HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Jun 15 2021Whatcom County
Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
VIRTUAL MEETING - ENDS NO LATER THAN NOON (TO
PARTICIPATE, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT
www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010)
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
10 AM
Virtual Meeting
COUNCILMEMBERS
Rud Browne
Tyler Byrd
Carol Frazey
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final June 15, 2021
Services Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 10:13 a.m. in a
virtual meeting.
Present: 3 - Rud Browne, Tyler Byrd and Carol Frazey
Absent: None
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, and Kathy Kershner
Announcements
Special Presentation
1. AB2021-294 Report from the Finance Division
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department, reported and answered
where to find the quarterly report online and how opening the Canadian
border will affect sales tax revenue.
This agenda item was REPORTED.
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. A132021µ3011. Ordinance amending the 2021 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 9, in the amount
of $1,138,322
Frazey moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, briefed the Councilmembers.
He and the following people answered questions:
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department
They answered questions about the Superior Court County Clerk position,
using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as opposed to the General
Fund, how the spending can be reported to or approved by the Council, and
whether the County needs the funds at all.
Frazey's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Browne, and Frazey
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Nay: 1 - Byrd
Absent: 0
2. AB2024 -310 Ordinance establishing the American Rescue Plan Act Fund and establishing a budget
for the American Rescue Plan Act Fund
Frazey moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION.
Browne stated the version he is asking for a vote on is the substitute as
introduced on June 1, 2021 and he described how it is different than the
original version.
Frazey's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION
carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
4. AB2021-330 County Executive requests approval of the Economic Development Investment (EDI)
Board's recommendations for funding to support three project applications from the
City of Lynden, Port of Bellingham, and Bellingham Housing Authority
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, asked about the agenda order and
whether AB2021-324 was skipped so Browne went back to that item (see
action on this item below) to stay in the order of the agenda.
3. AB2021-324 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into Local Agency Agreement
Supplement No. 4 between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department
of Transportation for the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project in the
amount of $1,100,000
Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
4. AB202 1-330 County Executive requests approval of the Economic Development Investment (EDI)
Board's recommendations for funding to support three project applications from the
City of Lynden, Port of Bellingham, and Bellingham Housing Authority
Browne moved that the request be approved in order to discuss the item.
Clerk's note: Councilmembers discussed the three applications separately
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and proposed motions as amendments to the motion to approve.
Port of Bellingham
The following people briefed the Councilmembers:
• Don Goldberg, Port of Bellingham
• Gina Stark, Port of Bellingham
• Bob Warshawer, Former CEO of Black Rock Cable
The speakers answered what would be different this time than past times of
laying down fiber, whether American Rescue Plan Act funding could be
used, whether there are examples of a backbone that has been built in other
counties or elsewhere that is working for rural communities, why they are
not using the twenty miles of fiber that has already been paid for, whether
they have looked into Starlink internet service, and the economics of
providing fiber to the home as opposed to using other technology.
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, stated the Economic Development
Investment (EDI) Board considered this application and recommended
approval of a grant in the amount of $2 million to be used as matching funds
to leverage the additional Federal and State dollars.
The speakers answered how much money the Port of Bellingham (the Port)
needs today to secure the State and Federal funding and the deadline to
apply for this grant, whether the cost of the proposed infrastructure would
go to the consumer, the cost of fiber per home versus the cost per mile, and
whether the long-term plan is for the Port to secure funds to cover costs for
homeowners.
Browne moved to hold this for two weeks so the applicants can come back
with examples of how the last mile is actually going to be delivered, who
the carrier is going to be for the last mile, what the technology is going to
be and examples that give at least street level detail if not street number
detail, what the plan and cost is to hook onto the existing dark fiber that
we've had for the last eight years, and what we are doing to provide
connectivity to the infrastructure we already have before we build more
infrastructure (more backbone). The motion was seconded by Byrd.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed the motion and that the motion
was supposed to be that the Council give permission to the Port to go for
the Community Revitalization Board (CERB) grant and commit to matching
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funds if the Port is successful in securing the grant.
Browne amended his motion to support the Port making the application for
the grant but that the commitment on behalf of the Council should be
dependent on us understanding how the last mile is going to be delivered,
what the technology is going to be, and what the cost is going to be.
Councilmembers discussed the motion with the speakers and the following
additional people spoke:
• Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Goldberg stated they are asking for a letter of commitment to the CERB
Board that the County will match $2 million for the Port's application for a
$2 million CERB grant so the Port can get the grant application in.
Video Timestamp: 01:33:47
Browne withdrew his motion and moved that the Council does not approve
the ask for $6 million, they do approve the letter, but accepting the grant
funding is going to be subject to a future satisfactory explanation as to how
they are actually going to deliver the last mile.
Browne restated his motion and moved that the Council reject the request
as written for $6 million, they approve the letter of support for $2 million,
but they do not accept the grant unless the Council has received a
satisfactory explanation as to how the last mile is going to be delivered.
Councilmembers and Sidhu discussed the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Browne
Nay: 0
Video Timestamp: 01:37:21
Bellingham Housing Authority
Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, briefed the Councilmembers.
Councilmembers discussed changing the general EDI application.
Browne took a vote on approval of the Bellingham Housing Authority
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request.
The vote to approve carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Frazey and Browne
Nay: 1 - Byrd
Video Timestamp: 01:40:50
City of Lynden
The following people briefed the Councilmembers and discussed with them
the City of Lynden application:
Mike Martin, City of Lynden City Administrator
• Steve Banham, City of Lynden Public Works Department Director
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
They discussed the project, how much EDI funding the City of Lynden has
received compared to the other cities, whether the request is the best use of
EDI funds, and whether American Rescue Plan Act funds could be used for
this project.
Browne moved to approve a $2 million loan to the City of Lynden as
opposed to a $1.3 million loan and a $600,000 grant.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed the motion.
Browne amended his motion and moved that they hold this for two weeks
with a proposal that it is a loan and let the City of Lynden think about it and
get back to the Council.
Councilmembers and the speakers discussed the amended motion.
Byrd suggested a friendly amendment that they not wait for two weeks and
that the committee recommend to the Council an alternative of $2 million
of loan funding (Browne's original motion) to be voted on tonight.
Browne accepted the friendly amendment and withdrew his amended
motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd and Browne
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Nay: 1 - Frazey
Councilmembers, Schroeder and Sidhu discussed the Bellingham Housing
Authority Proposal funding and the use of H81406 dollars and scheduling a
discussion on this project at the June 29th meeting.
This agenda item was FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S).
5. A132021, -331 Request authorization for the County Executive to award bid #21-26 and enter into a
contract between Whatcom County and Tiger Construction LTD for the Plantation
Indoor Range HVAC and Roof Replacement, in the amount of $1,032,352.54
Browne moved that the Bid Award be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Abstain: 1 - Browne
Council "Consent Agenda" Items
1. AB2021-319 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Arc of Whatcom County to provide information, education,
and family support to individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members,
and the general public, in the amount of $150,616
Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
2. AB2021-321 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and the County Road Administrative Board (CRAB) in order to
receive Rural Arterial Preservation grant funding for the Hampton Road Pavement
Rehabilitation project in the amount of $170,100
Browne moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
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Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
3. A132021 I -32,Z Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and the Executive Office of the President for a grant award for
funding from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program in the
amount of $205,073.00
Browne moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT.
Vanessa Martin, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, briefed the
Councilmembers and answered questions.
Browne's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
4. AB2021-.3255_ Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Opportunity Council to provide funding for Child
Development Services to eligible children ages birth to three who have developmental
disabilies and delays, in the estimated amount of $77,812, for a total estimated
amended contract amount of $213,952
Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
5. AB2021,-332 Resolution to amend Resolution 2020-046 for unrepresented Whatcom County
employees
Frazey moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
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Absent: 0
6. AB2021-333 Request authorization for a Letter of Understanding between Whatcom County and
General Teamsters' Local Union 231 to amend the Master Collective Bargaining
Agreement for the period January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2021
Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
7. AB2021_335 Request authorization for a Letter of Understanding between Whatcom County and
the WA State Nurses Association to amend the collective bargaining agreement for
the period January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
8. AB2021 -33636 Request authorization for a Letter of Understanding between Whatcom County and
PROTEC17 to amend the collective bargaining agreement for the period January 1,
2019 - December 31, 2021
Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
9. A132021-3 3 7 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Northwest Educational Services District 1.89 to
provide behavioral health services, in the amount of $121,000
Frazey moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
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vote:
Aye: 3 -
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 12:32 p.m.
ATTEST:'
Dana Brgwn, t 40st Cquncil Clerk
Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
June 15, 2021
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Rud Browne -via email 6/17/2021
Rud Browne, Committee Chair
Whateom County page 9