HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole March 24 19981
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Committee of the Whole
March 24, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Council Chair Robert Imhof in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Marlene Dawson None
Barbara Brenner
Tom Brown
Connie Hoag
Kathy Sutter
Ward Nelson
DISCUSSION REGARDING VARIOUS COUNCIL OFFICE POLICIES (AB98 -019)
(6:00 — 6:30)
Staff present for discussion included Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk, and Marina
Mason, Council Deputy Clerk.
Indigents. Imhof requested further information on this issue in order to make the
decision at the next meeting in two weeks.
Travel Policy. Marina Mason, Deputy Council Clerk, explained the process for travel
vouchers. Imhof requested bills be paid and then Council members be reimbursed at the end of
each month.
Out of Town Travel. Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk, requested all overnight out of
town travel be preapproved by Council. Nelson suggested putting these items on the Consent
Agenda (Finance and Administrative Services Committee). It was decided to put all bills and
overnight out of town requests on the Consent Agenda on the first meeting of the month.
Distribution of Packets. Brown -Davis stated she had contacted the rural libraries as to
whether or not they wanted the packets sent to them. In 1992, staff was informed they did not
want the packets, as no one read them. Brown inquired about whether they wanted Council
minutes. Computer technology and cost effectiveness were discussed.
Copying of Mail. Hoag was concerned about incoming correspondence. She suggested
letters from constituents that are three pages or less be copied and put in Council members' mail
boxes rather than the original being put in In Basket. Discussion followed. Nelson suggested
form letters be designated "pro " / "con ", etc. There was further discussion. Brown -Davis stated
approximately 70% of the people know to send eight copies of correspondence; 10% of the
letters she pulls out of In Basket are copied and distributed to Council members when a
particular issue is currently being addressed by Council.
COTW Minutes, 3/24/98, Page 1
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Imhof moved to copy all correspondence less than three pages from constituents to a
Council member except the form letters.
Motion carried 6 -1 with Sutter opposed.
There was concern regarding only one copy sent to Council members and then copied to
all Council members, which not only adds to the paperwork but is expensive. Brenner suggested
the policy be reviewed in six months to see if this continues to be a problem.
Cell Phone Reimbursement. Hoag requested reimbursement for this expense and
explained the situation. Discussion followed.
Imhof moved to approve reimbursement of cell air time.
Motion failed 2 -4 with Dawson out of the room and Brenner and Hoag in favor.
2. DISCUSSION WITH CHIEF CIVIL DEPUTY PROSECUTOR RANDY
WATTS REGARDING FOUR CASES OF PENDING LITIGATION
(AB98 -020)
Nelson moved to go into executive session for discussion for approximately 15 minutes.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7 p.m.
Dana Brown - Davis, Recording Secretary
These minutes were approved by Council on 51998.
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Robert Imhof, Council Chair
COTW Minutes, 3/24/98, Page 2
COTW Minutes, 3/24/98, Page 3