HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance March 12 20191
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
March 12, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Satpal Sidhu called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Tyler Byrd, Carol Frazey, and Satpal Sidhu
Absent: None
Also Present: Barbara Brenner, Barry Buchanan, and Todd Donovan
• • ;
Jack Louws, County Executive, reported on the following items and answered
questions:
• Jail door replacement project bids and remodeling requirements
• Housing Advisory Committee subcommittee on homeless shelter issues
• Cascadia Law Group contract to finalize the code amendments
Councilmembers and the Executive discussed the cost of replacing the jail doors and
other necessary jail repairs and how the Council can work to not need another Cascadia Law
Group contract extension.
1. AB2019-146 QUARTERLY REPORT FROM WHATCOM COUNTY'S FINANCE
DEPARTMENT
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, submitted the report and gave a
staff report. They have collected 100 percent of estimated revenue, and anticipate more
will come in. The sales tax collected is above normal. Property taxes were up as
anticipated. Building permit revenue was down a small amount. Payment in lieu of taxes
from the federal government was more than anticipated. Investment earnings are
increasing. Expenditures were 92 to 94 percent of budget. The projected ending fund
balance is $16.9 million, up from $14 million.
Councilmembers and Mr. Bennett discussed expenditures versus revenues,
requirements for an ending fund balance, expenses for the Sheriff's Office and jail, a $7.5
million budget transfer for jail repairs and the new financial software, and the Administrative
Services Department serving under the Executive.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/12/2019, Page 1
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. AB2019-155 DISCUSSION ON THE REPAIR OF THE LIGHTHOUSE MARINE
PARK BOAT DOCK
The following staff reported on repurposing the launch ramp that is at Point Roberts
and the tree harvest project at Silver Lake Park. They answered questions.
• Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director
• Rod Lamb, Parks and Recreation Department
• Christ Thomsen, Parks and Recreation Department
Councilmembers and staff discussed feedback from the Point Roberts community
about the dock and boat launch project; other potential boat launch sites; how many trees
would have to come down to deal with the electrical, water, and road issues; revenue from
park and campground use at Silver Lake Park; the types of trees that will be removed;
volume of campground use; revenue from the tree sale; the number of hazard trees; and
campers' experiences using the park.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. AB2019-147 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2019-2020 WHATCOM COUNTY
BUDGET, THIRD REQUEST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,521
Byrd moved to recommend adoption to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Byrd, Frazey, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. AB2019-140 REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND WHATCOM CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO PROVIDE LAKE WHATCOM
HOMEOWNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM ASSISTANCE, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$216,883
Frazey moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, answered questions on the regular amounts
allocated to the program.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Byrd, Frazey, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued at the end of the meeting.)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/12/2019, Page 2
3. AB2019-152 REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO
ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND CITY OF BELLINGHAM FOR GRACE PROGRAM FUNDING, IN THE
AMOUNT OF $140,000
Frazey moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Byrd, Frazey, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
4. AB2019-157 REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO
AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF RADIOS AND RELATED ACCESSORIES FROM
RACOM CORPORATION, AN AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR FOR HARRIS RFCD,
USING THE WASHINGTON STATE CONTRACT #02315, IN AN AMOUNT NOT
TO EXCEED $59,091.90
Frazey moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Byrd, Frazey, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
5. AB2019-161 RESOLUTION CELEBRATING APRIL AS A MONTH OF SIKH
AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION IN WHATCOM COUNTY
Frazey moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Councilmembers discussed the nationwide effort to make people aware of who Sikh
people are; and whether Sikh awareness promotes religion.
Sidhu moved to hold in committee to the next meeting.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Byrd, Frazey, and Sidhu (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. AB2019-140 REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO
ENTER INTO AN .INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY
AND WHATCOM CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO PROVIDE LAKE WHATCOM
HOMEOWNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM ASSISTANCE, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$216,883
(Clerk's Note: Discussion continued from earlier in the meeting.)
Councilmembers discussed what work will be carried out in this agreement.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/12/2019, Page 3
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:33 p.m.
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Dana Beown Davis,'Counjcil Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Satpal Sidhu, &mmittee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 3/12/2019, Page 4