BOARD OF ISLAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF  MEETING SEPTEMBER 27, 2004

 

The  Board of Island County Commissioners convened in regular session at 11:00 a.m. on  September 27, 2004,  for a  roundtable  discussion with Elected Officials and Appointed Department Heads,  held in the  Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room (Room #102B), Island County Courthouse Annex, 1 NE 6th Street, Coupeville, Wa.  Other  topics for the  regular session followed at 1:30 p.m.  as  outlined on the agenda,  including Diking Improvement District #4. William J. Byrd,  Chairman, Mike Shelton, Member, and Wm. L. McDowell,  Member,  were present.

 

Roundtable Meeting with Island County Elected Officials

AND APPOINTED DEPARTMENT HEADS

 

Elected Officials:           Tom Baenen       Bill Byrd       Sharon Franzen       Mike Hawley        

 Mac McDowell  Linda Riffe    Mike Shelton          Suzanne Sinclair

 

Appointed Department Heads:      Phil Bakke       Elaine Marlow      Bill Oakes

 Cathy Caryl     Tim McDonald      Dan Sherk

 Betty Kemp     Dick Toft              Michael Merringer

 

Several staff members and three members of the public attended.

 

Assessor.  Estimate 95-97% complete inputting  new construction information.  As of this morning the department had reviewed 425 permits for new construction dollars, which thus far amounts to about fifty-five  million more new construction this year than a year ago.  Hope to have valuation notices out by November 15th. 

 

Technology Committee  made a request of the Board at the last meeting, request submitted in writing at this time,  concerning  a critical need for an assessment by an outside party of all aspects of Island County’s technology infrastructure [copy on file] .

 

Auditor.  The election for all the anticipation and anxiety about it actually went pretty smoothly.  Hope the Commissioners will give serious consideration to the Technology Committee request. 

 

Central Services.  Changed the design of the  website; created a template for departments to use when designing websites which will result in uniformity for the County website.  By Spring Central Services hopes to have some parcel data included on the County website.

 

Commissioners.  Chair working on response to the Technology Committee; still need to discuss with other Commissioners; anticipates a few weeks to respond.

 

Commissioner McDowell is interested in providing business to local concerns especially if it makes the bottom line less expensive for the County as well as  providing purchases in the county.  Is reviewing the matter with the Prosecutor’s Office; on first blush it appears to be a possibility if written into contracts that sales tax will be taken into  consideration - on purchases to net the savings in sales tax that would come to the county versus not coming to the county if purchased outside the County. Will follow-up and provide information to departments on this issue when it becomes  available.

 

Facilities/Maintenance.   With regard to Camano Annex remodel, Bank & Office did an initial study; will come back  tomorrow to try and finalize on-site issues.  Looks favorable; believe will be good recommendations for all the departments.

 

Health.  Planning flu shot clinics; will  announce clinics when finalized.  Participate in a ten state low budget vaccine purchase and the  vaccine will be late.  Suggested that  health care providers  may have another vaccine provider and folks should check with those  health care providers.

 

Human Resources.  There will be another benefit fair this year either the end of November or first part of December and need to encourage staff attend and  talk to the different representatives.

 

Public Works.  Diagram of county campus showed  current  parking availability and what will occur as a  result of construction of the juvenile detention center.  Late November or early December will begin the construction and a number of current parking stalls in that area will be taken up for staging construction equipment and supplies. 

 

The Methodist church parking lot provides  15 stalls for County-owned vehicles 24/7; and 13 employee parking stalls Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  During construction 13 additional spaces will be available for employee parking.

 

Catholic Church parking lot has spaces for county-owned vehicles Monday-Friday 24 hours, and for employee parking  Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

Negotiated with the Town to construct 14-15 stalls along Haller street, which have been graded out and will be paved for general employee parking during the day.

 

About 19 county-owned vehicle parking stalls will be lost  in front of the building.  The plan is to have a 40-lot gravel parking area developed at Patmore pit site available, and move some Public Works vehicles, others perhaps relocated as well, out  to that parking area, leave some commuter cars on campus to go back and forth from the lot to the Courthouse. Mr. Oakes will  work with department heads on that matter as it gets closer to construction. 

 

Treasurer.  Will  be changing banks 1 January; October to December  will be transition months. After the first of the year  hope to have on-line credit/debit payment ability on our the Treasurer’s web site – taxpayer can click  on the link to the bank and go directly to the bank; log-in code from the bank will be required.  Going on line to make payments is actually safer than calling and making payments over the phone; it is a safe and secure

process.

 

At  1:30 p.m.  the Chair opened the session with the Pledge of Allegiance.  By unanimous motion, the Board approved the minutes from the September 20, 2004 meeting.

 

 

VOUCHERS AND PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

The following vouchers/warrants were approved for payment by unanimous motion of the Board:    Voucher (War.) #198283  - 198486 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $936,298.67.

 

Hiring Requests & Personnel Actions

 

As presented by Dick Toft, Human Resources Director, the Board by unanimous motion,  approved the following two  personnel action authorizations:   

 

Dept.               PAA #   Description/Position #              Action                 Eff. Date

Public Works   089/04  Solid Waste Tech 4  2263.01      Replacement               9/27/04

Public Works   090.04  Solid Waste Attd, Sub 2249.08   Replacement                   9/27/04

 

Grant contract with DHHS/CDC To implement and execute the Island County Environmental Health Initiative

 

The Grant contract with DHHS/CDC (Grant U50/CCU024319-01) to  implement and execute the Island County Environmental Health Initiative,  Contract #HD-10-04  (RM-HLTH-01-0106)  in the amount of $150,310 was presented to the Board. Tim McDonald, Health Services Director, a number of County Health staff, members of Environmental Health Assessment Team (EHAT), Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB)  and the public were present interested  in this particular item.  Grant proposed to start October 1, 2004. 

 

Commissioner McDowell received a number of e-mails and phone calls on this topic, having spoken out against this at the last Board of Health meeting. At least one e-mail from a member of the Health Department suggested that the Board  should vote positively because of the positive vote from the Board of Health.

 

Tim McDonald explained his understanding  that the role of the Board  of County Commissioners on contracts is fiduciary including risk, legal, accounting.  The  policy direction for the public health contracts is set by the Board of Health. The role here for the Board is as a fiscal agency as opposed to the policy-setting agency. 

 

Commissioner McDowell saw the role of the Board as  whether or not to  spend tax dollars on a particular policy the Board of Health deemed appropriate and a wise use of taxpayer dollars.  He had no  complaints about the four issues and in fact agreed with  the ranking of those four issues.   His problem all related to finances – having spent $530,000  to get the four  priority issues, now being asked to agree to another $450,000 [$150,000 for three years] to develop a plan.  This is a lot of money to be spending on a plan, and he saw nothing in the  paperwork contemplating  any more than just a plan.

 

Mr. McDonald commented   that the $530,000 bought much more than a plan:  built environmental health infrastructure within the  community; provided a lot of training;  increased the capacity of the Health Department substantially by buying hardware, software and professional  services to address a number of issues.  From the summary

 

received September 8 at staff session Mr. McDonald quoted from Table I, objectives [copy placed on file]: 

 

1.       Action plan development

2.       Implement those community-based action plans

3.       Data collection and analysis

4.       Development of a GIS-based system for tracking environmental health issues

5.       Develop health information bulletins

6.       Develop models for implementation of addressing these strategies [models would be applicable in other communities]

7.       Develop a model for CDC to utilize for communities to develop national policy

8.       [CDC] market and disseminate at local, state and national meetings and academia.

 

Of the four priority items,  #2 indicates  “ implementation of an action plan for illegal dumping will reduce dumping and increase awareness of appropriate methods of disposal waste”.  Item #2 of the Summary – Table I  - Expected outcomes   “implementation of action plan for illegal dumping will reduce illegal dumping and increase awareness of appropriate methods of disposing of waste”.  To him that did not say anything will be implemented, rather making a statement if something is implemented it will reduce dumping.   Implementation is carrying out that plan. Having a process guided by a community is a little different than normal.  This is the  style or methodology CDC wanted utilized – that has been done in the text of the summary and the text of the whole grant – and summarized in the matrix. In terms of the  original $150,000 grant and the  two follow-on years he noted that in the  grant business there is never any kind of guarantee – but it is pretty solid money. There will be deliverables along the way.

 

Chairman Byrd expressed three areas of concern:   (1) education and how that impacts the community; (2)  community involvement – how will the community be involved to actually effect a change; and (3) enforcement – like to see a change in the way things are enforced.  He understood the initial portion was the planning phase; second phase the implementation phase.  

 

David A. Macys, Capt. MSC, USN (ret), member CHAB and EHAT, sent an e-mail earlier this morning with an attachment for today’s meeting, and provided copies as a hand-out at this time entitled  “Information Paper for Grant Acceptance” [copy placed on file] discussing the specifics.   In the document from the CDC the Board is being asked to accept the funding.   He referred to an attachment to the Grant  page  16 of 31 labeled “Summary of Strengths” [Pages 15 of 31 through 17 of 31 - copy placed on file]  the third paragraph from the bottom, addresses many of the issues expressed today and at last Monday’s Board of Health meeting:  “Progress and impact  of the project will  be assessed”.  The project will be assessed through both process and outcome evaluation.  Process evaluation will track collaborative activities and make necessary adjustments in

process parameters bi-annually. Process evaluation  will be conducted for eight project

activities” and those are number numbered one to eight.  No. 1 indicates “community based action plan development” and 2 states “action plan implementation”.  The grant the Board is being asked to accept now is intended to finish the process, i.e. take the plan and process developed and move into the community on a large scale and make it happen,

 

which is the intent of every participating EHAT member.  The dumping forum is in fact taking the plan, moving it into the community on a large scale  and making it happen. 

 

Jim Patton, EHAT member,  saw the problem as one of semantics; the  language CDC anticipated in the proposal is sort of stilted language which leaves to imagination what the payload is likely to be.   The  background paper developed by Mr. Macys eloquently expresses  what EHAT members  anticipate will come out of the process. For example, toward the bottom of page 1, enforcement, the last sentence states:  “Specific recommended changes to the County’s processes will then be made to the County government for consideration and implementation, since enforcement is an inherently governmental function.”.    He recommended alternative measures of education and economics as noted in Mr. Macy’s paper – sensible and provide a less litigious solution to the problem than  jumping immediately into  enforcement. By staying consistent with the way the CDC prefers to see proposals come in gained this County  almost “free money  to get at the heart of an issue damaging to the ambiance of Island County. 

 

Cheryl May who holds the community litter clean-up grant that cleans the beaches of Island County strictly with volunteerism, attested to the benefit that educating the community has had in making  the beaches cleaner.  It is the same thing she sees with EHAT  - they will educate and the volunteers will come and the  environment will be so much better for it.

 

Ann Fox, on behalf of Laurie Mosolino, Oak Harbor,  member of EHAT, read a letter supporting the Board’s acceptance of the environmental health grant Island County has been offered, noting that the money is being offered with no matching grant or outlay required on the part of the County.   The  grant will allow EHAT staffing and support in order to continue what was started, and  provides funding  to improve collection, storage  and analysis of   environmental health data and implement  GIS.  Planned health bulletins would streamline Island County Department of Health  public interactions; correct and  consistent information provided to customers on line and in print on topics as diverse as septic approvals to hazardous waste reporting.            [copy of letter placed on file]

 

Marie Piper, Oak  Harbor, EHAT Steering Committee, Chair, thought it important to recognize the efforts put forth by the citizens during the action plan development stage

and accept the federal funds to allow plan implementation.  As the grant application states on page 19 “we will implement locally developed action plans aimed at addressing 

the two priority issues …”.  Step two is the grant to implement the plan, meaning to act and to accomplish.  

 

Rufus Rose, resident of South Whidbey, was of the  opinion that three years and $530,000 to come up with a  priority recommending that dumping  and being overweight are problems seems not very cost effective.  Ultimately elected officials have the duty to represent the general public in the efficient use of the monies; “if we don’t take it someone else will” is a  very hollow argument to him.    Doing something  should probably start with the talent currently on board in the Health Department.  If the grant is

 

 

approved he asked that the Board require  that EHAT and the Health Department   come up with specific identified costs for specific identified tasks,  how long they will take to

accomplish that  and where they expect the money will come from.   The notion that the grant  application should be tied to CDC language and motives  rather than Island County motives seemed strange to him, and whether or not the Board approves the grant, he suggested the Board has a duty to point out in writing to CDC and the Congress of the United States the difficulty the Board is having coming to a decision in this.

 

Lisa Clark, representing the Opportunity Council, an  EHAT member who served on the subcommittee dealing with the dumping issue,  reviewed a number of things she learned through her work on the committee, now able to take that information to the low income  families the Opportunity Council serves.  They have gathered statistics and surveyed information from all over the nation, and as a  practical component of the  grant, have been very active and  diligent and urge  that the Board let them continue the process.

 

Joline DeVos, Oak Harbor, CHAB member and part of the group that initially set up the first grant, and an active member of EHAT since its inception, commented that the work

accomplished may have been done faster by using other methods, but they were testing a model for CDC.   Part of CDC’s goal is that solutions for problems will come from communities rather than driven from the federal government.   A lot of time was spent working the  model and as a result  a very  cohesive group  had been built, and from that were able to look at over 200 different issues, narrowed down to  four priority issues that  have a  significant  impact on the island.

 

Reese Rose, South Whidbey resident, on behalf of  Iris Morrow, a Freeland resident, entered the following  statement for the record:

 

My objection to continuing the grant to EHAT is that it is an added tax to the people under the guise of a grant.  We all know there is no such thing as free or even almost free money.  And it is for people who suffer.  Where is the representation for the taxpayer; where are the positive results from the continuing grants. 

 

Speaking for herself, Mrs. Rose, commented that while  Dave Macys mentioned participating members of EHAT,  the Board should consider those members who are no longer participating and find out why they are no longer participating.      In looking at  minutes of meeting, there is a separation between staff and members, yet members are listed who are Island County Health Department staff.  She has become a little  disenchanted with the whole process, looking at the amount of money and lack of results.  Three months’ ago when they were talking  about applying for continuing grant she asked that a measurable  success be produced before asking for more money.

 

One of the things brought forward by Commissioner McDowell was that under Summary of Strengths [page 16 of 31]  included as No. 2  is “Action Plan Implementation” and he would feel  a lot more comfortable  changing his vote if that were  included under Description of Project.

 

Commissioner Shelton agreed that if the  program is to be used elsewhere somehow the

 

process has to be streamlined.  This County is  getting to the implementation portion of  the process and one of the strengths CDC recognized is “action plan implementation”.  The plan has been developed and now in place,  ready now to put the plan to work in the community and he was  comfortable with that.  This process engages the community to do something government has failed at.  He  agreed with commenting to  CDC that the process has to be streamlined up front in some way.  To not go on to the implementation stage would be a travesty and he was supportive of the grant.

 

Celine Servatius, Island County Health Department, clarified that the  document was not written by the Health Department, rather by CDC and lists the summary of strengths

 

Commissioner McDowell moved approval of the grant with the following additions:  that on the grant page signed by CDC, under the remarks section state the following:  “ In acceptance of this grant, the following is added under project description:  Added to the proposed goals is a fourth item entitled Action Plan Implementation”; and  add as  #4 “Action Plan Implementation” to the language on page 15 of 31 attached to the grant, to then read: 

 

The proposed goals  are to:  1) develop new relationships with community stakeholders;  2) enhance community understanding about the relationship between human health and the state of the environment; 3) redefine leadership roles for public health officials and staff in environmental health; and 4) action plan implementation.

 

Motion, seconded by Commissioner Shelton, carried unanimously.

 

Public Input or Comments

 

Ferry Advisory Committee Report

 

Julia Hodson, Chair, Keystone Ferry Advisory Committee.  Four public meetings  are held quarterly, two in Freeland, one in Coupeville and one in Port Townsend.  The

Ferry system proposed moving the dock, and the Legislature has appointed  a special committee to ascertain what it would  take to stay at Keystone Harbor.  That study is expected sometime in December. Have approval of four Issaquah type boats which

will give far greater capacity to the  Keystone run, particularly for the commercial vehicles.

 

Jack Leengran, Chair, Clinton Ferry Advisory Committee.   Food service expected before too long and for the most part, will be by local contractors.  The local contractors will be dealing on a local basis with their ferry route and as a result the food will be  better and far more closely attended. In Clinton, finally achieved the single lane down hill.  The previous situation where there were  two lanes heading down the hill gave the person in the inner lane a chance of starting and extending that lane further and further up the hill, resulting in a problem for the folks in the right

 

 

hand lane.  The  Mukilteo side is getting closer to a new dock,  and plans for train terminal and  bus service  are  moving forward.

 

Rufus Rose, South Whidbey, as a real estate broker, expressed interest  in keeping abreast of what was happening with respect to Washington State Board of Health proposed changes to the regulations pertaining to the design, installation and maintenance of on-site sewage disposal systems. He encouraged that the Board  generate a press release on a continuing basis as the issue unfolds so that the public and real estate industry can be well informed about what is involved and how that industry and property owners may effect legislation or regulations  that are being contemplated.   Mr. Rose felt  somewhat the same about the arsenic issue, an issue that his industry is very concerned about in terms of providing accurate information so that purchasers and sellers can make  informed judgments.

 

Commissioner McDowell pointed out that the Board issued a press release Friday which should soon appear in the newspapers.  A meeting on this topic will be held during the next State Board of Health meeting at 9:45 a.m. on October 6, 2004 in Wenatchee and the County will be represented.

 

Liquor License Application #091765 – Washington State University Foundation - Greenbank Farm

Rescheduled for October  4 agenda

 

HEALTH CONTRACTS APPROVED

 

As recommended and forwarded by Tim McDonald, Health Services Director, the Board by unanimous motion approved the following Contracts:

 

      Contract #HS-08-04 (RM-HLTH-95-0062) - Compass Health  - for mental health services to Oak Harbor, Coupeville, South Whidbey  and  Stanwood/Camano school districts, in the amount of $72,000

 

      Amendment  1 - Contract with ACS  #HD-06-04 (RM-HLTH-04-0064) - increase the scope of environmental health records to be scanned and digitized the amendment in the amount of $20,000 for total new contract amount of  $33,500.

 

Agreement - University of Washington  -  Island County Beach Watchers volunteer outreach program

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved Agreement #874311 in the amount of $31,700 with the University of Washington to provide funds for Island County Beach Watchers volunteer outreach program (RM-EXT-04-093).

 

STORMWATER MITIGATION AGREEMENTS AND COVENANTS APPROVED – PLAT OF HOLMES HARBOR GOLF & YACHT CLUB

 

 

As presented and recommended for approval by Bill Oakes, Public Works Director, the Board by unanimous motion approved the following Stormwater Mitigation Agreements and Covenants:

 

            PW-0320-42 -  Kathleen O’Guin,  Lot 6, Block 2, Division 9, Plat of Holmes Harbor Golf & Yacht Club

 

PW-0420-147 -  Everett L. & Mary E. Tunget,  Lot 6, Block 1, Division 6, Plat of Holmes Harbor Golf & Yacht Club.

 

PW-0320-97 Michael & Mary Dettrich, Lot 2, Block 2, Division 5,  Plat of 

Holmes  Harbor Golf & Yacht Club.

 

Consultant Agreement – Dethman & Associates -  evaluation Public Involvement/Education Program for Camano Island Watershed Grant

 

Pulled on request of Bill Oakes

 

Resolution #C-81-04   (PLG-016-04) Expanding Service Area for the Carefree Acres Water Association Water system and incorporating into  Is. CO. Coordinated Water System

 

Jeff Tate, Assistant Director, Island County Planning & Community Development Department, presented a proposed resolution to expand  the Service Area for the Carefree Acres Water Association Water system and incorporate it into  the Island County Coordinated Water System for three different parcels identified in Exhibit A of the resolution.  Mr. Tate confirmed consistency with the Island County  Coordinated Water System Plan and the Island County Comprehensive Plan.

 

The Board by unanimous motion approved Resolution #C-81-04   (PLG-016-04) Expanding the Service Area for the Carefree Acres Water Association Water system and incorporating into the Island County Coordinated Water System.

[Resolution #C-81-04 on file with the Clerk of the Board]

 

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS -  REAPPOINTMENTS

 

The Board, on unanimous motion  as recommended by Commissioner Shelton, appointed the following to the Conservation Futures Advisory Board:   

 

Ms. Linda Kast, Langley

Representing School District #206

Term:  September 30, 2005 

 

Mr. Lee McFarland, Oak Harbor

Representing School District #204

Term:  September 30, 2007

 

Staff session Schedule for October, 2004

 

The Board by unanimous motion  approved the Staff Session Schedule for October, 2004.

The regular first Wednesday staff session has been canceled and rescheduled for October 13th, a special session.  The regular third Wednesday staff session will be held as scheduled on October 20.  Both October 13 and October 20 sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. and are held in the Courthouse Annex Hearing room.

 

Island County Low-Income Housing Surcharge Fund Award Recommendation

 

Island County Low-Income Housing Surcharge Fund Award Recommendation from the Island County Affordable Housing  Advisory Board was officially before the Board for action, having been previously discussed with Steve Gulliford, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Island County at the Staff Session held on September 8.  The recommendation was outlined in a letter dated July 29, 2004 signed by Judy Yeakel, Chairperson, Island County Affordable  Housing Advisory Board, recommending approval of grants for all three project applications: 

 

1.      Habitat for Humanity of Island  County  - $30,000 in capital funds toward a

      building lot purchase on South Whidbey to be used upon identification of the

      lot to be purchased if identified within six months of award approval by the

      Board of County Commissioners.

 

2.      Housing Authority of Island County  - $16,000 in operating funds for Islander

Apartments to be paid out upon approval of award by the Board of Island County Commissioners.

 

3.      Housing Authority of Island County - $24,000 in operating funds annually for 

                  three years with the 2004 payments to be made in December 2004 and                               

                  subsequent year payments to be made in December 2005 and December 2006.

 

In response to some questions from the Commissioners raised at the September 8th Staff Session, Mr. Gulliford provided a letter dated September 14, 2004, to satisfy concerns  about whether the County should have some review or approval process over a specific

lot  purchase if a portion of the funds  come from  the  Low Income Housing Surcharge Fund.

 

Ms. Sam Brown, President  of Habitat for Humanity of Island County, attended today’s meeting to discuss and/or clarify the issue further, or respond to any questions from the Board.  Habitat identified two lots; an  owner is willing to sell one lot with an option on a second one.  They have a good track record on the Island  of eight homes in four years.

Sunvista is a well-established residential community and is pretty much built out except for a few lots.  Septic systems get very expensive on the Island and affordability for building is a big issue for Habitat.

 

 

By unanimous motion, the Board approved the concept of the three grants presented to the Board for the Island County Low Income Surcharge Fund award recommendation.

 

Contract approval:  Siemens Building Technologies - Jail Cooling Tower Replacement

 

Per bid award September 20, 2004, the Board by unanimous motion approved the Contract and Contract Bid Bond between Island County and  Siemens Building Technologies (RM-MAINT-04-095) for  Jail Cooling Tower Replacement Project, as provided by Dan Sherk, Facilities Director.

 

AGREEMENT FOR AUCTIONEER SERVICES – 2004 Foreclosure sale

 

As forwarded to the Board with a recommendation of approval from the Island County Treasurer, Linda Riffe, the Board by unanimous  motion approved and signed Agreement for Auctioneer Services for the 2004 Foreclosure Sale between the Island County Treasurer and Western Companies, Inc. dba Western Auction Company.  

 

Budget Workshop

 

The proposed budget and supplemental requests are taken under advisement by the Board; no  final decisions  expected as a result of budget workshops.   Hand-outs  are on file with the Clerk of the Board.

 

GSA/Board of Equalization/Emergency Management

                        Public Defense/Insurance Reserve/Motor Pool

                        Parks/Cornet Bay Dock/Family Resource Centers

                        Veteran's Assistance/Animal Control/Fair

 

Presentation  by:        Betty Kemp

Staff:                           Terri Arnold; Mike Simmons; Don Mason

Hand-outs:                   GSA Budget Proposal Submittal; Budget Narrative dated 7/29/04              

 

FAIR.  Had  increase  from a state grant, and again are  requesting  $15,000 from REET funds. 

 

GSA.  Presented a hold-the-line budget as much as possible; overall increase about  3%.  Grounds Maintenance Equipment  request dated 9/15/04 was presented and reviewed in some detail  by Terri Arnold,  Parks Superintendent.  Hard pressed to take care of the ballfields which are being used more and more.  The  need from a user standpoint  is escalating and Parks ability to respond to that is not keeping pace. User  groups  for baseball, softball and soccer fields is increasing;  growth of organized athletics in the Whidbey  area  and maintenance costs for safety and upkeep of turf and infields is greatly increasing.  In the near future, Ms. Arnold will give the Board  a proposal  outlining some of the services she believe  Island County  could charge for, in line with many other municipalities,  ballfields and picnic shelters are two examples.

 

Request – in order of priority: 

§         trailer w/capacity to haul a tractor on Camano

§         mower  for Four Springs property

§         in-field groomer  for Whidbey  and Camano

            Total:  $22,347.35     

 

Vehicle request  explained in a 9/8/04  memorandum included  with the budget  packet. garbage service runs.

 

Follow/up:  Check with Oak Harbor see how the City  deals with  use of ballfields and/or charging user fees.  Advise what percent organized sports are using  the  ballfields.

 

Dog Control.   Hold the Line budget submitted.  Contractor  submitted a revised contract under cover memorandum dated 8/19/04 which would increase the contract compensation by $11,460.00.    The contract proposes to include responsibilities for:  inherently dangerous mammals;  loose livestock and a $25.00 per hour fee for special emergency call-outs on days off or after 9:00 p.m.  

 

Follow-up:  Clarify  with contractor and ask her to  explain reasonable cost increases expected,  but not extra work.  Further clarify  with regard to $25.00 per hour fee for what she would anticipate  as a budget dollar amount  for the year.

 

Public Defense.  Contractor by letter dated 9/15/04 asks for  a total increase in contract of  $36,000.   Added about $15,000 in budget expenditures for conflict attorney services to bring it more in line with what the County has actually been spending each year and is probably still a little low.  Biggest change in case load volume is in dependency cases.

 

Cornet Bay.  Proposed budget $18,939.   Includes increase for repairs to the  pier; the pier is the primary expenditure and whether wood or aluminum the cost is estimated in the $15,000 range.  Moorage fee increase proposal is forthcoming. 

 

Insurance Reserve.  A 4.1% increase  overall. Budget Director looked at revenues and [refunds] versus what the County paid out; there is a  slight surplus but that surplus is eaten up by the increases.

 

Motor Pool.  Page 40 of the GSA budget proposal shows the list of proposed expenditures. This year the plan is to replace four Planning Department vehicles as part of the regular schedule. 

 

Veterans Assistance.  Budget at $60,000; no assessment needed this year.

 

Family Resource Centers.  Nothing “extra” has been proposed.

 

Fire Permit Program.   Budget increasing by about $5,000 which permit revenue supports.  The increase reflects the estimate of how much additional the County pays for its portion of salary, wages and benefits and fuel cost for vehicle. 

 

Follow-up.   The revenue from permit fees will be reviewed a little further by the Budget Director.

 

Four Springs.  Looking at revenue from REET #1 into the fund.  The proposed  $126,000 in revenue includes $54,000 from rentals short term, the remainder is carry-over.  Professional  Services dollars relates to an events coordinator position, on a commission basis to begin with; recognize follow-up needed with the Budget Director with regard to finances, and review with Dave Jamieson.

 

MAINTENANCE

 

Presentation by:  Dan Sherk

Hand-out:         Budget Proposal Submitted

                        Spread-sheet showing Projected Expenditures year to date 2004

 

Reviewed details of the budget submittal.  Noted  increases in supplies, such as 8% increase in plastics effective October 1 [garbage bags, etc.] and a 14% increase in paper products.  He is not requesting an increase on that line item, however, and will try to hold the line. Based on schedule  24/25 there are increases in non-residential electrical use, and will be an increase in fuel with the  additional filling of fuel with the new JDC.  On the utilities service line item even though an increase was requested, it has not at this point been included.  Once there is more data and it gets closer to finalizing the budget the Budget Director will  revisit that number to make sure utilities are sufficiently funded.   There has been $2300 added to the fuel line to address the higher costs.

 

Flooding problem at District Court caused by a “client” of   District Court  - there is a $5,000  deductible for repairs, etc.  Maintenance is to send  District Court a bill once a final figure is known for repairs and associated costs of the flood, and in turn, District Court bill the City of Oak Harbor per the contract percentage for its share of these costs.

Budget Director will  review   the contract between the County and the City of Oak Harbor to see if the  contract would allow  costs incurred by Maintenance for maintenance, cleaning, landscaping.

 

Supplemental Request, prioritized ($37,000) :

 

            Communications Equipment

            Indoor Air Test equipment

            Man-lift [reach ceilings in the Jail and JDC]

            Jail Equipment

            Custodial Equipment 

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this  time, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.     The next regular meeting of the Board will be on October 4, 2004 at   9:30 a.m.

 

 

           

                                 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                             ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

 

 

 

                                                 ______________________________

                                                 William J. Byrd,     Chairman

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

                                                _____________________________

                                                Mike Shelton,  Member

 

 

 

                                                _____________________________

                                                Wm. L. McDowell,   Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:    ____________­­­­­___________

                    Elaine Marlow,

                    Clerk of the Board