City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes July 25, 2022, 1:00 PM Mayor: Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Lisa Anderson, https://cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist and Kristina Michele Martens All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Council President Stone at 1:00pm. Roll Call Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Kristina Michele Martens, At Large Excused: Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth 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: 23404 1. Update on Development Process, Community Engagement and p. 3 Structure of Proposed Whatcom Racial Equity Commission In partnership with the Chuckanut Health Foundation (CHF), the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County are funding, participating in, and supporting a community-led process to create recommendations for a county-wide Racial Equity Commission. Heather Flaherty and Shu Ling Zhao, Chuckanut Health Foundation, provided an update on the community engagement process and Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 July 25, 2022  summary of their work to-date. The proposed commission is modeled after the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence. The Commission will develop and recommend actions for local government and community groups. They are currently gathering feedback, revising recommendations, and plan to introduce an ordinance to the Whatcom County Council this fall. Next the City of Bellingham will vote to adopt an Interlocal Agreement. Council requested to receive the PowerPoint presentation and would appreciate one-one meetings with Councilmembers to further discuss. 23405 2. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Declaring an p. 10 Emergency, and Amending the Bellingham Municipal Code in Order to Adopt by Reference Updated Sections of the Revised Code of Washington Regarding Antiharassment Orders and No Contact Orders Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the Emergency Ordinance. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 23382 3. Overview of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy Plan p. 15 Bill Hewett, Fire Chief, returned to Council to provide an update on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy. On July 12, 2022 the Whatcom County Council reintroduced the ordinance to place a renewal of the EMS Levy on the ballot at a rate of $.295 per $1000 of assessed value as recommended by the EMS Oversight Board (EOB). If the County Council approves the ordinance on July 26th, Chief Hewett will return to Council on August 1st seeking support of a resolution for the levy. This resolution is needed for the County to place the issue on the ballot for the general election. Chief Hewett also provided a high-level overview of how the planning committee intends to utilize EMS funding outlined in the 2023-2028 EMS Levy Plan. 23391 4. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes p. 73 Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval of the July 11, 2022 meeting minutes. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 July 25, 2022  5. Old/New Business Chief Mertzig announced that as part of a one-year pilot, effective August 1, 2022, the City of Bellingham Police Department will eliminate the Associate of Arts (AA) Degree requirement for applicants. The current pay scale provides an increase for those with a degree and the department is examining how to support professional advancement for officers that include college education. Councilmember Hammill thanked Chief Mertzig for allowing Councilmembers to attend a recent active shooter training at a school. Adjournment There being no further business, the committee meeting adjourned at 2:51pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 July 25, 2022