July 2002
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Russel T. Weston
Action Taken at May 13, 2002 meeting
79. Transfer the Avista Communications franchise to Whatcom County Public Utility District #1? Ordinance 2000-05-18 (passed 7-0 on May 8, 2000) granted Avista Communications the right to use city right-of-way for fiber optic cable communication for 25 years. (Resolution 2002-14) Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.
80. Set the date for a public hearing on the six-year transportation plan? The public had the opportunity to provide input on projects and priorities for spending transportation fees and setting impact fee rates at the June 3, 2002 City Council meeting. (Resolution 2002-15) Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.
Action Taken at May 20, 2002 meeting
81. Award the low bid of $26,921 to M&D Services of Burlington for asbestos removal in the Municipal Court (former Calvary Temple) basement? There were seven bids with the largest $71,688. Approved 7-0
82. Set a public hearing date before the hearing examiner on the vacation of South Campus Drive? Western Washington University proposes the city vacate the entire street to make room for larger athletic fields. The hearing was held on June 12 in the City Council chambers. (Resolution 2002-16) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at June 3, 2002 meeting
83. Accept the sole bid of $107,846 from Musco Lighting of Oskaloose, Iowa for a sports lighting system to be installed at Civic Stadium? These lights should have less glare outside the stadium and are less than the $150,000 budgeted. Approved 7-0
84. Permit the city to enter into a joint agreement with Water District #10 and Whatcom County to contract with United States Geological Survey and the Washington State Department of Ecology to investigate source(s) of mercury contamination in Lake Whatcom? The city will be responsible for 45 percent of the $100,000 contract. Approved 7-0
85. Allow Georgia Pacific to enter into a $186,000 contract with Anchor Environmental of Seattle for Bellingham Bay cleanup studies? The study is for current contamination (since the last cleanup efforts) to find out what has improved and where future efforts need to be directed. The city’s obligation is limited to 75 percent of the cost in one of the 26 areas identified. Approved 7-0
86. Allow the Port of Bellingham to enter into a $123,860 contract with Landau Associates of Edmonds for the Cornwall Avenue landfill cleanup studies? Sample data will be used to determine the exact site conditions for cleanup purposes and resolve any questions regarding the site and sources of contamination. Additional testing required by the Washington State Department of Ecology will be done for preparation of a remedial investigation/feasibility study. The city will be obligated to pay $36,645. Approved 7-0
87. Approve amendments to the method of building height measurement with respect to the existing grade as opposed to the finished grade? Alteration of grade would no longer allow increased building height. Existing grade will be measured from a fixed landmark and administered by the Building Services Division and the Planning Departments. (Ordinance 2002-06-38) Approved 4-3, Bob Ryan, Terry Bornemann and Grant Deger opposed.
88. Appropriate $13,960 to the Police Department to purchase two laser speed measuring devices, a telephone messaging system, and to provide overtime pay for the seat belt mobilization program? Funding would be from three Washington Traffic Safety Commission grants. The budget was increased by $5,000 for overtime pay and $8,960 for equipment. (Ordinance 2002-04-28) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at June 10, 2002 meeting
89. Accept the low bid of $109,799 from Winterburn Construction of Bellingham for a Greenway trail extension and a waterline addition on Laurelwood between Cottonwood and McLeod? By combining these projects the total cost may be reduced. There were six bids ranging up to $148,574. Approved 7-0
90. Accept the low bid of $502,024 from Ebenal General of Bellingham for the Maritime Heritage Park building project? The two buildings will have the same address as the Shrimp Shack with a setback from the creek of 100 feet (some places more and some less). The classroom building will be 1200 sq. ft. and the restroom building 550 sq. ft., the two connected with a covered walkway. The foundation involves 16 or 17 pilings 50' long and 900 yards of fill. Site work includes sidewalks, drainage, irrigation, topsoil sod and plants. Approved 7-0
91. Purchase (jointly with Whatcom County) 369 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed? The city and the county will pay $408,500 each, plus $20,000 each for easement monitoring and maintenance to be done by Whatcom Land Trust. Both will grant a conservation easement to the Whatcom Land Trust. Approved 7-0
92. Authorize application for a $500,000 grant from Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to assist in the acquisition of the “Pacific Concrete” park site? The grant would be used to reimburse the Beyond Greenways fund. (Resolution 2002–17) Approved 7-0
93. Authorize application for an $800,000 grant from Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program for the Taylor Dock segment of the Millennium Trail (waterfront from Gambier to Adams)? These funds would be combined with $1,500,000 from Greenways.These grant funds are not available until fall 2003. (Resolution 2002–18) Approved 7-0
94. Approve the six-year (2003-2008) transportation improvement plan with associated traffic impact fees? The projects outlined in the plan will be supplemented with a Chestnut Street two-way traffic revision. (Resolution 2002–19) Approved 7-0
95. Support the reduction of residential densities in the Lake Whatcom watershed? The Whatcom County Council requests City Council support for their actions. (Resolution 2002-20 was not on the agenda) Approved 6-0-1, Bob Ryan abstained.
96. Limit legal fireworks in the City of Bellingham to July 4, December 31, January 1; and fireworks will be prohibited on city property with the exception of professional displays? Violators will be subject to citations and fines. (Ordinance 2002-06-40) Approved 5-2, Bob Ryan and Terry Bornemann opposed.
97. Approve a loan of $35,233 to the tourism fund? The loan would allow tourism revenues to catch up with expenses and repay interest for a loan scheduled for repayment by 5/31/02 (see Ordinance 2001-07-47, September 2001, page 4). This loan is to be repaid by 9/30/02 with interest at the current rate of 4.6 percent. (Ordinance 2002-06-41) Approved 7-0
98. Spend $28,170 for computer equipment to expand public access to the Internet at the library? A grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will fund the purchase which includes Spanish keyboards for two computers and the Spanish version of Microsoft Office for all four computers. (Ordinance 2002-06-42) Approved 7-0
99. Remove specific bid limits from Bellingham Municipal Code 4.80.010 and include wording to adopt state bid limits? Bids for work would be required for multi-trade projects of $50,000 or more (up from $35,000) and single trade projects of $30,000 or more (up from $20,000). (Ordinance 2002-06-43) Approved 7-0
