City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 02/22/2016, 7:00 PM Mayor Kelli Linville Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members April Barker, Gene Knutson, Daniel www.cob.org/council Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Terry Bornemann, Michael Lilliquist All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at and Roxanne Murphy 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA unless otherwise noted. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Vargas at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: The Public Hearing to consider a redevelopment proposal for 315 West Holly Street scheduled for February 22, 2016, was postponed. Staff has allowed the project team additional time to refine feasibility of the project concept prior to soliciting community input and Council direction. Staff provided a brief status update in the committee meeting earlier in the day. The Public will be notified when the hearing is rescheduled. Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Council President Vargas. Roll Call Present: April Barker, Council Member, First Ward Gene Knutson, Council Member, Second Ward Daniel Hammill, Council Member, Third Ward Pinky Vargas, Council Member, Fourth Ward Terry Bornemann, Council Member, Fifth Ward Michael Lilliquist, Council Member, Sixth Ward Roxanne Murphy, Council Member, At Large Excused: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 2/22/2016  15-Minute Public Comment Period Garey Vodopich, Samish Neighborhood Association, addressed the lack of code enforcement for R1 zoned neighborhoods. He reported that many of the dwellings in his neighborhood are inhabited by 3 or more unrelated persons. He feels this is violating the code and requested that it be enforced. Everett Barton, distributed a handout to the Council members that addressed the lack of affordable housing in Bellingham neighborhoods. He requested the Council look into inventorying all handicapped units in the city. He also suggested a type of rent control be enforced so that handicapped units are accessible to all. 21148 1. Review of Population and Employment Growth Forecasts Recently Approved by Whatcom County Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill moved to approve the higher population growth forecast as recommended by the County Council. MOTION CARRIED 6-1. Michael Lilliquist opposed. Lake Whatcom Reservoir and Natural Resources 21149 1. Report from the February 2, 2016 Lake Whatcom Policy Group Meeting Information only. Finance and Personnel 21150 1. Update on Criminal Background Checks An initiative came forth to ban the question that asks an applicant if they have ever been convicted of a crime on employment applications. This is known as the Ban the Box initiative and many cities within Washington State are considering the practice. This initiative only applies to cities and not to all general employers. The City of Bellingham administration expressed they are in favor of this for most jobs except public safety and law enforcement positions. Council Member Hammill will work with staff on a Ban the Box resolution for consideration at the March 21, 2016 City Council meeting. Roxanne Murphy/Terry Bornemann moved to recommend drafting a resolution for the Ban the Box initiative. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 2/22/2016  Committee Of The Whole 21151 1. Presentation by FCS Group on General Fund Forecast and Sustainability Strategies Associated with Addressing Adopted Levels of Service (LOS) Information only. 21152 2. A Presentation by the Small Business Development Center Information only. 21153 3. An Emergency Ordinance to Create an Electronic Home Detention Program, Provide for the Establishment of Eligibility Standards, and Authorize a Subsidy for Costs to Participants in the Program AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM TO CREATE AN ELECTRONIC HOME DETENTION PROGRAM, PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS, AND AUTHORIZE A SUBSIDY FOR COSTS TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM Peter Ruffatto, City Attorney, read changes to the ordinance into the record. Michael Lilliquist / Dan Hammill moved to approve Emergency Ordinance #2016-02-008 as amended. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21154 4. An Update on the Status of the Surplus of 315 W. Holly Street The public hearing was postponed until further notice. The City has received one proposal for the site. The proposal was submitted by AYGO, LLC for a mixed-use, multi- story project. Information only. 5. Approval of Minutes Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill moved approval of the February 8, 2016, minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 6. Old/New Business Council Member Lilliquist reported that the County Council will meet tomorrow. A report on the jail task force and a resolution to adopt a statement on jail planning principles is expected to be discussed. The County has asked the cities and tribes of Whatcom County to join them in the statement. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 2/22/2016  Brian Heinrich, Deputy Administrator, reported the Whatcom County Sheriff will give an update of the jail planning status at the County meeting tomorrow. April Barker shared that the central city library has made changes to the upstairs checkout stations. Changes were made to streamline the checkout services. Roxanne Murphy gave some ideas and suggestions for keeping local neighbors safe. They included things such as keeping porchlights on and exchanging phone numbers with neighbors. Council President Vargas reported that the City Council Retreat is scheduled for April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Woodstock Farms. Dan Hammill thanked volunteers that came on Sunday (Feb 21, 2016), to haul away 660 pounds of trash from the pedestrian bridge near York Construction Supply. Executive Session - Report and Action only. 1. Potential Litigation: Claim #2016-06 Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Action: Michael Lilliquist / Dan Hammill moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a settlement agreement with the following terms: resolution of claim number 2016- 06 for the payment of $28,680.24 to the claimant for water related damages. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 21155 1. Mayor's Reappointment of Alfred Arkley and Appointment of Andrew Davis to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board (Approval) Gene Knutson / Roxanne Murphy moved approval to reappoint Alfred Arkley and Andrew Davis to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21156 2. Mayor's Appointment of Roger Collier to the Greenway Advisory Committee (Approval) Roxanne Murphy / Terry Bornemann moved approval to appoint Roger Collier to the Greenway Advisory Committee. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 2/22/2016  21157 3. Mayor's Appointment of Elizabeth Jennings to the Community Development Advisory Board (Information) Information only. 21158 4. Mayor's Appointment of Anders Papritz and Caitlin Upshall to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (Information) Information only. Consent Agenda All matters listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial items and may be approved in a single motion. A member of the Council may ask that an item be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 21159 1. Interlocal Agreement Between City of Bellingham and Whatcom Council of Governments to Help Fund the Whatcom Smart Trips Program Gene Knutson / April Barker moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Whatcom Council of Governments to help fund the Whatcom Smart Trips Program with the condition that it is not renewed. Council Member Knutson expressed his disapproval of the funding for the interlocal agreement. The contract term ends December 31, 2016. MOTION FAILED 3-4. Michael Lilliquist/ Dan Hammill / Terry Bornemann / Roxanne Murphy opposed. Terry Bornemann / Roxanne Murphy moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Whatcom Council of Governments to help fund the Whatcom Smart Trips Program. MOTION CARRIED 5-2. April Barker / Gene Knutson opposed. 21160 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated January 26, 2016 - February 10, 2016 21161 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 5, 2016 21162 4. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 12, 2016 Gene Knutson / Roxanne Murphy moved approval of items #2 - 4 of the Consent Agenda. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 2/22/2016  Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. Pinky Vargas, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: March 7, 2016 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 2/22/2016