City Council - Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

City of Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes August 2, 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 Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 23059 1. Ordinance Renewing the Cascade Natural Gas Franchise p. 3 Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, explained that the City coordinates with Cascade Natural Gas (CNG) to maintain a network of natural gas pipelines within the City rights-of-way. The franchise agreement between the City and CNG is the document that facilitates the agreement. The current franchise term expires in September 2021. Prior to renewal of the franchise, the City requested information from CNG and David Gutschmidt, Director of the NW Region with CNG, addressed those questions outlined in the agenda packet. He explained that elements of safety, Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes Page 1 August 2, 2021  locations of leaks, and notification are sent to public agencies for notification under a state mandated schedule. Committee members asked questions. Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the franchise ordinance as written. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Lisa Anderson moved to direct staff or the Public Works Director to invite the UTC to provide a presentation before Council on CNG pipelines as well as other pipelines within Western Washington. The Council would request specific information by the UTC on the reporting and monitoring efforts being made to protect the community. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 23069 2. Broadband Advisory Workgroup Update p. 51 Eric Johnston, Public Works Director introduced Kris Keillor, member of the Broadband Advisory Workgroup. He provided an outline of the workgroup's accomplishments. He also defined the workgroup's purpose, mission, goals, and provide feedback on Resolution 2020-31. Workgroup accomplishments, included defining workgroup's purpose, mission, and goals, and provided feedback on Resolution 2020-31, which created the advisory board. Recently the workgroup had a meeting with the Washington State Department of Commerce Broadband Director, Russ Elliot. He strongly encouraged the group to develop shovel ready proposals as soon as possible that could be funded using state and federal funds. Committee Members asked questions. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m. Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes Page 2 August 2, 2021