that amount to $37,000. That was an approved project. At the same time, the contractor that had been providing intensive mental health services in detention put in a proposal to carry those services out from detention into the community, and work with probation officers around an intensive mental health case management project. They have been providing that service since 2000. They began the community part of that program in 2001. The project was prioritized by the Law and Justice Council and came forward to the County Council. The provider started the program at that time. During the 2002 budget process, he put in an additional service request for both of these projects, plus other projects that were approved by the Law and Justice Council. The County Executive put forward selected additional service requests to the Law and Justice Council. Each committee of the Law and Justice Council prioritized those requests. The Law and Justice Council's Juvenile Subcommittee met and considered six proposals. He suggested the following priority to the subcommittee: 1. Juvenile community justice center, in the amount Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, 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 48 49 of $268,827; 2. Intensive mental health case coordination project, in the amount of $80,000, and; 3. Mental health contractual services, in the amount of $15,000. The Juvenile Community Justice Center was funded at about $227,000. None of the others were funded. That leaves an amount of $22,000 that is currently in the budget for the mental health portion. He put out an RFP, although they didn't attach a dollar amount to it, because they are going to continue that service, even if it's only $22,000. Brenner stated she is on the Mental Health Advisory Board. This is very important to coordinate. The board was not aware of this change, and had to scramble. A letter was sent from the board. These programs are not fluff programs. These juveniles are not going to be taken care of without these programs. This doesn't exist. They've had problems in the past with County mental health providers. She hasn't seen anything that covers this service. She questioned whether they would continue the programs with $22,000, and then come back with a supplemental budget request. Paus stated he would continue the emergency detention piece, which is an emergency response by the contractors and six hours per week of coming into the facility to talk to the youth. They would also connect the youth with the community providers. Hoag asked what they put out an RFP for. Paus stated the RFP does not have a dollar amount attached to it. It has a description of the services that he is asking for. At the present time, with only $22,000, they are only left with the detention piece. He would prefer to do the entire program. When the youth leaves detention, there is a need for a mental health professional to provide case coordination services. The juveniles do not stay on their medications or get to their appointments. When that happens, they are dropped by the current system. The current RFP has this element in it. Imhof stated they are going out for an RFP, see how much it will cost, and then it could come back as a supplemental budget request to fill that gap. Dawson questioned whether any grants have been submitted. Paus stated his department submitted a grant to the Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee for this project. It was not funded. The County's designated grants coordinator has not put in for any grants. Brenner stated the programs are critical for high -risk juveniles. However, the program hasn't been operating long enough to have the data on the results, but the data so far has been positive about the reduction in violence. The County needs to continue the programs as long as it can and continue, or cut the budget in other areas if necessary. Nelson questioned what kind of intensive case management program is determined for outpatient intensive case management. Paus stated the provider accepts referrals. The case manager is able to work with the probation office and with those people in the community who are connected and do direct service with these kids. If they aren't connected with direct service, then they also go out and do that. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, Page 2 1 2 Nelson questioned whether this is court - ordered. Paus stated it is not. It 3 can be a part of their probation contract to maintain their appointments with their 4 mental health provider. This service makes sure that gets done. His department 5 contracts with the community provider to get that done. 6 7 Cindy Maxwell, Northwest Care Advocates, stated a direct service style is 8 used. When they get a referral from a probation officer, that child may or may not 9 be connected with any type of treatment. Usually the kids have been in the system 10 at one time or another, and they continue to get into trouble and not follow through 11 with their treatment. Her agency becomes their counselor in connecting the 12 criminal justice system with the appropriate treatment. It doesn't do any good to 13 do a court order for a child to see a therapist. Medications and counseling are 14 monitored. They also have a psychiatrist on staff who can consult or provide 15 immediate medication. That is a difficult thing to get in the Community Mental 16 Health Center. They can also do psychological testing for some of the kids who are 17 acting out violently. 18 19 Desler stated the Health and Human Services Department has a certain 20 capacity to do coordinated services and programs. There is another set of 21 providers that operate through the NSRSN, which is charged with serving these 22 youth. This program is designed to help connect the youth with services. It is also 23 an ongoing responsibility of County government to ensure that is done. This 24 program is designed to provide an extra set of eyes and ears to the youth for the 25 time they are in crisis. 26 27 Crawford questioned how the NSRSN operates. 28 29 Nelson stated the money that is allocated through the Associated Provider 30 Network (APN), which includes five counties throughout the region that contract for 31 these services. The services are predominantly Title 19 dollars from the State. He 32 didn't know how many of these kids would be eligible for Title 19 services. They 33 would qualify for the APN. Intensive case management has become a hot issue in 34 the region and nationally. The dollars can come through eventually if they get pilot 35 programs that match the same types of strategies that the region is developing. 36 They are still developing the strategy, so they don't know yet if this program would 37 qualify for NSRSN funding. 38 39 Imhof stated a group of kids out there have mental problems and are 40 potentially dangerous. A group of providers have services to help those kids. This 41 agency group connects these kids and providers together. The County can make 42 some of these connections in- house. He questioned why some of the kids fall 43 through the cracks. Paus stated a person can go to the clinic. If a person stops 44 going to the clinic, no one follows up, and the person is off the books. 45 46 Imhof questioned whether the probation office could follow up. Paus stated a 47 probation officer could write a probation violation and order the kids in. That 48 translates to days in detention. The County can hook them back up again. This 49 provider works closely with the family and kids, stays closer to the family and the Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, 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 kids, and works to coordinate medication and counseling. They stay in the program longer. Crawford questioned what other funding sources or state programs are available. Nelson stated the State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is working with a 17 percent cut this year. They are trying to hold the current service they have. If the County is looking for dollars from the region, funding will be limited until the region has a strategy plan that matches this program. Imhof stated there is no money available at this time from NSRSN. They are still looking for grant funding, but it isn't coming. Nelson stated that this program, if proven to be effective, would be a great tool in convincing the region and State. Imhof questioned the amount to keep the program going through 2002. Paus stated the cost for 2002 is $80,000. Imhof questioned whether there are other options to reduce that amount. Paus stated they could run the program through June and come back in June. In June they may have some other strategy in place to continue through grants or other funding. Brenner stated that at that time there would be more data available to request grant funding. These programs are not a second set of eyes and ears. No one does what this provider does. There are very long waiting periods. Imhof stated he has more questions that need to be answered. The budget hearing is at the evening meeting. They can make an amendment to the budget at that time. He would like to see the program go through for six months, and see what they can come up with in the meantime. Dawson moved to recommend funding the program through June 2002. Imhof stated he would not support the motion because he still has questions. Motion failed 1 -2 with Dawson in favor. (Clerk's Note: Continued discussion at the end of the meeting.) COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01- 113 TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, ALLWEST UNDERGROUND, INC. FOR A VACTOR TRUCK WITH A JET RODDER, IN Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, 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 49 THE AMOUNT OF $230,943.23 (AB2001 -354) Dawson moved to recommend approval. Motion carried unanimously. 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01- 116 TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, AUTOMOTIVE PARTS SERVICE, FOR THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF AUTO PARTS, IN THE ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF $60,000 PER YEAR (AB2001 -355) Imhof moved to recommend approval. Motion carried unanimously. 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01- 121 TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, MCTAR PETROLEUM COMPANY, FOR THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF ROAD SALT IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 (AB2001 -356) Dawson moved to recommend approval. Hoag stated this seemed like a large amount of money. Imhof explained the purchase is on an as- needed basis. If the County needs the road salt, it will purchase it. If the County doesn't need the road salt, it won't take delivery. Dick Prieve, Assistant Director of Administration, stated the amount is the maximum that would be needed if there is a large storm event. Hoag questioned whether $42.50 per ton is a lot for road salt. Prieve stated it went through the bid process. Motion carried unanimously. 4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #01- 123 TO THE ONLY BIDDER, ZUMAR INDUSTRIES, FOR THE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF TRAFFIC SIGNS, IN THE ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF $125,000 PER YEAR (AB2001 -357) Crawford questioned why there wasn't any other bidder. He was surprised there was not competition. Dick Prieve, Assistant Director of Administration, stated this company was the only bidder. He didn't know why. The County usually gets two bids. Imhof moved to recommend approval. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, Page 5 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 49 Motion carried unanimously. S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY ADULT DRUG COURT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 OVER THREE YEARS (AB2001- 358) Dawson moved to recommend approval. Motion carried unanimously. 6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES / DIVISION OF ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE FOR THE BYRNE DRUG COURT GRANT, WHICH PROVIDES MOST OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY DRUG COURT CLIENT TREATMENT AND URINALYSIS SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $110,000 PER YEAR (AB2001 -359) Dawson moved to recommend approval. Motion carried unanimously. 7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL - RECOVERY CENTER TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES FOR LOW- INCOME INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY PROBLEMS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $988,364 (AB2001 -360) Dawson moved to recommend approval. Motion carried unanimously. 8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS AND BEK ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MONITORING SERVICES FOR THE CEDARVILLE LANDFILL AND RE- EVALUATION OF THE GAS FLARE SYSTEM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,606.95 (AB2001 -361) Imhof moved to recommend approval. Crawford stated this cost went up 20 percent, and questioned whether this is done through a competitive bid process. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, 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 49 Dick Prieve, Assistant Director of Administration, stated they interviewed three consultants. There were seven who submitted bids. The only difference is that a year ago, they did an analysis of the gas flare system. From that analysis, they recommended going to a carbon system. The County administration asked that the recommendation be reevaluated. Motion carried unanimously. 9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE PORT OF BELLINGHAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING FOR THE GREATER WHATCOM COUNTY AREA, INCLUDING THE CITIES WITHIN WHATCOM COUNTY (AB2001- 362) Dawson stated this seems like a lot of money. Crawford stated there is a grant to do it. Dawson moved to recommend approval. Crawford stated there is a considerable amount of enthusiasm and support for this program in the rural areas. Motion carried unanimously. 10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AMENDMENT #6 OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR THE ANNEXATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF APPROXIMATELY EIGHT ACRES IN THE VICINITY OF THE BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE (AB2001 -363) Dawson moved to recommend approval. Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they are trying to watch annexations very carefully. Imhof stated this is to help the Bellingham Technical College implement their long -range plans. Desler stated that is correct. Imhof questioned why the boundary was not drawn straight across to the north at Edens Avenue. They are beginning to get a peninsula out there. Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated that is an ongoing issue with the City of Bellingham. The problem is that the City is not proactive. They respond to requests for annexation. The request only came from the Technical College, and that is all the property it owns. The City should not accept the boundary unless it contacts the three property owners to the north and add them in Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, Page 7 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 also. This is not a critical public services issue, so the County staff didn't add it in. The City already has the road to the north, and there aren't any other roads or other services affected here. Crawford stated the Council received letters about extending Illinois Street across. He questioned whether the City would do that. Imhof stated the Illinois Street alignment would fit in that area. That extension is in the Technical College's long range plan. Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated the City of Bellingham is annexing the right -of -way for West Illinois, west of Nome Street. It is difficult to extend the road because there is a railroad right -of -way to deal with. The County has not felt the need to take a lead on the extension, because it only serves the college and the city residents. Motion carried unanimously. 11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AMENDMENT #7 OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY 75 ACRES IN THE VICINITY OF DEEMER ROAD AND SPRING CREEK (AB2001 -364) Dawson moved to recommend approval. (Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.) Imhof questioned whether the road maintenance would remain with the County. Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated the County discussed the options with the City of Bellingham Public Works Department. When Irongate was annexed, it left an island of the county that could only be reached by traveling through city streets to get there. In the past year, the County put money into the Bakerview Road /James Street signal and the James Street /Telegraph Road project. He preferred that the County insist that the City annex the area. The County can't force the City's hand. This option would give the City the responsibility for any new road improvements, which will be needed. The County will provide gas tax revenue money to be used exclusively in that area. Imhof questioned why the County is giving the City the gas tax money when the County is still doing the road maintenance. Mills stated the County is keeping the road tax money from the property taxes. The County is saying that it wants the City of Bellingham to do the roadway improvements, because the area will eventually be annexed into the city. That way, the City can build the road to the standard it wants, but the County won't have to spend more of its capital improvement dollars in that area. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, Page 8 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 49 Brenner questioned whether the City is still going to have to pay a portion of the traffic light at James and Bakerview when it annexes that area. Mills stated they will if they annex in the next ten years. Crawford questioned whether the City would make Deemer Road become a through street. Mills stated the City plans to extend Deemer Road all the way to Kellogg Road. Sylvia Goodwin, Planning Division Manager, stated a substitute Appendix C was distributed. It adds Van Wyk Road to the table on Council packet page 188. She asked to add to the table Van Wyk Road from the Guide Meridian to 3,000 feet to the east, which was built in 1999 for a cost of $227,000. A replacement map distributed with the substitute Appendix C. Staff proposes to switch the maps, too. Imhof restated the motion to recommend approval, with the substitutes. Nelson stated one of the impacts of annexations is to small property owners. He questioned the development pattern in this area. Typically, the City will create a local improvement district (LID), which forces people out of their homes. Imhof stated this came about because of a petition by 75 percent of the landowners. Brenner questioned whether the 75 percent is of the landowners or the land. Goodwin stated it is 75 percent of the assessed valuation. Brenner stated Councilmember Nelson's concern is legitimate. Goodwin stated it is state law. The County can't change it. Nelson stated it is not fair to the citizens. Hoag questioned the difference in the Van Wyk Road amounts from $227,000 to $90,800. Mills stated the City is only looking to annex the first 1,200 feet, which is approximately 40 percent of the cost. Motion carried unanimously. 14. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL COUNTY ROAD CONSTRUCTION FUND AUTHORIZATION FOR COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NO. 900911, ALDERSON ROAD STRUCTURAL OVERLAY (AB2001 -365) Mills stated that when they got to the area and began doing the roadwork, the small revisions to the storm drain system needed to become larger. They found several rotten pipes that needed full replacement. Another thing that happened was another small job that needed to be done at the end of Koehn Road. They added it to this contract because it was in the vicinity, it was small enough to add, and not large enough for a separate contract. Motion carried 2 -0, with Crawford out of the room. Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 11/13/2001, Page 9 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 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 1. DISCUSSION REGARDING 2002 FUNDING FOR THE INTENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH CASE COORDINATION PROJECT AND EMERGENCY JUVENILE DETENTION MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (AB2001 -375) (Continued from above the beginning of the meeting.) Janet Clock, resident, spoke on the mental health contract for the Juvenile Probation Department and overseeing of mentally ill children. She worked for DSHS for 30 years. She worked with children who were mentally ill and mentally ill adults. That is her area of expertise. She encouraged the committee to vote for the appropriation of the funds. The children are fragile and need the intensive case management that this program handles. It is not offered often by other agencies. She is on the Mental Health Board. This service is not provided in other ways. There is a lot of violence going on, and the service will reduce and prevent future violence. She worked in DSHS in the days when officials determined that children cannot be mentally ill. Now, they've found that the children can be mentally ill. Bob Clock, resident, stated he worked for the County for 27 years. The County has a functioning program that is meeting needs and cutting costs elsewhere in the budget. He preferred see $80,000 spent on this program rather than on the rock salt. It's a worthwhile program. Imhof stated a hearing will be held on this issue at the evening meeting. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 1:10 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, 11/13/2001, Page 10