HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance June 13 20001
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
June 13, 2000
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 L. Ward Nelson
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #00-
56, MICROFILMING SERVICES, TO ALL QUALIFIED BIDDERS FOR
FIRM PRICING ON VARIOUS MICROFILMING SERVICES, IN AN
AMOUNT THAT COULD EXCEED $30,000 (AB2000 -219)
Imhof questioned whether this was the microfilming activity that the County
is catching up on.
Ann Bjertness, Records Services Supervisor, stated this is a continuation
from last year. The work wasn't completed last year because the vendor didn't
want to renew the contract, and the County had to go out for bid to complete the
work.
Imhof asked if they are doing the annual microfilming. Bjertness stated they
are making headway on the backlog.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated there is still a fair amount of
material that has yet to be catalogued and microfilmed.
Bjertness stated they are handling the big issues now and going department
by department.
Imhof asked the County is keeping current on yearly stuff. Bjertness stated
it depends on the department. They are mainly working on the backlog of material.
Most of the current files are not ready to be microfilmed.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #00-
58, NORTHWEST AREA PRELEVEL PROJECT, TO THE LOWEST
RESPONSIVE BIDDER, WILDER CONSTRUCTION, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$342,150 (AB2000 -220)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 1
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Dick Prieve, Assistant Director of Administration, stated they try to keep all
the pre - leveling in one area of the County. Two more contracts are being
advertised now.
Imhof questioned whether the chip seal would be put down next year. Prieve
stated they are trying to separate the pre - leveling and the chip seal, with one year
in between the two activities. There is no difference on low volume roads. They
need curing time. However, because other work is held up, they will get all pre -
level work done so there is a separation between pre - leveling and chip sealing.
They are shifting money into pre - leveling work from culverts they can't do and
bridges they haven't received permits for.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY ROAD PROJECT NO. 998010
AND THE AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE INTERSECTION
SIGNALIZATION OF EAST BAKERVIEW ROAD AT JAMES STREET ROAD
AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND SOTO & SONS
CONSTRUCTION LLC, THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $491,173.60 (AB2000 -221)
Imhof asked if the County has an agreement with the City of Bellingham for
reimbursement of this money when the city takes over the road.
Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated the agreement is
through an interlocal agreement. It is a ten -year straight depreciation formula.
Brenner asked if the City is taking that area over soon. Mills stated he hasn't
received anything official from the city. They left an island when they annexed
Irongate. One can't get to this area without going through the city.
Brenner stated the entire area generates revenue, but the city left out that
one area. The city should have taken the entire area.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND NORTH SOUND REGIONAL
SUPPORT NETWORK (NSRSN) TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MENTAL
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION PLANNING, COORDINATION, AND
COMMUNITY -BASED SERVICES FOR WHATCOM COUNTY IN THE
AMENDED AMOUNT $52,726, FOR A TOTAL AMENDED AMOUNT OF
$276,628 (AB2000 -222)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 2
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Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, asked that the
committee hold and reschedule this item for June 27.
The committee agreed.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND BLACK FLAG EMPLOYMENT SERVICES —
COMMUNITY ACCESS TO PROVIDE AN INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM
FOR PERSONS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCESS EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THEIR DISABILITIES OR
OTHER BARRIERS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,704 (AB2000 -223)
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, suggested considering
items five through seven, nine, and ten at once. They all relate to services to
people with disabilities. The funding is related to the person with the disability.
That is why some of the contracts go up and down, even during the course of a
year. People move from one vendor to another. They are all similar in nature.
Imhof asked if a supplemental budget request is needed. Benjamin stated it
is already in the budget.
Imhof moved to recommend approval of Consent Agenda items five through
seven, nine, and ten.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. 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 PLACEMENT AND FOLLOW -
UP SERVICES NECESSARY TO ASSIST PERSONS WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,908
(AB2000 -224)
See above Consent Agenda item five.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL FOCUS TO OFFER COMMUNITY
ACCESS SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,500 (AB2000 -225)
See above Consent Agenda Item five.
S. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CASCADE RADIO GROUP, TO PROVIDE
FUNDING TO RUN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 3
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long.
PREVENTING INJURIES FROM FALLS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,000
(AB2000 -226)
Dawson asked the time length of the advertisement.
Kay Guirl, Personal Health Services Manager, stated the ad is 60 seconds
Imhof questioned why they are having the announcements.
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated hospital data
shows that many hospitalizations are from injuries resulting from a fall. They are
trying to put together a preventative proactive action plan as the public health
agency.
Imhof asked if the accidents are mostly to the elderly. Guirl stated the
elderly has the highest rate of incidents, but falls are high on injuries for all ages.
The total campaign will address the elderly, but will also target individuals who use
substances and drink alcohol, because they also have a high number of falls.
Benjamin stated they are using state money for this project. A new
advertising effort is based on assessment data.
Brenner stated the Cascade Radio Group has a lot of money. They should
volunteer to do public service announcements. The Bellingham Herald does public
service announcements for free.
Benjamin stated the advertisement isn't a public service announcement.
They are doing commercial advertisements. Cascade Radio Group does public
service announcements for free, but they are scheduled in the middle of the night.
These commercials will be played during travel time.
Brenner stated the public service announcements won't do any good if no
one hears them. She didn't like being forced to do the announcements this way.
The Cascade Radio Group should still do this for free.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
9. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND KULSHAN SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT —
INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYMENT FOR PLACEMENT AND FOLLOW -UP
SERVICES NECESSARY TO ASSIST PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES TO OBTAIN AND CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT FOR
REMUNERATION IN COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SETTINGS, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $149,472 (AB2000 -227)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 4
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See above Consent Agenda Item five.
10. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND KULSHAN SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT —
GROUP EMPLOYMENT FOR JOB PLACEMENT, ON- THE -JOB TRAINING
AND FOLLOW -UP SERVICES WHICH PROVIDE SUPERVISED
EMPLOYMENT IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS FOR GROUPS OF WORKERS
WITH DISABILITIES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $37,368 (AB2000 -228)
See above Consent Agenda Item five.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 2001 -2006 SIX -YEAR TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PLAN (AB2000 -218)
Brenner questioned whether the County would lose money if the City doesn't
annex the area at Bakerview Road at James Street for five years.
Imhof stated the County loses 10 percent per year, up to 50 percent.
Brenner questioned what keeps the City from not annexing that area for five
or ten years.
Imhof stated nothing keeps the City from not annexing that area.
Brenner stated that work is being done because of the City of Bellingham.
Imhof stated the County knows that. Because of the Growth Management
Act, the County can't say the city can't do that. They are not leaving an island of
County property surrounded by city property.
Brenner stated they did leave an island. The County needs to make sure the
city doesn't get away with that again.
Bruce Mills, Assistant Director of Engineering, stated that should be
addressed with the Boundary Review Board. He sent a copy of a report on June 9,
which was a status of this year's program showing they are going to have to push
back a few projects to next year, but they are successful in getting other jobs out.
He distributed the proposed program for the next six years (on file). He asked for
comments by June 22. He will introduce this to the Council on June 27, and a
public hearing and adoption will be scheduled for the July 11 meeting.
Imhof questioned what the dots are on the map that Mr. Mills distributed.
Mills stated they are either bridge or intersection improvements.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 5
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Crawford stated there should be a dot on the four- to six -year Grandview
extension across the Nooksack River.
Dawson asked if there has been discussion regarding parking at Gooseberry
Point. Mills stated there will be improvements to the ferry terminal. It is not about
the parking area.
Dawson asked if there is land that the County owns in that area.
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated the County does own some
property, which it is transferring to the Lummi Nation, based on an agreement
signed in 1988.
Mills stated they are talking about the Lummi Island side. The County
purchased lots two or three years ago on the Lummi Island side.
Dawson stated she was talking about the land on the mainland side. Desler
stated that property was transferred for the long -term use of the tidelands in 1988.
The Public Works Department was requested to prepare a plan on the appropriate
uses of all County property on both sides of the ferry.
Brenner stated she wanted to know the situation on the Lummi Island side.
Desler stated the property has not been developed. It is waiting on planning
by the Public Works Department and the coordination with the citizens and
residents.
Brenner asked if the plan is to develop the land for more parking. Desler
stated that is what it was acquired for. It has to be done in the context of a larger
coordinated plan for both sides of the ferry terminal. The Public Works Department
expanded the number of parking spaces. They want to determine whether or not
that would meet the needs that the County forecasts.
Brenner stated she voted against purchasing the property, but the property
was purchased for that need. She questioned why the County is trying to make do
when the property has already been purchased.
Desler suggested having a discussion when there is a strategic plan.
Crawford questioned why the County plans for six years. Mills stated it is a
law. Six is a magic number, and there is no reason for it.
Crawford stated the four- to six -year projects are subject to change. Mills
stated the ones with definite funding are scheduled in the first year. The ones that
may have funding are scheduled in years two and three. Their wish list is the
projects scheduled for the remaining years. Projects can be moved around.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 6
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Crawford asked how the staff identifies needs. Mills stated 350 miles of the
total 1,000 miles of roads are arterial roads, not local access roads. That is what
they look to improve. They don't look to improve the local access roads. The chip -
seal program takes care of the local access roads. The 350 miles of arterial roads
are prioritized each year. They are analyzed by use of a rating sheet for the
number of accidents, traffic patterns, the curvature of the road, and other factors.
They also look at whether the road improvements are funded. There are real
legitimate projects that don't have funds.
Crawford stated South Pass Road needs to be improved, but there are no
improvements scheduled for the road between Maple Falls and Silver Lake Park.
That stretch of road, with its sharp curves and narrow roadway, would be a heavily
used spot.
Mills stated there is very little traffic beyond that point.
Brenner asked why the improvements on Smith Road to the freeway aren't
going to be fixed. Mills stated the plan goes to the Ferndale city limits.
Crawford asked if the intersection at Hannegan and Smith roads is being
signalized. Mills stated it is. This six -year plan begins in 2001 and continues to
2006. That project is scheduled for the year 2000.
Brenner asked how the County allows the cities to expand their growth
boundary if they don't have the money to do their infrastructure. That is a
requirement. Mills stated he is not aware of those requirements.
Brenner stated the city is supposed to have the money to do what needs to
be done for their urban growth area. They are doing all kinds of things in the area,
except upgrading the road. Mills stated this is in the city limit, not the urban
growth area.
Brenner stated the city is supposed to show the financial wherewithal that
they can expand the city limit.
Imhof stated the roads meet the capacity that the City Council set for those
roads.
Mills stated that even though the road may be narrow, one lane of travel in
each direction is adequate because it is enough to handle the traffic.
Brenner stated that road is heavily traveled.
McShane asked if work on Lummi Shore Road is scheduled for this summer.
Mills stated it is. There will be remaining work to do next year on that road and
also on Yew Street.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 7
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McShane asked about the shoreline armory. His concern was that the tribe,
in applying for funding for salmon restoration, asked for money to do beach
nourishment along that shoreline armored area. He questioned whether there is a
problem with funding for maintaining the beach nourishment in front of the
substantial bulkhead. Mills stated there is an agreement with the Lummi Nation
that the County will do beach nourishment in perpetuity.
Imhof asked what beach nourishment is.
McShane stated the bluff is eroding. Beach nourishment maintains the beach
for the fish. If they don't nourish the beach with sand and gravel, the beach will
drop and the rock armoring will fall down. He was concerned about whether the
tribe is funding their portion in perpetuity. Mills stated the agreement is to share
the cost 50/50. It is not a large ticket item. It is about getting the right gradation
material. They left some roads available to dump the material and let the tide do
the rest.
Brenner stated it is a big- ticket item in the long run.
McShane stated it is not.
Mills stated tribe received BIA funds and may continue to do so.
Imhof stated the councilmembers should get any more questions to Mr. Mills
before June 22.
OTHER ITEMS
Dewey Desler, Deputy Administrator, stated they will receive detailed plans
from the Law and Justice Committee and the hired consultants on the Law and
Justice Plan. There is a meeting scheduled with the County Council in two weeks,
from one to three p.m., to discuss that plan. There are four key items to discuss
before this Finance Committee. One or two of them might be appropriate to take to
the Council meeting that night. There are some key recommendations coming out
of that plan. One of them is to ask the Council to recharge the Law and Justice
Council. The recommendation is to recharge the committee, which is composed of
mayors, police chiefs, justices, and others, to work on implementation activities
associated with the plan. The proposal for this request will be in resolution form. It
will be appropriate to bring that resolution before the committee and to the Council.
The second part of that item is to provide staff support for the Law and Justice
Council. The idea is to use the staff assistance through the Northwest Regional
Council (NWRC) under contract. They will recommend moving that forward as well.
Brenner stated that if they are going to have a committee like that, it should
be well rounded. They are talking about totally stacking the committee with the
criminal justice insiders. Bigger is always better with these guys. There is an over-
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 8
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zealousness to expand the law and justice system. She is concerned that a
committee with that focus will want more.
Desler stated the committee is a 50- member group with a large number of
citizens included.
Brenner stated she is talking about people who may not agree with the
criminal justice group, such as defense attorneys and people who see the waste in
the system.
Desler stated the proposal would come forward. The County Council will
have control over the structure. There are two other key items. The report makes
a compelling argument about the existing problems in the system. They need to
get a handle on the information produced in the system. A suggestion will be to
implement a business plan on how to do that, using federal grants. The third item
is about how to address the facility problems with the jail, beginning with detailed
space planning for County operations, and moving into detailed planning on jails,
much like what he talked about two weeks ago. They will begin with a request for
qualifications (RFQ) process. He wants an RFQ process started for space planning
and a detailed jail planning process. That will take a number of months to get
moving. He wants to keep the momentum going. He will seek approval for those
items in a couple of weeks.
The second key item is the follow up work done last week with the City
Council. He believes there is a desire to move forward with the City of Bellingham
about the future of handling the future of ambulance and emergency medical
service (EMS). He questioned whether it is okay to continue to work on developing
an RFQ to select outside consultants that would assist the steering committee in
examining the future issues, alternatives, and appropriate directions. The City of
Bellingham, the County, and the Fire Chiefs Association would potentially pay for
that. The County, as a neutral party, may end up being the contractor for that
effort.
Imhof stated the direction that the Council wanted to go was to get that
strategic plan in place to decide what is needed in the County and what the EMS
system should look like.
Crawford asked how that differs from the consultant that is being hired by
the City of Bellingham. Desler stated the city's consultant would primarily address
the support the city needs before the court as they address the lawsuit from
Cascade Ambulance. The rationale for going out for a request for proposal (RFP) or
RFQ is to go through a selection process.
Imhof questioned whether the city went out for an RFQ to get this
consultant. Desler stated they did not.
Imhof suggested that the County get on it right away.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 9
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The committee agreed.
Imhof stated they need the information to make a reasonable decision.
Crawford asked about the timing. Desler stated that if the County needs to
decide sooner than later, it can do that. He wants to talk with the fire department
about the ways costs can be reduced. Once they make a decision to add capacity,
it tends to drive the decisions about the planning process. That was the concern.
People would rather do the planning, and then make the decisions from the
planning that was done. They should use the capacity from the fire districts and
then they could use other techniques besides a full -blown medic unit. The issue of
financing is also a question. There are other options about how to finance these
units. If they are taking up the load that is occurring when Medicare drops off, then
they are asking property tax payers to pick up where the federal government left
of, which is not necessarily good public policy.
Imhof stated they may need to create a special district and make its plea to
the populace, to be their own administration. Desler stated the County Council
would decide, coupled with consultation with the cities. They can implement the
district for ten years or longer. That is another issue to examine as part of the RFP
process.
Imhof asked if the committee addressed the funding mechanism. Desler
stated it did not.
Imhof stated he was offended by the Mayor forcing the Council to make a
decision without providing any funding information. The Council needs to take two
steps back and examine the proposal on its merit. Desler stated they would discuss
it during the budget retreat.
McShane stated the planning is critical. He supported funding for the fourth
medic unit, but it's a stopgap measure and is temporary. He keeps hearing that
some fire districts could participate quite a bit. There could be savings there. He
heard from Bellingham firefighters that they are interested in working with the fire
districts. The County's role as a neutral party is to figure out which areas of the
County will be left without service if there is an independent district. The city is
asking the County if it is supportive of the medic unit for this year. The city has
significant decisions they have to make now. The County has some flexibility to
commit to the fourth unit this year, but it doesn't mean they created a personnel
level that is totally committed to medic unit service all the time because they have
to staff the fire department.
Imhof stated funding for five people would be for the year 2001.
Desler stated they would ultimately have to make a decision on when they
will add those additional fire fighters. The idea was to use the existing firefighters
that they've hired for the sixth fire station if the County does not fund the fourth
medic one unit. The County is not involved in manning the fire departments.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 6/13/2000, Page 10
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Imhof stated a County the size of Whatcom has about 20 districts. The norm
will become districts that combine. The amount of administration needed in the
departments needs to be addressed in the plan. Desler stated the fire chiefs are
saying the same thing.
Brenner stated they are not all thinking about combining. Quite a few fire
districts will dig their heals in. It must be part of an agreement that if the fire
district can't pay its share, then it should consolidate. It's not the County's job to
carry the fire districts.
Imhof stated the County is not carrying the fire districts. They are their own
taxing districts.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Brenner stated some of the fire districts will continue to say they can't afford
it, but that is exactly the reason they should consolidate. Even at this stage, they
are not as able to protect the community as they would be if they consolidated.
Certain fire chiefs are interested in consolidation and others are opposed to
consolidation.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:50 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, 6/13/2000, Page 11