August 2003
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Russel T. Weston and Earl Dennis
Action Taken at June 23, 203 Meeting
100. Pay the Bellingham Christian School $91,348 for 2,564 square feet of property at 1600 East Sunset? A lawsuit determined the value of the property taken to widen Sunset Drive from Orleans to Woburn Streets (June 2002, vote 75). Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
101. Send a statement of concerns to the Snohomish County Court regarding Sudden Valley becoming an Urban Growth Area and possibly a city? Bellingham City Council concerns about a potential new city in the Lake Whatcom Watershed will be on record in the pending lawsuit. See the front page article for additional information. Approved 4-2, Bob Ryan and Grant Deger opposed; Louise Bjornson excused.
102. Award the lowest acceptable bid of $2,552,141 to Bergerson Construction of Astoria, OR for the Taylor Dock renovations? This bid (meeting all city requirements) for dock renovation, railroad trestle removal and over-water walkway is $2,495 above the engineer’s estimate. Funding will be from the Beyond Greenways levy and an $800,000 state grant. AB15697 Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
103. Award the low bid of $127,289 to Colacurcio Brothers of Blaine for the construction of a steel building at 2221 Pacific Street? The building will cover street maintenance materials (including salt) from rain and snow preventing contaminated runoff. Funding will be from money previously budgeted for bridge inspections. AB15700 Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
104. Delay approval of the 2004-2009 transportation improvement plan with associated traffic impact fees? The council will have more time to review the $37,490,000 six-year plan. Discussion will continue at the July 14 council meeting. AB15696 (Resolution 2003–15) Approved 5-1, John Watts opposed, Louise Bjornson excused.
105. Correct an error in the hearing date set by Resolution 2003-13 (July 2003, vote 97)? Change the date for the public hearing from July 28 to July 14 for the sale of 6.5 acres at 2140 Division Street (Walton Beverage was the only respondent). AB15706 (Resolution 2003-16) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
106. Authorize the Planning and Community Development Department to apply for a Brownfields grant? The grant would help fund a boardwalk, Whatcom Creek restoration, building demolition, property acquisition and tenant relocation. Funding for these projects at the old Sash and Door site (current location of the RE Store, 600 W Holly) would include a $1,700,000 loan from Housing and Urban Development. The planning department will prepare and submit a proposal for the $650,000 grant. AB15702 (Resolution 2003-17) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
107. Grant final plat approval of 19 residential lots in the 16-acre Lazy E Ranch plat? There are a total of 59 lots in the plat with 20 lots previously approved. The plat is located off 42nd Street and Midwood Lane, north of Adams Avenue. AB15703 (Resolution 2003-18) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
108. Grant final plat approval of 16 residential lots of 10,000 square feet each in the Highlands plat? There are a total of 102 lots in the Highlands plat with 86 lots remaining to be approved. The Highlands is located north of San Juan Boulevard between the Pacific View subdivision and Yew Street. AB15704 (Resolution 2003-19) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
109. Authorize a $600,000 loan to the Belingham/Whatcom Public Facilities to purchase two businesses in the Mt. Baker Theatre building and related theater projects? Donette Studio and Green Touch will be purchased for $431,500; the other $168,500 is for theatre projects. The loan will be repaid by 12/31/04 with interest based on the market rate. AB15679 (Ordinance 2003-06-36) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
110. Appropriate an additional $139,611 to the Public Works traffic division for a computer fiber optic network and maintenance project? Funding will be reimbursed by the Bellingham School District and the Whatcom County Public Utility District (see July issue, vote 94). AB15682 (Ordinance 2003-06-37) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
111. Appropriate $54,071 for accounting software funded for purchase in 2002 and delayed? The software will be upgraded a year later than planned to be more compatable with other city software and keep up with technology. AB15683 (Ordinance 2003-06-38) Approved 6-0, Louise Bjornson excused.
Action Taken at July 14, 2003 Meeting
112. Authorize the mayor to sign a grant agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields assessment at Little Squalicum Park? The city was awarded a $200,000 grant to assess the soil and water at the park. Work will begin immediately and continue over the next one to two years. AB15724 Approved 7-0
113. Adopt the annual six-year (2004–2009) transportation improvement program and impact fees? State law requires cities to update their six-year transportation program by July of each year. It provides a list of needed capital improvements to establish the city’s eligibility for state and federal funds and sets the rate for impact fees. AB15696 (Resolution 2003-15) Approved 6-1, Barbara Ryan opposed.
114. Award the low bid of $1,122,935 to Strider Construction of Bellingham for a new sewer line on Marine Drive? Strider will install 8,000 feet of sewer line on Marine Drive from Bennett Drive to Alderwood Avenue. The low bid was $141,279 below engineer’s estimate. AB15726 Approved 7-0
115. Award the low bid of $232,904 to Callen Construction of Custer for the Woburn/Fraser left-turn lane project? A northbound turn lane will be installed on Woburn for traffic turning west on Fraser. The sidewalk on the southside of Fraser between Valencia and Woburn will be improved and the Whatcom Creek Trail crossing at Woburn Street will be enhanced. The low bid was $20,173 below engineer’s estimate. AB15727 Approved 7-0
116. Award the low bid of $947,886 to Wilder Construction of Everett for the annual street resurfacing program? Streets scheduled for resurfacing are Garden, 30th and Iowa Streets. Curbs, gutters and sidewalks will be repaired or replaced where necessary and a signal installed at Iowa and Pacific Streets. The low bid was $92,373 below engineer’s estimate. AB15728 Approved 7-0
117. Appropriate $18,814 for the fire dispatch labor settlement and start long-term disability coverage for police dispatchers? The fire labor agreement provides a 2 percent general wage increase in 2003 and implementation of long-term disability insurance coverage effective July 1, 2003. AB15698 (Ordinance 2003-06-39) Approved 7-0
118. Allocate $8,718 to upgrade one position in the information technology department and increase the salary of the director? The systems analyst 2 will receive a yearly salary and benefit increase of $4,700 retroactive to December 11,2002, as per the city and union agreement. The other $4,018 is going to the information technology director. The director's salary will increase by $9,337 annually. AB15699 (Ordinance 2003-06-40) Approved 7-0
119. Appropriate $36,000 to determine if the Bellingham Inn location can be used as an above-ground parking garage? The environmental site assessment (at the southeast corner of Railroad and Holly) will determine if there are any old mine shafts under the property and, if there are any, provide an estimation of the foundation work needed to support a multi-level structure. Several maps show the presence of a gas station on the property. AB15701 (Ordinance 2003-06-41) Approved 7-0
120. Amend Ordinance 8662 (passed May 1, 1978), which governs the development of the Haggen’s property at 2814 Meridian? The City Council made the decision on planned development contracts when Ordinanace 8662 was passed. The current code allows the planning director to make those determinations. This amendment will allow the planning director to make decisions on the proposed 10,190 square foot addition to the Haggen’s store. AB15705 (Ordinance 2003-06-42) Approved 7-0
121. Adopt the 2002 edition of the National Electrical Code? The existing chapter of Bellingham Municipal Code 17.16 will be replaced with a new chapter. The inspection fees of the Uniform Plumbing and Electrical codes will be aligned with the Uniform Building and Uniform Mechanical Codes to reflect actual costs. The hourly inspection fees will increase from $50 per hour to $75 per hour with increased annual revenue estimated at $3,000 to $4,000. AB15707 (Ordinance 2003-06-43) Approved 7-0
122. Amend the fee schedule for Uniform Building Code inspections? The Uniform Building Code’s inspection fees (Bellingham Municipal Code 17.08.060) will be aligned with those of the Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Codes to reflect actual costs. The hourly inspection fees will increase from $50 per hour to $75 per hour with increased annual revenue estimated at $6,000 to $8,000. AB15708 (Ordinance 2003-06-44) Approved 7-0
123. Amend mechanical* inspection fees? The Uniform Mechanical Code’s inspection (Bellingham Municipal Code 17.40.040) fees will be aligned with those of the Uniform Building, Plumbing and Electric Codes to reflect actual costs. The hourly inspection fees will increase from $50 per hour to $75 per hour with increased annual revenue estimated at $2,000 to $3,000. AB15709 (Ordinance 2003-06-45) Approved 7-0
124. Grant a utility zone extension to the Trickle Creek plat? Ordinance 10725 passed on April 1, 1996 required the King Family Property (Trickle Creek development) to construct and operate a sewage pump station. The Public Works department has determined that a modification in the city boundary will allow the development to use an existing sewer pump station. This will eliminate the need for a new pump station and save $6,500 in annual operating costs. AB15711 (Ordinance 2003-06-46) Approved 7-0
