City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes March 27, 2023, 2:00 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 Call to Order Council President Lilliquist called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 2:12pm. Roll Call Present: Council President Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member 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 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. 23671 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 1 p. 3 Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented the proposed ordinance, which modifies the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget by increasing revenues and expenditures, expanding security staffing at the downtown library, and providing funding for the purchase and installation of two stand-alone restrooms for the downtown core. Daniel Hammill / Hannah Stone moved to recommend approval of ordinance amendment #1 to the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 March 27, 2023 23672 2. A Resolution Suspending the Docket Review of Proposed 2023-2024 Comprehensive p. 8 Plan Amendments Until After the 2025 Bellingham Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update Period Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, presented on the proposed resolution. The State Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A) requires the City of Bellingham to review, and if needed, revise the Comprehensive Plan and urban growth areas by June 30, 2025. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the resolution suspending the docket review of proposed 2023-2024 comprehensive plan amendments until after the 2025 Bellingham comprehensive plan periodic update. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 23655 3. An Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Controlled Substances in Public Places p. 11 Mayor Fleetwood returned to Council to discuss a proposed ordinance to make it unlawful to use controlled substances in public places. Hollie Huthman / Lisa Anderson moved to refer the ordinance for additional discussion and review to the Public Health, Safety, and Justice Committee. MOTION Fail 3-4. Opposed: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the ordinance. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend the ordinance by striking the following clauses, "WHEREAS, state law now requires that persons subject to arrest for possession of a controlled substance be referred to assessment and services in lieu of arrest at least twice before he or she may be arrested; and WHEREAS, this state requirement has resulted in increased use of controlled substances in public; and" AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the ordinance as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5-2. Opposed: Michael Lilliquist, Kristina Michele Martens Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 March 27, 2023  Lisa Anderson / Michael Lilliquist moved to direct the administration to bring forward to the Public Health Safety, and Justice Committee an interim implementation plan and support service resources prior to the creation of the therapeutic court program and the third and final vote on the ordinance. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 23676 4. Approval of City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 15 Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the March 13, 2023 City Council meeting minutes. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Old/New Business Council Member Hammill requested the administration provide information on the Bellingham Fire Department. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved to request the administration to provide information on the Bellingham Fire Department including which fire stations need renovations and improvements and if new fire stations and staff additions are necessary to meet service capacity needs. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Martens requested an update on the modified language to the Bellingham Police Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contract that was approved at the February 27, 2023 meeting. The City is still waiting on a response from the DHS and will keep Council apprised of any updates. Council Member Martens inquired about gender neutral bathrooms in City buildings. Council moved into Executive Session at 4:20pm to discuss seven items for approximately 25 minutes. 1. Potential Property Acquisition 2. Potential Property Acquisition 3. Potential Property Acquisition 4. Potential Litigation: Claim No. 2022-19 5. Litigation: Washington State Department of Ecology v. City of Bellingham, Port of Bellingham and Department of Natural Resources 6. Potential Litigation 7. 7. Litigation: Fox v. City of Bellingham Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:15pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 March 27, 2023