City Council - Community and Economic Development Committee

City of Bellingham Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes July 1, 2024, 1:00 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Jace Cotton, Chair Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman https://cob.org/council Call to Order Council President Pro Tempore Huthman called the meeting to order at 1:00pm. Roll Call Present: Committee Chair Jace Cotton, At-Large Committee Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Committee Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward 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. 24171 1. Consideration of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's Downtown Activation Grant p. 3 Recommendations Tara Sundin, Community and Economic Development Manager, and Taylor Webb, Development Specialist, presented on the May 2024 request for proposals (RFP) soliciting projects to revitalize the downtown area using General Fund ($100k) and Lodging Tax revenues ($250k). The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) approved the Mayor's recommendations for use of the Lodging Tax Funds for the following projects,  One Spark – Immersive Experiences in Vacant Spaces ($60,000)  One Spark – Activation of Four Downtown Alleys ($100,000)  One Spark – Lakeway Underpass Mural ($90,000) General Funds will be used for the following projects,  One Spark – Lee Memorial Park Staircase Murals ($40,000)  Find Billy – Series of Five Whimsical Sculptures ($37,300)  Whatcom Museum – Old Fire Station Mural ($9,000)  Trike Trak – Interactive Tricycle Artwork and Display ($11,000) Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes Page 1 July 1, 2024   TBD Commercial Street Parking Garage Another request for proposals will be issued in the fall of 2024. The presentation is available here. Council Members discussed the proposals and asked questions. Hollie Huthman moved to recommend approval of the Mayor's recommendations for use of the Lodging Tax Funds for the projects,  One Spark – Immersive Experiences in Vacant Spaces ($60,000)  One Spark –Activation of Four Downtown Alleys ($100,000)  One Spark – Lakeway Underpass Mural ($90,000) MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:19pm. Community and Economic Development Committee Minutes Page 2 July 1, 2024