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Home My WebLink AboutFinance Nov 9 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 Tuesday, November 9, 2021 10:40 AM Virtual Meeting VIRTUAL MEETING - ADJOURNS BY 12:30 P.M. (TO PARTICIPATE, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 11.8.2021 COUNCILMEMBERS Rud Browne Tyler Byrd Carol Frazey CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Services Committee Call To Order Roll Call Committee Member Carol Frazey called the meeting to order in a virtual meeting. Clerk's note: Committee Chair Browne requested that Frazey act as chair for the meeting. Present: 3 - Rud Browne, Tyler Byrd, and Carol Frazey Absent: None Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, and Ben Elenbaas Announcements Committee Discussion 1. AB2021-630 Discussion of Supplemental Budget Request #3134 for the implementation of the 2022 Annual Construction Program Jim Karcher, Public Works Department, briefed the Councilmembers and answered questions about what projects are included in the requests, and whether an upcoming ordinance that addresses spending allowances and approvals for grants is related to these projects. This agenda item was DISCUSSED. Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council 1. AB2021-594 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.02 (County Council) to define absence and temporary disability Byrd moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Browne briefed the Councilmembers and Councilmembers discussed why the time provision in Exhibit A, Section C went from 30 to 21 days in the substitute proposed version of the ordinance, whether legal is ok with this, and which strike -through changes posted to the file are being considered. The following people spoke: • Karen Frakes, Prosecuting Attorney's Office • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Miatcom County Page 1 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final Services Committee November 9, 2021 Councilmembers and Sidhu discussed what the word "absence" means in the ordinance, whether this adds too much restriction, whether rules should be applied to other elected officials, and whether the Executive should work on updating the proposed ordinance with his input. Byrd moved to recommend to the full Council that this item be held in Committee until Executive Sidhu brings back an updated version. Councilmembers and Sidhu discussed the motion and when Sidhu should bring a new ordinance. Byrd amended his motion to recommend to the full Council that this item be held in Committee until the first meeting in February. Byrd's motion that the Ordinance be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION(S) (to recommend to the full Council that this item be held in Committee until the first meeting in February) carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 2. AB2021-599 Ordinance establishing the Ferry Fare Capital Surcharge Fund Byrd moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, answered and Councilmembers discussed why a new ferry fund is needed. Byrd's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 3. AB2021-601 Ordinance amending the 2021 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 17, in the amount of $4,967,500 Byrd moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Councilmembers discussed the motion. Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, addressed Byrd's concern about the $3 Whatcont County Page 2 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Services Committee million for the Forest Street affordable senior housing facility and stated they are selling the property and not donating it. Byrd's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Browne, and Frazey Nay: 1 - Byrd Absent: 0 4. AB2021-609 Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Title 3 (Revenue and Finance), specifically Chapters 3.06 (Grants) and 3.08 (Purchasing System) Byrd moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Councilmembers discussed why there was a sunsetting clause added to the ordinance in the first place, who proposed it, why it has to be removed, whether this ordinance would remove or extend the sunsetting clause, and why there are two separate sections (Subsections A and B) for Council approvals of grants in Section 3.06.010. The following people spoke: • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about why the sunsetting clause was added to the ordinance. • Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, stated the intention now is to have the grant language that is in there and to remove the sunset clause. • Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance, spoke about Council approval thresholds. Byrd's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 5. .-�B2021-613 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Road2Home to operate the COVID Isolation and Quarantine Facility, in the amount of $159,275 Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Whatcom County page 3 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Services Committee The following people answered questions: • Sue Sullivan, Health Department, • Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance They answered how long the contract goes, a statement on the Staff Memo stating "Funds under the contract are made available by a grant awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)" and whether FEMA funding has been approved, and whether the application is for 100% reimbursement. Frazey's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Browne, and Frazey Nay: 1 - Byrd Absent: 0 6. AB2021-61 6 Resolution adopting the Whatcom County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Frazey moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered why this is in the Finance and Administrative Services Committee, and whether there has been a presentation on the item. John Gargett, Division of Emergency Management, answered why it was scheduled for this committee and briefed the Councilmembers. He also answered how this is different than the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about the mitigation plan, and whether the pandemic is now included as a natural hazard. Paula Harris, Public Works Department, spoke about the community rating system and how it relates to the plan and benefits the community. She and Gargett answered whether this needs to be voted on today. It has to be adopted by December 31, 2021. Byrd moved to recommend that they hold this in committee until the next meeting to get a formal presentation on this document. Harris stated there is also a related resolution added by revision (AB2021-675). WGatcom County Page 4 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Services Committee Byrd's motion that the Resolution be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION(S) (to recommend that they hold this in committee until the next meeting to get a formal presentation on this document) carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Temp Absent: 1 - Browne 7. AB2021-631 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Aristo Healthcare Services to provide staffing at the COVID Isolation and Quarantine Facility, in the estimated amount of $200,000 Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Sue Sullivan, Health Department, briefed the Councilmembers. Frazey's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION failed by the following vote: Aye: 1 - Frazey Nay: 1 - Byrd Absent: 0 Temp Absent: 1 - Browne Council "Consent Agenda" Items Byrd moved that they remove AB2021-615 (Consent Agenda item 2) and AB2021-653 (Consent Agenda item 6) from consent. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Byrd and Frazey Nay: 0 Temporarily Absent: 1 - Browne Byrd moved to recommend approval of consent agenda items except for items 2 and 6. The motion carried by the following vote (see motion and votes on individual items below): Aye: 2 - Byrd and Frazey Nay: 0 Whatcom County page 5 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Services Committee Temporarily Absent: 1 - Browne 1. .=i132021-6114 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. to finalize the Comprehensive Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Plan update in the amount of $20,000 for a total amended contract amount of $133,000 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Temp Absent: 1 - Browne 2. AB2021-615 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and City of Bellingham for partial funding of maintenance and operations of the Crisis Stabilization Center, in the amount of $65,000 This item was considered separately. See motion and vote on this item below. 3. AB2021-6-- - Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Point Roberts Park and Recreation District No. 1 for usage of the District's Community Center for senior programming, in the amount of $1,000 Byrd moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Temp Absent: I - Browne 4. - B2021-643 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and City of Everson for use of building space at Everson City Hall for senior programming, in the amount of $500 Byrd moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote; Whatcom County Page 6 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final Services Committee Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 November 9, 2021 Temp Absent: 1 - Browne 5. AB2021-649 Resolution approving a salary schedule and policies for Unrepresented Whatcom County employees effective January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 Byrd moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Temp Absent: 1 - Browne 6. AB2021-653 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a three year interlocal agreement among Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham to provide economic development services and complete special projects that promote beneficial outcomes for the parties, in the amount of $2,084,322 This item was considered separately. See motion and vote on this item below. 2. AB2021-61 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and City of Bellingham for partial funding of maintenance and operations of the Crisis Stabilization Center, in the amount of $65,000 Byrd moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Kathleen Roy, Health Department, answered questions about funding and operating costs. Councilmembers discussed the motion. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 1 - Frazey Nay: 0 Abstain: 1 - Byrd Temporarily Absent: 1 - Browne This agenda item was FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION. Whatcom County Page 7 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Services Committee 6. _B2021-6 53 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a three year interlocal agreement among Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham to provide economic development services and complete special projects that promote beneficial outcomes for the parties, in the amount of $2,084,322 Browne moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Councilmembers discussed the motion and the need for more information. Byrd moved to recommend to the full Council that this item be held in committee so they can get an update on the program from the Port of Bellingham. Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, answered whether this is related to a presentation from the Port of Bellingham two weeks ago. Councilmembers continued to discuss the item. Byrd added to his motion to hold in committee until December 7, 2021 at the latest and Councilmembers discussed the motion. Byrd's motion that the Interlocal be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION(S) (to recommend to the full Council that this item be held in committee until December 7, 2021 at the latest so they can get an update on the program from the Port of Bellingham) carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Frazey Nay: I - Browne Absent: 0 Items Added by Revision 1. aB2021-675 Resolution adopting the Whatcom County Multi jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Byrd moved that the Resolution (FCZDBS) be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION(S) (to recommend to the full Council that this item be held in committee (until the next meeting). The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Browne, Byrd, and Frazey Whatcom County Page 8 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Services Committee Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Other Business Adiournment There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 11:57 a.m. ATTF,, 1 t WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA Carol Frazey-via email 11/12/2021 for Rud Browne, Committee Chair Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription Whatcom County page 9