HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Jan 10 2023Whatcom 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 10, 2023
10:30 AM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY NOON (PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE
REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR
CALL 360.778.5010); AGENDA REVISED 1.5.2023, AGENDA REVISED 1.9.2023
COUNCILMEMBERS
Todd Donovan
Carol Frazey
Kathy Kershner
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final January 10, 2023
Services Committee
Call To Order
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, called the meeting to order at
10:56 a.m. in a Hybrid meeting and stated Councilmember Donovan will act
as Chair until they choose a Chair.
Roll Call
Donovan, Frazey and Kershner members
Present: 3 - Carol Frazey, Kathy Kershner, and Todd Donovan
Absent: None
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Tyler Byrd, Ben Elenbaas, and Kaylee Galloway
Announcements
Special Order of Business
1. A132023-049 Nomination and appointment of Committee Chair
Frazey moved to nominate Donovan.
Donovan moved to nominate Kershner and Kershner stated she would be
happy to do it.
Frazey stated she was hoping Kershner would chair the Public Works and
Health Committee and Kershner stated she would be happy to do that too so
Frazey's motion was withdrawn.
Kershner was appointed by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Donovan, and Kershner
Nay: 0
Kershner continued the meeting as Chair.
This agenda item was NOMINATED AND APPOINTED.
Kathy Kershner was appointed as Chair.
Committee Discussion
1. A142023-04_ Discussion of ordinance amending the Whatcom County Unified Fee Schedule -
Ferry Rates
The following presented on ferry rates and coming into compliance with
Whatcom County Code for the 55 percent (55%) farebox recovery:
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Services Committee
Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department Acting Director
Randy Rydel, Public Works Department
Kosa stated they have been in discussion with the Lummi Island Advisory
Committee (LIFAC) and asked that this discussion be put back in
committee in two weeks before Council decides on the Ordinance to give
that committee an opportunity to speak.
Rydel presented and stated a revised Exhibit C will be posted to the web.
LIFAC came to Public Works with requests for how to get to an increase in
fares. He answered whether base fares have increased since 2011 and stated
they have not.
Kershner stated what they want to do is introduce the Ordinance (scheduled
for introduction tonight as A132023-002) and give LIFAC the opportunity to
weigh in on it in two weeks.
The speakers answered whether new fares will get us to the zero line (the
55% farebox recovery level) of the farebox reserve if they are put in place,
whether they can look at this again in a year to make sure they are on the
right trajectory, whether raised fares will stay the same until they change
them again, whether they could put something in code like a schema where
they set regular updates (such as each year fares will increase X percent) so
this does not happen again, and whether they should give Public Works a
little more flexibility with using the Ferry Fund so they can always make
sure operations are funded if the revenues drop for some reason.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated we have an old ferry and are about to
get a new one in less than five years. He would like Public Works to look at
how much maintenance costs will be reduced when we have a new ferry.
Kershner requested that Rydel come back when they meet on this again with
some numbers on the maintenance costs of our current ferry and the
percentage of the operational costs that those maintenance costs contribute
to. Making reasonable attempts to get ourselves back to the zero line is not
only prudent but something we have to do. At the same time, we do not want
to overshoot it if we think our maintenance costs are going to go down
significantly. She does not, however, want to count on a new ferry within
five years.
Kosa stated the new ferry would be a bigger boat so the maintenance costs
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in general may not be less.
January 10, 2023
Elenbaas stated for a longer -range idea of having a sustainable ferry system,
he would like the Council to look at land use policy that would allow for
Lummi Island to be a destination for people so that ridership can be
optimized.
Donovan moved to recommend the related Ordinance for introduction
tonight.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Donovan, and Kershner
Nay: 0
This agenda item was DISCUSSED AND MOTION(S) APPROVED.
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. A B2022-725 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Northwest Youth Services to operate the Ground
Floor Day Use Center in the amount of $160,000 for a total amended contract
amount of $576,770
Barbara Johnson Vinna, Health Department, stated she is not presenting but
has information about the request.
Jason McGill, Northwest Youth Services Director, briefed the
Councilmembers on what the Ground Floor Day Use Center is doing and
addressed some concerns brought up by the community.
Frazey stated she and Councilmember Galloway met with McGill in
December and got their questions answered. She encouraged others to
reach out to him and stated she would be supporting this.
McGill answered whether the Ground Floor Day Use Center is different
than the Positive Adolescent Development (PAD) program, the age group
served at the Ground Floor (ages 18-25) and what the hours of operation
are. He stated it is just a day program.
Donovan stated his observation is that it looks just like a church and he
cannot tell, when he rides by, that anything is going on (which is good).
Buchanan stated he lives a block away from the Ground floor and has not
seen any issues.
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McGill answered how many staff are working at the Ground Floor, what
kind of qualifications the staff have to have to work there, whether they have
to pass a background check, whether they have to have certain training,
whether they have training on reporting abuse, what kind of services the
program offers, whether there is a referral program if someone comes in
with a need that another service can provide, whether they work with the
other organizations in the community that offer those services, whether
they have a quota of young people that they have to serve, and whether they
are open on the weekends.
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
2. AB2022-731 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Hunt Forensics for increased costs of services in the
amount of $893,449.13 for the total amount of $3,356,602
Kershner stated they would be having a presentation from the Medical
Examiner in the Public Works and Health Committee meeting later today.
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, stated the presenter will not be
able to make that meeting so the presentation will be rescheduled for
January 24th.
Kershner asked whether it would be possible to then push this item to the
24th so that they can have the Medical Examiner's presentation at the same
time.
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED TO HOLD IN
COMMITTEE until January 24th. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
3. A2023--001 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group to provide Housing
Assistance to those impacted by the November 2021 Floods, in the amount of
$2,050,000
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Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION.
Tyler Schroeder, Director of Administrative Services, answered whether it
was possible to make a change to the "period of performance" section of
the Staff Memo to make it retroactive to include expenses that have been
incurred in anticipation of this $2 million from the State, and questions
about reimbursing expenses of the long-term recovery group.
Donovan moved to recommend approval of the item but there was already a
motion on the floor.
Frazey's motion that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
4. A132023-040, Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interagency agreement
between, Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Ecology for site
characterization activities at Plantation Rifle Range, in the amount of $700,000
The following people briefed the Councilmembers and stated there is a
timeline on this item to be completed by the end of June.
• Bennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Department Director
• Christ Thomsen, Parks and Recreation Department
They answered where they are in the process since Council has heard the
number of $700,000 before, whether this money is on top of the $655,000
to start the work that they had talked about before, and whether they would
be able to use State funds rather than County funds to do the cleanup or
whether they are anticipating they will need both.
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
5. B2023-047 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and Whatcom Humane Society for animal control and shelter
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services in the amount of $932,218
Frazey moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Council "Consent Agenda" Items
Kershner stated she would like to consider Consent Agenda item number 21
(AB2023-024) separately.
Donovan moved to approve all the Consent Agenda items except for item
number 21 (AB2023-024).
Galloway asked whether AB2022-728 was withdrawn from the agenda since
it was a duplicate of AB2023-039 and whether AB2023-055 was added.
Kershner stated AB2023-055 was added by revision and is scheduled under
that header as opposed to the Consent Agenda, and Dana Brown -Davis,
Clerk of the Council, stated AB2022-728 was removed from the agenda.
Councilmembers voted on the motion (see motion and votes on individual
items below).
1. A,132022 7707 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services for
administrative, management and support services in the amount of $180,000
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
2. A B2022-723 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and Bellingham Food Bank to procure, warehouse and distribute
food and other essentials to low and very low income families in the amount of
$276,000
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
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AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
3. AB2022- 724 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. to operate
the County's moderate risk waste facility known as Disposal of Toxics in the amount
of $120,000 for a total amended contract amount of $1,320,000
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
n sn r r i n +
fir. taB"022-726 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and Snohomish County to implement youth
cannabis and tobacco prevention activities in the amount of $31,000 for a total
amended contract amount of $56,000
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
5. A132022-727 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and Island County to implement youth
cannabis and tobacco prevention activities in the amount of $25,000 for a total
amended contract amount of $50,000
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
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Absent: 0
6. AB2022-728 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District to administer the Firewise fire
risk reduction program throughout Whatcom County in the amount of $80,000
This agenda item was WITHDRAWN.
This was a duplicate item on the agenda (see AB2023-039 - Consent Agenda item number 22).
7. AB2022-729 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and United General District 304 to implement youth
cannabis and tobacco prevention activities, in the amount of $81,650
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
8. f� 1:32022 W730 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and San Juan County to implement youth cannabis and
tobacco prevention activities in the amount of $25,000 for a total amended contract
amount of $50,000
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
9. B2022--733. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interagency agreement
between Whatcom County and the State of Washington Department of Ecology for
Whatcom Marine Resources Committee (MRC) Operations and Projects, in the
amount of $75,846.00 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
District Board of Supervisors)
Donovan moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
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Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
10. A'132022-734 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and FLO Analytics to accurately map all Whatcom County solid
waste landfills and their associated 1000' buffer zones, in the amount of $51,655
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
il. ca v_3 -v5 Request authorization for County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the County to provide
probation services to the City
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
12. AB2023-006 Request authorization for County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Blaine for the County to provide probation
services to the City
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
13. AB2023-007 Request authorization for County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Everson for the County to provide
probation services to the City
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Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
14. AB2023-008 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an Interlocal Agreement
between Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Transportation,
to obligate federal Emergency Relief funding in the amount of $1,840,000
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
15. AB2023-012 Resolution to approve annual petition for refunds paid list consistent with RCW
84.69.020.
Donovan moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
16. AB2023-0 j Request authorization for County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden for the County to provide
probation services to the City
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
17. A132023--01_4 Request authorization for County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Sumas for the County to provide
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Services Committee
probation services to the City
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
18. AB2023-015 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Washington State Military Department for funding for local
jurisdictions to prepare for all hazards through the sustainment and enhancement of
local emergency management programs in the amount of $80,956
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
19. AB2023-016. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the County to oversee the
administration of the Domestic Violence Perpetrator Opportunity for Treatment
Funding (DVPOTS)
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
20. A132023.-019 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Anchor QEA to prepare a multi -purpose water storage
assessment for WRIA 1, in the amount of $150,000.00 (Council acting as the
Whatcom County Flood Contol Zone District Board of Supervisors
Donovan moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
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Services Committee
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
21. AB2023-024. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Master's Touch LLC to provide printing and mailing
of tax statements
This item was considered separately (see below after the Consent Agenda).
22. A 2023-039, Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Whatcom Conservation District in support of the Firewise
Wildfire Risk Reduction Program in the amount of $80,000
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
23. AB2023 -041._ Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a collective bargaining
agreement between Whatcom County and International Organization of Masters,
Mates and Pilots and Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific for the period of January
1, 2023 to December 31, 2025
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
24. A132023-042 Request authorization for a Letter of Understanding between Whatcom County and
the Fraternal Order of Police, Matt Herzog Memorial Lodge #24 to amend the
Collective Bargaining Agreement for the period January 1, 2022 - December 31,
2024
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
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Services Committee
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
25. AB2023-043 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a Letter of Agreement
between Whatcom County and PROTEC17 to amend the Collective Bargaining
Agreement for the period January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
26. Li«2023-0,44 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
for Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Federal Financial Assistance Grant, in the
amount of $18,475.57
Donovan moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Consent Agenda Item Considered Separately
21. A132023-024 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Master's Touch LLC to provide printing and mailing
of tax statements
Steve Oliver, County Treasurer, answered whether it is time to put a bid out
for this service since the County has not done so since 2007, and whether
they have put it out for bid and Masters Touch is the only one which
responds with a viable bid.
Donovan moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
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Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Items Added by Revision
1. AB2023.055 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an Interlocal Amendment
Between Whatcom County, City of Bellingham and Fire Protection District No 7 to
pays in accordance with the 2023 portion of the 2023-2028 Levy Plan which
includes a 5th Medic Unit in the amount of $13,837,716
Frazey moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION.
Kershner stated it looks like this is just to change the interlocal to include
that fifth medic unit.
Galloway stated she supports standing up the fifth medic unit but is
concerned why this is the first time they are hearing about the fifth medic
unit in terms of seeking Council action. She stated she encourages them to
foster more communication on these issues.
Mike Hilley, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Manager, answered
whether $13,837,716 is the total amendment amount, whether they are
increasing the number of supervisors with this, why this is first time it has
been on the Council agenda, and whether the fifth medic unit will be up
soon.
Frazey's motion that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Frazey, Kershner, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Absent: 0
Other Business
Adiournment
There was no other business.
Buchanan stated he would like to change the time for the Criminal Justice
and Public Safety Committee to 1:15 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 12:1.7 p.m.
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January 10, 2023
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Kathy Kershner-via email 1/18/2023
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Dacia BrowtY�I'S,A, Council Clerk Kathy Kershner, Committee Chair
Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
SIGNED COPY ON FILE
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