City Council - Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

City of Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes March 22, 2021, 10:00 AM Mayor Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members, Michael Lilliquist, Chair www.cob.org/council Gene Knutson, 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 Present: Committee Chair Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Committee Member Gene Knutson, Second Ward Committee Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Standing Committee Meeting 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: Public Works and Natural Resources 10:00 AM Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 22938 1. ADA Transition Plan for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of- p. 3 Way Committee Chair Lilliquist introduced the ADA Transition Plan for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way. Kim Brown, ADA Coordinator, gave a presentation entitled, Mobility for All, the City's Transition Plan for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way. The goal of the plan is to eliminate barriers to access. In 1974, the City passed a resolution to ensure equal access for citizens with disabilities. With the passage of the Disabilities Act signed into law in 1990, local governments have worked to make changes that provide equal access to all public facilities and services. The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes Page 1 March 22, 2021  City of Bellingham adopted a city-wide transition plan in 1993 and updated the plan in 1999 to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Recently an advisory committee was formed to update the Plan. The committee met five times within 14 months. Key recommendations for action include:  Increase community awareness of accessibility issues and how improved access benefits everyone  Develop educational materials for City staff, elected officials and community members  Establish an on-going ADA Advisory Committee Next steps are to:  Finalize the Plan  City Council adopt the Plan by resolution  Make the Plan available to the public Committee Members asked questions. 22939 2. Public Works Proposal for James Street Preferred Arterial Standard p. 135 Chad Schulhauser, Assistant Public Works Director and City Engineer, outlined that a Public Hearing is not required but staff recommends Council host a Hearing before considering the ordinance. Gene Knutson moved to direct staff to schedule a Public Hearing before voting on the ordinance. Lisa Anderson also supports the motion. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the Committee adjourned 10:52 a.m. Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes Page 2 March 22, 2021