City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes September 11, 2023, 1:40 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 meeting to order at 1:40pm. 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. 23835 1. Presentation and Discussion on Food Waste: Closing Down the Road From Grown to p. 3 Gone Adyson Hughes, City Council Intern, presented on food waste in the City of Bellingham and a food recovery program based at the University of Rhode Island that the City should consider implementing. The City has observed a significant surge in the utilization of community-based food assistance programs in 2022-2023. Council Members discussed and asked questions. 23836 2. ADEI 2022 - 2023 Year in Review p. 25 Elizabeth Monahan, Human Resources Director, and Deborah Bineza, Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) Analyst, presented a summary of ADEI accomplishments the past year, upcoming activities and goals, and future areas for improvement at the City. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 September 11, 2023 23837 3. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 8 p. 45 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented on the proposed ordinance, which includes funding for a new temporary shower program serving those in our community lacking ready access to shower facilities and a new safety and worker's compensation position to lead the City's workplace safety and worker's compensation programming. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the Ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 8. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Abstained: Hannah Stone 23838 4. 2023 Mid-Year Financial Review p. 52 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, provided an overview of the City's financial position as of June 30, 2023. Today's presentation and June report are available online. 23839 5. An Ordinance Adopting State Firearm Regulations by Reference, Prohibiting the p. 70 Possession of Firearms at City Operated Stadiums and Convention Centers, and Prohibiting the Possession of Firearms at City Hall Mayor Fleetwood and James Erb, Deputy City Attorney, presented on the draft ordinance, which adopts state firearm regulations by reference, prohibits the possession of firearms at City operated stadiums and convention centers, and prohibits the possession of firearms at City Hall. Council Members discussed and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the ordinance adopting state firearm regulations by reference, prohibiting the possession of firearms at City operated stadiums and convention centers, and prohibiting the possession of firearms at City Hall. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 23840 6. Consideration of an Ordinance Repealing the City's Street Vacation Policies and p. 74 Procedures in BMC Chapter 13.48, Adopting New City Street Vacation Policies and Procedures in BMC Chapter 13.50, and Amending BMC 1.26.050 to Clarify that a City Council Street Vacation Decision is a Legislative Matter Alan Marriner, City Attorney, presented on the draft ordinance repealing the City's current street vacation policies and procedures and adopting new policies and procedures. Council Members discussed and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the ordinance repealing the City's street vacation policies and procedures in BMC Chapter 13.48, adopting new Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 September 11, 2023  City street vacation policies and procedures in BMC Chapter 13.50, and amending BMC 1.26.050 to clarify that a City Council street vacation decision is a legislative matter. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 23841 7. Approval of the 8/7/2023 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 90 Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the August 7, 2023 and August 14, 2023 meeting minutes. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Abstained: Daniel Hammill 23842 8. Approval of the 8/14/2023 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 100 See above motion. 9. Old/New Business Council Member Martens inquired about the RFP status for RV safe parking. Mayor Fleetwood shared there were no responses to the RFP and future discussions are planned on next steps. Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to appoint President Lilliquist and Council Member Martens to work with the administration on further discussion of future possibilities for safe parking in Bellingham. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Williams attended the kick-off meeting of the Whatcom County Opioid Multi- Agency Coordination (MAC) Advisory group. He participated on the Policy and Advocacy Subgroup, which focused on assessing level of services provided in the community, improving coordination of services/information, and developing metrics to define success. Council moved into Executive Session at 4:10pm to discuss nine items until 4:53pm. 1. Litigation: Franks v. City of Bellingham et al. 2. Litigation: Ramos v. City of Bellingham et al. 3. Potential Property Acquisition 4. Potential Property Acquisition 5. Potential Property Acquisition 6. Potential Property Acquisition 7. Potential Property Acquisition 8. Labor Relations: Review Contract Proposal for IAFF Local 106S 9. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:53pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 September 11, 2023