Action Taken at September 30, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
182. Authorize the city to spend $1,260,000 to purchase Northwest Avenue property from the Pacific Northwest Credit Union? The 31,056-square-foot property will be used for a shelter named North Haven, replacing two tiny home villages. At the 4/8/2024 meeting, vote #62, the council authorized the city to spend $1,200,000 to purchase the property, but the credit union appealed the tiny homes permit to the hearing examiner. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
183. Authorize the city to spend $1,600,000 to purchase a 3.4 acre parcel on Telegraph Road from owner, Leeanna Newlin? Baker Creek runs through the property located at the east end of Telegraph Road. The property will used to create a trail connection between the Barkley and King Mountain neighborhoods. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
184. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County to create the Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan? The city and the county both own large tracts of land in the Lake Whatcom watershed, including, 8,800 acres of forest trust lands and approximately 3,000 acres purchased under the property acquisition program. The purpose of the plan is to create a document that serves as a long-range tool for the coordinated management of city- and county-owned forestland. The plan will improve forest and watershed health, climate and wildfire resiliency, water quality and overall ecology. The total cost of the plan is $133,060; the county’s share is $91,795 and the city’s share is $41,295. (AB24249) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
185. Appropriate $5,112,105 for payroll checks issued from August 16 to August 31, 2024? (AB24259) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
186. Appropriate $5,830,092 for goods and services checks issued from September 06 through September 19, 2024? (AB24260/24261) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
187. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $127,800 to Huizenga Enterprises of Bellingham for the 2024 crack seal program? The engineer’s estimate was $270,000. This program provides for sealing cracks in asphalt streets throughout Bellingham as a part of the city’s pavement preservation program. The city received five bids: the high bid was $402,900. (AB24262) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
188. Authorize the Bellingham Police Department to apply for a federal grant? (Public hearing held at October 7 meeting.) The Bellingham Police Department seeks council approval to apply for the FY24 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. The total grant allocation is $40,170; the City of Bellingham is allocated $28,661 and Whatcom County is allocated $11,509. The Police Department would like to purchase four bicycles, helmets and shoes for officers added to the Bicycle Response Team, which is specific to crowd management. (AB24263) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
189. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the state of Washington to renew the sponsorship of two Washington Conservation Corps crews? Total cost to the city will not exceed $167,585 and will run from 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2025. The total estimated cost is $294,107. The work will continue the city’s long-term commitment to improving and protecting the community’s water quality, salmon habitat, and open space. The program is a partnership with Washington state and the federal AmeriCorps program. Crews (ages 18-25 and military veterans) will perform riparian restoration work throughout the city of Bellingham and the Lake Whatcom watershed. The previous agreement was approved at the 9/12/2023 meeting, vote #176. (AB24265) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
190. Authorize the mayor to renew an agreement with Whatcom County for parking at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center? Whatcom County has a lease agreement with Cornwall Center Inc. for parking adjacent to the Bellingham Senior Activity Center. The city and county share in the cost of providing parking at 315 Halleck Street. Whatcom County will pay $2,153 per month and maintain and manage the premises. The city will make monthly payments to Whatcom County of $1,436 for the first year and $1,479 for the second year. The council initially authorized the agreement at the 6/23/2014 meeting, vote #122; it was renewed at the 6/3/2019 meeting, vote #103. This agreement expires on 6/30/2026. (AB24266) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
191. Authorize the police chief to renew an agreement with the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) to house inmates? At the 3/21/2016 meeting, vote #45, the council initially approved an agreement to house inmates at the South Correctional Entity in Des Moines. The 164,000-square-foot facility has the capacity to house 813 inmates. Before the SCORE agreement, inmates were sent to to the jail in Yakima County. The South Correctional Entity will be used as an option for times when Whatcom County jail is on restriction or only booking felony offenses. The per day booking fee is $80 and general population bed rate is $148 for guaranteed beds and $213 for non-guaranteed beds. This agreement expires on 12/31/2025. (AB24267) Approved 5-0; Jace Cotton abstained, Daniel Hammill excused.
192. Adopt elements of the 2024 Fiber Network Comprehensive Plan? At the 8/24/2020 meeting, vote #151, the council created the Broadband Working Group to study and recommend options for use of the city’s 89 miles of fiber. At the 5/8/2023 meeting, vote #89, the council adopted the findings of the Broadband Working Group. This comprehensive plan is designed to improve fiber network redundancy and resiliency and support the city’s needs in the future, including a long-term city fiber-needs map, as well as next steps for fiber testing and infrastructure upgrades. AB24250 (Resolution 2024-23) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
193. Create a Keep Washington Working Act Advisory Work Group? This advisory group replaces the Immigration Advisory Board that was dissolved at the 10/7/2024 meeting, vote #199. This is a limited-term advisory work group of not less than five members and not more than nine appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. It will examine the city’s compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act, established in 2019 by the state Legislature to restrict local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws. AB24256 (Resolution 2024-24) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
194. Establish a shelter protection area around the Way Station located at 1500 N. State Street and enforce a code of conduct? The Way Station is a partnership between owners Whatcom County, the Opportunity Council, Unity Care NW, and PeaceHealth. The station will provide a range of services to homeless individuals and families in the community. The one and a half block protection area around the proposed facility is bounded by E. Champion Street, N. Forest Street, York Street and the Walton Place parking lot and be subject to the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in city code. AB24235 (Ordinance 2024-09-025) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused.
__________________
Action Taken at October 7, 2024 Meeting
Mayor’s Report
195. The mayor appointed Holly Miller to her first term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The board consists of 11 members appointed by the mayor; membership is three years with a maximum of two consecutive terms. Holly Miller is a 23-year resident of Bellingham, and is involved with the Samish Neighborhood Association, the Workgroup for Trail Safety/Share the Trail, and was until 2020 the managing director for Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County. Her initial term will expire on 9/30/2027, at which time she may be reappointed. (AB24275) Nonvoting issue.
Shall the council:
196. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County for a $1 million EDI grant? The Economic Development Investment (EDI) grant will help fund the Mitigation Bank Project/ Bear Creek Corridor construction. The county administers the EDI program; the money comes from portions of the rural sales tax which can only be used for public facility projects. The three mitigation sites are east and west of Northwest Drive — Waldron Road is on the north and Stuart Road on the south. City funds for the Bear Creek Corridor project will come to $3,640,000 for a total cost of $4,640,000. In 2016, the city initiated the development of the Bellingham Mitigation Bank project, and it has acquired property, studies and consultant contracts to develop the bank. The bank will offer credits for sale to all public and private sector developers who projects have unavoidable impacts in the proposed service area. The Bear Creek construction activities will focus on enhancing the existing forested wetland, upland, and riparian corridor through the establishment of native species and the removal of invasive species. Additional construction will include thinning of deciduous trees; installing signs, perimeter and deer fencing, as well as habitat features; and removing two dilapidated culverts within a side channel of the creek. (AB24271) Approved 7-0
197. Appropriate $5,131,164 for payroll checks issued from September 1 to September 15, 2024? (AB24273) Approved 7-0
198. Appropriate $10,855,681 for goods and services checks issued from September 20 through September 26, 2024? (AB24274) Approved 7-0
199. Dissolve the Immigration Advisory Board and repeal its enabling ordinance? At the 11/4/2019 meeting, vote #197, the City Council established the Immigration Advisory Board to make recommendations regarding policies related to immigration matters. At the 2/12/2024 meeting, vote #31, the problematic nature of the board caused the council to temporarily suspend future meetings. At the 9/30/2024 meeting, vote #193, the council created the Keep Washington Working Act Advisory Work Group to replace the Immigration Advisory Board. AB24257 (Ordinance 2024-10-026) Approved 5-2; Michael Lilliquist and Jace Cotton opposed.
__________________
Action Taken at October 14, 2024 Special Meeting
Shall the council:
200. Encourage citizens of Bellingham to vote “no” on Initiative #2066? (Public hearing held.) The initiative will appear on the November 5, 2024 general election ballot. If passed, the initiative would repeal or prohibit certain laws and regulations that discourage natural gas use, and/or promote electrification, and require certain utilities and local governments to provide natural gas to eligible customers. If passed, it will also undermine the City of Bellingham’s Climate Action Plan. AB24276 (Resolution 2024-25) Approved 7-0
201. Encourage citizens of Bellingham to vote “no” on Initiative #2109? (Public hearing held.) The initiative will appear on the November 5, 2024 general election ballot. In 2021, the Washington Legislature enacted a capital gains excise tax, which is imposed on individuals with capital gains over $250,000. If passed, this initiative would repeal a tax set to benefit K-12 schools and create a gap in education funding that will likely be shouldered at the expense of lower income taxpayers. AB24277 (Resolution 2024-26) Approved 7-0
202. Encourage citizens of Bellingham to vote “no” on Initiative #2117? (Public hearing held.) The initiative will appear on the November 5, 2024 general election ballot. If passed, this initiative would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, and repeal legislation establishing a cap-and-invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and if passed, will jeopardize important local work by the City of Bellingham and community-based organizations using Climate Commitment Act funds. AB24278 (Resolution 2024-27) Approved 7-0
203. Encourage citizens of Bellingham to vote “no” on Initiative #2124? (Public hearing held.) The initiative will appear on the November 5, 2024 general election ballot. This initiative concerns state long-term care insurance. If passed, it would provide that employees and self-employed people must elect to keep the WA Cares Fund, which they could opt out any time, and would repeal a law governing an exemption for employees. AB24279 (Resolution 2024-28) Approved 7-0
__________________
Action Taken at October 21, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
204. Ratify the agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 106B? Wages and Compensation: Effective 1/1/2024: Wage increase of 4 percent and market adjustment of 1.5 percent. Effective 1/1/2025: Wage increase of 4 percent. Effective 1/1/2026: Wage increase of 3.75 percent. Effective upon ratification: Increase the deferred compensation employer match by .25 percent, increase of .4 percent to base salary for captains and inspectors, bilingual premium of 1 percent of salary. Increase longevity pay by .5 percent at 10 years of service and 1.5 percent at 15 years of service. Increase merp contributions by $50 per month effective 1/1/2024 and an additional $25 per month effective 1/1/2025. Medical Insurance: Increase the employer contribution to medical insurance by 6 percent each year. Duration of agreement: 1/1/2024 through 12/31/2026. (Action Taken in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
205. Authorize the mayor to spend $75,000 to acquire 0.13 acres of Lake Whatcom Watershed property with one potential development unit from property owner Brian Huber? (Action Taken in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
206. Authorize the mayor to spend $76,000 to acquire 0.13 acres of Lake Whatcom Watershed property with one potential development unit from property owner Douglas N. Campbell Trust? (Action Taken in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
207. Approve three reappointments by the mayor to the Transportation Commission? The Transportation Commission helps shape the future of Bellingham by taking a long-range, strategic look at transportation issues and providing recommendations on policy choices and investment priorities. At the 10/25/2021 meeting, vote #193, the mayor appointed Tim Wilder, Jacki Quinn and Addie Candib to their first terms on the Transportation Commission. All three are appointed to their final terms, which will expire on 10/25/2027. (AB24283) Approved 7-0
208. Grant a noise variance to the Washington State Department of Transportation for work at I-5 and SR 542? Construction work in residential zoned areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. requires a noise variance. The work will include both paving of hot mix asphalt and crack sealing, and will be in the residential area in the vicinity of the I-5 northbound to the King Street ramp, the Ohio Street to I-5 southbound ramp, and SR 542 (Sunset Drive/Mt. Baker Highway) from approximately McLeod Road to Britton Road. The night work will minimize traffic impacts and ensure the safety of both workers and residents. The variance will allow for seven non-consecutive nights between the 7/8/2025 and 9/25/2026. (AB24290) Approved 7-0
209. Award the two highest scoring construction service proposals to Forma Construction of Seattle and Dawson Construction of Bellingham? The proposals were for the job order contracting program. A job order contract is an alternative method for getting small and commonly encountered construction projects done easily and quickly. The city received four responses, Forma Construction and Dawson Construction submitted the two highest scoring proposals. Per state law, the contract is subject to a maximum term of three years and a maximum contract price of $4 million per year, with a maximum of $500,000 per approved job work order. Apprenticeship requirements apply in accordance with state law for JOC programs. (AB24291) Approved 7-0
210. Authorize the mayor to award the only bid for door repair services to Overhead Door of Bellingham? Due to the number of repairs needed, the varying type, age, and manufacture of overhead door systems, city staff has found it difficult to keep up with the needed repairs and maintenance for each system. This request seeks to consolidate this work into a single, comprehensive agreement to provide centralized on-call maintenance and repairs at competitive prices. Overhead Door of Bellingham submitted a bid of $155,476. This bid amount is based upon a hypothetical set of jobs for bid comparison purposes. The contract is for three years and not to exceed $250,000. (AB24292) Approved 7-0
211. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $1,147,620 to Faber Construction of Lynden for the Little Squalicum water quality retrofits? The engineer’s estimate was $1,304,278. This project will construct five new enhanced stormwater treatment vaults in the Birchwood neighborhood. The new facilities will treat water runoff around the Bellingham Technical College and draining into Little Squalicum Creek. This project will remove stormwater pollutants including hydrocarbons, heavy metals and phosphorus and help to improve water quality in Little Squalicum Creek and the Little Squalicum Estuary as well as Bellingham Bay. The city received five bids; the high bid was $1,879,842. The city received a state grant for $685,810 to assist with this project, it requires a 25 percent city match. (AB24293) Approved 7-0
212. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $835,356 to Premium Services of of Bellingham for shoreline and public access enhancements at Boulevard Park? The engineer’s estimate was $926,334. Significant shoreline erosion occurred during the 2021 storm season. The project will improve public access and address ongoing erosion along the shoreline. It will remove the rock armor from the beaches, remove failing revetments, and add a stable trail. Educational signage will be added to the site. New backshore planting along high elevations of the beaches will also aid in mitigating the impacts from sea level rise and coastal erosion. Surf smelt will benefit from the project and have been documented to spawn at the north beach in the park. The city received 10 bids; the high bid was $1,502,940. (AB24296) Approved 7-0
213. Appropriate $5,138,658 for payroll checks issued from September 16 to September 30, 2024? (AB24298) Approved 7-0.
214. Appropriate $7,539,751 for goods and services checks issued from September 27, 2024 through October 10, 2024? (AB24299/24300) Approved 7-0
215. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Asistance Grant (JAG) program? The county will receive $11,509 of the $40,170 in grant funding from the JAG program. The sheriff’s office intends to use these funds to purchase and replace current ballistic vests and improve officer safety. The city will receive $28,661. The city is the administrator for the Whatcom County allocations. (AB24301) Approved 7-0
216. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Whatcom Council of Governments (COG) for the Whatcom Smart Trips program? The city shall allocate $25,000 to the COG to help fund the program. Since 2006, the city has entered into agreements with the COG to help fund the program. Smart Trips promotes transportation by walking, bicycling, sharing rides and riding the bus. (AB24302) Approved 7-0
217. Require all registered residential properties to have locking mail receptacles? Identity theft can have a significant impact on the financial well-being of an individual and/or household. With over half of the population of Bellingham in rental units and a majority of those households being cost burdened or severely cost burdened, equipping those units with locking mail receptacles helps contribute to safe and secure housing for all residents. Verification of the locking mail receptacles will become part of the safety inspection checklist. AB24185 (Ordinance 2024-10-027) Approved 7-0