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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole January 9 1985WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Minutes -- January 9, 1985 The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Chairperson Cole at 7:05 p.m. Also in attendance were Becker, Roehl, Johnson and Hansey, who arrived at 7:15 p.m. DISCUSSION OF THE BUDGET PROCESS Johnson provided background information on reasons for changing the budget process, as outlined in the resolution he introduced at the January 3rd meeting. Johnson stated that the intent was not to do away with the Finance Committee, but to come up with a way to help the budget process run more smoothly. Becker stated that preliminary decisions, such as those made this year by the Finance Committee regarding cuts, could be initiated and discussed with the Committee of the Whole. She spoke in support of the Executive doing the "fine- tuning" of the budget and having the Finance Committee concentrate on the details of the preliminary budget once the Council has set out goals and direction. Cole spoke in support of the Finance Committee conferring with the Executive early in the year in order to deliver to the Council some basic assumptions around which a budget could be developed during the coming year. Cole spoke against having the Committee of the Whole replace the Finance Committee during the budget process. Executive Van Zanten stated that the administration's task is to develop the budget, and the policy and goal directions are needed from the Council. Cole spoke in support of the new Finance Committee meeting with the County Executive in order to define a new budget process in more detail. Hansey spoke in support of meeting in an informal setting where some parameters and direction were set for the next year's budget. Sheriff rlount stated that as an elected official, he, as well as other elected officials, would like to work with the Council in order to help the budget process work more efficiently. Committee of the Whole January 9, 1985 Page 2 It was suggested that the new Finance Committee take up this item and discuss the budget process with the County Executive and other elected officials and then report back to the Council on their findings and some sort of plan regarding the budget process. DISCUSSION OF THE JUVENILE FACILITY Executive Van Zanten provided background information on previous discussions the Council has had regarding a new juvenile facility. She distributed a letter from Mr. Livermoore dated November 6, 1984, which outlined the cost estimate for renovating the 6th floor jail facility. Gary Wood addressed the issue of the break -even point in staffing a new facility. With a 15 -bed facility, there would probably be no need to add staff; 18 -beds, there would need to be one additional teacher (plus an additional classroom); 20 -25 beds, add five additional staff persons, depending on where the facility is located (the need for a cook would depend on whether the jail's cook could be utilized for the juvenile facility). When asked which option would be the most efficient in terms of staffing, Mr. Wood replied that the outside parameter site would be the most efficient. Executive Van Zanten asked how the Council would like to proceed from this point. Johnson spoke in support of having a Law and Justice building for the County, possibly funding it through a bond issue. Becker spoke in support of having a juvenile facility outside of the courthouse for programmatic reasons. Becker spoke against the idea of a Law and Justice building and placing the juvenile facility within that structure. Hansey spoke in support of Council's unofficial decision made in October 1984 to look at the possibility of having a juvenile facility located outside the civic center. He spoke in support of rehabilitation as opposed to punishment. Roehl stated that he felt the present system is inadequate, but that he had no strong feelings one way or the other. He is interested in spending the least amount of money and sees the cost as a large factor in determining the location. Committee of the Whole January 9, 1985 Page 3 Cole spoke in support of a facility that is the most effective for the kids. He spoke against rejuvenating the 6th floor court- house facility, and spoke in support of going outside the civic center. Executive Van Zanten stated that in looking at an outside facility, the County would also be looking at moving the adminis- trative facilities as well, i.e. a court, space for the prosecuting attorneys and other staff. Executive Van Zanten stated that a formal motion from the Council would help give more specific instructions for the admin- istration to follow up on. HANSEY MOVED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS REQUESTED TO PROCEED WITH PLANNING FOR A JUVENILE FACILITY OUTSIDE OF THE CIVIC AREA, WHICH IS SIZED TO MEET TODAY'S IMMEDIATE NEEDS, BUT WHICH IS CAPABLE OF EXPANSION. The motion carried (4 -1, Johnson). DISCUSSION ON OTHER COURTHOUSE SPACE NEEDS Executive Van Zanten explained that the capital improvement resolution which had recently been passed by Council needs to be discussed further with regard to courthouse needs. She spoke in support of scheduling another meeting with the department heads to look at the space needs in the courthouse. She would like to schedule a 2 -3 hour meeting during the day in order to identify and tour the 4 -5 departments who are having the most serious space problems. Roehl spoke in support of all Council members going on a tour of the departments. Cole spoke in support of having a "facilities planner" in order to help develop a plan for the courthouse facility. Becker spoke in support of seeing a chart for every depart- ment that has needs which would show the number of square feet they presently have, the present level of staffing, square footage needs in ten years, how many staff in the future, expected program- matic changes in the future, reasons for the urgency and needs presently, and what options do the departments see, with rough estimates of remodelling costs involved. Becker spoke in support of having this information first before going on a tour. Roehl also spoke in support of receiving the information first. It was decided that the Council would rather receive some preliminary information before a tour. Executive Van Zanten will set up a tour in March and will provide preliminary information before the tour. Committee of the Whole January 9, 1985 Page 4 Executive Van Zanten asked for a clarification as to the time frame for exploring possible juvenile facilities. It was decided that possibilities should be explored as quickly as possible, within reason. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WMTOOM COUNTY., WASHINGTON Chairp rson ATTEST: &dgL44�� Carol Ebergs n Clerk of the Cou cil