HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council September 11 1986WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
September 11, 1986
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hansey at 7:05
p.m., with Burton, Johnson, Muenscher, Roehl and Warner present.
Hawley joined the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
OTHER BUSINESS
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The question of whether the amendments should be referred to
the Planning Commission for public hearings, or whether the
Council should hold the public hearings, was discussed.
ROEHL MOVED THAT THE COUNCIL SEND THE AMENDMENTS TO THE
PLANNING COMMISSION WITH A LETTER STATING THAT THE COUNCIL WILL
HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARINGS IF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES NOT
OBJECT. THE MOTION WAS CONDITIONAL UPON ANALYSIS AND APPROVAL OF
THIS PROCEDURE BY COUNCIL'S ATTORNEY.
Roehl stated that implicit in the motion was the intention
of the Council to meet with representatives of the Department of
Ecology, prior to the public hearings, to discuss the amendments.
The motion carried.
The meeting recessed to a meeting of the Committee of the
Whole at 7:35 p.m.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Shirley Van Zanten distributed additional information
containing her recommendations on the proposal. She summarized
the information submitted to the Council on the history and
current structure of the Planning and Public Works Departments,
and discussed the factors involved in her recommendation against
the proposal to make Planning a division of Public Works.
Roehl suggested that the Council direct the Executive to
proceed with hiring a Planning Director under the new job
description titled Director of Planning and Economic Development,
and to retain the Planning Department's current structure.
COTW /September 11, 1986
Page 2
Warner and Johnson spoke in favor of Roehl's suggestion.
Paul Rushing and Diane Harper stated that they supported the
Executive's recommendations.
Hansey directed that final action on the issue be scheduled
for the following week's regular Council meeting.
The meeting was recessed for a break at 8 :15, and reconvened
at 8 :35 p.m.
DISCUSS COUNTY INSURANCE AND SELF - INSURANCE PROGRAM
Shirley Van Zanten summarized the information distributed to
the Council on the self- insurance program, and discussed the
major areas of concern.
Steve Gaidos, of the investment banker firm of Harper,
McLean, and Co., discussed various aspects of the bond market and
answered questions from the Council.
Brian Griffin, the County's insurance broker, discussed the
insurance market and answered questions from the Council. He
advised that the Council have a feasibility study done on the
issue before reaching a decision.
The Committee decided to contact Jack Daniel of the Whatcom
Transportation Authority for information on the self- insurance
feasibility study being done by that agency, and to place the
self- insurance issue on the agenda of the October 2, 1986 Council
meeting.
DISCUSS WITH EXECUTIVE THE 1987 BUDGET PARAMETERS
Hansey distributed a copy of the previous years' resolution
establishing budget policy.
Shirley Van Zanten raised the question of the 2% reserve
fund mandated by the current budget ordinance. She stated that
in order to continue to put 2% into a reserve fund service cuts
would have to be made, and requested direction from the Council
as to the areas to be cut. She said that this year's reserve
fund had a current balance of $275,000.
Discussion followed on this and other budget issues.
ROEHL MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE FULL COUNCIL THAT AN
ORDINANCE BE DRAFTED TO DELETE THE 2% RESERVE FUND REQUIREMENT
FROM ORDINANCE 85 -93.
There was discussion on the motion.
COTW /September 11, 1986
Page 3
MUENSCHER SUGGESTED INSERTING A PROVISO THAT THE EXISTING
FUND BE MAINTAINED AT $200,000, AND ANY YEAR THE BALANCE DROPS
BELOW $200,000 THE NEXT BUDGET PROCESS SHALL FUND IT UP TO
$200,000.
ROEHL AGREED TO INCORPORATE MUENSCHERIS SUGGESTION INTO HIS
MOTION.
The motion carried 5 -2 (Hansey, Hawley) on a roll call vote.
Discussion then took place concerning the leftover money in
the Expo Fund, which the budget directed would be re- titled the
"Human Services Contingency Fund."
ROEHL MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE MONEY
REMAIN IN THE HUMAN SERVICES FUND BE DELETED AND THAT THE MONEY
REVERT TO THE CURRENT EXPENSE FUND.
There was discussion on the motion.
The motion failed 3 -4 (Hansey, Hawley, Muenscher, Warner),
on a roll call vote.
ROEHL MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE BUDGET ORDINANCE FOR 1987
BE ON AN OBJECT RATHER THAN A SUB - OBJECT LEVEL.
There was discussion on the motion.
The motion carried.
The meeting of the Committee of the Thole was adjourned and
the Special Meeting of the Council reconvened at 10:20 p.m. The
meeting was then adjourned.
WHATCOM COUNTY C IL
WHATCOM COUNTY . NGT.ON
a l d G. f .;prfs eY, Cpl a i r
ATTEST:
Carol Ebergson
Clerk of the Council
Ca