Bellingham City Council

Shall the council:

Authorize the mayor to award the lowest responsive bid of $786,445 to Alfa-Laval, Inc. of Richmond, Virginia for two dewatering centrifuge units at the Post Point sewer treatment plant? The low bid of $672,000 by Centrisys Corporation was disqualified for including a hydraulic hard drive which city specifications excluded. There were 66 bid solicitations viewed and four bids were received. (AB19162) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

57. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $2,298,507 to Colacurcio Brothers Construction of Blaine for the 2011 street resurfacing program? The project includes repairing, leveling and resurfacing many city streets, replacing sections of sewer main on Lakeway Drive and on Prospect Steet, updating handicap ramps, pedestrian crossings and drainage to comply with current standards, and construction of two non-motorized projects at Meridian and Connecticut and Meridian and Birchwood. The low bid was $148,781 under the engineer’s estimate. There were 84 bids solicitations viewed and five bids were received. (AB19163) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

58. Authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with the state of Washington for nearshore restoration? Under this agreement, the state will reimburse the city up to $72,000 for the costs of doing a feasibility study and design of nearshore restoration for the east Fairhaven shoreline and the Padden Creek estuary restoration. The city will also will conduct a needs assessment, restoration and protection study of nearshore estuarine and marine Water Resource Inventory Area 1 (WRAI1) habitats. (AB19164) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

59. Authorize the Bellingham Public Development Authority to negotiate the sale of property at 1100 Cornwall Avenue? At the 12/8/2008 meeting, vote number 328, the City Council authorized the purchase pf the property located on the northeast corner of Cornwall Avenue and East Maple Street for $1,530,000. At the 9/27/2010, vote #191, the council authorize the transfer the ownership of the property at 1100 Cornwall to the Bellingham Public Development Authority. The owner of a neighboring lot is interested in combining the parcel with their property for possible mixed-use development. The development authority feels that the proposed development of the lot would be in the best public interests and the city would also benefit from the sale. Once an agreement is worked out, it will be presented to City Council for final approval. (AB19168) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

60. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $45,002 to Bellingham Plumbing and Heating for condenser replacement at the Post Point sewer treatment plant? The work will include the removal and replacement of failed condensers and air handler coils. There were 63 bid solicitations viewed and four bids were received. (AB19170) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

61. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $46,730 to H.B. Jaeger Company of Burlington for water meter box lids? The #3 steel meter box lids are used by the water distribution group on water vaults throughout the city. There were 57 bid solicitations viewed and 11 bids were received. (AB19171) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

62. Appropriate $2,332,514 for goods and services checks issued from March 18 to April 7, 2011? (AB19173/ 19174/19175) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

63. Appropriate $2,418,285 for payroll and related checks issued from March 1 to March 16, 2011? (AB19176) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

64. Increase Bayview Cemetery rates for 2011? The increase for 2010 was approved at the 11/9/2009 meeting, vote #238. Since then costs have increased for labor, equipment and supplies to the point where it is necessary to raise fees again. City staff recommends a 5 percent increase for general goods and services plus fee increases and added surcharges for some of the services associated with the sale of new plots and niches. The rate increases are expected to generate around $5,000 this year in additional revenue. AB19165 (Resolution 2011-05) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

65. Hold a discount sale on second grave sites at Bayview Cemetery? In the spring of 2010, the cemetery offered a “buy one, get one half off” sale on grave sites and succeeded in bringing in $50,000 of additional sales. Since then, several local residents have inquired about a possible 2011 sale. Also, economic pressures have caused a general downturn in the number of grave sites being purchased so the timing is right for another sale. The sale will run from 4/15 through 6/15/2011. AB19166 (Resolution 2011-06) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

66. Enable payment and initiate construction on projects to be funded by Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds? Council approved the issuance of the bonds at the 3/28/2011 meeting, vote #50. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds will finance energy efficiency projects at 22 city owned buildings, reducing both operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Upgrades will be made to lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, and will reduce energy costs by over 20 percent. Federal subsidy will pay for 70 percent of the interest the city will owe to bondholders. (Ordinance 2011-04-19) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

67. Appropriate $63,250 for improvement to the building at 2014 C Street? The city originally purchased the building as a temporary location for the Municipal Court, ITSD and BTV-10. The city only intended to use the building for five years. Due to current economic conditions, the use of the building will be extended for a longer term. It needs some structural improvements for the sake of public safety, security and efficiency. AB19157 (Ordinance 2011-04-20) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

Shall the council:

68. Authorize the city to file a stipulated judgment for Quiet Title? A Quiet Title action is a lawsuit filed to establish ownership of real property or to remove a “cloud” that might challenge the ownership of the property. This quiet title pertains to a 10-foot wide by 70-foot long piece of property at 408 ½ Lakeway Drive that was conveyed to the city of Whatcom in 1903. The deed included a reversionary clause that stated that in the event the city ceased to use the property as an alley the property would revert back to the the successors of interest, the Johnson Family Trust (67 feet) and the estate of Ruth I. Hilliard (three feet). The city of Bellingham has terminated any interest in the alley right-of-way. (Discussed in Executive Session) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

69. Authorize the legal department to appeal Whatcom County Ordinance 2011-008 to the Growth Management Hearings Board? The ordinance (approved by the Whatcom County Council at the 4/12/2011 meeting, vote #52) allows the building size for restaurants and coffee shops to increase from 2,500 square feet to 5,000 square feet and have drive-through services but requires drive-through services to have a conditional use permit. City officials claim the county didn’t consult with the city before making changes in the Urban Residential Mixed Use zone. (Discussed in Executive Session) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

70. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $52,309 to Ultra Tank Services of Bellingham to remove and replace a storage tank at the water treatment plant? Mitigation to prevent leakage of the 1,200 gallon tank storing fuel and would have been very expensive. Replacement was the least expensive option given the city by the Environmental Protection Agency. There were 110 bid solicitations viewed and five bids were received. (AB19182) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

71. Authorize the mayor to award three low bids totaling $89,149 for the water distribution system? The components are brass service and threaded fittings that are used on water main connections and maintenance projects. The items will be acquired in three groups. Group 1 items will be purchased from HD Supply of Bellingham for $71,671. Group 2 items will be purchased from HD Fowler of Bellingham for $13,305 and Group 3 items will be purchased from General Pacific of Fairview, Oregon for $4,173. There were 48 bid solicitations viewed and six bids were received. (AB19183) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

72. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $106,083 to Braun Northwest of Chehalis for an ambulance chassis? The vehicle is a 2002 Ford with over 235,000 miles. Remounting it on a 2010 chassis will cost 25 percent less than purchasing a new ambulance. There were 28 bid solicitations viewed and two bids were received. (AB19184) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

73. Appropriate $2,577,611 for goods and services checks issued from April 8 to April 21, 2011? (AB19185/19186) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

74. Appropriate $2,493,371 for payroll checks issued from March 16 to March 31, 2011? (AB19187) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

75. Revise the grade requirements for fire equipment access roads and insert text into the city code clarifying the city’s adoption of the state’s amended fire code? At the 6/22/2010 meeting, vote #137, the council approved the 2009 state fire code. The city code will add a reference to the 2009 state code chapters containing amendments made by the state of Washington to the International Fire Code. Due to numerous complaints from citizens and the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, the maximum grade permitted on fire control access roads will be raised from 10 percent to 12 percent. Grades of up to 15 percent may be approved if automatic sprinklers are installed. Other exceptions are: existing road segments that are under 200 feet long or separated by minimum 100 foot segments that do meet the standard; and Alabama Street, Yew Street and Barkley Blvd. arterials. Council amended the ordinance at first and second readings (2/28/2011 meeting) to allow exemptions for: (1) existing structures regulated by the International Residential Code; (2) vested building permit applications for single-family dwellings; and (3) permits for single-family dwellings located in subdivisions that received preliminary plat approval prior to the effective date of this ordinance. At third and final reading the council voted to re-amend the ordinance: The exemption (2) for properties that have filed for but not yet received building permits will be dropped, and an additional amendment will require property owners under the exemption (3) to file building permits before 12/31/2016 for homes to be built in subdivisions that have already received preliminary plat approval. AB19115 (Ordinance 2011-04-21) Amended and approved 5-1, Terry Bornemann opposed, Jack Weiss excused.

76. Appropriate $340,000 from the claims and litigations fund to cover the costs of pending litigation? The city is a defendant in several cases, one of which is scheduled for trial in October 2011 and will need legal and other professional services for its defense. This appropriation will reduce ending reserves in the claims and litigation fund to $3,852,000. AB19161 (Ordinance 2011-04-22) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.

77. Reclassify one position in Public Works? A division supervisor retired leaving an open position in the Operations’ Traffic and Communications section of Public Works. It is recommended that the position be reclassified as a communications manager in order to increase efficiency in the city’s radio shop and aid in maintaining the What-Comm and Prospect dispatch center and the county-wide emergency services radio network. The reclassified position will be filled with existing personnel. AB19172 (Ordinance 2011-04-23) Approved 6-0, Jack Weiss excused.