Bellingham City Council

167. Adopt a definition of “affordable housing” for the purpose of applying an affordable housing density bonus to subdivisions? Rent or mortgage payments at 30 percent or less of gross household income (provided it does not exceed 80 percent of the median income in our area) are “affordable.” An affordable home for a family of four earning $38,000 a year (80 percent of the median income) is $129,000. (Resolution 2002-36) Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.

168. Transfer the telecommunications franchise from Advanced Telcom Group to General Electric Business Productivity Solutions? General Electric purchased Advanced Telcom’s assets as a result of bankrupcy proceedings and will continue to provide telecommunication service at the same rates as Advanced Telcom. (Ordinance 2002-09-66) Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.

169. Increase the petty cash fund at the Bellingham Public Library from $500 to $600? Additional funds would be available without the need to prepare accounts payable entries. Approved 7-0

170. Reject all bids for portable generators and their installation at Bellingham City Hall? The bids were rejected because City Hall may experience significant damage if there is a severe earthquake, much larger than any over the past 60 years. The building will not have emergency backup power regardless of the nature of an emergency. Approved 7-0

171. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $10,767 to Ciba Specialty Chemicals of Suffolk, VA for sewage treatment chemicals? The only other bid was $27,619 more than the low bid. Approved 7-0

172. Purchase .28 acres from Bruce and Carolyn Schieck for $20,000? The property is on Alice Street adjacent to Silver Beach Elementary School and Big Rock Garden Park with an assessed value* of $30,000. Funding is from Lake Whatcom Watershed Acquisition fund. Approved 7-0

173. Purchase .24 acres from John R. Owens, Michael Owens and Nicole Tally for $27,000? The property is on East Oregon Street near Big Rock Garden Park and has an assessed value* of $9,600. Funding is from Lake Whatcom Watershed Acquisition fund. Approved 7-0

174. Purchase .20 acres from John R. Owens and Ryan Ray Moore for $33,000? The property is on East Oregon Street near Big Rock Garden Park and has an assessed value* of $25,500. Funding is from Lake Whatcom Watershed Acquisition fund. Approved 7-0

175. Enter into an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County Council of Governments to complete a transportation and commuter study? The city will contribute $10,000 to the study. A $400,000 federal matching grant will be used to fund a four-county transportation/commuter (rail, bus, ferry, etc.) study. Approved 7-0

176. Adopt amendments to the 2000 Uniform Plumbing Code and a new permit fee schedule to include stormwater inspection and plan review fees? Plumbing permit revenues will increase by approximately 12 percent (est. $9,000) in 2003. (Ordinance 2002-10-67) Approved 7-0

177. Include the 300 block of North Garden Street as a residential parking zone? Residents within two blocks of the 300 block of North Garden may apply for residential parking permits. Vehicles without permits will be subject to ticketing and towing. (Ordinance 2002-10-68) Approved 7-0

178. Change the authority and responsibilities of the Bellingham Hearing Examiner and the Bellingham City Council? Make some hearing examiner decisions that can currently be appealed to the City Council only appealable to Whatcom County Superior Court. Changes will be made to Title 2 chapter 56 of the Bellingham Municipal Code. (Ordinance 2002-10-69) Approved 7-0

179. Authorize the mayor to employ the consulting services of Hugh Spitzer at $300 per hour? Spitzer (with the law firm of Foster Pepper in Seattle) is being employed to prevent lawsuits or defend the city in lawsuits involving parking and development issues. Contracts for services are not subject to council approval, however a budget adjustment in the parking fund is expected to require council approval. Approved 7-0

180. Agree to amendment four of the potentially liable parties agreement (PLP Group) for the cleanup of Bell-ingham Bay? The Port of Bellingham will sign a $160,000 contract (at no cost to the city) with RETEC Group of Seattle to collect data and develop a cleanup plan for the Harris Avenue Shipyard site. The state Department of Ecology will contribute $80,000, state Department of Natural Resources $40,000, and Port of Bellingham $40,000. Approved 7-0

181. Approve an interlocal agreement with the Port of Bellingham to establish a task force to engage in waterfront visioning? The task force (nine to 11 members) will review plans and programs and identify opportunities for redevelopment and reuse of lands adjacent to Bellingham Bay. The city and the port will each provide up to $250,000. Approved 7-0

182. Create a Bellingham Municipal Code authorizing the Bellingham Municipal Court judge to appoint court commissioners? By writing new rules (code) the appointment of Dawn Sturwold (Bellingham Hearing Examiner) as commissioner, without considering other possible applicants, would be in keeping with city code. Approved 7-0

183. Order the cancellation of uncashed checks more than a year old? The total amount of the 45 uncashed checks is $3,121. The money will be deposited in a special fund so it will be available for payment to the specified recipient or legal claimant indefinitely. (Resolution 2002-37) Approved 7-0

184. Allow residential units in light industrial zones a 10-year property tax exemption? Some industrial zoned properties in the Central Business District would be granted tax emption for residential development. More residential tax-exempt units may be developed in downtown Bellingham where sewer and water service already exists. (Ordinance 2002-10-70) Approved 5-2, Bob Ryan and Louise Bjornson opposed.

185. Change employee job titles and pay grades in the parks and public works departments? Additional funds this year to pay for changes in job titles and pay grades will be from unfilled positions. Some employees will be paid more and some will have a pay reduction. (Ordinance 2002-10-71) Approved 7-0

186. Change employee position titles and hours per week and eliminate the head of technical services position at the Bellingham Public Library? Annual savings of $11,571 are based on current pay scales. Total employee hours are reduced and pay increased for remaining positions (Ordinance 2002-10-72) Approved 7-0

187. Approved the payment of at least $15,000 for a sewer backup at three residences in the 2200 block of Iron Street? Damage has exceeded the estimated $15,000. As of 11/20/02, $22,456 has been paid. Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.

188. Contribute up to $15,000 to the Sudden Valley Community Association to purchase lots in the Lake Whatcom watershed? It will prevent development on lots currently serviced with sewer, water and roads. Funding would be from the Lake Whatcom Watershed Acquisition Fund. Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.

189. Purchase 39.74 acres from Chi Ming Chen for $1,500,000? The northeast corner of this property (platted for development) is located at the south end of Oriental (1300 block) off Lakeway, where Oriental becomes Ridgewood. Funding is from Lake Whatcom Watershed Acquisition fund. This property had an assessed value* in 2000 of $491,785. Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.

190. Adopt the 2003-2007 (five-year) consolidated plan for use of Community Development Block Grant funds and Home Investment Partnership Program funds? Funds available in 2003 for social services and affordable housing will be $7,467,035. (Resolution 2002-38) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.

191. Allow expenditure of $20,705 for various police department needs including overtime, training and vehicle damage repairs? Funding is: Wal-Mart Foundation grant-$1,200, WWU grant-$6,080, insurance payment-$1,675, and Federal Sharing/Asset Forfeiture (FSAF) payment-$11,750. The $11,750 is from $169,205 in FSAF revenue and will be used for police training. (Ordinance 2002-10-73) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.

192. Create a Bellingham Municipal Code to authorize the Bellingham Municipal Court judge to appoint court commissioners? Appointment of commissioner(s) would be compliant with city code. Dawn Sturwold was appointed as commissioner by the Municipal Court Judge who did not have previous authority to do so, however the appointment will stand. (Ordinance 2002-10-74) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.

193. Approve Big Rock Garden Park master plan? Project cost of $1,000,000 is included in the 2004-2005 capital facilities plan (2003 preliminary budget, p.127); grant funding will be sought. Approved 7-0

194. Allow the city’s public works director to act as interim manager for Whatcom County Water District #10? The estimated time is 120 days at 10 hours per week. He will be paid $50 per hour. Dick McKinley, the public works director (he is the city representative on Water Resource Inventory Area 1 task force), will not participate in WRIA1 meetings while acting as water district manager. Approved 7-0

195. Raise the 2003 property tax revenue by 1 percent above the 2002 amount in addition to the property tax generated by annexations and new construction in 2002? Property owners would pay $103,225 more general fund property tax with the 1 percent increase. City general and fire pension fund property tax revenue will increase an estimated $479,000 in 2003. Failed 3-4; Bob Ryan, Gene Knutson, Grant Deger and John Watts opposed.

196. Budget $147,000 for the public facilities district office at the city and create a half-time administrative assistant position? $30,000 is a loan to be paid with interest by 12/31/02, $117,000 will be from retail sales and use tax from the state. (Ordinance 2002-11-75) Approved 7-0

197. Adopt state laws regarding criminal mistreatment in the third and fourth degrees (neglect) and post-conviction no contact orders? These offenses could be prosecuted in the Bellingham Municipal Court rather than Whatcom County District Court. Payments to Whatcom County will be avoided but additional Municipal Court time/staff may be required. (Ordinance 2002-11-76) Approved 7-0

198. Approve the 2003 property tax revenue at the same level as 2002? The property tax rate would be set to generate the same amount of revenue as collected in 2002 except for the 2001 fire bond amount collected in 2002. Budgeted spending of 2003 property tax is based on a $375,775 revenue increase due to new construction, annexation and revaluations. (Ordinance 2002-11-77) Approved 7-0