City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes April 14, 2025, 1:10 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 1:48pm. 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. 24505 1. A Presentation on Waterfront District Project Implementation p. 3 Tara Sundin, Economic & Community Development Manager, and Brian Gouran, Director of Environmental & Planning Services at the Port of Bellingham, summarized recent and upcoming Waterfront District projects and the partnership between the two entities. Council Members discussed the various projects and asked questions. 24506 2. Consideration of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Funding p. 23 Recommendation Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 April 14, 2025  Tara Sundin, Economic & Community Development Manager, presented a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funding request that was deferred in 2024 as needing additional feasibility review. The LTAC recommends a $54,000 grant to Sparks Design for an art and lighting installation on the alley side of the Lightcatcher Building of the Whatcom Museum. Council Members discussed the funding request and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of a LTAC $54,000 grant to Sparks Design for an art and lighting installation on the alley side of the Lightcatcher building of the Whatcom Museum. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24510 3. Health and Human Services Strategic Initiatives Presentation p. 27 Jason Korneliussen, Strategic Initiatives Manager for Health & Human Services, provided an overview of his work since beginning his position six months ago, including his current and future work goals and priorities. Council Members discussed and asked questions. 24501 4. Work Session on an Ordinance Relating to Landlord Tenant Relations, Adopting a p. 28 New Chapter in Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Prohibiting Landlords from Charging Tenants Unfair or Excessive Fees in Residential Rental Agreements and Leases At the March 24, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, staff presented a summary of the public engagement findings for outreach on the draft ordinance. This work session was designated as time for Council Members to discuss the ordinances and suggest any amendments. Council Member Cotton presented proposed revisions to the draft ordinance. Council requested additional time to review the draft and for the administration to review and agreed that this item would return to Council at the May 5, 2025 meeting. Jace Cotton / Lisa Anderson moved to request the administration to refine language in BMC 6.16.030 – Reasonable Fees Permitted #6, to better define the length of time a late fee can be charged. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Michael Lilliquist / Jace Cotton moved to accept the redline amendments as proposed in the agenda packet. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Jace Cotton / Lisa Anderson moved to request the administration to review Council Member Cotton's proposed amendments and provide additional feedback. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 April 14, 2025 24502 5. Work Session on an Ordinance Related to Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord p. 38 Tenant Relations, Adopting a New Chapter in Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Prohibiting Landlords from Charging Unfair or Excessive Fees in Manufactured/Mobile Home Lease Agreements At the March 24, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, staff presented a summary of the public engagement findings for outreach on the draft ordinance. This work session was designated as time for Council Members to discuss the ordinances and suggest any amendments. This agenda item will return for additional discussion at the May 5, 2025 meeting. Lisa Anderson / Jace Cotton moved to amend the draft ordinance title to read, "An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, related to manufactured/mobile home landlord tenant relations, adopting a new chapter in Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code prohibiting landlords from charging unfair or excess fees in manufactured/mobile home/lot lease agreements." MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to accept the redline amendments as proposed in the agenda packet. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Jace Cotton / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend the draft ordinance, BMC 6.19.030 – Reasonable Fees Permitted Section 2 and Section 5 by striking "total monthly payment" and substituting with "base rent". MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Old/New Business Council Member Lilliquist expressed concerns about significant differences between the State House and State Senate legislation on rent stabilization and wants to ensure the City's position is clear in supporting the State House draft. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Jace Cotton moved to support the State House legislation on rent stabilization. AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Jace Cotton moved to amend the motion to express support for the State House rent stabilization cap rate and to share this information with the City lobbyists. AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 April 14, 2025  Council moved into Executive Session at 4:42pm to discuss two items until 4:58pm. 1. Potential Property Acquisition 2. Litigation: DeBruin et. al v. City of Bellingham Council Member Cotton and Council Member Williams shared two draft letters for PeaceHealth leadership and healthcare workers expressing support for ongoing negotiations. Council Members agreed to review the letters and discuss further during the evening meeting. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:58pm. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 4 April 14, 2025