HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance May 21 2024Whatcom
Council I t, Administrative I 1 e
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Committee Minutes - Final
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
10:50 AM
Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING - ADJOURNS BY NOON, MAY BEGIN EARLY
(PARTICIPATE IN -PERSON, SEE REMOTE JOIN INSTRUCTIONS AT
www.whatcomcounty.us/joinvirtualcouncil, OR CALL 360.778.5010)
COUNCILMEMBERS
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
Kaylee Galloway
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL
Dana Brown -Davis, C.M.C.
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 10:50 a.m.
in a hybrid meeting.
Present: 3 - Tyler Byrd, Kaylee Galloway, and Todd Donovan
Also Present: Barry Buchanan, Ben Elenbaas, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler
Announcements
Council "Consent Agenda" Items
Galloway moved to recommend approval of Consent Agenda items one
through twelve. Staff answered questions on item numbers three and six.
Consent Agenda Item #3 (AB2024-317)
Ann Beck, Health and Community Services, briefed the Councilmembers
and answered why the funding is coming from American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) funds and not the Healthy Children's Fund. She stated they are still
using the ARPA funds because those are time -limited dollars.
Scanlon stated he likes the model and this is business development.
Councilmembers and Beck discussed why the Healthy Children's Fund
could not be used so that the ARPA funds could be used somewhere else,
and Donovan stated at one point the Council had slated about 50 percent of
the ARPA funds to be used on the priority of childcare.
Erika Lautenbach, Health and Community Services Director, stated there
was a certain dollar amount of ARPA funds that was Council -directed that
they have to use, then they will be able to pick up the Healthy Children's
Fund dollars once those funds are spent down.
Consent Agenda Item #6 (AB2024-366)
Byrd stated if you look at the cost per rifle, they are ;paying more to buy the
rifles in bulk than if they bought them individually at retail pricing. The
Sheriff's Office was not available at the meeting to answer questions so
Councilmembers concurred to go ahead with the recommendation and they
can get an answer this evening.
Councilmembers voted on the Consent items (see votes on individual items
below).
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
1. / B2024-315 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service for overtime patrols, in the amount of $21,900
Galloway moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
2. A132024-316 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Northwest Clean Air Agency for reimbursement of
materials and distribution of DIY air cleaner kits, in an amount up to $3,000
Galloway moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
3. AB2024 317 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Imagine Institute to assist new home -based childcare providers
through the start-up process in order to expand availability of childcare in Whatcom
County, in the amount of $478,910
Galloway moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
4. A132024-3318 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health
to provide funding for the delivery of various public health programs in the amount of
$416,456 for a total amended agreement amount of $14,310,097
Galloway moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
5. A132024-319 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden to further advance
their Mouw Ditch project to address drainage and flooding issues in the Bertrand
Creek subbasin, in the amount of $32,000 for a total amended agreement amount of
$96,000 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Board
of Supervisors)
Galloway moved that the Contract (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
6. l 0202,. µ322_ Request approval for the County Executive to award Bid #24-46 for the purchase of
30 rifles, associated equipment, and accessories from Proforce Law Enforcement,
located in Prescott, Arizona, in an amount not to exceed $60,576.42
Galloway moved that the Bid Award be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
7. AB2024 -323 Request approval for the County Executive to award Bid #24-47 for the purchase of
a 360-degree laser scanning system, associated equipment, and accessories from
Leica Geosystems, Inc., located in Alpharetta, Georgia, in an amount not to exceed
$154,128.53
Galloway moved that the Bid Award be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
8. AB2024-324 Request approval for the County Executive to authorize the purchase of vehicle upfit
cquipiiiciit, uSiilg the wY aimmirtvii utatc wiitravt #v2v2v, in an amount not to cxiccd
$125,000 in 2024. The state contract is awarded to JR Setina Manufacturing Co.,
located in Olympia
Galloway moved that the Bid Award be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
9. AB2024 327 Resolution amending Resolution 2023-048 for Unrepresented County employees
Galloway moved that the Resolution be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
10. AB2024-330 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative
Services Organization to provide funds to support substance use disorder
assessments in jail, re-entry services and recovery and mental health courts, in the
amount of $101,896 for a total amended contract amount of $625,684.10
Galloway moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
11. A132024-334 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment to increase the compensation for Boundary Review Board services in the
amount of $5,000 for a total amended amount of $20,000
Galloway moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
12. AB2024-339 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a lease amendment
between Whatcom County and Lengoset, LLC to extend the term of the lease
through December 31, 2024 for the purposes of a temporary morgue location in the
amount of $250 per autopsy
Galloway moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
Nay: 0
Special Presentation
1. AB2024-332 Report from Facilities Division of Administrative Services Department
Rob Ney, Administrative Services Department Facilities, read from a
presentation (on file) about projects that have been completed and how the
facilities plan from 2019 has changed. He stated they would like to do a
long-term capital facilities plan but it evolves and changes every couple
years and redirects the priorities. The jail ballot passed so the jail and
23-hour crisis relief center are on their plate, but he focused on three other
priorities. He stated the County is about to acquire a building downtown on
Unity Street and there are also discussions about purchasing another
building downtown. They also have to figure out how to accommodate the
recently awarded fifth Superior Court judge. He spoke about the Northwest
Annex, the courthouse impacts due to the Superior Court judge, and how
these newly acquired buildings come into play.
For Northwest Annex, they have realized that the storage in the existing
out -buildings is necessary so the plan is to build a shell of office building
two and use it in the short-term for storage. They are working now on
figuring out what the design concept of that would look like and hope to
have that and a financial package for Council by the end of this year.
For finding space to accommodate the 5th Superior Court Judge and
support staff, they are going to convert part of a fifth -floor courthouse
conference room into a temporary water adjudication courtroom for now.
Then, the third floor is probably the best place to build a new courtroom, so
the plan is to use one of the newly -acquired buildings (probably the newest
one) to relocate the I.T. Department. The goal is for the County to be the
designer of the courtroom and to get it accomplished by the end of next
summer, which is an aggressive timeline.
The plan for the Unity Street building is to remodel it and relocate
non -court -essential uses such as the Human Resources and Finance offices.
He answered what he sees going into the current HR space (which adjoins
the Council Office) and stated they do not know yet, but would guess that it
would be some sort of a court function. He stated $900,000 has already
been set aside for the Unity Street project and they will also try to absorb
the work with current staff. These projects are on top of the jail and the
23-hour crisis relief center. They would also like to reassemble the Health
Department back into one building but they have not figured out how to do
that yet.
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
He answered what the options are for how the second Northwest Annex
building would be financed and whether that plays into the bigger picture of
how they finance the jail and other projects going forward. He stated it will
probably be woven into the bonding for other items to get a better rate.
Kayla Schott-Bresler, Executive's Office, stated they have the bond
consultant on board and have been focusing their energy, over the last six
months, on the jail financing packages. Now that the interlocal agreement is
wrapped up with the cities, they will be working with them on optimizing the
bond package for Northwest Annex and the jail.
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, stated their aim is to combine the jail bond
and the Northwest Annex bond to hopefully get a better rate, though the
payment sources will be different. The ferry is another thing on their plate
for financing but that may or may not go with this package. They will soon
know the exact cost of the Northwest Annex once the design is complete,
and the cost of the jail will be known around mid to later 2025.
This agenda item was REPORTED.
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
A132024-303 Ordinance amending the project budget for the Lake Whatcom Park Trail
Development Fund, request no. 3
Christ Thomsen, Parks and Recreation Department, stated this request is to
provide some additional funding for the design and permitting of the Lake
Whatcom trailhead in Lake Whatcom Park. It will specifically provide
additional funding to expand their public engagement.
Galloway moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
2. A i:32024-3,02 Ordinance amending the 2024 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 7, in the amount
of 1,605,662
Galloway moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION.
Scanlon stated there is an item here regarding American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) funding for which they may need to take an additional step. The
code that was recently adopted (WCC 10.34.005 in AB2024-238) states:
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
"Fare Box Considered Revenue" means the revenue from Ferry User
Fees. Revenue from other funding sources will be only be included
as Fare Box Considered Revenue if designated by resolution of the
Whatcom County Council.
He stated that the resolution asking the Executive to make fare changes and
to eventually bring in ARPA (AB2024-209) was not specific enough.
Public Works has suggested language for a potential resolution for this
evening. He stated they may need to go back and change the code.
Elizabeth Kosa, Public Works Department Director, stated the code
language is good and the resolution is an additional step but it is a good
thing for them to be aware of and to have additional discussion on.
Randy Rydel, Public Works Department, stated this can happen in tandem
with the budget amendment as a resolution whereby they state that the
money that is coming through the budget amendment right now (this
$358,000 transferred from the Community Priorities Fund to the Ferry
Fund) will be included in the fare box considered revenue. He stated it
would be good if it could be considered today but it could also happen at the
next meeting.
Galloway asked about the previous resolution regarding appropriating
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and why it would not be sufficient
for the language that is now in code, and Donovan asked if the issue is that it
does not specify that it counts toward the fare box.
George Roche, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, stated the problem is that
the prior resolution may not be specific enough and the new proposed
language, would be a more appropriate resolution.
Schott-Bresler stated the resolution would be a separate action from this
ordinance and Scanlon stated he thinks they should consider the new
resolution this evening.
Dana Brown -Davis, Clerk of the Council, spoke about the option of waiting
for two weeks and stated generally Council has wanted items to be on an
agenda so the public knows they are coming up.
Councilmembers and staff discussed whether they would have to re -do this
supplemental budget request as a different item if they are not doing this
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final May 21, 2024
Services Committee
part now, whether this ordinance and a new resolution need to be in tandem
tonight, the fact that pulling the related item out of this ordinance would
challenge the fare fund, the preference to pass this budget ordinance as it is,
and the plan to share the proposed resolution language with staff and
Councilmembers to determine whether they need to consider it this
evening.
Galloway's motion that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adiournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 11:32 a.m.
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