City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 03/21/2016, 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 Pro Tempore Roxanne Murphy at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: On Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers, the City Council will host the Lake Whatcom Cooperative Management Program Joint Councils and Commission Annual Meeting. On Monday, April 11, 2016, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, the City Council will host a Public Hearing in consideration of a request by Lydia Place to docket a comprehensive plan amendment and rezone for review in 2016. Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Council President Pro Tempore Roxanne Murphy. Roll Call Present: April Barker, Council Member, First Ward Gene Knutson, Council Member, Second Ward Daniel Hammill, Council Member, Third Ward Michael Lilliquist, Council Member, Sixth Ward Roxanne Murphy, Council Member, At Large Excused: Pinky Vargas, Council Member, Fourth Ward Terry Bornemann, Council Member, Fifth Ward City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 3/21/2016  15-Minute Public Comment Period Bruce Johnson, representing the steering committee for Homeless Connect 2016, thanked the Mayor and City Council for requesting action on homelessness from the Governor. {AB #21101} Janet Marino, thanked the Council for the proposed resolution of fair hiring practices, also known as the Ban the Box initiative. She encouraged the Council to vote to pass the resolution. {AB #21150} Ian Alexander, spoke in favor of the Ban the Box resolution. He shared a story of a friend with a felony conviction that had trouble finding employment. He relayed that criminal convictions can hinder employment and crime can become cyclical. {AB #21150} Junga Subedar, stated some criminal statistics and spoke in favor of the resolution for fair hiring practices. {AB #21150} Edward Alexander, communicated that he believes the Ban the Box resolution will help reduce repeat offenders and give them a chance at lawful employment. He hopes the resolution will pass tonight. {AB #21150} Yoshé Revelle, recited a poem on world peace. John Hymas, arborist and member of the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee, reported that recently trees on South Hill were removed without a tree permit. He believes the city needs a stronger ordinance. The Committee is currently drafting an ordinance for consideration. Jennifer Paddock, Regional Director of Pioneer Human Services, spoke in favor of the Ban the Box Resolution. She gave examples of other cities and their outcomes for employment and feels it is an effective public policy. {AB #21150} Joseph Nagel, of Pioneer Human Services, conveyed how he thought the Ban the Box resolution will help those who have criminal records find employment. He requested Council pass the resolution. {AB #21150} Sarah Irelde, spoke about her experience and support for the Ban the Box resolution. {AB #21150} Public Works / Public Safety 21174 1. Interlocal Agreement for Joint Use of Whatcom Unified Emergency Coordination Center City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 3/21/2016  Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for joint use of Whatcom Unified Emergency Coordination Center. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas excused. Lake Whatcom Reservoir and Natural Resources 21175 1. Interlocal Agreement Between the City and Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Whatcom County, PUD #1 of Whatcom County and the Cities of Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack and Sumas Information only. 21176 2. Report from the March 14, 2016 Lake Whatcom Policy Group Meeting Information only. Parks and Recreation 21177 1. Bid Award for Squalicum Creek Trail Orchard to Irongate PD3003-X, Bid Number 71B-2015 Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to award Bid No.71B-2015 for Squalicum Creek Trail Orchard to Irongate PD3003-X to Tiger Construction, Ltd. of Everson, Washington as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of their bid, which is $1,514,580.82, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas excused. Community and Economic Development 21178 1. Sustainable Connection Status Report Information only. Committee Of The Whole 21179 1. Bellingham Tactical Emergency Medical (TEMS) Program and Training Information only. 21180 2. Authorize Agreement for Inmate Housing with South Correctional Entity ("SCORE") City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 3/21/2016  Roxanne Murphy / Gene Knutson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement for inmate housing with South Correctional Entity ("SCORE"). MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas excused. 21181 3. 2015 Year End Review Information only. 21151 4. Background Briefing: FAST Report (2009), Capital Facilities Task Force Report (2010) and Administrative Functions Review (2014); Interim Steps to Preserve Options Information only. 21150 5. A Resolution to Support the City's Adoption and Implementation of Hiring Practices that Provide People with Arrest and Conviction Records an Equal and Fair Opportunity to Obtain Employment A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE CITY'S ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF HIRING PRACTICES THAT PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH ARREST AND CONVICTION RECORDS AN EQUAL AND FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT Dan Hammill reported one word change to the resolution for the record. In the fifth "Whereas" clause, the modification should be to change the word "represent" to "often." April Barker / Gene Knutson moved final approval of Resolution #2016-06, as amended. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas excused. 6. Approval of Minutes Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the March 7, 2016 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas excused. 7. Old/New Business Roxanne Murphy reported changes to agenda bill #21164 stating that on page 5 of the Public Facilities District Interlocal agreement, paragraph B, in the first sentence, the word "sum" should be replaced with the word "amount." In the second sentence it is to be added, "The PFD hereby agrees to apply such amount to implement the Refunding Plan described in Section 1 of Resolution No. ___ of the PFD, adopted March ___ , 2016." Roxanne Murphy / April Barker moved approval. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas excused. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 3/21/2016  Peter Ruffatto, City Attorney, reported that the City was asked to join a coalition of local governments and other cities to participate as a signatory for a Friend of the Court (amicus curiae) brief. The brief relates to a clean power plant case that is currently being litigated in the D.C. Circuit Court. The City will review the brief and will need to decide to join before the deadline of April 1, 2016. Council Member Lilliquist reminded the Council of the change to the Happy Valley Neighborhood Comprehensive Plan that was done a few years ago. The plan made changes for more trees. He asked that the Planning Committee add an agenda item to a meeting to discuss urban tree coverage policies for the Comprehensive Plan. Rick Sepler, Planning Director, indicated that the City is looking at the Comprehensive Plan language for an urban forestry plan, as well as grant funding and university support for such a plan. Executive Session - Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Direction given. No action taken. 2. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Direction given. No action taken. 3. Potential Litigation Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Direction given. No action taken. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 21182 1. Mayor's Reappointment of Sheryl Russell to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (Information) Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 3/21/2016  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. 21183 1. Approve Amendment #2 to the Interagency Agreement #C1400056 with the Washington State Department of Ecology to Add an Additional $200,000 21184 2. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued March 4, 2016 21185 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued March 11, 2016 21186 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated February 26, 2016 - March 10, 2016 Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the consent agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas excused. Final Consideration of Ordinances 21163 1. An Ordinance Approving the Advance Refunding of the Outstanding 2007 Limited Sales Tax Obligation Bonds AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ONE OR MORE SERIES OF LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS OF THE CITY IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $11,000,000 TO REFUND OUTSTANDING LIMITED SALES TAX OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE BELLINGHAM WHATCOM PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT, WASHINGTON, AND TO PAY COSTS OF ISSUING THE BONDS; PROVIDING THE FORM AND TERMS OF THE BONDS; AND DELEGATING THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THE FINAL TERMS OF THE BONDS Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: BARKER, HAMMILL, KNUTSON, LILLIQUIST, MURPHY, NAYS: EXCUSED: BORNEMANN, VARGAS MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2016-03-009. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 3/21/2016  21165 2. An Ordinance Establishing Fees for Rental Inspection AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING FEES FOR RENTAL INSPECTION Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: BARKER, HAMMILL, KNUTSON, LILLIQUIST, MURPHY, NAYS: EXCUSED: BORNEMANN, VARGAS MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2016-03-010. 21166 3. Budget Amendment to Allow the Reclassification an Office Assistant II to a Planner I in the Planning and Community Development Department AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2016 BUDGET APPROPRIATING AN ADDITIONAL $51,329.00 FROM ESTIMATED ENDING RESERVES IN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FUND TO RECLASSIFY ONE NEW POSITION IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, RENTAL REGISTRATION PROGRAM Dan Hammill / Roxanne Murphy moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: BARKER, HAMMILL, KNUTSON, LILLIQUIST, MURPHY, NAYS: EXCUSED: BORNEMANN, VARGAS MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2016-03-011. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 3/21/2016  Pinky Vargas, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: April 11, 2016 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 3/21/2016