City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 10/26/2015, 7:00 PM Mayor Kelli Linville Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members Jack Weiss, Gene Knutson, Daniel www.cob.org/council Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Terry Bornemann, Michael Lilliquist All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at and Roxanne Murphy 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA unless otherwise noted. The following items are heard in the Regular Meeting only: Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Knutson at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: On Wednesday, November 4, 2015, the Council's Community & Economic Development Committee will host a meeting 6:00-7:00 PM in the Library Lecture Room in the Central Library downstairs. The topic will be the proposed Sick & Safe Leave. On Monday, November 9, 2015, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, the City Council will host a public hearing on the periodic update to the City's Critical Areas Ordinance. On Monday, November 16, 2015, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, the City Council will host a public hearing on the City's 2015-2016 Mid-Biennial Budget modifications. On Monday, November 16, 2015, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, the City Council will host a public hearing on consideration of amendments to the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the Bellingham School District's new 2015-2021 Capital Facilities Plan. Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Meetings Act. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Council President Knutson. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 10/26/2015  Roll Call Present: Jack Weiss, Council Member, First Ward Gene Knutson, Council Member, Second Ward Daniel Hammill, Council Member, Third Ward Pinky Vargas, Council Member, Fourth Ward Terry Bornemann, Council Member, Fifth Ward Michael Lilliquist, Council Member, Sixth Ward Roxanne Murphy, Council Member, At Large Excused: 15-Minute Public Comment Period Greg Lee, business owner on Commercial Street, reported he had hassles with the Night Market event. He felt that the organizers of the event were not receptive to his concerns and that his questions went unanswered. Yoshé Revelle, spoke on the topic of oppression. Clayton Petree, reported that Whatcom County adopted the City's recommendations for the Comprehensive Plan. He discussed the Population Growth Monitoring Report and his recommendations for the City to consider. Wendy Harris, requested the Council consider creating a wood smoke-free zone within the City. She also discussed the dangers of breathing in wood smoke. Presentation 21009 1. Presentation by the Department of Ecology to the City for the Wastewater Treatment Plant's Outstanding Performance in 2014 Doug Allen, from the Department of Ecology, presented an award, "Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance" to the City of Bellingham. Information only. Public Hearing 21010 1. Public Hearing to Consider the E. Bakerview Road / Mt. Baker Highway Annexation Consisting of Approximately 163.5 Acres Located Within the City's Northern Urban Growth Area City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 10/26/2015  Moshe Quinn, City Planner, gave a presentation for the annexation. Jeff Kvamme, property owner of the annexation area, also gave a presentation for land use of the property. Council President Knutson opened the public hearing. Mary Kay Robinson, spoke in favor of the annexation. However, in her estimation, she thought the number of projected housing units that could be built in the square acreage is not feasible or realistic. Chad Clark, conveyed he is in opposition to the annexation. He opposed the clause of "no protest of annexation" that was included in the Trickle Creek homebuyer's agreement. He felt the City forced the annexation on the Trickle Creek homebuyers and developer. Ryan Munsen, explained he is opposed to the annexation. Leah Clark, shared information from real estate companies that shows vacant land in the City of Bellingham as available for development. She is opposed to the annexation. Ken Hancock, advocated for the developer of the annexation area and spoke in favor of the annexation. Terry Norr, spoke in favor of the annexation and improving the quality of life for the residents of Bellingham by creating more places to live. Ayla McDonald, addressed the Council to convey her opposition to the annexation and development of the area. She enjoys the open space for animals and horse riding and is concerned development would hinder the space for wildlife. Isabella Prince, opposed the annexation of the proposed area. She would like to maintain the rural area. Shar Sarte Prince, asked the Council to oppose the annexation. She stated the annexation area is not conducive to housing development. Butch Kvamme, developer of the proposed annexation area, encouraged the Council to approve the annexation. Gail Hanna, expressed concern of the road and infrastructure in the area. She stated that the community cannot accommodate additional housing and traffic. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 10/26/2015  Wendy Harris, questioned the integrity of the process of the public hearing and the staff recommendations. She disapproved of the staff recommendations and the annexation. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Jack Weiss/Terry Bornemann moved to send agenda item to Committee for further discussion. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21011 2. Public Hearing on 2016 Revenue Projections Including an Increase in the Property Tax Levy Brian Henshaw gave a presentation on 2016 Revenue Projections including an increase in the Property Tax Levy. Council President Knutson opened the public hearing. Wendy Harris, discouraged the City's practice of incentive programs for developers because she feels the public pays for them. The written record will remain open until the Council makes a final decision (Res. #2013-09). Public Works / Public Safety 21012 1. Donation of Stonecrest Stormwater Facility to the City of Bellingham Terry Bornemann/Roxanne Murphy moved to approve acceptance of the Stonecrest Stormwater Facility. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21013 2. Wastewater Treatment Plant Biosolids Presentation Information only. Community and Economic Development 21014 1. Downtown Bellingham Partnership Status Report Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 10/26/2015  21015 2. Homebuyer Partnership with Washington State Housing Finance Commission Information only. 20788 3. Urban Village Redevelopment Incentives Information only. 21016 4. 2014 Annual Performance Report on HUD Entitlement Grants and Housing Levy Information only. Committee Of The Whole 21017 1. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, SETTING THE DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING THE BELLINGHAM CITY COUNCIL’S INTENT TO ASSUME THE RIGHTS, POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE BELLINGHAM TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT KNOWN AS TBD NO. 1, AS OF JANUARY 1, 2016, AS ALLOWED BY SECOND ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5987, SECTION 302 (July 15, 2015). Pinky Vargas/Roxanne Murphy moved final approval of Resolution #2015-22 with amendment of date. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21018 2. HAWK Pedestrian Crossing Signal Information only. 21019 3. Work Session on the 2016 Supplemental Budget Modifications Information only. 4. Approval of Minutes Jack Weiss/Dan Hammill moved approval of the October 12, 2015 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Old/New Business City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 10/26/2015  None. Executive Session - Report and Action only 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Pinky Vargas/Jack Weiss moved to authorize the purchase of an access road easement from Richard and Debra Berglund, Waterfront Alley LLC, and 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 in the Army Street right-of-way, and for the additional purpose of accessing City-owned property located adjacent to the Army Street right-of-way. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Mayor Linville reported that there will be an opportunity to train with Interfaith Coalition for serving at the homeless shelter. Training is next week at various times. Mayor Linville announced that Leslie Bryson has been appointed as the Interim Parks Director and encouraged all to congratulate her. Brian Heinrich reported that after the first of the year the City may not be able to use the current County jail. A small work group has been assembled to look at jail alternatives for the City to use. 21020 1. Mayor's Reappointment of Mary Carlson to the Community Development Advisory Board (Information) Information only. 21021 2. Mayor's Reappointment of Ted Rosen to the Greenway Advisory Committee (Approval) Jack Weiss/Roxanne Murphy moved to approve reappointment of Ted Rosen to the Greenway Advisory Committee. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 10/26/2015  Consent Agenda All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial items and may be approved in a single motion. A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 21022 1. Bellingham Public Library and Whatcom County Library System Migration to and Operation of a Hosted Integrated Library System Interlocal Agreement 21023 2. Authorization of Payroll labor cost payments dated September 26, 2015 - October 9, 2015 21024 3. Authorization of A/P checks issued October 9, 2015 21025 4. Authorization of A/P checks issued October 16, 2015 Roxanne Murphy/Dan Hammill moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 21001 1. 2014 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Award for Vehicle Extrication Equipment AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2015/2016 ADOPTED BUDGET INCREASING REVENUE IN THE GENERAL FUND BY $54,835.00 FOR A FEMA ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT AWARD, REALLOCATING $5,483.00 IN EXPENDITURES IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERAL FUND, AND APPROPRIATING $60,318.00 FOR THE PURCHASE OF HEAVY DUTY VEHICLE EXTRICATION TOOLS Michael Lilliquist/Roxanne Murphy moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: BORNEMANN, HAMMILL, KNUTSON, LILLIQUIST, MURPHY, VARGAS, WEISS NAYS: EXCUSED: MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2015-10-043. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 10/26/2015  Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM. ____________________________________________ Gene Knutson, Council President ____________________________________________ ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: 11/09/2015 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 10/26/2015