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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Jan 25 2022Whatcom 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, January 25, 2022 10:30 AM Virtual Meeting VIRTUAL MEETING - ADJOURNS BY NOON (TO PARTICIPATE, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil OR CALL 360.778.5010) COUNCILMEMBERS Tyler Byrd Carol Frazey Kathy Kershner CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee Call To Order Roll Call Committee Chair Tyler Byrd called the meeting to order at 10:31 a.m. in a virtual meeting.. Present: 3 - Tyler Byrd, Carol Frazey, and Kathy Kershner Absent: None Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas, and Kaylee Galloway Announcements Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council 1. A132022 012_ Ordinance establishing the Geneva Bioretention Pilot Project Fund and establishing a project based budget for the Geneva Bioretention Pilot Project Frazey moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Ben Kuiken, Public Works Department, briefed the Councilmembers and answered questions about the funding amount and source as outlined in the Staff Memo, the ongoing maintenance costs of the project, whether this type of project could add more phosphorus into the lake, whether the soil mix (media) has been used in other places, the cost of digging out the media and putting new in, how often the media we use now is replaced, where in the Geneva neighborhood this is, whether this will replace the current one, how much larger scale this project is compared to others they have data on, now the results of the media will be monitored, what it would take to go a different route if this does not perform as expected, and whether the media can be replaced with new media without rebuilding the project. Frazey's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 2. AB2022-013 Ordinance amending the 2022 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 4, in the amount of $1,619,951 Frazey moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION. Jon Hutchings, Public Works Department Director, stated there is not a Whatcom County page I Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee staff report on this item. Erika Lautenbach, Health Department Director, stated they will be talking more about the GRACE (Ground -Level Response and Coordinated Engagement) and LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) programs in the afternoon Committee of the Whole meeting but they are happy to answer questions on this or other matters. Cindy Hollinsworth, Health Department, briefed the Councilmembers on the requests to fund COVID mass vaccination sites from FEMA grant proceeds and to fund DOH COVID vaccination/immunization program from grant proceeds as listed in the ordinance summary. She answered questions about whether the plan is to hire a Whatcom County staff member to manage the vaccines, the current percentage of fully vaccinated residents, and whether the funds are only for this purpose. Frazey stated she hopes the GRACE and LEAD program levels stay the same or better. Lautenbach answered questions about the request to fund a Response System Manager for the GRACE/LEAD programs, how this fits into past conversations about the Health Department moving into more of a contract management role as opposed to fulfillment of services as a services provider, and whether Councilmembers could get a presentation before they vote on the ordinance. She stated the request is just for the manager position and gave an overview of the program change. Hollinsworth and Lautenbach spoke again about the COVID-19 vaccine -related requests and answered why COVID-19 vaccine boosters cannot be handled_ in the private_ sector. Lautenbach answered whether we still have the grant funds for the Response System Manager for the GRACE/LEAD programs and whether there is another funding source. Hollinsworth answered whether the vaccine program specialist position frees up Health Department staff to do other things that they need to do, and what the response is in the community when these vaccine clinics are set up (are there back to back appointments, are appointments filled every time). Kershner stated she wishes we could get some FEMA money for more testing. Whateom County Page 2 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee Byrd spoke about getting a more holistic look at the costs of internalizing the entire GRACE/LEAD program and not just the System Manager, the wage for that position, and his desire to hold the item until they have a holistic look at it and a full presentation on exactly what this is going to entail. Lautenbach answered who is currently managing the GRACE/LEAD services and whether the Health Department is going to give a presentation later today on the benefits of the Health Department taking it over. Councilmembers and staff discussed whether this move would increase the workload of the Health Department, what questions need to be answered in order to get to a yes, making a decision without looking at the whole project, why the ordinance is coming to Council as it is, asking questions of staff before the meetings, whether it should have been scheduled in the Public Works and Health Committee to discuss the program specific pieces of it and then in the Finance Committee for approval of the final budget item, and finding out the benefits of bringing it in to the Health Department as opposed to continuing to contract for services. Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, spoke about the questions being asked and how they relate to Council's oversight. Byrd moved to hold this item until our next committee meeting in which we get the second half of the ordinance and the supplemental budget request and we can consider, holistically, both pieces together. And it also gives us time for the presentation to have taken place. i ne motion was seconded by Kershner. Kershner moved to amend and that they bifurcate the supplemental and pull the Health Department funding for the GRACE/LEAD program out and hold until the next meeting. Councilmembers discussed the ability to bifurcate the ordinance and Kershner withdrew her motion. Councilmembers discussed the motion to hold and voted on it (see motion and vote below), and whether the entire Council can still own an ordinance; and Lautenbach stated this could potentially delay the start of the program. Byrd's motion that the Ordinance be FORWARDED TO COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDED MOTION to Hold in Committee carried by the following Whatcom County page 3 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee vote: Aye: 2 - Byrd, and Kershner Nay: 1 - Frazey Absent: 0 Motion approved to recommend that this item be HELD IN COMMITTEE. 3. AB2022-044 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Ideal Options for Physician Services in the amount of $277,842.00 Kershner moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Wendy Jones, Sheriffs Office, answered questions about the increased amount of the request, what the upcoming supplemental budget request might be for additional costs, whether the 75 hours of work referenced in the contract includes the nurse practitioner or just the physician, and how the Council can approve this contract before they approve a supplemental budget request. Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance, spoke about why the supplemental budget request did not come before the contract request. Kershner's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 4. AB20,22 -055 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District, in the amount of $35,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors) Frazey moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Holly Faulstich, Public Works Department, answered what the County is doing as far as helping people in the communities within the Terrell Creek, Birch Bay and Lake Whatcom watersheds with their ditches, and stormwater Wkateom County page 4 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee that does not go away due to ditches that are full of silt. Frazey's motion that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 5. F202049, Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding for the Way Station Frazey moved that the Memorandum of Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Rob Ney, Administrative Services Department Facilities, briefed the Councilmembers. He and Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office, answered whether the money mentioned in the memo is to build the building and not provide services, how long the money will last to provide services, whether the City of Bellingham is involved and why they are not a part of the Memorandum of Agreement, whether the "QC" in the first and third bullet points on page three of the agreement under "Opportunity Council (OC)" is a technical glitch and should read "OC," whether there had initially been a tentative agreement that if funding was lined up then the County would sell the building at zero cost or rent, whether the referenced $1.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are out of the County's ARPA -F-nile ilia an-- f--f— of+h- L.,,il li„ . +- I— „oil:-o.7 A .z 1-4 +1, . uiiu u, — 4-- iWWL"r�. vi Laty UUIXu1iir, w v%, uLiucn,u UM.& whether Late document is counting the loss of revenue for giving the square footage as well, whether the morgue is staying here or moving somewhere else, and whether people coming to the Way Station would be coming for temporary services and whether they might be housing someone there overnight. Frazey's motion that the Memorandum of Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote: Aye: 2 - Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain: 1 - Byrd 6. AB2022-0 50 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Pacific Security to provide security services at Whatcom County Page 5 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee COVID isolation and quarantine facilities and community vaccine clinics in the amount of $48,201 for a total amended contract amount of $224,210 Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION. Kathleen Roy, Health Department, answered whether this is a different contract than was already approved, whether the County is standing down the Civic Field isolation & quarantine overflow facility, whether the County would be paying for security if the Civic Field site is not open, and what the patrol car (as referenced on page 1 of 6 of the contract) is doing at the Byron Street facility and what it is for. Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance, answered questions about the patrol car, and whether the car was already in use and the contract just needs to be amended to make sure the County can pay for it. Frazey's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION failed by the following vote: Aye: 1 - Frazey Nay: 2 - Byrd, and Kershner Absent: 0 Council "Consent Agenda" Items Byrd moved to recommend approval of Consent Agenda items 1-14. Councilmembers voted on those items (see votes on individual items below). 1. AB2022--030 Resolution cancelling uncollectible personal property taxes Byrd moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 2. l-�B2022-034 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and Kittitas County for jail services when extra housing is needed for Whatcom County Jail inmates Byrd moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR Whatcom County Page 6 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 3.t3222-03, Request Authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and the Washington State Office of Public Defense for the enhancement of Public Defense in the amount of $209,111.00 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 4. AB2022-045 Resolution to approve annual petition for refunds paid list consistent with RCW 84.69.020 Byrd moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 5. AB2022-046 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Washington State Military Department to prepare for all hazards through Emergency Management programs, in the amount of $74,247 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 6.2022w047. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Washington State Military Department to prepare for all hazards through Emergency Management programs, in the amount of $25,325 Whatcom County Page 7 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 7. A 2022 W05.1 Request authorizaition for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $9,900.00 Byrd moved that the Agreement be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 8. AB2022-052 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Lifeline Connections to provide jail behavioral health and re-entry services in the amount of $604,882 for a total amended contract amount of $669,322 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 9. AB2022-053 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Ecology, in the amount of $1,295,000 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Whatcom County Page 8 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 25, 2022 Services Committee Absent: 0 10. AB2022-056 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Bellingham for Joint Usage of the Vactor Waste Transfer Facility Byrd moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 11. h320207. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter in to a contract with GeoTest Services, Inc. for on -call Construction Materials Testing and Inspection Construction Services in an amount not to exceed $150,000 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 12. AB2022-058 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment between Whatcom County and Lydia Place to provide emergency housing for families experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the amount of $107,000 for a total amended contract amount of $600,0 74 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 13. AB2022-059. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a collective bargaining agreement between Whatcom County and the Fraternal Order of Police for the period of January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following Wkatcom County Page 9 Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final Services Committee vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 January 25, 2022 14. AB2022-060 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement between Whatcom County and PROTEC 17 for the period of January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023 Byrd moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Byrd, Frazey, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Items Added by Revision Other Business Adiournment There were no agenda items added by revision. Byrd stated that he has invited Jahn Gargett from the Emergency Command Center to give a presentation at their next meeting regarding where they are at with the flood funding and administrative and personnel costs. He asked the Clerk of the Council to reach out to Gargett to schedule. The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m. ATTEST; WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA { Dana', rown Daum' co '11 i 1 Clerk Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription Tyler Byrd -via email 2/16/2022 Tyler Byrd, Committee Chair Whatcom County Page 10