City Council - Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

City of Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes November 17, 2025, 1:50 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org Council Members: Hannah Stone, Chair Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton https://cob.org/council Call to Order Committee Chair Stone called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. Roll Call Present: Committee Chair Hannah Stone, First Ward Committee Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Committee Member Jace Cotton, At-Large 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. 24752 3. Post Point Solids Management and Wastewater Comprehensive Plan Update p. 64 Mike Olinger, Deputy Director Public Works, and Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, provided a summary of past, present, and future solids handling at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and information about the upcoming Wastewater Comprehensive Plan. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. 24739 2. Post Point Septage Rate Increase for 2026 p. 62 Mike Olinger, Deputy Director Public Works, Steve Bradshaw, Superintendent of Plants, and Matt Stamps, Senior Assistant City Attorney, presented an increase in the septage disposal rates for registered haulers bringing in septage waste to the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. The rates will increase by 39% on January 1, 2026: “dump fee” from $15.75 per dump to $24.32 per dump and increases the “cost per gallon dumped” from $0.13 to $0.20. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. 24738 1. A Resolution Adopting a New Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation p. 3 Program Land Management Policy and Repealing Previous Policy Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes Page 1 November 17, 2025  Mike Olinger, Deputy Director Public Works, Michael Parelskin, Superintendent of Natural Resources Field Operations, and Matt Stamps, Senior Assistant City Attorney, presented the resolution adopting a new Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program Land Management Policy. Council Members discussed the policy, provided feedback, and asked questions. Jace Cotton moved to request the administration to add language in regarding the prohibition of animal waste. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m. Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Minutes Page 2 November 17, 2025