City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes November 22, 2021, 2:00 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 Excused: Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward 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 (excused), 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. 23173 1. Surplus Sale of Fire Pumper Truck #4911 to Fire District 8 p. 3 The City owns a 2009 Pierce fire engine. The engine is no longer needed by the City due to the purchase of a new engine authorized by the 2019-2020 Budget as part of the City's fleet replacement program. Purchasing staff conducted a market evaluation and determined the engine's value to be $22,500. Fire District 8 has offered to purchase this surplus asset from the City for this price. Staff is seeking City Council approval of the purchase and sale agreement. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 November 22, 2021  MOTION to authorize the Mayor sign the attached Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Bellingham and Fire District 8. Gene Knutson / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Daniel Hammill excused. 22815 2. Renew Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Health p. 16 Department for Crisis Intervention Services The purpose of this agreement is to renew our contractual relationship by which the City shall provide funds in the amount of $65,000 for Crisis Intervention Services. The City agrees to financially assist the recipient's Crisis Stabilization Center located at 2026 Division Street, Bellingham, WA. Flo Simon, Police Chief, requested Council to approve interlocal agreement with the Whatcom County Health Department. Simon stated that the City has been with the interlocal agreement for several years, and before the detox center. They provide 16 beds for behavioral health and 16 beds for those with substance abuse and they are utilized quite a bit and she is requesting extension in the year 2022. Councilmembers asked questions. Councilmember Hollie Huthman requested a presentation on the crisis stabilization center in a future Committee of the Whole or a subcommittee. Councilmember Michael Lilliquist stated that amount seemed puny and wanted to know the overall operating budget for the Crisis Stabilization Center and how much comes from public entities (like the City) or reimbursement from health agencies. To be included in the presentation that Huthman requested. Lisa Anderson / Gene Knutson moved to recommend approval. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Daniel Hammill excused. 23174 3. An Ordinance Creating a Salary Commission p. 23 The proposed ordinance would create a Salary Commission for members of the City Council under RCW 35.21.015. The Commission will consist of seven Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 November 22, 2021  members appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council. The term for Commission members would not exceed one year and their decision on either a salary increase, or salary decrease is binding. Salary increases would be effective regardless of term of office and salary decreases would be effective as to incumbent Councilmembers at the commencement of their next term of office. Brian Heinrich, Deputy Administrator, highlighted page 86 (section 2.98.010) stating that the salary commission would convene every eight years beginning in 2022. Councilmembers asked questions. Councilmember Pinky Vargas is a supporter of the Commission but mentioned that there is no prerequisite on who can serve on the Commission (Henrich responded that recruitment for this commission would be similar to others – folks who are interested – questionnaire would ask why they are interested and then the recommendation would be provided to Council for approval). Councilmember Michael Lilliquist stated that there is a reason that state law created salary commissions and added that this is the right way to go. Council President Hannah Stone reiterated that the point of creating a salary commission to take it out of the hands of Council. Stone agreed with Vargas that she would like more information and if legal has cleared all possible conflicts of interest. Councilmember Lisa Anderson discussion the workload of Councilmembers that a fair reflection of that workload be made in the salary. She asked if this position is part time or full time, does Council stay at 7 if it’s part time, or would it move down to 5? She shared that her workload is too much with the commissions and her full-time job responsibilities. She mentioned that the timesheet lists 25/week of work and when this is divided into 40 hours, then it reflects minimum wage. (Heinrich responded that the part-time is only a payroll function to calculate pension and benefits and restated that the .6 is what is needed to receive full benefits (he also mentioned this during the 11/8/2021 meeting). The charter states that Councilmembers are in complete control of how much time they want to spend). Councilmember Michael Lilliquist stated that when he first started, he was told that it was a part-time job. He stated that there is no such thing as weak Council, they have full-legislative authority. There is no rule that Council works part-time. Councilmember Gene Knutson mentioned that eight years into his service, the City realized Council could receive a pension. He mentioned that earlier, he did Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 November 22, 2021  not want a salary commission, but he states that now it is an important time to do this. Councilmember Hollie Huthman highlighted that this is important in order to determine who runs for Council – looking at the future makeup of Council (accessibility, equity, etc.) Council President Hannah Stone reiterated that clarification is needed to distinguish 1 FTE vs .625 for benefits (e.g. health insurance) .(Elizabeth Monahan stated that .625 gets you service credits for PERS – you need 70 hours in a month to be eligible and if the number changes to 1 FTE, it does not affect pension. In terms of medical benefits, Monahan says she will do some research on this). Anderson mentioned that she did not opt to insure herself through the City (because of the way her compensation package was explained to her during the time of her intake). Pink Vargas/ Hollie Huthman moved to support the formation of the salary commission (to approve the ordinance as presented). MOTION CARRIES 6-0-1, Daniel Hammill excused. Pinky Vargas / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval. 23175 4. Update on City's Response to Recent Storm Event p. 30 City staff provided an update on the City's response to the storm event from November 14-16, 2021. Mayor Seth Fleetwood introduced the topic and stated that the repair from the storm damage is ongoing. He thanked all who responded to the historic weather event including first responders, EMS, police, fire, public works, parks, and other city staff. He also expressed his thoughts toward North Whatcom County and British Columbia community members, who experienced much worse. Mayor Fleetwood sent out his sincerest condolences to Everson resident, 49-year-old Jose Garcia, who died in the flood. Chad Schulhauser, Assistant Public Works Director overseeing Natural Resources, spoke about the disaster. He mentioned that a 100-year storm means that there is a 1% chance of happening in any given year. In Bellingham 3.8” in a 24-hour period is used. Storm: 4.89” was measured at the Post Point Resource Center in a span of 38 hours (an >1” from the 100-year design storm event). The ground was saturated, the creeks reached capacity. There was routine urban flooding on Sunday evening. Intensity gained early Monday AM. Most roadways were clear and passable by Monday evening. Squalicum Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 4 November 22, 2021  Parkway was reopened on Wednesday and the Iowa Moore I-5 intersection was reopened on Friday. Whatcom Creek flows jumped to nearly 1200 cfs (cubic feet per second) on Monday PM and still remain at 700 cfs right now. Normal for this time of year is: 200 cfs running down Whatcom Creek. Still experiencing large capacity at runoff. Infrastructure: James Street across Whatcom Creek (south of Iowa) was damaged by debris striking it and subsequently closed (remains closed). Nearby bridge at Meador (across Whatcom Creek) currently has a temporary under support structure (a failing bridge, which is closed as well). The overall damage to roadways was relatively minimum. The two damaged bridges had previously received federal funding. Bridge: 19th Street across Chuckanut Creek that failed completely and serves five residents (temporary steel plates for those residents – temporary bridge in the upcoming weeks). Many drivers insisted on driving into open water – Public Works (and Parks) staff had to inform them to not drive past the barricades. Dams performed well. So far, staff have logged 782 in labor during the storm response. Lessons learned: during the peak of the flooding and noticed that the adjustments made Padden and Squalicum creek related to fish passage did very well. Whatcom Creek – state Ellis bridge, the City has its own gages. Nicole Oliver, Director of Parks and Recreation, shared images and videos of flooding, including sinkholes and erosion. Images and videos included: Squalicum Creek did not close – maintained access to the hospital (previously expanded for fish passage), Meador Bridge supported by concrete piers (water levels dislodged one), Happy Valley flood dam, Chuckanut Village/Rainer Ave 18th street bridge that failed. Oliver described Park impacts, including trail washouts. Whatcom Creek at Maritime Heritage Park experienced damage to steel fencing. Scutter Pond by Lake Whatcom had a washout. The big erosion will be repaired immediately and the smaller ones for months forward. Squalicum Creek at Cornwall Memorial Park was included in one of the big damages. Oliver mentioned that the lost a couple of foot bridges around Lake Padden. Associated flooding in North Ridge occurred. Finally, DOT asked Parks for help with trees to get I-5 reopened at Samish. Oliver added that Mount Baker Forest posted useful and detailed information on their website. Councilmembers provided commentary. Councilmember Michael Lilliquist stated he was glad to see that all of the preventative measures that took place, helped with the flooding (new, natural wider floodplains). He inquired about the 25th Street Stormwater Facility (North of Douglas Ave). He also asked about the bridges that failed by Whatcom Creek that are due for replacement – he stated that they might be raised and made broader. (Chad responded that the 25th street location is a treatment facility and affirmed that the two bridges will definitely be redesigned). Lilliquist Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 5 November 22, 2021  also asked about the diversion dam. (Chad responded that the dam performed very well). Councilmember Lisa Anderson spoke about her concern relating to Whatcom Creek. She stated that she went down there and saw the water pipe on Meador Bridge and was surprised to see the height of the water line. She wanted to know if there is any thought to moving the pipe or elevating it? (Chad stated that the design is looking at those facilities). Mayor Fleetwood asked why the creek is still at 700 cfs a week later. (Chad responded that the higher tides and runoff from the mountains are contributors, in addition to saturated ground). LaCroix added that the Lake Whatcom Watershed is demonstrating the release from the soils and the water level coming down. Infomation Only. 23150 5. Budget Work Session p. 31 In this final Budget Work Session, staff provided details on several final additions to the Mid-Biennium Adjustment and be available for any questions related to the Budget. Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, discussed the seven items included on the staff memo (packet, page 94). These items included adjustments in the following areas: 1. Planning and Community Development – General Fund $88,000: $28,000 for Comprehensive Plan update and $60,000 for inclusionary zoning study 2. Planning & Community Development – Low Income Housing Fund – $800,000: Correct budget error from reappropriation process to ensure positive ending reserve balance 3. Public Works – Environmental Remediation Fund - $302,000: Payment to Port of Bellingham for City share of Cornwall remediation (work already completed) 4. Non-Departmental – General Fund - ARPA - $155,000: Fill funding gap for childcare facility at Lydia Place’s Hart House project 5. Non-Departmental – General Fund - $312,000: Property acquisition 6. Legal – General Fund - $42,000: Increase existing Assistant City Attorney Sr. from 0.75 FTE to 1.0 FTE 7. E-Team Salary Study – multiple funds – $548,000: $436,000 in General Fund and $112,000 in other funds The Ordinance will be added as a stand-alone agenda bill in the following meeting (12/6/2021). Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 6 November 22, 2021  Councilmembers asked questions. Councilmember Pinky Vargas asked about a budget for natural disasters and wonders if the city has a budget reserved for this. (Longman stated there was nothing specifically appropriated for disaster, but that this is why there is 15% of restricted reserves to tap in, should it be necessary. Longman also mentioned that there are provisions in the code that permit spending beyond appropriations in an emergency). Fire Chief, Hewett, stated that the emergency management system in place right now functions and that the City is in a good place. Council President Stone inquired if there is any reimbursement from the state or federal level in a natural disaster. Chief Hewett responded that the damage from the flooding is still being calculated county-wide and then there will be decisions on what programs, if any, would be available. Councilmember Michael Lilliquist asked: why is there a $500 million increase in watershed acquisitions? Longman responded that there is a large piece of property that the City is looking in to purchase and is reserving the funding for it. Councilmember Lisa Anderson expressed her appreciation for the inclusionary zoning housing budget of $60,000. Anderson had questions about what the E- Team is and who is impacted by that salary study implementation. Longman identified that the E-Team is FMLA-exempt employees including management staff, Finance Staff, HR staff, etc. Elizabeth Monahan added that the E-Team includes non-eligible group (not eligible to be in the Union). Information Only. A proposal (final ordinance) will be provided at a future meeting. 6. Approval of City Council Committee and/or Special Meeting Minutes Hollie Huthman / Michael Lilliquist moved to approve the Committee meeting minutes from October 25, 2021 MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Daniel Hammill excused. Gene Knutson / Lisa Anderson moved to approve the Committee meeting minutes from November 08, 2021. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Daniel Hammill excused. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 7 November 22, 2021  7. Old/New Business There were no items for old and new business. Adjournment Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 8 November 22, 2021