HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance February 21 2017WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
February 21, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.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 were no reports.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE 2017 FLOOD CONTROL ZONE DISTRICT AND
SUBZONE BUDGETS, FIRST REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $143,676
(COUNCIL ACTING AS THE WHATCOM COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL ZONE
DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS) (AB2017 -065)
Sidhu moved to recommend approval to the Council acting as the Whatcom County
Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, answered questions on whether phase four
of the groundwater model will provide information suitable for all watersheds; the location
of the modeling area; whether this model would answer questions from the Hirst decision;
whether the model separates the use of water from personal use, such as exempt wells,
versus agricultural use; and whether the model addresses water quality issues.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET, SECOND
REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $888,464 (AB2017 -066)
Mann moved to recommend adoption of the substitute version to the full Council.
Keith Willnauer, Assessor, answered questions about the Petrogas facility appeal
defense, the valuation in controversy statute, the recent sale of the subject property,
whether the contested amount is put into a reserve fund, whether the petitioner alleges that
the recently - purchased property is devalued due to County ordinances, when the appeal
was submitted, how the definition of exempt intangible property is interpreted, the appeal
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/21/2017, Page 1
1 timeline, whether the appeal documents are available to the public, and whether the value
2 is lower due to a new facility on the west coast.
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4 Jack Louws, County Executive, stated he supports the Assessor in the Petrogas
5 challenge. The company has not yet given its reason for their estimate of a value reduced
6 by $200 million. The County is obligated to have the correct value for the citizens and the
7 company.
8
9 The motion carried by the following vote:
10 Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
11 Nays: None (0)
12
13 3. ORDINANCE AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE 2.03, 2.22, AND 2.104 TO
14 PROHIBIT THE APPOINTMENT OF DECLARED POLITICAL CANDIDATES TO
15 BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS AND REQUIRING RESIGNATION
16 FROM THE ETHICS COMMISSION AND SALARY COMMISSION FOR MEMBERS
17 SEEKING AN ELECTED POSITION WITHIN THE COUNTY (AB2017 -057)
18
19 Sidhu moved to recommend adoption to the full Council.
20
21 Councilmembers discussed whether they are discouraging volunteer applicants who
22 have applied as a candidate for election; which jurisdictional elected offices will be
23 prohibited; unintentional consequences; and people who may use public facilities for
24 campaigning, which is not allowed.
25
26 Mann moved to amend sections 2.03.090 and 2.22.040, "...Individuals who have
27 declared candidacy for a paid elected office in any jurisdiction within the county are not
28 eligible for appointment while they are a candidate, but shall be eligible for reappointment
29 to additional terms, as allowed by the Whatcom County Code, to the same board or
30 committee they were on prior to their declaration of candidacy."
31
32 The motion to amend carried by the following vote:
33 Ayes: Browne and Mann (2)
34 Nays: Sidhu (1)
35
36 The motion to adopt as amended carried by the following vote:
37 Ayes: Browne and Mann (2)
38 Nays: Sidhu (1)
39
40 4. RESOLUTION TO SET HEARING TO SELL TAX -TITLE PROPERTY BY PUBLIC
41 AUCTION REQ. #TR2017 -01 (AB2017 -087)
42
43 Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
44
45 Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, answered questions about the
46 Anderson Creek bridge project.
47
48 The motion carried by the following vote:.
49 Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
50 Nays: None (0)
51
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/21/2017, Page 2
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. RESOLUTION CANCELING UNCOLLECTIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES
(AB2017 -073)
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)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE COUNCIL ON AGING FOR
STAFFING AND OPERATIONS OF THE BELLINGHAM SENIOR ACTIVITY
CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,144 (AB2017 -074)
Sidhu moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ]ET OLDSTERS ASSOCIATION
OF FERNDALE TO PROVIDE SCHEDULING AND OVERSIGHT OF PUBLIC
RENTALS AT THE FERNDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER, FOR A
REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT OF 75% OF ALL RECEIPTS, MINUS COUNTY
EXPENSES (AB2017 -075)
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)
4. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ]ET OLDSTERS ASSOCIATION
OF FERNDALE FOR STAFFING AND OPERATIONS OF THE FERNDALE SENIOR
ACTIVITY CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,144 (AB2017 -076)
Mann moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mike McFarland, Parks Department Director, answered questions about the same
staffing levels and costs of services provided to the senior centers.
The motion carried by the following vote:.
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF LYNDEN TO
PROVIDE STAFFING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AT THE LYNDEN SENIOR
ACTIVITY CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,144 (AB2017 -077)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/21/2017, Page 3
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Sidhu moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
6. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THE CITY OF BLAINE TO
PROVIDE STAFFING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AT THE BLAINE SENIOR
ACTIVITY CENTER, IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,144 (AB2017 -078)
Sidhu moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
OTHER BUSINESS
Sidhu stated he would like to continue discussion on creating a business advisory
committee for citizens in the business community. In the budget, $5,000 is set aside for
the project. The Council should create a voice for different business groups and
businesspeople to advise the Council.
Also, the Council passed a resolution regarding the distribution of economic
development investment (EDI) funds, and agreed to have a discussion, in consultation with
different stakeholders, on how to spend those funds.
Donovan stated he would like the Council to begin talking about the jail.
Sidhu stated he will put proposals in writing.
Browne moved to have these discussions in Committee of the Whole.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Browne, Mann, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHA M COU TY, WASHINGTON
hu Browne, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 2/21/2017, Page 4