April 2003
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Russel T. Weston
Action Taken at the February 24, 2003 meeting
29. Approve the police dispatchers’ labor contract? The What-Comm Police Public Safety Dispatch Guild (a newly formed union) two-year contact has a 2 percent wage increase for 2003, and a 2 percent increase for 2004, at the Cost Price Index for wage earners in Seattle or the U.S., whichever is greater. Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.
30. Accept the low bid of $450,096 from Harkness Contracting of Acme to replace 3,400 feet of sewer line in the Sehome and South Hill neighborhoods? There were 10 bids ranging up to $970,644. This sewer replacement was budgeted but not done in 2002. AB 15573 Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.
31. Increase petty cash fund at the Bellingham Public Library from $1,100 to $1,600? Replenishing funds in the new change machine will be needed less frequently as it has a capacity of $1,000 in coins. This is the third increase in the past five months (Vote 169, December 2002, page 10 and vote 2, March 2003, page 13). AB 15574 Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.
32. Expand the finance director’s options when investing city funds? A wider variety of securities and bonds will be available for investment purposes. AB 15571 (Resolution 2003-03) Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.
33. Declare intent to issue bonds to reimburse costs related to the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District? Current and future expenses/loans made will be eligible for payback from council or voter approved bonds. The city may continue to spend money for the Public Facilities District in anticipation of bonds being approved. AB 15572 (Resolution 2003-04) Approved 6-0, Bob Ryan excused.
Action Taken at March 10, 2003 Meeting
34. Shall the council send back to the Committee of the Whole the discussion of utility extensions to areas outside the city limits? The decision on this issue will be delayed until the April 14 afternoon commiteee meeting and then presented at the evening council meeting. AB 15583 Approved 6-0, Barbara Ryan excused.
35. Reduce the petty cash fund for the purchasing division from $1,500 to $1,000? Use of credit/debit cards will reduce the current reliance on cash for small dollar acquisitions. AB 15584 Approved 6-0, Barbara Ryan excused.
36. Purchase a 25' x 120' lot from Clifford Leight for $15,000? This parcel is in the Lake Padden Watershed, northeast of the intersection of 48th and College Streets. The lot (in the county) has an assessed value of $200. Funding will be from the water utility fund. AB 15586 Approved 6-0, Barbara Ryan excused.
37. Accept the low bid of $596,041 from Wilder Construction of Bellingham for water main replacement and a right turn lane from King Street onto Iowa Street? There were 10 bids up to $759,057. The low bid was $11,578 less than the engineer’s estimate. Funding is from this same project in 2002 plus $21,195 from the Washington State Department of Transportation. AB 15588 Approved 6-0, Barbara Ryan excused.
38. Approve a multi-family tax exemption for a 36-unit apartment complex on the northwest corner of State Street and Laurel Avenue? The residential portion of the four-story building will be exempt from property tax for 10 years. AB 15582 (Resolution 2003-05) Approved 6-0, Barbara Ryan excused.
39. Expand the downtown (Morse Hardware) area where 10-year property tax exemption for multi-family residential development may be allowed? The exemption will include an acre bounded by Maple Street, Railroad Avenue, Laurel Street and the alley between Railroad and Cornwall Avenues. AB 15569 (Ordinance 2003-03-11) Approved 6-0, Barbara Ryan excused.
40. Change the appeals process for multi-family residential tax exemptions in downtown Bellingham? Move the process from the planning department to the hearing examiner. Appeals will now be considered on legal basis rather than at the discretion of the planning director. AB 15570 (Ordinance 2003-03-12) Approved 6-0, Barbara Ryan excused.
