HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance January 25 20001
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
50
51
52
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
January 25, 2000
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Committee member L.
Ward Nelson in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Sam Crawford None
Robert Imhof
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR (AB2000 -023)
Imhof nominated Nelson
Motion carried 2 -0 with Crawford absent.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2000 BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 1 (AB2000-
047)
Nelson questioned whether costs for the morgue were for the electrical costs.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated there was an agreement to pay
for the power usage.
Imhof moved to recommend approval of the supplemental budget.
Nelson asked if this was something that the County has paid for in the past.
Desler stated it is something that they paid out of the existing budget authority
when the County began receiving the bills in 1999. It is a commitment the County
has as a part of the contract for morgue services.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Crawford absent.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH
SERVICES TO PROVIDE FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING FOR
OUTREACH LINKAGE, VACCINE FOR CHILDREN AND INTERPRETER
SERVICES, FOR A CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,400,000 INCLUDING
UNANTICIPATED MEDICAID CLIENT OUTREACH MONEY IN THE
AMOUNT OF $14,506 (AB2000 -052)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/25/2000, 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
50
51
52
53
Nelson questioned whether the outreach program was successful.
Kay Guirl, Personal Health Services Manager, stated they've used all the
money allocated. It has been successful. The state hasn't used all the
appropriation from congress, so they will extend the program to March so they can
expend all the money. It will probably be extended indefinitely.
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
(Crawford arrived at 12:05 p.m.)
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WHATCOM CRISIS SERVICES,
TO SUPPORT THE COMMISSION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $60,000, WITH WHATCOM COUNTY PROVIDING
$30,000 (AB2000 -053)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND BLACK FLAG EMPLOYMENT SERVICES —
INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYMENT, TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTED
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING PLACEMENT AND FOLLOW -UP SERVICES
NECESSARY TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENT
DISABILITIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,087, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT
AMOUNT OF $30,299 (AB2000 -054)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
BELLINGHAM / WHATCOM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
TO PROVIDE PROMOTIONAL ADVERTISING SERVICES, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $25,000 (AB2000 -055)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND WHATCOM
VOLUNTEER CENTER, TO PROVIDE PARTIAL FUNDING FOR THE
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/25/2000, 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
49
50
PROVISION OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES UPON REQUEST OF THE
COUNTY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 (AB2000 -056)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Nelson asked if this was the same as last year.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it is.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CONVENTION AND
VISITOR'S BUREAU, TO PROVIDE VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES
AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $75,000 (AB2000-
057)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Nelson stated the amount is lower than last year.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL,
TO CONDUCT COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES THAT RESULT IN
ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES APPLYING FOR MEDICAID
AND ENROLLING IN A HEALTH OPTIONS MANAGED CARE PLAN, FOR
A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $71,000, INCLUDING THE STATE FUNDED
AMENDED AMOUNT OF $11,000 (AB2000 -058)
Nelson stated he has a lot of issues with the Options program.
Benjamin stated the original contract was for $50,000 and the added amount
is for $11,000, so the correct amount is for a total of $61,000.
Imhof moved to recommend approval with the corrected amount of $61,000.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY TO IMPLEMENT THE INTEGRATED
PEST MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT TO
DEVELOP, PRODUCT AND CONDUCT RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL
EFFORTS TOWARDS ACCEPTANCE AND ADOPTION OF INTEGRATED
PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WHATCOM COUNTY, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $75,000 (AB2000 -059)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/25/2000, 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
Craig MacConnell, Cooperative Extension, stated both elements are in the
1999 Comprehensive Water Resources Plan and are to protect groundwater. The
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project is an extension of the Nooksack IPM
project that was funded with Centennial Clean Water fund monies. It was a three -
year project that was extended to four years. It is now moving to local money.
They are going to expand the areas that IPM education and research will be
directed to, and will include other commodities in the county and urban areas. It
will establish an advisory committee. The advisory committee is in the process of
being configured. It is directed toward reducing pesticide use in the county. It is
driven by doing local research, involving farmers in that research, and looking for
practical methods that provide alternative ways to deal with pests. They are also
getting ready to deal with the Lake Whatcom watershed detection of Dursban in the
sediments. It is mostly driven by turf applications of Dursban, and the biggest use
is for the crane fly.
Imhof asked if this is all local money. MacConnell stated it is all flood fee
money. The Nooksack IPM project that just closed was about $180,000 of state
and federal money.
Crawford asked about the $4,000 travel fund. MacConnell stated the travel
fund is to allow them to be in the field and also to interact with the researchers.
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated he supported
the implementation of any effort toward an integrated pest management program.
The local agency partnered with the State Department of Health to study
groundwater contamination in the northern part of the county. One
recommendation was the implementation of a pest management program.
Nelson asked about hiring staff. MacConnell stated they want to move the
Washington State University (WSU) person who ran the Nooksack IPM project into
this project.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Nelson recommended that the summary statement be clearer.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, TO IMPLEMENT THE NUTRIENT
MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROJECT TO DEVELOP,
PRODUCE AND CONDUCT RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS
TOWARDS THE ACCEPTANCE AND ADOPTION OF IMPROVED
NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WHATCOM COUNTY, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $63,000 (AB2000 -060) 6
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/25/2000, 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
Craig MacConnell, Cooperative Extension, stated it deals with nutrient
management and nitrates in the groundwater. They are also interested in fecal
coliform from animal sources. It is the same model as the previous item, to
convene an advisory committee including local people and research professionals,
identify the opportunities for research, identify cooperators, and develop the best
management practices that will bring about some changes. This is the genesis of
best management practices (BMP). Out of these kinds of efforts come the BMPs
that drive the regulatory side. With these, they get the farmers involved from the
beginning, so it is practical stuff.
Nelson questioned whether they would be working with the Conservation
District (CD). MacConnell stated they would. Robert Dike was hired last year and
is a specialist in nutrient management. He will drive this project.
Nelson stated he envisioned that this is a hard - hitting education program to
get the farmers to understand how to reduce the nutrient load. This will coincide
with the CD's efforts to set up the plans. MacConnell stated that was correct.
Robert Dike came from a couple years of work with the Conservation District. The
other thing is to look at the questions surrounding implementing the farm plans,
and refine the answers and convince the farmers this is the right way to go.
Imhof stated most farmers just want to do what is right, but they have to be
educated.
Robert Dike, Cooperative Extension, stated that, in addition to the entities
such as the Conservation District and the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, who develops the conservation
practice standards, farmers and technical people such as private industry people
will be included on the advisory committee. The Department of Ecology will also
play a technical advisory role. It is not just farmers and the Conservation District.
It is a cross - section of representative stakeholders in this nutrient management
business.
Nelson questioned how soon they would be on board. One of the critical
issues with the Watershed Management Plan includes nutrient loading. He
questioned the timeframe for when they would be able to provide data and
objective approaches to solve the problems. MacConnell stated they expect to
convene the first meeting of the advisory committee next week. They have WSU to
begin the recruiting process before the contract has been signed. That position has
been closed. They are going to hire someone new for the nutrient management
side. They have 12 local applicants, and would like to have the person hired within
the next couple of weeks.
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Councilmember Dawson asked for an example of the research they are going
to do. MacConnell stated they don't know yet. They are going to get that direction
from the advisory committee. They need to look at the nutrients from the very
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/25/2000, 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
beginning. He read research that said the feed is the largest source of nutrients
coming into the farm. That is one of the places that have the potential for a big
impact. They will see if they can affect the quantity of feed per cow coming in.
Based upon the research, there are big differences in the amount of nitrogen per
cow per acre per farm, depending upon the feed and the management decisions
about how to feed the cows. Another idea is to look at the pathways of the manure
in the environment so they better understand how they are getting fecal coliform in
surface water.
Dike stated another element is going to be phosphorus - loading in feed.
Although their perception is that they are ahead of their time by addressing
phosphorus, it is something to think about and to encourage the advisory
committee to think about.
Councilmember Brenner questioned whether they are inventing the wheel or
if it has been done in other places. MacConnell stated the local climate, soils, and
production systems are unique. They will take advantage of work that has been
done in other places, but they need to do specialized work here. They need to do
the work locally for the science and also for the understanding and acceptance by
the industry.
Dike stated there are many studies from all over the country and the world.
This is a unique opportunity to retrofit, or adjust, that to local conditions and needs,
and particularly the local dairy industry.
Motion to recommend approval carried unanimously.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND VISITING NURSE
PERSONAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE FOR NURSING SERVICES IN THE
WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL, IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF
$293,170.50 (AB2000 -061)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
11. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO APPROVE THE
PURCHASE OF SPECIAL SOFTWARE BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, TO
CONNECT THE WASHINGTON STATE ACCESS SYSTEM VIA THE AS400,
WITH THE SOLE SOURCE VENDOR BEING NEW WORLD SYSTEMS, FOR
A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $43,120 (AB2000 -026)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Brenner questioned whether all the money is coming from the High Intensity
Drug Traffic Act (HIDTA) grant.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/25/2000, 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
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated it is. It was specifically written
for this. It will save the County and other jurisdictions money that they currently
spend for connections to information systems.
Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Crawford questioned whether the funding denied to the Economic
Development Council (EDC) could be revisited.
Dawson stated she just spoke with the EDC and Councilmembers Nelson and
Imhof. They decided to ask for a contract so the County has a written guarantee
that the EDC will do quarterly presentations.
Crawford questioned whether Fred Sexton of the EDC was amenable to that.
Dawson stated he wasn't in and she left a message.
Imhof stated they were supposed to get a letter that listed companies that
were going to locate in the County, but decided not to. That letter hasn't come in
yet and he was curious why.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
L. Ward Nelson, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 1/25/2000, Page 7