MNAC Notes
March 21, 2012
This was one of the most information-crammed MNAC sessions I’ve attended. I hope I do it justice by summarizing things. As always, if you have any questions, you can contact me at any time.
What's in the photo?
For the answer and lots more news, click on the Read More link below:
- Water Meters
- Upcoming Planning Notices
- Environment Element in the Comprehensive Plan
- Mayor’s Update
Water Meters
Bob Bandarra, Superintendent of Operations, Water-Wastewater Plants-Utilities, spoke to the group about their water meter outreach program.
Bellingham is required by the Washington Department of health Water Use Efficiency Rule to completely meter water use by 2017. (Bellingham is one of the few cities who haven’t been metering water use.) Many of you may be familiar with the volunteer meter installation program which ended March 31; they installed about 10,000 meters under this program. There are approximately 15,000 still to be installed.
Starting in June, the city will begin installing meters in all un-metered residences. They intend to approach the project by neighborhood to take advantage of the economies of installing many meters in the same area at the same time. They are hoping to be able to install 5 meters/day. They will start with neighborhoods where it costs the city the most to provide water; neighborhoods where the water has to be pushed far uphill. They probably won’t get to Puget neighborhood until the 2013-2014 timeframe.
Residents will receive several notifications before work begins. First, you will get an FAQ mailed to your house about 6 weeks before work begins in your neighborhood. 3 weeks before your meter work begins, you will receive a postcard. They will also put up message boards in the neighborhood. Once the work has been completed, you will get a notice of completion left on one of your doors.
Installation consists of digging a hole where the water heads towards your house. Once they find the pipes, they cut them, install couplers and reconnect the pipes with a straight-through pipe. Later, they come back and install the meter between the couplers. The meter runs off a battery that has a 20-year life expectancy. It responds to an electronic interrogation to report usage, and it will be able to identify abnormal use patterns so you can be notified of potential problems. This is a picture of what the installed meter assembly looks like. The white cylinder is the actual meter; the black cylinder contains the batteries and electronics.
What about water rates?
Between now and May, they expect to do a rate study. Although no decisions have been made, they hope to have graduated rates in place that will encourage conscientious water use. One of the questions the Council will be considering is whether we continue with a flat rate for sewer rates, or whether we go to metered rates.
If you would like more information about this topic (including the FAQ and neighborhood schedule), see: http://cob.org/services/utilities/water-metering-program.aspx
Upcoming Planning Notices
Greg Aucutt said that the Planning Commission’s first hearing for the Fairhaven Neighborhood Plan Update will take place on April 19. They expect the City Council’s first hearing to happen in June. Here is the current list of plan amendments on the 2011 Work Program:
08-N2 - Sehome Neighborhood Association
10-P2 - King Mountain Neighborhood(Area 13) Alliance Properties rezone request
11-P1 - Samish Neighborhood, specific property rezone request in Area 6
11-P2 - Happy Valley Neighborhood, specific property (Haggen) rezone request
11-S1 - CBD/City Center Master Plan, update and revise the 2002 City Center Master Plan and possibly the CBD Neighborhood Plan
to various chapters of the Comprehensive Plan including the addition of an Environment and Economic Development Chapters
Environment Element in the Comprehensive Plan
Kim Weil from the Planning Department spoke about the new draft Environment Element for the Comprehensive Plan. The primary purpose of including this new chapter of the plan is to gather information about existing goals and policies that relate to the environment into one section. This will provide easier access and clarification of what the City’s goals and policies are towards our natural “infrastructure.” They are expecting to start public hearings mid-May, and will present the amendment to the City Council in mid-June. A draft of the new chapter can be found here: http://www.cob.org/web/commsnl.nsf/$$ViewTemplate%20for%20PCMinutes?OpenForm
Mayor’s Update
Mayor Linville quickly listed a number of topics that they have been looking at. This included:
Communication Plan – they hope to have a more robust communication strategy that includes more use of BTV10 and the city website.
Library Strategic Plan – WWU Professor Brian Burton is leading up an effort to create a new plan that will plot a course for changes in how the library serves the community. Professor Burton is donating his time, which will save the city approximately $30,000-$40,000.
Red Light Cameras – they are currently in negotiations with the vendor. (Note: it was announced that the program has been abandoned.)
Lake Whatcom Meeting – they are looking at retrofitting existing development. The City and County are cooperating, trying to get a unified position.
Medic One – another effort they’re trying to keep unified with the county. The County may end up not wanting the same service level as the City. There should be an announcement in April.
Waterfront Project – Tara Sundin has been appointed to head up this project. Mayor Linville believes they need to communicate better what is happening. There should be a report going to the Planning Commission in June.
Legacies & Commitments – They have some measurements in place and need to create an action plan.
The Mayor talked a bit about budgeting. The current picture is poor – we have spent $1.5 million more than current revenues. She will be working on dealing with budgeting issues. However, her belief is that even in poor economic times, we can make incremental improvements. She asked MNAC Representatives for ideas about things that could improve the community. Some of the ideas proposed included:
- Train Quiet Zones – there was discussion about how the noise of train whistles has changed and what if anything could be done about it.
- Rental Inspections
- Alabama Street – investigating a 25-mph zone between James and Cornwall. The Mayor talked about current efforts to keep cars and bikes separated (non-competition) by building urban greenways to keep bikes off busy streets – a potentially better solution than bike lanes.
- Safe Neighborhoods (primarily schools and crosswalks). Someone mentioned there are Federal grants to help subsidize LED lighting. Volunteer crossing guards were also discussed.
- Undine & Alabama – they’re asking for a crosswalk.
- Silver Beach – There is extreme congestion at the school, and it’s dangerous.
- York Neighborhood lighting and sidewalks.
- Downtown areas that need crosswalks/lights.
Neighborhood Updates
(sorry – I see these dates have passed)
Silver Beach – Master Plan update for Blodel Donovan Park 3/29
Fairhaven – Annual Plant and Tree Sale 3/31
Diana McKinney
MNAC Representative – Puget Neighborhood
