City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 08/07/2017, 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 Lilliquist at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 1. On Monday, August 14, 2017, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, there will be a Public Hearing to consider amendments to the Bellingham Municipal Code that would allow the Planning Director to provide an opportunity to establish a transition area between zoning districts. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Council President Lilliquist. 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: Presentation 21685 1. Opportunity Council Presentation on Understanding Housing Subsidy City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 8/7/2017  Adrienne Solenberger, Landlord/Tenant Liaison of the Opportunity Council, explained housing subsidies to make housing affordable to those in need within Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham. Information only. Public Hearing 21686 1. Resolution Authorizing Relinquishment of a Surplus Utility Easement Located Within a Vacated Portion of McKenzie Avenue Adjacent to the Bellingham Tennis Club Council President Lilliquist opened the public hearing. Doug Robertson, applicant that requested the relinquishment of the easement, spoke in favor of the Resolution and asked Council to support the Resolution. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Terry Bornemann / Gene Knutson moved final approval of Resolution # 2017-31. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Carrie Kovaleski, commented on the state of homelessness and policies she feels the City should implement to deter homeless persons from moving here. Yoshe Revelle, reported that Georgetown, Texas, has converted their energy sources to all renewable energy. He warned against overconsuming and energy consumption. Amy Glasser, requested that all new buildings that are constructed should use solar panels. She also objected to Wildwood Resorts on Lake Whatcom. Council Standing Committee Meetings: City Council Special Meeting 21687 1. Closed Record Hearing to Consider a Petition to Vacate a Southerly Portion of McKenzie Avenue Between 8th and 9th Streets Gene Knutson / Roxanne Murphy moved approval for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Michael Lilliquist abstained. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 8/7/2017  21688 2. Closed Record Hearing to Consider a Petition to Vacate a Southerly Portion of Bennett Road Between Stuart and June Roads and a Westerly Portion of June Road Between Bennett Road and Northwest Avenue Dan Hammill / Terry Bornemann moved approval for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Justice 21689 1. Six-month Report on Jail Program Impacts and Report on Impacts of Pre-trial Transfers to Yakima This was the first report for the new Justice Committee. The purpose of this committee is for the Council to dedicate time to explore and understand the complexities of the justice system. Presentation during Committee included a report Judge Lev and Court Administrator Darlene Peterson. They covered a six month report on jail program impacts and the effect they have on the court and the community, as well as pre-trial transfers to Yakima. Information only. Public Works / Public Safety 21690 1. Fireworks Enforcement 2017 Presentation during Committee. Bellingham Police Department staff provided a report on firework calls within the City during the first week of July. Information only. Finance and Personnel 21691 1. Second Quarter Financial Review Presentation during Committee by Brian Henshaw, Finance Director. Information only. Committee Of The Whole City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 8/7/2017  21692 1. Discussion of Bellingham Logo Refresh Presentation during Committee. Will bring back more information on a transition plan as it is developed. Information only. Executive Session - Report and Action only. 1. Litigation: Swatosh v. City of Bellingham Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Litigation: Newlun v. Sucee, City of Bellingham, et al Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action only. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Mayor Linville reported that the City will soon receive an annual check from the state from the LIFT project. The funds help with economic development and environmental clean-up. The Mayor also thanked the City's police officers for a job well done in responding to a call that included migrant workers who needed transportation services. She expressed that there had been some miscommunication surrounding the incident. The officers arranged for a bus to take them to Everson to collect their pay and get their checks cashed. 21693 1. Mayor's Appointment of Heather Keay to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board (Approval) Gene Knutson / Roxanne Murphy moved approval of the Mayor's appointment of Heather Keay, to her first term on the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board, which will expire on August 7, 2020, at which time she may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 8/7/2017  21694 2. Mayor's Reappointment of Joe Timmons to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (Information) The Mayor reappointed Joe Timmons as the WWU Administrative Representative to his final term on the Neighborhood Advisory Commission, term ending August 24, 2019. 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. 21695 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated June 24, 2017 - July 10, 2017 21696 2. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued July 21, 2017 21697 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued July 28, 2017 21698 4. Bid Award for Improvements to City-Owned Retail Lease Space in the Commercial Street Garage, Bid No. 37B-2017 Gene Knutson / Roxanne Murphy moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 21671 1. An Ordinance to Consider an Application for a Cable Television Franchise from Qwest Broadband Services, Inc. d/b/a CenturyLink Pinky Vargas / April Barker 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, BORNEMANN, HAMMILL, KNUTSON, LILLIQUIST, MURPHY, VARGAS NAYS: EXCUSED: MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2017-08-022. Adjournment City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 8/7/2017  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 pm. Michael Lilliquist, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: August 14, 2017 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 8/7/2017