HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance June 17 1997WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
June 17, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 9:45 a.m. by Committee Chair Robert Imhof in the
Council Committee Room, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present:
Barbara Brenner
Tom Brown
Absent:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1997 BUDGET, REQUEST #6 (AB97 -207)
Dave Wareing, Executive =s Office, commented about the six sections to this request,
which included:
monies from Current Expense Fund to go into the Education Fund;
Civic Center building purchase;
the Public Defender =s Office;
the Health Department and the septic system in Drayton Harbor;
fingerprint machine; and
Emergency Management Funds.
Those speaking included:
Jon Ostlund, Public Defender =s Office
Chuck Benjamin, Health Department Director
Regina Delahunt, Environmental Health
Neil Clement, Sheriff =s Office, Emergency Management
Kathy Sutter, Council Member
Ward Nelson, Council Member
Marlene Dawson, Council Member
Jean Freestone
Margaret Cardell, Blaine resident
Topics discussed included: two temporary employees in the Public Defender =s Office;
conflict counsel office for in -house conflict contracts; Drayton Harbor pollution problems and
the proposed incentive grant to repair failing systems, as well as a L.I.D.; how the Comp Plan
and Drayton Harbor comply; compatibility of computer systems; additional response packet
Finance Minutes, 6/17/97, Page 1
regarding cross - border issues; and occupancy timeframe regarding the Civic Center building (an
estimated two years until the County can take it over).
Wareing stated Administration did not recommend funding the three requested additional
FTE =s; Ostlund concurred with this decision. He stated Ostlund requested deletion of the
request for the twelfth attorney and continuation of the two temporary positions until the end of
this year for review in the budget process. Jon Ostlund, Public Defender, stated what is needed
now is approval for $20,380 in order to be able to continue the two temporary positions.
Brenner wanted to amend the ordinance to allow Administration to set up specific
circumstances for hardship cases with rental property in particular. Delahunt stated her
guidelines could be modified.
Wareing requested an additional funding amount of $200,000 for the purchase of the
Civic Center building (from $3,330,000 to $3,530,000). Imhof so moved.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Brenner opposed.
Brenner requested #2 (the Civic Center building) be deleted from the ordinance.
Motion failed 1 -2 with Brenner in favor.
Brown moved to amend #4 (Drayton Harbor) by deleting grant funds.
Motion failed 1 -2 with Brown in favor.
Main motion to recommend approval of amended ordinance carried 2 -1 with Brenner
opposed.
2. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY RATE
SCHEDULE (AB97 -209)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN INTERFUND AGREEMENT TO
PURCHASE THE CIVIC CENTER BUILDING FOR THE HEALTH
DEPARTMENT CONSOLIDATION (AB97 -208)
Imhof noted this included Administration =s request for increased funds ( #1 above). He
so moved.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Brenner opposed.
Finance Minutes, 6/17/97, Page 2
4. DISCUSSION OF THE SIX YEAR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND
POSSIBLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION (AB97 -215)
Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, gave a brief presentation on this matter. He
requested policy direction regarding prioritization of roads, new roads and routes, and setting
monies aside for construction sites.
Those commenting included:
Ward Nelson, Council Member
Kathy Sutter, Council Member
Dan Gibson, Prosecuting Attorney =s Office
Nasser Mansour, Engineering
It was decided to hold a public hearing and then have a Council work session with state
highway and Council of Governments (COG) people for everyone =s input.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CRP 995008, THE RECONSTRUCTION OF
EAST SMITH ROAD, HANNEGAN TO NOON AND APPROVAL OF
AWARD OF CONTRACT TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER,
WILDER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF
$1,606,180.97 (AB97 -216)
Commenting briefly were Nasser Mansour, Engineering, and Jeff Monsen, Public Works
Director.
Brown moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
THREE YEAR FERRY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
ALREADY RATIFIED BY THE UNION (AB97 -217)
Brown moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO
ADDENDUM #5 WITH WALKER AND ASSOCIATES FOR NOOKSACK
RIVER PROJECT MAPPING (AB97 -218)
Finance Minutes, 6/17/97, Page 3
In response to Kathy Sutter--s questions, Jeff Monsen, Public Works Director, explained
the project.
Brown moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH NOOKSACK GENESIS II FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE
TREATMENT FOR LOW INCOME AND INDIGENT CITIZENS OF
WHATCOM COUNTY (AB97 -219)
Imhof moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH ST. JOSEPH RECOVERY CENTER FOR
PREGNANT/PARENTING WOMEN AND ADATSA ASSESSMENT
ALLOCATIONS (AB97 -220)
Brown moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH CHAMBER AND MORTIMER COUNSELING, INC. FOR
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR LOW INCOME AND INDIGENT
CITIZENS OF WHATCOM COUNTY (AB97 -221)
Brenner moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
7. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY FOR ON-
SITE SHELLFISH FUNDING FOR SURVEY OF ON -SITE SEPTIC SYSTEMS
IN DRAYTON HARBOR (SUPPLEMENTAL #6) (AB97 -222)
Brenner moved to recommend approval.
Motion carried 2 -1 with Brown opposed.
Finance Minutes, 6/17/97, Page 4
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Elizabeth Bennett, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Robert Imhof, Council Member
Finance Minutes, 6/17/97, Page 5