Bellingham City Council

220. Extend an agreement with Kene Bensel to manage the Lake Padden Golf Course for three years? Funding ($154,000) for 1/1/03-12/31/05 will be from golf course fees. Approved 7-0

221. Increase burial rates at Bayview Cemetery an average of 6 percent? The increased revenue is estimated at $15,000. (Resolution 2002-43) Approved 7-0

222. Endorse the Earth Charter? The charter is a declaration of interdependence setting forth an integrated and ethical approach to community development addressing respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, social and economic justice, nonviolence, democracy and peace. The charter is available online at http://www.earthcharter.org. (Resolution 2002-44) Approved 7-0

223. Set the times and dates of the 2003 regular meetings of the Bellingham City Council? Twenty-seven meetings, beginning January 13, 2003 are scheduled for 2003, eight less than were scheduled in 2002. (Resolution 2002-45) Approved 7-0

224. Approve job reclassification and retroactive pay for one park employee and one public works employee? The aquatics program park employee pay increase is retroactive to January 2002 and the environmental resources Public Works employee pay increase is retroactive to July 2002. Funding will be from employee cutbacks and unfilled positions. (Ordinance 2002-12-91) Approved 7-0

225. Increase electrical permit fees by 27 percent based on a study of administrative cost of processing and inspection? Fees for various electrical permit items will be increased, some as much as 100 percent, and reinspection fees will be added. A revenue increase of $50,000 per year is estimated. (Ordinance 2002-12-92) Approved 7-0

226. Increase mechanical permit fees by 32 percent? Mechanical permits are for furnaces, hot water tanks, bathroom vents, gas appliances, wood stoves, chimneys or duct work and gas lines. Some fees will increase 150 percent, wood stove fees will decrease and reinspection fees will be added. A revenue increase of $45,000 per year is estimated. (Ordinance 2002-12-93) Approved 7-0

227. Deny damage claims for false imprisonment (2/6/2001) for taking photos of a clean air quality march on Railroad Avenue? Tip Johnson and Reis Southworth filed claims to recover attorney fees and general damages not to exceed $500,000. Approved 7-0 Claimants may appeal to Whatcom County Superior Court.

228. Enter into an agreement with the Washington state Department of Ecology for the environmental cleanup of the Holly Street landfill site? The cost is estimated at $1,910,000 for design, permits, cleanup, and monitoring of 13 acres (8.3 acres is owned by the city) along Whatcom Creek below Maritime Heritage Park and above the Holly Street bridge. Fifty percent is Department of Ecology funding and the city is applying for federal funding for the remainder. Approved 7-0

229. Award the low bid of $60,811 to Datalink of Bellevue for computer backup hardware and software? The newer backup hardware will be purchased with funds from the 2003 Information System (computer) department budget. Approved 7-0

230. Postpone third and final reading on the 25-year utility franchise for Puget Sound Energy? This will allow time to discuss a 10-year franchise option with Puget Sound Energy. Approved 5-2, Gene Knutson and Grant Deger opposed.

231. Change job classifications/descriptions and increase pay for the transportation manager and the museum assistant education and public programs coordinator? Funding would be from vacancies in other positions. (Ordinance 2002-12-94) Approved 7-0

232. Shift $1,190,400 in various funds to account for converting parking revenue bonds to general obligation bonds and to cover increased bond maintenance fees? The parking system bond debt will be paid with general fund revenues. (Ordinance 2002-12-95) Approved 7-0

233. Appropriate $8,855 in additional funds to pay state audit charges for extra work required for questions involving the Mason Building site in 2001? The mayor estimated the cost of responding to citizen inquiries involving the Mason Building site was about $50,000. (Ordinance 2002-12-96) Approved 7-0

234. Add $176,911 to the computer services budget to move the city’s computer network operations center to the Nelson Harbor Building located at 851 Coho Way? Funding will be from property and natural gas tax revenues. (Ordinance 2002-12-97) Approved 7-0

235. Authorize a $367,800 loan to the Public Facilities District to purchase part of the Mt. Baker Theater building that is privately owned? Theater staff will have space to grow without paying rent. Wastewater funds would be used and repaid with interest on or before 12/31/03. (Ordinance 2002-12-98) Approved 7-0

236. Transfer $25,036 designated to pay off 1992 police and fire bonds to a fund designated to pay bonds issued in 1996 to extend time to pay for the police station? Funds designated to pay 1992 bonds are no longer needed and would be available to pay against the 1996 bonds. (Ordinance 2002-12-99) Approved 7-0

237. Transfer $12,990 in Whatcom Medic One funds to the Bellingham Fire Department? It will pay for unexpected electric bills of $4,990 for the old fire station at 13th and Harris and $8,000 in overtime pay for project management of the fourth Medic One facility on Smith Road. (Ordinance 2002-12-100) Approved 7-0

238. Increase the amount given to the city’s general fund from water, sewer and stormwater utility payments from 9.5 percent to 11.5 percent effective 1/1/03? Additional funding would be available for general operations of the city and less available to pay for maintaining or expanding the utilities. (Ordinance 2002-12-101) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.

239. Adopt the 2003 budget? Income is expected to be $142,650,517 and expenses $161,173,306. To cover the deficit, city reserves will be reduced by $18,522,789 to $41,104,409. (Ordinance 2002-12-102) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.

240. Adjust makeup and reporting requirements of the lodging tax advisory committee, a subcommittee of the Tourism Commission? The mayor will appoint the subcommittee members and quarterly reports will be replaced by an annual report. Budget for 2003 is $612,023. (Ordinance 2002-12-103) Approved 7-0

241. Increase the 2002 budget for the city mechanic shop and parts room supplies by $528,760? Funding would be from Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) for the additional costs of extending the WTA maintenance agreement with the city for services from January through March of 2002. (Ordinance 2002-12-104) Approved 7-0

242. Repeal the city Business and Occupation Tax including administrative provisions and adopt a new ‘model’? The current structure, which is unique to the city of Bellingham, would be replaced with a modified ‘model’ developed by a group of five cities’ representatives. The minimum gross income exemption is raised from $12,000 to $20,000, revenue reduction is estimated to be $24,000-$130,000 annually. (Ordinance 2002-12-105) Approved 7-0

243. Add a section to Bellingham Municipal Code (6.05) to allow administrative authority to override provisions of the ‘model’ Business and Occupation Tax? Billing rates, times, accounting methods and penalties would be independent of the ‘model.’ Approved 7-0 (Ordinance 2002-12-106)