September 2004
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at July 12, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
134. Purchase property on the northeast corner of Grand and Flora for $1,845,000? The building at 216 Grand Avenue is the former location of the Employment Security Department. This property will be the future home of the children’s museum and teaching art gallery. The money for this purchase comes from the $2 million the council loaned the Bellingham-Whatcom County Public Facilities District at the 6/21/04 meeting, vote 130. Approved 5-1, Bob Ryan opposed.
135. Approve the high and medium priority items in the Civic Field improvement project? The total cost is estimated at $9,903,519. The improvements cover the parking area, turf, restrooms, concession stand and roof. The high priority elements will cost $8,916,871 and medium priority items $986,648. The 2003 and 2004 budgets approved $1,130,000 and an other $2,633,899 is proposed for the 2005 budget for a total of $3,763,899. The shortfall of $6,119,620 will be financed by bond sales, which will not require a public vote because they will be repaid by revenue from the real estate excise tax. (AB 16129) Approved 7-0.
136. Extend the deadline for the installation of a traffic signal at Lakeway Drive and Birch Street? This is part of the Birch Street development and extends the deadline to February 1, 2005. On 7/12/02, (vote 134) the council set the deadline at 5/31/03; on 4/14/03, (vote 51) the council extended the deadline to 11/30/03; on 11/3/03 (vote 183) the council extended the deadline to 8/30/04. For votes on acquiring property for the signal, see 11/24/03 (vote 200) and 6/7/04 (vote 106). An agreement has been signed with the owner and the project can now move forward. (AB 16135) Approved 7-0
137. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $701,796 to Ram Construction of Bellingham for the Kearney Road Reservoir water and sewer extension? This project will construct 5,320 feet of water and sewer pipe along James Street from the existing James Street reservoir to the future Kearney Road reservoir. Fifty-seven bids were solicited and eight were received. (AB 16136) Approved 7-0
138. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $479,119 to Larry Brown Construction of Bellingham for two projects associated with the Birch Street development? The first will rebuild Birch Street between Electric Avenue and Lakeway Drive with curbs, gutters and sidewalk on both sides of the street, make traffic flow improvements at the Lakeway/Birch and Portal/Lakeway intersections. The second will replace failed curbs, gutter, and sidewalk on Alvarado Drive and resurface the street. Forty-two bids were solicited and four were received. (AB 16137) Approved 7-0
139. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $715,621 to Wilder Construction of Bellingham for the Lakeway Drive construction project? This project will install new traffic signals at the Lakeway intersections with King and Lincoln, new corners at Lincoln and new left-turn lane on Nevada Street. Thirty-six bids were solicited and four were received. (AB 16140) Approved 7-0
140. Authorize the mayor to award the second low bid of $70,390 to Wilder Construction of Bellingham for aggregate gravel and sand? These materials are used for trench backfill, pipe bedding, grading alleys, road shoulders and in mortar. Twenty-four bids were solicited and four were received. (AB 16141) Approved 7-0
141. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $83,476 to Orca Pacific of SeaTac to replaster Hanna Aquatic Center? This project will replaster the lap/instructional pools and the dive tank during the annual closure (August 14-29). Fifteen bids were solicited and four were received. (AB 16142) Approved 7-0
142. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $58,597 to Sturdeweld Construction of Anacortes to replace a boiler in the municipal court building? Thirty-four bids were solicited and two were received to replace the 75-year-old boiler. (AB16143) Approved 7-0
143. Appropriate $4,751,511 for goods and services checks issued from June 11 through July 2, 2004? (AB16144/16145/16146/16147) Approved 7-0
144. Appropriate $1,997,286 for city payroll checks issued from June 1 through June 15, 2004? (AB16148) Approved 7-0
145. Grant final plat approval for 32 lots in phase four of Orchard Estates? This is the final phase of the development off Orchard Street, east of James Street. Preliminary plat approval was granted on 6/12/00 for 176 single-family lots on 45 acres. Phase one, 59 lots was granted final plat approval on 1/8/01. Phase two, 40 lots was granted final plat approval on 9/24/01. Phase three, 42 lots was granted final plat approval on 10/13/03, vote 157. AB16130 (Resolution 2004-22) Approved 7-0
146. Re-classify and increase the pay of the housing rehabilitation finance specialist? An audit determined that work changes and responsibilities warrant a wage increase for a position that oversees $4.3 million in federal funds. The position is now called the housing program specialist with a pay increase of $3,504 annually, retroactive to May 19, 2003. AB16120 (Ordinance 2004-07-42) Approved 7-0
147. Accept a $2.6 million federal grant and purchase the Federal Building? At the 3/15/04 meeting, vote 51, the council authorized the purchase of the Federal Building at the corner of Cornwall and Magnolia for $1. The federal grant is for building renovations and improvements. AB16121 (Ordinance 2004-07-43) Approved 7-0
148. Appropriate $31,000 for the Mt. Baker Theatre and $6,095 for the Tourism Commission? The theatre requested an increase in its budget, which has not changed in the past five years and the request only covers this year. The other $6,095 will cover unexpected administration costs for the Tourism Commission. AB16122 (Ordinance 2004-07-44) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.
Action Taken at July 19, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
149. Amend the Samish neighborhood plan? Change the zoning to allow for a 69-unit apartment geared toward university students on a portion of the former Samish Drive-in theatre. Eighteen spoke in opposition of the rezone and three speakers supported it. The council majority agreed that now is not right time for such a change; not until the city shows it can deal with current parking and noise problems. (AB 16152) Failed: 2-5, Louise Bjornson, Bob Ryan, Gene Knutson, John Watts and Terry Bornemann opposed.
150. Award the low bid of $623,548 to Soto and Sons Construction of Everson for street improvements on Broadway? The improvements to Broadway between Meridian and Cornwall Avenue include repaving, new curbs/gutters, bike lanes and restoring the historic median from Peabody Street to North Park Drive. The median will include an underground stormwater treatment system, trees and landscaping. Parking will no longer be permitted in the stretch of Broadway with the median. (AB16155) Approved 7-0
151. Approve a noise variance for the Holly Street remediation and boardwalk construction project? Though this project (7/6/04, vote 107) is in a commercial zone, it is close to a residential area and needs a variance. The variance will allow the contractor to work on the site between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. to take advantage of historic low tides. The project engineer will determine when and if there is any night work to be done. The city can cancel any given night’s work. (AB16157) Approved 7-0
152. Approve a noise variance for the Lakeway Drive project? Due to the heavy volume of traffic during the day, the contractor has requested permission to do some of the work at night to ensure the workers’ safety and reduce impacts on traffic. The contractor estimates the need for 15 nights of work during the course of the project. (AB16158) Approved 7-0
153. Award the sole bid of $45,226 to Northend Truck Equipment of Marysville for two 2-yard dump bodies? Dump bodies are ordered separately from the chassis so the bodies can meet a specific need. Sixteen bids were solicited and one received. (AB16163) Approved 7-0
154. Appropriate $2,785,317 for goods and services checks issued from July 3 through July 9, 2004? (AB16164) Approved 7-0
155. Appropriate $2,622,500 for city payroll checks issued from June 16 through June 30, 2004? (AB16165) Approved 7-0
156. Set August 25 as the public hearing date to consider the vacation in the Roosevelt neighborhood? The Bellingham Hearing Examiner will consider a petition from Garrett O’Brien and Debra Olberg (abutting property owners) that public ownership of East North Street between Xenia and Yew Streets be relinquished. AB16156 (Resolution 2004-23) Approved 7-0
157. Grant final plat approval for West Baker Place? The Bellingham Hearing Examiner granted preliminary approval on June 16, 2003. Seventy-one single-family lots and four apartments will be located on 16.4 acres at the corner of West Bakerview and Eliza Avenue. AB16159 (Resolution 2004-24) Approved 7-0
158. Request the state consult with the City Council on the Commerce Corridor Feasibility study and hold at least one public meeting in Bellingham? The proposed transportation corridor (see front page of August issue) will have multiple impacts on watersheds, agricultural lands, open space, wildlife, air/water quality and quality of life throughout Whatcom County. The council also requested that public comments be part of the study’s findings. AB16161 (Resolution 2004-25) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.
159. Accept a federal grant of $9,239 for bulletproof vests? The city of Bellingham will match the grant for a total of $18,478 and purchase 25 bulletproof vests for the police department. AB16126 (Ordinance 2004-07-45) Approved 7-0
160. Transfer $15,932 into the fire dispatch budget for a computer hardware upgrade? The new CAD software, computers and monitors will improve the speed of the computer system. AB16127 (Ordinance 2004-07-46) Approved 7-0
161. Appropriate $100,000 for improvements to the municipal court building? Improvements include additional security cameras and lighting, new carpet and boiler, ventilation and electrical circuit upgrades. Of the above amount, $58,597 will be spent for a new boiler (7/13/04, vote 142). AB16128 (Ordinance 2004-07-47) Approved 7-0
162. Amend the Bellingham Municipal Code on contracting procedures for supplies, material and equipment? This is a housekeeping measure. The current code requires a contract for purchases over $20,000. This amendment will allow purchase orders to replace contracts for supplies, material and equipment; eliminating over 200 contracts per year. AB16131 (Ordinance 2004-07-48) Approved 7-0
163. Reduce the 2004 public works department budget by $955,000? Bonds will not be sold in 2004 for the construction of the King Mountain and Upper Yew Street reservoirs. AB16132 (Ordinance 2004-07-49) Approved 7-0
164. Appropriate an additional $206,700 for the public works department? This money is for three projects that were not included in the 2004 budget, but need to be completed this year. The funds and projects are: $64,500 for the installation of new communication equipment in police, fire and emergency medical vehicles; $108,000 to convert streetlight and traffic signal from incandescent to LED bulbs, which will save an estimated $90,000 annually; and $34,200 to repair a 30-year-old warehouse roof and replace the gutters. AB16133 (Ordinance 2004-07-50) Approved 7-0
165. Reallocate $12,000 in the public works budget? This is a housekeeping measure. The money for a portable pumping trailer is being moved within the public works budget. AB16134 (Ordinance 2004-07-51) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at July 27, 2004 Meeting
This was a special meeting to purchase property.
Shall the council:
166. Purchase the property at 612 W. Holly for $210,000? This acquisition (next to the RE Store) is for the last lot not owned by the city in the two-block area adjacent to Maritime Heritage Park. The purchase will make redevelopment of the area and Holly Street remediation easier. The previous owner, Whatcom Creek Investment (Bonita and David Ebenal), demolished the building and removed asbestos contamination. The purchase price covers the cost of the property, demolition of the building and asbestos removal. Approved 5-0, John Watts and Barbara Ryan absent.
