March 2008
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at January 14, 2008 Meeting
Shall the council:
4. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $2,149,934 to Ram Construction of Bellingham, for the 2007 sanitary sewer rehabilitation project? This project will use new trenchless technology to replace manholes and restore sewers in the Central Business District, South Hill, Sehome, Columbia, Mount Baker and Silver Beach neighborhoods. This bid is 4 percent under the engineer’s estimate. Eighty-six bids were solicited and eight bids were received. (AB17753) Approved 7-0
5. Reject all bids for phase two of the Mount Baker Theatre renovation project? Dawson Construction and Electric West protested the Ebenal low bid. Ebenal wrote “Three Million Five Hundred Nintyone” ($3,000,591) but indicated numerically it was $3,591,000, the bid bond was incorrect, the “Estimated Quantity” was not completed and the subcontractor list was incomplete. Ebenal disputed the allegation. The council rejected staff recommendations to waive the irregularities as immaterial and award the contract to Ebinal. One hundred and seventeen bids were solicited and four bids were received. (AB17755) Approved 7-0
6. Authorize the mayor to sign a 10-year $2,058,173 lease with Lake Padden Golf, LLC to manage the Lake Padden Golf Course? A selection committee (parks and recreation staff, parks advisory board and the golf course advisory committee) picked Lake Padden Golf, LLC. The lease will increase 3 percent annually from $178,600 in 2008 to $266,937 in 2017. The lease can be extended for an additional 10-year period. (AB17757) Approved 7-0
7. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $30,407 to Hydro-Watt of Nevada City, Calif., for the Lake Whatcom log boom and safety line? The new log boom and safety features will replace the old structure. Forty-one bids were solicited and two bids were received. (AB 17768) Approved 7-0
8. Authorize the mayor to award the sole bid of $58,417 to Ershig’s of Bellingham for a new dust collection system? The new system will improve the performance of the soda ash feeders at the water treatment plant. Seventeen bids were solicited and one was received. (AB 17769) Approved 7-0
9. Sign a mutual aid agreement with Whatcom County for emergency management services? It enables the city and county to request and share emergency management services during emergencies and disasters. The agreement commences on 1/1/08 and shall be reviewed every four years. (AB17772) Approved 7-0
10. Appropriate $5,793,476 for goods and services checks issued from November 30, 2007 through January 4, 2008? (AB17774/17775/17777/17778/17779) Approved 7-0
11. Appropriate $4,936,290 for city payroll checks issued from November 16 through December 15, 2007? (AB177773/17776) Approved 7-0
12. Adopt water use efficiency goals and performance measures? In 2003, the state Legislature passed the municipal water law that requires municipal compliance by 1/22/08. This resolution sets two goals and nine performance measures. The goals are to maintain citywide per capita daily consumption and keep water demand equal to or below the population growth rate. The performance measurements include creation of toilet retrofit programs; development of a 6th grade education program, lawn watering education program and future water rates structures focusing on water conservation; an upgrade of park’s irrigation systems for higher efficiency and continuation of public outreach measures. AB17754 (Resolution 2008-01) Approved 7-0
13. Establish new fees for the Lake Padden Golf Course? The daily greens fees are increased by 6.2 percent (over fees passed at the 11/11/06 meeting, vote number 290) for 2008 and 2009. The greens fees for 2010 through 2017 will be increased by 3 percent yearly. AB17758 (Resolution 2008-02) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at January 28, 2008 Meeting
Shall the council:
14. Amend the daily green fees for the Lake Padden golf course? A math error was discovered in the fees passed at the 1/14/08 meeting, vote number 13. (AB17758B) Approved 7-0
15. Extend the Parkade lease with the Bellingham Railway Museum until 1/31/10? The city first signed a lease with the museum on 11/13/03 for the monthly rent of $560. City staff recommended that the lease be extended for four years and the rent be increased monthly so at the end of the lease the rent would be at the current market rate of $2,400. The council decided to extend the lease for two years at the monthly rent of $560. (AB17783) Approved 7-0
16. Deny a request to initiate a review process for annexation of approximately 360 acres in the south Yew Street Road area? City staff recommended denying the request because of significant costs that should be addressed prior to accepting the petition and the city is currently processing five other annexations. (AB17786) Approved 7-0
17. Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with Whatcom County to share legal fees in the lawsuit challenging the Lake Whatcom Watershed Plan? In the late 1990s, the state legislature created a landscape plan for the Lake Whatcom watershed to prevent erosion, landslides and preserve water quality. The United General Hospital, Skagit County and the Mt. Baker School District filed a lawsuit in 2005 for lost revenue caused by a decline in logging. At the 11/6/06 meeting, vote number 276, the City Council voted to hire special counsel because city attorneys don’t have enough expertise the law requires for this case. A two-week non-jury trial is scheduled to commence on 6/2/08. (AB17790) Approved 7-0
18. Appropriate $3,027,568 for city payroll checks issued from December 16 through December 31, 2007? (AB177791) Approved 7-0
19. Appropriate $1,135,872 for goods and services checks issued from January 4 through January 11, 2008? (AB17792) Approved 7-0
20. Amend the Urban Fringe Subarea plan? (Public hearing held) The Whatcom County Council is considering limits to the expansion of Urban Growth Area boundaries. Mayor Dan Pike drafted this resolution supporting the county proposal. The council directed the Planning and Community Development Committee to contact the County Council to schedule a series of joint meetings to comprehensive review growth issues. AB17756B (Resolution 2008-03) Approved 5-2, Gene Knutson and Louise Bjornson opposed.
21. Initiate the annexation petition for the 265-acre Pacific Hwy/Aldrich area? On 11/29/07, property owners submitted a petition requesting consideration of annexation into the city of Bellingham. If the annexation were approved, the Urban Growth Area would become part of the city of Bellingham. A notice of intention to annex will be forwarded to the Boundary Review Board. A public hearing must be held prior to the final vote on annexation. AB17785 (Resolution 2008-04) Approved 7-0
22. Amend the 2008 budget due to a secretary 3 position being upgraded to administrative secretary? The change was approved in December after changes for the 2008 budget could no longer be accepted. The position was reclassified because of a job audit and is effective 6/22/07. The change will require an additional $2,681 for 2008 and increase the top step by $4,836. AB17765 (Ordinance 2008-01-04) Approved 7-0
23. Amend the 2008 budget due to an accounting assistant 2 position being upgraded to accounting technician? The reclassification was approved by human resources and will be effective 2/1/08. The upgrade expense is comfortably offset by an additional downgrade reclassification. AB17766 (Ordinance 2008-01-05) Approved 7-0
24. Amend the 2008 budget due to the downgrading of a contract accounting specialist position to accounting technician? The decreased cost of the position will add $11,500 to the street fund. AB17767 (Ordinance 2008-01-06) Approved 7-0
25. Appropriate $15,000 to pay housing assistance for high-risk offenders? The state of Washington has discontinued funding high-risk populations, leaving the offenders with no access to transitional housing. They could become homeless without assistance, creating a safety risk to the community. AB17771 (Ordinance 2008-01-07) Approved 7-0
