HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2021-063% P
Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2021-549
File ID: AB2021-549 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 09/15/2021 Entered by: MCaldwel@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Finance Division File Type: Ordinance
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 10/12/2021
Agenda Date: 10/12/2021 Enactment#: ORD 2021-063
Primary Contact Email: mcaldwel@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance establishing the Central Plaza Tenant Improvements Fund and establishing a project based
budget for the Central Plaza Tenant Improvements Project
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Request establishes the Central Plaza Tenant Improvements Fund and requests a project based budget
in the amount of $400,000 for the remodel of the second floor of the Central Plaza building.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
09/28/2021 Council
INTRODUCED Council Finance and
Administrative Services
Committee
Aye:
7
Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, and Kershner
Nay:
0
Absent:
0
10/12/2021 Council Finance and Administrative
RECOMMENDED FOR
Services Committee
ADOPTION
Aye:
3
Browne, Byrd, and Frazey
Nay:
0
Absent:
0
10/12/2021 Council
ADOPTED
Aye:
6
Browne, Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, and Kershner
Nay:
1
Elenbaas
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 10/1312021
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2021-549)
Absent: 0
Attachments: Proposed Ordinance, Exhibit A
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 1011312021
PROPOSED BY: Executive
INTRODUCTION DATE: 09/28/21
ORDINANCE NO. 2021-063
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE CENTRAL PLAZA TENANT IMPROVEMENTS FUND
AND ESTABLISHING A PROJECT BASED BUDGET FOR THE CENTRAL PLAZA TENANT
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Public Defender's Office currently has the need to increase their office
space in the Central Plaza Building by adding offices for private client/attorney meetings, and
WHEREAS, the Public Defender's Office will also be adding a significant number of
temporary staff to mitigate the COVID-related court backlog, and
WHEREAS, space is available to remodel on the second floor of the Central Plaza Building
where the Public Defender's Office is located, and
WHEREAS, funding is available from Real Estate Excise Tax I Fund to fund the project, and
WHEREAS, Section 6.80 of the Whatcom County Home Rule Charter allows for project -
based capital budget appropriation ordinances that lapse when the project has been completed
or abandoned or when no expenditure or encumbrance has been made for three (3) years,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that a new fund is
hereby established effective October 12, 2021 titled Central Plaza Tenant Improvements Fund.
This fund shall be used to account for the revenues and expenditures related to remodeling the
second floor of the Public Defender's Office, and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that the Central Plaza Tenant
Improvements Fund is approved as described in Exhibit A with a project budget of $400,000.
ADOPTE,b`if�&is "-th"°<day of October , 2021.
Pf
�% WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
HATCOM OUNTY, WASHINGTON
rN 7.
1
Dana BrovO pa}vi`;G�uncil Clerk Bar ucha an, Chair of the Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Approved by email/C Quinn/M Caldwell
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
owApproved ( ) Denied
561�patt S I
Satpal Si h , County Executive
Date: 0
EXHIBIT
Supplemental Budget Request Status: Pending
Administrative Services Facilities Management
Supp'l ID # 3,281 Fund Cost Center Originator: Rob Ney
Year 1 2021 Add'I FTE ❑ Priority
Name of Request: Central Plaza Tenant Improvements
X
Department Head Signature (Required on Hard Copy Submission) Date
Costs: Object
6190-
6630 ._.
7190 -
7350
8301
Request Total
1a. Description of request:
Object Description
-- ---- -------
Direct Billing Rate
Professional Services
Other Miscellaneous
Buildings & Structures
Operating Transfer In
Amount Requested
$55,396
$50,000
$4,000
$290,604
($400,000)
$0
The Public Defender's Office is seeking approval to increase their office space by adding offices on the
second floor. This will address their need for more offices where client attorney meetings can take place
in privacy. This will also help to accommodate the need to house temporary staff being hired to address
the significant backlog in this department. Rental space will be required to accommodate staff during
construction - Refer to ASR 3312
1b. Primary customers:
Indigent defendants in the Whatcom County Superior and District Courts and respondents in the
Whatcom County Juvenile Court and Involuntary Treatment Act Proceedings will benefit from this
additional office space. Providing space for new Public Defenders Office staff will have a positive impact
on the courts and P.A.'s office as well because more cases will be processed.
2. Problem to be solved:
Ther Public Defenders Office is in need of more ofifices that offer privacy for client/attorney interviews.
The Public Defenders Office will also be adding temporary staff to address the significant backlog of
cases. Creating new office space will serve to meet current and growing needs of this department.
3a. Options /Advantages:
The County is looking into leasing office space for the new temporary staff. However, leased office space
has been difficult to find. Remote work opportunities are also being considered but does not address the
need for client/attorney privacy for current staffing. The addition of five new offices will help to
accommodate existing and growing space needs.
3b. Cost savings:
n/a
4a. Outcomes:
The second floor of the Central Plaza will be captured to add new offices for the Public Defender's Office.
This will allow us to provide adequate working space for existing staff and help to accommodate the
temporary employees being hired to address and process the significant backlog of cases caused by the
pandemic.
4b. Measures:
Office space will be created and utilized by staff.
Tuesday, Sepientber 14, 2021 1t1)1: R1n SnI31W Regidar
Supplemental Budget Request Status: Pending
Administrative Services Facilities Management
supp9 ro l 3281 ] Fund Cost Center Originator: Rob Ney
5a. Other Departments/Agencies:
Public Defender will be impacted by the construction and may need to lease additional space or new staff
members
5b. Name the person in charge of implementation and what they are responsible for:
Rob Ney & Starck Follis
6. Funding Source:
REETI
Tuesday, September 14, 2027 Rpr. 1?1)1 Suppl Regular