City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes June 17, 2024, 11:30 AM 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 11:32am. 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. 24169 1. Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony p. 3 City Council celebrated the Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at the Bellingham City Hall flag plaza. After the ceremony concluded, the City Council recessed until about 1:30pm. 24160 2. Presentation of Community Feedback on the Draft Urban Forest Plan (UFP) p. 4 Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, Nicole Oliver, Parks and Recreation Director, Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, Analiese Burns, Habitat and Restoration Manager, and Amelia Needoba, Project Manager at Diamond Head Consulting, presented a Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 June 17, 2024  summary of community feedback on the draft Urban Forest Plan (UFP). Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. 24161 3. An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance 2014-06-034 which Established a Biennial Budget p. 259 for the City of Bellingham Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented on the draft ordinance, which repeals Ordinance #2014-06-034 and establishes an annual budgeting cycle. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the ordinance repealing Ordinance 2014-06-034, which established a biennial budget for the City of Bellingham. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24162 4. Emergency Repairs to Electric Avenue Bridge p. 262 Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, and Mike Olinger, Assistant Director of Operations, provided an update on the emergency repairs to the Electric Avenue Bridge and presented a resolution declaring an emergency to waive competitive bidding requirements for repairs. Council Members discussed the bridge and resolution, and asked questions. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval of the Resolution declaring an emergency and waiving competitive bidding requirements for repair of a City owned bridge located on Electric Avenue. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24163 5. A Briefing on Promoting a Healthy Workplace for City Employees, Preventing p. 265 Harassment, and Ensuring Transparency Sarah Chaplin, Assistant City Attorney, and Elizabeth Monahan, Human Resources Director, shared how the City works to create a healthy and safe workplace for City employees, prevent harassment, and ensure transparent communication between branches of government. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. The presentation is available online. 6. Old/New Business Council President Hammill requested for Council to review a motion from the Committee of the Whole meeting on January 29, 2024 to evaluate making the At-Large City Council Representative position a four-year term instead of a two-year term. James Erb, Deputy City Attorney, provided context on why the City doesn't recommend moving forward with an ordinance including conflict with state law and the failure of a previous ballot measure in 2008. Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to rescind a motion from the January 29, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting to request the administration to provide an agenda bill that Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 June 17, 2024  explores making the At-Large position a four-year term at the next municipal November 2024 election. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Abstained: Jace Cotton Council President Hammill expressed concerns about the implementation of the single-use plastic ban and would like additional discussion on enforcement across the City. Council moved into Executive Session at 3:16pm to discuss four items until 3:42pm. 1. Potential Property Acquisition 2. Potential Property Acquisition 3. Potential Litigation 4. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:42pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 June 17, 2024