The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutSpecial Council Budget Nov 3 2022Whatcom County Council (Special) COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Minutes - Final Thursday, November 3, 2022 10 AM Hybrid Meeting 2023-2024 WHATCOM COUNTY BUDGET REVIEW WORK SESSION - REVISED AGENDA COUNCILMEMBERS Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Carol Frazey Kaylee Galloway Kathy Kershner CLERIC OF THE COUNCIL Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C. Council (Special) Minutes - Final November 3, 2022 Call To Order Roll Call Barry Buchanan, Council Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. in a hybrid meeting. Clerk's note: Council Chair Todd Donovan came later in the meeting chaired the meeting from this point on. Present: 6 - Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Todd Donovan, Carol Frazey, Kaylee Galloway, and Kathy Kershner Absent: 1 - Ben Elenbaas Announcements Discussion AB2022-634 Discussion of the County Executive's recommended 2023-2024 Biennium Budget The following people briefed the Councilmembers on the respective department budgets and answered questions (the order of some items changed): Superior Court Approximate Video Timestamp: 00:02:05 • Dave Reynolds, Superior Court Director Juvenile Court Approximate Video Timestamp: 00:04:31 • Dave Reynolds, Superior Court Director Jail and Corrections Bureau Approximate Video Timestamp: 00:05:54 • Doug Chadwick, Undersheriff Prosecuting Attorney Approximate Video Timestamp: 00:15:19 • Eric Richey, Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney • Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Clerk's note: Donovan chaired the meeting from this point on. 01:atcom County Page 1 Printed on 1112312022 Council (Special) Minutes - Final November 3, 2022 Sheriff Approximate Video Timestamp for Overview and Corrections: 00:35:55 Approximate Video Timestamp for Emergency Management: 00:59:16 Approximate Video Timestamp for Operations: 01:12:19 • Bill Elfo, Sheriff • Doug Chadwick, Undersheriff • Wendy Jones, Sheriffs Office • Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Clerk's note: Galloway joined the meeting during the discussion with the Sheriff Department. Public Works Approximate Video Timestamp: 01:34:15 • Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department acting Director • Randy Rydell, Public Works Department • Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department • Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance Break Starta 01.51m31 End. 03:29o31 Parks Approximate Video Timestamp: 03:29:39 • Bennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Department Director • Christ Thomsen, Parks and Recreation Department • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive • Tyler Schroeder, Executive's Office Administrative Services Approximate Video Timestamp: 03:59:16 • Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services • Rob Ney, Administrative Services Department Facilities Timestamp: 04:00:1 8 • Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance Timestamp: 04:03:39 • Melissa Keeley, Administrative Services Department Human "atcont County Page 2 Printed on 1112312022 Council (Special) Minutes - Final November 3, 2022 Resources "Timestamp: 04:08:08 • Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department Information Technology Manager Timestamp: 04:10:02 • Questions to the Administrative Services presenters - Timestamp: 04:16:14 Executive, Non -Departmental, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Law Library Approximate Video Timestamp: 04:39:47 • Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive • Mike Hilley, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager Timestamp: 04:57:26 Miscellaneous Approximate Video 'Timestamp: 05:28:31 • Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services • Satpal Sidhu, County Executive Clerk's note: Councilmember Buchanan left the meeting around 3:30 p.m. Council Discussion Approximate "Timestamp: 05:34:22 Donovan moved to purchase both of the rescue boats requested by the Sheriff in the first year (ASR 6532 - Two (2) Rescue Boats for River and Flood Response). The motion was seconded by Kershner. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 1 - Elenbaas Out of the Meeting: 1 - Buchanan Approximate Timestamp: 05:35:54 Kershner moved to add two Sheriff deputies to ASR number 6511 and along with that, add the cost to hire two deputies in ASR number 6593. The motion was seconded by Byrd. Schroeder stated the Administration could come back with the cost of what that would be and then make some considerations at the November ninth Council meeting to formulize the decision to include it in the budget if that is helpful. Whatcom County Page 3 Printed on 1112312022 Council (Special) Minutes - Final November 3, 2022 Kershner withdrew her motion and moved to ask the Administration to come back to the Council with costs on adding two additional deputies as well as the cost to hire the two additional deputies. The motion was seconded by Donovan. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Byrd, Donovan, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner Nay: 0 Absent: 1 - Elenbaas Out of the Meeting: 1 - Buchanan Approximate Timestamp: 05:39:20 Galloway asked whether there was interest in approving an FTE for a Conservation Easement Program Planner (ASR request number 6747) as requested by the Planning Department, or funding an FTE to support the Climate Action Manager as a climate data analyst (not in the ASRs but recommended by the Climate Impact Advisory Committee) and adding it to the budget under Public Works Natural Resources. Councilmembers, Sidhu, and Schroeder discussed the ideas. Approximate Timestamp: 05:51:12 Kershner stated she is looking at the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and requests that could potentially be removed from the following Health Department ASRs: • ASR number 6831 - Transportation Staffing • ASR number 6847 - COVID Recovery • ASR number 6933 - ARPA Childcare -Expansion & Quality Improvement Councilmembers discussed Kershner's comments. Approximate Timestamp: 05:58:17 Galloway spoke about ideas of adding line items to the budget for a forest management plan for Canyon Lake Community Forest and Lake Whatcom Park, and to fund capacity to install 15-20 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at various County facilities. Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services, answered what funds might be used for installing charging stations and stated the Administration Whatcom County Page 4 Printed on 1112312022 Council (Special) Minutes - Final November 3, 2022 can come back to the Council with some information about it. Schroeder and Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, answered when it is expected that the Council will pass the budgeted items and whether the Ordinance would have to be re -introduced if they make changes after introduction. Councilmembers and staff discussed having an additional work session on November ninth. This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED. MOTION SUMMARY: Motion approved 5-0 (with Buchanan out of the meeting and Elenbaas absent) to purchase both of the rescue boats requested by the Sheriff in the first year (see ASR 6532) Motion approved 5-0 (with Buchanan out of the meeting and Elenbaas absent) to ask the Administration to let the Council know the (ongoing) cost of adding two additional Sheriff deputies as well as the (one-time) cost to hire the two additional deputies (See ASRs 6511 and 6593). Items Added by Revision Other Business Adjournment There were no agenda items added by revision. There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m. The County'Council -approved these minutes on November 22, 2022. l ATTES F y, ;� i� �J� WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WA P X r Dana BT'Own-Davis,Council Clerk Todd Donovan, Council Chair Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription Whatcom County Page 5 Printed on 1112312022