September 2010
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Marcia Guderian
Action Taken at July 12, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council:
139. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $786,912 to Ram Construction of Bellingham for the Ohio/King/State streets safety improvement project? The project includes eliminating left turns at the King/Ohio intersection, restricting traffic cutting through the alley between James and King; demolishing the building that held Diamond Jim’s restaurant at the Ohio/State intersection to provide room for trucks to turn; resurfacing Ohio Street between Humboldt and King streets and installing a traffic signal at James and Ohio. State grants of $1,315,000 will pay for the project. Eight-eight bids were solicited and seven bids were received. All seven bids were below the city engineer’s estimated cost of $917,200. (AB18909) Approved 7-0
140. Authorize the mayor to reappoint Charles Matthews to the Greenway Advisory Committee? This will be Mr. Matthews first full term that expires on 7/31/2013. This committee provides citizen recommendations to City Council and the Parks and Recreation Department about Greenway levy expenditures, park land acquisitions and parks/trails/open space development projects. (AB18912) Approved 7-0
141. Authorize the mayor to appoint Mark Buehrer, and reappoint Niki Thane and Mike Johnson to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board? Mark Buehrer is appointed to a partial term ending on 6/1/2012. Niki Thane is being reappointed for a second term which will end on 6/1/2013 and Mike Johnson is being reappointed to his first full term which will also end on 6/1/2013. The board provides advice to the city about watershed land purchases, management and maintenance of acquired properties. (AB18913) Approved 7-0
142. Appropriate $3,728,148 for goods and services checks issued from June 11 through July 2, 2010? (AB18916/18917/18918) Approved 7-0
143. Appropriate $2,443,950 for payroll checks issued from June 1 to June 15, 2010? (AB18919) Approved 7-0
144. Establish a Bellingham Transportation Benefit District to provide funding for transportation related projects? The plan is to use the benefit district to raise money through a voter approved sales and use tax, but language concerning that plan will not be included in the ordinance by Council amendment. Several projects from the city’s transportation improvement program are to be funded including: #1 “annual arterial pavement resurfacing,” #16 “non-motorized transportation options” and #17 “transit enhancement options.” The district will be governed by the City Council. Projects eligible for benefit district funding include those that reduce traffic congestion, those identified in the six year TIP, those supported by state or regional plans, transit and port projects. Preference will be given to projects that improve safety, travel time, air quality, traffic flow, freight mobility, etc. The transportation district can also raise money through voter approved increases in vehicle licensing fees, property taxes and vehicle tolls. This ordinance will sunset in 10 years. AB18883 (Ordinance 2010-07-40) Amended and approved 4-3, Barry Buchanan, Gene Knutson and Stan Snapp opposed.
145. Receive and spend a $232,850 state grant to purchase a street sweeper? The city will be sharing the new street sweeper with the Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County and the city of Ferndale. There will be a 10-year agreement between all four parties which will include the time line, operational costs and conditions for use. City Public Works staff will operate the “regenerative air vacuum” sweeper, which will be able to remove fine particles of phosphorus from watershed areas. The total cost of the machine is $290,000, an additional $50,000 will come from an existing state pass-through grant and $7,000 from the storm/surface water utility fund. AB18892 (Ordinance 2010-07-41) Approved 7-0
146. Receive and spend a $349,384 federal grant for the Community Energy Challenge? The climate showcase communities grant will provide energy audits and implementation plans for energy efficiency upgrades to residential and small commercial property owners within Whatcom County. The program will also identify rebates and incentives and qualified contractors, and will offer access to better financing, project monitoring and evaluation. Sustainable Connections and the Opportunity Council are in charge of the program operations. Grant funds will be used for public education/outreach to residents and businesses to participate in the program. The grant amount includes $21,186 for labor reimbursement. AB18902 (Ordinance 2010-07-42) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at July 26, 2010 Meeting
Shall the council:
147. Appropriate $2,327,512 for goods and services checks issued from July 2 through July 16, 2010? (AB18927/18928) Approved 7-0
148. Appropriate $2,533,111 for payroll checks issued from June 16 to June 30, 2010? (AB18929) Approved 7-0
149. Appropriate $35,000 for the Opportunity Council to fund a pilot program to reduce victimization of the chronically homeless by providing them with housing assistance? This project was developed by Bellingham Police Department with the Opportunity Council Homeless Services Center and is a “housing first” approach to treating the issues of homelessness. By providing housing, transitional services and case management to the chronically homeless, many of whom are poor and/or infirm the program is intended to reduce both the number of calls for police services and the caseload in the criminal justice system. Case management will include securing and inspecting appropriate rental housing and at least weekly visits. Interim housing will also be provided. AB18915 (Ordinance 2010-07-43) Approved 7-0
150. Appropriate $119,066 to reimburse Whatcom County for transportation projects completed within the Bakerview/James annexation? The City Council approved the 635 acre annexation of East Bakerview/James Street (King Mountain) at the 12/8/08 meeting, vote number 338. At that time, the city/county agreement required the city to reimburse the county for transportation projects completed within the last 10 years. In 2000, the county installed a signal light at James and Bakerview and in 2001 made improvements to the intersection of James Street and Telegraph Road. AB18908 (Ordinance 2010-07-44) Approved 7-0
