City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes June 26, 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 Pro Tem Dan Hammill called the meeting to order at 2:26pm. Roll Call Present: 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 Excused: Council President Michael Lilliquist, Sixth 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. 23758 1. A Resolution Agreeing to a Schedule for Joint County and City Review of Urban p. 3 Growth Areas Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, introduced the resolution to establish a draft schedule for coordination of the Urban Growth Areas review. The Growth Management Act (GMA) indicates that county and city comprehensive plans must be coordinated and consistent (RCW 36.70A.100). The GMA also requires that Whatcom County, in conjunction with the cities, complete the urban growth area (UGA) review by June 2025 (RCW 36.70A.130). Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of resolution agreeing to a schedule for Joint County and City Review of Urban Growth Areas. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 June 26, 2023 23739 2. A Resolution Affirming the City of Bellingham Values with Regard to the Proposed p. 30 Ballot Measure for the Purpose of Providing Funds for Costs of Public Health, Safety and Justice Facilities and Services, Including Behavioral Health, Housing, Public Safety, and Criminal Justice Facilities and Programs Mayor Fleetwood spoke in support of a resolution affirming the City's values as they relate to the County's ongoing efforts to plan for and construct new correctional and behavioral health facilities, and to expand behavioral health services and related programs, and a letter addressed to the Whatcom County Council and Whatcom County Executive thanking them for improvements to the Justice Project Implementation Plan based upon the City's June 9, 2023 letter. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of a resolution affirming the City of Bellingham values with regard to the proposed ballot measure for the purpose of providing funds for costs of public health, safety and justice facilities and services, including behavioral health, housing, public safety, and criminal justice facilities and programs. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the letter to the Whatcom County Council and Whatcom County Executive from the City Council President Pro Tem and Mayor Fleetwood expressing gratitude for improvements to the Justice Project Implementation Plan. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 23759 3. Presentation on Washington State's New Drug Laws p. 106 Ryan Anderson, City's Lead Prosecutor, presented on the Washington State Legislature's long-term replacement for the laws addressing drug possession and use (the “Blake” fix). Provisions of the new laws take effect July 1, 2023. The new laws make knowing possession and use of prohibited substances in a public place gross misdemeanors. Bellingham Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses occurring within the City limits of Bellingham. In order to enforce and prosecute these offenses in Bellingham Municipal Court, the new laws must be adopted by reference into the Bellingham Municipal Code. The City must decide if violations of these laws will be enforced and processed in the City of Bellingham Municipal Court System. Mayor Fleetwood, Chief Mertzig, and the City Attorney’s Office recommend adopting by reference the relevant state drug laws which make knowing drug possession and use in public gross misdemeanor offenses and provides for both pre and post charging diversion options. Council requested the administration return for additional discussion of State Senate Bill 5536 at the next Committee of the Whole work session for consideration to adopt the state legislation and repeal BMC 10.08.110. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 June 26, 2023  Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to request staff to bring forward the State Senate Bill 5536 at the next Committee of the Whole work session for consideration to adopt the state legislation and repeal BMC 10.08.110. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 23770 4. Approval of the 6/5/2023 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 119 Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the June 5, 2023 meeting minutes. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 5. Old/New Business Council Member Martens requested the administration to review a draft resolution on affordable housing for discussion at the next meeting. Kristina Michele Martens / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to request the administration to review a draft resolution affirming that affordable housing is a public health crisis for discussion at the July 10, 2023 meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Mayor Fleetwood introduced Chief Hewitt who had attended the memorial of Fire Chief Gary Hedberg. Chief Hedberg was recognized for his notable contributions to the Fire and EMS programs in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Council extended their condolences to the Hedberg family. Council President Pro Tem Member Hammill thanked Chief Mertzig for including him in a recent tour of the Snohomish County Diversion Center and Carnegie Resource Center - Pioneer Human Services. Council Member Williams expressed support for the tour. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:44pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 June 26, 2023