HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works December 4 20121
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
December 4, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(1:35:20 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Pete Kremen and Ken Mann
Absent: None
Also Present: Kathy Kershner
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON THE VETERANS ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM (AB2012-421)
Ann Deacon, Health Department, gave a staff report on the history of the program
and introduced the Veteran's Advisory Board members present. She read from the
presentation beginning on Council packet page 584 (on file). They recently hired a fulltime
veteran specialist, Liz Witowski, to design and implement additional programs and services.
She introduced Ms. Witowski. Funding for the program has averaged $280,000 per year.
Brenner asked if federal funding is dropping each year. Deacon stated funding of
this specific program is from the local property tax millage. Ms. Witowski will talk about
other partnerships and funding resources.
Liz Witowski, Health Department, stated they can levy up to .027 percent. Whatcom
County is currently levying at .00125 percent. They aren't even a tenth of what can be
levied per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). She continued the presentation from
Council packet page 586. There are 20,000 veterans in Whatcom County, which is one in
ten people of the county. They partner with many agencies to make sure they don't double -
up on services and to make sure they're matching every veteran with the appropriate
service. They are trying to see more new veterans. The goal is to help folks outgrow their
need for the fund through financial education and literacy. Since she's taken over the
program, they try to find out what a veteran really needs. Make sure the dollars are
matching the veteran's need. They serve 67 percent of the veterans on the list for the
homeless service center, but her goal is to house 100 percent of the veterans on the list.
To be housed, a veteran has to be honorably discharged. Many veterans have another type
of discharge and don't qualify for Veteran's Assistance (VA) services or this county fund.
One hundred percent of those with an honorable discharge are housed. She concluded the
presentation in the Council packet.
Brenner asked why the fund amount is going down if the revenue is steady.
Witowski stated they started a lot of pilot programs and pushed to end homelessness. The
cost of ending homelessness will taper off as people are housed. She described the stories
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of three veterans that her office served, plans for a dental program, and helping returning
combat veterans.
Brenner asked about if volunteers to transport veterans have to be veterans.
Witowski stated the volunteers don't have to be veterans.
Brenner asked why some veterans don't qualify for certain services. Witowski stated
there are many reasons why people qualify or don't qualify. Benefits available to veterans
vary greatly.
Brenner asked about contacting local dentists about a dental program for veterans.
Witowski stated she's contacted local dentists. Many dentists want to work with dentists.
She hopes that program will grow.
Kremen stated his draft number did not come up during the Vietnam conflict. Since,
he has felt guilty for not serving in Vietnam. Many friends went to Vietnam came back
injured physically or mentally, or did not come back. He made a vow to help veterans
during his public service. He kept that vow while he was County Executive. He's very
proud of Ms. Witowski and the Health Department staff for their work to help the
community's veterans. Whatcom County has the very best program in the state. Ms.
Witowski has skill and talent that she brings to this program. He thanks her for her
dedication to the program and to the veterans in the community.
Brenner stated she and all the councilmembers agree with Councilmember Kremen's
comments.
Kershner stated this was one of the best presentations by County staff she's ever
seen.
Brenner asked the difference between mean and median income and the names of
the staff at the Law Advocates who submitted the letter in the packet.
Mann stated the mean income is the average. The median income is middle of which
half are above and half are below. Half the people make more and half the people make
less.
Brenner asked about information received from Law Advocates. It was very
interesting. Witowski stated using other colleagues in the community, they can really link
folks to services. It was from Terra Nevitt.
Brenner asked about a client referenced in the information from Law Advocates who
was denied State assistance based on resources. Witowski stated the client probably had a
house or land that precluded him from receiving benefits. Unfortunately, property owned is
considered a resource, even if the veteran can't sell the property.
Paul Ridley, Forward Veterans Group, described the history of veterans services in
Whatcom County and how the services have grown and become much better.
Councilmembers Brenner and Kremen and Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville have been in the
community for years and are very involved in veterans services. The community leaders
are very knowledgeable.
Ken Richardson stated he thanks Councilmember Kremen, the Council, and Health
Department Director Regina Delahunt for taking action to help the veterans fund and for
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developing the program to what it is today. Whatcom County is the lead county in the state
and region.
Brenner stated she thanks Ms. Witowski, who is a fantastic employee.
Mann stated he agrees with Councilmember Kershner about the quality of the
presentation. It's not often that presentations are that informative and positive.
2. REPORT FROM THE LUMMI ISLAND FERRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPLEMENT AN ELECTRONIC TICKETING SYSTEM
TO ASSIST IN COLLECTION OF FERRY FARES (AB2012-070A) (2:29:57 PM)
Josh Zender, Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee, stated he presents the
recommendations of the Advisory Committee. He referenced and described the written
recommendation (on file). Goals are to improve customer service, improve business
intelligence, strengthen internal controls, and provide data more timely.
He described the methodology for developing the recommendation, which included
reviewing the recommendation of the previous task force, requested and received
information from various vendors on the market, and communicating with the stakeholders.
The key questions to consider next are how robust the ticketing system should be,
whether a comprehensive or phased approach to implementing a solution, defining
associated logistical and infrastructure needs, where tickets and passes should be sold, and
what type of equipment needs to be deployed.
The Advisory Committee recommends going forward with developing and
implementing an electronic system. Dedicate the appropriate level of resources, identify a
qualified vendor, and implement a phased approach.
(2:43: 03 PM)
Brenner asked if the County has ever been told by the State Auditor that there's a
problem with cash management and waiving fare collection.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated the State Auditor is having challenges
statewide about how to process credit cards. State statute requires that money be
deposited into the account within 24 hours. There is concern that third party contractors
are putting money into their accounts before getting into the jurisdictions' accounts. They
are considering a ruling that requires a jurisdiction to have a joint account with the third
party providers. There are also State statutes about taking money onsite or offsite and
charging user fees.
Some processes are working. Take a look at the parking kiosk technology. There
are telephone lines at the ferry that will allow that technology to work. Staff has had
preliminary discussion on credit card technology.
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, stated the department is exploring
everything that the advisory committee recommends. The Council passed a resolution
about a month ago that covers these issues. The staff is talking to the Treasurer's Office,
Information Technology staff, and the private sector. He has a mandate to pursue these
items.
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Mann asked how much revenue they will capture from fee waivers from riders who
don't have cash. Zender stated there aren't statistics on how many waivers are issued.
The previous Task Force estimated a value of about $45 per day. Converting to electronic
data reduces administrative work.
Mann stated the Council, Task Force, and Advisory Committee have all recommended
a new system. They must do something soon. He would really like to see this happen.
Abart stated they have always thought they should improve the system. A year ago, staff
began an evaluation. He submitted a plan with deadlines. They are on task and following
the schedule set a year ago. The budget for 2013 includes $30,000 to work on these items.
Kremen stated he agrees with the objective. It's not acceptable to allow passengers
on the ferry without paying. He appreciates the Advisory Committee's efforts. When
dealing with the State and the State Auditor, nothing is easy. If they implement a program,
the County will have to go to a no -cash policy. He asked why they are not able to issue
tickets, like the City meter maids. Authorize the ferry workers to issue tickets in the interim
until they can finalize a credit card program.
Zender stated the advisory committee thought about many options. It's a question
of coming up with an authentic ticket that can be validated. The advisory committee did not
consider the option of issuing a citation.
Kershner stated don't take time to implement a citation system in the interim when
the time can be used to implement a ticketing system.
Mike McKenzie, Advisory Committee Chair, stated a credit card swipe system seems
so simple, but they've realized it's complicated. For example, some people only deal with
cash. Some people don't realize that the ferry doesn't take credit cards. That's why the
Advisory Committee spent a good deal of time examining the issues. He appreciates staff
being on track for examining the issue.
Brenner asked if the system they're considering wouldn't allow a rider to pay for
cash. The Treasurer's Office, for example, allows check, cash, and credit card. Government
allows all the options.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360-676-6690 or councileco.whatcomma.us
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee, 12/4/2012, Page 4