Bellingham City Council

Shall the council:

262. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $579,065 to Granite Northwest dba Wilder Construction of Bellingham for the Bakerview/Irongate signalization project? Besides the traffic signal at the intersection of Irongate and Bakerview there will be a new southbound turn lane on Bakerview, an extension of the left-hand turn lane between Irongate and Kramer Lane on Bakerview and a new left-hand turn lane on Irongate. Seventy-two bids were solicited and seven bids were received. (AB18134) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

263. Appropriate $1,122,417 for goods and services checks issued from August 23 through August 29, 2008? (AB18144) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

264. Support the proposed Whatcom County plan to recover approximately 8,400 acres in the Lake Whatcom Watershed from the state of Washington? The county plans to manage the acreage as low-impact parkland with a focus on water quality, animal habitat, recreational activities such as hiking and allowing the forest to mature into an old growth environment. AB18135 (Resolution 2008-32) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

265. Continue the emergency moratorium on applications for divisions of land, building permits and land disturbance activities within the Lake Whatcom watershed? A four-month moratorium was passed at the 5/19/08 meeting, vote number 154, and clarified at the 6/23/08 meeting, vote number 190. During the moratorium, city staff has been working to determine what amendments should be made to development regulations in order to meet the goals established by the state Total Maximum Daily Load study released on 4/21/08. The TMDL studies show that phosphorus-laden stormwater runoff must be reduced by at least 74 percent. This six-month extension that expires on 3/19/09 may be renewed. AB18136 (Ordinance 2008-09-85) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

266. Redefine residential parking zone boundaries and extend the time limits for temporary visitor parking permits? The city and Western Washington University are partners in a residential parking program to reduce student-parking impact on neighborhoods. The new definition would allow residents of all properties accessed within a parking zone to obtain permits to park in that area, even if their street addresses fall outside the zone. The duration of visitor permits would be extend from five days to six months. AB18111 (Ordinance 2008-09-086) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

267. Modify the list of capital projects that are eligible for reimbursement from the 2006 water and sewer bonds? At the 6/5/06 meeting, vote number 130, the council approved the sale of $11,330,000 in water utility revenue bonds. The bonds were to be used to construct a reservoir and pump station on upper Yew Street Road ($6,200,000) and purchase land in the watershed ($5 million). Since the Yew Street Road project has been delayed, this ordinance will allow the funds to be utilized for other water and sewer projects. AB18113 (Ordinance 2008-09-87) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

268. Transfer $15,000 from the Beyond Greenways endowment funds to the parks budget? The Greenway Advisory Committee recommended that the money be spent for trail/open space work along the South Bay Trail at Squalicum Creek Park. After the transfer, the Greenways endowment fund balance will be $249,835. AB18117 (Ordinance 2008-09-88) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

269. Create a senior management position to assist the Whatcom Museum director? The assistant to the director will help to smooth the transition of staff and programs relating to the new children’s museum that is scheduled to open in 2009. A museum curator position is deleted so the budget won’t change. AB18121 (Ordinance 2008-09-89) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

Shall the council:

270. Authorize the mayor to sign amendment #15 to the annexation agreement with Whatcom County for the Pacific Highway/Aldrich Road annexation? The annexation agreement requires that the city and county each approve an amendment that has a description of the area to be annexed. The Pacific Highway/Aldrich Road annexation is located between Aldrich Road and I-5, north of Division Road, and south of the northern right-of-way of Stuart and Larrabee roads. (AB18151) Approved 5-2, Jack Weiss and Stan Snapp opposed.

271. Authorize the mayor to award the second lowest bid of $87,638 to Bellingham Plumbing and Heating for an HVAC unit? The police department rooftop heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit failed and cannot be repaired. The low bidder ($80,996) failed to include a bid bond and non-collusion affidavit. Twenty-seven bids were solicited and three bids were received. (AB18156) Approved 7-0

272. Appropriate $5,550,847 for goods and services checks issued from August 29 through September 12, 2008? (AB18162/18163) Approved 7-0

273. Appropriate $3,050,304 for payroll checks issued from August 16 through August 31, 2008? (AB18164) Approved 7-0

274. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Parberry’s Inc., Northwest Recycling and the Parberry family to relocate NW Recycling in order to turn Old Town into an Urban Village? (Public hearing held) This agreement will commit the city to spend approximately $2 million for street improvements, including that part of C Street leading into Maritime Heritage Park, and create two new plaza areas: the Courthouse plaza at the northeast corner of Holly and E St., and the train station plaza along D Street on the west side of Holly. The costs of building the new plazas together with new parks and trails are estimated at $2.5 million. The area will be zoned for residential and commercial use, so the NW Recycling industrial facility is not appropriate. AB18148 (Resolution 2008-33) Approved 7-0

275. Initiate the review process to annex approximately 38 acres in the Queen Mountain area? This property is bordered by city limits to the south and east and by undeveloped June Road and Mars Street right-of-way to the north and west. The area is currently undeveloped and lies within the Squalicum Creek watershed and the Baker Creek sub-basin. The northeast and southeast parts of the property contain wetlands and the center of the area contains the eastern portion of Queen Mountain with slopes generally ranging from 15 percent to 40 percent. At the 2/12/08 County Council meeting, vote number 32, the property was designated part of the city’s Urban Growth Area. If annexed, the area would be zoned residential single, which allows up to 10 dwelling units per acre. The total assessed value of the property is currently $5,970. AB18153 (Resolution 2008-34) Approved 5-2, Barbara Ryan and Jack Weiss opposed.

276. Initiate the review process to annex approximately 237 acres in the Van Wyck Road/James Street Road area? At the 2/12/08 County Council meeting, vote number 32, the 237 acres were added to the city’s Urban Growth Area. The area is bordered by Van Wyck Road on the north, Deemer Road on the west, and wraps partially around King Mountain with James Street Road running through the property from the southeast. It lies within the Squalicum Creek watershed and drains into Spring Creek which runs through the west portion of it, and into Baker Creek. All three creeks are salmon-bearing. The total assessed value of the property is $3,589,900. If annexed, the area would be zoned residential multi, which allows 10 or possibly 24 dwelling units per acre. AB18154 (Resolution 2008-35) Approved 5-2, Barbara Ryan and Jack Weiss opposed.

277. Accept and spend a federal grant of $122,568 for a fire department vehicle? This Department of Homeland Security grant will purchase an incident command vehicle; it will also be used for public education and emergency management planning. AB18142 (Ordinance 2008-09-90) Approved 7-0

Shall the council:

278. Ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters IAFF Local 106S? The three-year contract (2007–2009) will increase wages each year by 3 percent at the start of the year and by 1.25 percent at the mid-year point except for 1 percent in July of 2009. The benefits premium cost sharing will increase $5 for each dependent tier for the remainder of 2008. Effective 1/1/09, the premium sharing will be 10 percent of the cost of medical premiums for dependent coverage. (Executive Session) Approved 7-0

279. Appropriate $2,232,281 for goods and services checks issued from September 12 through September 19, 2008? (AB18172) Approved 7-0

280. Appropriate $2,870,503 for payroll checks issued from September 1 through September 15, 2008? (AB18173) Approved 7-0

281. Transfer $810,000 from the claims and litigation reserve fund to the legal department? The money will be used for unanticipated costs. The costs are: a property insurance renewal that paid for 18 months instead of 12; unusually large property damage claims and hiring outside counsel for tort litigation. At the 6/9/08 meeting, vote number 171, the council appropriated an additional $75,000 for tort litigation. This transfer leaves a reserve fund balance of $4,197,678. AB18149 (Ordinance 2008-10-91) Approved 7-0

282. Accept and spend two state grants totaling $2,904? The grants are from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. A grant for $2,304 will purchase five breathalyzers and a $600 grant will purchase stickers for a pilot program to encourage drivers to be courteous. AB18157 (Ordinance 2008-10-92) Approved 7-0

283. Close the debt service fund that was set up to pay for construction of a road that connected Roeder Avenue with Chestnut Street? The project is finished and the loan has been repaid leaving a zero balance in the fund. AB18158 (Ordinance 2008-10-93) Approved 7-0

284. Close the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District’s special revenue fund and transfer all activities, records and assets to the newly created full accrual fund? Because the facility district issued bonds in 2007, the district’s accounting method is required to change. Instead of being reported as a blended component unit, the district must be reported as a discrete component unit. AB18159 (Ordinance 2008-10-94) Approved 7-0

285. Close the firefighter’s long-term care fund and move the activities, records and assets into the firefighter’s pension fund? Having all firefighters’ retirement programs, pensions, medical and long-term care in one fund will increase management and recording efficiency and facilitates more detailed public reporting as required by new governmental standards. AB18160 (Ordinance 2008-10-95) Approved 7-0

286. Close the police officer’s long-term care fund and move the activities, records and assets into the police officer’s pension fund? Placing all police officer’s retirement programs, pensions, medical and long-term care in one fund increases administrative efficiency and facilitates the more detailed public reporting required by new governmental standards. AB18161 (Ordinance 2008-10-96) Approved 7-0

Shall the council:

287. Authorize the mayor to sign a three-year labor contract with AFSCME, local 114L? The contract with city librarians has a new premium-sharing formula for 2009, wage increases of 3 percent in 2009 and 2010 and 2.5 percent in 2011. Contract ratification is subject to the library board of trustees’ approval. (Executive Session) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

288. Ratify the mayor’s decision to file a State Environmental Policy Act appeal to halt the demolition of three historic buildings at the Waterfront District? The city is appealing the port’s decision to demolish the pulp storage building, the screen room building and the bleach plant building on the former Georgia-Pacific site. Because the port requested demolition permits before completion of the final Environmental Impact Statement, the city has also filed a notice assuming lead agency responsibilities for SEPA requirements on the demolition projects. The draft EIS, completed in Jan. 2008 identifies 13 buildings including these three as potential historic sites and also states that final decisions on the removal or retention of buildings would be made by both the port and the city in conjunction with site developers. (Executive Session) Approved 4-2, Barry Buchanan and Gene Knutson opposed, Louise Bjornson excused.

289. Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Whatcom County to share costs for a contract with Brown and Caldwell Environmental Engineers? The city will reimburse the county $65,394 or 50 percent of the costs of hiring Brown and Caldwell to study and formulate plans for reducing the phosphorus and fecal coliform levels in Lake Whatcom. This agreement covers phase 1 of the project involving collecting and organizing data on the lake. Phase 2, which will include drafting a detailed implementation plan, will begin in 2009. (AB18177) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

290. Issue a noise variance to the state Department of Transportation to work on the Interstate 5 pavement repair project between Bakerview Road and the Nooksack River Bridge? Construction between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. requires a noise variance. To avoid daytime traffic problems, the work will take place at night; the department is requesting a variance for 25 nonconsecutive nights between 1/5/09 and 9/9/09. (AB18178) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

291. Appropriate $5,947,081 for goods and services checks issued from September 19 through October 10, 2008? (AB18189/18190/18191) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

292. Appropriate $3,202,319 for payroll checks issued from September 16 through September 30, 2008? (AB18192) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

293. Adopt a new city policy regarding private sewer branches? As part of the annual sewer replacement program, public sewers will replace private sewers shared by three or more properties that run parallel and within the public right of way. Conversions will be completed at the rate of one to three projects per year. Costs are expected to be around $500,000 over the next few years. AB18179 (Resolution 2008-36) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

294. Approve the 2009 action plan of the 2008-2012 consolidated plan? The action plan designates city use of federal funds for low- and moderate-income households. The 2009 action plan is the city’s application for federal funds and it will guide the federal grant allocation of approximately $1,454,000. AB18180 (Resolution 2008-37) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.