Bellingham City Council

199. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $570,411 to Dependable Designs of Bellingham to replace water pipe on N. Garden, E. Laurel and Jersey Streets? Engineers estimate for the replacement of 7,200 feet of 8 and 12-inch pipe was $756,071. Approved 6-1, Gene Knutson opposed.

200. Amend the ‘living wage’ ordinance proposal to add a progress and performance clause? Annual evaluation and review of effects and results of the ‘living wage’ ordinance would be required. Failed 4-3. Louise Bjornson, Terry Bornemann, Gene Knutson and Barbara Ryan opposed.

201. Declare the Bellingham Inn at 202 East Holly Street a neighborhood blight requiring acquisition by the city of Bellingham? The city will begin the legal process to condemn the building and establish the amount to be paid to the owner. This action will exempt the owner from federal capitol gains tax. (Resolution 2002-39) Approved 7-0

202. Declare the water main repair at Northwest and Interstate 5 an emergency? The emergency declaration would exempt the city from the bid process and allow the payment of $75,000 to Tiger Construction of Everson to repair the two-year-old leak. (Resolution 2002-40) Approved 7-0

203. Approve an additional $5,585 in the 2002 police department budget for the purchase of computers? Funding would be from a grant, technical services reimbursement, and sale of surplus computers. (Ordinance 2002-11-78) Approved 7-0

204. Authorize an increase in the city’s 2002 unemployment insurance fund by $15,000? Funding would be from general fund reserves and used to pay higher than expected unemployment claims. (Ordinance 2002-11-79) Approved 7-0

205. Require contractors to pay a ‘living wage’ to their employees for certain services provided to the city? Estimated cost to the city for contracted services and auditing contractor compliance would be $55,000 per year. Contract employees for certain work will be paid at least $10 per hour plus benefits or $11.50 per hour without benefits. (Ordinance 2002-11-80) Approved 4-3, Grant Deger, Bob Ryan and John Watts opposed.

206. Approve the legislative agenda proposed by legislation liaison Dick Little? The agenda would be 2003 goals for the city’s government relation’s employee. Mr. Little will lobby state and federal lawmakers on 26 issues including additional local taxation authority and flexibility in use of revenues. Approved 7-0

207. Authorize the mayor to accept the low bid of $37,312 from Ebenal General of Bellingham to construction a traffic and communications shop? Money to finance the 850 square foot shop at 2221 Pacific Street is from the street construction and maintenance budget. Approved 7-0

208. Grant final plat approval for 44 lots in phase two of Brentwood division 4? Nineteen lots were approved in phase one on 4/1/02 (May 2002, page 15, vote 50). This completes the 63-lot Brentwood division 4 plat. It is located south of Barkley Boulevard between Northridge and Carrington Ways. (Resolution 2002-41) Approved 7-0

209. Segregate a local improvement district (LID) assessment in the Barkley Boulevard plat of Brentwood Division 4, phase two? The owners of the 44 lots will pay the $159,999 LID (based on lot size) to the city. (Resolution 2002-42) Approved 7-0

210. Expand area where billboards are allowed to property (annexed last February) east of Meridian and north of the Horton Road? Two billboards along Meridian between Horton and Thomas will be allowed to remain. The ordinance that prohibits billboards was passed in 1995. (Ordinance 2002-11-81) Approved 7-0

211. Reduce revenue and expenditures in the 2002 budget by $1,018,161? Budget reduction is due to lower than expected revenue from electricity and business and occupation taxes. Spending in 15 departmental areas would be reduced and unspent revenues in other areas would be used to adjust 19 sections of the budget. (Ordinance 2002-11-82) Approved 7-0

212. Authorize the police department to spend $31,177 more than budgeted in 2002? The money will purchase radar equipment, body armor and bike helmets for children from low-income families. (Ordinance 2002-11-83) Approved 7-0

213. Increase the 2002 police traffic control budget by $17,999? The money will fund a pedestrian enforcement study (cars yielding to pedestrians at crossings/intersections) and a safety belt emphasis patrol. (Ordinance 2002-11-84) Approved 7-0

214. Allocate an additional $70,000 in 2002 to create a new parking rate and fine structure, evaluate property acquisition for a parking garage, and prepare a marketing plan? The proposed acquisition is The Bellingham Inn (see vote 201), the Royal Café and bank on the southwest corner of State and Holly. Thirty thousand is for technical assistance, $35,000 for parking rate changes and $5,000 for marketing/promotion. (Ordinance 2002-11-85) Approved 7-0

215. Appropriate an additional $9,832 for the 2002 public safety dispatch budget? $3,691 is for office rent, $3,367 for training tuition, registration and books, $1,520 for telecommunications equipment and $1,254 pager rent. (Ordinance 2002-11-86) Approved 7-0

216. Increase the 2002 Hoag’s Pond budget by $44,639? Old oil tanks and contaminated soil were removed and a pond overflow control system is being engineered to prevent flooding of adjacent private property. Funds will be from interest on the Beyond Greenway endowment. (Ordinance 2002-11-87) Approved 7-0

217. Repeal Bellingham Municipal Code 3.04.04 and .05 (passed in 1945) to govern military leave for city employees? Military leave for city employees will be controlled by federal and state laws and administered by city policy guidelines. (Ordinance 2002-11-88) Approved 7-0

218. Approve the vacation of South College Drive? Public ownership of the street right-of-way will be relinquished. The property will be used by Western Washington University for athletic fields. Vehicle traffic will be rerouted along Bill McDonald Pkwy and 21st Street. Emergency access routes are still to be determined. (Ordinance 2002-11-89) Approved 7-0

219. Amend Bellingham Municipal Code 10.30.005 and create 2.16.080 to adopt and implement state laws regulating the carrying of weapons in restricted areas? Firearm and other weapon restrictions in court buildings, jails, mental health facilities, and taverns is regulated by state law rather than city codes. Secure weapon lockers will be purchased and installed in the Bellingham Municipal Court building. (Ordinance 2002-11-90) Approved 7-0