HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2024-044Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360) 778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2024-517
File ID: AB2024-517 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 07/29/2024 Entered by: MMiterko@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Finance Division File Type: Ordinance
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 09/10/2024
Agenda Date: 09/10/2024 Enactment #: ORD
2024-044
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: atan@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance establishing the North Commercial Street Acquisition Project Fund
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Establishing the North Commercial Street Acquisition Project Fund to facilitate the purchase of
the North Commercial Street building to meet the need of additional office space due to the
expansion of the courts to accommodate water rights adjudications and general expansion. The
North Commercial Street Acquisition Project Fund seeks an initial budget of $1,628,000 as
described in Exhibit A. Please see attached.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
08/06/2024 Council
Aye: 7
Nay: 0
09/10/2024 Council Finance and Administrative
Services Committee
Aye: 3
Nay: 0
Action:
Sent To:
INTRODUCED Council Finance and
Administrative Services
Committee
Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION
Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
09/10/2024 Council ADOPTED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 911112024
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2024-517)
Nay: 0
Attachments: Proposed Ordinance
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 911112024
PROPOSED BY: Executive
INTRODUCTION DATE: August 6, 2024
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-044
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PROJECT BASED BUDGET FOR THE
NORTH COMMERCIAL STREET ACQUISITION PROJECT FUND
WHEREAS, Whatcom County needs additional office space due to
expansion of the courts to accommodate water rights adjudications and general
expansion; and,
WHEREAS the County has identified a suitable space in the North
Commercial Street building; and,
WHEREAS, costs would include building acquisition and various tenant
improvements conducted by the Facilities Department; and,
WHEREAS, the Capital Facilities Reserve Fund was established by
Ordinance No. 2022-086 to address ongoing need for improvements to existing
facilities as well as need for new facilities; and,
WHEREAS, the acquisition and improvements will be funded by a
$1,628,000 transfer from the Capital Facilities Reserve Fund; and,
WHEREAS, Section 6.80 of the Whatcom County Home Rule Charter
allows for project -based capital budget appropriation ordinances that lapse when
the project has been completed or abandoned or when no expenditure or
encumbrance has been made for three (3) years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council
that a new fund is hereby established effective immediately, titled North
Commercial Street Acquisition Project Fund. This fund shall be used to account
for the revenues and expenditures of the acquisition and improvements described
above.
BE IT FURTHgR ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that the
North CommetciQ r te-1-Acquisition Project Fund is approved with an initial
project budget,ri{®gV0 as described in Exhibit A.
®.,
O,PTED;ffi — f September2024.
�l is OF WHATCOM COUNTY CO NCIL
ATTEST:". �" ��..>�®® TCOMC ASHINGTON
Cathy Hal , Clerk of the ,Council Bar chanan, Council Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Approved by email/C Quinn/A Tan
Civil Deputy Prosecutor Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
Approved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: 3I Z,02-4
Exhibit A
Supplemental Budget Request
Administrative Services Facilities Management
sup-i fD # 4734 Fund Cost Center Originator: Rob Ney
Year 2 2024 Add'1 FTE LJ Priority 1
Name of Request: 400 North Commercial Purchase
X
Department Head Signature (Required on Hard Copy Submission) Date
Costs:
Object
Object Description
Amount Requested
6190
Direct Billing Rate
$10,000
7350
Buildings & Structures
$1,475,000
7380
Other Improvements
$143,000
8301
Operating Transfer In
($1,628,000)
Request Total
$0
la. Description of request:
The owners of the building at 400 North Commercial contacted Facilities to see if Whatcom County would
be interested in purchasing the property. Facilities, and the Executive have toured the site believe that
given its location, it is a wise investment and serves as a short-term solution for relocating non -court
related activity out of the Courthouse.
Staff presented the potential purchase to the Council in Executive Session and received a favorable
recommendation to move forward. The purpose of this ASR is to fund the acquisition of 400 North
Commercial Street and provide enough tenant improvement money to make the building immediately
functional
The property is described as follows:
Lots 9-11, Block 4, Plat of Central Whatcom (AF#'s 380330204357 & 380330204360)
Building Area:
First Floor Area — 2,578 Square Feet
Second Floor Area- 2,492 Square Feet
Total Square Footage of the Building- 5,070 Square Feet
The Purchase and Sale agreement signed by the Executive, subject to Council final approval of this ASR,
is to purchase the entire property at the Appraised Valuation. Gustafson and Associates appraised the
property and improvements at $1,475,000.
Requested funding:
Purchase Price$1,475,000
Security Improvements$68,000
Con nectivity/Networki ng$50, 000
Water Intrusion Repairs$25,000
Facilities Project Oversight$10,000
Total Funding$1,628,000
Cost/sf$321 /sf
Friday, July 19, 2024 Rpt: Rpt Suppl Regular
Supplemental Budget Request
Administrative Services Facilities Management
--Supp7 /� # 47s4 I Fund Cost Center Originator. Rob Ney
See companion supplemental 4738.
1b. Primary customers:
Any department that will ultimately be housed in this building, or a future building at this location.
2. Problem to be solved:
The County is out of available office space and is in need of additional space to accommodate significant
growth.
3a. Options / Advantages:
The County considers all available land for purchase in close proximity of the Courthouse, but rarely finds
buildings that are structurally sound and meet ADA requirements -
his is a relatively inexpensive property in close proximity to the Courthouse.
3b. Cost savings:
There are no specific cost savings for this purchase.
4a. Outcomes:
If approved, the County would own the property around the first of October 2924.
4b. Measures:
When title has been transferred to the County.
When the project is complete and within the specified budget.
5a. Other Departments/Agencies:
N/A
5b. Name the person in charge of implementation and what they are responsible for:
Rob Ney, Project & Operations Manager
6. Funding Source:
Capital Facilities Reserve Fund 395. See companion supplemental 4738.
Friday, July 19, 2024 Rpt: Rpl Suppl Regular