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Committee recommends two water‑quality contracts and a two‑night noise variance for fiber work
Summary
The committee recommended awarding two stormwater/water‑quality construction contracts — Trico Companies LLC at $527,276 for Lake Whatcom vault retrofits (16BD-2026) and Premium Services at $2,446,703.33 for Little Squalicum Phase 2 (18BD-2026) — and approved a two-night noise-variance for Zipley Fiber to bore under Alabama Street; staff said a Department of Ecology grant will contribute $388,000 to the vault project.
The Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee voted to forward positive recommendations on two construction contract awards and approved a short noise variance for nighttime fiber work.
For Lake Whatcom Vault Retrofits Phase 1 (bid 16BD-2026), staff reported seven bids were opened and Trico Companies LLC was the lowest responsive bidder at $527,276, including sales tax. Jessica Bennett, with the Public Works Capital Group, told the committee the project will retrofit four vaults along North Shore Drive to reduce phosphorus entering Lake Whatcom and lower long-term operation and maintenance costs.
"This is a continuation of the city's work on the Lake Whatcom vault retrofits plan," Bennett said, noting strict performance criteria for phosphorus removal are in the contract specifications.
Committee members also noted the project will receive a Department of Ecology grant; staff said the grant will provide $388,000 toward the estimated $527,276 project.
The committee also recommended awarding the Little Squalicum Water Quality Retrofits Phase 2 rebid (18BD-2026) to Premium Services, which submitted the lowest responsive total of $2,446,703.33. Staff described the work as enhanced treatment installations, bioswales and roughly 1,800 feet of water-main replacement along West Illinois Street; because of project size, the contract includes an apprenticeship hours requirement.
On a separate, brief item the committee approved a variance to the city noise ordinance to permit Zipley Fiber to perform two nights of nighttime boring under Alabama Street to install fiber lines at two crossings. Public Works staff said contractors will notify neighbors at least five days in advance within a two-block radius and that two crews are scheduled to work two nights (18th and 19th on the contractor schedule). Committee members asked that water‑department staff be on-call in case utility potholing discovers a fragile, aging water main.
All three items were forwarded with positive recommendations to the full council.
