City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes January 13, 2025, 1:35 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 Huthman called the meeting to order at 1:35pm. Roll Call Present: Council President Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third 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. 24396 1. Interlocal Jail Facility Use Agreement for Correctional Services between Whatcom p. 3 County and the City of Bellingham Police Chief Mertzig provided an overview of the two-year Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Whatcom County for use of their correctional facilities. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the Interlocal Jail Facility Use Agreement with Whatcom County. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 January 13, 2025 24397 2. An Ordinance Regarding Temporary Right of Way Use Permits Amending Chapter p. 26 13.14 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, Darby Galligan, Senior Planner, and Matt Stamps, Assistant City Attorney, presented on the draft ordinance regarding temporary right- of-way use permits for streateries or structures within on-street parking areas that provide outdoor restaurant dining space. The ordinance amends BMC 13.14 to define "streatery", establishes an annual use fee, and imposes leasehold excise tax for uses of thirty or more continuous days in accordance with Washington State law. Council Members discussed the ordinance and the role of streateries, and asked questions. Council President Huthman recused herself for the discussion and vote, with Council President Pro Tempore Williams presiding over the agenda item. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the ordinance regarding temporary right-of-way use permits; amending Chapter 13.14 of the Bellingham Municipal Code. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. RECUSED: Hollie Huthman 24398 3. A Resolution Adopting a Revised Fee Schedule for Temporary Right of Way Use p. 53 Permits Under Chapter 13.14 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, Darby Galligan, Senior Planner, and Matt Stamps, Assistant City Attorney, presented on the draft resolution, which adopts a revised fee schedule for temporary right-of-way use permits for streateries or structures within on-street parking areas that provide outdoor dining space. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Council President Huthman recused herself for the discussion and vote, with Council President Pro Tempore Williams presiding over the agenda item. Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the resolution adopting a revised fee schedule for temporary right-of-way use permits under chapter 13.14 of the Bellingham Municipal Code. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. RECUSED: Hollie Huthman 24399 4. A Resolution Requesting the United States Congress and the President Pass and Sign p. 64 Legislation Creating a National Infrastructure Bank Council Member Anderson presented the draft resolution, which expresses support to federal and state branches of government to create a national infrastructure bank. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Jace Cotton / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the resolution requesting the US Congress and the President pass and sign legislation creating a national infrastructure bank. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 January 13, 2025  MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24400 5. City Council Regular Meeting Security Screening Measures p. 68 Mayor Lund, Janice Keller, Deputy Administrator, Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and John Kohlman, President of Homeland Security Operations LLC, provided an update on security screening measures which will be in place at City Council regular evening meetings effective January 13, 2025. Council Members discussed the security screenings and asked questions. 6. Old/New Business Council Member Michael Lilliquist announced the next countywide Comprehensive Planning meeting will be held at the Ferndale City Hall Annex on January 23rd at 3pm. Council Member Cotton requested to be kept informed of opportunities to participate in advocacy efforts during the Washington State Legislative Session. Janice Keller, Deputy Administrator, Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, and Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, followed up from the reorganization meeting on proposed changes to the Council committee structure. They recommended the following, • Remove Climate Action Committee • Add Finance & Budget Committee • Leave in current structure o Public Works & Natural Resources o Community & Economic Development o Parks & Recreation o Planning o Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved table discussion regarding standing committee assignments and ex-officio appointments to the next appropriate meeting. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Cotton highlighted concerns around ADA parking access. Council Members discussed possible amendments to the ordinance and how to move forward with the interim ordinance. Michael Lilliquist / Jace Cotton moved to ask the administration to prepare an alternative draft changing Section 1, E - ADA Parking, "Whenever parking is provided on-site, accessible parking shall be provided according to Table 1106.2 – Accessible Parking Spaces - of the International Building Code the table below and unless Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 January 13, 2025  as exempted above, at least one accessible stall shall be installed for all new construction regardless of whether or not parking is provided." MOTION CARRIED 6-0. ABSTAINED: Lisa Anderson Council President Huthman asked Council to provide any input to her or the Council Office Manager on managing virtual public comment. Council moved into Executive Session at 3:29pm to discuss four items until 4:10pm. 1. Potential Property Acquisition 2. Potential Property Acquisition 3. Labor Relations: Review Contract Proposal for What-Comm Dispatcher’s Guild 4. Potential Litigation Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:10pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 4 January 13, 2025