Bellingham City Council

Compiled by Boris Schleinkofer

Action Taken at December 5, 2016 Meeting

Shall the council:
209. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $442,811 to Hytech Roofing of Lynden to re-roof the downtown Bellingham library? The engineer’s estimate was $387,429. The project involves demolition and replacement or modification of existing membrane roofing and ballast, skylights, flashings, copings, expansion joints, walking surfaces, mechanical ductwork and supports, brick pointing, and miscellaneous items at 210 Central Avenue. The city received three bids, the high bid was $944,507. (AB21441) Approved 7-0

210. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $277,225 to Razz Construction of Bellingham for the Central Avenue pier? The engineer’s estimate was $450,975. The Central Avenue pier is the pedestrian gateway to the Waterfront District development. This promenade will provide a connection to the new Whatcom Waterway Park. Development of the park will be in phases. This initial phase includes the infrastructure to widen the existing pier and provide pedestrian access to the Granary Building. The project incorporates in-water work, which must be completed during the winter work window and includes removal of wood piling, new pile driving and shoreline habitat enhancement. The pier walkway structure and landscaping will be bid under a separate contract. The city received three bids, the high bid was $409,667. (AB21443) Approved 7-0

211. Approve the mayor’s appointments of Kate Darby and Cory Blackwood to the Transportation Commission? The Transportation Commission advises the City Council on transportation planning and transit issues, ensures that transportation investments are consistent with Comprehensive Plan goals and advises the council on parking fees, fines and collection methods, off-street parking contracts and possible expansion of residential parking zones. Both will be serving first terms, which will expire on 12/5/2019, at which time they may be reappointed. Kate Darby, is an environmental studies professor, has researched and published in the areas of public transit access and walkability and has taught classes in these subjects at the college level. Cory Blackwood has volunteered many hours at cycling and pedestrian related events, including Mountain Bike Trail Days and bike-to-work. (AB21447) Approved 7-0

212. Authorize the mayor to sign a $168,000 contract with Whatcom County (amendment #1) for a jail offender work crew? The original contract was approved at the 1/26/2015 meeting, vote #16. This is a two-year extension to perform sidewalk/curb sod/grass cleaning, tree well weeding, roundabout and traffic calming islands, cleanup of transient camps, stream clean up/trash removal and invasive vegetation removal. It will continue to be used for tasks that are not performed by existing staff. The county provides a four-six person self-sufficient team, a crew chief, tools, and vehicles to perform clean-up and vegetation maintenance tasks for $425 per 10-hour shift. The contract runs from 1/1/2016 through 12/31/2018. (AB21448) Approved 7-0

213. Extend the Public-Access (“P”) designation for BTV-10 through 12/31/2018? The city owns and operates BTV-10, which is designated as an Education (“E”) and Government (“G”) channel. At the 7/21/2014 meeting, vote #152 and 9/28/2015 meeting, vote #178, the City Council added a Public-Access (“P”) designation to BTV-10 for a fixed period of time. The city is required to set aside at least four hours per week for public access programming on days to be determined, and shall exercise no editorial control over said programming. AB21449 (Resolution 2016-30) Approved 7-0

214. Appropriate $3,138,973 for payroll checks issued from October 26 through November 10, 2016? (AB21450) Approved 7-0

215. Appropriate $3,281,535 for goods and services checks issued from November 5 through November 18, 2016? (AB21451/21452) Approved 7-0

216. Transfer $10,703 from the low income housing fund to the Community Development Block Grant? Since the 1990s, the block grant fund has had a negative fund balance of $10,703 due to a shifting from a paper-based to online grants accounting system. This transfer will correct the imbalance by transferring administrative dollars from the levy. The levy has benefitted from being able to have administrative costs covered by the federal funds, and there are adequate funds in the levy to cover this imbalance. The overall impact to the city is neutral, this is a housekeeping vote. AB21435 (Ordinance 2016-12-043) Approved 7-0

Action Taken at December 12, 2016 Meeting

Shall the council:
217. Spend $83,670 to purchase a right-of-way and a trail easement at 2601 Birchwood Avenue (Morrie’s Drive-in property) located at the corner of Northwest and Birchwood avenues)? A sidewalk will be constructed in the first half of 2017. The trail is not scheduled for construction. Street funds paid for the right-of-way easement and park impact fees paid for the trail easement. (Discussed in Executive Session) Approved 7-0

218. Approve the mayor’s reappointment of Sharon Rice to the office of Bellingham Hearing Examiner? It will be a two-year term which will expire on 1/26/2019, at which time she may be reappointed. Sharon Rice provides hearing examiner services for eight cities and three counties. The City Council approved her appointment as a temporary hearing examiner at the 6/23/2014 meeting, vote #124. The mayor decided it would save money to keep Sharon Rice as the hearing examiner rather appoint a full-time hearing examiner. At the 1/26/2015 meeting, vote #11, the council approved Rice for a two-year appointment. A fee increase is proposed to reflect same fee charged to other institutions: Day of service fee to increase from $750 to $850; hourly writing fee to increase from $130 to $135. (AB21456) Approved 7-0

219. Approve three reappointments to the Planning and Development Commission? The initial appointments of Ali Taysi and Phyllis McKee was approved at the 12/10/2012 meeting, vote #243. At that time, Ali Taysi was a land use development consultant and Phyllis McKee was a retired teacher that worked in income property management. The appointment of Steve Crooks to a partial term was approved at the 4/8/2013 meeting, vote #59. At that time he was a retired real estate project manager. All three terms end on 1/1/2021. (AB21457) Approved 7-0

220. Appropriate $2,977,293 for payroll checks issued from November 11, 2016 through November 23, 2016? (AB21458) Approved 7-0

221. Appropriate $4,657,694 for goods and services checks issued from November 19 through December 2, 2016? (AB21459) Approved 7-0

222. Authorize the police chief to accept a $8,200 state grant for traffic safety emphasis patrols? The grant is in support of Target Zero to reduce traffic related deaths and serious injuries through impaired driving patrols, distracted driving patrols and seat belt patrols. The grant is for all or part of the following dates: 12/15/2016 through 1/1/2017 and 8/18 through 9/4/2017. Whenever possible statewide mobilization patrols shall begin after 4:00 p.m. and will occur Friday-Sunday. (AB21460) Approved 7-0

223. Establish rental fees for the use of city Parks and Recreation facilities? The minimum rental time is increased from two hours to three hours, a $50 dollar review fee for special events, and a $20 cancellation fee for facility reservations. Athletic events at Civic Stadium will be charged an hourly rate rather than the current per game rate. Pool rental fees at the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center will increase slightly. Facility fees generate approximately $350,000 in annual revenue. These fee changes won’t significantly increase revenue, but they serve to simplify and streamline the fee schedules for users and administrators. Facility fees were last modified 3/11/2013 meeting, vote #43. AB21454 (Resolution 2016-31) Approved 7-0

224. Adopt the 2017-18 budget? (Public hearing held on 11/14/2016.) The budget has 137,327,117 in beginning reserves, $497,643,899 in revenues, $532,273,373 in expenditures, and $102,697,701 in ending reserves. AB21386 (Ordinance 2016-12-044) Approved 7-0

225. Amend membership rules for appointments to the Planning Commission? No more than three voting members of the commission may engage principally in the buying, selling, developing, construction of, or investment in real estate for profit. The legal department added language to clarify the intent and effect of the ordinance. The effective date for the amended membership rules is 4/1/2017. AB21432 (Ordinance 2016-12-045) Approved 7-0

226. Accept the donation of the Baker Creek Estates stormwater facility? The homeowners’ association facility is located in the vicinity of Kramer Lane and East Bakerview Road. The city of Bellingham will provide the operation and maintenance and ensure consistent, proper operation and maintenance of the facility. Closing costs are estimated not to exceed $500. Regular ongoing maintenance costs are estimated to be between $3,000-$4,000 annually. AB21440 (Ordinance 2016-12-046) Approved 7-0

227. Reduce the 2015/2016 budget by $295,029 to account for business and occupation tax overpayments? The city recently completed its review of two pending B&O tax refund applications and confirmed the business taxes were overpaid in error, the requests were filed in a timely manner and limited to the prior four year period of the claim. AB21442 (Ordinance 2016-12-047) Approved 7-0