February 2005
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at December 13, 2004 Meeting
Shall the council:
269. Deny a sewer and water extension to a subdivision in the Bellingham Urban Growth Area? The petitioners (of a 34-lot subdivision near the intersection of the Mt. Baker Highway and Britton Road) proposed paying for intersection upgrades and the purchase of four development rights in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. The council opposed the extension because of stormwater problems, traffic concerns and a desire to stick to solid boundaries in the UGA plan. (AB16323) Approved 6-1, Grant Deger opposed.
270. Authorize the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with the Port of Bellingham to implement the Waterfront Futures Group recommendations? This agreement establishes an ongoing Waterfront Advisory Group to ensure correct implementation of the Waterfront Futures Group’s recommendations; provides for joint city/port efforts in redeveloping the waterfront; and sets the general responsibilities of both the city and port in the plan. Future agreements will address specific projects within the plan. (AB16327) Approved 7-0
271. Authorize the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with the Port of Bellingham for the New Whatcom sub zone redevelopment project? This agreement commits the city and port to redeveloping the waterfront using the New Whatcom development plan. Under the plan the city will provide needed infrastructure, parks and public access development in the New Whatcom sub zone. The city’s estimated cost for 2005 is $280,000 (matched by the port) and will be used to obtain grants, create a branding/marketing strategy and to hire a consultant and a project manager (AB16328) Approved 7-0
272. Grant final plat approval for phase B (11 single-family lots) of The Highlands plat? There will be a total of 102 single-family lots in The Highlands plat. Phase A with 16 lots was approved at the 6/23/03 meeting, vote 107. The plat is located north of San Juan Boulevard between the Pacific View subdivision and Yew Street. AB16332 (Resolution 2004-40) Approved 7-0
273. Increase street obstruction fees? The council requires a permit for all work in city alleys or street rights-of-way that substantially interfere with public use, such as culver/storm drains, utilities, fences, sidewalk cafes, ramps, etc. This updates the fees first passed in 1988. AB16341 (Resolution 2004-41) Approved 7-0
274. Appropriate $1,618,650.06 for goods and services checks issued from November 19 through December 3, 2004? (AB16342) Approved 7-0
275. Consolidate all development regulations into a single development code? Move the development rules from the 23 neighborhood plans and consolidate them with zoning regulations. The purpose is to clarify and expedite the development process. AB16270 (Ordinance 2004-12-87) Approved 7-0
276. Amend the land use development ordinance and the administration of development regulations? This vote separates zoning regulations from neighborhood plans but does not change them. AB16271 (Ordinance 2004-12-88) Approved 7-0
277. Amend the Fairhaven neighborhood plan? Rezone one-half acre on the northwest corner of 10th and Mill from marine industrial to neighborhood commercial. AB16275-A (Ordinance 2004-12-89) Approved 7-0
278. Amend the Puget neighborhood plan? Permit mini-storage between I-5, Maple and Lincoln. For more information, see 5/17/04 meeting, vote 94. AB16275-B (Ordinance 2004-12-90) Approved 7-0
279. Amend the Cornwall Park neighborhood plan? The hospital master plan no longer needs to be amended before constructing new office buildings. For more information, see 5/17/04 meeting, vote 95. AB16275-C (Ordinance 2004-12-91) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed
280. Amend the Edgemoor neighborhood plan? Change the zoning at Post Point from five attached cluster dwellings to eight detached cluster dwellings. For more information, see 9/27/04 meeting, vote 203. AB16275-D (Ordinance 2004-12-92) Approved 7-0
281. Create the 2004 Public Facilities District/Civic Field/Aquatic Debt Service Fund? This fund keeps track of the repayment of $16,375,000 in general obligation bonds that the council approved at the October 25, 2004 meeting, vote 234. AB16305 (Ordinance 2004-12-93) Approved 7-0
282. Upgrade two library positions with wage increases? The changes compensate for increased work and responsibilities due to reduced staffing. A catalog/reference librarian will be upgraded to systems and bibliographic services librarian and a technical support and training specialist will be upgraded to technical support/applications support specialist. AB16306 (Ordinance 2004-12-94) Approved 7-0
283. Upgrade two city positions with wage increase? The changes compensate for increased work and responsibilities due to reduced staffing. A public works computer services supervisor will be upgraded to systems analyst 1 and a police identification specialist office assistant 2 will be upgraded to office assistant 3. AB16307 (Ordinance 2004-12-95) Approved 7-0
284. Adjust salaries for uniformed management personnel in the police and fire departments? A pay distinction is created between police lieutenant and patrol officer and brings police and fire department management positions into alignment with the current market. AB16308 (Ordinance 2004-12-96) Approved 7-0
285. Upgrade a block grant position? The change compensates for increased work and responsibilities due to reduced staffing. A community development specialist 1 position is upgraded to community development block grant programs specialist with an annual pay increase of $2,856. AB16309 (Ordinance 2004-12-97) Approved 7-0
286. Vacate a portion of Waldron Road in the Cordata Business Park? This ordinance makes previous votes official. At the 9/8/03 meeting, vote 149, the council decided that Waldron Road was no longer needed to connect Meridian with Aldrich Road. At the 9/27/04, vote 205, the council voted to relinquish public ownership of the western 230 feet of Waldron Road and 10 feet on each side of the road. AB16311 (Ordinance 2004-12-98) Approved 7-0
287. Approve the 2005 annual budget? The total budget is $170 million with undesignated reserves of $155,000. The budget cuts 20 jobs and closes the museum’s Syre Education Center. The city expects budget deficits of $2.4 million for 2006 and up to $7.2 million in 2010. AB16317 (Ordinance 2004-12-99) Approved 4-3, Bob Ryan, Grant Deger and John Watts opposed.
288. Appropriate $34,300 for unanticipated building expenses? The municipal court building and City Hall had unanticipated repairs and maintenance in October and November. AB16321 (Ordinance 2004-12-100) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at January 5, 2005 Meeting
Shall the council:
1. Set the time and dates for 2005 regular meetings? Thirty-one meetings are scheduled for 2005 beginning January 10, 2005, one less than were scheduled for 2004. AB16343 (Resolution 2005-01) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at January 10, 2005 Meeting
Shall the council:
2. Authorize the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District to monitor Lake Whatcom tributaries? The monitoring is in addition to the tributaries being monitored by WWU and is part of the comprehensive stormwater program. The city and county will each pay for 45 percent of the estimated cost, up to $28,693 each. The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District will pay for the remaining 10 percent, not to exceed $6,377. (AB16346) Approved 7-0
3. Extend the Parkade lease with the Bellingham Railway Museum until 1/31/06? The city first signed a lease with the museum on 11/13/03 for a monthly rent of $560; about 75 percent less than the market rate. The monthly rent will remain the same. (AB16348) Approved 7-0
4. Reject all bids for emission monitoring at the Post Point wastewater treatment facility? EPA guidelines require emission monitoring when the incinerator is operating. Twenty-six bids were solicited and two were received. The low bidder did not meet bid specifications and was $60,000 over budget. The second bidder met the specifications but was $77,000 over budget. The city will clarify the specifications and rebid the project. (AB16349) Approved 7-0
5. Reject the sole bid for oxygen system valves at the Post Point wastewater treatment facility? Seventeen bids were solicited and one was received. The bidder proposed alternative valves that do not meet the bid specifications; staff was reluctant to use them until an evaluation is complete. A rebid is expected in early 2005. (AB16354) Approved 7-0
6. Dismiss a lawsuit against the state Department of Natural Resources? The city, Whatcom County and the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District went to court to force DNR to adopt the Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan. On November 2, 2004, the DNR board adopted the preferred alternative in the final environmental impact statement making the lawsuit unnecessary. (AB16350) Approved 7-0
7. Appropriate $4,548,472 for city payroll checks issued from November 16 through December 15, 2004? (AB16355/16356) Approved 7-0
8. Appropriate $5,571,756 for goods and services checks issued from December 3 through December 31, 2004? (AB16357/16358/16359) Approved 7-0
9. Set February 8 as the public hearing date to consider the vacation of a portion of McKenzie Avenue? The Bellingham Hearing Examiner will consider a petition that public ownership of the McKenzie Avenue right-of-way, west of 4th Street in the Fairhaven Neighborhood be relinquished. AB16353 (Resolution 2005-02) Approved 7-0
10. Close three funds that are paid and transfer the remaining money into the general fund? Closed are the 1994 aquatic facility bond, criminal justice settlement and Sportsplex acquisition funds and $4,907 is transferred into the general fund. AB16324 (Ordinance 2004-01-01) Approved 7-0
11. Accept a $3,500 state grant to pay overtime for DUI patrols? The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission grant is to be used for Drive Hammered Get Nailed patrols from 11/22/04 to 1/3/05. AB16325 (Ordinance 2004-01-02) Approved 7-0
12. Accept a $22,274 state grant to purchase a motorcycle and two radar units? The grant is from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the items purchased will be used to enforce the speed limit in school zones. The city is responsible for paying $1,826 in sales tax. AB16326 (Ordinance 2004-01-03) Approved 7-0
13. Continue the Public Works Advisory Board and adjust the meeting schedule? This board meets with public works staff, discusses current issues and provides advice. The sunset clause has been moved from 12/31/04 to 12/31/09 and members will be allowed to determine how often they meet. AB16329 (Ordinance 2004-01-04) Approved 7-0
14. Prohibit irrigation systems from being connected to single-family lines? Irrigation systems will be required to install a separate water line, preventing the contamination of drinking water and allowing the city to collect for the cost of the service. AB16330 (Ordinance 2004-01-05) Approved 7-0
15. Prohibit the private possession, sale and use of Tasers, stun guns and similar devices? These weapons were designed for military and police personnel and are currently marketed to the general public for personal protection. Law enforcement and animal control officers are exempt from the prohibition. AB16331 (Ordinance 2004-01-06) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.
16. Vacate 15th Street between Harris and McKenzie Avenues? Public ownership of the right-of-way will be relinquished. Utility easements will be retained by the city. This vacation will allow the petitioner, Kulshan Community Land Trust, to consolidate the vacated land with adjacent property (formerly The Barracks) and construct 10 attached or eight detached affordable housing units. AB16333 (Ordinance 2004-01-07) Approved 7-0
