March 2005
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at January 24, 2005 Meeting
Shall the council:
17. Grant a noise variance for road improvement work on Meridian Street? This summer, the state Department of Transportation will lay new asphalt and replace some existing sidewalks, north of Interstate 5. The variance (allowing night work) will shorten the project time and improve both public and worker safety. (AB16365) Approved 7-0
18. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $220,745 to Sail Electric of Bellingham, for street improvements? Indian Street from Chestnut to Western Washington University will have new streetlights and a bike lane will be added. Bill McDonald Parkway will have new streetlights and a lighted crosswalk at Ferry Street. (AB16366) Approved 7-0
19. Appropriate $821,940 for goods and services checks issued from December 31, 2004, through January 10, 2005? (AB16372) Approved 7-0
20. Appropriate $2,480,673 for city payroll checks issued from December 16 through December 31, 2004? (AB16373) Approved 7-0
21. Accept a $2,500 state grant for crosswalk enforcement? Enforcement promotes pedestrian right-of-way in crosswalks. Of the grant, $1,500 was used in December 2004 and $1,000 in January 2005. AB16347 (Ordinance 2005-01-08) Approved 7-0
22. Vacate the public right-of-way between Interstate 5 and Old Samish Road in the South Neighborhood? The petitioners will pay the city $6,300 for portions of California and 37th Streets and an alleyway that does not connect to other city right-of- ways and abut their property. This will allow the petitioners to consolidate the vacated property with their property and create three residential lots. Utility easements will not be retained. AB16351 (Ordinance 2005-01-09) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at February 7, 2005 meeting
Shall the council:
23. Credit the time city employees spend on active military duty towards their retirement? In the past, city employees on active duty did not earn credit toward their retirement, but were allowed to buy the lost credits within five-years of active duty service. This action covers the six city employees called to active duty since 2001 and future employees called to active duty. The cost for the retroactive payments is $18,500. (AB16375) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
24. Adopt Squalicum Fields Park as the name of the new park at the former Pacific Concrete site on Squalicum Way? The public suggested 116 names and they were sent to the parks and recreation board. (AB16386) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
25. Adopt the Squalicum Creek Park master plan? This plan will serve as the final guide for development of the former 42-acre Pacific Concrete site and doesn’t obligate the city for any funding other than what has already been designated. The plan calls for three baseball fields (one lighted), an internal paved trail that connects to the citywide trail system, a potential area for salmon-rearing habitat and other activity areas with park amenities. The total project cost is estimated at $12.3 million and is scheduled to begin on 2006. (AB16387) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
26. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $57,822 to ACS Computer Service of Bellingham for a water pump control panel at the Lake Padden Golf Course? The panel controls turf irrigation. Sixty-three bids were solicited and two were received. (AB16390) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
27. Appropriate $2,235,739 for city payroll checks issued from January 1 through January 15, 2005? (AB16391) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
28. Appropriate $4,182,540 for goods and services checks issued from January 10 through January 28, 2005? (AB16392/16393/16394) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
29. Collect a $2 per load fee for depositing yard waste at the Clean Green Transfer Station, near the corner of Lakeway Drive and Woburn Street? In 2004, the station had over 50,000 visits that deposited 5,380 tons of yard waste. The fee will insure the station is funded for the full March to November season and is expected to generate $100,000. AB16385 (Resolution 2005-2) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
30. Accept a $283,342 federal grant for the installation of CAD (computer assisted design) software? The grant is from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and will enable law enforcement to pinpoint all calls to the emergency dispatch center down to the nearest intersection. AB16363 (Ordinance 2005-02-08) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
31. Accept a $34,251 grant from the International Association of Fire Chief’s for the installation of CAD (computer assisted design) software? The software will allow the emergency dispatch center to increase the number of fire stations that can be sequentially dispatched based on their location to a given emergency AB16364 (Ordinance 2005-02-09) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
32. Allocate an additional $35,000 for evaluation of the city’s vehicle/equipment fleet? The city will evaluate its fleet of 363 vehicles and 382 other types of equipment for service costs, staffing levels and management practices and parts procurement. The council expanded the evaluation to determine the appropriate number and types of vehicles needed. AB 16367 (Ordinance 2005-02-10) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.
