Compiled by Boris Schleinkofer

Action Taken at September 28, 2015 Meeting

Shall the council:
178. Grant a noise variance to the state of Washington for Interstate 5 paving and guardrail work? Construction work in residentially zoned areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. requires a noise variance. The work will take 11 nights to complete and will include milling and filling of asphalt pavement, erosion control, traffic control, pavement marking near Iowa Street, and installing guardrail at the Lakeway Drive northbound on-ramp. The work is to occur between June and September 2016. The contractor will be required to implement nighttime noise mitigation, which has been successful in past projects in our area. (AB20978) Approved 7-0

179. Approve the Economic Development Strategic Action Plan? The state Growth Management Act requires that local comprehensive plans include an Economic Development chapter. At the 6/17/2013 meeting, vote #128, the council voted to add a chapter on Economic Development to the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. The Strategic Action Plan encompasses a broad spectrum of plans and suggestions to improve the city’s businesses and infrastructure, including construction of connective throughways between districts and available land, construction of stormwater treatment facilities and urban villages, and construction of recreational and transportation facilities. (AB20966) Approved 7-0

180. Amend the Bellingham Municipal Code to address drivers for transportation network companies? Commercial transportation services use online-enabled digital platforms to connect passengers with drivers using their personal vehicles; Uber has applied to operate in Bellingham. A motion to include a 10-year background check requirement failed. Requirements for transportation network companies will include city business registration, license registration, background checks, vehicle inspection, insurance, submission to audits and the establishment of punishments for violations. (AB20981) Approved 5-2, Jack Weiss and Michael Lilliquist opposed.

181. Add to the 2016 legislative agenda the long-term restoration from rail accidents and support for Governor Jay Inslee’s Climate Action Plan? The city, in partnership with the Port of Bellingham and Whatcom County, adopts a state legislative agenda each year. The joint legislative agenda outlines and defines the shared objectives of the three entities and their commitment to work cooperatively with the Legislature, to strengthen the partnership between state and local governments, and to ensure the resources to implement the policies and goals as adopted by the state of Washington. (AB20992) Approved 7-0

182. Authorize the mayor to award low bids totaling $77,921 for water distribution accessories? The components are gate valves, tapping valves, check valves and tap sleeves that are used on water main connections and maintenance projects. The components were divided into five groups; bids were separate for each group. HD Fowler of Bellingham was the lowest bidder for Groups A, B and C for a total of $62,810. HD Supply Waterworks of Bellingham was the lowest bidder for Group D at $9,987. Ferguson Waterworks of Burlington was the lowest bidder for Group E at $5,124. (AB20986) Approved 7-0

183. Authorize the mayor to accept a $500,000 state grant to be used for installing LED street lights? See vote #188 for details on the installation of 3,600 LED street lights. The energy efficiency grant from the state of Washington required the City Council to review the document and authorize the mayor to sign the agreement. (AB20988) Approved 7-0

184. Appropriate $2,957,622 for payroll checks issued from August 26 through September 10, 2015? (AB20989) Approved 7-0

185. Appropriate $4,327,754 for goods and services checks issued from September 4 through September 17, 2015? (AB20990/20991) Approved 7-0

186. Extend the Public-Access, Educational and Government designation of BTV channel 10 through 2016? At the 7/21/2014 meeting, vote #152, BTV10 was designated as a “PEG” Public Access Education and Government channel for a 12-month period. The designation began on 10/5/2014, when the first public access program (averaging six hours per week) was aired, so the designation will expire on 10/4/2015. The television production training program will conclude on 3/31/2016. The PEG designation will be extended through through 12/31/2016 to allow for public participation in developing and submitting content. AB20982 (Resolution 2015-17) Approved 7-0

187. Appropriate $4 million for LED street-lights? Approximately 3,600 street lights will be replaced with energy efficient LED-fixtures. The city has contracted with the state of Washington to hire a prequalified company to perform the work. Benefits of LED technology include lower fixture costs, longer warranties, improved nighttime visibility and energy savings. The city received a $500,000 state grant (see vote #184), and $3,500,000 will come from an inter-governmental loan, to be paid back over a twelve year period. It is anticipated that annual payments of approximately $400,000 will be paid from future energy savings and reduced repair and maintenance costs. AB20963 (Ordinance 2015-09-037) Approved 7-0

188. Authorize an interfund loan of $1,350,000 from the solid waste fund to the watershed fund? There is a $5 million line of credit in the watershed fund that has been used to make a land acquisition purchase. The cost of maintaining the line of credit is approximately $28,000 per year depending upon interest rates. This one year interfund loan and reserves of $1,350,000 will be used to pay off the existing line of credit and save the watershed fund approximately $22,000 per year in interest and fees at today’s rates. AB20964 (Ordinance 2015-09-038) Approved 7-0

189. Issue $4,200,000 in bonds to refund the outstanding 2006 water and sewer bonds? This bond will be issued with the same amortization period as the original 2006 bonds and is expected to save approximately $300,000 over the remaining life of the bonds. The finance director will negotiate the final terms of the bond with the purchaser, whose proposal has been determined to be in the best interest of the city, by June 2016. The city further reserves the right to reject all bids, at its sole discretion. AB20965 (Ordinance 2015-09-039) Approved 7-0

190. Amend interim zoning regulations for businesses found to be within areas zoned for the production, processing and retailing of recreational marijuana zones? (Public hearing held) A special circumstance arose with one applicant who no longer met the 1,000’ buffer requirement after a new arcade opened within the boundary limit. The amendment accounts for the situational repositioning of boundary limits to within 100’ of restricted locations that are not schools, in special circumstances when permits have previously been filed and approved. The emergency ordinance was first passed at the 7/1/2013 meeting, vote #142, extended at the 8/12/2013 meeting, vote #176, 8/4/2014 meeting, vote #161, 2/9/2015 meeting, vote #34. and 8/10/2015 meeting, vote #161. This proposed renewal makes no changes to the previously adopted interim rules and will continue to allow individuals to apply for licenses as authorized by I-502. Emergency ordinances must be renewed every six months. AB20977 (Emergency Ordinance 2015-09-040) Approved 7-0

Action Taken at October 12, 2015 Meeting

Shall the council:
191. Authorize the legal department to file a civil nuisance abatement action with respect to property located at 2626 Iron Street? Neighbors are unhappy with unpermitted construction and detritus accumulated on the property. (Discussed in Executive Session) Approved 7-0

192. Authorize the mayor to award the only bid of $163,050 to Tiger Construction of Everson for accessibility renovations to City Hall? Renovations are required by March 2016 to correct deficiencies identified in a federal government survey. The work includes installation of handrails for the exterior ADA ramp at the northwest entrance, elevator call button height adjustments, two drinking fountain accessibility requirements, handrail upgrades in the Council Chambers, handrails in the east and west stairwells, and replacing non-compliant door hardware on accessible routes. The engineer’s estimate was $110,998. (AB20999) Approved 7-0

1943. Authorize the mayor to award the only bid of $61,434 to Ferguson Water Works of Burlington for water distribution accessories? The components are ductile iron fittings, couplings, pipe restraints and grip rings that are used on water main connections and maintenance projects. The components were divided into 11 groups. Ferguson Water Works was the only bidder for all 11 groups. (AB21004) Approved 7-0

194. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the state of Washington for the Washington Conservation Corps? The agreement allows the city to sponsor two crews from 10/5/2015 to 9/18/2016. The total cost is $292,000, with the city providing $97,000 and the state $195,000. Crews will perform riparian restoration work throughout the city of Bellingham and the Lake Whatcom watershed, and will include invasive control, native species installation and fence work. (AB21005) Approved 7-0

195. Appropriate $2,838,533 for payroll checks issued from September 11 through September 25, 2015? (AB21006) Approved 7-0

196. Appropriate $7,323,137 for goods and services checks issued from September 18 through October 1, 2015? (AB21007/21008) Approved 7-0

197. Declare property at 301 and 315 N. Samish Way surplus for the purpose of redevelopment? (Public hearing held) At the 10/27/2014 meeting, vote #220, the council declared the Aloha Motel on the property a neighborhood blight and at the same meeting (#223) voted to obtain the property by eminent domain. At the 7/27/2015 meeting, vote 141, the council voted to acquired the property for $1,588,512. AB20995 (Resolution 2015-18). Approved 7-0

198. Declare property at 315 W. Holly Street surplus and solicit proposals for redevelopment? (Public hearing held) The property (known as the “Army Street Property”), which includes the adjacent portion of two parcels, was acquired at the 10/22/2012 meeting ,vote #198, as part of an exchange with the Port of Bellingham for property in The Waterfront District. AB20996 (Resolution 2015-19) Approved 7-0

199. Oppose Proposition 1, 2 and 3 that will appear on the general election ballot? (Public hearing held at a special meeting on 10/5/2015.) The Whatcom County ballot measures under consideration include Proposition 1 (restriction of County Council elections to include only voters from the district in which the candidate was nominated), Proposition 2 (preventing amendments to the Charter approved by a 2/3 majority of the voters except by a unanimous County Council vote), Proposition 3 (preventing changes made to Prop 1 except by a unanimous vote). AB20993 (Resolution 2015-20) Approved 7-0

200. Support Proposition 9 that will appear on the general election ballot? (Public hearing held at a special meeting on 10/5/2015.) If passed, Proposition 9 would change Whatcom County from three County Council districts and one at-large position to five County Council districts and two at-large positions. AB20993 (Resolution 2015-21) Approved 4-3, Michael Lilliquist, Terry Bornemann and Gene Knutson opposed.

201. Amend the Bellingham Municipal Code to address drivers for transportation network companies? Commercial transportation services use online-enabled digital platforms to connect passengers with drivers using their personal vehicles; Uber has applied to operate in Bellingham. A motion to include a 10-year background check requirement failed. Requirements for transportation network companies will include city business registration, license registration, background checks, vehicle inspection, insurance, submission to audits and the establishment of punishments for violations. AB20981 (Ordinance 2015-10-041) Approved 5-2, Michael Lilliquist, and Jack Weiss opposed.

202. Authorize the receipt and spending of a federal grant for $8,640? The grant is from the United States Department of Homeland Security/2014 Operation Stonegarden and will be used to fund overtime costs for the police department’s hazardous device (explosives) unit to train other local law enforcement agencies in Whatcom County. The Bellingham Police Department has been a recipient of the Operation Stonegarden grants for the past five years. AB20987 (Ordinance 2015-10-042) Approved 7-0

Action Taken at October 26, 2015 Meeting

Shall the council:
203. Authorize the purchase of an access road easement from Richard and Debra Berglund/Waterfront Alley/Trillium Corporation for $117,387? The easement will provide the city with access from Central Avenue to the Army Street right-of-way for the purpose of accessing public utilities located there, and for the additional purpose of accessing city-owned property located adjacent to the Army Street right-of-way. (Discussed in Executive Session) Approved 7-0

204. Authorize an environmental site assessment of the Stonecrest stormwater facility? The owner, Alliance Properties 2000, has offered to donate this facility to the city located on Iron Gate Road. Acceptance of this donation would ensure the proper maintenance of the facility, and would be consistent with public ownership of stormwater facilities throughout the city. Closing costs are estimated not to exceed $4,000. Regular, ongoing maintenance costs are estimated at $3,000-$4,000 annually. (AB21012) Approved 7-0

205. Approve the mayor’s reappointment of Ted Rosen to the Greenway Advisory Committee? The Greenway committee provides citizen recommendations to the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Department about Greenway levy expenditures, parkland acquisitions and parks/trails/open space development projects. Mr. Rosen is a part-time writer ho was initially appointed at the 11/18/2012 meeting, vote #217; this will be his final term which expires on 11/19/2018. (AB21021) Approved 7-0

206. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement to upgrade the Integrated Library System? The agreement is between the Whatcom County Library System and the Bellingham Public Library. The integrated system was established in 2005; it manages most functions of library services including acquisitions, cataloging, serials, patron information and check-in/out. The SirsiDynix company of Lehi, UT, will take over the hosting systems and operations. Maintenance cost will be divides proportionally, the city with 40 percent and the county 60 percent. (AB21022) Approved 7-0

207. Appropriate $2,898,067 for payroll checks issued September 26 through October 9, 2015? (AB21023) Approved 7-0
208. Appropriate $6,338,430 for goods and services checks issued from October 2 through October 15, 2015? (AB21024/21025) Approved 7-0

209. Hold a public hearing on November 9 to allow the city to absorb the Transportation Benefit District? At the 7/12/2010 meeting, vote #144, the City Council established the Bellingham Transportation Benefit District as a separate entity. It was to be governed by the City Council and preference given to projects that improve safety, travel time, air quality, traffic flow, freight mobility, etc. At the 11/2/2010 general election, Bellingham voters approved a sales tax increase to fund transportation improvements. In 2015, the state Legislature passed legislation that allows a city to assume all “rights, powers, functions and obligations” of the Transportation Benefit District? AB21017 (Resolution 2015-022) Approved 7-0

210. Authorize the mayor to accept a $54,835 federal grant to purchase heavy-duty vehicle extrication tools? The fire department has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase the extrication tools. The federal grant requires local funds of $5,483 for a total of $60,318. AB21001. (Ordinance 2015-10-043) Approved 7-0