April 2004
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at February 23, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
27. Sign an interlocal agreement with the Lummi Nation Business Council for consultation services? Tim Wahl (Beyond Greenways coordinator) will devote approximately half his work time for six months to consult on the Semiahmoo Memorial and Coast Salish Heritage Park, the Waterfront Futures Initiative and the Coast Millennium Trail route between Bellingham and Semiahmoo. (AB15969) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
28. Sign an interlocal agreement with Whatcom Council of Governments for a legislative specialist? This is the continuance of a long-standing agreement with the council of governments for lobbying services. Tom Parker has been hired to provide state lobbying and monitoring of a funding source for transportation projects in Whatcom County. The $7,301 will come from the street fund. (AB15971) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
29. Award the low bid of $282,082 to Smith Construction of Edmonds for alterations in City Hall? The Building Services Division will enlarge the public service counter and the permit services center. Increased permit revenue in 2003 will cover construction costs. (AB15972) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
30. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $1,150,641 to Imco General Construction of Bellingham for water main replacement? The project will replace approximately 11,400 feet of iron pipe in the Columbia Neighborhood. The pipe will be laid along Walnut Street, between Illinois and Eldridge and along Eldridge between Broadway and Squalicum Way. The bid was $154,000 below engineer’s estimate. (AB15973) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
31. Sell surplus Bellingham Police Department property? The police department is selling ammunition-reloading equipment because they no longer reload their casings. The equipment is to be sold through bidding to a list of companies and individuals who have shown an interest in the equipment. Council approval is requested because the estimated value of $19,343 could bring a bid over the $20,000, requiring council approval. (AB15974) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
32. Approve the sale of surplus property next to Fire Station No. 2 to the Kulshan Community Land Trust for $150,000? The land trust reported they had secured funding and were ready to move forward on development of at least five housing units at the site, once they have secured council and local residents approval. (AB15977) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.1
33. Purchase 9.8 acres of land known as Bug Lake between Interstate 5 and Squalicum Parkway? The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has declared the lake surplus and offered it to the city for $32,000 plus not more than $1,000 in closing costs. The property is needed for storm drain purposes in the area; additionally it will increase stormwater capacity. (AB15978) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
34. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $58,064 to Yeomans Chicago Corp. of Aurora, Illinois, for sewage pumps? The two 30-year old pumps at the Roeder Avenue wastewater station will be replaced with high efficiency motors that are eligible for a Puget Sound Energy grant. Sewage capacity will increase by 20 percent. The bid was $11,000 below engineer’s estimate. (AB15983) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
35. Appropriate $5,456,168 for goods and services checks issued from January 30 through February 6, 2004. (AB 15984) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
36. Appropriate $2,579,091 for city payroll checks issued from January 16 through January 31, 2004. (AB15985) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
37. Authorize the mayor to accept a state grant of $250,000 to improve salmon habitat and the recreational use of three streams in Bellingham? The grant will repair 1.2 miles of riparian buffers along Whatcom, Padden and Squalicum creeks, and work with the state Department of Ecology to educate the public on pollution entering the streams from fund-raising car washes and pet waste. AB15975 (Resolution 2004-06) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
38. Appropriate $2,912 from the library gift fund to cover higher than expected expenses? The library spent more than anticipated for an evaluation to increase space ($2,000) and book purchases ($912). The reserve level in the fund will cover the costs. AB15952 (Ordinance 2004-02-10) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
39. Create a debt service fund for the Sportsplex acquisition and transfer $253,199 to the account to cover 2004 debt payments? This ordinance creates a debt service account for the limited tax general obligation bonds (1/26/04, vote 15) that will be issued to purchase the facility. When the 24 years of debt payments are finished, the fund will be closed. AB15953 (Ordinance 2004-02-11) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
40. Create a capital fund and authorize payment of $4,315,000 to buy the Sportsplex? The capital fund will track the receipt and use of the bond proceeds. Once the purchase is completed the fund will be closed. AB15954 (Ordinance 2004-02-12) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
41. Appropriate $184,653 in drug forfeiture funds to replace outdated drug investigation equipment and a $6,000 state grant for DUI overtime pay? AB15955 (Ordinance 2004-02-13) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
42. Amend the 2003 budget to use $15,043 from the Tourism Fund for grants to promote tourism? The 2003-hotel/motel taxes exceeded the estimates and allowed the advisory committee to fund additional tourism promotion in 2003. The ending balance of the fund will be $212,300. AB15956 (Ordinance 2004-02-14) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger excused.
1 Barbara Ryan offered an amendment to direct the staff to look at increasing the unit density for the property, if it is okay with neighbors. Approved 5-1, Bob Ryan opposed and Grant Deger excused.
Action Taken at March 8, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
43. Reject all bids for landscape maintenance services at various sites? This bid was for mowing, weeding, pruning, site cleanup, irrigation and miscellaneous maintenance of city sites. Of the three bidders, none meet the requirements of the bid. One did not acknowledge receipt of the addenda and two did not submit a bid bond. (AB15987) Approved 7-0
44. Award the low bid of $466,039 to Larry Brown Construction of Bellingham for the Roosevelt Park project? The project will improve the lighting, eliminate hang out areas, improve the Fever Creek corridor, replace the aging playground area equipment, relocate the basketball court to the west side of the park, improve the trails, and convert the south parking area into a picnic area. (AB15988) Approved 7-0
45. Approve four drinking water projects? (1) Kenney Road reservoir; (2) Yew Street Road water line; (3) Meridian water line extension; (4) three water line upgrades: in Silver Beach, June Road and Sunset reservoir. See footnote in the far right column for details on the four projects. (AB15991) Approved 4-3, Bob Ryan, Barbara Ryan and Terry Bornemen opposed.
46. Appropriate $3,452,869 for goods and services checks issued from February 6 through February 27, 2004? (AB15997/AB15998/AB15999) Approved 7-0
47. Appropriate $1,888,151 for city payroll checks issued from February 1 through February 15, 2004? (AB16000) Approved 7-0
48. Hire a temporary employee for Beyond Greenways projects? While the Beyond Greenways coordinator is consulting with the Lummi Nation Business Council (2/23/04, vote 27), the workload will fall behind schedule, thus the need for a temporary employee. The business council is paying the coordinator $20,498 and $17,007 of that will be used to hire the part-time employee. AB15970 (Ordinance 2004-03-15) Approved 7-0
