HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 10 1998WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 10, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Committee Chair Marlene
Dawson in the Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Ward Nelson None
Connie Hoag
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1998 BUDGET, REQUEST NO. 2 (AB98 -102)
Chuck Benjamin, Health & Human Services Director, reported for the Health
Department regarding the FTE for an Environmental Health Specialist. Benjamin
explained water issues are an ongoing problem for this County.
Regina Delahunt, Environmental Health Services Manager, explained the number
of hours the current staff member works on water quality issues. She explained that in the
Health Department at this time there is only one position regarding water issues, and more
staff is needed to keep up with the ongoing water quality issues.
Hoag suggested that a consultant be hired instead of hiring another full time
position. Dawson suggested increasing the hours of the present staff.
Nelson explained the community must be protected from disease, and one area the
County lacks is the ability to functionally evaluate water resources for public health,
which was the original intent of health departments and boards of health.
Dave Wareing, Executive =s Office, explained that the current person (Beth
Marcie) is an intern working on a grant in Planning and Development Services and is not
working on water quality issues, only on Drayton Harbor. The new position has been
specifically developed to focus on drinking water safety issues in the County. Discussion
followed with Wareing and Hoag regarding the water quality reporting. Nelson pointed
out this issue is community wide and will not go away with the hiring of one consultant.
Carl Weimer, RESource Executive Director, explained his group brought this issue
to the County Executive and explained that the Health Department has been one of the
agencies which has been on top of the issue since its initial involvement.
Delahunt agreed that the data does need to be reported and needs to get out to the
Finance Minutes, 3/10/98, Page 1
public. If the Health Department had the capacity to notify citizens, it would be done;
that is the reason for the request for this position.
Hoag asked Delahunt to explain her role at the Health Department. Delahunt
explained she is the Environmental Health Services Manager and oversees all Health
Department programs in Environmental Health; i.e., drinking water; offsite sewage; food
protection; solid waste; and chemical and physical hazards.
Nelson moved to recommend approval of item #I of the request regarding funding
for a permanent one -time FTE for Environmental Health providing for a water quality
specialist.
Hoag requested the motion be separated into two motions; one for the study; the
other for the FTE. Nelson agreed.
Motion to recommend approval of the study carried unanimously.
Motion to recommend approval of the FTE position carried 2 -1 with Hoag
opposed.
Item #4 in the budget request was discussed next, which provides for a temporary
research assistant for one year for Superior Court.
Nelson moved to recommend approval of item #4 in the budget request.
Motion carried unanimously.
Nelson moved to recommend approval of items 2 and 3, which provide funding for
Parks & Recreation to perform work at the Plantation Rifle Range.
Motion carried unanimously.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID #98-
16 FOR THE DRY - DOCKING OF THE WHATCOM CHIEF TO THE LOWEST
RESPONSIVE BIDDER, DUWAMISH SHIPYARD, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$130,772 (AB98 -104)
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH THE WHATCOM VOLUNTEER CENTER TO PROVIDE
Finance Minutes, 3/10/98, Page 2
VOLUNTEER SERVICES UPON REQUEST BY THE COUNTY IN THE
AMOUNT OF $30,000 (AB98 -105)
Hoag moved approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU TO
PROVIDE VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF
$75,525 (AB98 -106)
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
There was discussion regarding concerns about expenditures. Dave Wareing,
Executive =s Office, responded that this is mainly hotel /motel money to provide these
services to the County. He noted this money has already been prioritized through the
budget process. Kathy Sutter, Council member, also commented.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH THE WHATCOM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND
INDUSTRY TO PROVIDE PROMOTIONAL AND ADVERTISING
SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 (AB98 -107)
There was discussion on Ski to Sea funding. Dave Wareing, Executive =s Office,
stated this money is dedicated for Ski to Sea. Public Works and the Sheriff =s Office
provide additional assistance on the day of the event.
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried 2 -0 with Hoag abstaining.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH REGION 3 AIDS SERVICE NETWORK TO PROVIDE
SERVICES RELATED TO HIV /AIDS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $126,310. (AB98 -108)
Chuck Benjamin, Health & Human Services Director, explained this is an ongoing
program and also addressed the issue of AIDS /HIV reporting.
Hoag moved to recommend approval.
(Clerks Note: Tape 1, side B)
Finance Minutes, 3/10/98, Page 3
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH HOME PORT LEARNING CENTER FOR ALTERNATIVE
EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDED TO COURT INVOLVED YOUTH IN
THE AMOUNT OF $60,000 (AB98 -109)
Steve Paus, Juvenile Court Probation, explained the program. He distributed a
handout (on file).
Hoag moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWEST TO
PROVIDE A VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUTH LIVING IN WHATCOM COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF
$116,836 (AB98 -110)
John Hooper, Health & Human Services, reported this is a continuation of last
year =s service with the exception of the new mentally ill chemical abuser program.
Chuck Benjamin, Health & Human Services Director, pointed out that the Regional
Support Network (RSN) deals with mental health and explained that blending the funding
provides a service for the community.
Nelson moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
8. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR CRISIS
INTERVENTION SERVICES INVOLVING ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUG
ABUSE IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,400 (AB98 -111
John Hooper, Health & Human Services, responded to a question regarding
juveniles being provided these services. Hooper stated the city pays two - thirds; the
County, one - third.
Hoag moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Finance Minutes, 3/10/98, Page 4
OTHER BUSINESS
DISCUSSION WITH WHATCOM COUNTY AUDITOR SHIRLEY FORSLOF
REGARDING THE COUNTY =S OFFICIAL DAILY NEWSPAPER (AB98 -118)
Shirley Forslof, Auditor, explained The Bellingham Herald is the only daily local
newspaper. She requested Council approval of it as the sole source bid for one year only
from July 1, 1998 to June 30, 1999. The other local newspapers are not daily and should
therefore not bid as an official County newspaper, since Council required the condition of
daily.
Nelson moved to recommend approval of The Bellingham Herald as the sole
source bid from the full Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
NaDean Hanson, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Dana Brown- Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Marlene Dawson, Council Member
Finance Minutes, 3/10/98, Page 5