Bellingham City Council

Shall the council:

288. Approve the legislative agenda for the 2007 session of the state Legislature? Dick Little (governmental relations director) presented 16 items expected to come before the next session of the state Legislature that will have a direct impact on the city of Bellingham. Mr. Little will lobby lawmakers on these and other pertinent issues that may come up during the 109-day long session that begins on January 8, 2007. (AB17225) Approved 7-0

289. Adopt an updated comprehensive water system plan? State law requires the city to update its comprehensive water plan to ensure that the quality and quantity of drinking water is maintained. The last complete update was adopted in 1993. City staff and EarthTech (a consultant) have worked on a series of technical analyses and study investigations of the water system’s performance and operation. The updated plan requires extensive capital improvements to the system over the next 20 years. AB17220 (Resolution 2006-49) Approved 4-3, John Watts, Barbara Ryan and Joan Beardsley opposed.

290. Modify the fees at the Lake Padden Golf Course? The parks and recreation staff/advisory board and Lake Padden Golf Committee developed the new fees to encourage more golfing during the slow period from November 1 to March 31. The changes include lower weekday and weekend rates and a new nine-hole rate for weekends in December, January and February. It is estimated that the new fees could generate an additional $10,000 in revenue. AB17221 (Resolution 2006-50) Approved 7-0

291. Set the time and dates for 2007 regular council meetings? Twenty-seven meetings are scheduled for 2007, one less than was scheduled for 2006, four less than 2005 and five less than 2004. AB17226 (Resolution 2006-51) Amended and approved 7-0

292. Amend the Bellingham Municipal Code on cemetery operations? The changes at Bayview Cemetery are being made to reflect current practices and procedures in the cemetery industry. AB17210 (Ordinance 2006-11-109) Approved 7-0

This meeting had eight votes.Whatcom Watch reports ordinances at third and final readings; seven of those votes took place at the December 4 meeting and the eighth vote took place at the December 11 meeting.

Shall the council:

293. Purchase a 10.5-acre parcel from Celeste and Robert Shipp for $400,000 plus closing costs? Ninety-two percent of the property has second growth timber between 90 and 100 years of age. It is located in the Lake Whatcom watershed just south of Agate Bay; its southern boundary fronts on Northshore Drive. The city will obtain a conservation easement for the adjoining 4-acre parcel. Approved 7-0

294. Enter into an agreement with Whatcom County and the Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District to share the costs of defending a lawsuit challenging the Lake Whatcom watershed plan? The City Council voted to retain Toby Thaler at the November 6, 2006 meeting, vote number 276. See that vote for details about the lawsuit. The three bodies agreed to share the costs for both counsel and expert witnesses. (AB17250) Approved 7-0

295. Reject all bids for traffic signposts? The low bid was deemed non-responsive because a group order was required; the city plans to order the posts as needed. The second bid, more than four times higher than the low bid, was significantly over budget. City staff believes that rebidding the traffic signposts will get more responsive and reasonably priced bids. Nineteen bids were solicited and two were received. (AB17255) Approved 7-0

296. Appropriate $4,646,886 for goods and services checks issued from November 3 through November 17, 2006? (AB17256/17257) Approved 7-0

297. Appropriate $5,177,429 for city payroll checks issued from October 16 through November 15, 2006? (AB17258/17259) Approved 7-0

298. Vacate portions of 34th Street and Dumas Avenue? Public ownership of the rights-of-way will be relinquished. Bellingham Marketplace Associates is seeking the vacation. The vacation will allow unimpeded access by delivery trucks to the building Marketplace Associates owns next to Sehome Village. On May 24, 2006, the Bellingham Hearing Examiner concluded the vacation is consistent with city policy and recommended approval. AB17213 (Ordinance 2006-12-110) Approved 7-0

299. Extend the permanently affordable home ownership project? The project was established at the 11/22/04 meeting, vote number 257, for one year and extended at the 12/5/05 meeting, vote number 258, for another year. The first and only units approved under the project are the Kulshan Community Land Trust houses at Harris and 15th; building permits are under review. Staff recommended an extension of the project until 12/31/08, so the 14 houses can be built and evaluated. The council also passed a resolution at the 7/10/06 meeting, vote number 172, calling for a coordinated affordable housing program with Whatcom County by the end of 2007. AB17231 (Ordinance 2006-12-111) Approved 6-1, Bob Ryan opposed.

300. Authorize the additional expenditure of $20,000 by Whatcom Medic One to purchase of a new ambulance? Unexpected mechanical problems in a newer ambulance prompted the purchase of a new ambulance instead of replacing the chassis (previously approved) on an older ambulance. The cost of the new ambulance is $129,880, which is $20,000 more than the chassis replacement. AB17233 (Ordinance 2006-12-112) Approved 7-0

301. Authorize $46,000 in unanticipated expenditures by Whatcom Medic One for disability injuries? Medic One had a significant overtime increase this year because of long-term injury/illness leaves by several employees, including one that resulted in retirement. AB17234 (Ordinance 2006-12-113) Approved 7-0

302. Reclassify an office assistant 3 position to administrative secretary? New duties were added to the public works position and the incumbent requested a job audit. The Civil Service Commission found the duties consistent with administrative secretary and re-classified the position; $1,054 will be reallocated in the 2006 budget and $4,476 has been added to the 2007 budget. AB17235 (Ordinance 2006-12-114) Approved 7-0

303. Accept a state grant of $3,500 for overtime pay? The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission grant will be used for “Drive Hammered – Get Nailed” DUI patrols between 12/1/06 and 1/1/07. The performance standard is a minimum of three vehicle stops per hour with ticket, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. AB17239 (Ordinance 2006-12-115) Approved 7-0

304. Accept a federal grant of $26,874 to purchase portable x-ray equipment? The Department of Homeland Security grant will be used by the police department to purchase x-ray equipment to examine suspicious packages for explosive devices. AB17240 (Ordinance 2006-12-116) Approved 7-0

305. Accept a state grant of $25,163 to purchase radar units? The Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant will be used to assist police department traffic and patrol units in school zones. AB17241 (Ordinance 2006-12-117) Approved 7-0