HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance July 10 20181
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
July 10, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Satpal Sidhu called the meeting to order at 11:21 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Rud Browne, Tyler Byrd, and Satpal Sidhu
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Barry Buchanan, and Todd Donovan
COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S REPORT
Jack Louws, County Executive, reported on the following items:
• The Courthouse exterior repair bid process
• Support for the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center request
• Support for funding the 22 North housing project
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE ON THE RECENT RASPBERRY PRICE CRASH AND ITS IMPACT ON
LOCAL FARMERS, FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSION OF IDEAS FOR HOW
WHATCOM COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT TO LOCAL
FARMERS (AB2018 -213)
Sidhu described a crisis in the raspberry farming community due to a major buyer
deciding not to purchase raspberries this year.
The following people spoke and answered questions:
• John Maberry, Washington Red Raspberry Commission Chair, spoke about
raspberries coming from Mexico and Eastern Europe recently, causing buyers
to pull out of local sales.
• Brad Rader, Rader Farms, continued to described how buyers have recently
backed out of local sales and how the County can help the farmers.
• Henry Bierlink, Washington Red Raspberry Commission Executive Director,
spoke about how the County helps farmers and agricultural product
development.
They discussed strengthening the supply chain, how international growers may
violate trade laws, break -even cost per pound, how the local raspberry supply is sold,
opening up to new international markets, developing new products, marketing, and sending
a letter to federal legislators representing this area.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2018, Page 1
1 COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
2
3 1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ALLOCATION OF REET I FUNDING TO
4 SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI -USE BUILDING EXPANSION AT
5 THE EAST WHATCOM REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTER (FROM MAY 8)
6 (AB 2018 -131)
7
8 Browne moved to recommend approval of the substitute version in the amount of
9 $115,000 to the full Council.
10
11 Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, introduced Greg Winter.
12
13 Greg Winter, Opportunity Council, spoke about the revised roof design and cost
14 savings.
15
16 The motion carried by the following vote:
17 Ayes: Browne, Byrd, and Sidhu (3)
18 Nays: None (0)
19
20
21 COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
22
23 1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO AWARD BID
24 #18 -36 AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND
25 FOSS MARITIME COMPANY FOR THE ANNUAL DRYDOCKING, REPAIR, AND
26 MAINTENANCE OF THE WHATCOM CHIEF FERRY, IN THE AMOUNT OF
27 $581,511.80 (AB2018 -203)
28
29 Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
30
31 The motion carried by the following vote:
32 Ayes: Browne, Byrd, and Sidhu (3)
33 Nays: None (0)
34
35 2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
36 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND PUD #1 OF WHATCOM
37 COUNTY TO PROVIDE FUNDING THROUGH THE EDI PROGRAM FOR THE
38 GRAN DVIEW /I- 5 /NORTHGATE /DELTA TECH FIRE SYSTEM SUPPLY PIPELINE
39 PROJECT AS A LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $800,000 AND A GRANT IN THE
40 AMOUNT OF $800,000, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $1,600,000
41 (AB2018 -204)
42
43 Byrd moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
44
45 The motion carried by the following vote:
46 Ayes: Browne, Byrd, and Sidhu (3)
47 Nays: None (0)
48
49 3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
50 CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL TO
51 SUPPORT THE 22 NORTH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION
52 PROJECT'S EXPANDED SCOPE WHICH SUPPORTS THE CRITICAL FEATURES
53 DESIGNED TO ENHANCE AND SUSTAIN THE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2018, Page 2
1 (SUCH AS IMPROVED SECURITY CAMERA COVERAGE, ENHANCED SITE
2 ACCESS FEATURES AND MORE DURABLE SOLID SURFACES), IN THE AMOUNT
3 OF $100,000 (AB2018 -205)
4
5 Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
6
7 The following people answered questions about increased security for the building,
8 the total cost, who owns the property, and whether they have laminate countertops in other
9 locations:
10 • Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
11 • Greg Winter, Opportunity Council
12
13 The motion carried by the following vote:
14 Ayes: Browne, Byrd, and Sidhu (3)
15 Nays: None (0)
16
17
18 OTHER BUSINESS
i11
20 There was no other business.
21
22
23 ADJOURN
24
25 The meeting adjourned at 12:04 p.m.
26
27
28 ATTESTR, "'� ' � L'JA a
29 °°
CN�,
32
33 d m
34 Dana Browr ,5- iT,. C uncil Clerk
36 ® ®®
37
39 Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Satpal Sidhu, Lommittee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 7/10/2018, Page 3