HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance February 23 1999I WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Finance and Administrative Services Committee
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4 February 23, 1999
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6 The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. by Committee Chair L. Ward Nelson in the
7 Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
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9 Also Present: Absent:
10 Tom Brown, None
11 Robert Imhof
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13 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
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16 Nelson stated that they would first have an update on the replacement of County fuel
17 tanks (AB98 -094).
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19 Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that they have three replacement areas. The
20 first is at the courthouse complex in which they removed a 5,000 gallon diesel tank and a 2,000
21 gallon diesel tank. They were replaced by the appropriate tank. They received an extension
22 from the State Department of Ecology (DOE) to do the project. Those tanks support the
23 generators that run the jail and courthouse in the event of a power failure. There was no leakage
24 in either of those tanks.
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26 At the facility on the corner of Smith Road and Northwest Road, there was a 300 gallon
27 gasoline tank that serviced the old generator that is the old jail building. That one had been
28 leaking. There has been some well testing in the immediate area of that tank in the past. They
29 are going back to look at those records, but there is no indication that there was a leak. The tank
30 has been removed and there will be some remediation cleanup required. It was a very small leak
31 and the County is insured against that type of leakage.
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33 The other situation is at the Search & Rescue (SAR) building on West Smith Road. The
34 Sheriff was preparing to put down new asphalt, ant they found a buried slab, which turned out to
35 be two more tanks that no one know were there. They were removed. Engineers indicated that
36 there was leakage in the fixture connections, but the tanks were empty. There was an indication
37 that the gasoline leaked when the tanks were in operation, but that was at least 20 years ago.
38 They are also testing wells in the area. One tank had water in it, but they are unsure of the
39 reason. One possibility is that there was water infiltration into the tank over the years, or the
40 tank was emptied of the diesel fuel and filled with water. A tank they found at Nor -Bell was
41 probably 40 years old. The County has insurance to cover those tanks.
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43 Barbara Brenner, Council Member, stated that the soil in that location is very sandy. She
44 questioned how there is enough residual fuel to notice that it is the groundwater. Wareing stated
45 that the water table goes up and down. The tank is above the water level. Being above the water
46 level, there would be some contamination of the soil above the water. The assumption was that
Finance and Administrative Services, 2/23/99, Page 1
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it went through the ground to the water table. They are going to test wells to determine the
leakage. Diesel fuel will clump and not go very far. Gasoline will go through sandy soil much
quicker. There is also a clay layer in that area.
Nelson questioned whether they will keep the committee informed. Wareing stated that
is correct, and there will be additional funding needed. Wareing explained the cost summary.
(handout on file) The amount originally dedicated to this project was $60,000. $42,075 was
spent in 1998. Due to the circumstances, some of the money lapsed. The administration
estimates that they will need an extra $29,040.
Nelson questioned whether they anticipate ground water problems. Wareing stated that
they don't expect problems at the courthouse. There may be some at the SAR site.
Nelson questioned whether clean -up efforts are included in the project budget. Wareing
stated they are not.
Brenner questioned the history of the tanks. Wareing stated that property was originally
a privately owned farm that the County used. It was a County tank, but not on County property.
Brenner questioned whether there is any way to find out what potential contamination
levels could do if there was leakage in the past. There is a school across the street. Wareing
stated that the geologist says that the water flow is southerly. There is no way of knowing.
Brenner stated that she wanted to know the potential adverse affects from having that
contamination in the water. It may not show up right now. Wareing stated that would be purely
speculation.
Imhof stated that a school would have had to do tests quarterly. If hydrocarbons existed,
then it would have shown up.
Wareing stated that there is a well between the site and the school that has never shown
signs of contamination.
Nelson questioned whether they are requesting an additional $30,000. Wareing stated the
amounts are all estimates, but that is close.
Imhof asked for clarification on the project budget. Wareing stated that $10,000 is for
the SAR building.
Nelson asked for the total on all three sites. Wareing stated it is just short of $100,000
including what has been previously expended. Of that $100,000, they have already spent
$60,000, so they will need an additional $40,000 for unplanned expenses.
Brenner asked administration to provide the quarterly water testing of the school.
Wareing stated that the likelihood that they had gasoline is slim. Wareing stated that they will
try to get that information from the State Department of Health (DOH).
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Brown stated that the diesel leakage doesn't move too much.
Wareing stated that the old jail building is derelict. It has an unstable foundation. The
geologist stated that there is infiltration of gasoline under the building. The administration will
want to do something about the building.
Nelson requested a full proposal for that project. Wareing stated that they will bring
forward an additional proposal.
Nelson stated that if there are any more concerns, then the Finance Committee would
want to look at a proposal package for the project.
1. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE UNITED STATES 2000 CENSUS (AB99 -084)
Nelson stated that there are concerns about the 1990 census being accurate and sampling
results being used. Some counties were concerned about under - counting from the census that
resulted in a loss in revenue from grants and aids. The Council of Governments (COG) is going
to have a presentation on this issue. It would be appropriate that Whatcom County approve of or
endorse the concept of forming a count committee. The problem for the census bureau is trying
to determine where to count so people are not missed, such as extended care facilities,
transitional housing, and homeless shelters. He requested a direction of interest from the
committee to encourage development of a committee made up of individuals in the community
to assist the census. The County should have representation.
Imhof stated that he would support it.
The committee concurred to work with the administration on this item.
Nelson stated that he would move forward with administration.
OTHER BUSINESS
Imhof asked the administration to look at the Washington State Extension Service
problem of finding new facilities or purchasing land adjacent to the current facility. He
suggested that the County could support that effort, since the County receives a benefit. They
need 20 acres per staff person to do their experiments. There is land nearby that they could buy.
Brown stated that the land in the area of their current facility is very high priced. It might
be more beneficial to sell their property and find property somewhere else.
Imhof stated that he would get more information to the administration.
Nelson stated that they received a letter regarding Initiative 200, which was passed last
year. The request is for information on what the County has done in response to Initiative 200.
Wareing stated that he will respond to the letter.
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Nelson questioned whether there is any information on the pull -tab initiative. Wareing
suggested that they take more time to look at it. He questioned whether the County wants to
make the budgetary change this budget year or wait until the budget cycle for next year.
Nelson stated that they should look into the effect on this year's budget, then decide.
Wareing stated that they are doing the research and calculations on whether the County
should act now or during the budget process for next year.
Imhof stated that would like to make changes now, if necessary, then build it into next
year's budget.
Nelson stated he received a letter from Shirley Forslof, County Auditor, about the bids
for the official County newspaper.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:05 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, 2/23/99, Page 4