City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes October 16, 2023, 2:40 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 2:40pm. 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 Note: Council Member Martens attended the meeting remotely. 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. 23889 1. Review of the Bellingham Municipal Code and Washington State Model Code p. 3 Provisions Related to Noise Mayor Fleetwood and Amy Kraham, Assistant City Attorney, presented existing Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) provisions relating to noise as a nuisance (BMC 10.28 and BMC 10.24.120) as well as the Washington State model code (WAC 174-60-040). Council Members asked questions and discussed possible amendments to the code, considerations of impulsive and tonal sounds, aspects of the model code presented that they wish to keep and additions they would like to make, and the best approaches for measurement and enforcement. Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to direct the administration to pursue the proposal in the staff memo that states “Amend 10.24.120 to clarify, possibly including receiving and emanating Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 October 16, 2023  zones, but keeping nuisance-based standard.” Staff should draft an ordinance that addresses the time of day issue, addresses sending and receiving zones, adds the impulsive aspect of the noise as a consideration for enforcement, and evaluates the fine structure. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 23890 2. Presentation of the 2023-2024 Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustment p. 17 Mayor Fleetwood, Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented the 2023-2024 Mid-Biennial Budget adjustment for Council's consideration. The proposed adjustment adds $59 million to the 2023-2024 budget. Council members discussed and asked questions regarding the proposed budget modification. 23891 3. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 9 p. 35 Council President Lilliquist introduced the ordinance which increases City Council office staff by adding two positions, an Office Manager and a Communications and Public Engagement Manager. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 9. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 23892 4. Budget Work Session p. 39 Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, Joel Pfundt, Assistant Director of Transportation, and Renee LaCroix, Assistant Director of Natural Resources, presented a high-level summary of the mid- biennium adjustments for the Public Works Department. Council members discussed and asked questions on the modifications. 23893 5. Approval of the 9/25/2023 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 45 Hollie Huthman / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the September 25, 2023 meeting minutes. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 6. Old/New Business Council Member Hammill proposed an agenda item regarding lead exposure and what the City’s responsibility and options are regarding regulation. This request would likely involve the Whatcom County Health Department and possibly the Department of Ecology. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved to request the administration bring forward an agenda item on lead exposure at the Public Health, Safety, Justice Committee to discuss what the City’s regulatory authority regarding regulating potential lead exposure in residential areas. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 October 16, 2023  MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Martens inquired whether the administration is tracking potential climate impacts from the ABC Recycling program on the waterfront. Mayor Fleetwood responded that the applications for the metal shredder have not been received yet. If the applications are submitted, the City will monitor and identify impacts, including climate impacts. Council Member Martens asked whether the administration has looked at other cities faced with similar issues. Mayor Fleetwood said that they have not at this time, but that he can have staff research that. Due to time constraints, items 2 through 8 of Executive Session were postponed. Council moved into Executive Session at 4:56 pm to discuss one item until 5:01 pm. 1. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:01 pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 October 16, 2023