City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes September 12, 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 Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Kristina Michele Martens, 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. Committee Of The Whole Hannah Stone, Chair Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Kristina Michele Martens 23442 1. Presentation of Library Facilities Master Plan Recommendations p. 3 Rebecca Judd, Library Director, Rick Osen, Chair of Library Board of Trustees, and Brad Waters, Godfrey's Associates, presented on recommendations for the Library Facilities Master Plan. Earlier this year, the Bellingham Public Library (BPL) Board of Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 September 12, 2022  Trustees, in consultation with City Administration, contracted with Godfrey’s Associates, Inc to develop a long-term strategy to address future BPL facility needs. The study supports the current BPL Strategic Plan and addresses what is needed to serve a growing population over the next 20 years. As part of their scope of work, Godfrey’s Associates, Inc conducted a community input program, evaluated BPL’s existing facilities, analyzed national trends and peer libraries, and mapped BPL service areas. The recommendations are presented in near-term (5 years), medium-term (10 years) and long-term (20 years) tiers. Facilities Plan Recommendations include: Near-Term Priorities (5 years)  Central Library – Renovate the remaining 2 floors of the Central Library, improve space utilization and functionality, upgrade HVAC system.  Fairhaven Branch Library – Plan for rehabilitation to improve space utilization and functionality. The historic nature of the building may facilitate grant funding.  North side – Establish a library presence on the growing north side of Bellingham. Mid-Term Priorities (10 years)  Fairhaven Branch Library – Complete rehabilitation to improve space utilization and functionality.  Barkley Branch Library – Increase library presence on east side of Bellingham / Barkley branch. Long-Term Priorities (20 years)  Central library – Evaluate square footage needs at Central Library as needed to achieve the desired Level of Service.  Branch Libraries – Evaluate square footage needs at branches as needed to achieve the desired Level of Service. 23443 2. Proposed Ordinance Repealing Chapter 6.55 of the Bellingham p. 29 Municipal Code, Relating to Transportation Network Company Services On March 31, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2076, establishing comprehensive statewide regulations for transportation network companies (like Uber and Lyft) and their drivers. The new state legislation specifically preempts local regulation, requiring the City to repeal its transportation network company regulations contained in Chapter 6.55 of the Bellingham Municipal Code. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 September 12, 2022  Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the ordinance. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 23444 3. Climate Action Week and Whatcom Water Week Outreach Events p. 39 Riley Grant, Communications and Outreach Manager Public Works, presented upcoming Citywide events for Whatcom Water Week (https://www.whatcomwin.org/water-week-events), September 10-18, and Climate Action Week (http://www.cob.org/climate-action-week-events), September 19-25. 23391 4. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes p. 45 Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the August 29, 2022 minutes. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Old/New Business Councilmember Hammill would like to discuss returning to in-person Council meetings, pending the termination of the Washington State COVID-19 Emergency Order. The Administration is tracking the change and will follow-up at the September 26, 2022 meeting. In connection with the end of the COVID-19 Emergency Order, Councilmember Hammill would like to discuss impacts to grocery worker hazard pay. Councilmember Anderson shared that workers are requesting advance notice of when the hazard pay will end. Councilmember Martens asked about the City's past and current use of a land acknowledgement statement. Councilmember Hammill requested a discussion on the Resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis at the upcoming City Council Retreat. Council President Stone asked if any other Councilmembers are interested in serving as liaison to the Immigration Advisory Board. Council President Stone expressed concern about the recent drunk driving accident over the weekend and how the community can come together to prevent incidents like this in the future. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 September 12, 2022  Council moved into Executive Session at 2:30pm for approximately 99 minutes to discuss six items. 1. Potential Property Acquisition 2. Litigation: Roorda (Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Matter) 3. Potential Litigation 4. Litigation: Schreib v. State of Washington et al. 5. Litigation: Fox v. City of Bellingham 6. Litigation: Eldard v. City of Bellingham Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:26pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 4 September 12, 2022