Name: Bellingham City Council - Public Works and Natural Resources Committee meeting, Jul 27, 2026
Start: 2026-07-27
End: 2026-07-27
Location: City of Bellingham

City Council - Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

Mon, July 27, 2026

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City Council – Public Works and Natural Resources Committee — July 27, 2026

This was a committee meeting chaired by Council Member Michael Lilliquist, with Council Members Lisa Anderson and Jace Cotton also serving on the committee. Three items were heard, all of which advanced as unanimous recommendations to the full council.

Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Street Overlay — Contract Award (ES569, Bid No. 35B-2026)

The committee took up the award of a construction contract for a multi-street paving and infrastructure project covering portions of Ellis Street (up toward St. Joseph hospital), Fraser Street (Puget to Valencia), and Lincoln Street (Elwood to Maple). The work includes pavement grinding and overlay, replacement of aging pedestrian infrastructure (curb ramps and crosswalks, particularly at all intersections along Ellis, including a neck-down at Plymouth), and — most significantly on Ellis — replacement of a 100-plus-year-old small cast iron water main with a new 16-inch ductile iron main.

The city received seven bids when it publicly opened them on July 2nd. Faber Construction Corporation submitted the lowest responsive bid at $2,829,638.31 including sales tax, well under the engineer's estimate of approximately $3.4 million. The project carries an apprenticeship hour requirement given its scale.

Project Engineer Keenan Thomas presented. The project is expected to run through October, primarily because the Ellis Street water main work is complex and will be done last. Approximately $800,000–$900,000 of the total comes from the water fund; the remainder is funded through transportation.

Council Member Anderson raised a concern about access to the Western Washington University parking lot on Lincoln Street, noting that students return in mid-September and the project runs through October. Thomas confirmed that the contractor has been encouraged to start with the Lincoln Street section first and expects that work to be complete well before WWU's fall quarter begins.

Vote: Motion by Anderson, seconded (implied). Unanimous approval by the three-member committee. Will be forwarded as a unanimous recommendation to the full council.

Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay — Noise Variance (ES569)

Because the Ellis Street segment runs through a corridor serving St. Joseph hospital and other medical facilities, staff is requesting a variance from Bellingham's nighttime noise restrictions (BMC 10.24.120, Section C4) for up to 30 calendar days to allow nighttime construction work. Thomas clarified that the variance does not require the contractor to work at night — it gives them the option, which staff is strongly recommending to reduce daytime disruption to the hospital corridor.

Council Member Anderson asked two practical questions: how many of the 30 nights would likely involve active noise, and whether the city could ask the contractor to minimize unnecessary noise (backup beepers, tailgate clanking, etc.) in what is a residential area. Thomas estimated the contractor would likely use 20 to all 30 nights given the scale of the water main installation (approximately 1,500 linear feet). He noted that residents will receive mailed notices at least 7 days before work begins, and that the city's communications department will send advance notice even earlier. On the beeper question, Thomas acknowledged that backup alarms are an OSHA/L&I safety requirement but committed to having a conversation with Faber about minimizing other sources of noise where feasible.

Lilliquist noted this is the first time Keenan Thomas has presented to the council and commended his work.

Vote: Motion by Anderson. Unanimous approval by committee. Forwarded as a unanimous recommendation to the full council.

Interagency Agreement with Department of Enterprise Services — Energy Performance Contracting

The committee considered authorizing the mayor to renew an interagency agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES), which vets and contracts with qualified Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) to help public agencies identify and implement energy efficiency projects. By participating, the city can tap into state-negotiated contractor relationships rather than procuring independently, reducing staff workload and leveraging the state's vetting process.

Carol Rothgarf of Public Works Internal Services presented, noting this is a renewal of a program the city has used previously for projects such as the City Hall boiler replacement, chiller upgrade, and a potential solar array in connection with Northwest Clean Air Agency funding (estimated at $1.7 million). The agreement itself does not commit the city to specific expenditures; individual projects are authorized separately. Management fees are negotiated in the agreement — for example, roughly $33,800 on a $500,000 project and approximately $58,000–$68,000 on projects in the $1.5–$1.7 million range.

Council Member Anderson noted she often sees the results of ESCO-facilitated work in later contracts without it being explicit, and said she appreciated hearing concrete examples of where the program is being used. Lilliquist asked for a ballpark on annual spend; Rothgarf indicated it varies significantly by project and year, with individual projects ranging into the low millions.

Vote: Motion by Anderson. Unanimous approval by committee. Forwarded as a unanimous recommendation to the full council.

Key Takeaways

A $2.83 million paving and water infrastructure contract was awarded to Faber Construction for three street segments, coming in significantly under the $3.4 million engineer's estimate; it includes replacement of a century-old water main on Ellis Street.

A 30-night noise variance was approved to allow nighttime work on Ellis Street near St. Joseph hospital, with residents to receive advance notice and the contractor encouraged to minimize unnecessary noise impacts.

Western Washington University parking access on Lincoln Street was flagged as a concern; the contractor plans to complete that segment before fall quarter begins in mid-September.

The city is renewing its participation in the state's Energy Performance Contracting program, giving it access to pre-vetted ESCOs to advance energy efficiency projects in support of the city's Climate Action Plan.

All three items passed unanimously and will go forward as committee recommendations to the full council.

AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.

What happened at this meeting

A noise variance for the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay (ES569)

# Summary: Noise Variance for Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay (ES569)

Staff requested a noise variance from BMC 10.24.120 section C4 to allow 30 calendar days of nighttime construction on the Ellis Street portion of the overlay project, necessary to minimize disruptions to the hospital and medical services in the corridor. Chair Lilliquisit clarified that the variance applies only to Ellis Street, not the entire project. Committee member Lisa asked for specifics on anticipated night work days and requested communication with the contractor about noise reduction measures, such as disabling backup beepers in residential areas; staff indicated they anticipate at least 20 days of night work due to a 1,500-foot water line installation, confirmed that 7-day advance mailer notifications would be sent to residents, and agreed to request noise reduction measures while acknowledging OSHA safety requirements. The committee unanimously approved the noise variance.

A contract award for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay (ES569), Bid No. 35B- 2026

Project Engineer Keenan Thomas presented the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay project (ES569), which includes pavement restoration, water main replacement, and pedestrian infrastructure upgrades. Faber Construction Corporation submitted the lowest responsive bid at $2,829,638.31, with approximately $800,000-$900,000 funded from the water fund and the remainder from the transportation fund. Council member Cotton raised concerns about parking access at Western Washington University's car park on Lincoln Street during the mid-September school start, and Mr. Thomas confirmed the contractor would prioritize completing the Lincoln section before school begins, with the Ellis Street section (requiring water main work) extending into October. The committee unanimously approved the contract award.

An interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services in support of the statewide Energy Performance Contracting Program

# Summary

Staff presented an interagency agreement with Washington State's Department of Enterprise Services enabling the city to participate in the statewide energy performance contracting program, which uses vetted energy services companies to identify and implement energy efficiency projects that reduce operating costs and support climate goals. Carol Rothgarf from Public Works explained this is a renewal of a prior agreement successfully used for projects including City Hall boiler and chiller upgrades, lighting improvements, and fossil fuel reduction initiatives. Committee member Lisa inquired about the frequency of contracting through this service and noted limited visibility into project outcomes after completion. Ms. Rothgarf provided budget examples, stating that a $1.5 million chiller project would incur a $58,300 management fee and a $1.7 million solar array project would cost approximately $68,000-$70,000 in fees (around 1.15% of total project cost). The council voted unanimously in favor of the agreement.

Agenda items (3)

Procedural (3)

24994ProceduralA noise variance for the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay (ES569)

A property owner or contractor working on the Ellis, Lincoln, and Fraser Overlay project is requesting permission to make noise beyond normal city limits during construction work in that area.

What happened

24997ProceduralA contract award for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay (ES569), Bid No. 35B- 2026

The city is awarding a contract to complete construction work on the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay project, which involves repaving or resurfacing streets in that neighborhood area.

What happened

24998ProceduralAn interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services in support of the statewide Energy Performance Contracting Program

Bellingham is signing an agreement with Washington State's Department of Enterprise Services to participate in a statewide program that helps fund energy-efficient upgrades to public buildings, with the state covering upfront costs that are repaid through energy savings.

What happened

Additional votes recorded in minutes

Award contract 35B-2026 for Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay project ES569

aye 1

voice voteaye

Approve noise variance for Ellis Street night work under BMC 10.24.120 section C4

aye 1

voice voteaye

Authorize interagency agreement with Department of Enterprise Services for energy performance contracting

aye 1

voice voteaye

Verbatim transcript available

54 transcript segments indexed

[music] >> Good morning and welcome to the Bellingham City Council Committee meetings. Today is Monday, July 27th, 2026. So, we have a full day before us and the first committee we're going to start with this morning is Public Works and Natural Resources.

That committee is chaired by Council member Lilliquist, so I will turn it over to him at this time. >> Thank you, Council President Stone. The Public Works and Natural Resources consists of myself and Council members Cotton and Anderson.

We have three items before us today. Uh the first two items are related to each other and this has to do with a contract award for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay project ES 569, bid number 35B-2026.

This project includes pavement restoration, uh water main replacement underneath the pavement, and upgrades to pedestrian infrastructure in the area. The city publicly opened seven bids on July 2nd and Faber Construction Corporation was the responsible bidder, submitted the low who submitted the lowest responsive bid at $2,829,638.31 cents, including sales tax.

The engineer's estimate was higher than that, around 3.4 million, and the project, due to its scale, does include an apprenticeship hour requirement. To tell us more about this is Project Engineer Keenan Thomas.

>> Hello all. As Michael said, I'm Keenan Thomas, project engineer with Public Works. Um so, here going through the project, uh let me show this. So, vicinity map of the project, uh up top, Ellis Street, um paving up towards the hospital, uh starting at um Illinois and the water line going is going underneath that section.

It's a 16-in ductile iron water main that's replacing a 100-plus year-old small cast iron water main. Um and then further south, next one down, this guy here, uh, is Fraser, um, going from Puget out to, um, Valencia on the east end.

Uh, and then down low is Lincoln, um, paving up from Elwood up to, uh, Maple Street up there. And that is kind of the, the run-of-the-mill, um, most of it's pretty simple, just, uh, nice grind and overlay.

Um, new pavement everywhere, um, pedestrian infrastructure, especially on Ellis, uh, we're replacing quite a few crossings, uh, pretty much all of those intersections, actually all of the intersections on Ellis are getting new, uh, curb ramps installed and improved crosswalks, uh, as well as, uh, a neck down at, uh, Plymouth.

Um, and on Fraser, there's a, another crossing improvement there. Um, no improvements needed on Fraser or Lincoln at this time, so, um, yeah. Sounds good. Any, uh, any questions? >> Thank you, Mr. Thomas.

Committee? Lisa? >> I did have a question. Um, thank you for the coverage. Um, I did have a question about the area along Lincoln. Um, Western Washington University has a large car park there. And school will be coming back mid-September, and it looks like this project goes through October.

Um, my only concern would be, um, access to that parking, because a lot of students do depend on that to be able to take the WTA. Um, have you been coordinating, I assume, with Western, and do you know if it's going to disrupt, um, mid-September and to October, their access to the parking?

>> Uh, I don't believe that we will, uh, have any problems with that park and ride. Um, in talking with the contractor, we had a pre-meeting with them last week or week before and we encouraged them to start with that section.

So, ideally they should be well done by the time that Western starts school. >> Perfect. I was hoping to hear that that would be the first project. >> Yeah, yeah. The main reason for it extending out to October is because of the waterline.

So, they'll probably do Ellis last and that'll that's what's going to extend out into October. >> You say again? >> I move approval. >> Thank you. We have a motion before us to award the bid for this contract.

Before we get there, I have a few questions. Just a comment first. So, you said there were some a crosswalk improvements and that's to bring them up to ADA standards. And I'm as I'm really pleased that we are doing what we can to keep up with street repaving.

I'm equally pleased about the replacement of an old cast iron water main with a with a new ductile iron water main much larger in size in some of those locations. So, what is the split cost-wise approximately between this being funded from both the transportation fund and the water fund?

Cost-wise, what's the split? >> The cost on the water fund I believe was about 900,000. Maybe a little less than that. 800,000 from water and then everything else is from transportation. And then everything else is from transportation.

>> Okay, thank you for clarifying that. Any further discussion from committee members or other council members? Seeing none, all those in favor of awarding the contract number 35B-2026 for the Ellis, Fraser, and Lincoln Overlay project ES569 to Favor Construction Corporation in the amount of $2,829,638.31 signify by saying I.

>> I. >> Any opposed? I'll bring it forth to you as a unanimous recommendation tonight. So, the next item [snorts] is related to that. It has to do with a Oops, skipped over it. With a noise variance for the LS Lincoln overlay project.

That project includes replacing aging pavement and replacing and up-sizing existing water main on LS Street that we just talked about between East Illinois and Skalkum Parkway, which is leading right to the hospital.

To reduce disruptions to the hospital and other medical services which rely on this corridor, work in the area needs to be done at night. Therefore, staff is requesting a variance from the noise restrictions contained in BMC 10.24.120 section C4 for total duration of 30 calendar days during the project.

So, as outlined by Mr. Keenan, there are three big project areas. I understand that the noise variance is only for the LS Street portion of that project. >> That is accurate. >> Mr. Thomas, anything more to add on this?

>> Um I guess the only thing to add is we are not requiring work to be done at at night. We're simply allowing the contractor the option of doing this at night, which we're highly recommending as it will reduce any impacts.

Um Yeah. >> Thank you, committee. Lisa. >> Thank you. Um Out of curiosity, a lot of times when we do a noise variance and we give a prolonged period of time like a month, um there's been communication with the contractor how many of those dates or days they may need.

We give them a time period for the flexibility, but they might only need five or six. Um do you have an estimate of how many nights there may be work being conducted? So, at least the public will have an idea how many nights um they might be hearing vehicles.

And then secondly, is there any um requirement or communication because this is a residential area that perhaps uh backup beepers and other things are not necessarily in use for some of the trucks so that that's sometimes they could reduce what type of noise is happening and a lot of times the backup beepers for vehicles are the thing that is most disruptive for sleep.

>> Uh so could you just the I'm sorry. Could you repeat what was the first part of your question? >> Um first part is has there been communication of how many of the 30 days there may be noise? >> Yeah.

Uh so I anticipate um the contractor to take at at least 20 days uh of of night work but I am fully expecting that they could use all of those 30 days which is why I asked for that many um cuz putting in that water line is going to be a lot of work.

Uh it's a very large line and it's about 1,500 ft of of water line to install. Um so I could very well expect them to use all 30 days. Um and then in terms of uh getting in touch with the residents, we have a requirement for them to get in touch and send out mailers essentially 7 days in advance and I've been in contact with our communications department and they'll be uh sending out advanced notices before that.

Um and as far as backup beepers go, um I can talk to the contractor but that is a a pretty big safety thing for for them to not use backup beepers but I'll try to have a conversation with Faber and see what they say.

>> So um I know on a a few projects it's like when how they approach something whether or not backing up to try to minimize how much and so being mindful and it's it's things like tailgate clanking and things.

So, if it could be communicated that if they have the ability for that type of noise reduction, I understand for uh OSHA and L and I backup beepers are necessary so you don't run over other employees.

Um but there are some steps that can be taken in highly residential areas and I'm sure that they're accustomed and knowledgeable of where they could reduce the noise, but if the city could make that request I'm sure the residents will be appreciative and we might get a few less complaints.

>> [laughter] >> Understood. Yeah, I don't I don't want to be getting calls in the middle of the night either. So, I'll talk to the contractor. >> [snorts] >> Yes. Um I move to approve the variance. >> We have a motion before us to approve a noise variance uh under BMC 10.24.120 section C4 to allow night work for the L Street portion of the L and L Lincoln and Fraser overlay.

Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Bring it forth against expectation. Uh Keenan, excellent job first time presenting to the council. Thank you. Hope to see you soon.

Sorry, the third item is an interagency agreement with the Department of Enterprise Services in support of statewide energy performance contracting program. So, explanatory statement. Washington State Department of Enterprise Services has an energy program which contracts with qualified energy services companies or ESCOs to provide energy project management services to participants.

Uh the request here is that the city become such a participant. Staff is seeking council authorization to enter into an interagency agreement with the Department of Energy Services to participate in this program.

The services provided are intended to reduce the city's ongoing operating costs by improving energy efficiency and support implementation of the city's climate action plan. Basically, the state has done some of the work for us in finding appropriate contractors and we'll be working with them to find them.

Here to present this is uh Carol Rothgarf of Public Works Department. >> Morning, Council. This is Carol Rothgarf, Internal Services with Public Works. Um this is a renewal of a contract um that we have been in in the past with the City of Bellingham.

It's uh something we've used for a variety of programs, and it's a process where the city engages with the state who vets contractors to look at energy efficiency projects, including lighting or um uh reduction of uh fossil fuels, things like that.

So, this is something the city's been engaged with before. >> Thank you, Ms. Rothgarf. Committee? Lisa? >> Um just out of curiosity, uh how often are we contracting on projects? Um I know with the lighting and and efficiency, but um are we utilizing this service a few times a year or more frequently?

>> Yeah, we try to use it as as um where applicable. So, for example, like in the City Hall boiler project and the chiller project, we're we're engaging them in that. And um yeah, so there's a there's a few different areas when we're looking at energy efficiency, we'll we'll reach out to them first.

>> Lisa? >> Thank you. I've always been a little curious because when we're using them, we're not necessarily seeing it after the fact. Um so, I think this is a great service, and I'm glad we're renewing it um providing we have council approval.

Um but just always curious what projects we're utilizing it on cuz it when contracts come forward, I'm making an assumption of like, oh, we probably used this service, but um good to hear at least one example of it.

So, um thank you, uh and I will move approval. >> We have a motion before us to authorize the mayor to enter into enter an interagency agreement with the state's Department of Enterprise Services. I had a very similar question, Ms.

Rothgar, maybe you could throw me a ballpark number. I was wondering what is the estimated budget we might use for these over any given year. I know the attachment B has a a management fee already negotiated.

So, for example, a half a million dollar project, the management fee would be like $33,800 so for that scale of project. So, what do you think the overall budget might be in a typical year? Or maybe a two-year average or something.

>> Wait, that's a that's a good question. >> of thousands or like several projects? >> It it actually depends on the project. So, it depends on the the size of the project that we're looking at. For the chiller project, it was around 1.5 million was the estimated construction.

>> So, that'd be a $58,300 fee according to the schedule. >> So, um or the solar array that they're looking at from the Northwest Clean Air Agency, the the funding for that. So, we're looking at the ESCO process for that, um which is 1.7 million and then the associated fee.

>> that would be $68,000. Actually, be at that point you're at 1.15% of the total project cost. Again, that's probably $70,000, $80,000. Okay, that gives me a good ballpark estimate. Thank you very much.

Any further discussion? All those in favor to the motion to authorize the mayor to enter into the interagency agreement with the Department of Energy Services signified by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed?

And I'll bring that forward the unanimous recommendation. So, those are the three items for the Public Works and Natural Resources Committee. Uh this committee is now adjourned and I turn the meeting back to Council President Stone.

>> Thank you, Council Member Liliquist. We will just take a brief break. The next committee is scheduled to start at 10:50 and that is Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity. So, it'll just be a few minutes and we'll be right back.