HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Sep 15 2020Whatcom County
Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
.L MEETING - MAY BEGIN EARLIER/LATER THAN 10 A.M.; AGENDA REVISED 9
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
10 AM
Virtual Meeting
COUNCILMEMBERS
Rud Browne
Tyler Byrd
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final September 15, 2020
Services Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Tyler Byrd called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. in a
virtual meeting.
Present: 3 - Rud Browne, Tyler Byrd and Kathy Kershner
Absent: None
Also present: Barry Buchanan, Carol Frazey, Ben Elenbaas, and Todd Donovan
Announcement
Special Presentation
1. AB2020-348 Presentation from Rob Ney, Project & Operations Manager, regarding Capital
Facilities 2020 Update
Rob Ney, Administrative Services Department, gave a presentation (on file)
then he and the following people answered questions:
• Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Questions included whether Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK) is
still working on the jail project, how much the County is paying them to
analyze the jail work center and whether the contract for that came before
the Council, how the proposed facilities projects should be funded and how
bonding capacity should be used, what improvements would be included in
the Civic Center remodel, looking at what it would take to move the
Sheriffs office to the emergency command center, what it would look like
to close the work release program and juvenile detention center to create
more jail space, and relocating women in the jail to a different space.
Councilmembers discussed possible alternatives for the jail and related
facilities and the need to revisit this issue as a discussion item at a later
time.
This agenda item was PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED.
2. AB2020-327 Report on Criminal Justice Case Management Systems Project
This agenda item was WITHDRAWN.
3. AB2020-374 Report and request for a motion of support from the Whatcom County Council in
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acknowledgement and support of distributing these CARES Act dollars to our very
valuable childcare businesses as recommended by the countywide Childcare review
team comprised of representatives from Whatcom County, City of Bellingham,
Opportunity Council, Health Department, United Way, and Mt. Baker Foundation
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, briefed the Councilmembers.
Browne moved to forward a recommendation of support for this item.
Frazey recommended that the Committee make a motion to reallocate the
funds for The Firs Bible After School Adventure (The Firs) to other
childcare facilities because of discriminatory hiring practices.
Browne moved to approve the allocations listed then added a friendly
amendment to withhold the dollars from The Firs and reconsider the matter
if The Firs withdraws its discriminatory policies.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, and Schroeder discussed with
Councilmembers whether Council approval is needed for the cumulative
total or just the individual allocation amounts over the $40,000 threshold,
whether The Firs should be handled separately, the scoring mechanism used
to award the funds and why the YMCA amount is higher than the others, not
allocating Council's authority to make the final decision on where the
money goes, and whether there is more information about concerns about
the YMCA charging families for holding childcare in schools.
Browne restated his original motion to support the allocations. The motion
was seconded by Kershner.
Browne restated the amendment to his motion and moved to exclude The
Firs from the allocations until they are in full compliance with the 14th
Amendment Equal Protection Clause.
Byrd recommended that instead of a motion to support they make a motion
of approval.
Browne amended his main motion and moved to forward a
recommendation to the Council to approve the main list. The motion was
seconded by Kershner.
Browne restated his motion to amend to exclude The Firs grant until such
time they are in full compliance with the 14th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution which is the Equal Protection Clause.
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Services Committee
Councilmembers discussed the motion to amend.
The motion to amend failed by the following vote:
Aye: 1 - Browne
Nay: 2 - Kershner, Byrd
Browne's motion that the Report be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH
RECOMMENDED MOTION to approve the list carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
4. AB2020-385 Report and request for a motion of support from the Whatcom County Council in
acknowledgement and support of distributing these CARES Act dollars to our very
valuable businesses as recommended by the countywide business review team
comprised of representatives from Whatcom County, City of Bellingham, and Small
Cities, Port of Bellingham Regional Economic Partnership, W WU small Business
Development Center, Whatcom Community Foundation and Bellingham Regional
Chamber of Commerce
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, clarified that this is the next item
on the agenda.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office briefed the Councilmembers and
answered questions about how many applicants there were and the total
funding amount.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated the money was pooled with the
Cities but the Council is only approving the County's amount.
Councilmembers and staff discussed whether there are additional funds left
unallocated and the specific allocation to the Spice Hut.
Byrd moved to forward a recommendation to the Council to approve the list
of "County Funded" organizations. The motion was seconded by Browne.
Byrd's motion that the Report be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH
RECOMMENDED MOTION to approve the list of County funded
organizations carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Browne and Byrd
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Nay: 1 - Kershner
Absent: 0
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. AB2020-316 Ordinance amending the 2020 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 16, in the
amount of $987,509
Browne moved that the Ordinance be recommended for adoption.
The following staff reported to Councilmembers and answered questions:
• Barbara Johnson-Vinna, Health Department
• Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
Councilmembers requested more information from the Auditor's Office
about how many ballot boxes the County is planning to buy, where those
would be located, and whether the small ones that are being replaced could
be repositioned to new locations. They discussed the motion and requested
a presentation and more information about homeless assistance money such
as where it is going, where it is coming from, who it is helping and what
kind of effect it is having.
Browne's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Browne and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Byrd
Absent: 0
2. AB2020-376 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Commerce for
funding to develop and expand shelter programs, in the amount of $1,194,211
Clerk's note: Todd Donovan joined the meeting.
Browne moved that the Interlocal be recommended for authorization.
Anne Deacon, Health Department, gave a staff report.
She answered questions about what kind of programs they envision for the
money that is not going to the Lighthouse Mission "Base Camp" Shelter;
whether the money can be used for the actual shelter as well as operational
support; whether there is a breakdown by percentage in costs for what can
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September 15, 2020
be used toward the shelter and toward services; how Base Camp is going and
whether there are problems with its location; and having a presentation
about where homeless assistance money is coming from, where it is going,
over what period of time it can be used, who it is helping, and what kind of
effect it is having.
Deacon and Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about the timeline of the
funding and how the money can be used.
Councilmembers and staff discussed the motion and the requests for staff.
Browne's motion that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Browne and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Byrd
Absent: 0
3. AB2020-389 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Fire Protection District #7 to provide COVID-19
testing
Cathy Halka, Council Office, and Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council,
clarified the agenda item and answered a question about how to find the
paperwork for his items since it was added as an agenda revision.
Kershner moved that the Contract be recommended for authorization.
The following people briefed the Councilmembers:
• Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Byrd asked that the paperwork be sent to the Council because the link to the
paperwork is not working and requested that they wait to vote on it until
tonight.
Kershner withdrew her motion.
Byrd moved that the Contract be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITHOUT
A RECOMMENDATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
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Absent: 0
Temp Absent: 1 - Browne
Council "Consent Agenda" Items
1. AB2020-335 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Skagit County Sheriff s Office for use of the
Plantation Rifle Range to train personnel, in the amount of $15,134.81
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, briefed the
Councilmembers.
Clerk's note: They took a vote but did not have a motion, then came back to
this item after reading AB2020-336 with a formal motion and vote.
Kershner moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Temp Absent: 1 - Browne
2. AB2020-336 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Marysville Police Department for use of the
Plantation Rifle Range to train personnel, in the amount of $12,716.30
Kershner moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Temp Absent: 1 - Browne
3. AB2020-337 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Bellingham Police Department for use of the
Plantation Rifle Range to train personnel, in the amount of $26,476.80
Kershner moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
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vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
4. AB2020-338 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Anacortes Police Department for use of the
Plantation Rifle Range to train personnel, in the amount of $6,422.23
Kershner moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
5. AB2020-339 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Sedro-Woolley Police Department for use of the
Plantation Rifle Range to train personnel, in the amount of $7,414.23
Browne moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Ahcent• n
6. AB2020-342 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the Mount Vernon Police Department for use of the
Plantation Rifle Range to train personnel, in the amount of $6,783.04
Kershner moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
7. AB2020-343 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Skagit Valley College for use of the Plantation Rifle
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Services Committee
Range to train personnel, in the amount of $22,498.85
Browne moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
8. AB2020-349 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an Interlocal lease
agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for use of a County
owned road and right-of-way at Boulevard Park to build a restroom building
Browne moved that the Interlocal be recommended for authorization by
consent.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, briefed the
Councilmembers. He answered whether we use that parcel for anything and
why we don't sell it the City of Bellingham, how the County ended up with
the piece of property in the first place, and whether the County is keeping it
in case they want to develop a boat launch.
Byrd stated he would be interested in pursuing a permanent sale to the City
to lessen bureaucracy and paperwork.
Browne's motion that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
9. AB2020-357 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Ecology 2020-2021
Washington Conservation Corps Crew Agreement (Council acting as the Whatcom
County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Browne moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be recommended for
authorization by consent.
John Thompson, Public Works, briefed the Councilmembers and answered
questions about whether there is a timeline for the renewal of the contract,
Byrd stated he would like to hold the item until the September 29, 2020
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meeting.
Kershner asked whether it should be approved by the Council acting as the
Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors (FCZDBS).
Byrd moved that the Contract be held in Committee and brought back as a
FCZD item.
Byrd's motion that the Contract (FCZDBS) be HELD IN COMMITTEE and
brought back as a FCZDBS item carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
10. AB2020-378 Request authorization for the County Exective to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Commerce for a grant in
the amount of $60,461.00 for provision of victim -witness advocacy services in
District Court matters
Browne moved that the Agreement be recommended for authorization by
consent.
Vanessa Martin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, briefed the
Councilmembers and answered whether this is a new position, whether the
$20,000 that the County would be responsible for is outside of the grant,
whether the County has gotten a grant for this position in the past, and
whether they think the County will receive the grant for the next two years
as well.
Browne's motion that the Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
11. AB2020-341 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Elliot Bay Design Group, LLC to provide engineering
services for the annual dry dock for the Whatcom Chief ferry along with the other
on -call services, as needed, for the Lummi Island Ferry system during the year, in the
amount of $10,000 for a total amended contract amount of $170,000
Browne moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final September 15, 2020
Services Committee
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
12. AB2020-346 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Northwest Youth Services to provide outreach and
engagement of youth and young adults designed to reduce risk of opioid use disorder,
in the amount of $160,000
Browne `roved that the Contract be recommended for authorization by
consent.
Perry Mowery, Health Department, briefed the Councilmembers and
answered questions about the history of funding the 22 North building and
whether one hundred percent of the $160,000 is coming from a grant.
Byrd stated he would like to tour the building and Browne commented on
his tour.
Browne's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
13. AB2020-353 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center to provide
reimbursement for COVID-19 related operations expenditures, in the amount of
$100,000
Browne moved that the Contract be recommended for authorization by
consent.
Anne Deacon, Health Department, briefed the Councilmembers. She and
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, and answered questions about whether
this one organization is getting one hundred percent of the available funds,
whether loss in revenue counts as costs incurred in response to COVID-19
in order to receive CARES Act dollars, and whether they have gotten
feedback from the State that the use of the funds will be acceptable and
approved.
Browne's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
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Services Committee
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
14. AB2020-356 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District to amend the 2019
Interlocal and Subrecipient Agreement for the Pollution Identification and Correction
Program Non -Dairy Agricultural Technical Assistance in the amount of $223,932.00
for a total amended contract amount of $530,182.00
Browne moved that the Contract be recommended for authorization by
consent.
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, briefed the Councilmembers.
Browne's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Kershner moved that the remaining agenda items be forwarded to Council
without a recommendation in the interest of time (see motions and votes on
individual agenda items below).
15. AB2020-359 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Tetra Tech Inc to amend Whatcom County Contract
2019-06008-2 in the amount of $23,268 for a total amended contract amount of
$61,553
Kershner moved that the Contract be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL
WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Browne
Absent: 0
16. AB2020-364 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a five-year lease
agreement, using the National Asociation of State Procurement Officials ValuePoint
Master Agreement #ADSP016-00006328 and State of Washington Participating
Addendum #05515, between Whatcom County and Pitney Bowes for a replacement
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Services Committee
Pitney Bowes Connect+ SendPro mail machine, in the amount of $50,887.25
Kershner moved that the Contract be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL
WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Browne
Absent: 0
17. AB2020-365 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Whatcom Family YMCA for operational losses incurred at
their child care facilities as a result of COVID-19 impacts, in the amount of $292,221
Kershner moved that the Contract be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL
WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Browne
Absent: 0
18. AB2020-367 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and MORE Smiles Learning Center to provide funding to cover
operational losses incurred at their child care facilities as a result of COVID-19
impacts, in the amount of $50,000
Kershner moved that the Contract be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL
WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
Nay: 1 - Browne
Absent: 0
19. AB2020-361 Request authorization for the County Executive to award bid #20-48 and enter into a
contract between Whatcom County and Henifin Construction LLC for the Leeward
Way Drainage Improvement Project CRP 920015 in the amount of $229,270
Kershner moved that the Bid Award be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL
WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Kershner
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Services Committee
Nay: 1 - Browne
Absent: 0
Other Business
Adjournment
Byrd stated the last update on the financials and tax revenue was in June. It
would be nice to get an update about where we are at with July and August
revenue and expenses as it relates to what we were budgeting.
The meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.
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Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
Wkutcom County page 13