HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 9 19991
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 9, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 11:34 p.m. by Committee Chair L. Ward Nelson in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
A]-,n PrPCPnt-
Tom Brown
Robert Imhof
AhsPnt-
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY VOTING PRECINCTS
(AB99 -089)
Shirley Forslof, County Auditor, stated that the summary on the agenda bill sums up the
issues. She read from the agenda bill summary statement. Most precincts will average 550
voters. The ordinance decreases the number of precincts. The Chairs of the Democratic and
Republican parties have reviewed and approved the ordinance.
Nelson questioned whether it required a public hearing. Forslof stated that it never had
one before.
Brown stated that they are dropping polling places. Forslof stated that they are
combining the small polling places. There are small precincts. There are a few that were
deleted, but that was done in the last ordinance. She found a precinct in the County Code that
hadn't existed since 1991. They went through the code and created a new single ordinance
showing the current precincts. Deleted precincts will be clearly shown in the County Code.
Brown stated that he didn't want to change polling places. Forslof stated that they aren't.
Only the precincts will change.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR PAYMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER
TRAVEL /EXPENSES (AB99 -022B)
Imhof moved to recommend approval and added $65 for registration to the regional
Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) meeting for himself.
Finance and Administrative Services, 3/9/99, Page 1
Motion carried unanimously.
2
3 Dawson questioned whether it was appropriate for the Council member to vote on the
4 item that he or she brought forward and whether it is a conflict.
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6 Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that this is the normal function of the
7 Council. These decisions on reimbursement for Council business are within the realm of
8 Council action.
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Nelson stated that the dollars have already been approved. They are just approving the
allocation of the dollars.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEM
REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR A COUNTY AIDS TASK FORCE, CONTINUING
1998 PARTICIPATION IN REGION 3 AIDS SERVICE NETWORK COUNCIL, AT NO
INCREASE IN FUNDS AS SET FORTH IN THE 1999 BUDGET, IN THE AMOUNT
OF $126,310 (AB99 -097)
Nelson stated that there is no net increase in funding. It is a continuation of a program.
Imhof stated that it is pass - through money from the State.
Brown moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL AND COMPUTECH,
INC., TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM AND REVISE THE AS400 COMPUTER TO
PRODUCE MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY BILLING INVOICES; THERE BEING NO
PRIOR CONTRACT AND AS SET FORTH IN THE 1999 BUDGET, IN AN AMOUNT
OF $21,080 (AB99 -098)
Nelson stated that there was no prior contract, it was a request in the budget that was
approved.
Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that this is money that was brought forth in
the 1998 budget, and carried over to the 1999 budget.
Imhof questioned whether it is the full amount that was budgeted. Wareing stated that
$50,000 was allocated. Compu -Tech stated that they can do the work right away. The per diem
for jail was raised from $37 to $50 per day. It helps to deal with a complex billing issue and bill
to the other jurisdictions.
Nelson asked when it can be done.
Finance and Administrative Services, 3/9/99, Page 2
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Dan Fitzgerald, Jail Administrator, stated that they expect to have it done by June 1999.
Nelson questioned whether it can separate out the information for multiple jurisdictions
and billing. Fitzgerald stated that was correct. Compu -Tech created the system to begin with. It
is becoming more complicated to bill other jurisdictions.
Wareing stated that it has been a time and staff intensive bottleneck. It has been an
anticipated project for several years.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT AND EVERGREEN AIDS FOUNDATION TO CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE FOR VOLUNTEER AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AS IN THE
1998 CONTRACT WITH NO INCREASE IN FUNDS AS SET FORTH IN THE 1999
BUDGET, IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,000 (AB99 -099)
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated that it is some of the
money the committee just approved in item # 1.
Nelson questioned whether they are the only ones that can do the work. Benjamin stated
that they are.
Nelson questioned whether it went out for a bid.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Finance Manager, stated that the likelihood of
getting bidders is not there because no one else provides these services. They were declared the
sole source.
Benjamin stated that they provide case management to people with HIV. The benefit of
going through Evergreen is that they are already working with the people with AIDS.
Brown moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
CENTER, PROVIDING FOR INCREASED SERVICES FROM 1998, WITH AN
INCREASED $6,200 BUDGETED AMOUNT IN THE 1999 BUDGET, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $52,200 (AB99 -100)
Dave Wareing, Deputy Administrator, stated that an additional correction of an amount
that was inadvertently left out should be added. The correct total amount is $52,200.
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance and Administrative Services, 3/9/99, Page 3
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2 OTHER BUSINESS
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4 Wareing distributed a memo regarding future projects. He stated that there are acute
5 problems that have developed during the first quarter of the year. One problem is the doors that
6 have been damaged by the wind. They need to take action to moderate the effect that the wind
7 has on the doors. Harry Skinner, Administrative Services Facilities Management Manager, will
8 draft plans and cost them out.
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10 The second problem is the electrical power for emergency operations in the courthouse
11 complex. There are three generators on site. One runs the emergency services, one runs
12 Juvenile Detention, and one is for the Jail. All that the generator for the jail does is keep the hall
13 lights on. They need to do upgrades. One of the generators is an old diesel model with a dead
14 battery. It is a surplus generator. It is time to upgrade.
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16 Nelson questioned whether there is a problem with security. Wareing stated that there is
17 a manual override and no compromising of the security of the jail facility. He will bring forward
18 an estimate on different levels of emergency operations.
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20 Brown stated that was for the entire courthouse complex.
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22 Wareing stated that the courthouse parking is the last item. There is no parking available
23 for citizens or the County workers. They are looking at modifications to south parking lot,
24 working with the City of Bellingham, and considering nearby lots. There are 8 lots nearby. The
25 County owns three and leases five. Since the Greenways Levy passed and because of the salmon
26 issues, they can't go as close to the stream as anticipated on some of the lots. They are looking
27 for a reasonable compromise.
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29 Imhof stated that he was contacted about a parking structure on the south parking lot. He
30 suggested administration get in contact with Ron Bennett. Wareing stated that they have already
31 met with him and are in discussions. They are looking at a substantial structure to increase
32 parking by 700 -1200 spaces in the south lot. They are discussing private /public participation.
33 County participation would be to provide the land. In the meantime, they may reconfigure the
34 lot.
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36 Imhof stated that bonds with the public /private partnership would not be the County
37 liability. Wareing stated he is looking at funding mixes. It may be a multi -use orientation.
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39 Nelson questioned whether anything will happen on north side of complex. Wareing
40 stated that the greatest likelihood of building is only one building. The City is having
41 discussions regarding the future of the Library. They are also discussing a consolidation of
42 services provided by the City and the County. The City is looking into changing their facilities.
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44 Brown stated that it was brought to his attention that another county has a system that
45 does everything the CAD system does, and a lot more. Anyone can set up their own thing on
46 this system. It is easy to learn. He wants to bring this item forward. It is being used in Island
47 County.
Finance and Administrative Services, 3/9/99, Page 4
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Imhof stated that the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) board is also looking
into that system.
A ninI TR N
The meeting adjourned at 11:57 a.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, 3/9/99, Page 5