City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee of the Whole Minutes February 8, 2021, 2:30 PM Mayor Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members Hannah Stone, Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill, www.cob.org/council Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist and All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at Hollie Huthman 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order Roll Call Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Gene Knutson, Second Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Pinky Vargas, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, At-Large Council Standing Committee Meetings: Open to the public to attend. Note: there is generally no public comment period for Committee sessions. Standing Committee Members receive reports and information, ask questions and, when appropriate, vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the Regular Meeting. The notice of Committee Meetings identified below also serves as notice of Special Meetings of the City Council at the times identified as Council Members who are not members of the committee routinely attend and participate in the Committee Meetings. Committee Chairs give a report of the Committee Meeting at the Regular Meeting in the evening prior to deliberation and formal vote in the order shown below: Committee of the Whole Hannah Stone, Chair Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Hollie Huthman Please be advised that if the City Council is ahead of schedule, they may start with old/new business before the official Committee of the Whole meeting time. 22908 1. Introduction of New Legislative Assistant p. 3 Council President Stone, introduced Nalini Margaitis, the new Legislative Assistant. Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 1 February 8, 2021 22909 2. Discussion Regarding Public Comment Period p. 4 Council President Stone, brought forth the topic of the policy side regarding public comment. She explained that she is open to guidelines being refined. Council Member Knutson, expressed that during a Zoom session, more persons are being added during the meeting, after the 7:00 start, there should be no more sign-ups. But currently after 7:00, anyone can join at any time, which makes it almost impossible for Council to get through the Public Comment period. He clarified that he is not advocating getting rid of public comment, but we must figure out some controls during the meeting. Council Member Vargas, thanked Council Stone for bringing forth this topic. She explained that we need to choose consistent and basic standards and rules. We should confirm the benefit of a Public Comment period. She would like to ensure persons speak to current legislation but also in a timely manner. A cut- off of sign-ups at 7:00 would be appropriate and requests that speakers state the agenda item they are speaking to and their name. Council Member Huthman announced that rules should be adhered to and consequences enforced. Council Member Lilliquist feels that new people are participating and questioned their understanding of the conduct of the meetings. He also affirmed that Council can always be reached through email. He asked what they are trying to accomplish when council members are attacked. Council Member Anderson expressed that participants should not swear and use appropriate language, especially during meetings when children are present, and staff have to participate. She also feels that speakers state their name when addressing Council. Council President Stone expressed that she would like to provide more guidelines. 22910 3. City Hall Encampment Discussion p. 5 Mayor Fleetwood gave a recap on the encampment that began in November at City Hall. He worked to create conditions for additional shelters. The City offered 25 tiny homes at an additional site and after putting in consideral due diligence, the shelter came to an end on January 28. He provided an overview of those actions. Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 2 February 8, 2021  There were assertions from certain groups that the City was doing nothing to help the homeless. The City spends over $5 million dollars per year to prevent or respond to homelessness. The Mayor explained how the City tried to enter into an agreement with those helping the campers, the leaders, to see if they could be an operator for a tiny homes camp at a site that was offered by the Port. The City offered reasonable conditions and funds for credentialed professionals to help individuals, but the offer was ultimately rejected. The action taken on January 28 was the result of the need for health and safety for everyone. He detailed actions that were taken to end the camp. City staff exhibited compassion, and volunteers and police provided services to those camped on the lawn of City Hall. He expressed gratitude to police officers for their restraint during the operation of ending the camp on the lawns of City Hall and Library. Only 35 campers were there on the day of debanding the camp. They left peacefully. The same could not be said for protestors. The City learned of credible information to call people to action to Bellingham on Friday, January 29. The plan to remove the encampment on that day was then moved up in the interest of safety. Flo Simon, Police Chief, provided information on the camp clean-up operations. From her department, she requested mutual aid from the Sheriff's office and the State Patrol. The SWAT team was used to provide and relay information. Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, expressed there was no ruse, the intent to end the camp was Friday but due to intelligence they received they felt they need to end the camp a day early. Their role was to provide and assist the campers to move to a different location. There were no bull dozers. Heavy equipment was provided once personal property was determined not to be garbage, then that material was put into the excavators to be thrown away. The staff was instructed to preserve the trees and did not bring bull dozers and chase down anyone's camp site. Council Members asked questions. Police Chief explained that things left behind were collected and catalogued. Campers can find their belongings by contacting Claudia Viscara, Bellingham Police Department, to make an appointment during business hours. Claudia is familiar with those at City Hall. As of today, none of them have come to get their belongings. Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 3 February 8, 2021  The campers themselves were never on the skirmish line. Protestors were trying hard to get themselves arrested and incite aggression. Council Member Vargas, expressed that so many of the business owners were thankful and commended what a good job the Bellingham Police Department did. Peter Ruffatto, announced that the City followed legal procedure according to case law. Council Member Knutson, commended the Mayor and Law Enforcement and all they endured. Council President Stone asked how the safety and support for the homeless camp at Geri Fields is going. 4. Approval of City Council Committee and/or Special Meeting Minutes Daniel Hammill / Pinky Vargas moved approval of the January 11, 2021 minutes of the Committee meeting minutes as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Gene Knutson excused. Hollie Huthman / Lisa Anderson moved approval of the January 25, 2021 minutes of the Committee meeting minutes as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Gene Knutson excused. 5. Old/New Business Committee of the Whole moved into Executive Session at 4:28 PM for approximately 45 minutes to discuss the following items: 1. Potential Litigation: Claim No. 2020-42 2. Litigation: King v. City of Bellingham 3. Potential Litigation Adjournment Council President Stone reconvened the Committee of the Whole to adjourn at 5:38 PM. Committee of the Whole Minutes Page 4 February 8, 2021