Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at November 4, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

240. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $183,509 to Faber Construction of Lynden for a new vehicle hoist? The hoist will replace a damaged and leaking hoist in the fleet maintenance shop. There were 63 bid solicitations viewed and three bids were received.(AB20183) Approved 5-0, Cathy Lehman and Gene Knutson excused.

241. Appropriate $769,459 for goods and services checks issued from October 18 through October 24, 2013? (AB20184) Approved 5-0, Cathy Lehman and Gene Knutson excused.

242. Appropriate $2,689,015 for payroll checks issued from October 11 through October 25, 2013? (AB20185) Approved 5-0, Cathy Lehman and Gene Knutson excused.

243. Authorize the mayor to accept a $1,245,280 state loan for Phase II of the Squalicum Creek re-routing project? The loan together with $415,093 in forgivable principal and a $500,000 grant will fund the creation of a new channel for Squalicum Creek, north of Sunset Pond. The total cost of phase II is estimated at $2,160,373. The annual payment will be $80,597 for 20 years. AB20179 (Resolution 2013-23) Approved 5-0, Cathy Lehman and Gene Knutson excused.

244. Authorize the implementation of the 2011 – 2013 labor agreement with the Association of Fire Fighters, Local 106S? See the 10/14/2013 meeting, vote #216, for details on the labor agreement. The agreement requires additional appropriations in the 2013 budget in order to provide for the payment of retroactive pay for 2012 and for additional wage increases not already budgeted for 2013. The additional funds will be appropriated from estimated ending undesignated reserves in the amount of $38,522 in the general fund, $5,427 in the public safety dispatch fund, and $14,240 in the Medic One fund. AB20168 (Ordinance 2013-11-079) Approved 5-0, Cathy Lehman and Gene Knutson excused.

245. Amend the Bellingham Municipal Code to update the definition of “disaster” and “emergency” to be consistent with state law? Having definitions consistent with state law is desirable because state and local governments often work together to respond to an emergency or disaster. AB20170 (Ordinance 2013-11-080) Approved 5-0, Cathy Lehman and Gene Knutson excused.

246, Repeal antiquated sections of the Bellingham Municipal Code pertaining to the services offered by the police department? The police department no longer offers services requiring the payment of fees such as using “lie detectors,” providing police escorts, and allowing the records bureau to charge for “services.” AB20171 (Ordinance 2013-11-081) Approved 5-0, Cathy Lehman and Gene Knutson excused.

Action Taken at November 18, 2013 Meeting

Shall the council:

246. Authorize the mayor to accept a $170,000 state grant for NPDES Phase II and stormwater mitigation? The Phase II grant for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is $50,000 and $120,000 is for the design of stormwater mitigation facilities. No matching funds are required. The grant expires on 1/31/2015. (AB20189) Approved 7-0

247. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $973,404 to Interwest Construction of Burlington for the 2013 sewer replacement project? This annual project includes replacement of existing sanitary sewer piping, manholes, and cleanouts in the South Hill, Columbia, Cornwall Park, Sunnyland, Roosevelt and York neighborhoods. The city engineer’s estimate was $273,227 above the low bid. There were 122 bid solicitations viewed and three bids were received. (AB20191) Approved 7-0

248. Add December 2, 2013 to the regular council meeting schedule? The 2013 council meeting schedule for 25 meetings was approved at the 12/3/2012 meeting, vote #234. An additional meeting is needed to complete the council work in 2013. AB20199 (Resolution 2013-24) Approved 7-0

249. Receive and spend a $32,900 state grant to purchase a license plate recognition system? The stolen vehicle recovery program grant is from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority. The grant will be used to replace a license plate recognition system that was purchased in 2009. (AB20200) Approved 7-0

250. Appropriate $6,918,078 for goods and services checked issued from October 25 through November 7, 2013? (AB20201/20202) Approved 7-0

251. Appropriate $2,894,557 for payroll checks issued from October 26, 2013 through November 8, 2013? (AB20203) Approved 7-0

252. Set the 2014 property tax levy? (Public hearing held.) The levy will include a 1 percent tax increase over the previous year (dollar amount will be $208,380), plus new construction and improvements, the value of annexations, and changes in the state assessed utility valuations, to fund low-income housing and housing services. The tax levy revenue for 2014 is estimated at $23,046,000. AB20176 (Ordinance 2013-11-082) Approved 7-0