September 2003
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at the July 14, 2003 Meeting
125. Award the sole bid of $512,00 to Walton Beverage of Bellingham for 6.5 acres at 2140 Division Street?
The bid was for city-owned property in the Irongate industrial area. It was $338,000 under the appraised value of $850,000. The council amended the contract stipulating that Walton Beverage must move the 40 full-time jobs at its Skagit operations to Bellingham in five years and stay at the Division Street facilities for at least 15 years. (AB 15720) Approved 4-3, Barbara Ryan, Bob Ryan and John Watts opposed.
Action Taken at the July 18, 2003 Meeting
This was a special meeting held to reconsider vote 125.
126. Withdraw the bid awarding Walton Beverage the property at 2140 Division Street?
Walton Beverage will not accept the conditions of the amended contract passed at the July 14 meeting. The company said it was unable to move the Skagit operation to Bellingham because of building contracts. (AB 15720) Approved 6-1, Gene Knutson opposed.
Action Taken at the July 28, 2003 Meeting
127. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $45,812 to JCI (Jones Chemical) of Tacoma for 146 tons of liquid chlorine?
By letting the treated water settle in holding tanks before being used as drinking water by the public, Bellingham uses less chlorine than other municipalities. (AB15744) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
128. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $110,064 to Screening Systems International of Slaughter, LA, to rebuild water intake screen No. 1?
The two Lake Whatcom screens were installed in 1940 and No. 2 was rebuilt in 1999. The screens remove large debris from the water such as twigs, leaves and needles. (AB15745) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
129. Authorize the mayor to award the lowest responsible bid of $119,49 to Wilder Construction of Everett for the 13th Street/Harris Avenue improvement project?
This project will improve the streets around the ‘skeleton’ structure at the corner of 13th and Harris. The Wilder bid was $502 higher than the lowest bidder, Henifin Company of Bellingham. Henifin’s recent pattern of irresponsible behavior* on city projects was cited for disqualifying them. (AB15746) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
130. Reconsider a multifamily tax exemption for a 24-unit apartment building at 839 N. State Street, on the north corner of Myrtle/State streets?
This is a reconsideration of the June 9, vote (July 2003, vote 92) against the 10-year property tax exemption. George Vega, planning director, said his department had failed to advise the council that a denial of the exemption would not stop the project or set any restrictions (except the height of the structure). By granting the exemption, the height of the building will not be over four stories and will only minimally impact the Orchard Terrace apartments’ view. Also, fourteen public parking spaces and a public access bridge to the trail system will be gained. AB15678 (Resolution 2003-20) Votes were held to reconsider the original vote and to move the project forward, both approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
131. Start a 2 percent savings plan for the 2003 general fund?
The plan will create $1,111,898 in savings, to ensure there is enough money for 2004 expenditures, and eliminate a projected deficit of $461,956. Budget cuts will be based on recommendations from the various departments. AB15721 (Ordinance 2003-07-47) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
132. Close the Deemer Road fire construction fund and transfer the remaining money to the fire station debt service fund?
Construction of the fire station is completed, leaving $301,178 in unused funds. The money will be used to make 2004 bond payments. AB15722 (Ordinance 2003-07-48) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
133. Relinquish public ownership on the section of Aldrich Road left over from the Northwest/Aldrich intersection realignment?
The approximate 10,728 square feet is no longer used by the city. The city will vacate the right-of-way, returning half of it equally to the property owners on either side of the vacated property, and sell the other half (appraised value $37,500) to Bakerview Village while maintaining utility easements. Instead of payment, Bakerview Village will pay for sidewalk and storm drain improvements (estimated cost $39,700) at the intersection. AB15725 (Ordinance 2003-07-49) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.
*Assistant city attorney Less Reardanz said that Henifin Construction was disqualified because of a pattern of irresponsibility over a multitude of city jobs, highlighted by the punching of an individual. The Bellingham Herald on July 29 reported that the company president punched a former employee at the Sunset Drive widening project. The article also cited stopping work for five days and dumping soil without a permit, both violations of the city contract.
