City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes August 26, 2024, 2:20 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 At 2:04pm, Council President Hammill opened the meeting for Old/New Business as the previous committee meeting ended early. Council President Hammill called the meeting to order at 2:20pm. 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. 24222 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 14 p. 3 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, presented the ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment 14. The ordinance adds $600,000 to the Transportation Fund for sidewalk improvements for Western Washington University's House of Healing project at the Sehome Arboretum. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 August 26, 2024  Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment 14. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24223 2. Budget 101 Presentation p. 7 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, presented a high-level overview of the City's budget process and policies, the City's fund structure, and revenue streams that support governmental services within the General Fund. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. The presentation is available here. 3. Old/New Business Council President Hammill shared that due to questions regarding implementation of requiring locking mailboxes for all rental properties, the ordinance is not included in the agenda for third and final consideration today. City Attorney Alan Marriner requested direction for staff. Daniel Hammill / Hannah Stone moved to refer Agenda Bill 24185, an ordinance relating to the establishment of identity theft prevention measures for registered residential properties throughout the City, establishing a requirement for secure, locking mail receptacles in Chapter 6.15.020 of the Bellingham Municipal Code, for a work session and discussion at the September 16th Committee of the Whole meeting, and for third and final consideration. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council President Hammill inquired whether Council would like to hold a retreat before the end of the year. Council was supportive of a retreat. Council Member Stone inquired when additional budget meetings will be scheduled in October. Council Member Cotton is crafting a resolution to express opposition to the merger of Kroger and Albertsons for discussion at Council in September. Council Member Cotton plans to bring forth a draft ordinance related to excessive fees on residential renters at the second Council meeting in September. Council Member Lilliquist provided an update on the comprehensive planning process. The next meeting will be held at the Lynden City Hall on August 29th at 1:00pm and includes leadership from other cities and Whatcom County. Council President Hammill shared the Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force is working to select members for the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee. More information is available online. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 August 26, 2024  Council moved into Executive Session at 3:00pm to discuss four items until 4:20pm. 1. Litigation: Ghanbari v. Bellingham et al. 2. Litigation: Langton v. Bellingham et al. 3. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy 4. Potential Litigation Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:20pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 August 26, 2024