HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 12 2015I WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
2 Finance and Administrative Services Committee
3
4 May 12, 2015
5 CALL TO ORDER
6
7 Committee Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
8 Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
9
10 ROLL CALL
11
12 Present: Rud Browne, Barry Buchanan, and Satpal Sidhu
13 Absent: None
14 Also Present: Pete Kremen, Ken Mann and Barbara Brenner
15
16 EXECUTIVE REPORTS
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18 There were no executive reports.
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20 WHATCOM COUNTY BUSINESS PRESENTATION
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22 1. PRESENTATION BY GERALD CRAFT, MCNETT CORPORATION (AB2015 -1348)
23
24 Gerald Craft, McNett Corporation, submitted information (on file.) He gave his
25 presentation and answered councilmember questions about the company. The
26 councilmembers discussed whether the original company started in Bellingham or relocated
27 from elsewhere; the high quality of the towels; business with the U.S. Department of
28 Defense; whether the McNett products are manufactured locally; business competitors, and;
29 the number of employees.
30
31 SPECIAL PRESENTATION
32
33 1. RECREATION NORTHWEST TO PRESENT FINDINGS OF THE ECONOMIC
34 IMPACT OF OUTDOOR RECREATION TO WHATCOM COUNTY STUDY (AB2015-
35 159)
36
37 The following people gave a presentation (on file) on the recreation economy in
38 Whatcom County and answered councilmember questions:
39 • Todd Elsworth, Recreation Northwest Executive Director, introduced the
40 study.
41 • April Claxton, Recreation Northwest, presented the study data.
42
43 The councilmembers discussed how the statistics compare to other industries in the
44 county; using the recreation industry to draw other industries to the area; a list of
45 recreation businesses; the average pay per recreation job; the non - consumptive use of local
46 natural resources, and; creating a virtual reality tour of the community, similar to the
47 Victoria, B.C. virtual reality tour.
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49 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
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51 1. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ]AIL FACILITY
52 USE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE
53 CITIES OF BELLINGHAM, BLAINE, EVERSON, FERNDALE, LYNDEN,
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/12/2015, Page 1
I NOOKSACK, AND SUMAS AND INCLUDING A COMMITMENT TO ENHANCE
2 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ADDICTION PROGRAMS TO REDUCE JAIL
3 POPULATION AND RECIDIVISM INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
4 CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVERSION TASK FORCE (AB2015 -047G)
5
6 The following people gave presentations and answered councilmember questions:
7 . Jack Louws, County Executive, introduced the agenda item and submitted a
8 packet of information (on file).
9 0 Dewey Desler, Executive's Office
10 • Bill Elfo, Sheriff
11
12 The councilmembers discussed whether the current design of the medical facility is
13 adequate for a future expanded jail; the 25 percent savings from a smaller medical facility;
14 how to move forward with this item; whether the agreement itself can be changed; further
15 discussing the Task Force; design comparisons with Canadian prisons, and; answering
16 councilmember questions in writing or through a discussion.
17
18 2. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR SUBMISSION
19 TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE COUNTY A PROPOSITION AUTHORIZING
20 A LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX OF TWO- TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT FOR THE
21 PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH
22 FINANCING, DESIGNING, ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, EQUIPPING,
23 OPERATING, MAINTAINING, REMODELING, REPAIRING, RE- EQUIPPING,
24 AND IMPROVEMENT OF JAIL FACILITIES AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY
25 PURPOSES (AB2015 -047H)
26
27 The following people gave a staff report and answered councilmember questions:
28 • Dewey Desler, Executive's Office, gave a staff report on the agreement with
29 the cities, putting the measure before the voters, and developing the Task
30 Force and diversion opportunities.
31 • Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, continued the staff report on the ballot
32 proposition.
33
34 The councilmembers discussed appointing pro and con committees to write
35 statements for the voter pamphlet; the expenditure of the first one -tenth of one percent
36 sales tax for law and justice and emergency services; the expenditures of the proposed tax;
37 developing a website for diversion services and educating the public on current diversion
38 efforts; saving 10 percent on jail operation costs over 30 years to pay for the cost of
39 building the jail, and; the County's ability to levy any other taxes over the next 30 years.
40
41 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
42
43 1. REQUEST APPROVAL OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
44 OF BELLINGHAM AND WHATCOM COUNTY FOR THE DIVISION OF
45 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES (EMS) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
46 (AB2015 -160)
47
48 Sidhu moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
49
50 Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, referenced the staff report on Council packet
51 page 47, gave a staff report, and answered councilmember questions.
52
53 Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Division, answered councilmember questions.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/12/2015, Page 2
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The councilmembers discussed the real value and what happens if there is a
shortfall.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Buchanan, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD THE BID AND
ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH SINGLE SOURCE BIDDER, THE BELLINGHAM
HERALD, FOR OFFICIAL PRINTING SERVICES (AB2015 -161)
Sidhu moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Buchanan, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER IN TO A
CONTRACT FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
COVENANT CONSULTANTS, INC., FOR THE RESEARCH AND VALUATION
DEFENSE OF THE RECENT PROPERTY APPRAISAL APPEALS BY BP OIL
REFINERY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,500 (AB2015 -130A)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Buchanan, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business
ADJOURN
The`%eetlrl adjourned at 12:32 p.m.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATC C U TY, WASHINGTON
-1
Rud Browne, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 5/12/2015, Page 3