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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 14 1988WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE March 14, 1988 The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Warner at 2 :00 p.m. with Committee members Hansey and Vanderpol present. Also present were Council members Jackson and Roehl; Shirley Van Zanten, County Executive; Tom Sutberry, Budget Director; Gary Wood, Juvenile Probation; John Tyler, Buildings and Code; Paul Rushing, Brad Bennett and Glen Kiep, Public Works; Shirley Forslof, Auditor; Bob Jurica, Engineering; Mike Brennan, Chamber of Commerce; Tim Douglas, Don Gischer, Foster Rose, and Betty Kiner, City of Bellingham; Pamela Cushing, City Center Development Authority; Neil Clement; Cal Leenstra; and several citizens concerned about the juvenile detention facility issue. Warner reviewed a memo he had prepared contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of the civic center and perimeter sites. He noted in particular that a multi -level building would be more likely to present a prison -like facade, and that building in the civic center area would make future expansion far more difficult. Executive Van Zanten reviewed the most recent figures on the potential costs for the facility. Assuming an interest rate of 7.5 %, she said that on a 15 year bond of 3 million dollars for the civic center site, amortization costs would be $339,862 a year for a total payback of 5.1 million. On a 20 -year bond for 3 million dollars the amortization costs would be $294,277 a year for a total payback of 5.9 million. On a 15 year bond of 2.3 million for the Cordata site, the amortization would be $260,561 per year for a total payback of 3.9 million; on a 20 year bond the amortization would be $225,612 per year for a total payback of 4.5 million. She concluded that the extra cost for a civic center site would amount to 1.2 to 1.5 million dollars. Public Works Director Paul Rushing explained that of the 6.97 acres available to the County at the Cordata site only 4.6 acres were buildable. Rushing also reviewed the history of the County's search for an appropriate site. He discussed the 1984/85 study of 18 possible sites, and explained that of those 18 sites the Council had selected Port of Bellingham property on Airport Way. When the County was unable to obtain that site, it looked elsewhere and located the site at Cordata. Rushing also said that it had been determined that the City of Bellingham would not be able to waive the fee for the vacation of Lottie St., so the fee of $51,260 would be another cost involved in a civic center location. March 14, 1988 Page 2 Executive Van Zanten emphasized that during the 1984/85 study civic center sites had been evaluated and found not to be adequate, and that the recommendation for a single level perimeter facility had been made at that time. She also discussed the fact that remodeling existing facilities was likely to be more expensive than new construction, and that for the County to build in the civic center area additional property would have to be purchased. She said that the County was obligated to give primary consideration to the issue of how best to serve the needs of the juveniles who would spend time in the facility, rather than to the preservation of downtown Bellingham. She also pointed out that the County's capital facilities plan had clearly stated for years the County's intention to maintain its administrative services in the civic center area and even to surplus the Courthouse Annex and bring those departments to the core area. Therefore, concerns expressed by downtown supporters about a possible trend towards moving other County services out of downtown were not well grounded. Council member Jackson asked about the costs for access roads and utilities. Rushing said that since the access roads were already on the road program and would be built whether or not the facility was located on that site, their cost was not a factor. He said there would be a cost of approximately $54,000 for a temporary access road. Rushing was asked to determine the Road Improvement District costs the County would incur as a landowner in that area. HANSEY MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL REFER THE MATTER WITH A REPORT TO DATE TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE; OBTAIN IN THE MEANTIME THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ROAD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT COSTS; SCHEDULE THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING FOR MARCH 24; AND THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MAKE A FINAL RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL COUNCIL ON THE SITING OF THE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY. The motion carried. BID AWARD FOR TWO SINGLE AXLE DUMP TRUCKS HANSEY MOVED TO.RECOMMEND THAT THE BID BE AWARDED TO MOTOR TRUCKS. Hansey explained that Motor Trucks had been determined to be the lowest responsive bidder, and that their bid did meet the requirement that the truck frames be bolted rather than riveted. Executive Van Zanten distributed memos from Purchasing and Public Works which supported the recommendation that the bid be awarded to Motor Trucks. March 14, 1988 Page 3 The question of establishing a standard by which bids could be awarded to local vendors if their bids were within a certain percentage of the lowest bid was discussed. It was generally agreed that the primary concern was with bids for county vehicles. Hansey suggested that in the interim before a formal policy is adopted the extent of warranties be taken into account in making bid awards. The Committee agreed to recommend that the Council ask the administration for its recommendations on a policy which would take into account generation of local sales taxes, quantification of warranties, and other considerations as appropriate. Hansey left the meeting at 3:05 p.m. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 8.12 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL A„� WHATCOM COUNTY SOLID WASTE SITES Van Zanten and Bob Jurica explained the ordinance, and discussion followed. VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO, 86 -88, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY FERRY RATES Van Zanten explained the ordinance, and suggested amending the ordinance to read: ". a gross family income equal to that set by the state as the senior deferral income for property taxes. ", rather than ". a gross family income of $18,000 or less." VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE AMENDMENT. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET TO THE 1988 SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUND FOR ADDITIONAL-IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FERNDALE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT Van Zanten and Brad Bennett explained the ordinance. VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE. The motion carried. March 14, 1988 Page 4 RESOLUTION Its THE MATTER OF AMENDING RESOLUTION 87 -58. THE EXEMPT SALARY RESOLUTION Van Zanten and Shirley Forslof explained the resolution. VANDERPOL MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION. The motion carried. REDISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.BUDGE Van Zanten reported on the transfer of funds in the amount of $62,469.00 within the Developmental Disabilities budget. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON Lt )It r Dariel M. Warner, Chair Finance Committee ATTEST: Carol Ebergson Clerk of the Council