Bellingham City Council

Shall the council

155. Table the initiative to add fluoride to the city’s drinking water? The Whatcom County auditor certified that the required number of registered voters (3,652) signed petitions to place the initiative on the November 8, 2005, ballot. Tabling the initiative does not prevent it from being placed on the general election ballot. (AB16612) Approved 5-0-1, Terry Bornemann absent, John Watts abstained.

156. Authorize the mayor to award to low bid of $97,380 to Orca Pacific of SeaTac to replaster the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center? The lap and instructional pools will be replastered during the maintenance closure (August 13–September 5). Sixteen bids were solicited and two were received. (AB16616) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann absent.

157. Appropriate $444,783 for goods and services checks issued from June 24 through July 1, 2005? (AB16617) Approved 7-0

158. Appropriate $2,463,432 for city payroll checks from June 16 through June 30, 2005? (AB16618) Approved 7-0

159. Set August 24 as the public hearing date to consider vacating a portion of Waldron Road? The Bellingham Hearing Examiner will consider a petition to relinquish public ownership of the road located in the Cordata Business Park. At the 9/8/03 meeting, vote number 149, the council decided that Waldron Road was no longer needed to connect Meridian with Aldrich Road. AB16615 (Resolution 2005-34) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann absent.

160. Adopt additional eligibility criteria for city center projects applying for 10-year property tax exemptions? Tax exemptions do not apply to the ground floor or the property. The new criteria requires commercial use of the ground floor, sets minimum floor heights, requires the building to be along the sidewalk and provide a lifestyle for residents that is less reliant on automobiles. AB16559 (Ordinance 2005-07-62) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann absent.

161. Change the job classification for a new part-time position in the water conservation program? The job was included in the 2005 budget before a full job description was completed. The joint classification committee reviewed the position, set the part-time designation and pay grade. AB16589 (Ordinance 2005-07-63) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann absent.

162. Appropriate $15,513 in forfeited drug property money for police department furniture? Under Washington law, proceeds from forfeited drug property must be used to improve drug enforcement activity. The furniture will be used in facilities that plan, train and monitor downtown cameras for drug activity. AB16590 (Ordinance 2005-07-64) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann absent.

163. Pay future aquatic facility debt service from real estate excise tax funds instead of the general budget? The 2005 general budget includes $117, 055 for repayment of general obligation bonds. Since real estate excise tax revenues have exceeded budget expectations and future projected commitments, staff recommended that the remaining 10 years of debt service use real estate excise tax funds starting this year. AB16591 (Ordinance 2005-07-65) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann absent.

Shall the council:

164. Authorize the city attorney to sue Comcast cable company for delinquent utility taxes and interest? The city has been unsuccessful in collecting approximately $130,000 owed by Comcast Corporation. Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.

165. Reject all bids for the Cemetery Creek and Salmon Park habitat enhancement and restoration project? Of the two bids received, the low bid was 25 percent below the engineer’s estimate and the second bid was 32 percent higher than the engineer’s estimate. The disparity could forecast potential problems, so staff recommended rejecting both and developing an alternative course of action. Further, the low bidder is currently appealing a state fine for discharging muddy water into a salmon-spawning tributary. Forty-eight bids were solicited and two were received. (AB16624) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.

166. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $156,439 to Barker’s Woodchipping Service of Bellingham for large woody debris? Three hundred and fifty cedar, fir and hemlock logs between 15 to 40 feet long will be used for three projects, Cemetery Creek, Squalicum Creek and Salmon Park. The woody debris will be used to build new stream channel segments, juvenile rearing ponds, create four logjams and one log crib wall and enhance wetland swales. Forty-five bids were solicited and two were received. (AB16629) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.

167. Appropriate $2,366,866 for city payroll checks issued from July 1 through July 15, 2005? (AB16630) Approved 7-0

168. Appropriate $3,240,255 for goods and services checks from July 1 through July 22, 2005? (AB16631/16632/16633) Approved 7-0

169. Authorize the mayor to submit to the federal government an amended 2005 action plan to the 2003-2007 consolidated plan for low- and moderate-income housing? The city will receive $72,574 less than originally estimated (see 10/25/04 meeting, vote number 234). The city will receive an additional $500,000 federal grant to offset $475,870 of increased expenses. AB16625 (Resolution 2005-35) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.

170. Update and correct various land use codes? This makes land use codes consistent with recently adopted permit procedures and other code sections. This is a housekeeping measure; no changes have been made to procedures or regulations. AB16606 (Ordinance 2005-08-66) Approved 6-0, Grant Deger absent.

Shall the council:

171. Declare property at 200 E. Chestnut surplus and sell it to LaFiamma restaurant for $550,000? The city purchased the building and property on the southeast corner of Railroad and Chestnut in the 80s. The restaurant has occupied the building for 10 years. The restaurant owners contacted the city about purchasing the property and the city negotiated the sale for the appraised price of $490,000. The selling price was amended to $550,000 based on a developer’s offer of $515,000 at the council meeting. (AB16635) Approved 4-2-1, Bob Ryan and John Watts opposed, Louise Bjornson abstained.

172. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $489,540 to Matia Contractors of Bellingham, for Segment A of the Coast Millennium Trail? This is phase two of a three-phased project. Phase one was approved at the 6/27/05 meeting, vote number 124. Phase two will replace the Arroyo Park switchback north of the park entrance and make the trail crossing at Old Samish Road more visible from the Chuckanut Drive intersection. It will also add new parking and benches overlooking Squalicum Creek. Sixty bids were solicited and three were received. (AB16636) Approved 7-0

173. Appropriate $387,119 for goods and services checks issued from July 22 through July 29, 2005? (AB16641) Approved 7-0

174. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $71,885 to Turftenders of Ferndale for landscape maintenance services? This is the annual contract for maintenance of the public works and fire department facilities as well as other city facilities. Nineteen bids were solicited and two were received. (AB16640) Approved 7-0

175. Increase two part-time positions in the Planning and Community Development Department to full-time positions? This recommendation was made by the planning director to deal with the increased workload from Bellingham’s growth. The changes will have a no financial impact because of staffing changes and two capital expense items will not be purchased. AB16621 (Ordinance 2005-08-67) Approved 7-0

176. Authorize the mayor to accept a state grant of $7,500 for a warning light? A large number of pedestrians cross Chestnut Street from St. Joseph’s Hospital to the medical building across the street for alcohol treatment and rehabilitation. The grant money will be added to $10,800 from the hospital for the installation a flashing light. The total cost is estimated at $17,800 with the city absorbing any cost overruns. AB16622 (Ordinance. 2005-08-68) Approved 7-0

177. Amend the 2005 action plan of the 2003-2007 consolidated plan for low- and moderate-income housing? This amendment adds a federal grant of $500,000 to the consolidated plan and makes appropriate changes. There will be no net impact, as the grant will be offset by additional expenses. AB16626 (Ordinance 2005-08-69) Approved 7-0