City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 10/23/2017, 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: 1. On Monday, November 13, 2017, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, there will be a Public Hearing on the City of Bellingham's 2017-2018 Mid- Biennium Budget Adjustment. Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 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: Public Hearing 21755 1. A Public Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Related to Land Use Planning and Zoning, for Adoption of the Whatcom Community City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 10/23/2017  College Institutional Master Plan Including Comprehensive Plan and Bellingham Municipal Code Amendments and Rezones Brian Keeley, Senior Director of Facilities of Whatcom Community College, presented on the Whatcom Community College Institutional Master Plan. He highlighted three key reasons for the Master Plan: one, to define future space and infrastructure needs; two, to support the biannual funding requests in State Capital Budget process; and three, to meet the requirement of the City of Bellingham's Municipal Code (20.40). Kim Weil, Planner, presented on the Institutional Master Plan of Whatcom Community College. Council President Lilliquist opened the public hearing. Kurt Thor, expressed concerned about Short Street and traffic flow of the new plan. He suggested they may need a traffic light at the intersection. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Terry Bornemann / Roxanne Murphy moved approval for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21756 2. Public Hearing on 2017-2018 Revenue Projections Including an Increase in the Property Tax Levy Forrest Longman, Budget and Finance Manager, presented the 2017-2018 Revenue Projections. Council President Lilliquist opened the public hearing. Jim Larrison, spoke about how property crime is up. He relayed that though taxes are up and the City is bringing in more tax revenue, the Police do not respond to property crime in an efficient manner. He would like the Police to respond personally rather than direct residents to fill out an online form to report crime. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. The written record will remain open until November 13, 2017, per Resolution #2013-09. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Valeri Wade, owner of the Wild Bird Chalet, expressed concern that the ordinance has no enforcement and is therefore of no consequence. Instead, she would like the City to City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 10/23/2017  work on educating the Public about the dangers of feeding wildlife and to discourage such behavior. {AB #21715} Shannon Campbell, objects to the ordinance that prohibits feeding deer and raccoons. She feels the legislation was drafted too hastily and there should be more study done to determine if we have a legitimate problem with feeding deer. {AB #21715} Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works / Public Safety 21757 1. Extension of Lease Term for the Bellingham Railway Museum Terry Bornemann / Roxanne Murphy moved to approve extension of the lease. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Pinky Vargas excused. Lake Whatcom Reservoir and Natural Resources 21758 1. Whatcom County Pharmaceutical Stewardship Ordinance Presentation during Committee. Whatcom County is considering a Pharmaceutical Stewardship Policy, which would require the manufacturers of medicines sold in the county to finance and coordinate a comprehensive medicine take-back program for all county residents. Medicine producers will develop a stewardship plan and the Whatcom County Health Department will review the plan and oversee the approved program for safety and compliance. Drop boxes will be provided around Whatcom County as well as pre-paid mailers for homebound medicine users. Information only. 21759 2. Report from the October 16, 2017 Lake Whatcom Policy Group Meeting Presentation during Committee. An update on the Aquatic Invasive Species Program was provided. Last year, the City inspected 12, 000 boats where no foreign species were detected and received a $54,000 grant from the Whatcom Department of Fish and Wildlife for next year's program. A 10 year progress report for the TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) Implementation Plan was given. This plan includes ten years of milestones to achieve water quality improvements on Lake Whatcom. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 10/23/2017  The HIP (Home Improvement Plan) was discussed. Vacation rentals were talked over as well as the Flood Control Zone District Funds that the County is working on. Information only. Justice 21760 1. Presentation by Vera Institute of Justice on Incarceration Reduction Strategies April Barker reported that representatives from the Vera Institute gave suggestions on ways the City can reduce incarceration and be more effective within the justice system. Three recommendations included: ensure that legal counsel be present at all bail decisions, transition to a risk management system rather than a bail system, and work on a strategy for caseloads. Information only. Committee Of The Whole 21761 1. Hearing Examiner Annual Report to Council Sharon Rice, Hearing Examiner, presented during Committee. She recommended changing the review of the Land Disturbance Permit in Lake Whatcom Watershed to administrative rather than through the Hearing Examiner. Planning staff will add to the list of corrections. Information only. 21762 2. A Resolution Setting the Dates and Times of the 2018 City Council Meetings Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved final approval of Resolution # 2017-38. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21715 3. Minor Revision to an Ordinance Prohibiting the Feeding of Deer and Raccoons within the City of Bellingham During Committee, Council approved amended language in Section F adding "wild birds" to the list of exclusions. 21763 4. Discussion of 2018 Legislative Priorities Presentation during Committee. The Council reviewed the draft and will approve at a later date. Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 10/23/2017  21764 5. Waterfront District Implementation Status Report Presentation during Committee. In cooperation with the Port of Bellingham and the developer, Harcourt LLC, the City has approved the construction of two arterials along the Waterfront District and utilities underneath the arterials. The City has also approved spending to construct Waypoint Park. In addition, the developer has suggested some plan changes of the layout that the City staff feels are positive changes. The changes still need to go through a full legislative review and be submitted by April of next year. Information only. 21765 6. Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Bellingham and the Port of Bellingham for Waypoint Park Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement between the City of Bellingham and the Port of Bellingham for Waypoint Park. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21743 7. Work Session on the Proposed 2017-2018 Biennial Budget Changes Discussion during Committee. Library, Public Works and Planning and Community Development budget changes were reviewed. Information only. 8. Approval of City Council Committee and/or Special Meeting Minutes Roxanne Murphy / Dan Hammill moved approval of the October 9, 2017 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 9. Old/New Business Dan Hammill thanked Officer Dante Alexander of the Bellingham Police Department for taking him on a ride along. He said it was very eye opening to see what goes on during the night shifts. Michael Lilliquist reported that he met with County Council Members to discuss the possibility of partnering with the County to work on identifying a site for a homeless shelter. The County Council Members were receptive to the idea. The County will introduce a Resolution at their next County Council Meeting (scheduled for October 24, 2017) to partner with the City and form a committee to discuss finding a suitable property for a low-barrier homeless shelter. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 10/23/2017  Executive Session 4:15 - Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Action: Gene Knutson / Terry Bornemann moved to authorize the purchase of an 8 acre watershed parcel (APN 380430198400) from Charles V. Evans for $160,000, with an anticipated closing date of November 1, 2017. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Action: Terry Bornemann / Dan Hammill moved to authorize the purchase of a 0.88 acre watershed parcel (APN 380431030110) from Mark M. Schlichting for $80,000, with an anticipated closing date of November 15, 2017. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Mayor Linville commented on how important it is to focus on our capital budget in the legislative agenda. It affects our ability to perform our capital projects. She has asked Ted Carlson, Public Works Director, to look at upcoming projects that could be added to the capital budget. Mayor Linville appreciates that Council approves the hiring of two new police officers every year that she has been Mayor. It allows the police to be a more preventative policing style rather than a reactive police approach. 21766 1. Mayor's Appointment of David LeBow and Pamela Sorensen to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (Information) The Mayor appoints David LeBow to his first term on the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission as the Edgemoor Primary Representative, which will expire on October 9, 2019, at which time he may be reappointed. The Mayor appoints Pamela Sorenson to a one year term, on the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission as the Meridian Primary Representative, which will expire on October 9, 2018. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 10/23/2017  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. 21767 1. Consideration of Final Plat Approval for the Edgemoor Manor Plat Alteration Roxanne Murphy / Gene Knutson moved final approval of Resolution # 2017-39. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21768 2. Approve the Mayor to Enter into a Joint Funding Agreement Between the City of Bellingham and the US Department of Interior / US Geological Survey for Water Resources Investigation 21769 3. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated September 26, 2017 - October 10, 2017 21770 4. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued October 6, 2017 21771 5. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued October 13, 2017 Roxanne Murphy / Gene Knutson moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 21715 1. An Ordinance Prohibiting Feeding of Deer and Raccoons Within the City of Bellingham Gene Knutson / Terry Bornemann 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: BORNEMANN, HAMMILL, KNUTSON, LILLIQUIST, MURPHY, VARGAS NAYS: BARKER EXCUSED: MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance # 2017-10-024 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 10/23/2017  Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 pm. Michael Lilliquist, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: November 6, 2017 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 10/23/2017