City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes March 25, 2024, 1:00 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund 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 Jace Cotton Call to Order Council President Hammill called the meeting to order at 1pm. Roll Call Present: Council President Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, 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. Please be advised that if the City Council is ahead of schedule, they may start with old/new business before the official Committee of the Whole meeting time. 24053 1. Whatcom County Health and Community Services Response Systems Division p. 3 Presentation on Diversion Programs, Program Data, and Collective Impact Malora Christensen, Whatcom County Health and Community Services Response Systems Manager, presented an update on the Alternative Response Team (ART) and annual reporting on the Ground-Level Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE) and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion/Let Everyone Advance with Dignity (LEAD) programs. Council Members discussed the programs, asked questions, and thanked staff for their work in support of the community. 24054 2. Whatcom County Health and Community Services Update and Annual Report p. 38 Presentation Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 March 25, 2024  Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health and Community Services Director, provided an update on the Department’s current projects and the 2023 Annual Report. Council Members discussed the report and asked questions. 24055 3. Justice Project Agreement Update p. 53 Tyler Schroeder, Whatcom County Deputy Executive, presented an update on the Justice Project Agreement, including describing the policy framework, financial framework, and the County's progress-to-date on various projects. An interlocal will be presented to Council for approval this spring. Council Members discussed the projects and asked questions. 24056 4. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Amending the 2023-2024 p. 83 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 11 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented the draft ordinance to amend the 2023-2024 budget. The ordinance adds 2.6 full-time equivalent custodial positions to Public Works for the new downtown public restrooms, budget authority in Planning & Community Development for interfund charges related to restroom operations and funding for the Golf Course to purchase equipment. Council Members discussed and asked questions about the ordinance. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 11. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24057 5. Consideration of a Request to Initiate the Review Process for a Potential Annexation p. 88 of Approximately 146-Acres Located in Bellingham's Northeastern Urban Growth Area known as the Britton Road/Northern Heights Annexation Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, and Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, presented a resolution that accepts a petition for annexation of approximately 146-acres in the northeastern urban growth area known as Britton Road/Northern Heights Annexation and initiates the annexation review process. A public hearing will be held prior to a final decision on the proposed annexation following a review by the City's inter-departmental annexation team. Council Members discussed and asked questions about the annexation. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the resolution accepting a petition of annexation of properties within Bellingham's northeastern urban growth area to the City of Bellingham and initiating the annexation review process for the Britton Road / Northern Heights Annexation. MOTION CARRIED 6-1. Opposed: Lisa Anderson Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 March 25, 2024 24058 6. An Ordinance Relating to the Whatcom Museum and Repealing Bellingham p. 132 Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 2.39 Sarah Chaplin, Senior Assistant City Attorney, and Patricia Leach, Museum Director, presented the draft ordinance, which repeals Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 2.39 in order to comply with a new operating agreement with the Whatcom Museum Foundation. Council Members discussed and asked questions about the ordinance. Lisa Anderson / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval of the ordinance relating to the Whatcom Museum and repealing Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 2.39. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24059 7. Interagency Agreement with the Department of Commerce: Climate Planning Grant p. 175 Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, Anya Gedrath, Planner, and Seth Vidana, Climate Energy Manager, presented on a Climate Planning Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce, which would provide $525,179.00 to implement HB 1181 and incorporate climate planning into the periodic update. Council Members discussed the grant and asked questions. Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the interagency agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for a $525,179.00 Climate Planning Grant. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8. Old/New Business Mayor Lund shared that the Port of Bellingham Commissioners unanimously voted to terminate ABC Recycling's lease with the Port this afternoon. Council moved into Executive Session at 3:50pm to discuss three items until 4:05pm. 1. Potential Property Acquisition 2. Potential Property Acquisition 3. Potential Property Acquisition Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:05pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 March 25, 2024