Action Taken at the April 8, 2024 Meeting
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Lund encouraged the public to watch the committee of the whole meeting regarding the Post Point facility treatment plant and the necessary upgrades to the city’s infrastructure. The city is working to address the Northwest Clean Air Agency notice of violation (see the May 2024 issue, page 15) for Post Point operations.
Shall the council:
62. Authorize the mayor to spend $1,200,000 for the acquisition of property located at 3300-3308 Northwest Avenue and owned by NW Avenue LLC? The property was purchased in anticipation of two tiny home villages moving to that location in the fall of 2024. They are Unity Village in Fairhaven and Swift Haven in the Puget neighborhood, both are located on city property. Eighty acres of property — located between Northwest Avenue and Pacific Highway, was purchased by the city in May of 2018 for wetlands mitigation and is not appropriate for tiny homes. This new property is paved. (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
63. Authorize the mayor to retain attorneys Matthew Cohen and Rachel Cox of Stoel Rives LLP to assist with environmental permitting, regulatory compliance and enforcement matters concerning the Post Point Resource Recovery Plant? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 7-0
64. Approve a ground lease with Western Washington University for construction of a Coast Salish House of Healing in the Sehome Hill Arboretum? (Public hearing held.) The City of Bellingham and Western Washington University, with $4.5 million in support from the State of Washington, are partnering to construct the longhouse in the Sehome Hill Arboretum, near the southern end of the reserve. The city is providing $600,000 in transportation funds for offsite pedestrian and street improvements, as well as two acres of park property that will be leased to Western Washington University. This longhouse will be used as a cultural gathering place for university students as well the public. The primary term of this lease is 75 years from the commencement date, with two optional 10-year renewals, with an annual base rent in the amount of one ($1.00) dollar a year. The public hearing and presentation were consolidated into one discussion. (AB24068/24069) Amended and approved 7-0
65. Authorize the mayor to sign a cooperative purchasing agreement with the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative? This agreement will allow the city to piggyback onto the competitive bidding process, in lieu of self-performing its own bidding process. With this agreement, the city’s minimum bidding requirements can be met and the city can piggyback with Sourcewell for the city’s fleet fuel island canopy and site improvements’ project. (AB24079) Approved 7-0
66. Authorize the mayor to accept a $654,635 state grant to improve water quality in Little Squalicum Creek? The drainage area is currently piped through a 36” stormwater main directly into the water body without treatment. This project will design systems to provide treatment for total suspended solids, dissolved copper, dissolved zinc, and reduce flows to Little Squalicum Creek by increasing stormwater infiltration. The city is required to provide a match of $115,445 for a total cost of $769,635. (AB24071) Approved 7-0
67. Authorize the mayor to accept a $359,371 state grant to improve water quality in the Irongate Industrial Park area? Also called a business park, it is nearly completely covered with impervious surface and drains directly into a salmon stream with a priority for watershed restoration. Runoff from this 133-acre area flows to Lower Baker Creek, which connects to Squalicum Creek, both of which are on the list of impaired waters, before flowing to Bellingham Bay. This project will design systems to provide treatment for total suspended solids, dissolved copper, dissolved zinc, and reduce flows to Lower Baker Creek through detention and increasing stormwater infiltration. The city is required to provide a match of $63,418 for a total cost of $422,789. (AB24072) Approved 7-0
68. Authorize the expenditure of approximately $55,000 for the Holly Street bicycle lane pilot project? An engineering study conducted in 2016 found that approximately 400 bicycles per day, or 3.6 percent of the total traffic during the afternoon peak hour, traveled this corridor despite the high level of stress for bicyclists. The pilot project will install a buffered bike lane on Holly St. from Ellis St. to North State St., and a parking protected lane from North State St. to Bay St. to fill an important missing link in the downtown bike network. (AB24073) Approved 7-0
69. Appropriate $5,050,694 for goods and services checks issued from March 15 through March 28, 2024? (AB24076/24077) Approved 7-0
70. Appropriate $4,971,084 for payroll checks issued from March 1 through March 15, 2024? (AB24078) Approved 7-0
71. Extend the deadline for the memorandum of agreement regarding cultural resources near the Middle Fork fish passage project? This amendment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Nooksack Tribe was initially approved by the council at the 12/3/2018 meeting, vote #193. The goal of the project is to resolve adverse effects on historic properties associated with the Middle Fork diversion dam. The city is working with the Nooksack Tribe to complete the remaining stipulations and cannot move forward without additional guidance and input from the Nooksack Tribe. The tribe needs more time for internal discussions related to the remaining stipulations. The completion date is extended to 6/1/2026. (AB24080) Approved 7-0
72. Authorize the mayor to accept a $190,127 state grant to treat stormwater along Squalicum Parkway? It will treat total suspended solids, dissolved copper, dissolved zinc and reduce flows by increasing stormwater filtraion along more than 2,000 linear feet of roadway, as well as nearby parking lots and adjacent surfaces. The city is required to provide a match of $33,552 for a total cost of $223,679. (AB24081) Approved 7-0
73. Authorize the mayor to accept a $97,608 state grant to improve water quality along Stanley Drive, Poplar Drive and Lakeside Avenue in the city of Bellingham? This project will design systems to provide stormwater treatment for total suspended solids, dissolved copper, dissolved zinc, total phosphorus, and reduce flows into Lake Whatcom by increasing stormwater infiltration. It will retrofit two existing stormwater facilities located at the intersections of Alabama Street and Electric Avenue/Lakeside Avenue and Lakeside Lane. The city is required to provide a match of $33,552 for a total cost of $114,833. (AB24082) Approved 7-0
74. Authorize the mayor to accept a $190,391 state grant to improve water quality along Bill McDonald Parkway? This project will design systems to provide stormwater treatment for total suspended solids, dissolved copper, dissolved zinc, and reduce flows by increasing stormwater infiltration. Soil assessments at approximately 50 sites and geotechnical investigations at 10 sites in the watershed will also be conducted. It will design a bioretention system to treat and infiltrate runoff from approximately 1,000 linear feet of roadway or approximately four acres, and will also include geotechnical investigations for future stormwater infiltration systems. The city is required to provide a match of $33,598 for a total cost of $223,989. (AB24083) Approved 7-0
75. Relinquish a surplus utility easement encumbering 1504 Larrabee Avenue? (Public hearing held.) On 3/8/1993, the City of Bellingham vacated 15th Street between Larrabee Avenue and the alley running parallel between Larrabee Avenue and Donovan Avenue. The city retained an easement for potential future public utility needs within the vacated street segment as well as a 10-foot pedestrian easement. The owner of 1504 Larrabee Avenue has plans to improve and redevelop the Hillcrest Chapel site. The Parks and Recreation Department requires that the existing pedestrian easement remain, but will consider an onsite relocation of the 10-foot easement upon building permit submittal. AB24067 (Resolution 2024-03) Approved 7-0
76. Amend the 2023-2024 biennial budget (amendment #11) to allocate an additional $473,269 for public restrooms and golf course operations? This amendment adds a maintenance supervisor and a worker position ($100,000) for the new downtown public restrooms due to open later this year and budget authority ($197,563) related to restroom operations. It also provides funding ($175,706) for the golf course to replace an aging herbicide sprayer and rough mower in addition to buying out the lease on a greens mower and turf roller. AB24056 (Ordinance 2024-04-012) Approved 7-0
77. Repeal a portion of the municipal code (chapter 2.39) dealing with the Whatcom Museum Foundation? Since 2009, the foundation has operated the Whatcom Museum. On 12/28/2023, the city and the foundation entered into a new operating agreement ending on 12/31/2028. Among other things, the agreement contains provisions regarding the composition of the foundation’s board of directors. A provision in the new agreement is inconsistent with city code, therefore it is necessary to repeal BMC 2.39. AB24058 (Ordinance 2024-004-013) Approved 7-0
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Action Taken at the April 15, 2024 Meeting
Shall the council:
78. Authorize the mayor to sign an agreement for a $3 million loan/grant from Whatcom County? The City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and private developers are partnering to fund infrastructure improvements for the Old Town Urban Village. At the 4/9/24 meeting, vote #95, the Whatcom County Council approved an Economic Development Investment Program (EDI) loan of $1,500,000 and a grant for $1,500,000. The infrastructure improvements will be designed and constructed over the next two years with private development activity expected to stretch over the next decade. The total project cost for infrastructure improvements is estimated to be $5,350,000. The city anticipates using Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) funding to pay for the project costs in excess of the $3,000,000 provided via the EDI loan/grant. REET funds will used to pay down the loan. (AB24087) Approved 5-0, Daniel Hammill and Lisa Anderson excused.
79. Grant a noise variance to Faber Construction for paving on Woburn Street? Construction work in Residential zoned between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. requires a noise variance. This variance will allow resurfacing work for up to 10 working days on Woburn Street between Texas Street and Barkley Boulevard, and between Fraser Street and Old Woburn Street in the Roosevelt and Barkley Neighborhoods. The night work will minimize traffic impacts and ensure the safety of both workers and residents. The work begins on 4/22/2024. (AB24090) Approved 5-0, Daniel Hammill and Lisa Anderson excused.
80. Appropriate $3,032,738 for goods and services checks issued from March 29, 2024 through April 4, 2024? (AB24094) Approved 5-0, Daniel Hammill and Lisa Anderson excused.
81. Appropriate $5,047,413 for payroll checks issued from March 16 to March 31, 2024? (AB24095) Approved 5-0, Daniel Hammill and Lisa Anderson excused.
82. Authorize the city administration to apply for a $500,000 state grant to develop Phase 1 of Storybrook Park? A wildlife and recreation program grant through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) would help fund the park project. Phase 1 development of this new 5.7-acre park in the Birchwood Neighborhood (see votes 345 and 346 at the 12/12/2023 meeting) includes a playground, nature trail loop, park entrances, pocket parking, street frontage improvements, outdoor classroom, picnicking, multiuse lawn area, park furnishings, and wetland buffer mitigation. Phase 1 park development including design is estimated to cost approximately $2.1 million, and this grant will be matched with the current adopted project budget of $1,818,054
Approved 5-0, Daniel Hammill and Lisa Anderson excused.
