August 2002
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Russel T. Weston
Action Taken at June 24, 2002 meeting
100. Accept the low bid of $198,464 from Colvico, Inc. of Spokane to install a new sports lighting system at Civic Stadium? Funds budgeted for the installation were $200,000. The lighting system purchase was approved at the June 3 meeting (see July issue, page 3, vote 83). Approved 7-0
101. Spend $450,000 from the Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program to acquire 64.7 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed? Purchase 21.6 acres from Scott Walker for $150,000, 21.6 acres from Janice Gaines for $150,000 and 21.6 acres from Meril Solomon (city employee) for $150,000? These three adjacent properties (outside the city limits) are zoned rural forestry. One home per 20 acres. Estimated market value is 10 times the taxable assessed value set by the state at $118,400 for these 64.7 acres. This does not include the value of the trees. Approved 7-0
102. Accept the low bid of $54,962 from Pacific Powertech of Tukwila for the purchase of two pumps? The power pack pumps are used to drive the conveyor for the sludge pumps that feed the incinerator at the wastewater treatment plant. Funds budgeted for replacement pumps was $50,000 each. Approved 7-0
103. Transfer the TV cable franchise from AT&T Broadband to AT&T Comcast? The franchise granted to TCI Cablevision 2/16/96 and transferred on 1/7/99 to AT&T Broadband will be transferred to AT&T Comcast Corp (a company formed by the merger of AT&T and Comcast Corp). AT&T Comcast has agreed to discuss deficiencies in service. (Resolution 2002-21) Approved 6-1, Gene Knutson opposed.
104. Allow the extension of city sewer and water service to the Spring Creek Meadows Estates in the Urban Growth area? The 37-acre site is west of James Street and 1,300 feet north of Bakerview Road with 17 developable acres. The sewer and water extension will allow the development to have 84 single-family homes and 16 multi-family units. The fifteen special conditions for development will include: signing an annexation agreement, a stormwater management plan, monthly stormwater fees and transportation impact fees. (Ordinance 2002-06-44) Approved 5-2, Gene Knutson and Barbara Ryan opposed.
105. Amend the Land Use Development ordinance to distinguish between types of schools, where they may be located, and modify parking definitions? Definitions and locations of schools (Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 20) will be more specific. (Ordinance 2002-06-45) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at July 15, 2002 meeting
106. Authorize the mayor to award a contract for $147,727 to Gelco Services of Salem, Oregon to replace 4,000 feet of sewer pipe? Several sections of pipe bounded by E. Chestnut, Jersey, Newell and Ivy (extended East) will be relined. Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
107. Authorize the mayor to award a contract for $1,011,673 to Whatcom Builders of Bellingham for the annual street resurfacing program? Streets scheduled for resurfacing are 25th, 32nd, Broadway, Dupont, Girard, Harris, Magnolia, and Orleans. The low bid was $186,836 below engineers estimate. Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
108. Authorize the mayor to award a contract for $558,974 to Ebenal General of Bellingham for the remodel of the Municipal Court (fomerly Calvary Temple) basement? The low bid was $27,892 below the architect’s estimate (which includes $103,965 overhead and profit). Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
109. Purchase 198.71 acres from Trillium Corporation and Foxglove L.L.C. for $1,700,000 before July 17, 2002 as a condition for the sale? Funding is from the Lake Whatcom Property Acquisition Program. Trillium and Foxglove have the same mailing address. Estimated market value is 10 times the taxable assessed value set by the state at $181,990 for these 198.71 acres. Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
110. Uphold the hearing examiner decision allowing the construction of a 48-unit apartment complex in the Birchwood neighborhood? An appeal by Birchwood residents to reduce the density to conform with zoning in the adjacent area was rejected. This decision can be appealed to Whatcom County Superior Court. Approved 4-2, Bob Ryan and Louise Bjornson opposed, Gene Knutson excused.
111. Declare an intent to issue up to $8,000,000 in bonds to pay for environmental cleanup in former city landfill sites? The city would be eligible to issue bonds to replenish funds spent related to this project. The cost of cleanup plus interest will be born by taxpayers in the future when the bonds are paid. (Resolution 2002-22) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
112. Oppose changes in state and federal laws that restrict the authority of the city to administer its rights-of-ways with respect to telecommunication cable? A letter of opposition would be presented to the Governor and commissioners of the Washington Utility and Transportation Commission. The Governor may exercise his authority to prevent the changes from being enacted. (Resolution 2002-23) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
113. Grant final plat approval for Cedar Ridge, Division 2, consisting of 48 single-family lots, one duplex lot, one triplex lot, one fourplex lot, a 50-unit multi-family lot, and a reserve tract? This property is located along the extension of Nevada Street between Edwards Street and Consolidation Avenue. The original plat for 64 single-family lots was approved on May 10, 1994—16 lots have previously been given final plat approval. (Resolution 2002-24) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
114. Grant final plat approval for Highland View No. 2, consisting of four single-family lots? This plat is located at the northwest corner of Douglas Avenue and 19th Street. This concludes a seven-lot subdivision, with one of the four lots from the Highland View short plat being divided into four lots. (Resolution 2002-25) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
115. Approve appointment of seven members to the board of directors of the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District? The seven (selected by the mayor and Whatcom County Executive) are: Robin Haliday, Manca Valum, David Warren, Phil Sharpe Charles Self, Dunham Gooding and Jerry Chambers. This board has the authority to create additional funding sources for public amenities. (Resolution 2002-26) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
116. Approve vacation of Nevada Street from the alley south of Edwards to the alley south of Lopez and Lopez Street from Moore to Orleans? Conditions for the Cedar Ridge plat would be satisfied (see Resolution 2002-24). A new meandering street connecting Nevada South of Edwards Street to Consolidation Ave will provide alternate access (Ordinance 2002-07-46) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
117. Amend the land use code to exclude roof eaves less than four feet in width from lot coverage calculation? A higher percent of lots zoned multi-family may be covered with impervious surface. Up to 75 percent of a lot may be covered with impervious surface and the definition of impervious surface now differs from lot coverage (Ordinance 2002-07-47) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
118. Approve job reclassifications and retroactive pay increases for six employees? Reclassifications (some retroactive to July 1, 2001) will result in an estimated $2,700 in back pay and $7,300 annual employee benefit increase. The Finance Administration advertising budget will be used to supplement the funds for back pay and pay increases due to job audits. (Ordinance 2002-07-48) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
119. Appropriate an additional $26,000 for parking facilities repairs and improvements? Funding is from the 2002 parking services fund with a reserve balance of $779,097. Repairs/improvements are for Railroad Avenue parking plaza security ($14,000), trip hazard in parkcade courtyard ($4,000) and parkcade elevator repair ($8,000). (Ordinance 2002-07-49) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
120. Change the reappointment term for the hearing examiner from four to two years? The appointment and reappointment terms will be the same, two years. (Ordinance 2002-07-50) Approved 5-1, Barbara Ryan opposed, Gene Knutson excused.
121. Approve the formation of a joint Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District, to undertake the design, construction, operation, promotion and financing of a regional center and/or related parking or other related facilities? A larger sales tax rebate from the state would be available and the city would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Public Facilities District. (Ordinance 2002-07-51) Approved 6-0, Gene Knutson excused.
