City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes October 21, 2024, 10:25 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 10:31am. 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. 24288 1. Budget Work Session p. 3 Nicole Oliver, Parks and Recreation Director, provided an overview of the 2024 department achievements, and the proposed 2025 budget and work plan. Council Members discussed the department’s accomplishments, proposed budget, and asked questions. Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, provided an overview of the 2024 department achievements, and the proposed 2025 budget and work plan. Council Members discussed the department’s accomplishments, proposed budget, and asked questions. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 October 21, 2024 24289 2. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 15 p. 4 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, Fire Chief Bill Hewett, and Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig, presented the draft ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget Amendment 15. The ordinance adds $10.8 million to the General Fund to cover increased expenditures from the Fire and Police Departments. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the ordinance amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget increasing expenditures in the General Fund. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24253 3. Work Session Regarding Landlord Tenant Relations and Unfair or Excessive Fees in p. 9 Residential Rental Agreements and Leases Iris Nott, Legislative Policy Analyst, and Council Member Cotton, returned to discuss the ordinance relating to landlord tenant relations and unfair or excessive fees in residential rental agreements and leases. Council Members discussed the draft ordinance and asked questions. Jace Cotton / Michael Lilliquist moved to adopt the revised ordinance as the draft to share for public engagement and the administration's further review. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Jace Cotton / Michael Lilliquist moved to schedule additional work sessions and request the administration to be prepared for a public engagement timeline and staffing process as outlined in Option #1, but with the goal for Option #2. Jace Cotton / Michael Lilliquist moved to amend the motion to use the goal from Option #2: "Expand on existing engagement" to ensure opportunities for in-person conversations and discovery but within the timeframe and staffing resources of Option #1. AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24254 4. Work Session Regarding Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Relations and p. 222 Unfair or Excessive Fees in Manufactured/Mobile Home Lease Agreements Iris Nott, Legislative Policy Analyst, and Council Member Cotton, returned to discuss the ordinance relating to landlord tenant relations and unfair or excessive fees in manufactured/mobile home lease agreements. Council Members discussed the draft ordinance and asked questions. Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to adopt the revised ordinance as the working draft for discussion at the upcoming work sessions. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 October 21, 2024  MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Old/New Business Council Member Stone highlighted the challenges of crafting legislation and requested additional attention to the Council's schedule to ensure adequate time for discussion and debate. Council moved into Executive Session at 1:50pm to discuss nine items, 1. Potential Litigation: Claim 2024-40 2. Litigation: Stean v. Bellingham Police et al. 3. Labor Relations: Review Contract Proposal for IAFF Local 106B 4. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy 5. Cybersecurity 6. Potential Property Acquisition 7. Potential Property Acquisition 8. Potential Property Acquisition 9. Security Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:17pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 October 21, 2024