Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at January 13, 2014 Meeting

Shall the council:

1. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $247,850 to S&S Construction of Bellingham for concrete repairs? The annual contract is designed to provide a means and method for multiple city departments to repair cement concrete sidewalks, alleys, roads, and structures as needed to maintain the city’s infrastructure. There were 77 bid solicitations viewed and two bids were received. (AB20263) Approved 6-0,Pinky Vargus was out of council chambers.

2. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $353,600 to Western Refinery Services of Ferndale for asphalt pavement repairs? The annual contract is designed to repair asphalt pavement sidewalks, roads, alleys, and structures as needed to maintain the city’s infrastructure. There were 52 bid solicitations viewed and four bids were received.(AB20264) Approved 7-0

3. Authorize the mayor accept a $2,500,000 grant/loan from Whatcom County? The Whatcom County Council has approved an Economic Development Investment Board loan of $1,675,000 and a grant of $825,000. The grant/loan will be used for construction of a regional stormwater facility to provide water quality and flow control to support development of approximately 80 acres. The area is bounded by Bakerview to the South, Pacific Highway to the West, Northwest Avenue to the East and June Road to the North. The 80 acres includes the proposed Costco Store on Bakerview plus 15 acres of single family homes and 10 acres commercial properties. (AB20265) Approved 7-0

4. Amend the Affordable Housing Covenant for Harborview Apartments? In 1991, the City Council voted to transferred five lots (located north of the intersection of G Street and Bancroft Street) to Bellingham Housing Authority, conditioned on the use of the property as affordable, low-income housing and a lien to secure repayment of $130,000 of city funds in the event that the property was no longer affordable to low-income households. The Bellingham Housing Authority is seeking investors in multiple properties to help finance needed renovations, and this lien creates uncertainty for that investment. The city no longer make claim to having a lien of $130,000. A new affordability covenant is proposed that secures the city’s interest in affordable, low-income housing. AB20266 (Resolution 2014-01) Approved 7-0

5. Reappoint Jim Emerson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board? (AB20270) Approved 7-0

6. Renew the mutual use of facilities agreement with the Port of Bellingham? The agreement allows up to three free uses per year of each other’s facilities to be booked on an “availability basis.” The city of Bellingham can use the following port facilities: Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Squalicum Boathouse, Blaine Boating Center, General Aviation Conference Room, Cornwall Conference Center and Technology Development Center. This annual agreement expires on 12/31/2014. (AB20273) Approved 7-0

7. Appropriate $5,032,864 for good and services checks issued from December 6, 2013 through January 2, 2014? (AB20274/AB20275/AB20276) Approved 7-0

8. Appropriate $2,742,173 for payroll checks issued from December 11 through December 23, 2013? (AB20277) Approved 7-0

Action Taken at the January 27, 2014 Meeting

Shall the council:

9. Honor J. Lynne Walker for her public service to the city of Bellingham and its citizens? Council President Lehman read the resolution into the record. AB 20292 (Resolution 2014-04) Approved 7-0

10. Adopt an update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan? (Public hearing held at January 13 meeting.) The last update was approved by the City Council at the 5/19/2008 meeting, vote #148. State law requires an updated plan every six years in order to retain eligibility for grants administered by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. The plan update reflects the community-based approach used by the Parks Department, by allowing the residents of Bellingham to influence the process through public meetings and surveys that evaluate the existing system and set priorities for additional facilities. AB20262 (Resolution 2014-02) Amended and approved 6-1, Michael Lilliquist opposed.

11. Call on the federal government to increased safety standards for rail-tank cars? This resolution urges increased safety standards by the federal U.S. pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration to adopt as soon as possible rules requiring safety retrofitting of existing rail cars. and encourage efforts of by the rail industry to retrofit or replace rail-tank cars to meet puncture resistant standards. AB20284 (Resolution 2014-03) Amended and approved 7-0

12. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Tom Weller and Tim Crandall to the Transportation Commission? The commission advises the City Council on transportation planning and transit issues, ensures that transportation investments are consistent with Comprehensive Plan goals, advises the council on parking fees, fines and collection methods, off-street parking contracts and possible expansion of residential parking zones. Tom Weeler is employed as a civil engineer at Trantech Engineering. Tim Crandall is a retired research and development manager. Both are appointed to partial terms Tim Weller’s term will expire on 10/24/ 2014 and Tim Crandall’s on 5/9/2014. (AB20287) Approved 7-0

13. Appropriate $5,341,431 for goods and services checks issued from January 3, 2014 through January 16, 2014? (AB20289/20290) Approved 7-0

14. Appropriate $3,070,325 for payroll checks issued from December 24, 2013 through January 10, 2014? (AB20291) Approved 7-0