HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance August 15 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 15, 1988
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. by Committee
Chairman Dan Warner, with Councilman Mary Vanderpol present.
Councilman Don Hansey arrived after the meeting started.
REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH SKAGIT
COUNTY FOR MICROFILMING THE RECORDS BACKLOG IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
CLERK'S OFFICE
Executive Shirley Van Zanten said the Superior Court backlog
is a "crisis area" in the Courthouse. Skagit County is eager to
do the work, because they have just finished a mammoth
microfilming job of their own and have the equipment and staff
necessary for more work. Money for the project would come from
the amount budgeted for a consultant to study the microfilming
needs in the Courthouse this year, a project that never got
underway. In 1989 more money would need to be appropriated for
the project, she said.
Auditor Shirley Forslof said her office as 2.5 million pages
that need to be microfilmed, all old files. New items are being
microfilmed as they come in.
At Warner's request, Van Zanten said she would put her
further ideas concerning microfilming on paper and submit them to
the Council in conjunction with the budget proposal.
N.F. Jackson, Superior Court Clerk, noted that he estimates
21 tons of paper would be eliminated through this project; paper
is accumulated at the rate of 5 tons per year. He requested that
the Council add the following wording to item 6 of the contract
with Skagit County:
"The work completed shall as a minimum
conform to state of Washington technical and
other film quality and archiving standards
and procedures."
Vanderpol suggested the County hire experts to do the
microfilming of County records. Van Zanten said that would be
fine for ongoing records, but the backlog needs to be addressed
as well.
VANDERPOL MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE
FULL COUNCIL
Motion carried.
BID AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR THE REMODEL OF HEATING VENTILATION,
AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN JUVENILE DETENTION TO THE ONLY
BIDDER, DIAMOND B PLUMBING AND HEATING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF
$49,408.00, INCLUDING STATE SALES TAX
Van Zanten said this project, plus audio /video equipment for
the detention center, had been budgeted for. The system can be
used for other offices after the new detention center is built,
she said.
VANDERPOL MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE OF
THE BID TO THE FULL COUNCIL
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION TO SELL PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY COUNTY ON TAX FORECLOSURE
(INTRODUCED 8/4)
HANSEY MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE
RESOLUTION
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TERMS OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
ESTABLISHING THE WASHINGTON COUNTIES RISK POOL AND AUTHORIZING
WHATCOM COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION
There was discussion about transfer of funds, as well as
talk of who would represent the County at insurance pool
meetings. Warner said he would be interested, if Van Zanten is
unable or unwilling to attend. He also suggested Tom Sutberry,
budget director, may be interested in attending.
VANDERPOL MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE
RESOLUTION WITH AN AMENDMENT TO LINE 4, PAGE 2, TO READ THAT IT
TAKES EFFECT WHEN 11 OTHER COUNTIES "HAVE JOINED," INSTEAD OF
"HAVE AGREED TO JOIN."
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION IN THE MATTER OF THE SALE OF WHATCOM COUNTY SURPLUS
EQUIPMENT AND THE SETTING OF A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING THEREON,
PURSUANT TO R.C.W. 36.34.020 (AUTHORIZATION FOR AUG. 17
ADVERTISEMENT)
HANSEY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL TO FULL COUNCIL.
Motion carried. Warner authorized that the hearing be
advertised on August 17 and August 24, in order for it to take
place September 1.
RESOLUTION FOR HEARING AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON SALE OF COUNTY
TAX TITLE PROPERTY
HANSEY MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE
FULL COUNCIL.
Motion carried.
DISCUSSION OF INTERIM PAYMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM COSTS
Van Zanten said there is an ordinance for introduction
Thursday regarding this matter; today's discussion is merely a
preview of coming attractions. The County had ordered that these
costs not be paid after Feb. 1, and that order has been adhered
to. The debate between state and County officials soon will make
it to Supreme Court. In the meantime, it would be nice if the
County could pay attorneys at the rate laid out in the Guardian
Ad Litem contract ($45 an hour) rather than allowing some
attorneys to charge up to $100 an hour for these cases, as is
happening.
VANDERPOL MOVED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO THE
FULL COUNCIL
Motion carried.
Warner asked that Gary Wood, N.F. Jackson, Bob Carmichael
and Jon Ostlund submit their opinions of the proposed ordinance,
in writing, to the Council Office for consideration.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
ATTEST:
Ramona Reeves,
Clerk of the Council
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Daniel M. Warner