CITY OF BLAINE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 25, 2018 6:00 PM Bonnie Onyon - Mayor Steve Lawrenson Mayor Pro Tem A. STUDY SESSION 5:35 PM Presentation on Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence Susan Marks ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Eric Davidson, Charlie Hawkins, Steve Lawrenson, Bonnie Onyon, Meg Olson, and Mary Lou Steward. STAFF: Interim City Manager Michael Jones, PW Director Ravyn Whitewolf, Police Chief Michael Knapp, and City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager Samuel Crawford. B. CALL TO ORDER: 6:05 PM Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Eric Davidson, Charlie Hawkins, Steve Lawrenson, Bonnie Onyon, Meg Olson, and Mary Lou Steward. Alicia Rule requested to be excused. MOTION WAS MADE BY STEVE LAWRENSON TO EXCUSE ALICIA RULE, SECONDED BY CHARLIE HAWKINS, AND APPROVED 6-0. STAFF: Interim City Manager Michael Jones, Finance Director Jeffrey Lazenby, PW Director Ravyn Whitewolf, Police Chief Michael Knapp, Acting Community Development Services Director Alex Wenger, and City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager Samuel Crawford. C. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION 1. Laura Friend, 1526 Peace Portal Drive, regarding the Lincoln Park disc golf course and Council decisions. D. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION 1. Blaine Builder Award Bob Boule presented by Mayor Onyon E. FIRE CHIEF S REPORT 1. North Whatcom Fire Update the Monthly Chief s report for May 2018 was passed out to Council. F. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Voucher Memo: Approval of Bills: $370,493.04 Blaine City Council Minutes 06-25-2018 Page 1 of 5
Advance Pay: $875.00 2. Approval of June 11, 2018, Council Meeting Minutes 3. Resolution to schedule a public hearing for a street vacation on Pearl Ave. 4. Resolution 1738-18, Determining the practicality of using biofuels and electricity for City fleet. MOTION WAS MADE BY MARY LOU STEWARD TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, SECONDED BY CHARLIE HAWKINS, AND APPROVED 6 0. G. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Petition to vacate public right-of-way School Drive right-of-way and Elm Avenue right-of-way presented by Ravyn Whitewolf The public hearing was opened for testimony at 6:43 PM. Testimony: 1. Neil Latta, with Latta Engineering, regarding Paul Sall s street vacation request. 2. Sam Freeman, with Freeman Real Estate, regarding Paul Sall s street vacation request. The public hearing was closed at 6:51 PM. H. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS 1. Third Amendment to Master Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement with Boblett Properties to extend the Feasibility Study Period for an additional 60 days Presented by Michael Jones MOTION WAS MADE BY MEG OLSON TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE THIRD AMENDMENT EXTENDING THE FEASIBILITY STUDY PERIOD, SECONDED BY CHARLIE HAWKINS, AND APPROVED 6 0. 2. Ordinance 18-2913, Jail Alternative Diversion Program and Contract to authorize the use of home monitoring technology as may be permitted by Blaine Municipal Court Presented by Raylene Heutink MOTION WAS MADE BY MEG OLSON TO WAIVE THE SECOND READING AND APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-2913, SECONDED BY CHARLIE HAWKINS, AND APPROVED 6-0. 3. Gordon Honeywell Thomas Governmental Affairs Contract to retain lobbying services in Washington DC related to Exit 274 overpass and VACIS train inspection system impacts on Blaine roads Presented by Michael Jones MOTION WAS MADE BY STEVE LAWRENSON TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH GORDON THOMAS HONEYWELL GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS FOR FEDERAL LOBBYING SERVICES, SECONDED BY MARY LOU STEWARD, AND APPROVED 6-0. Blaine City Council Minutes 06-25-2018 Page 2 of 5
4. Bid Award for H Street overpass between Interstate 5 and 6 th Street and school safety improvements on sidewalk ramps Presented by Ravyn Whitewolf MOTION WAS MADE BY STEVE LAWRENSON REJECT THE BID, SECONDED BY MEG OLSON, AND APPROVED 6-0. 5. Adoption of Ordinance 18-2909, amending specific sections of Title 13 to update those sections, provide clarity and consistency, include efficient enforcement procedures, clarify existing practices, and eliminate discrepancies Presented by Ravyn Whitewolf MOTION WAS MADE BY MEG OLSON TO WAIVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE 18-2909, AMENDING SPECIFIC SECTIONS OF TITLE 13 TO UPDATE THOSE SECTIONS, PROVIDE CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY, INCLUDE EFFICIENT ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES, CLARIFY EXISTING PRACTICES AND ELIMINATE DISCREPANCIES, SUBJECT TO THE CITY ATTORNEY S APPROVAL, SECONDED BY CHARLIE HAWKINS, AND APPROVED 6-0. 6. Professional Services Agreement Modification with Tran Tech Engineering for Construction Services support to oversee the construction of the Hughes Avenue street and sidewalk improvement projects Presented by Ravyn Whitewolf MOTION WAS MADE BY STEVE LAWRENSON TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENT 1 IN AN AMOUNT OF $225,203.91, FOR A FULL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED AN AMOUNT OF $716,996.95, SECONDED BY MARY LOU STEWARD, AND APPROVED 6-0. 7. City Council Acceptance of the Strategic Economic Initiative (SEI) Report that outlines potential future economic development actions by the City and various partners Presented by Michael Jones MOTION WAS MADE BY ERIC DAVIDSON TO ACCEPT THE REPORT, SECONDED BY STEVE LAWRENSON, AND APPROVED 6-0. I. COMMISSION, COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS 1. Blaine Tourism and Advisory Committee Steve Lawrenson asked if Council wanted a study session on BTAC grants. 2. Library Committee Meg Olson reported the summer reading program has started, and the library booksale is on the 3 rd and the 4 th of July. 3. Senior Center Liaison Meg Olson reported on the big pancake breakfast on the 4 th of July. 4. WTA Board Eric Davidson the WTA did well on the WA State audit 5. Small Cities Caucus Michael Jones and Bonnie Onyon reported on the County s new business and economic development committee; which Michael Jones will be the small cities representative. J. DEPARTMENT REPORTS 1. Public Works Ravyn Whitewolf reported: Project Updates Sam Castro was introduced as the new Assistant Public Works Director. Ravyn received an email from Hue from Whatcom Council of Blaine City Council Minutes 06-25-2018 Page 3 of 5
Governments regarding bus services. There will be a meeting with Grandis Pond representatives regarding the East Blaine infrastructure grant. F Street has been paved and it will likely be completed prior to the 4 th of July. Public Works has been working with the Library on some lighting improvements. The water conservation contract with Birch Bay Water and Sewer Water has changed. There was a tour last week with Natures Path and there s been ongoing conversation with having them return as a wastewater customer. Michael and Ravyn met with Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws regarding EDI grant funds. The Gateway Pond was discussed. 2. Community Development Services Alex Wenger reported: Final interviews for the Community Planner 1 position will occur on Monday, July 2 nd. There is trash service in Lincoln Park, and there will be a transition of responsibilities for parks and facilities from Community Development Services to Public Works. An update was given on the disc golf course in Lincoln Park. 3. City Manager Michael Jones reported: There will be changes to the agenda which will make items easier to understand, and the City is working on getting a new Council Chambers sound system that may include new microphones, speakers, and recording system. Michael and Mayor Onyon attended the International Mobility and Trade Commission (IMTC) and a report was reviewed. The Welcome Center is in the process of getting temporary occupancy, and Alex Wenger has been working on addressing dog park concerns. K. CALENDARS Thursday, June 28, 7 pm Planning Commission meeting Wednesday, July 4 City Offices Closed 4 th of July Monday, July 9 5 pm Study Session 6 pm Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 10, 8 am Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Thursday, July 12 4 pm Park and Cemetery Board meeting 7 pm Planning Commission meeting Monday, July 23 5 pm Study Session 6 pm Regular City Council Meeting Thursday, July 26, 7 pm Planning Commission Meeting Blaine City Council Minutes 06-25-2018 Page 4 of 5
L. COUNCIL NEW BUSINESS 1. It was announced that the Golden Nut is going to be laying off about a third of their workforce. M. Council convened in executive session at 8:17 PM, for 22 minutes, to review the performance of a public employee pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g), with no action to be taken. Council reconvened in regular session at 8:39 PM. N. ADJOURNED: 8:39 PM Bonnie Onyon, Mayor Samuel Crawford, City Clerk City Council minutes for June 25, 2018, to be approved at the July 9, 2018, Council meeting. Blaine City Council Minutes 06-25-2018 Page 5 of 5