HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 12 1991WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
March 12, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 2nd floor, 1000 N.
Forest by Chairperson Mary Vanderpol.
Also present: Absent:
Marge Laidlaw
Bob Imhof
1. RESOLUTION ORDERING THE SEGREGATION OF LRID NO. 9,
SEGREGATION NO. 90-3 (AB91 -080) 133 -135
LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
The motion passed unanimously.
2. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT
W /HARDING LAWSON ASSOC. FOR GROUNDWATER MONITORING
AT CEDARVIL.LE LANDFILL (AB91 -090) 4 -13
LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREE-
MENT WITH C2S2 FOR START -UP PROMOTION OF THE COUNTY-
WIDE CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM (AB91 -091) 14 -27
Vanderpol pointed out that 75% of the cost will be reimbursed by the state.
LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
The motion passed unanimously.
4. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR THREE ONE -HALF TON 4X4
PICKUP TRUCKS TO THE LOW BID, FOR A TOTAL OF $40,331.38
(AB91 -092) 28 -30
5. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR TWO THREE- QUARTER
- TON 4X2 PICKUP TRUCKS TO THE LOW BID, FOR A TOTAL OF
$24,816.85 (AB91 -093) 31 -33
6. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR TWO ONE -HALF TON 4X2
PICKUP TRUCKS FOR A TOTAL OF $21,791.93 (AB91 -094) 34 -36
7. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR SEVEN MID-SIZE FOUR -
DOOR SEDANS TO THE LOW BID, FOR A TOTAL OF $73,678.99
(AB91 -095) 37 -39
8. BID AWARD FOR POLICE VEHICLE LIGHT BARS TO LOW BID
($14,363.55) (AB91 -096) 40 -41
9. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR FOUR ONE -TON CAB -AND-
CHASSIS TRUCKS TO THE LOW BIDDER, FOR A TOTAL OF
$55,065.11 (AB91 -097) 42 -44
IMHOF MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF ITEMS 4 THROUGH 9.
The motion passed unanimously.
10. REQUEST TO REJECT ALL BIDS FOR A FIVE - PASSENGER MINI
VAN WHICH DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS OR ARE OVER BID
(AB91 -098) 45 -46
REQUEST FROM EXECUTIVE TO CHANGE ITEM NUMBER 10 TO
AWARD BID TO BELLINGHAM CHRYSLER FOR A 7- PASSENGER
MINI VAN.
She pointed out that this is the only bid which met the minimum specifications. This
van is to go into motorpool.
The motion passed unanimously.
11. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FERRY WORKERS AND
THE COUNTY (AB91 -099) 47 -69
IMHOF MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
The motion passed unanimously.
12. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE EXEMPT SALARY RESOLUTION, TO
ALLOW FOR PROVISION OF HEALTH BENEFITS FOR COUNCIL
MEMBERS (AB91 -086) 118 -121
After considerable discussion, Imhof suggested amending the resolution so that it
stated exemption of Whatcom County Council members from the 120 hours per month
requirement for insurance coverage, that the effective date be made January 1, 1992, and
that this be a resolution of intent. Imhof would work up the wording of this for Council.
Finance Minutes, 3/12/91, Page 2
LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL AS AMENDED.
The motion carried unanimously.
13. ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1991 CURRENT EXPENSE FUND,
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BUDGET (AB91 -069) 122 -124
IMHOF MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION.
The motion carried unanimously.
14. ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1991 PARK FUND BUDGET FOR FEMA
FINANCED STORM DAMAGE REPAIR (AB91 -070) 125 -127
IMHOF MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION.
The motion carried with Laidlaw voting no.
15. ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1991 CURRENT EXPENSE FUND, NON -
DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET PLAN THEREIN FOR REDISTRICTING
MASTER (AB91 -051) 128 -129
LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION.
The motion carried unanimously.
16. DISCUSSION /ACTION ON POSSIBLE FUNDING FOR PURSUIT OF
MEDICAL WASTE ORDINANCE APPEAL (AB91 -055) 130
Vanderpol expressed some serious reservations about expending this amount of
money for an appeal. Watts pointed out that BFI is going to ask $100,000 from the County
for attorneys' fees and costs. Vanderpol asked if this was because the County is appealing
and are there grounds for getting the money? The basis for asking for funds like this, Watts
said, is either that there's a contract, which there isn't, or else the case is frivolous, and that
depends on what the court decides. How much the fees would be would be left up to the
court.
Watts further pointed out that the ordinance about medical waste will have a tough
row to hoe because it is an outright ban rather than a discriminatory fee schedule.
Laidlaw questioned why the amount for the appeal went from $3000 to $7000. Dusty
Anderson said it was because of the disinterest of the Council. The Council didn't even vote
on the appeal. Imhof pointed out that the appeal was brought in about two hours before the
Council meeting; the Council did not have time to read and digest the information. But Safe
Waste took it as disinterest, which it wasn't.
Laidlaw pointed out that the issue is funding. Now, which part of the budget should
be addressed and for how much? Imhof and Watts both said that Cory had said there were
Finance Minutes, 3/12/91, Page 3
funds for an appeal; Anderson disagreed and presented a memo from herself that Council
members had received after the last meeting.
Vanderpol said that the issue to him was, should there be an appeal or not, and if
there is, the County should not pay for it. No more County funds should be spent.
IMHOF MOVED TO MOVE THE DISCUSSION ON TO THE WHOLE
COUNCIL.
The motion did not pass.
LAIDLAW MOVED THAT WHATEVER FUNDS ARE TO BE SPENT COME
FROM THE COUNCIL'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUDGET.
IMHOF AMENDED IT TO READ APPROPRIATE UP TO $3500 FOR THE
DEFENSE ON A DOLLAR TO DOLLAR MATCHING FUND FROM SAFE WASTE
WHICH WOULD MAKE UP THE $7000 REQUIRED.
He justified the amendment by saying that if there were two parties to the appeal,
there should be two parties paying for the appeal.
Watts pointed out that the Council doesn't have a. contract with Riddell Williams for
this right now, so the committee is setting up the terms here.
When questioned about the increase from $2000 to $7000, Anderson pointed out that
the costs are $7000, as FAXed to Council members today; $5000 for attorneys' fees, the
$2000 is for filing and other hard costs involved in the filing.
The motion passed unanimously as amended.
17. REQUESTED DISCUSSION (BY JACKSON) OF POSSIBILITY OF
GOING OUT TO BID FOR BONDING COUNSEL SERVICES (PARTIC-
ULARLY FOR COURTHOUSE ADDITION PROJECT) (AB91 -111) 146 -147
Van Zanten pointed out that this is a very specialized service and that there are only
two such firms in the State that can do this. Barbara Cory said that she has been involved
in the bonding services from the beginning.
Laidlaw requested that the Chair thank Jackson for the memo and pass on the
Committee's satisfaction with the job that the treasurer is doing.
Because there was no other business, the meeting was adjourned.
ATTESTED: FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
i
Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk Mary Vanderpol, Chairperson
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Finance Minutes, 3/12/91, Page 4