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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil November 16 1993WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Regular Meeting November 16, 1993 The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 North Forest Street, 2nd floor, by Marge Laidlaw, Chair. Also Present: Absent: Dennis Vander Yacht Dan Warner Bob Imhof Ken Henderson Barbara Brenner Larry Harris READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the July 6, 13, 27 and August 3 and 10 regular meetings and the July 19 special meeting were approved as presented and corrected. 1. ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE WHATCOM COUNTY UNIFIED FEE SCHEDULE AND AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY CODE (AB93 -419) (NO ACTION UNTIL 11/23) Laidlaw opened the hearing. Treasurer Barbara Cory: She commented on the fees for the Treasurer's Office asking that computer use fees be the same as for Information Services. Auditor Shirley Forslof: She recommended a fee for record search beyond that set by State law. She also said the fees for diskettes in the Auditor's Office should be set. Superior Court Clerk N.F. Jackson: He noted that his office asks for $20 an hour for record searches. Fax fees were addressed. Forslof: She has no objection to making search fees uniform. Laidlaw closed the hearing. Persons speaking: Council Budget and Program Analyst Bob Woods; Brenner; Laidlaw; Executive's staff person Linda Irvin; Imhof; Henderson; Forslof; Solid Waste Manager Bob Jurica; Health Director Frank James; Buildings and Code Director Nate Brown and Council Clerk Ramona Reeves. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 1 HENDERSON MOVED THAT THE RECORD BE LEFT OPEN FOR SUBMISSION OF TESTIMONY AND OTHER MATERIAL UNTIL FRIDAY NOON. Motion carried unanimously. 2. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEVY OF TAXES FOR COUNTY AND STATE PURPOSES IN WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON, FOR THE YEAR 1994 PURSUANT TO HOME RULE CHARTER SECTION 6.10 (AB93- 420) (NO ACTION UNTIL 11/23) Laidlaw opened the hearing. No one spoke and the hearing was closed. Persons speaking: Henderson; Imhof; Laidlaw; Woods and Brenner. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DEVELOP LANGUAGE TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO REFLECT THE RATE OF THE PROPERTY TAX TO BE A 1.042 PERCENT DECREASE FOR THE CURRENT EXPENSE FUND AND THE ROAD FUND. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. 3. ORDINANCE IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE FINAL BUDGET OF WHATCOM COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1994 AND RESTRICTING THE EXPENDITURE OF CERTAIN FUNDS THEREIN (AB93 -371B) (NO ACTION UNTIL 11/23) Laidlaw opened the hearing. Bernice Graves, Conservation District: She requested the Council to enter into a contract with the District for 1994 and appropriate $50,000 for implementation of the contract (paperwork on file). Klaus Wergin, Emergency Medical Services Council: He spoke to the budget line item for paramedic training. He read a statement into the record. Judy Reid, Treasurer's Office: She spoke about the proposed cut of one employee in that office, Karen Rutherford. Frank Winslow, Alzheimer's Society of Washington: He spoke to the money in the Northwest Regional Council budget, the "in -home care" portion. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 2 Marcia Gunning, Combined Treatment Services: She distributed some paperwork (on file). She requested additional funds for mental health and substance abuse services. John Hooper, Combined Treatment Services: He spoke to the same issues. Ray Stewart, Substance Abuse Board: He spoke about the need for protective custody and detoxification programs. Velma Wendt, Substance Abuse Board: Please consider that as the demand for services rise due to the increased alcohol and substance abuse usage and if the funding is decreased, how does one decide who to serve and who not to serve? Richard Walker, President, NW Alliance for the Mentally 111: They are advocating for the County Executive's budget allocation of $13,809. Kass Moses, Treasurer's Office: She urged the Council to keep the position that is proposed to be cut from the Treasurer's Office. Frank James, Health Officer: He urged reconsideration of budget cuts. Potter Schwartz, Visiting Nurse Home Health Care /Personal Services: He spoke to the "well adult" program. Claudia Hollad: She requested additional Sheriff's deputies for traffic enforcement in the Birch Bay area. She submitted a petition (on file). Susan Jewell: She asked about the Developmental Disabilities Director position being funded for only a half year. Bob Gist, Developmental Disabilities Board /Special Olympics Coordinator: He spoke about developmental disabilities programs and requested adequate staffing for these programs. Tammy Pike, Cascade Vocational Services: She addressed developmental disabilities issues as well. Bonnie Bergen (sp ?), advocate for developmentally disabled: She spoke to the same subject. Kevin Carlson, Cascade Vocational Services: He spoke to the same subject. Kurt Dessauer, Community Action for the Disabled: He asked the Council to delay consolidation of human services and suggested the Council obtain testimony from various community oranizations before taking such action. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 3 Margaret Newman (sp ?), Watershed Masters Program: She spoke to her program. Their grant expires at the end of the year, and she requested funding. Ron Snyder, Central Road: He spoke to the Developmental Disabilities Program. Michael Goodyear: Spoke to the Watershed Masters Program. Shirley Forslof, County Auditor: She spoke to funding for an internal auditor position and a full -time (from part-time) licensing position. Roger DeSpain, Parks Department: He spoke about cuts made to his department. Nancy May: She spoke to the Watershed Masters Program. Carl Reichhardt: He spoke about the County Parks. Don MacDonald: He spoke to support the Watershed Masters Program. Frank Winslow, Altzheimer's Society: He commented on the park program cutbacks, specifically seniors programs. Egbert Maas, Mayor of Lynden: He spoke to the Solid Waste Program cuts. Harold Odegaard: Sumas Senior Center Manager. He asked for the actual shortfall in the County budget. The hearing was closed about 9:10 p.m. Woods went through the Finance and Personnel Committee's recommended changes (on file). Imhof withdrew his support for the jail deputy, the funding for which was $40,000 from the road fund. Henderson said when the Council compiles its list of possible revisions to the budget, he would like staff to have language prepared to appropriately amend the budget ordinance. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT' LANGUAGE TO AMEND THE AUDITOR'S BUDGET TO DELETE THE ACCOUNTANT III POSITION AND RETURN THE INTERNAL AUDITOR FULL TIME WITH THE SALARY LINE REMAINING THE SAME. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 4 HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO ADD AN APPELLANT ATTORNEY IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $51,130. BRENNER MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION SO THAT THE OTHER $31,130 BE PAID OUT OF THE ROAD FUND. Brenner withdrew her motion. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAW' LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE $25,000 IN NEW REVENUE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO RESTORE THE $6,000 CUT FROM THE HEARING EXAMINER'S BUDGET. HARRIS MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL $6,000 TO THE HEARING EXAMINER'S BUDGET FOR EXTRA HELP. Motion to amend failed with Vander Yacht, Henderson and Harris in favor. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO RESTORE $500 IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO THE WEED BOARD BUDGET. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO REVISE THE REVENUE FORECAST TO 99 PERCENT OF THE ASSESSOR'S FIGURES. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO REVISE THE JUVENILE DETENTION REVENUE FOR BED RENT. Motion carried unanimously. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 6 HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO ELIMINATE THE $250,000 BUDGETED FOR COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION TRANSFER. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO ELMINATE THE $350,000 BUDGETED FOR PHYSICAL PLANT TRANSFER. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO ADOPT THE TECHNICAL CORRECTION SUBMITTED BY THE EXECUTIVE REGARDING DISTRICT COURT PROBATION GRIEVANCE RECLASSIFICATION. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO CHANGE THE AUDITOR'S O & M FUND TO REDUCE THE APPROPRIATIONS AND INCLUDE FUND BALANCE INCREASES. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO CHANGE THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FUND TO FUND THE DIRECTOR POSITION FOR ONLY A HALF YEAR. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO CHANGE THE PATHS AND TRAILS FUND TO INCREASE REVENUE DUE TO A TAX INCREASE. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO CHANGE THE ROAD FUND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CORRECTION DUE TO A DATA ENTRY ERROR. Motion carried unanimously. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 7 HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO REVISE THE REAL ESTATE EXCISE TAX FUND (REET) TO DECREASE THE FUND BALANCE. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO REVISE THE CONVENTION CENTER FUND TO INCREASE THE FUND BALANCE IN THE CONVENTION CENTER FUND. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO REVISE THE SOLID WASTE FUND TO FUND THE SOLID WASTE MANAGER FOR ONLY ONE QUARTER OF A YEAR. IMHOF MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO INCREASE THE POSITION TO LAST THROUGH A HALF OF A YEAR. Motion to amend carried unanimously. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO REVISE THE SOLID WASTE FUND TO DENY THE LAKEWAY COMPOST SITE APPROPRIATION. Henderson withdrew the motion with the understanding this change may be discussed further next week. LAIDLAW MOVED TO INCREASE THE REVENUE IN THE ROAD FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF 4.2 PERCENT. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. LAIDLAW MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO ADD A ONE -TIME FEE FOR THE DISTRICT COURT FILING SYSTEM. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. LAIDLAW MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO APPROVE THE JOINT JURY ADMINISTRATOR FOR DISTRICT AND SUPERIOR COURT. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 8 HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO RESTORE A $35,000 POSITION TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO FUND TWO TRAFFIC DEPUTIES TO BE FUNDED FROM THE ROAD FUND. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO ADJUST REVENUE BY AN INCREASE OF $100,000 FROM TRAFFIC DEPUTIES. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO TRANSFER $39,000 FROM DRUG FUND, AND DECREASE CURRENT EXPENSE APPROPRIATION BY $25,000. Superior Court Clerk N.F. Jackson reminded the Council that only a judge may make an appropriation to the drug fund. BRENNER MOVED TO AMEND HENDERSON'S MOTION TO HAVE THE ENTIRE $57,800 COME FROM THE DRUG FUND. Motion to amend failed 4 -2 with Brenner and Vander Yacht in favor. Motion carried unanimously. HENDERSON MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION TO THE RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000. Motion carried 5 -1 with Imhof opposed. BRENNER MOVED TO HAVE STAFF DRAFT LANGUAGE TO ELIMINATE THE HALF -TIME POSITION REQUESTED BY THE EXECUTIVE. Motion failed 4 -2 with Brenner and Laidlaw in favor. Henderson wanted to discuss the one -year assessment cycle; he and Laidlaw agreed that he would put his comments in writing. Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 9 4. RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 1994 SIX -YEAR PHYSICAL PLANT AND FACILITIES CAPITAL PROGRAM RELATING TO BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES FOR WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON (AB93 -422) (HEARING WILL BE HELD OPEN UNTIL 11/23) (NO ACTION UNTIL 11/23) Laidlaw opened the hearing. No one spoke and the hearing was continued until November 23. There was discussion among the Council Members. The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 p.m. ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Uy ` A `VV V bi�o dw'4'-Z1 Ramona Reeves, Council erk Marge Laidlaw, Chair Council Minutes, 11/16/93, Page 10