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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance April 10 1990WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE April 10, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. by Committee Chairperson Dan Warner in the Council Conference Room. Also present: Absent: Mary Vanderpol None. Marge Laidlaw 16. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL'S SPONSORSHIP OF WWU CONFERENCE, "GROWTH: COMMON PROBLEMS, COMMON SOLUTIONS AND COMMON SENSE" (AB90 -) Warner moved this item to the top of the agenda. He invited George Cvetkovich to explain the conference; Warner said Barbara Brenner had asked the Council to sponsor the event. Cvetkovich said the conference gives a structure to growth issues, and gives some direction to discussion. He said the City may consider funding the event, and participants are just signing up. About 23 people have agreed to be moderators. (TAPE JUST TURNED ON). Laidlaw asked who exactly was sponsoring this; Cvetkovich said the Institute is a part of the Psychology Department, so Western is directly involved. Staff is volunteering times, facilities and conference services are being provided by Western. Vanderpol asked if the conference fees would defray the $5,000 cost. Cvetkovich said yes. Laidlaw said the Council of Governments has been asked to participate, Van Zanten said COG did not fund the event because it felt the expenditure would not be appropriate. Warner said the Council is confronted with the problems of growth, and at virtually every meeting it is discussed. In the long run, Warner said, nothing would be more useful than to teach the community how to resolve such disputes within the community. Almost every week Council is confronted by NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard). Somehow must be a mechanism to get people to realize that's not a good way to resolve our problems. This would be a good start, he said, and Warner said the County could contribute $300, which would show good faith and support of the program. WARNER MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE FULL COUNCIL THAT IT CONTRIBUTE $300 TO THE CONFERENCE. Vanderpol said he agrees with Warner's statements, but doesn't think it is a qualified group for government to contribute to. He called it a "dangerous precedent," and said he will ask his business to contribute to the cause but would not support the motion. Warner asked Vanderpol to define a "qualified group." Vanderpol said a qualified group would be one that is part of a recognized organization, such as the Chamber, or COG, or through a governmental entity. He commented further, saying that it would be wrong for the Council to start funding private groups. Warner noted that the Institute is part of Western, which is a governmental entity. Laidlaw said the idea of the conference is a good one, said she is concerned about being approached at this late date and not having any input into the program. She said the Finance, 4/10/90, Page 2 Council has a lot of issues that need use of the taxpayers' money, and is not sure she is willing to spend the taxpayers' money for local folks to sit around talking about growth problems. Warner said obviously this motion would not carry; Laidlaw suggested a motion of support for the conference might be a good idea, but Warner said he didn't see the value in such lip service. Motion failed, with Warner in favor. 1. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR WOOD TO CONSTRUCT PICNIC TABLE TOPS TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, ROBERT C. LAWRENCE & ASSOCIATES, FOR $11,344.01, INCLUD- ING TAX (AB90 -119) Parks Director Roger DeSpain explained that the actual amount would be $13,305 (an incorrect amount was due to an administrative typo). DeSpain said a table would be erected outside almost immediately. LAIDLAW MOVED THAT THE ITEM BE APPROVED (FOR THE AMENDED AMOUNT). Motion carried unanimously. 2. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE PROSECUT- ING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO THE LOW BIDDER, DIAMOND B PLUMBING AND HEATING, INC., FOR $58,465.33, INCLUDING ALTERNATES AND SALES TAX (AB90 -120) Van Zanten said because more space is not available, the best that could be done for people in the Prosecutor's Office would be to improved the air quality. A consultant analyzed the problem after which the County went to bid. The amount is considerably over what was anticipated ($45,000). Being introduced tonight is a supplemental budget to cover the higher cost, Van Zanten said. Warner said he would not oppose this, but asked Cathy Walker to explain the situation. She said more people are in the small space, and health- related problems have developed (eye infections and others). No fresh air was coming in because the system was not sufficient for the number of bodies in that space. The system will be useful to the County even after the new building is con- structed, Van Zanten said. The health problems have come to the attention of the union and this measure will curtail some of the potential grievances, she said. Public Works Director Paul Rushing said most of the work will be done at night; he could not give an accurate estimate of when the work would be completed. VANDERPOL MOVED THAT THE BID AWARD BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. Finance, 4/10/90, Page 3 3. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR TEMPORARY BOAT CHARTER FOR PASSENGER SERVICE TO LUMMI ISLAND DURING DRYDOCKING OF THE WIIATCOM CHIEF TO LOWER RESPONSIVE BIDDER, BELAIRCO, INC., FOR $11,401 (AB90 -121) Engineer Ed Henken was on hand to answer questions of the Committee. There was some discussion; Henken said the temporary passenger boat was of better quality than the one used last year, which was the object of some citizen complaints. LAIDLAW MOVED THE ITEM BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. 4. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR DRYDOCKING, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WHATCOM CHIEF TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER, DUWAMISH SHIPYARD, INC., FOR $60,777 (AB90 -122) Henken said he recommended that maintenance take place every year. Van Zanten discussed past problems with the ferry. There was some discussion; Laidlaw asked about the wide differences between the two bidders in some cases. VANDERPOL MOVED THE ITEM BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. 8. ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR ISSUANCE AND SALE OF LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES ... (FOR) $4,800,000, TO PROVIDE INTERIM FINANCING FOR CON- STRUCTION OF CERTAIN COUNTY FACILITIES ... (AB90 -115) The ordinance authorizing the sale is before the Council; a representative of Harper -McLean of Seattle will make an offer to loan the Council, the Council should then accept that offer, then pass the ordinance, Van Zanten said. Joan said would purchase at an interest rate of 6 -3/8 percent. She explained the justification for setting the rate at this level. Warner clarified; the company loans the money to the County, and the 6 -3/8 percent is what the investor gets. Company gets an underwriting fee. The county's interest cost would be about 6.68 percent, she said. Public Works Accountant Brad Bennett also was present. There was more discussion about the sale and purchase of bonds. It was noted that Council members could not purchase bonds. Van Zanten said to pay the amount back, the Council could go to the voters, ask for a temporary levy lift in order to pay the bonds back within a few years. If the measure failed, the Council would issue general obligation (Coun- cilmanic) bonds and pay them back over a period of 20 years, Van Zanten said. Vanderpol asked if $4.8 million was the maximum amount the County could borrow; the Executive and Auditor Shirley Forslof indicated that yes, for this year. If the County borrowed more than $4.8 million, it would get into a situation called "arbitrage," when the County earns too much interest and the Federal government would make the County pay it back, the Executive explained. Some discussion followed. Finance, 4/10/90, Page 4 VANDERPOL MOVED THAT THE ORDINANCE BE RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Motion carried. 9. ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 87 -69, WITH RESPECT TO THE PAYMENT OF INSTALLMENTS OF ASSESSMENTS IN LOCAL AND ROAD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 9 (AB90 -116) Bennett said the CERB loan that funds LRID 9; as owners buy land within Cordata, owners want to pay off their assessments on the property. The RCW only allows for prepayment of assessments by a set installment date. If full payment is made after the installment date, a person now must pay a full year's interest on the assess- ment. If the County chose to, it could turn around and pay off the CERB loan immediately so having a person pay a full year's interest in most cases is not appropriate, Bennett said. The ordinance would protect the County so when a person chooses to pay off their full assessment, the installment date would be moved for 30 days beyond the set date in order for payers to avoid paying interest on a full year's assessment. LAIDLAW MOVED THE ITEM BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. 10. ORDINANCE REVISING THE NAME AND PURPOSE OF THE JUVENILE FACILITY RESERVE FUND (AB90 -117) Van Zanten said because the nature of the project has been expanded, it would be appropriate to set up the fund to reflect the change. This fund is where the proceeds of the bond sales will be deposited. The fund is being transferred to Public Works because the Department will be managing the construction funds, she said. Vanderpol asked questions about the ordinance. VANDERPOL MOVED THE ORDINANCE BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. 11. AWARD OF BID FOR THE COUNTY'S OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER (AB90 -126) Warner commended Forslof on the thoroughness of her report. Warner recapped the arguments in favor of each of the bidders. Vanderpol said he had promoted the Westside Record - Journal and the Lynden Tribune in the past two years, because of the convenience of getting all legal advertisements into a consistent weekly format. However, in the past year the Council has run into many difficulties with the deadlines of the weekly newspapers causing delays in action on certain issues. VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE BELLINGHAM Finance, 4/10/90, Page 5 HERALD BE NAMED THE OFFICIAL COUNTY NEWSPAPER. Laidlaw said it appeared, from the surveys provided by Forslof, that the weeklies would not lose a lot of money because most departments advertise in all three newspapers anyway. Discussion continued. Vanderpol asked Forslof if weeklies would still give the quoted rate in response to the bid if the Herald were the official newspaper. Tom George, publisher of the Westside Record - Journal, said the rate would be about $3 per square inch higher. Warner noted that the Herald would be in the same situation. Forslof discussed the draft contract. George asked the Committee to compare the price of 1,000 inches in both papers; he said the savings would be substantial. Cost of characters per inch is 35 percent lower, Warner said, but in terms of circulation the Herald would be 55 percent cheaper. Warner said citizens, particularly those in the southern half of the County, have complained that they can not get a copy of the Westside Record - Journal or Lynden Tribune. Forslof showed a comparison of circulation and distribution within certain zip code areas. Warner said it looks like except for Lynden, the Bellingham paper reaches just as many people as the weekly. Laidlaw said it looked as though the Herald reaches more. After some discussion, Warner restated the motion. Motion carried. 12. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH DAVID I. HAMLIN & ASSOC. FOR DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT THE NORTHWEST DRIVE /WEST BAKER - VIEW ROAD INTERSECTION AND THE AXTON ROAD /SR 539 INTERSECTION (AB90 -127) Van Zanten explained the resolution. People who contribute to the traffic problems are being approached for help with funding this project. Henken explained the bidding process. Laidlaw asked questions about cost. Van Zanten said the agenda bill did not clearly explain the issue. Henken clarified the situation. Laidlaw asked Tyler why the County is spending any money on the urban fringe area. Tyler said this intersection is becoming busier and during heavy times, backup is due to inadequate turning lanes and signals. He said the situation is of "crisis proportions." Discussion continued. LAIDLAW MOVED THE RESOLUTION BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. 13. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH BROWN AND CALDWELL, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE FLOOD CONTROL MANAGEMENT PLAN (AB90 -128) Finance, 4/10/90, Page 6 Van Zanten said for about two years the County has been working on a flood control management plan; in order to be eligible for Federal funds for river work, the plan needs to be completed. Henken said most of the work has been done in -house but with the loss of a key staff person it is almost impossible for the Department to keep up. The report must be completed in January. Seventy -five percent of the cost will be paid by the state. Van Zanten suggested Engineering hire outside help; because costs are a little higher than anticipated, an ordinance is being introduced 4/10 to take more money from the real estate excise tax to cover the costs. Discussion ensued. LAIDLAW MOVED THE RESOLUTION BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Motion carried. 15. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE DECLARING A TWO -MONTH MORATO- RIUM ON DEMOLITION LANDFILL PERMITS (AB90 -139) Warner said after the County granted a demolition landfill permit to Bob Muenscher, the County has learned other people would like to have demolition landfills in place. New regulations are in the works, and in order to avoid people being grandfathered into the present system, this moratorium should be imposed, Warner said. Vanderpol said he did not understand the urgency of the situation, and asked staff to elaborate. Tyler talked about his concerns relating to this issue. He said a possibility exists that such dumping could occur uncontrolled at present. The amount of construc- tion materials being generated is very high, he said. Vanderpol said he is aware of the situation; a contractor told him Muenscher could accept old drywall products, but not new drywall. Warner said that was a good point, and that such situations are addressed by the new regulations. Tyler said is concerned about the moratorium being imposed, since it takes four to five months to process a permit. Warner said to preclude people from siting a landfill in an inappropriate location the moratorium must be in place. Tyler said the Health Department attends the technical committee meetings on permits, so conditions could be placed on applicants at that time. Van Zanten said at this time the County can not say any site is inap- propriate; can only apply conditions to it. Discussion continued. Tyler said he didn't mean the moratorium was not needed; however, materials are being disposed of inappropriately and the situation may get worse. Warner said the Health Board Advisory Committee is meeting April 20 and the Council may adopt the regulations within the next three weeks. Tyler said in that case, he would not object to the moratorium. LAIDLAW MOVED THAT THE EMERGENCY ORDINANCE BE RECOM- MENDED ADOPTION. Motion carried. 17. OTHER BUSINESS Council's Growth Retreat: Laidlaw said the Council, at its February retreat, suggested a growth retreat on a Tuesday. It will be Tuesday, May S, from 9 a.m. to 1 Finance, 4/10/90, Page 7 p.m. A facilitator is under consideration, one has offered to work with us for $500, in addition to speaking with various department heads as needed. There would be a no- host lunch. The Executive has agreed to pay at least half of the facilitator's cost. There was discussion. Warner talked about the Bar Association growth conference, referred to by Jackson in the Planning and Development Committee. Warner suggested the chairs of Council Committees attending such a conference. WARNER MOVED TO REQUEST THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE FUNDING FOR A MINI- RETREAT ON MAY 8, FOR $300. Van Zanten said she thought it would be a valuable exercise. The money would come from the Council's miscellaneous funds. Motion carried. Olivine Incinerator: Corky Smith, Jr., owner of Olivine, was present. Warner said the Executive told him she could respond to the concerns raised by a morning press conference and materials that have been distributed to Council members. If out of that response any more interest is generated, Warner said the Council would be happy to discuss this at the appropriate committee meetings. Discussion continued. Vanderpol asked if Smith would be allowed to respond to Van Zanten's comments. Warner said it would be up to Chairman Don Hansey. The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. ATTEST: Ramona Reeves, Council Clerk WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON ,4, �- fh,40L�1_ Daniel M. Warner, Member FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE April 10, 1990 ATTENDANCE Name Organization jAddress Brad Bennett Public Works Accounting Joan Egan Harper - McClean Terry Hinz Executive's Office Nat Dickinson Purchasing Tom George Westside Record - Journal Phil Roorda Juvenile Court William Van Diest Juvenile Court Andy Norstadt Bellingham Herald Edwin Henken Public Works, Engineering John Tyler Public Works Administration Paul Rushing Public Works Administration Shirley Forslof County Auditor