Action Taken at February 12, 2018 Meeting
Shall the council:
19. Ratify the collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME, Local 114L? The following agreement with city librarians will apply: wages will increase by 2.25 percent on 2/1/2018 and by 2.25 percent on 1/1/2019. In addition, each member of the bargaining unit will receive a one-time ratification bonus in the amount of $140 on their first pay check following ratification. The employer’s contribution towards health insurance premiums in 2018 will increase by 5 percent above the contribution rate in 2017, and again in 2019 by 5 percent from the contribution rate in 2018. (Discussed in Executive Session) Approved 7-0
20. Grant a noise variance to the Washington State Department of Transportation for Sunset Drive/Mt. Baker Highway (SR-542) paving? Construction work in residentially zoned areas between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. requires a noise variance. The variance is for 55 non-consecutive nights between 3/19/2018 and 11/16/2018. The project encompasses two sections through Bellingham: I-5 to Woburn/Hannegan and McLeod Road to the city limits. The project includes grinding and paving, ADA ramp upgrades and a culvert replacement. (AB21867) Approved 7-0
21. Authorize the mayor to accept at $234,466 state grant for the development of an advanced phosphorous treatment in the Lake Whatcom watershed? The grant money will evaluate the capacity of new media mixes to remove total and soluble phosphorous from stormwater following the process defined in the “Technical Guidance Manual for Evaluating Emerging Stormwater Treatment Technologies” available at: https://fortress. wa.gov/ecy/publications/summarypages/1110061.html. If successful, the media would increase phosphorous removal efficiency and likely decrease costs in future stormwater treatment and retrofit projects. (AB21875) Approved 7-0
22. Appropriate $3,247,274 for payroll checks issued from January 11 through January 25, 2018? (AB21876) Approved 7-0
23. Appropriate $9,416,252 for goods and services checks issued from January 13, 2017 through February 2, 2018? (AB21877/21878/21879) Approved 7-0
24. Reduce park impact fees based on the existing level of service from 35 percent to 31 percent? The council initially adopted park impact fees at the 2/27/2006 meeting, vote #48, amended them at the 10/15/2007 meeting, vote #211 and 4/27/2008 meeting, vote #86. As part of the update to the Comprehensive Plan in 2016, the department noted in the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan (PRO Plan) that the proportionate share could be reduced to 31 percent and still meet capital funding goals identified in the PRO Plan. Following a 12/11/2017 presentation to City Council on a proposed reduction to park impact fees, council directed staff to update the fee schedule and formula for computing park impact fee rates, resulting in a reduction in fees. Fees for single family homes are reduced from $4,808 to $4,015 and multi-family from $3,524 to $2,942. AB21823 (Ordinance 2018-02-003) Approved 5-2, Terry Bornemann and John Hammill opposed.
Action Taken at February 26, 2018 Meeting
Shall the council:
25. Ratify the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters, Local No. 231? The following general terms will apply: wages will increase by 5 percent on 3/1/2018. In addition, each member of the bargaining unit will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $650 on 1/1/19. The employer›s contribution towards health insurance premiums in 2018 will increase by 5 percent above the contribution rate in 2017, and again in 2019 by 5 percent from the contribution rate in 2018. (Discussed in Executive Session) Approved 7-0
26. Remove on-street parking from Roeder Avenue? (Public hearing held at 2/12 meeting.) In the summer of 2018, Public Works will be repairing and resurfacing the asphalt on Roeder Avenue between Squalicum Parkway and C Street. As part of the project, Public Works proposes to remove on-street parking on Roeder Avenue to install five-foot-wide marked and buffered bicycle lanes, as recommended by the Bicycle Master Plan. Public Works also proposes to establish a common proactive traffic control and parking plan for special event parking to support community celebrations, seasonal festivals, and athletic events. At the public hearing an alternate proposal showing a separated cycle track in place of buffered bike lanes was submitted by a citizen group as a matter for future council consideration. (AB21865) Approved 7-0
27. Reimburse Puget Sound Energy $199,970 for street light conversion? PSE owns, operates and maintains more than 1,300 city street lights. Most of the lights are attached to power poles. Having recently obtained a new tariff rate from the state Utilities and Transportation Commission, PSE has a program to replace existing lighting with new light emitting diode street lights. The city pays an upfront cost for the replacement, but will benefit in the long term from the lower monthly tariff rate. Converting the street lights will reduce power consumption by approximately 173,000 KWh/year, or 132 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. Monthly maintenance and operation payments for PSE owned street lights will be reduced by $55,000 per year. A rebate from PSE of approximately $40,000 is also available. The project will be broken down into approximately 10 phases with payment due upon completion of each phase. (AB21881) Approved 7-0
28. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $785,929 to Tiger Construction of Everson for the Roosevelt water quality improvements project? The engineer’s estimate was $855,405. Work involves repairing stormwater mains, replacing one block of main, installation of stormwater treatment filters and a biofiltration swale inside Roosevelt Park. The city received seven bids, the high bid was $1,421,148. (AB21882) Approved 7-0
29. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $271,749 to Windwood Enterprises of Ferndale for landscape maintenance services? The city’s previous five-year contract for landscape maintenance has expired. The landscape maintenance services bid provides mowing, pruning, straightening of plants, removal of dead material, site clean up of vegetation for the Public Works Department and the Fire Department. The city received two bids, the high bid was $334,986. (AB21883) Approved 7-0
30. Approve the mayor›s reappointment of Lisa Anderson to the Planning and Development Commission? She was appointed to a partial term at the 2/8/2016 meeting, vote #21. Has been a resident of Bellingham for 25 years, employed at Whatcom Community College since 2005 and before that at Western Washington University. She is presently the president of the York Neighborhood Association, was a driving force behind the cleanup of the Aloha Motel and Samish Way, and has worked closely with the city and other neighborhoods on planning for the Samish Way urban village. Her term will expire on 3/24/2022, at which time she may be reappointed. (AB21891) Approved 7-0
31. The mayor appointed Ellen Howard to a partial term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. A retired medical librarian, she has lived in Bellingham for three years. Has been involved with the Patient and Family Advisory Council at PeaceHealth, the League of Women Voters board, the Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival and the Bellingham Counseling Association. Her partial term will expire on 11/22/2018 at which time she may be reappointed. (AB21893) Does not require council confirmation.
32. The mayor appointed John Blethen to a partial term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He has lived in Bellingham since 1969, is a graduate of Western Washington University and the owner of Whatcom Interiors. Blethen has been the co-chair of the Larrabee Elementary PTA, chair of the Bellingham Parks board and has served on all four Greenway levies. He helped establish the Bellingham Food Co-op. His term will expire on 7/1/2018 at which time he may be reappointed. (AB21893) Does not require council confirmation.
33. Appropriate $3,225,660 for payroll checks issued from January 26 through February 9, 2018? (AB21895) Approved 7-0
34. Appropriate $2,099,713 for goods and services checks issued from February 3 through February 16, 2018? (AB21861/21862) Approved 7-0
35. Express support for placing a price on carbon at the state and federal level? Presently, Governor Jay Inslee and other legislators have prepared legislation that would place a cost on carbon using proceeds to promote alternative energy sources, defray costs of adapting to impacts of climate change, and fund investments to benefit businesses, families and communities. As a leader in adopting clean-energy initiatives, the city of Bellingham is well-positioned to encourage action at the state and federal level on legislation to enact a price on the use of carbon-based fuel. AB21898 (Resolution 2018-02) Approved 7-0
36. Adopt protections for residential tenants? (Public hearing held at 12/4/2017 meeting.) Three new chapters are added to the Bellingham Municipal Code. 1: prohibiting discrimination in residential rental housing based on the source of income; 2: increasing the notice period 60 days for rent increases of 10 percent or more; 3: increasing the notice period for no cause eviction of tenants. The new amendments include provisions for inspections administered by Bellingham Housing Authority and other non-profit entities to be completed within 15 days of the unit becoming ready, as well as the establishment of a regularly scheduled council discussion with other interested parties to monitor this ordinance’s effects on the community and its effectiveness in addressing the target problems. AB21778 (Ordinance 2018-02-004) Approved 7-0
