City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes February 10, 2025, 2:50 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 2:58pm. 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. 24436 1. Study Session Regarding Modifications To and an Extension of the Interim Landmark p. 3 Tree Ordinance Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, and Renee LaCroix, Assistant Director of Natural Resources, presented proposed modifications and extension of the interim landmark tree ordinance. The proposed changes refine development regulations, provide further clarity, and extend the interim ordinance for a further six months to allow for time to go through the Type VI legislative process. Council Members discussed the proposed ordinance changes, provided feedback, and asked questions. 2. Old/New Business Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 February 10, 2025  Council Member Lilliquist expressed support for State Senate Bill 5469, which prohibits algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements in the rental housing market, and how Council can support the legislation. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize any Council Member to testify to the state legislature on SB 5469 on behalf of the City of Bellingham City Council. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. ABSTAINED: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams Council President Huthman highlighted research by the Legislative Policy Analyst to research how other Councils address lobbying efforts at the state-level and how to keep Council updated on legislative actions. The City’s lobbyists will provide legislative updates to Council at a future meeting. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize the three Council Members on the ad hoc lobbying team to speak on behalf of the Council on issues that fall on the City’s legislative agenda. Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend to designate Council Members Stone, Council Member Hammill, and Council President Huthman as Council representatives on the ad hoc lobbying team. AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council President Huthman will provide a general lobbying update at the evening meeting. Council moved into Executive Session at 4:15pm to discuss four items until 5:01pm. 1. Cybersecurity 2. Potential Property Acquisition 3. Potential Property Transaction 4. Potential Property Acquisition 5. Potential Litigation 6. Litigation Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:01pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 February 10, 2025