March 2006
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at January 23, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
11. Correct a mistake on a property deed? Staff informed the council that the legal description of property sold to LaFiamma restaurant (8/8/05 meeting, vote number 171 and 12/5/05 meeting, vote number 265) on the southeast corner of Railroad Avenue and Chestnut Street was ambiguous. Title companies will not insure the property so the council authorized a suit in Superior Court to correct the deed. Approved 7-0
12. Extend the Parkade lease with the Bellingham Railway Museum until 1/31/08? The city first signed a lease with the museum on 11/13/03 for the monthly rent of $560about 75 percent less than the market rate. The council renewed the lease at the 1/10/05 meeting, vote number 3. The monthly rent for the next two years will remain at $560. (AB 16831) Approved 7-0
13. Issue a noise variance to the state of Washington for construction work on the I-5 southbound exit ramp at Old Fairhaven Parkway? The variance (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) covers 30 nights between 2/1/06 and 10/31/06. The construction work will widen the off-ramp and add a right turn lane, install a traffic signal, construct sidewalks on both sides of Old Fairhaven Parkway under I-5 and close 32nd Street at Old Fairhaven Parkway. (AB16840) Approved 7-0
14. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $167,985 to Whatcom Builders of Bellingham for asphalt pavement crack sealing? The bid covers labor, equipment and materials for the installation of the sealant to stop water from undermining pavement and creating potholes. Twenty-six bids were solicited and two were received. (AB16841) Approved 7-0
15. Appropriate $4,806,317 for goods and services checks issued from December 30, 2005 through January 13, 2006? (AB16842/16843) Approved 7-0
16. Appropriate $1,541,007 for payroll checks issued from December 16 through December 30, 2005? (AB16844) Approved 7-0
17. Set March 8 as a public hearing date to consider a vacation in the Alabama Hill neighborhood? The Bellingham Hearing Examiner will consider a petition to vacate 171 feet of the Birch Street right-of-way north of Alabama Street. This will allow the applicant greater flexibility, removing topography and environmental constraints on lot designs. AB16838 (Resolution 2006-02) Approved 7-0
18. Vacate the citys right-of-way on the southwest corner of 6th and Wilson in Fairhaven? The city will relinquish public ownership of 1,000 square feet along 6th Street and 2,062 square feet along Wilson Avenue and sell it to Preston Schiller for $11,500. The vacated areas and adjacent parcels will provide enough space to build two single-family homes. AB16812 (Ordinance 2006-01-06) Approved 4-3, Joan Beardsley, Louise Bjornson and Terry Bornemann opposed.
Action Taken at February 6, 2006 Meeting
Shall the council:
19. Authorize the mayor to pursue a settlement with Susan Kaun and Fairhaven Neighbors? The Fairhaven Harbor Company plan received a city permit to build within 100 feet of Padden Creek. Susan Kaum and Fairhaven Neighbors appealed that decision to the state Shorelines Hearings Board. The settlement will ensure the protection of Padden Creek and allow Fairhaven Harbor to proceed with its 90 homes and 14,000 square feet of retail and office space plus underground parking adjacent to the Padden Creek estuary. Approved 6-0, John Watts out of the room.
20. Ratify the professional librarians contract? The new 2006 (AFSCME-114L) contract includes a 3 percent wage increase, benefits cost-sharing, benefit coverage for verified same-sex domestic partners and an increased medical opt-out incentive. Approved 6-0, John Watts out of the room.
21. Ratify the supervisory and professional (i.e. police) unit contract? The new 2006 (Teamsters 231) contract includes a 3 percent wage increase, benefits cost-sharing and benefit coverage for verified same-sex domestic partners along with other terms. Approved 6-0, John Watts out of the room.
22. Extend health benefits to the domestic partners of employees? Two group have negotiated to extend coverage to verified same-sex partners and their dependents. The premium for same-sex partners and dependents will be the same as for married employees and dependents. (AB16848) Approved 6-0, John Watts out of the room.
23. Authorize the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for the Lake Whatcom sewage management program? The city will pay the county $186,368 for 2006/2007 to manage the program. The program ensures proper sewer and septic design, installation, operation, maintenance and repair. The agreement runs from 1/1/06 through 12/31/07. (AB16849) Approved 7-0
24. Waive traffic impact and stormwater fees for homeless emergency family housing at 4965 Deemer Road? The city has previously waived school impact fees and agreed to a proportional share of existing water, sewer, and street assessment. The First Christian Church moved the house to 4965 Deemer Road and was only required to pay $10,520 of the $50,719 assessment, the rest will be paid when the remaining lots are developed. The church had also asked to waive sewer and water development charges, but those are not covered by code. (AB16850) Approved 6-0-1, Joan Beardsley recused herself.
25. Change the start time for parking pay stations to 9 a.m. and set a one-hour limit on parking in the 1300 block of Railroad Avenue? The city started enforcing parking meters at 8 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. to deter meter feeding, which resulted negatively on the businesses in the block. The early-morning customer base is accustomed to free parking when picking up a quick breakfast or coffee on the way to work. Also, customers were confused about the amount of time they can use in a given space. The parking commission endorsed setting the start time at 9 a.m. and standardizing the parking time. (AB16854) Approved 7-0
26. Authorize the mayor to award three low bids totaling $80,107 for 12 types of valves and fittings used in the city water system? The valves and fittings are used in routine installation and repair. National Waterworks of Waco, TX, was the low bidder for 10 types of valves, H.B Jaeger Company of Snohomish for one and Paramount Supply Company of Bellingham for one. Seventeen bids were solicited and four were received. (AB16862) Approved 7-0
Shall the council
27. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $69.50 a ton to Rabanco of Seattle for the management and disposal of incinerator ash from the Post Point sewer treatment plant? The estimated cost for the year is $72,000. Seventeen bids were solicited and two were received. (AB16863) Approved 7-0
28. Appropriate $4,973,148 for goods and services checks issued from January 13 through January 27, 2006? (AB16865/16866) Approved 7-0
29. Appropriate $2,355,829 for payroll checks issued from January 1 through January 15, 2006? (AB16867) Approved 7-0
30. Transfer $377,438 from the general fund to the computer fund? In 2005, the city collected business and occupation taxes and interest for 2001-2004 that were placed in the general fund. This transfer will fund needed technology projects. AB16825 (Ordinance 2006-02-07) Approved 7-0
31. Close the 1992 fire bond fund and transfer the $33,702 balance to the 2001 fire bond fund? Both bond funds were financed by voter approved levies. The final payment for the 1992 bonds was made on December 1, 2005. The transfer will reduce taxes for future debt. AB16826 (Ordinance 2006-02-08) Approved 7-0
32. Condemn property on the southwest corner of McKenzie Avenue and 4th Street? The city determined in 2001 that the sewer treatment plant on McKenzie Avenue needed to be expanded and the only reasonable extension was property on the corner of McKenzie and 4th. In June of 2002, the city appraised the property at $1,100,000; the appraisal was increased in November 2004 to $1,275,000. The property owner, Homeport Properties, obtained its own appraisal of $5,036,650, which was the city reviewed and found flawed. The city issued a counter offer of $1,403,000, which was valid until December 10, 2005. The property owner didnt respond. Given the disparity of valuations and the owners failure to respond, staff recommended the use of eminent domain. AB16830 (Ordinance 2006-02-09) Approved 7-0
33. Vacate a portion of Waldron Road 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; it will serve as a residential street. The Bellingham Hearing Examiner held a public hearing on August 24, 2005, and recommended the vacation. In lieu of cash, the council agreed to exchange 67,650 square feet of vacated property for 69,260 square feet on Waldron Road. AB16832 (Ordinance 2006-02-10) Approved 7-0
34. Accept a grant of $4,000 for overtime pay? The Whatcom County Sheriff received a $15,000 grant from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission for DUI patrols for 10/1/05 to 9/30/06. The sheriff allocated $4,000 to the city. The performance standard is a minimum of three drunk driver contacts per hour. AB16839 (Ordinance 2006-02-11) Approved 7-0
