Action Taken at July 10, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
128. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $1,263,168 to Bear Wood Windows of Lakewood for Old City Hall repairs? The engineer’s estimate was $1,177,000. The building was constructed in 1892, and has been home to the Whatcom Museum since 1941. The building’s prominent location on a bluff exposes the exterior to inclement weather including driving rain and wind from the north, which has deteriorated the exterior façade in multiple locations. At the 4/24/2006 meeting, vote #94, the City Council approved $191,509 contract for window repairs. This repair project includes cleaning and repair of the existing brick and sandstone masonry, restoration and structural improvements of the cast iron columns, replacement of wood windows, and roof repairs.The city received two bids: the high bid was $1,447,273. Funding includes a $380,000 grant from the Washington State Historic Society. (AB23773) Approved 7-0
129. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $1,675,874 to Colacurcio Brothers of Blaine for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements? The engineer’s estimate was $1,950,596. There will be improvements at 15 locations* throughout the west side of Bellingham. The city received three bids: the high bid was $1,881,672. Work is expected to begin in August and be completed in November of this year. (AB23774) Approved 7-0
130. Amend the conservation easement assignment with the Chuckanut Community Forest Park District and the Whatcom Land Trust for Hundred Acre Wood? At the 8/15/2011 meeting, vote #166, the city council authorized the purchase of the 82-acre Hundred Acre Wood (then called Chuckanut Ridge and Fairhaven Highlands) from First Federal Bank for $8.23 million. The city used an interfund loan to pay $3.2 million of the purchase price and was considering a variety of options to pay off the loan, including the sale of a portion of the property. In February 2013, the residents in south Bellingham voted to form the Chuckanut Community Forest Park District, tax themselves and use the proceeds to pay off the loan and permanently protect the property. At the 12/16/2013 meeting, vote #284, the council authorized the city and the district to enter into an interlocal agreement defining their relationship, and, in exchange for the loan repayment, the city granted the district a conservation easement over the property. This interlocal agreement provides that, after the district paid off the loan and the city adopted a park master plan for the property, the city could require district to dissolve within one year. In 2022, the district paid off the loan, and, at the 9/12/2022 meeting, vote #165, the the city council adopted a park master plan for the Hundred Acre Wood. In September 2022, the city notified the district that it had one year to dissolve. (AB23777) Approved 7-0
131. Authorize the mayor to sign an updated and modified What-Comm agreement? The last update was approved at the 8/19/2019 meeting, vote #141. There are no substantive changes to this agreement. The current agreement expires at the end of 2023. The What-Comm Administrative Board voted to renew the agreement through the end of 2027. Three amendments approved by the What-Comm Administrative Board and previously presented to the City Council throughout the course of the current term were: user agencies will be assessed additional fees annually to support an equipment-replacement fund, the center may offer user agencies access to supplemental technologies and services beyond that which is necessary for call-taking and dispatching, and the term dates. This agreement expires on 12/31/2027. (AB23785) Approved 7-0
132. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the City of Lynden to house a medic unit at the Lynden Fire Station? In February of 2023, the Bellingham Fire Department deployed an additional medic unit in support of the countywide EMS plan.That medic unit is housed in the city of Lynden’s fire station. This agreement will cost the city of Bellingham approximately $34,100 per year and provides for indoor parking, supply storage, dorm room space, and utility costs. (AB23786) Approved 7-0
133. Authorize the mayor to accept a $140,000 state grant for police officer wellness? The grant is from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Bellingham Police Department’s wellness program has an embedded Dr. Earley who provides direct mental health and support services to officers. The new grant will run from 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 and will establish officer wellness programs to include building resilience, injury prevention, peer support, physical fitness, proper nutrition, stress management, suicide prevention, mental health supports/services, among others. (AB23787 ) Approved 7-0
134. Appropriate $4,368,452 for goods and services checks issued from June 16 through June 29, 2023? (AB23788/23789) Approved 7-0
135. Appropriate $4,597,664 for payroll checks issued from June 1 through June 15, 2023? (AB23790) Approved 7-0
136. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $1,110,076 to Colacurcio Brothers of Blaine for Lincoln — E. Maple signal and nonmotorized improvements? The engineer’s estimate was $1,421,843. The project will construct a traffic signal at the intersection of Lincoln and East Maple and break the 0.86-mile corridor in half by providing a protected pedestrian crossing. Lincoln Street will be reduced from five lanes to three lanes with a center turn lane in order to transform the existing bike lanes into buffer-protected bike lanes. A flashing crosswalk and transit island will be constructed at the intersection of Lincoln and Viking Circle. A five-foot-wide sidewalk will be constructed along the west side of Ashley and East Maple streets between Lincoln, and Consolidation, connecting the residences on the hillside with the WTA bus stops and WWU Lincoln Creek Park and Ride. The city received three bids: the high bid was $1,255,659. Funding for the project includes a $480,000 grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. (AB23791) Approved 7-0
137. Submit to the general election ballot a property tax levy of $.41/$1,000 of assessed value to continue the Greenways program for another 10 years? (Public Hearing held.) In 1990, the voters of Bellingham approved a property tax levy to raise funds to “acquire, develop and maintain, open space sites, parks, park facilities and trails.” Three subsequent levies were approved by voters in 1997, 2006 and 2016. This fifth Greenways levy adds a new component to help improve our park system’s climate resiliency, including energy efficiency upgrades, urban forestry management, invasive species removal, expanded neighborhood trail development, and additional restoration and community garden projects. AB23772 (Resolution 2023-15) Approved 7-0
138. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement for redevelopment in Old Town? At the 3/31/2008 meeting, vote #79, the City Council adopted the Old Town subarea plan, corresponding development and design standards. The City Council held a public hearing at the 6/26/2023 meeting, to consider an agreement with developers (Pete Dawson, Curt O’Conner and Fredrick Hines of Old Town Village, LLC and Capron, LLC) who have sought partnership with the city to develop several parcels of property within the Old Town subarea. This agreement would create greater predictability and flexibility for the developers to offset some of the known risks associated with redevelopment of the Old Town subarea from an industrial use area to a commercial and residential one. The developers are obligated to meet six milestones. AB23780 (Resolution 2023-16) Approved 7-0
Action Taken at July 24, 2023 Meeting
Shall the council:
139. Spend $78,000 to acquire 0.65 acres of Lake Whatcom Watershed property with one development unit from the current property owners, Dennis and Lori Ressler? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Approved 7-0
140. Spend $160,000 to acquire 1.29 acres of Lake Whatcom Watershed property with two development units from the current property owner, Curtis Boyer? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Approved 7-0
Mayor Fleetwood made four appointments to the Immigration Advisory Board. The board reviews and evaluates policies regarding compliance with state law and makes specific recommendations regarding policies related to immigration matters; provides for data collection regarding contact between the city of Bellingham, Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection; and includes periodic updates to council. (AB23792)
141. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Gabriela Montenegro to a full term on the Immigration Advisory Board? A Lynden resident for the past eight years, Gabriela Montenegro is the Housing Resource Access Coordinator for the Opportunity Council and has a BA in Criminology. Her full term will expire on 7/24/2025, at which time she may be reappointed. Approved 7-0
142. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Jian He to a full term on the Immigration Advisory Board? Jian He is currently a student at Sehome High School and has lived in Bellingham for less than two years He is the child of an immigrant family and is involved with Northwest Youth Services, Whatcom County Teen Court Students Advisory Board and the Northwest Chinese Cultural Association. His first term will expire on 7/24/2025, at which time he may be reappointed. Approved 7-0
143. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Imanat Kang to partial term on the Immigration Advisory Board? Imanat Kang has lived in Whatcom County for over eight years, is a student at WWU and is involved with the Whatcom Center For Early Learning and the South Asian Student Association. His partial term will expire on 6/23/2024, at which time he may be reappointed. Approved 7-0
144. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Daniel Cruz to a partial term on the Immigration Advisory Board? He has lived in Bellingham for eight years and is self employed. He is a member of the the Whatcom County Association of Realtors and the Whatcom New Life Assembly church. His partial term will expire on 6/23/2024, at which time he may be reappointed. Approved 7-0
145. Authorize the mayor to award the low bid of $3,418,938 to Faber Construction of Lynden for the Parkview Safe Routes to School? The engineer’s estimate was $3,723,927. This project ($1.9 million in state and federal funds) will add sidewalks on Coolidge, Indiana, Cornwall and Vallette Streets, roadway and intersection improvements along West Illinois and a new roundabout at Illinois Street and Sunset Drive. It will also add a flashing beacon crosswalk at Vallette Street and marked bicycle lanes on Illinois. The city received six bids: the high bid was 4,391,152. Construction is expected to begin in August and be completed by the spring of 2024. (AB23793) Approved 7-0
146. Appropriate $4,768,305 for payroll checks issued from June 16 through June 30, 2023? (AB23803) Approved 7-0
147. Appropriate $5,726,210 for goods and services checks issued from June 30, 2023 through July 13, 2023? (AB23804/23805) Approved 7-0
148. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement to house inmates at the South Correctional Entity (SCORE)? The council initially approved an agreement to house inmates in Des Moines at the 3/21/2016 meeting, vote #45. The Bellingham Police Department would like to continue the contract with SCORE. The 164,000-square-foot facility has the capacity to house 813 inmates. SCORE will be used as an option for times when Whatcom County Jail is on restriction or are booking felony offenses only. The booking fee is $65 and general population bed rate is $205 per day. The agreement expires on 12/31/2024. (AB23806) Approved 7-0
149. Authorize the mayor to sign a renewed agreement with the state of Washington for funding and support of the city’s Pollution Prevention Assistance Partnership? This agreement provides $271,497 in state revenue to the city. The city partners with the Washington State Department of Ecology to provide pollution prevention assistance specialists for technical assistance and education outreach to small businesses to prevent pollution of waters of the state as part of the Pollution Prevention Assistance Partnership (formally known as the Local Source Control Partnership). The agreement was initially approved in 2008, and was renewed every two years through 2021. This agreement will commence on 7/1/2023 and expire on 6/30/2025. (AB23807) Approved 7-0
150. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Whatcom County for enforcement patrols to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species? This agreement provides $28,596 in funding for sheriff’s patrols on Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. The sheriff’s office has the jurisdictional authority and capability to provide on-water aquatic invasive species education and enforcement. Sheriff deputies will provide boat operators with city and county regulatory requirements, information on the locations of inspection stations, and other compliance-related information. (AB23808) Approved 7-0
151. Defer Initiative No. 2023-01, which concerns raising the minimum wage, to the general election ballot? The council voted on 7/10/2023 to direct staff to draft a resolution deferring the initiative to the voters. If passed, the initiative will establish on 5/1/2024, a city minimum wage that is $1.00 above the state minimum wage and increasing it to $2.00 above the state minimum wage on 5/1/2025. It would also prohibit retaliation by employers against employees; establish a private right of action for employees; give the city access to work sites and records; and allow the city to issue civil infractions and order injunctive relief including reinstatement, restitution, and payment of back wages. AB23795 (Resolution 2023-17) Approved 7-0
152. Defer Initiative No. 2023-02, which concerns landlord-tenant relations, to the general election ballot? The council voted on 7/10/2023 to direct staff to draft a resolution deferring the initiative to the voters. If passed, the initiative will require landlords to provide written notice 120 days before increasing rent by more than 8 percent in a rolling 12-month period; require landlords to pay relocation assistance equal to three times the current fair market monthly rent for Bellingham or three times the tenant’s existing monthly rate, whichever is higher, when increasing rent more than 8 percent, with limited exceptions; provide tenants receiving assistance a relocation period of five months; and authorize private actions and city enforcement. AB23796 (Resolution 2023-18) Approved 7-0
153. Affirm that affordable housing and homelessness are a public health crisis? Washington state residents identified housing costs and homelessness as the top two problems facing the state in a recent housing survey conducted by the Department of Commerce and Puget Sound Regional Council. Qualitative interviews with Bellingham residents found that housing affordability is a strain on family resources, causing stress that affects families’ overall health. Median rent in Bellingham has increased by 41 percent over the past five years, including a 15 percent increase in median rent from 2022 to 2023 alone. The city is actively partnering with the Whatcom County Health & Community Services Department, the lead agency responsible for addressing homelessness in our community. AB23798 (Resolution 2023-19) Approved 7-0
154. Amend the 2023-2034 biennial budget (amendment #6)? This amendment will transfer $1.5 million from the general fund to What-Comm Construction Fund #301 for a new emergency 911 facility. A state grant will reimburse $1 million of the transfer. The property was recently purchased by the city using Greenways funds to complete trail connections adjacent to Cordata Park. However, the entire site is not needed for the trails. The money will perform feasibility and concept design for the property at 4447 Meridian. The new facility is anticipated to cost $12 million and to be financed through a bond issuance in 2024. The city’s portion of the debt service is anticipated to be approximately $300,000 annually for the 20-year life of the debt. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. AB23778 (Ordinance 2023-07-019) Approved 7-0
155. Amend the Old Town overlay district development regulations? (Public hearing held at the June 26 meeting.) At the 3/31/2008 meeting, vote #79, the City Council adopted the Old Town subarea plan and corresponding development and design standards. This vote amends the district development regulations including: allowing additional interim light industrial uses; adjusting floor area bonuses and transfers between development sites; and eliminating parking requirements. Amendments were also added for adopting new minimum bicycle parking standards consistent with previous adopted urban villages’ bicycle parking standards, retaining the existing “public plazas and open space.” AB23779 (Ordinance 2023-07-020) Approved 5-2, Lisa Anderson and Kristina Michele Martens opposed.
