City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole Minutes September 15, 2025, 2:00 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 2:00 p.m. 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. 24652 1. A Resolution Adopting the Bellingham Public Library Facilities Master Plan p. 3 Elizabeth Erickson, Senior Planner, and Rebecca Judd, Library Director, presented the resolution adopting the Bellingham Public Library Facilities Master Plan. City Council is asked to formally adopt the 2022 Library Facilities Master Plan for incorporation into the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the resolution adopting the Bellingham Public Library Facilities Master Plan. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 1 September 15, 2025 24653 2. Ordinance Imposing an Additional Sales and Use Tax of One-tenth of One Percent for p. 54 Criminal Justice Purposes as Authorized in Section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025; Adding a New Chapter 4.79 to the Bellingham Municipal Code Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, presented the ordinance, which imposes an additional sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized in Section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025. To implement the tax by January 1, 2026, the City must deliver to the Washington State Department of Revenue an ordinance imposing the tax by October 17, 2025 and attest that the City's Police Department meets the training requirements. The third and final reading of this ordinance will be deferred until October 6, 2025 while the Police Department completes the training requirements. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Jace Cotton / Daniel Hammill moved to amend the ordinance Section 4.79.050 Reporting to include, "These reports should also be distributed to the City Council." MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the ordinance, imposing an additional sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent for criminal justice purposes as authorized in Section 201, Chapter 350, Laws of Washington 2025; Adding a new chapter 4.79 to the Bellingham Municipal Code, as amended. Hannah Stone / Michael Lilliquist moved to amend the motion to add a final whereas clause to the ordinance reading "The City will meet the requirements to receive a grant from the local enforcement grant program before third and final.” Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to strike the previous amendment and amend the main motion to include clarification that the ordinance will not be presented for third and final until the City is in full compliance. AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Old/New Business Council Member Hammill expressed a desire to revisit the Council’s decision on the Britton Road/Northern Heights Annexation. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to reconsider City Council’s August 25th decision to deny the annexation proposal known as the Britton Road/Northern Heights Annexation. MOTION CARRIED 5-2. OPPOSED: Hannah Stone, Lisa Anderson Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 2 September 15, 2025  Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend the original motion to deny the annexation proposal to a motion directing staff to bring back the annexation proposal for City Council consideration in late 2026 or early 2027 after the City completes its Annexation Plan. MOTION CARRIED 5-2. OPPOSED: Hannah Stone, Lisa Anderson Council Member Cotton shared a draft letter for Council's consideration to the Evergreen Supported Living leadership regarding ongoing union negotiations. Council discussed the letter and provided feedback that there should be a second letter sent to union members. Council Member Cotton shared that he would like to make small changes to the rental fee ordinances after receiving community feedback. Council Member Lilliquist and Council Member Stone expressed similar desires and will work with the administration to bring forward those changes. Council moved into Executive Session at 3:35 p.m. to discuss one item until 3:45 p.m. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:37 p.m. Committee Of The Whole Minutes Page 3 September 15, 2025