December 2003
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at September 22, 2003 Meeting
151. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid $198,648 to Callen Construction of Custer for the Flora Street signal removal and improvement project?
Three red-flashing signals between Prospect and Cornwall will be removed and replaced with stop signs. To make the stop signs visible to motorists and increase pedestrian safety, new curbs, gutters, sidewalks and storm drains will be constructed. The low bid was $48,968 above the engineer’s estimate. AB15790 Approved 7-0
152. Authorize the mayor to award the sole bid of $55,858 to Kesselring Gun Shop of Burlington to replace weapons for the Bellingham Police Department?
The Smith & Wesson pistols used by the department are no longer being manufactured so they are being replaced with Glock pistols. Sixty-six pistols and holsters will cost $37,902. The remaining $17, 956 will go for practice, ammunition, etc. The police department sent 17 solicitations and only received one bid. AB15794 Approved 7-0
153. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $92,559 to Motor Trucks of Bellingham for a dump truck cab and chassis?
The 10-yard truck is for hauling materials related to storm drain improvements and repairs. AB 15795 Approved 7-0
154. Amend the Bellingham municipal code to allow the finance director to adjust the sewage portion of water and sewer bills?
When water leaks are involved, current code only allows the finance director to adjust the water portion of the bill. The calculation for sewage is based on the amount of water used. This change will allow the finance director to modify the sewage portion. AB15772 (Ordinance 2003-09-60) Approved 7-0
155. Amend the Bellingham municipal code to change the residency requirement for the Tourism Commission?
The current code requires that all board and commission members resided in the city of Bellingham for at least two years. Because many decisions made by the tourism commission affect not just Bellingham but all of Whatcom County, the two-year residency requirement will be expanded to all of Whatcom County and county membership limited to 50 percent. AB15775 (Ordinance 2003-09-61) Approved 6-1, Barbara Ryan opposed.
Action Taken at October 13, 2003 Meeting
156. Grant a preliminary plat extension and design amendment for Bristol Heights in the Mt. Baker Neighborhood?
The original preliminary plat of Bristol Heights was passed on 4/7/97, an extension was granted on 3/18/02, vote 37. The revision was recently completed; there is now less wetland impact and the creation of open space equal in size to the development. Bristol Heights is located south of McLeod Rd, north of Barkley Blvd, and west of Chandler Pkwy. (AB15804) Approved 7-0
157. Grant final plat approval for 42 lots in phase three of Orchard Estates?
Preliminary plat approval was granted on 6/12/00 for 176 single-family lots on 45 acres. Phase one, 59 lots were granted final plat approval on 1/8/01. Phase two, 40 lots were granted final plat approval on 9/24/01. The development is located between Iron Gate Road, Orchard Drive, James Street, and Division Road. AB15803 (Resolution 2003-21) Approved 7-0
158. Support Whatcom County Proposition 1?
The proposition will provide a six-year tax levy for the consolidation of countywide Medic One emergency services. For additional information, see 5/12/03, vote 74. AB15806 (Resolution 2003-22) Approved 7-0
159. Set October 27, 2003 as the public hearing date for the sale of surplus city property?
The Kulshan Community Land Trust, Harbor Lands Company (Joel Douglas) and Eben General (Dave Ebenal) have all submitted affordable housing proposals for the property located at the corner of Harris Avenue and 15th Street. The 2003 budget assumed a property sale net of $225,690. The stipulation that the land be used for affordable housing has resulted in a property appraisal of $150,000. AB15808 (Resolution 2003-23) Approved 7-0
160. Authorize a $400,000 loan to the Bellingham/Whatcom County Public Facilities District?
The loan will purchase property and pay for architectural costs on the Mount Baker Theater project. Wastewater funds will be loaned and they will be repaid with interest on or before 12/31/04. Revenue bonds will be sold in the spring of 2004 to provide long-term funding for the project. AB15784 (Ordinance 2003-10-60) Approved 7-0
161. Restructure two full-time positions at the Bellingham Public Library?
A retirement and a resignation will allow the library to reduce its full-time employee hours. These changes will result in a 2003 surplus of $16,431, a 2004 budget surplus of $24,205 for a total savings of $40,636. AB15785 (Ordinance 2003-10-61) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at October 20, 2003 Meeting
162. Sign phase two of an interlocal agreement with the Bellingham School District to install the northeast connection of the fiber optic network*?
This agreement connects Sunnyland, Parkview, Roosevelt, Northern Heights, Squalicum and Silver Beach schools, the city’s sewer, water and traffic control systems to the fiber optic network. The Whatcom County Public Utility District #1 is also participating in the project. (AB15819) Approved 7-0
163. Sign phase three of an interlocal agreement with the Bellingham School District to install the southern connection of the fiber optic network?
This agreement connects Carl Cozier, Kulshan, Geneva, Sehome, Happy Valley, Larrabee, Lowell, Fairhaven schools, the city’s sewer, water, traffic and control systems and the PUD to the fiber optic network. (AB15820) Approved 7-0
164. Award the low bid of $139,102 to Soto and Sons Construction of Everson for two city park improvements?
Playground equipment was installed at Forest and Cedar Park and St. Clair Park during the 70s and has reached the end of its serviceable life. The new equipment will meet Americans with Disabilities Act and Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. Playground equipment that was vandalized and removed from St. Clair Park in 2000 will be replaced. The project also includes drainage and pavement improvements. (AB15826) Approved 7-0
165. Cancel uncashed checks more than one year old?
The total of the 39 uncashed checks is $1,912. The money will be deposited in a special fund so it will be available until the state’s abandonment period expires in five years. AB15817 (Resolution 2003-24) Approved 7-0
166. Establish new fees at the Lake Padden Golf Course?
The new fees and charges will take effect January 1, 2004, and the golf advisory committee agrees with them. The average fee increase is 5.8 percent over 2002. This is an increase of $2 for an 18-hole weekend round and $1 on weekdays. It is estimated that approximately $43,000 in additional revenues will be generated for the golf fund. AB15827 (Resolution 2003-25) Approved 7-0
167. Appropriate $5,700 for overtime pay to enforce underage drinking laws at Western Washington University?
The money to pay Bellingham police officers comes from a state grant the university received to reduce underage drinking. AB15807 (Ordinance 2003-10-62) Approved 7-0
* The City Council passed phase one on 6/9/03, vote 94, which installed the northwest connection. Funding was approved on 6/23/03, vote 110.
Action Taken at October 27, 2003 Meeting
168. Accept the proposal from the Kulshan Community Land Trust to purchase city property?
City staff evaluated the three proposals for the property at Harris Avenue and 15th Street, next to Fire Station No. 2 (formerly the Barracks). Staff recommend the Kulshan proposal because it was the only long-term commitment to keep the property within city “affordable housing” guidelines (9/23/02, vote 167). (AB15835) Approved 7-0
169. Authorize a tax-free health savings plan?
This plan will allow city employees to voluntarily set aside some of their wages for health costs in retirement. The city will not withhold federal income taxes on contributions to the plan. Eleven other local governments in Washington state currently use the plan. AB15837 (Resolution 2003-25) Approved 7-0
170. Authorize Parks and Recreation Department to apply for a state grant to help fund the work on Joe Martin Field?
The $75,000 grant would reduce the amount needed in the upcoming revenue bond sale to improve the Civic Field complex, which will be paid using real estate tax funds. AB15839 (Resolution 2003-26) Approved 7-0
171. Approve the second year* of the consolidated plan for low- and moderate-income housing?
This is a five-year plan (2002-2007) to improve local housing conditions in Bellingham using federal money. Funds available in 2004 for social services and affordable housing will be $1,735,000. AB15840 (Resolution 2003-27) Approved 7-0
172. Require a fee for supplemental hearings before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner?
A fee will be required for a hearing to reconsider a decision. The fee will be one-half of the application’s base fee or at least $150 but not to exceed $500. AB15841 (Resolution 2003-28) Approved 7-0
173. Accept a $1,500 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation?
This grant is for the purchase of child car seats to transport at-risk children to state certified locations, such as officers’ homes, and to pay for Child ID kits to help locate children should they turn up missing in the future. AB15818 (Ordinance 2003-10-63) Approved 7-0
174. Appropriate $554,288 for phases two and three of the computer fiber optics network?
The two phases were approved at the 10/20/03 meeting (votes 162 and 163). The estimated cost of phase two is $211,934. The school district will pay $155,930, the PUD will pay $14,195 and the city $41,809. The estimated cost of phase three is $340,354. The school district will pay $301,885, the PUD will pay $632 and the city $37,837. A federal grant will pay for 50 percent of the city’s cost. AB15821 (Ordinance 2003-10-64) Approved 7-0
175. Increase the monthly storm and surface water utility fees?
The current rate of $5 per month will be increased by 50 cents a month each July until the rate is $7 per month. Three dollar per month customers will increase 30 cents per month until the rate is $4.20. All other rates will go up in a similar manner. The rate increase will generate about $293,000 per year over the next four years. AB15822 (Ordinance 2003-10-65) Approved 5-2, opposed Terry Bornemann and Bob Ryan.
176. Increase the fee for new connections to the city water system?
The current rate is 20 years old. The current fee of $540 for a 1,500 square foot single-family home will increase to $2,524. For connections outside the city limits a 50 percent surcharge will be imposed. AB15823 (Ordinance 2003-10-66) Approved 7-0
177. Increase the fee for new connections to the city sewer system?
A full rate review will be made in 2004. The current fee of $300 for a single-family home will increase to $2,000. AB15824 (Ordinance 2003-10-67) Approved 7-0
178. Condemn the property on the SE corner of Cordata Parkway and Kellogg Road?
The city will be constructing a roundabout at that intersection. The owners of the property (David and Kaye Syre) ignored the city’s attempts to negotiate. To keep the project on schedule, the city has elected to condemn the property. AB15825 (Ordinance 2003-10-67) Approved 7-0
179. Increase the city property tax levy by 1 percent?
The increase will add $3 to the property tax on a $150,000 house and $5 to a $200,000 house. The 2004 city property tax and increase will generate about $13,842,600 or 8.4 percent of the total 2004 budget. AB15830 (Ordinance 2003-10-68) Approved 5-2, opposed Gene Knutson and Bob Ryan.
* For the first year vote, see 10/21/02, vote 190.
