Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at April 13, 2015 Meeting

Shall the council:

60. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Port of Bellingham for the installation of fencing along a public trail connecting the Bellwether Peninsula with the former GP treatment lagoon? The chain link fencing will be six feet tall and 350 lineal feet. The city is taking the lead on designing and bidding the project. A portion of the work involves relocating a fence on port property to allow safe access to the beach area. The city will pay the contractor for the improvements and submit an invoice for reimbursement by the port, the cost is estimated is $19,000 plus sales tax. (AB20785) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

61. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County (amendment #2) for traffic signal maintenance? The original agreement is dated 7/26/1996, and it was amended on 12/13/2000. Five additional signal systems will be added for a total of seven to be maintained by the city. Four crossing signals and beacons will be added: intersection of Yew Street Road/Kingsmill Street; mid-block crossing on Cable Street and two mid-block crossings on Kwina Road. One traffic signal will be added: Birch Bay Lynden Road/Portal Way. (AB20794) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

62. Appropriate $2,648,023 for payroll checks issued from March 11 through March 25, 2015? (AB20795) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

63. Appropriate $5,958,107 for city goods and services checks issued from March 13 through March 26, 2015? (AB20796/20797) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

64. Appropriate $160,383 for the Bellingham Police Department? The appropriation is $72,100 in 2015 and $88,738 in 2016. The WhatComm 911 executive board approved the addition of one technical support/applications specialist to assist with the installation of a new CAD system, a new 911 phone system and the addition of one new radio console. This position has a salary of $57,756 and benefits of $30,000, for a total of $87,756. Although approved by the board, the position was not documented in the city 2015/2016 budgeting process. AB20769 (Ordinance 2015-04-008) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

65. Appropriate $1 million for the purchase of six ambulances? The council at the 5/19/2014 meeting, vote #99, supported the purchase of the ambulances; at the 6/9/14 meeting, vote #118, authorized the acquisition of the ambulances; and at the 12/8/2015 meeting, vote #249, amended the budget for the purchase. The purchase price of each ambulance is $153,744 plus tax, all six will be received by the end of March. A state loan in the amount of $1 million has been approved; the loan is for ten years with annual loan payments of $110,221. AB20770 (Ordinance 2015-04-009) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

66. Establish rental registration fees? At the 3/9/2015 meeting, vote #51, the council establishing a rental registration and safety inspection program. Annual registration fees for 1-20 units will be set at $10 per unit, and $8 per unit for 21 or more All non-exempt rental housing will be required to register by 8/1/2015; late fees for 1-60 days vary from $50 to $250 depending upon the number of units, with associated collection costs added for fees more than 60 days late. AB20774 (Ordinance 2015-04-010) Approved 6-0, Terry Bornemann excused.

Action Taken at April 20, 2015 meeting

Shall the council:

67. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $2,859,489 to Strider Construction Company of Bellingham to daylight Padden Creek? The creek currently flows in an underground brick tunnel — built in the 1890s — between 22nd Street and 17th Street along Old Fairhaven Parkway. The project will create approximately 2,300 feet of new stream channel, riparian corridor, a culvert bridge and pedestrian bridge for Padden Creek. The city engineer’s estimate was $2,980,627. There were 132 solicitations viewed and six bids were received. (AB20799) Approved 5-0, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

68. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $3,377,989 to Award Construction of Ferndale for Alabama Street safety improvements? The project consists of pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, widened turn lanes, stormwater improvements and paving from Cornwall Avenue to St. Clair Street. City engineer’s estimate was $2,896,939. There were 157 solicitations viewed and five bids were received. (AB20800) Approved 5-0, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

69. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Western Washington University to renew joint manage of the Sehome Hill Arboretum? The initial agreement for the 175.5-acre site — the university owns 38 acres and the city 137.5 acres — was adopted on 8/7/1974 and has been updated periodically with the last update approved at the 12/12/2005 meeting, vote #268. The Sehome Hill Arboretum board of governors and the Parks & Recreation advisory board recommended adoption of the updated agreement. The 10-year agreement commences on 8/6/2015 and ends on 8/5/2025. (AB20805) Approved 5-0, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

70. Authorize the Parks & Recreation Department to sell the locomotive at Bloedel Donovan Park? The HK Porter locomotive was built in 1918 for the U.S. Navy and donated to the city in 1960 by the Permanente Cement Company. The locomotive is unsafe for public access and is deteriorating behind a chain link fence. The city has received inquiries from individuals and organizations interested in owning and restoring the locomotive. A request for letters of interest has been advertised with a condition that the locomotive be preserved. (AB20806) Approved 5-0, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

71. Appropriate $2,807,621 for payroll checks issued from March 26 through April 10, 2015? (AB20809) Approved 5-0, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

72. Appropriate $2,229,534 for city goods and services checks issued April 10, 2015? (AB20810) Approved 5-0, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

73. Authorize an environmental site assessment of the Padden Lake Hills stormwater facility? The homeowners' association has offered to donate the privately-owned Padden Lake Hills stormwater facility, located to the south and west of Padden Hills Court and north of Harrison Street, to the City of Bellingham. Acceptance of this donation would ensure proper maintenance and would be consistent with public ownership of stormwater facilities. Closing costs estimated not to exceed $4,000, with ongoing maintenance costs estimated between $3,000-4,000 annually, and initial first year clean ups estimated at $15,000. AB20751 (Ordinance 2015-04-011) Approved 4-1, Michael Lilliquist opposed, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

74. Authorize an environmental site assessment of the 22nd Street stormwater facility? The property owner has offered to donate this privately-owned facility, located in the vicinity of Larrabee Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets, to the City. Closing costs are not to exceed $4,000, with ongoing maintenance costs estimated to be between $4,000-5,000 annually and initial first year clean ups estimated at $40,000. AB20752 (Ordinance 2015-04-012) Approved 4-1, Michael Lilliquist opposed, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.

75. Authorize an environmental site assessment of .94 acre property south and adjacent to Birch Street? This parcel, donated by Jones Holding Company, completes the existing Birch Street right-of-way, which the city could then use for transportation and utility purposes. Closing costs estimated not to exceed $4,000. AB20753 (Ordinance 2015-04-013) Approved 5-0, Jack Weiss and Gene Knutson excused.