HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Sep 24 2024Whatcom 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, September 24, 2024
10:40 AM
Council Chambers - Hybrid Meeting
HYBRID MEETING - MAY BEGIN EARLY - ADJOURNS BY 11:50AM
(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
Cathy Haika, AICP, CMC
Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final September 24, 2024
Services Committee
Call To Order
Roll Call
Committee Chair Todd Donovan called the meeting to order at 10:40 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
Donovan stated that Consent Agenda item numbers 4 and 5 have substitute
memos.
Councilmembers asked questions about the following Consent Agenda
items:
Consent Agenda item #3 (AB2024-607)
The following people answered questions:
• Ann Beck, Health and Community Services
• Shamika Brooks, Health and Community Services
• Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office
• Erika Lautenbach, Health and Community Services Director
Brooks answered whether there are any new programs in the allocations that
they are not already doing, any programs they will be expanding, or previous
programs that are now not included. She stated there are not any new
programs or activities with regards to the COVID-19 funding they are
receiving from the State. It is really to support the work they are already
a_.-- t_-_r_-- rr. �_ i �_ crt_ i i
UUin an labor for stall to continue to UU that work. 3RU Spoke about the
Community Health Worker grant which is the refugee health promotion.
Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office, answered whether all the items on the list
are already factored into the County's previously approved budget numbers
and included in the budget conversations for the next biennial budget, and
stated they are included in the assumptions. She answered how the Council
will know if a request comes before them that is not already included and
whether those can be marked to indicate that.
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Brooks and Lautenbach answered questions about the State funding for
COVID-19 vaccines. They stated the funding is for other types of vaccines
as well and helps to offset the General Fund -supported nurses.
Consent Agenda item #12 (AB2024-622)
Bennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Department Director, answered
questions about how bids are calculated, whether they allow for change
orders which would increase the cost of the contract, and whether Parks was
one of the bidders to do the job themselves. Knox stated they do not
anticipate change orders and he does not believe that Parks was a bidder.
Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance, asked if Parks
did an engineer's estimate and Knox stated they did not.
Consent Agenda item #8 (AB2024-613)
Lautenbach answered what "the purchase of an oversample of a statewide
survey" (as stated in the memo) means, and stated the State will sample
Whatcom County for us and provide data so we will be able to have that
local data on what young families and young children are experiencing.
Chris Laugen, Health and Community Services, answered whether they pay
people to take the survey and stated the State offers an incentive for
respondents who take it.
Galloway moved to recommend approval of Consent Agenda items one
through fifteen.
Consent Agenda item #1 (AB2024-605)
Knox answered whether these funds have already been approved by Council,
and stated that $100,000 has already been approved, but because they
changed the scope, they are requesting additional to cover the expenses of
the City of Bellingham, and that will be reimbursed. Item two (AB2024-606)
is the City reimbursing the additional cost.
Councilmembers voted on the Consent items (see votes on individual items
below).
1. A k 2 60 3, Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and the Northwest Resource Group for development of a forest
management plan in the Lake Whatcom Watershed, in the amount of $133,060
Galloway moved that the Contract be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
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vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
2. A B2024-606 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for a partnership in the
development and implementation of the forest management plan in the Lake Whatcom
Watershed, where the City will reimburse the County for contract costs in the amount
of $41,295
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. A 2024-607 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
amendment between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health
to fund various public health services in the amount of $2,733,126, for a total
amended agreement amount of $18,991,359
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
4. A 2024--609 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Lynden to support Lynden's Wastewater
Treatment Plant construction project in the amount of $2,000,000
Galloway moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
AUTHOD.IZATIr0,N BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
5. A B2024-6 I_0. Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Ferndale for the City's Water Treatment
Plant upgrades in the amount of $3,000,000
Galloway moved that the Interlocal be RECOMMENDED FOR
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AUTHORIZATION BY CONSENT. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
6. A 2O24 Al 1,_ Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract amendment
between Whatcom County and Lifeline Connections to provide substance use
disorder assessments and post -treatment coordination services to eligible people in
the amount of $100,000, for a total amended contract amount of $281,977
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
7. A 13202✓ -6 ! �2 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Whatcom Center for Early Learning to expand mental health
support services to low-income children, in the amount of $398,709
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
8. A i3 2024 6 E Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and Washington State Department of Health to purchase
an oversample of a statewide survey to assess the health and well-being of children
and families, in the amount of $67,796
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
9. A 202/:_6%_.I rI Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an agreement between
Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Ecology for a Washington
Conservation Corps Crew and supervisor to assist with salmon habitat, flood, and
stormwater projects, water quality monitoring, and emergency response, in the
amount of $227,140 (Council acting as the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone
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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
10. Al 2024-615 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) to
secure matching funds for the acquisition of a conservation easement on the Taylor
property through the Conservation Easement Program, in the amount of $50,000
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. AB2024 621 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and the Washington State Department of Commerce to help cover
a portion of the Victim/Witness Coordinator position salary and benefits in an amount
not to exceed $60,461
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
12. A13 324_6 2 Request authorization for the County Executive to award Bid #24-70 and enter into a
contract between Whatcom County and JT Muenscher General Contractor, Inc. for
the demolition of the hostel Building at Bay Horizon Darn, in the amount of $249,1 52
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
13.E a?. , Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the Edward Byrne
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Council Finance and Administrative Committee Minutes - Final September 24, 2024
Services Committee
Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, in the amount of $11,509
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
14. AB202 a -624 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into an Interlocal agreement
between Whatcom County and the US Department of Justice for a Rapid DNA
Testing Machine, in the amount of $440,000
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
15. /\B 024-6 7 Request authorization for the County Executive to enter into a contract between
Whatcom County and Mark Palmer General Contractor LLC for 513 Courtroom
Remodel Tenant Improvements, in the amount of $65,917.75
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
Special Presentation
1. A13202 -629 Report from the Human Resources Division of the Administrative Services
Department
Melissa Keeley, Administrative Services Department Human Resources,
read from a presentation (on file).
Byrd requested data on new hires by department that distinguishes between
new hires generated by turnovers, new hires generated by transfers or
promotions, and new FTE growth.
Keeley answered how having structured new hire dates on the first Monday
of every pay period affects seniority for union staff, and stated they do
special adjustments for that.
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Donnie LaPlante, Administrative Services Department Human Resources,
continued the presentation. He answered questions about staff trainings,
whether they are in -person or online, and getting feedback from staff.
Keeley spoke about increased demands on HR staff since 2020, their use of
technology to help keep it from negatively impacting service levels, and the
ratio of HR staff to County employees.
Donovan stated he appreciates their effort to try to use technology to close
the ratio gap, but he is not sure that can be done; it takes people too.
This agenda item was REPORTED.
Committee Discussion and Recommendation to Council
1. Af' 205 6,5, Ordinance relating to the annual submission of taxing district levy amounts to the
Whatcom County Council
Councilmembers discussed the ordinance, that in the past they have had to
have a special meeting that was not previously scheduled to approve these,
and that they have had to approve them before all of the information has
come in.
The following people answered questions:
• Satpal Sidhu, County Executive
• Brad Bennett, Administrative Services Department Finance
• Aly Pennucci, Executive's Office
They spoke about the process and how standardization of the form will help.
Pennucci stated the goal of standardization is to lessen the chance of errors.
Galloway moved that the Ordinance be RECOMMENDED FOR
ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Z• (�
24 59?1 Ordinance amending the 2024 Whatcom County Budget, request no. 12 in the
______.._
amount of $9,347,192
Galloway moved that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be RECOMMENDED
FOR ADOPTION.
Erika Lautenbach, Health and Community Services Director, answered
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3.
4.
September 24, 2024
questions on request #4767 and whether the County supplies COVID-19
vaccines to kindergarteners. She stated they still provide COVID-19
vaccines to individuals seeking the vaccine but community partners provide
children's COVID-19 vaccines because there is a different formulary for
young children. She spoke about the stated (in the request, item 2)
vaccination rates in school -aged children, and that it is not in reference to
COVID-19 vaccines, but overall vaccination rates. She answered whether
the community partners who give child vaccines use this funding and stated
they get reimbursed by Medicaid and have their own separate programs.
Galloway's motion that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be RECOMMENDED
FOR ADOPTION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
A 12fi24 -a. 6 Ordinance establishing a project -based budget for the Lookout Mountain Road
Repair Project Fund
The following people spoke:
• Bennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Department Director
• Christ Thomsen, Parks and Recreation Department
Thomsen answered what proportion of the funding is FEMA money versus
REET II money and stated the "operating transfer in - General .Fund," listed
on Exhibit A, is actually the FEMA dollars. He answered how the towers,
parks, and road work together and who has responsibility for the road.
Galloway moved that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be RECOMMENDED
FOR ADOPTION. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
F_Q20'14:-59 I Ordinance establishing a project -based budget for the Governor's Point Project Fund
Bennett Knox, Parks and Recreation Department Director, answered what
Parks' ability is to actually get trails built, and stated they have to use the
REET I funding initially for feasibility analysis to establish the location
feasibility of a parking lot to serve the trail system. The first phase is not
for design. He answered whether REET money exists in a long-term plan
that says it is going toward specific trails in the future, and stated the REET
II portion is in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The trail itself will
have been put in when the County compensates Whatcom Land Trust; the
parking lot is what the County has responsibility for. He answered whether
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this is also in the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan and
stated it is referenced there. He answered when the public will have the
opportunity to comment on this project, and whether it will go through
advisory committees for input.
Stremler spoke about whether they should be using REET money for things
like parking lots, trails, and boat launches instead of for roads and
infrastructure, given the budget constraints the County is under.
Donovan moved that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be RECOMMENDED
FOR ADOPTION.
Knox answered where the funds for this are coming from and stated the first
phase is REET I funding, the subsequent phase is REET II, and the mid phase
is Conservation Future's Fund. He answered whether they are looking at a
looming deficit on the REET funds, and stated they have taken care to
prioritize and allocate so that they do not have a deficit.
Donovan stated this is part of a decades -long process of getting public
access to this part of Governors Point.
Donovan's motion that the SUBSTITUTE Ordinance be RECOMMENDED
FOR ADOPTION carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
5, -AB2 124- Q2 Resolution amending the 2024 Flood Control Zone District and Subzones Budget,
request no. 5, in the amount of $257,550 (Council acting as the Whatcom County
Flood Control Zone District Board of Supervisors)
Galloway moved that the Resolution (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL.
Counciimembers voted on the item and then asked questions (see vote
below).
Satpal Sidhu, County Executive, answered what public outreach and
communications have looked like so people know what technical assistance
is available to them, and stated they have worked with the Ag Water Board
and given some money to help people with filing applications for the
adjudication.
Becky Snijder van Wissenkerke, Public Works Department, stated much of
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September 24, 2024
their funding that they have from the Department of Ecology is under
contract with Aspect Consulting who is helping them develop materials and
tools to provide aid to people. A lot of tools recently went live and they will
give an update soon on what all is available.
Galloway's motion that the Resolution (FCZDBS) be RECOMMENDED
FOR APPROVAL carried by the following vote:
Aye: 3 - Byrd, Galloway, and Donovan
Nay: 0
Items Added by Revision
Other Business
Adjournment
There were no agenda items added by revision.
There was no other business.
The meeting adjourned at 11:48 a.m.
ATTEST
Cathy hlalka, Council -Clerk
Gj
Kristi Felbinger, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA
Todd Donovan -via email 9/27/2024
Todd Donovan, Committee Chair
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