City Council - Parks and Recreation Committee

City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes November 22, 2021, 1:00 PM Mayor Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members, Gene Knutson, Chair www.cob.org/council Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order Roll Call 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 in the order shown below: Parks and Recreation Gene Knutson, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 23170 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Accepting the Donation of the Pier at p. 3 Little Squalicum Park from Lehigh Northwest Cement Company Following extensive feasibility studies and negotiations, the City of Bellingham has secured a no-cost transfer of a portion of the industrial pier located at Little Squalicum Park from Lehigh Northwest to the City. This donation requires Council approval and is supported by the Greenways Advisory Committee and the Parks & Recreation Board. The portion to be transferred, known as Tract A, is the section inside the Department of Natural Resources tidelands. Extensive improvements to support public access and improve the structural integrity, as well as environmental improvements are required. This project is listed as a priority in multiple City planning documents, and design is underway with construction anticipated in 2023 to 2024 depending on permits. Mayor Seth Fleetwood announced that acceptance of the donation of the Pier at Little Squalicum Park is a significant milestone. He thanked former Mayor, Kelli Linville, as well as Staff for the efforts to make this happen. Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes Page 1 November 22, 2021  Parks Director, Nicole Oliver, provided Council with a presentation. Oliver stated that the property is owned by the county and an opportunity to provide more equitable access to the Waterfront. The Pier goes straight out (similar to White Rock pier). The presentation included a timeline of the pier, dating back to 1995. The anticipated opening date will be in 2025. The presentation covered Tract A and Tract B. The Pier structure is: 14’ wide, 1,800’ long (Tract A 1,200’), 240 piles, creosote treated, over water cover, and in fair condition (through environmental studies of contamination and sediment). Tract A will be made available to the public. Completed due diligence included: sediment evaluation, removal of the outer section (not likely to adversely impact adjacent beach and undermine bluffs), contamination evaluation, structural condition, access, and ability to permit renovation. The Department has hired a consultant for design and permitting, including removal and replacement of decking, handrails, and fencing as well as improvement abutment, ADA compliance, permit application. The construction estimate is $4.5 million ($1.5 million in Greenways already approved by Council – remainder covered by impact fees). Councilmember Pinky Vargas mentioned that she was thrilled that this came up prior to her departure from the Council and also provided a shoutout to Mayor Kelli Linville. Councilmember Lisa Anderson had some questions regarding the environmental release should cleanup include areas beyond Tract A, and also the long-term impact that could potentially be more damaging (concern re long-term liability and contaminated tank). Is there a possibility that there will be environmental cleanup required by Ecology? Director of Parks and Recreation, Nicole Oliver, responded that releasing any future claims would only include items at the time of the deed and anything forward, solely for the portion that the City would be keeping. Lehigh is responsible for the entire demolition, and they already have permits, and will also be responsible for sediment testing. Anything that happens during the demolition, would not be on the City. Should anything arise in the future, the City could add them as a contributing owner. Oliver stated that the testing will be updated, removing all the creosote on the top deck, along with certain rotten piles. The testing that was done was sediment based, focusing on wildlife (fish) habitat. Oliver assured Anderson that the City does not want anything to do with the tank that she referenced. Councilmember Michael Lilliquist mentioned that he is also excited about this. He wanted to know how Lehigh Pier compares to Taylor Dock in terms of price and width of the dock. Oliver will respond to his questions during the evening meeting. Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes Page 2 November 22, 2021  Councilmember Gene Knutson shared his excitement for the project as well. Adjournment Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes Page 3 November 22, 2021