City Council - Public Works and Natural Resources Committee

City of Bellingham Public Works and Natural Resources Committee minutes January 26, 2026, 1:00 PM Chair: Michael Lilliquist Phone: 360-778-8200 Members: Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton Email: ccmail@cob.org Web: cob.org/council City Council committee meetings Standing committee members receive reports and information, ask questions, and vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the regular meeting. There is no public comment period during committee sessions. Call to order and roll call Council President Stone called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Present: Committee Chair Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Committee Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Committee Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Public Works and Natural Resources 24807 1. A contract award for Old Town Redevelopment, Project ES562, Bid No. 81B-2025 Summary: Craig Mueller, Project Engineer, and Mike Wilson, Public Works Assistant Director - Engineering, presented the contract award, which includes street improvements from back-of-curb to back-of-curb on C, D, and E Streets between Holly Street and Bancroft Street, and Astor Street from C Street to F Street. Council Members discussed the contract award and asked questions. Action: Lisa Anderson moved to award contract No. 81B-2025 for the Old Town Redevelopment Project to Earthwork Solutions LLC in the amount of $5,982,839.23. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 24808 2. An ordinance granting to NFC Northwest, LLC a franchise to install, operate, and maintain fiber optic broadband network components in City rights-of-way for the provision of telecommunications services to Bellingham businesses and residents Page 1 of 3  Summary: Mike Wilson, Public Works Assistant Director - Engineering, and Matt Stamps, Senior Assistant City Attorney, presented the ordinance granting NFC Northwest, LLC a nonexclusive franchise to install and operate fiber optic broadband network components in City rights-of-way for the provision of telecommunications services to Bellingham businesses and residents. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Action: Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the ordinance. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 24815 3. Acceptance of a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project (Contract #26-96647-028) Summary: Carol Rofkar, Public Works Assistant Director - Internal Services, and Rebecca Judd, Library Director, explained that the City applied for a grant and received an appropriation of $1,030,000 in the 2025-2027 State Capital Budget for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. After administrative costs from the Department of Commerce, the net grant award will be $999,100. The grant money will be used for youth and staff space improvements, as well as safety and security updates. Council Members discussed the grant and asked questions. Action: Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the grant agreement with Washington State Department of Commerce Contract #26-96647-028 for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 24816 4. Acceptance of a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project (Contract #26-96647-001) Summary: Carol Rofkar, Public Works Assistant Director - Internal Services, and Rebecca Judd, Library Director, explained that the City applied for a grant and received an appropriation of $2,000,000 in the 2025-2027 State Capital Budget for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. After administrative costs from the Department of Commerce, the net grant award will be $1,950,000. The grant money will be used for youth and staff space improvements, as well as safety and security updates. Council Members discussed the grant and asked questions. Page 2 of 3  Action: Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce Contract #26-96647-001 for the Bellingham Central Library Interior Renovation Project. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:16 p.m. Page 3 of 3