August 2007
Watching Government
Bellingham City Council
Compiled by Earl Dennis
Action Taken at June 19, 2007 Meeting
Shall the council:
120. Retain the “one and one-half rule” used to calculate lot density? (Public hearing held) The “one and one-half rule” allows the Bellingham Hearing Examiner to approve — through the short platting process — lots smaller than allowed in a neighborhood plan. A proposed amendment would have eliminated the rule. On 4/19/07, the planning commission voted 5-1 to retain the rule. City staff was directed to keep the rule in its current form. (AB17487) Approved 6-1, Louise Bjornson opposed.
121. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $12,347,087 to Ebenal General of Bellingham for a new art and children’s museum plus street improvements? This is a Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District project. The old unemployment office at Flora and Grand will be demolished and a new museum will replace it along with grass, bushes and trees, new sidewalks, streetlights, alleyway and bus turnout. The contract is $11,175,000 plus sales tax of $938,700 for the museum and $233,387 for street improvements. The low bid was $1,082,524 above the engineer’s estimate. The bid was awarded because the two bids were within 1 percent of each other and rebidding the project was not likely to reduce costs because of escalating construction expenses, rising interest rates and competing projects. One hundred and twelve bids were solicited and two were received. (AB17497) Approved 7-0
122. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $1,522,461 to Wilder Construction of Bellingham for the annual street resurfacing program? The project will lay asphalt on six city streets or approximately 3.2 miles, while making minor curb, gutter and drainage improvements. The low bid was $198,649 below the engineer’s estimate. Forty-five bids were solicited and two were received. (AB17498) Approved 7-0
123. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $255,000 to S&S Concrete Construction of Bellingham for the 2007 sidewalk replacement program? Approximately 4,600 square yards of sidewalk in the Sehome, York, Columbia and Sunnyland neighborhoods will be replaced. The low bid was $33,000 above engineer’s estimate. Forty-one bids were solicited and three were received. (AB17511) Approved 7-0
124. Appropriate $3,577,571 for goods and services checks issued from May 18 through June 8, 2007? (AB17515/17516/17517) Approved 7-0
125. Appropriate $2,764,764 for city payroll checks issued from May 16 through June 1, 2007? (AB17518) Approved 7-0
126. Grant final plat approval for the School Place plat in the Mt. Baker Neighborhood? The plat (located at the northern end of Tree Farm Lane near Squalicum High School) consists of 18 single-family lots, private open space tracts and a stormwater detention tract. AB17512 (Resolution 2007-14) Approved 7-0
127. Grant final plat approval for division two of The Reserve at Cordata located in the Guide Meridian neighborhood? Division one (80 single-family lots and two open space tracts) was approved at the 6/5/06 meeting, vote number 137. Division two (located at the northeastern corner of Tremont Avenue and Cordata Parkway) consists of 148 residential lots and five open space tracts. AB17513 (Resolution 2007-15) Approved 7-0
128. Rezone 2.19-acres in the Samish neighborhood? The council held a closed hearing on 4/2/07 and adopted the rezone request. The rezone will change the density in area 5A of the Samish neighborhood from 20,000 square feet per dwelling unit to 7,201 square feet per dwelling unit. AB17456 (Ordinance 2007-06-44) Approved 4-2-1, Louise Bjornson and Bob Ryan opposed, Don Gischer abstained.
129. Amend the 2007 budget for the 2007 action plan of the 2003-2007 consolidated plan? The budget will increase by $364,711; a $472,531 increase in community development funds and a decrease of $107,760 in HOME investment partnership funds. AB17457C (Ordinance 2007-06-45) Approved 7-0
130. Accept a state grant for $12,315 to purchase radar units and rain gear? The Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant will be used to replace three outdated radar units used by motorcycle officers and purchase seven sets of rain gear. The equipment will be used primarily in school zones. AB17483 (Ordinance 2007-06-46) Approved 7-0
