January 2008
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at November 5, 2007 Meeting
Editor’s Note: The previous issue contained incomplete information on the following vote.
221. Authorize the mayor to settle an injury claim? On October 21, 2002, Douglas Murray was working as a security guard at St. Joseph Hospital. Mr. Murray was standing next to an ambulance when the driver hit the siren; it occurred in the cement tunnel in front of the emergency room, which amplified the sound. Mr. Murray has sustained permanent hearing loss and permanent tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears that Mr. Murray describes as being similar to “water torture.” Under the terms of the settlement, the city and the county will each pay $25,000 of the $50,000 settlement. (Executive Session) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at November 19, 2007 Meeting
Shall the council:
238. Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Whatcom County for phase II of the Yew Street Road improvement project? Construction of phase I from the city limits to Kingsmill began on 5/30/00; phase II runs from Kingsmill to Samish Way. The county contracted with Reid Middleton, Inc. for the design of phase II; this vote appropriates $47,228 to Reid Middleton for the design of water and sewer lines; the council will vote on construction of the utility lines in 2008. The Whatcom County Council approved this agreement at the 10/23/07 meeting, vote number 219. (AB17660) Approved 7-0
239. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Port of Bellingham to explore the potential of annexing the port’s airport properties? This agreement sets a timeline and framework for discussions and commits the city to moving forward on an annexation agreement that will be drafted by March 2008. The port intends to file an annexation petition once the agreement is finished. In the interim the port may request service connections but which requests are granted remains the sole discretion of the council. The Port Commission approved this agreement at the 11/6/07 meeting, vote number 124. (AB17681) Amended and approved 7-0
240. Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement (amendment #11) with Whatcom County concerning annexation and development within the Bellingham Urban Growth Area? The agreement expires at the end of 2007. This amendment will extend the duration of the agreement to 7/15/08. The Whatcom County Council approved amendment #11 at the 11/7/07 meeting, vote number 235. (AB17683) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.
241. Authorize the mayor to sign supplemental agreement #51 with the Port of Bellingham for the Waterfront District in the amount of $144,620? The Waterfront District is the new name for the former Georgia-Pacific property that was initially called New Whatcom. This agreement — with the port adding the same amount — authorizes $52,120 for further draft environment impact statement analysis and $92,500 to prepare the final environment impact statement. The Port Commission approved the agreement at the 11/20/07 meeting, vote number 129. (AB17684) Approved 7-0
242. Approve the legislative agenda for the 2008 session of the state Legislature? Dick Little (government relations director) presented 14 items expected to come before the next session of the state Legislature that will have a direct impact on the city of Bellingham. Mr. Little will lobby lawmakers on these and other pertinent issues that may come up during the 60-day short session that begins on January 14, 2008. (AB17689) Approved 7-0
243. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $288,200 to Sail Electric of Bellingham for new street lighting? This project will install 6,000 feet of conduit, wiring and fiber for signal communications and 34 streetlights along Old Fairhaven Parkway and relocate the pole that holds WWU and Fairhaven special events banners from 12th and McKenzie to Old Fairhaven Parkway and Donovan Street. Third-one bids were solicited and two bids were received. (AB17692) Approved 7-0
244. Appropriate $2,992,829 for city payroll checks issued from October 16 through October 31, 2007? (AB17697) Approved 7-0
245. Appropriate $2,874,090 for goods and services checks issued from October 19 through November 2, 2007? (AB17698/17699) Approved 7-0
246. Increase Bayview Cemetery rates for 2008? The rates were previously increased at the 3/26/07 meeting, vote number 64 and the 2/28/05 meeting, vote number 40. Since the last increase, there have been increases in labor, equipment and supply costs. These adjustments are needed to prevent taking money from the general fund or reducing the service level. The rate increases are based on a sample of similar sized cemeteries and are expected to generate an additional $10,000 in 2008. AB17680 (Resolution 2007-29) Approved 7-0
247. Authorize the mayor to sign a modified lease agreement reducing the rent for the Home Port Learning Center? The learning center is a nonprofit community organization providing transitional education, vocational training and mentoring for juveniles on probation and at-risk youth. The organization currently pays $17,736 a year to lease city property at 707 Astor Street. The organization is having financial difficulties — because of reduced county funding — and requested a rent reduction to allow them to maintain their current programs. This vote reduces the monthly rent payments from $1,478 to $293. Annual revenue to the city will be reduced by $14,220. AB17682 (Resolution 2007-30) Approved 7-0
248. Initiate the review process to annex 175-acres in the Bennett/Bakerview/Airport Drive area? At the 8/6/07 meeting, the council reviewed the property owner’s annexation petition. If the annexation is approved, the Urban Growth Area will become part of the city of Bellingham. This vote initiates the review process and adds a commitment agreement addressing traffic mitigation, light industrial land scarcity and needs in the area. A public hearing must be held prior to the final vote on annexation. AB17556B (Resolution 2007-31) Approved 7-0
249. Grant final plat approval for division 5 of Village on the Green? The plat consists of 20 single-family lots, private open space and future development reserve tracts. The plat is for the area north of Sussex Drive and south of Vining Street. The preliminary plat was approved at the 3/14/94 meeting, amended and extensions granted at the 10/18/04 meeting, vote number 221, 12/6/04 meeting, vote number 262 and 3/13/06 meeting, vote number 75. AB17695 (Resolution 2007-32) Approved 7-0
250. Segregate the Barkley Boulevard local improvement district assessments for division 5 of the Village on the Green plat? The owner made a request to subdivide the original parcel assessment among the 20 lots of division 5. The principal balance of $45,198 plus interest of $3,322 for a total of $48,520 will be applied equally among the parcels. AB17696 (Resolution 2007-33) Approved 7-0
251. Approve a 2008 property tax increase of 1 percent? The 2008 property tax levy must be approved each year prior to adopting the final budget. The anticipated levy revenue for 2008 is $17,911,833; an increase of $492,604 over the 2007 levy. The 1 percent increase is estimated at $170,464, the remaining $322,340 will be from new construction and a decrease in fire bond payments. The city estimates that the owner of a home assessed at $315,000 will pay $8.77 more than 2007. AB17635C (Ordinance 2007-11-90) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.
252. Replace the “computer reserve fund” with the “technology replacement and reserve fund?” The information technology director and the finance director recommended the change to allow for planning for future technology needs over a four-year range in addition to being capable of replacing major computer assets. This vote renames the fund, establishes an annual reserve goal to pay for emergency replacements while saving for planned purchases and rescinding the previous ordinance. AB17674 (Ordinance 2007-11-91) Approved 7-0
253. Reclassify a position from office technician to administrative assistant? The executive department and the hearing examiner share the position. A job audit was conducted because of new duties assigned to the position, including support to the hearing examiner, managing confidential records, coordinating the office operations and quasi-judicial proceedings and handling sensitive communications. The audit found the duties consistent with the administrative assistant position and recommended the reclassification be effective 7/1/07. AB17666 (Ordinance 2007-11-92) Approved 7-0
254. Reclassify a position from receptionist/office technician to administrative assistant? A job audit was conducted because of new duties assigned to the executive department position, which include providing support for the chief administrative officer, managing confidential personnel and other department records, coordinating office operations and handling sensitive communications. The audit recommended the reclassification be effective 7/1/07. AB17667 (Ordinance 2007-11-93) Approved 7-0