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Bellingham council approves sewer extension, stormwater and water-retrofit contracts and Lake Whatcom forest plan
Summary
The council unanimously authorized a sewer extension for a home with a failed septic system, awarded two stormwater/water infrastructure contracts largely supported by a State Department of Ecology grant, granted a night-noise variance for fiber boring, and adopted a joint Lake Whatcom watershed forest management resolution.
Bellingham City Council on Monday approved several Public Works items aimed at protecting water quality and addressing infrastructure needs. Council member Michael Lilliquis reported the council would authorize the mayor to enter an agreement to extend retail sewer service to 2663 Seaview Circle after the Whatcom County Health Department found the home's septic system had failed and was leaching; Lilliquis characterized the action as a public-health exemption under Bellingham Municipal Code section 15.36.
The council also awarded a contract for Lake Whatcom vault/stormwater retrofits (bid number 16BD-2026) to Trico Companies LLC for the lowest responsive bid of $527,276, below the engineer's estimate of about $600,755. Lilliquis said roughly $388,000 of that project will come from a State Department of Ecology grant, with the remainder paid from the city's storm and surface water utility. "The majority of the funding for this project is due to a grant from the State Department of Ecology," Lilliquis said.
Council approved a second contract award for Little S'Qualicum Water Quality Retrofits Phase 2 (rebid, bid number 18BD-2026). Premium Services Inc. submitted the lowest responsive combined bid of $2,446,733.69 to install enhanced treatment best management practices and replace a century-old water main in the Birchwood area; because of its size the project includes the city's apprenticeship-hour requirements, Lilliquis said.
To minimize daytime traffic impacts, the council granted Zipley Fiber a temporary noise-variance from Bellingham municipal code Chapter 10.24 to allow nighttime boring under Alabama Street to install two underground fiber crossings east of I-5. Lilliquis said night work will allow the crossings to be completed more quickly and safely.
Finally, the council unanimously adopted a joint city–county resolution that approves the Lake Whatcom watershed forest management plan. Lilliquis told the council the city and county have acquired more than 3,500 acres to protect Lake Whatcom—the drinking-water source for about 120,000 residents—and that the plan includes thinning, invasive-species removal and road decommissioning to reduce erosion and sediment delivery to the lake.
All motions in the Public Works and Natural Resources committee report passed on the council floor by unanimous votes.
