Bellingham City Council

The following votes were not reported in the May issue.

66a. Appropriate $2,887,221 for city payroll checks issued from February 16 through February 29, 2008? (AB17877) Approved 7-0

66b. Appropriate $1,327,759 for goods and services checks issued from February 22 through February 29, 2008? (AB17878) Approved 7-0

77a. Authorize the mayor to award the sole bid of $410.45 per ton to General Chemical Performance Products of Parsippany, NJ, for aluminum sulfate? The water treatment plant uses aluminum sulfate in the filtration process to coagulate particles making them easier to remove from the water. The city uses approximately 100 tons a year; the estimated cost for 2008 is $41,045. Eight bids were solicited and one was received. (AB17894) Approved 7-0

78a. Appropriate $3,859,000 for goods and services checks issued from February 29 through March 21, 2008? (AB17896/17897/17898) Approved 7-0

77b. Appropriate $2,708,329 for city payroll checks issued from March 1 through March 15, 2008? (AB17899) Approved 7-0

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Shall the council:

87. Accept a .12-acre property donation from Thelma Lance? Lincoln Creek runs through the property located on the northeast corner of Dumas and 41st Street. The property, essentially unbuildable, will be used for stormwater retention purposes. The assessed value of the property is $55,000. (Executive Session) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

88. Accept the remanded decision by the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner providing water service to the Lake Whatcom Residential and Treatment Center? The city of Bellingham appealed the original hearing examiner decision to Whatcom County Superior Court. The court ordered the hearing examiner to reopen the hearing on the water service extension. The remanded decision requires the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District to notify the city attorney’s offfice of any proposed water service extension beyond the treatment center site. (Executive Session) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

89. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $1,489,000 to Ebenal General of Bellingham for phase 1 of the Federal Building renovation project? The council acquired the building from the federal government for $1 at the 3/15/04 meeting, vote number 51. The building will be upgraded for safety and ADA compliance by installing a larger elevator, renovating the existing radiators, bathroom fixtures, windows and screens. The historic elevator shaft ‘cage’ will be exposed, refinished and left as an historic aesthetic feature. The work is being funded by a federal grant. Ninety-six bids were solicited and three were received. (AB17902) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

90. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $501,973 to Ebenal Construction of Bellingham for concrete repairs and seat replacement at Civic Stadium? Financing of the repairs was approved at the 4/28/08 meeting, vote number 125. Sixty-five bids were solicited and six bids were received. (AB17907) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

91. Keep the park impact fee at 35 percent of the per capita value of the existing park system? A park impact fee was first passed at the 2/27/06 meeting, vote number 48. The fee is used solely for acquiring and/or making capital improvements, not maintenance or operations. The fee generated $1,578,758.95 in 2007 and a total of $2,070,292 since its inception. Staff recommended keeping the current schedule until the park, recreation and open space plan is completed. (AB17909) Approved 5-1, Jack Weiss opposed and Louise Bjornson excused.

92. Review the docket of proposed comprehensive plan and neighborhood plan amendments? Sixteen of 23 proposals were either automatically docketed or approved for docketing by the planning director or the planning commission. The council must decide on docketing the following seven proposals: (AB 17911) Proposal N-1, a Fairhaven Neighborhood plan amendment and proposal N-4, a Birchwood Neighborhood Association plan amendment were both approved 4-2, Terry Bornemann and Bob Ryan opposed, Louise Bjornson excused; proposal N-6, a South Neighborhood Association plan amendment was denied 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused and public hearings (4/28/08 meeting, vote number 109) for proposals P-2, P-3, P-4, and P-5 were approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

93. Approve agreement between the city and Whatcom County to jointly fund a contract with Technology Alliance Group? The alliance group will provide technology-related economic development services for both governments in the form of promotion, education and avocations of technology business and technology-based economic development in Whatcom County to improve the economic viability and prosperity of the local economy. Under this agreement, the city will execute and manage the contract. The contract is $78,000, the city will pay $30,000, and the county will pay $48,000. (AB17912) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

94. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $87,467 to the Colacurcio Brothers of Blaine for two pedestrian crossing projects? Pedestrian crossings on James Street at Carolina and Kentucky streets will be enhanced with “bulb outs,” handicap ramps and underground electric wiring for flashing “Pedestrian Crossing” signs. The bid was $24,389 under engineer’s estimate. Third-six bids were solicited and three bids were received. (AB17919) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

95. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $203,440 to Schwetz Construction of Sedro Woolley for the sidewalk replacement program? This annual program will replace sidewalks on both sides of W. Crestline Street, Crestline Place, Connecticut and Broadway. The bid was $1,470 over the engineer’s estimate. Forty-four bids were solicited and four bids were received. (AB17920) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

96. Appropriate $1,352,920 for goods and services checks issued from March 21 through March 28, 2008? (AB17921) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

97. Support and enhance implementation of the city’s infill strategy? One of the strategies is to write and implement a development code that will allow new housing types that allow infill while protecting the existing character of the neighborhoods. This vote emphasizes direction set in the urban fringe subarea plan to endorse the plan’s five infill strategies and it supports the mayor’s code. A task force will plan a second planning academy; the academy will design a set of infill strategies. AB17904 (Resolution 2008-09) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

98. Appoint two members of the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Committee to the Lake Whatcom Policy Group? Two members of the reservoir committee will meet regularly with counterparts from the County Council Natural Resources Committee and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District Commission. The policy group will look at adopted issues, data and tracking of the Lake Whatcom Reservoir Management Plan and keep the two councils and the commission better informed. AB17910 (Resolution 2008-10) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

99. Amend the 2008 action plan of the 2008-2012 consolidated action plan? The action plan designates city use of federal funds for low- and moderate-income households. The 2008 action plan was approved at the 10/22/07 meeting, vote number 215. The program’s actual 2007 income was less, but the carryover credit and revolving loan funds were greater than anticipated. Under the 2008 federal formula calculations the city will receive less funding than was estimated when the plan was approved on 10/27/07. This vote makes changes in resources, expenditures and accounts. The changes in revenues are equal to the changes in expenditures, resulting in no net fiscal impact. AB17914 (Resolution 2008-11) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

100. Adjust the beginning reserve balances for the 2008 budget by $61,338,940 to account for differences between estimated and actual year-end balances? The budget is drawn up before the end of the year and estimates are used. The 2008 beginning reserves budget will increase from estimated reserves of $90,374,092 to actual reserves of $151,713,032. AB17882 (Ordinance 2008-04-30) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

101. Reauthorize $19,400,412 for goods and services that were ordered in 2007 but didn’t have purchase orders or contracts by the end of the year? This vote will carry the funds over to the 2008 budget. AB17883 (Ordinance 2008-04-31) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

102. Pay $30,737 for Don Gischer’s retirement credits? At the 10/23/06 meeting, vote number 268, the council voted to pay contributions and interest for previous council members who retired and can’t return to the retirement system. Mr. Gisher filled the 4th Ward position from 4/4/07 through 11/26/07; he previously served on the council from 1984 through 1995. AB17876B (Ordinance 2008-04-32) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

103. Change language in the Bellingham City Charter from gender specific to gender neutral? At the 11/6/07 general election voters approved a charter amendment to change all references from masculine to general neutral. AB17844 (Ordinance 2008-04-33) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

104. Receive and spend a state grant of $8,580 for overtime patrols? The Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant will pay overtime for DUI and speeding enforcement patrols from 2/1/08 through 9/30/08. The performance standard is a minimum of three vehicle stops per hour with ticket, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. AB17892 (Ordinance 2008-04-34) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.

Shall the council:

105. Ratify a contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 106? The new three-year contract will increase wages each year by 3 percent at the start of the year and by 1.25 percent at the mid-year point. Union members will pay 10 percent of the city’s cost for health insurance benefits under the cost-sharing premium program. (Executive Session) Approved 7-0

106. Authorize the mayor to spend $875,000 to purchase 20 acres on Queen Mountain? The property is off the Hannegan Road, near the Van Wyck Road. The city would like to purchase nearby properties in anticipation of creating a park in five to 10 years. (Executive Session) Approved 7-0

107. Authorize the mayor to settle an injury claim? In the afternoon of 6/7/04, Karen Pettay’s automobile was rear-ended by a city vehicle driven by Rafael Alvarado. He was cited for driver inattention. Ms. Pettay was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with cervical and lumbar strain, multiple contusions and left knee injury. She later complained of headaches and arm numbness and was diagnosed with tooth fractures, disc bulging, thoracic and chest wall strain. On 10/23/06, Karen Pettay filed a $145,000 claim for damages. The mayor is authorized to sign a $50,000 settlement agreement with Ms. Pettay. (Executive Session) Approved 7-0

108. Authorize the hiring of outside counsel to represent the city in the Bellwether Gate appeals? A planned development contract between the city and the Port of Bellingham limits building heights to 35 feet. The port applied for an amendment to allow a Bellwether Gate building to be 50 feet in height and the city approved the amendment. A group of citizens have filed appeals with the city hearing examiner and the state Shorelines Hearings Board. (Executive Session) Approved 7-0

109. Deny a request to docket four neighborhood plan amendment proposals for the Guide Meridian/Cordata neighborhood? (Public hearing held) At the 4/14/08 meeting, vote number 92, the council voted to hold a public hearing before deciding on docketing four proposals that would have allowed commercial uses for properties zoned industrial. Both staff and the planning commission recommended against the changes due to a shortage of industrial property in the city. (AB17911B) Approved 5-2, Gene Knutson and Barry Buchanan opposed.

110. Approve oversight of development activities within the Lake Whatcom watershed? A city employee and volunteers will gather data on land use and/or development authority and provide city and county governments, the water districts, the county health department and Sudden Valley Community Association timely information using standardized forms. (AB17925) Approved 7-0

111. Modify the Franklin Park master plan? The York Neighborhood has been awarded a federal grant of $150,000 for the park. The revised master plan creates a larger playground area, circular paved path, picnic shelter, a small skate park, berms, landscaping, site amenities, removal of backstop and old fencing. This vote sends the project to the final design phase; construction is scheduled for the spring of 2009. Construction costs are estimated at $256,000 and total project costs at $317,075. (AB17927) Approved 7-0

112. Authorize the mayor to award the sole bid of $95,796 to Braun Northwest of Chehalis for an ambulance chassis? The vehicle is a 1998 model with 155,000 miles. A new ambulance would cost 25 percent more than remounting the chassis. Ten bids were solicited and one was received. (AB17931) Approved 7-0

113. Authorize the mayor to award low bids totaling $83,155 for water distribution accessories? The valves, sleeves, couplings, etc. are used on main connections and maintenance projects. The bids were separated into groups for each water system component. Low bidders were: Ferguson Enterprises and HD Supply Waterworks of Bellingham, United Pipe and Supply of Marysville and HB Jaeger Company of Burlington. Thirty-five bids were solicited and six were received. (AB17932) Approved 7-0

114. Appropriate $5,076,411 for goods and services checks issued from March 28 through April 18, 2008? (AB17937/17938/17939) Approved 7-0

115. Appropriate $2,922,821 for city payroll checks issued from March 16 through March 31, 2008? (AB17940) Approved 7-0

116. Authorize the parks and recreation department to apply for a $500,000 state grant to reimburse the city for a property purchase in the Cordata neighborhood? The 19.8 acres were purchased at the 8/13/07 meeting, vote number 160, for $1,033,330. This resolution will create a neighborhood park and trail corridor and will preserve open space. AB17930 (Resolution 2008-12) Approved 7-0

117. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $126,500 to Meyers General Inc. of Bellingham for Depot Market Square improvements? Nine hundred thirty square feet of space was left unfinished in the northeast corner of the facility to allow for tenant flexibility. The space was leased to Ralf and Kacy Sig, owners of Ralf’s Bavarian Bakery. The lease requires the city to improve the space for the business. Seventy bids were solicited and four were received. (AB17933) Approved 7-0

118. Reauthorize $51,902,697 for goods and services that were budgeted in 2007 for but not ordered by the end of the year? This increases 2008 budget expenditures from $229,627,274 to $300,599,194. AB17884 (Ordinance 2008-05-35) Amended and approved 7-0

119. Amend the Critical Areas Ordinance to clarify its relationship with the Shoreline Master Program? The CAO is amended to specify which document (CA or SMP) applies to development in and around critical areas. It is also amended to specify that the CAO defers to the SMP for management of permitted uses and natural resource protection such as development buffers and setbacks of marine shorelines and the shorelines of Lake Whatcom and Lake Padden. AB17851 (Ordinance 2008-04-36) Approved 7-0

120. Make minor technical amendments to the Critical Areas Ordinance? The amendments are designed to improve the clarity of various sections, such as: limiting the encroachment clause for minor redevelopment, making allowances for low-impact conveyance systems that are compliant with wetland buffers, calculating the slope for specific hazard areas and correcting typos. AB17852 (Ordinance 2008-04-37) Approved 7-0

121. Change ward boundaries to correct for a registered voter imbalance? The Bellingham City Charter requires a boundaries’ correction every four years if there is a registered voter imbalance greater than 15 percent. The county auditor notified the city that there is a 23 percent imbalance among the six wards. The largest, Ward 1, had 7,216 voters and the smallest, Ward 5, had 5,877 voters, creating a 23 percent difference. The changes are: Ward 1—move Precinct 207 to Ward 3 to leave 6,381 voters, Ward 2—move Precinct 213 to Ward 3 to leave 5,964 voters, Ward 3—move Precinct 221 to Ward 5 to leave 6,771 voters, Ward 4—no change, Ward 5—move Precinct 231 to Ward 3 to leave 6,662 voters and Ward 6—no change. AB17881 (Ordinance 2008-04-38) Approved 7-0

122. Authorize an interfund loan of $2,250,000 to buy five fire trucks and one ladder truck? This vote authorizes a 12-year interfund loan from the fire pension fund to pay for fire trucks that were authorized at the 3/31/08 meeting, vote number 76. An annual interest rate of 4 percent will be applied to amortize the loan as per city loan policy. The loan will be made on an “as needed” basis in the fall of 2008. The payments on the loan will start 12/31/08 and the final payment will be made by 12/31/20. AB17900 (Ordinance 2008-04-39) Approved 6-1, Jack Weiss opposed.

123. Appropriate $195,230 for engineering consultants? An evaluation committee picked Hatfield and Dawson Consulting Engineers of Seattle to design and engineer a wireless emergency communications system to meet Federal Communications Commission mandates. AB17901 (Ordinance 2008-04-40) Approved 7-0

124. Authorize $588,000 in expenditures for habitat protection and restoration projects? The funds will be used for projects at Post Point Lagoon (near shore), Willow Springs (Squalicum Creek), Red Tail Reach (Whatcom Creek) and other restoration projects. AB17903 (Ordinance 2008-04-41) Approved 7-0

125. Appropriate $274,061 for concrete repairs and seat replacements at Civic Stadium? Phase 1 of the renovation project is finished, but there was not enough money in the original budget to replace the original wood benches, repair the handrails, cracks and surface in the grandstands. The contract for the work was approved at the 4/14/08 meeting, vote number 90. AB17906 (Ordinance 2008-04-42) Approved 7-0

126. Appropriate $48,000 to hire the Technology Alliance Group under an agreement with Whatcom County? See the 3/12/07 meeting, vote number 50, for the city vote on the agreement. Technology Alliance Group will promote, educate and advocate the development of technology-based economic and business development in Whatcom County.The total contract is $78,000 with the country providing $48,000. AB17913 (Ordinance 2008-04-43) Approved 7-0

127. Amend the 2008 budget for the 2008 action plan of the 2008–2012 consolidated action plan? Federal funds for low- and moderate-income households have been reduced since the plan was approved at the 10/27/07 meeting, vote number 215. The budget will decrease by $51,035; a $32,101 decrease in HOME investment partnership funds and a decrease of $18,934 in community development funds. AB17915 (Ordinance 2008-04-44) Approved 7-0

128. Transfer $48,624 from the general fund to the community development block grant fund? City property at 600 W. Holly is producing less income than when it was purchased in 2001. The property was partially purchased using block grant funds and the income from the property was set aside in the general fund to redevelop the property. Block grant regulations require the lease revenue be classified as block grant revenue. This vote will reclassify the funds and transfer them to the community development block grant fund to be spent on eligible city projects. AB17916 (Ordinance 2008-04-45) Approved 7-0

129. Reclassify three part-time cashier positions at the aquatic center? Three 30-hour temporary positions were changed to permanent positions at the 7/16/07 meeting, vote number 138. The positions were temporarily placed in wage grade B-3. Staff is recommending placement in wage grade 1, which will increase the annual cost of salaries and benefits by $6,378. AB17917 (Ordinance 2008-04-46) Approved 7-0