City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 12, 2018, 7:00 PM Mayor Kelli Linville Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members April Barker, Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill, www.cob.org/council Pinky Vargas, Terry Bornemann, Michael Lilliquist and All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at Roxanne Murphy 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Murphy at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Council President Murphy. Roll Call Present: Council President Roxanne Murphy, At Large Council Member April Barker, First Ward Council Member Gene Knutson, Second Ward Council Member Dan Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Pinky Vargas, Fourth Ward Council Member Terry Bornemann, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Presentation 21864 1. Swearing In Ceremony for Police Chief David Doll Judge Debra Lev swore in Police Chief David Doll. 21880 2. Presentation on Shelter Operations Hans Erchinger-Davis, Executive Director of the Lighthouse Mission, gave a presentation about ongoing shelter operations. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes Public Hearing 21865 1. Public Hearing to Consider Removal of On-Street Parking on Roeder Avenue Ted Carlson, Director of Public Works, explained that any time parking is being considered for removal, a public hearing is required. Chad Schulhauser, City Engineer, described the project for the proposed removal of on-street parking for the purpose of installing marked bicycle lanes. Council President Murphy opened the public hearing. Cindy Madigan, would like a two-way protected bike lane. She feels a physical barrier would be safest for bike commuting. She shared renderings that demonstrate the idea for protected bike lanes. Kristin Noreen, shared her experience with biking frequently and expressed that a protective bike lane would be safest for bike riders. She feels that the proposed, unprotected one-way bike lane that could be transitioned to parking spaces during special events, would hinder her attendance since parking is inconvenient. Therese Kelliher, requested that the City install a two-way protected bike lane. A physical separation would encourage the feeling of safety. Izaac Post, suggested an adjoining bike path to the existing sidewalk could be used as a bike lane. He feels it would provide an attractive and safe path that will encourage much use, especially if it is a two-way bike lane. Catalina Hope, asked the City to consider installing bike lanes in a fiscally conservative way. Galen Herz, recommended a protected bike lane. He thanked Council for considering a bike lane on Roeder Ave. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Natasha Raming, would like Council to do more to help those who are experiencing homelessness. Anlya Folsom, feels the City should declare a state of emergency for the homeless. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes  Nathan Thomas Seims, relayed that the Lummi Nation has approved his plans that include building 100 tiny homes on their land. Jim Peterson, feels the City is responsible for criminalization of homeless people. Markus Stidham, shared his experience moving to Washington from Minnesota and living among the Lummi Nation. He built relationships with the Lummi Nation that helped him. He feels the City's encampment sweeps are not conducive to helping the homeless. Josh Bowman, would like more to be done to help the homeless. Doug Gustafson, is concerned that the ordinance that was passed at the last meeting does little to help the homeless population. He would like to change the ordinance to allow for public land to be used for homeless camp sites. Amy Glasser, feels that City has done nothing to help the homeless. Colin Steele, discussed the need to allow rental applicants that hold housing vouchers access to all rentals. Krissy McGonnigle, expressed her support for the housing ordinance that protects those holding housing vouchers. She is pleased it is going to a final vote at the next meeting. Hannah van Amen, brought attention to environmental injustices that she feels are contributing to homelessness. Mark McHarg, asked that Council and the Mayor acknowledge his inquiries and letters concerning the lack of lighting at 15th and16th Street near Cowgill Avenue. He feels the lack of a street lamp creates a hazard that need to be addressed. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Gene Knutson, Chair Terry Bornemann; Michael Lilliquist 21866 1. Update of Bellingham Muncipal Code 17.76 - Floodplain Development Presentation during Committee. The updates are required to be compliant to the current FEMA regulations. Administration provided Council with an updated timeline process. Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes 21867 2. Noise Variance Request from WSDOT for SR-542 Paving Project Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill approval of the noise variance. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21868 3. Update to the City's Stormwater Comprehensive Plan and Stormwater Utility Rate Structure Presentation during Committee. Staff is reviewing the utility rate structure outline in the Comprehensive Plan. More updates will be brought forth to Council at a later meeting for discussion. Information only. 21869 4. Report from the February 5, 2018 Lake Whatcom Policy Group Meeting Presentation during Committee. A review of the 2018 meeting schedule and future meeting topics will include 2018 watershed resident survey, additional discussion of aeration proposal, short-term rental status update, county stormwater district funding, review of stormwater capital projects and updates as needed to TMDL, AIS tributary and lake monitoring as well as land management of forestry, acquisition, parks. The County Council and City Council will have a joint meeting on March 28, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Information only. Justice April Barker, Chair Pinky Vargas; Daniel Hammill 21760 1. Discussion of the Recommendations to Reduce Incarceration Presented by the Vera Institute of Justice Information only. Recommendations will be reviewed and made available on the website. Committee Of The Whole Roxanne Murphy, Chair April Barker; Gene Knutson; Daniel Hammill; Pinky Vargas; Terry Bornemann; Michael Lilliquist 21587 1. Regional Fire Authority Update Presentation during Committee. An update was provided on the process of establishing a regional fire authority. Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes 21791 2. Update on City of Bellingham Emissions Reductions Presentation during Committee. Information only. 21778 3. Ordinance Adopting Protections for Residential Tenants The Clerk read the modifications to the draft ordinance that were voted on during Committee. Roxanne Murphy / Dan Hammill moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21870 4. Review of the Planning and Community Development Department's 2018 Key Initiatives Presentation during Committee. Information only. 21871 5. A Briefing on Land Use Code Enforcement Presentation during Committee. Staff provided an update on investigating illegal attached dwelling units throughout the City and responding to complaints. Information only. 6. Approval of Minutes Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved approval of the January 22, 2018 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 7. Old/New Business Council Member Barker, relayed that February is Black History month. Executive Session - Report and Action only. 1. Collective Bargaining: Review proposal for 114L Labor Negotiations with AFSCME 114L: Staff provided information on the proposed collective bargaining agreement between the City and AFSCME 114L. Action: The Council will need to ratify the agreement with the following general terms; City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes  WAGE INCREASES: 2.25% February 1, 2018 2.25% January 1, 2019 In addition, each member of the bargaining unit employed on February 1, 2018 will receive a one-time signing bonus in the amount of $140 on their first paycheck following ratification. BENEFITS: The employer's contribution towards health insurance premiums in 2018 will increase by 5% above the contribution rate in 2017. The employer's contribution towards premiums in 2019 will increase by 5% from the contribution rate in 2018. Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to ratify the agreement. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Litigation: Haskell v. City of Bellingham Litigation: Haskell v. City of Bellingham: Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. The Mayor reported that thirteen local churches will participate in Family Promise, a housing and support program for families experiencing homelessness. Mayor Linville also stated that while working with the County, the City has made some progress towards finding a local property that could be suitable for a low barrier shelter. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes  The Mayor asked Council for direction on suggestions for solving some components of homelessness. Council would like to address at a later meeting and assign an agenda bill. 21872 1. Mayor's Appointment of Vernon Damani Johnson to the Bellingham Public Library Board of Trustees (Approval) Terry Bornemann / April Barker moved the Mayor's appointment of Vernon Damani Johnson to his first term, which will expire on February 12, 2023. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21873 2. Mayor's Appointment of Jill MacIntyre Witt to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (Information) The Mayor appointed Jill MacIntyre Witt to her first term on the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission, which will expire on January 24, 2020, at which time she may be reappointed. Information only. 21874 3. Mayor's Reappointment of Stephen Racich, Lauren McClanahan and Markku Kanervikkoaho to the Bellingham Sister Cities Advisory Board (Information) The Mayor reappoints Stephen Racich, Lauren McClanahan and Markku Kanervikkoaho to the Bellingham Sister Cities Advisory Board. Stephen Racich is reappointed to his second term, which will expire on January 1, 2021. Lauren McClanaham is reappointed to her third term, which will expire on January 24, 2021. Markku Kanervikkoaho is reappointed to his third term, which will expire on January 24, 2021. 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. 21875 1. Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Inter-Agency Agreement with the Department of Ecology for Grant Funding for the Development of a Non- Proprietary Advanced Phosphorous Treatment Media for Use in the Lake Whatcom Watershed 21876 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated January 11, 2018 - January 25 2018 21877 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued January 19, 2018 21878 4. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued January 26, 2018 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes 21879 5. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 2, 2018 Dan Hammill / Gene Knutson moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 21823 1. An Ordinance Amending BMC 19.04 Park Impact Fees to Update the Park Impact Fee Formula Gene Knutson / 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: Murphy, Barker, Knutson, Vargas, Lilliquist NAYS: Hammill, Bornemann EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2018-02-003. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Roxanne Murphy, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: 2/26/2018 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 2/12/2018 Minutes