HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 7 20171
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 7, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Rud Browne, Ken Mann, and Satpal Sidhu
Absent: None
Also Present: Todd Donovan, Carl Weimer, Barry Buchanan and Barbara
Brenner
COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
There was no report.
;SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
1. PORT OF BELLING HAM /ASSOCIATE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION (ADO)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE (AB2017 -069)
Dodd Snodgrass and John Michener, Port of Bellingham, submitted and read from a
presentation (on file). They answered questions and councilmembers discussed importing
resources versus finished product; attracting new employers by preparing, educating, and
retraining people for technology sector jobs; creating a blueberry farm cooperative; the
growing field of agricultural robots (agbots); whether the Associate Economic Development
Organization (ADO) money goes to the Port's membership with the Whatcom Business
Alliance; the ADO budget; the ChooseWhatcom website; creating a Council business
advisory committee; and creating a request for proposals (RFP) to select the designated
ADO.
Browne moved to request that the administration create a request for proposals
(RFP) for the designated ADO contract, given changes to the Comprehensive Plan regarding
economic development.
The councilmembers continued to discuss which types of agencies can be an ADO,
funding for economic development, long -term planning for economic development, targeting
businesses that are a good match to Whatcom County, and allocating economic
development investment (EDI) funds.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/7/2017, Page 1
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2. HUMAN RESOURCES SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL (AB2017 -068)
Karen Goens, Administrative Services Department, gave a staff report on the Human
Resources - related information available on the County website.
Darein Wylin, Administrative Services Department, reported on website information
on severe weather alerts; online job applications and notices; new hire orientation; the
employee Inside Whatcom intranet; and webpages for training, internal committees, safety,
and other topics.
Goens concluded the presentation on the benefits realized from making information
available on the website and Open Public Meetings Act training requirements.
3. FINANCE DEPARTMENT QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT TO COUNCIL
(AB2017 -068)
Brad Bennett, Administrative - Services Department, submitted the 2016 Fourth
Quarter Financial Report (on file) and gave a staff report. The 2016 budget revenue was
101 percent of the estimated amount. They spent 94 percent of the budget. The fund
balance will increase by $1.4 million from 2016. He described the projected versus actual
revenue for various revenue sources and funds. He answered questions on decreases in the
jail per diem and whether there are corresponding cost decreases, whether the budget lapse
is usually about six percent, and a limit on the charge to inmates for phone calls.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, answered questions on expending general fund
money that has been freed up from the passage of the emergency medical services (EMS)
levy.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHATCOM
COUNTY UNIFIED FEE SCHEDULE RELATING TO THE AQUATIC INVASIVE
SPECIES PROGRAM (AB2017 -085)
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, reported on the discussion of this ordinance
in the Natural Resources Committee and described the amendments to the ordinance from
last year. He answered questions on syncing the fees with the City of Bellingham,
discouraging compliance by raising fees, recovering a portion of the cost of the program,
and whether or not they should subsidize recreation on the drinking water source.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER IN TO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND COMMODITY CREDIT
CORPORATION FOR A 50% COST SHARE FOR FOUR PURCHASE OF
DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS EASEMENTS THROUGH THE AGRICULTURAL
CONSERVATION EASEMENT GRANT PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $593,020
(AB2017 -092)
Karin Beringer, Planning and Development Services Department, submitted
information (on file) and gave a staff report.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/7/2017, Page 2
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Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
Beringer submitted a handout (on file) and stated that on the supplemental budge
introduction tonight, there are two purchase of development rights (PDR) purchases. They
are two properties the Council looked at in August. The proposal is for the community
foundation grant to close on those properties that didn't get matching funds.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:34 p.m.
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Daina Br?q!u 7- , unO Clerk
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHAT OM COUVTY COUNCIL
WH 7MC T , WASHINGTON
Rud Browne, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/7/2017, Page 3