HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance July 3 1989WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Monday, July 3, 1989
The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. by Emily Jackson with member
Marvin Vanderpol present. Committee Chairman Dan Warner was absent. Others
present were: Donald Hansey, Council Chairman; Shirley Van Zanten, County
Executive; Shirley Forslof, Auditor; Barbara Cory, Treasurer; Tom Sutberry,
Budget Director; Paul Rushing, Brad Bennett, Glen Kiep, Public Works; Ray Weden,
Dick Prleve, Weden Engineering; Lee Murphy, Jeff Wyngaert, KGMI; Glen Golay,
Water District 8.
1. BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR A TRUCK - MOUNTED HIGHWAY PAINT STRIPER
TO THE LOW BIDDER, M -B COMPANY, FOR AN M -B MODEL NP800 PAINT STRIPER
AT A TOTAL COST OF $121,699.49 INCLUDING SALES TAX
Van Zanten explained this bid award. There was some discussion about the
cost of contracting this service as opposed to buying a new machine. It was
decided this would be impractical and more costly. Van Zanten said she
recommended this purchase.
VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
2. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO RENEW FERRY HULL INSURANCE (NO PAPER
UNTIL MONDAY WHEN WE HOPE TO RECEIVE A PRICE QUOTE ON IT)
VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
3. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH WEDEN
ENGINEERING FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR LRID #10 (HORTON ROAD)
VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
4. RESOLUTION TO SELL PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY COUNTY ON TAX FORECLOSURE,
REQUEST NO. 19 (THE "UNBUILDABLE" LOTS)
Cory recommended that the County sell these properties. if the properties
come back to the County again on tax foreclosure, she said they should be
reconsidered at that time. Jackson read a memo from Warner stating that he felt
the County held a moral obligation to unsuspecting buyers. Vanderpol
appreciated Warner's concern but could not support his memo. Jackson said the
County does not have to the staff to check every property and stand behind it's
ability to be built on, to perk, to have good water, etc. She maintained we
would open ourselves to liability if we started adding to the deeds. Hansey
said he had helped write the Warner memo; after discussing it with John Tyler
of Buildings and Codes, he said he feels we would be liable if we sell it to
someone who does not disclose the difficult building conditions on some lots.
VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
Personnel and Finance Committee, 7 -3 -89, Page 2
5. ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 86 -88, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING
WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY RATES
Van Zanten asked that the committee look at three issues: 1. a fare
increase for trailers and motorhomes; 2. an additional crew member as needed
for holiday weekends; and 3. the ferry will begin to run one hour earlier than
usual for the remainder of the year. Jackson questioned charging $8 for a
motor -home over 20 ft. saying this will create a hardship for people who use
their motorhome as transportation over for groceries.
VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION TO COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
6. ORDINANCE REVISING THE 1989 CURRENT EXPENSE FUND, AUDITOR'S
APPROPRIATION THEREIN, FOR ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY RECORDING STAFF
Forslof stated that her department will be over $30,000 above projected
revenue for the year if the present trend continues. She said that the
increased activity in the County is impacting them greatly. Forslof handed out
a letter requesting two full time extra help. Jackson stated that we are in a
belt - tightening time and she couldn't support two at this time.
VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE TO COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
7. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A PARTIAL PAYMENT ON R.I.D. #4 ASSESSMENT FOR
BIRCH CREST ESTATES DIVISION #1 TRACT A
Cory explained that Water district 8 had purchased a foreclosed property
and has received an offer of $35,000 on this property. The County would receive
$16,544.66 of this amount and Water District 8 would get the rest. The County
would lose approximately $20,000 and Water District 8 would lose $29,000 with
this sale The assessed value is $46,840 and is appraised at $50,000. It is
currently costing the County $1300 per year in lost revenue. Bennett said he
and Paul Rushing thought the County might be wise to buy out Water District 8
and hold the property because of the current growth in that area and the
expansion of both refineries. Cory indicated that she favored taking the loss
and getting it back on the tax rolls. The clerk was asked to request the
Executive to have the Assessor's office, with the Treasurer's help, provide the
committee with a comparative study to help make this determination at the next
meeting on July 17.
The meeting was adjourned at 4 :20 p.m.
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