September 2002
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Russel T. Weston
Action Taken at July 22, 2002 meeting
122. Accept the low bid of $168,356 from Dependable Designs of Bellingham for curb, gutter, sidewalk, lighting, landscaping and drainage along Central Avenue between Prospect Street and Maritime Heritage Park? Engineers estimate was $194,052. For details on the $257,889 approved for parking and pedestrian access to Maritime Heritage Park, see the February issue, Ordinance 2001-12-99, page 14. Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
123. Accept the low bid of $1,318,628 from Mowat Construction Company of Woodinville for the Alabama/Vining pedestrian overpass? Engineers estimate was $1,011,455. Design and construction management costs were an additional $420,000. Approved 4-2, Gene Knutson and Barbara Ryan opposed, Terry Bornemann excused.
124. Approve the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Departments vision of park development with an estimated cost of $225,988,984 over the next 22 years? The Parks and Recreation Department will assume authority to continue development of a plan and apply for grant funds that require an approved plan. (Resolution 2002-27). Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
125. Agree on the goals, objectives and priorities when making budgetary decisions? The goals and objectives established during a retreat and subsequently adjusted by staff include protecting the drinking water, developing a vibrant downtown, enhancing cultural, educational and recreational assets, transportation, capital facilities and waterfront plans (Resolution 2002-28) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
126. Refinance $1,045,000 in general obligation bonds for the parking fund at 3.74 percent (old rate 6.2 percent to 6.8 percent)? Total interest payments would be reduced by an estimated $156,000. (Ordinance 2002-07-52) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
127. Refinance the parking garage revenue bonds with $1,045,000 in general obligation bonds? Parking reserves and income would be available for other projects, and general fund revenues would be used to pay the bonds. Net costs to refinance are approximately $19,000. (Ordinance 2002-07-52) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused
128. Approve the expenditure of $30,725 more than budgeted to purchase computers, supplies, digital cameras and a printer for the police department? Funding is from a $24,115 Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant and $6,610 from reserves. These expenditures are to enhance the Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Plan program (Ordinance 2002-07-53) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
Action Taken at July 29, 2002 meeting
129. Award the low bid of $362,867 to Colacurcio Brothers of Blaine for a stage, brick paving, restrooms, lighting, and landscaping at Village Green (west of Village Books at 10th and Mill)? The project is being financed by $150,000 in private donations and $212,867 from the real estate excise tax. Approved 7-0
130. Purchase 0.4 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed from Gary/Jo Ann Kayton for $68,000? Funding is from the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program. This property located on East Oregon street has an assessed value* of $36,000. Approved 7-0
131. Purchase 4.23 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed from Robert and Sherilyn Wells for $215,000? Funding is from the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program. This property located in central Geneva has an assessed value* of $85,000. Approved 7-0
132. Purchase 4.39 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed from G&M Investment Trust for $300,000? Funding is from the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program and a $100,000 donation from the owner. This property located in southeast Geneva has an assessed value* of $58,000. Approved 7-0
133. Purchase 3.32 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed from William and Ellen Strube Henderson for $49,500? Funding is from the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program. This property located on the Lake Louise Road between Geneva and Sudden Valley has an assessed value* of $26,560. Approved 7-0
134. Allow clearing and grading on the Birch plat** to begin prior to other conditions of the plat being approved? Additional land clearing may occur this year until the October rainy season restriction takes effect. Approved 5-2. John Watts and Barbara Ryan opposed.
135. Deny the rezone of 37 acres in the Cordata area from industrial to residential? The Cordata Business Park east of Cordata Parkway between Stuart and Horton Roads will continue to be developed as industrial property. The Planning Commission was opposed to the rezone. See the August issue (page 1) for article. Approved 6-1, Gene Knutson opposed.
136. Grant final plat approval for the preliminary plat of Stonybrook? This plat is 107 single-family lots, a six-unit multi-family tract, and multiple open space tracts. It is located in the Guide Meridian neighborhood, north of Horton Road and west of Cordata Parkway. (Resolution 2002-29) Approved 7-0
137. Authorize modifications to makeup and duties of the Watershed Advisory Board? The number members will increase from five to seven. They may recommend use, acquisition and disposition of properties in the Lake Whatcom watershed. (Ordinance 2002-07-54) Approved 7-0
138. Create an assistant library director position (not represented by a union) and move six positions from AFSCME 114 union to the Teamsters 231 union? The positions are in fire, building services, planning, police records and medic one. The six moved positions will receive more pay and will no longer be covered by the civil service commission rules. Funding is from vacant positions and budgeted overtime pay. (Ordinance 2002-07-55) Approved 7-0
139. Authorize increase in license and impound fees for pets? License fees would increase from $10 to $11, first time impound fees would increase from $35 to $40. Multiple offense fees would increase by $10 with $150 for four or more impounds in a 12-month period. Fee discounts apply for sterilized pets and senior or disabled citizen owners. Fees now apply to cats, birds, rats, rodents, reptiles, goats, sheep, horses and cattle. (Ordinance 2002-07-56) Approved 7-0
140. Approve an interlocal agreement with InfiNET, a wholesale telecommunications utility controlled and operated by Whatcom County Public Utility District #1? The City and InfiNET would share their telecommunication network facilities and/or those of a third party. The city public works director and the district manager for InfiNET are authorized to lease or sell properties involved in the agreement to the other party. (Ordinance 2002-07-57) Approved 7-0
*RCW 84.40.030 requires assessed value to be true and fair market value. RCW 84.40.033 exempts Designated Forest (DF) properties of 20 acres or more. DF property value is set by State Department of Revenue Forest Tax Division and is generally 10 percent of market value.
**At the June 24 meeting the council unanimously approved a reduction in the number of lots (99 to 36) scheduled for completion by November 2004, reaffirmed the May 31, 2003 deadline for the traffic light installation at Birch and Lakeway and voted not to require secondary emergency access in phase one.
