Committee Meeting for July 13, 2009 City of Bellingham, WA

RECORD OF PROCEEDING OF CITY COUNCIL

CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

Monday, July 13, 2009, 01:00 PM
Book: 63, Page: 1

Committee Meeting
Council Chambers

Called To Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Pro Tempore Stan Snapp. Council President Barry Buchanan was excused.

Roll Call
Present:

Excused:

Barry Buchanan, Council Member, Third Ward
PURPOSE

DISCUSSION

FINANCE & PERSONNEL
MEMBERS: GENE KNUTSON, CHAIR; LOUISE BJORNSON; STAN SNAPP

Barry Buchanan excused. Stan Snapp served as Council President. Barbara Ryan appointed to the committee.

AB18505 1. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE 2009 BUDGET AMENDING THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND AND INCREASING ESTIMATED ENDING RESERVES

Presented by: Brian Henshaw, Budget Manager
Mayor Dan Pike

LB/BAR MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL

AB18506 2. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE 2009 BUDGET REDUCING REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES IN THE GENERAL FUND RELATED TO A HUD GRANT FOR THE INNOVATION ZONE

Presented by: Brian Henshaw, Budget Manager

BAR/LB MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL

AB18507 3. AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE 2009 BUDGET AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATION OF STREET FUNDS TO PURCHASE SCHOOL ZONE FLASHING BEACONS

Presented by: Kim Brown, Public Works

BAR/LB MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL

PUBLIC WORKS / PUBLIC SAFETY
MEMBERS: LOUISE BJORNSON, CHAIR; GENE KNUTSON; STAN SNAPP

Barry Buchanan excused. Stan Snapp served as Council President. Terry Bornemann appointed to the committee.

AB18508 1. BID AWARD: RENOVATION OF THE BELLINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNEX, BID # 54B-2009

Presented by: Clark Williams, Public Works

GK/TB MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL

PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MEMBERS: TERRY BORNEMANN, CHAIR; BARBARA RYAN; JACK WEISS; LOUISE BJORNSON

AB18482 1. WORKSESSION TO CONSIDER A NEW BMC 20.28 INFILL HOUSING TOOLKIT, BMC 20.12.030.E GREEN FACTOR LANDSCAPING STANDARDS, AND ASSOCIATED IMPLEMENTING CODE REVISIONS TO BMC 20.08.020.F.3, 18.04.040 AND 20.10.040.C

Presented by: Nicole Oliver, Planning and Community Development
Tim Stewart, Planning and Community Development Director
Marilyn Vogel, Planning and Community Development
Mayor Dan Pike

BAR/JW MOVED TO RECOMMEND 35' MAXIMUM HEIGHT FOR TOWNHOUSES IN AREAS OTHER THAN SINGLE FAMILY ZONES.

AB18483 2. AN ORDINANCE REGARDING SEWER, WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION OPTIONS FOR INFILL HOUSING TOOLKIT SUBDIVISIONS

Presented by: Tim Stewart, Planning and Community Development Director

INFORMATION ONLY

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MEMBERS: BARRY BUCHANAN, CHAIR

Barry Buchanan excused. Stan Snapp served as Council President and chair of the Committee of the Whole.

1. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND/OR SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

Council Committee Meeting minutes for June 29, 2009 were submitted for Council approval.

GK/TB MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 29 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. The motion carried 6-0-1. BB excused.

2. OLD/NEW BUSINESS

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Barbara Ryan reported on a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The Board discussed about softening sections of the shoreline at Boulevard Park to restore parts of the natural ecosystem and mitigate wave erosion of the park shoreline, similar to work done by the Port of Bellingham at Marine Park. Ms. Ryan said the project may be much better for the environment, and the health of local salmon.

Louise Bjornson expressed her support for the project, but noted that the loss of approximately 40' of grass may present a problem if the park is not redesigned to protect the people on the shoreline from play activities on park fields.

Bellingham Festival of Music

Gene Knutson reported on the reception Bellingham Festival of Music reception. Barbara Ryan, and Mayor Dan Pike also attended. Knutson noted that the Festival organizers appreciated the funding from the lodging tax allocated by the City.

Firework Displays and Litter in the Lake Whatcom Watershed

Jack Weiss reported his observations from July 4th festivities regarding the use of personal fireworks in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. Mr. Weiss suggested that the City should work with Whatcom County to prevent spent fireworks litter from being deposited in Lake Whatcom. He questioned the chemical composition of spent fireworks and the potential impact on water quality.

Terry Bornemann said he shared the concern. Bornemann pointed out the Council adopted an ordinance banning fireworks within City limits, and said that enforcement and jurisdiction issues remain a challenge.

Barbara Ryan mentioned efforts by citizens to draft a ballot initiative with the purpose of banning fireworks entirely.

Stan Snapp shared the concern. He agreed that enforcement of the City ordinance is a continuing challenge.

Gene Knutson said stated that the ordinance prohibiting fireworks has been effective within the City.

JW/GK MOVED TO DIRECT THE LEGISLATIVE STAFF TO RESEARCH THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SPENT FIREWORKS. Council indicated its approval by consensus.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 2:59 PM.
Stan Snapp, Council President Pro Tem
ATTEST: J. Lynne Walker, Legislative Assistant

This is a digital copy of an original document located at Bellingham's City Hall. The City of Bellingham specifically disclaims any responsibility or liability for the contents of this document. The City of Bellingham does not verify the correctness, accuracy, or validity of the information appearing in this document.