City Council - Committee Of The Whole

City of Bellingham Committee Of The Whole minutes March 23, 2026, 1:50 PM Chair: Hannah Stone Phone: 360-778-8200 Members: Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Email: ccmail@cob.org Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Web: cob.org/council Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton City Council committee meetings Standing committee members receive reports and information, ask questions, and vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the regular meeting. There is no public comment period during committee sessions. Call to order and roll call Council President Stone called the meeting to order at 1:51 p.m. Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Excused: Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Committee Of The Whole 24865 1. Appointment of a new public records officer for the City of Bellingham Summary: Sarah Chaplin, Senior Assistant City Attorney, and Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk, provided an update on the transition of public disclosure operations from the legal department to the finance department. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. Action: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the appointment of Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk, as the City's designated public records officer. Page 1 of 2  MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 24866 2. An update on City efforts to improve digital services accessibility Summary: Melissa Morin, Communications and Community Relations Director, and Holly Pederson, ADA Coordinator, provided an update on citywide efforts to improve digital services and develop a sustainable strategy to meet federal accessibility deadlines in April 2026. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. 24871 3. A presentation of the Public Safety Level of Service Needs Assessment Summary: Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, presented on the Public Safety Level of Service Needs Assessment, which identified current service gaps, resources needed to fill those gaps, and evaluated the possibility of additional funding sources. Council Members discussed the assessment and asked questions. Action: Daniel Hammill / Jace Cotton moved to direct the administration to form the Regional Fire Authority (RFA) planning committee. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. ABSTAINED: Lisa Anderson 4. Old/New Business Summary: Joel Pfundt, Public Works Director, provided an update on the impacts of the I-5 freeway closure to City infrastructure. Council moved into Executive Session at 3:52 p.m. to discuss three items until 4:20 p.m. 1. Potential litigation 2. Potential Litigation, Claim No. 2025-36 3. Potential Litigation Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Page 2 of 2