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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance August 7 1990i FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Tuesday, August 7, 1990 The meeting was called to order by Committee Chairman Dan Warner at 3:05 p.m. Present Absent Marge Laidlaw Mary Vanderpol 1. REQUEST BY THE BELLINGHAM /WHATCOM COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITIES FOR APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF UNITS IT MAY DEVELOP WITHIN WHATCOM COUNTY USING HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FUNDING Budget Director Sutberry introduced John Harmon of the Housing Authority. They have relied on federal funding; their funding source insists the County agree to provide as much service to these properties as other properties. Usually the County is asked to use a lowered tax in return for the benefit to the County. The Housing Authority has a number of units available in the Birch Bay area known as Birchcrest Homes and in the Birchwood area known as the Birches. LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE COUNCIL. Motion carried 2 -0. 2. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A ROAD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT PROCEDURE (AB90 -270) There was discussion as to whether this be an ordinance or a resolution. Barbara Cory, Treasurer said that with an ordinance there is better tracking than there is with a resolution. Forslof said an ordinance is codified so is more definite whereas a resolution is sometimes forgotten or ignored. WARNER MOVED THIS BE FORWARDED TO BE APPROVED AS A RESOLUTION. Motion carried 2 -0. Forslof applauded the Council for adopting the procedure that allowed everyone participation in the formation of this policy. 3. ORDINANCE REVISING THE FEES FOR ALCOHOL /DRUG EVALUATIONS BY THE COMBINED TREATMENT DEPARTMENT (AB90 -262) LAIDLAW MOVED THIS ITEM BE RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION TO COUNCIL. Motion carried 2 -0. Finance & Personnel Minutes, 8/7/90, Page 2 4. DISCUSSION OF NEED FOR ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT IN BUILDINGS & CODES (AB90 -275) Tyler noted that they had hired two people recently; one in July and one coming on in September. These people will both spend some time in enforcement. He said he would like to wait to see how well these two people work out; when the gravel ordinance is considered there may be a need for more enforcement. Warner said it would be recommended the Executive that no new budget increase be considered at this time but it may be necessary in the future. Warner said he would write a memo to the Planning Commission explaining the situation. 5. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF WHATCOM COUNTY SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND THE SETTING OF A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING THEREON PURSUANT TO RCW 36.34.020 (AB90 -276) Dickinson explained this item does need a public hearing according to the RCWs. This sale will take place on September 15 at 9 a.m. LAIDLAW MOVED THIS ITEM BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO COUNCIL. Motion carried 2 -0. 6. RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF WHATCOM COUNTY SURPLUS EQUIPMENT AND THE HOLDING OF A PUBLIC AUCTION PURSUANT TO RCW 36.34 (AB90 -277 This item will be on the September 4, 1990 agenda. 7. ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1990 CURRENT EXPENSE FUND FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM EXPANSION (AB90 -263) Sutberry explained the recommendation of the Criminal Justice system; there is additional state funding for the system and this reflects the way it will be spent. It was noted that this is three years of funding with no guarantee beyond that and is considered a stop -gap solution due to jail over - crowding. Sutberry said it may be expanded in the future. Doug Gill, Under Sheriff stated some of the money will be spent for satellite receivers for the dead areas in the County where car radios cannot pick up signals. Gary Wood, Director, Juvenile Detention said the census is greatly increased and there is a real need for beefed up security. Warner asked if anything was going toward the new building; Sutberry said it is more advantageous to be spent on computer enhancement and networking. Warner said he hopes there will not be an economic downturn and a need to let these people go. Gill said this had been taken into consideration but the need is now and the funding will likely be continued. LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THIS ITEM TO THE COUNCIL. Finance & Personnel Minutes, 8/7/90, Page 3 Motion carried 2 -0. 8. ORDINANCE REVISING CURRENT EXPENSE FUND, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S APPROPRIATION, FOR STATE SUPPORTED NON- SUPPORT PROGRAM (AB90 -264) Kathy Walker explained this is to find absentee fathers and force them to be honor their responsibilities. There was some discussion of this fund hiring on a pilot basis a private custodial service other than County employees. Walker stated the rent had also increased. WARNER MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THIS ITEM TO THE COUNCIL. Motion carried 2 -0. 9. ORDINANCE REVISING THE CASH RESERVED FOR THE ADVANCE TRAVEL EXPENSE ACCOUNT (AB90 -265) Forslof explained this fund is very low; many more people are now allowed to travel and the fund needs unnecessary monitoring because it is low. LAIDLAW MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THIS ITEM TO THE COUNCIL. Motion carried 2 -0. 10. OTHER BUSINESS Engineering will be introducing an ordinance for unanticipated expenditures. Bruce Mills said they have done $1.3million due to the flood last year. The department needs $290,000 for work to be done but have $140,000 left to accomplish this. The committee recommended Engineering do the paperwork and this will come before the Council on September 4, 1990. Meeting adjourned 4:07 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Daniel M. Warner, Member Attendance list for Finance & Personnel meeting, 8/7/90 Kathy Walker Prosecutor's office Nat Dickinson Purchasing John Tyler Public Works Gary Wood Juvenile Court Glennys Christie All Points Bulletin Shirley Forslof Auditor Doug Gill Sheriff Linda Gill District Court Barbara Cory Treasurer Louise Goren Port of Bellingham Nasser Mansour Engineering Bruce Mills Engineering