City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 26, 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 Public Hearing 21863 1. Public Hearing on Interim Zoning Regulations for the Siting, Establishment and Operation of Temporary Tent Encampments Rick Sepler, Planning Director, introduced the changes on the ordinance. Without the interim ordinance, tent camping is not allowed under the Bellingham Municipal Code. The amended ordinance allows for non-profit, 501(C)(3) organizations to provide tent encampments. Council President Murphy opened the Public Hearing. Chris Deile, opposes the ordinance. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes  Amy Glasser, stated that the ordinance has too many rules and would be hard to enforce. No further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to change the requirement in the application to the "address and parcel number of the subject property" from the "legal description and parcel number." MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Gene Knutson / April Barker moved to repeal and replace the emergency ordinance with the updated version of the Emergency Ordinance #2018-02-005. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Chris Deile, stated that he believes unilateral gun control is the wrong way to approach gun control. Jude Green, supports the process for detached accessory dwelling units in all Bellingham neighborhoods. Jack Waytz, spoke on behalf of the Northwest Mushroomer Association. He expressed disappointment for not being allowed to use the conference room at the library. He reported that he was told it was a security concern and he does not understand why they would deem it a security concern. Cindy Madigan, thanked Council for considering the protected bike lane plan. {AB #21865.} Warren Sheay, addressed the accessory dwelling unit ordinance update. There was a proposal to allow detached accessory dwelling units city-wide. He stated that the zoning change is an up zone. He feels the public has been excluded from the planning process and it should be a per neighborhood process as explained in the 2009 Infill Tool Kit. Yoshe Ravelle, fears that gun violence could happen in Bellingham. Jill MacIntyre Witt, appreciates that the Council addressed the Climate Action Plan update and thanked Council Member Pinky Vargas for working to update the resolution. {AB #21898} Therese Kelliher, spoke about the bike lanes on Roeder Ave and thanked Council for working on a demonstration project. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes  Amy Glasser, thanked the Council for changing the ordinance to expand to non-profit organizations. {AB #21899} She also asked the City to keep public restrooms open past 10 p.m., and to provide portable toilets and water stations around town with dumpsters near camps. Kevin Covey, asked the Council to support the carbon resolution {AB #21898}. Brian Estes, thanked the Council for approving a demonstration project that would install a two-way protected bike lane along Roeder Ave. A cycle track should be installed as this would create a physical separation. He feels that would be the safest for cyclists. Elaine Hornal, is concerned about climate change and thanked Council for endorsing a state wide carbon fee {AB #21898}. Seth Fleetwood, voiced support of the resolution that supports a state wide tax on carbon and fuel {AB #21898}. Felixia Santana, supports the ordinance for tenant protections {AB #21778}. Izaac Post, thanked Council for supporting the source of income discrimination ordinance {AB #21778}. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Gene Knutson, Chair Terry Bornemann; Michael Lilliquist 21881 1. PSE Owned Street Light Conversion Expenditure Authorization Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill moved to authorize the street light conversion expenditure by Puget Sound Energy. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Pinky Vargas abstained. 21898 5. A Resolution Expressing Support for Placing a Price on Carbon at the State and Federal Level Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2018-02. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21882 3. Bid Award for Roosevelt Water Quality Improvements Project (EV-0130), Bid #60B-2017. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes  Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved to award Bid No.60B-2017 for Roosevelt Water Quality Improvements Project to Tiger Construction 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 $785,929.25, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21883 4. Bid Award for Landscape Maintenance Services, Bid #72B-2017 Gene Knutson / Terry Bornemann moved to award Bid No.72B-2017 for landscape maintenance services to Windwood Enterprises Company of Ferndale, 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 $271,748.91, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Planning and Community Development Michael Lilliquist, Chair April Barker; Daniel Hammill 21884 1. Presentation of the Downtown Retail Strategy Presentation during Committee. Downtown Works presented a study they conducted on a focus of a retail strategy for Downtown Bellingham. Information only. 21885 2. A Review of the Update to the 2009 Annexation Phasing Plan Presentation during Committee. Staff gave an updated overview of municipal facilities and service needs that will be needed in annexations. Information only. Justice April Barker, Chair Pinky Vargas; Daniel Hammill 21886 1. State of the Court Focusing on Jail Alternatives Presentation during Committee. Staff reported that over the period of two years, the City has used Friendship Diversion services to sentence violators. The cost savings and community savings have been substantial. Information only. Parks and Recreation Pink Vargas, Chair Gene Knutson; Michael Lilliquist City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes 21887 1. Parks Volunteer Program Presentation Presentation during Committee. Rae Edwards, Park Volunteer Coordinator, who gave the presentation, will be retiring after 26 years of service. The City of Bellingham have over 3,300 acres of parkland and over the years, we've had over 65,000 volunteers help with maintenance of the parks. Information only. Committee Of The Whole Roxanne Murphy, Chair April Barker; Gene Knutson; Daniel Hammill; Pinky Vargas; Terry Bornemann; Michael Lilliquist 21888 1. Western Washington University Update Presentation during Committee, by Western Washington University President, Sabah Randhawa. New programs and degrees are being offered at the University. Information only. 21791 2. Climate Action Plan 2017 Update Council did not take action on this item. Council Member Vargas will bring forth an updated resolution that she is currently working on with staff at a later meeting. 21706 3. An Ordinance Amending and Updating Municipal Code Provisions Relating to Boards and Commissions Peter Ruffatto, City Attorney, noted that one change in the ordinance. In Section 6, 2.44.010 where the word "citizen" has been changed to "community." Roxanne Murphy / Gene Knutson moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21865 2. Proposal to Remove On-Street Parking from Roeder Avenue Roxanne Murphy / Gene Knutson moved the proposal to remove on-street parking along Roeder Avenue and asked staff to present additional ways to improve bike safety along the road. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21889 4. Presentation on Procedures Regarding Camp Clean Ups and Human Habitation of Vehicles Presentation during Committee. Staff gave information about clean-up of the areas where unsheltered people are camping. They relayed that they do not do "sweeps" of City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes  the camps. They respond to complaints. They strive for protection of the City's natural habitat as well as public safety. Information only. 5. Approval of Minutes Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill moved approval of the Feb 12, 2018 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 6. Old/New Business Pinky Vargas announced a proposed resolution to support the Climate Action Plan and bring together a Climate Action Task Force to achieve the goals that are in alignment with reducing our carbon footprint. Terry Bornemann submitted a letter for approval and read the recommended changes that include the support of the students that walked out of classes and asked the legislators to restrict sales of assault weapons. Enhanced background checks, a 10-day waiting period and a 21 age limit are all recommendations he listed in the letter to support gun control legislation. Executive Session - Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition This item was cancelled. 2. Collective Bargaining: Review proposal for Teamsters, Local No. 231 Labor Negotiations with Teamsters Local No. 231: Staff provided information on the proposed collective bargaining agreement between the City and Teamsters Local No. 231. Action: The Council will entertain a motion to ratify the agreement with the following general terms: WAGES Effective March 1, 2018 - 5.0% increase in base rate of pay Effective January 1, 2019 - No increase to base rate of pay Effective January 1, 2019 - One time lump sum payment of $650 BENEFITS City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes  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. Gene Knutson / Terry Bornemann moved to ratify the agreement. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Potential Litigation Staff provided information on a potential litigation 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. Mayor Linville, clarified that the City is not not enforcing all parking rules. Some places in town work for homeless to park and sleep in their vehicle and based on their behavior, they can remain parked. The Mayor explained that we still have a H.O.T. (homeless outreach team) and will give a status update presentation at a later meeting. The Mayor also explained that the LightHouse Mission does not force people to listen to religious services or activies before they receive services. The library recently had to deny the use of their conference rooms to local organizations because there is no time to do City business. The Mayor will check in with the Library Director for a status update of those conference rooms. City staff are currently working on lockers for people experiencing homelessness. 21890 1. Mayor's Appointment of George Sanders to the Museum Foundation Board (Approval) Gene Knutson / Dan Hammill moved approval of the Mayor's appointment of George Sanders to his first full term, which will expire on February 26, 2021, at which time he may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 21891 2. Mayor's Reappointment of Lisa Anderson to the Planning and Development Commission (Approval) Terry Bornemann / April Barker moved approval of the Mayor's reappointment of Lisa Anderson to her full term, on the Planning and Development Commission, which will expire on March 24, 2022, at which time she may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes 21892 3. Mayor's Reappointment of Robert Hendricks and Izaac Post to the Citizens' Transportation Advisory Group (Information) The Mayor reappointed Robert Hendricks and Izaac Post to the Citizens' Transportation Advisory Group; Robert Hendricks to his fourth term, which will expire on February 3, 2019, at which time he may be reappointed and Izaac Post to his fourth term, which will expire on March 31, 2019, at which time he may be reappointed. Information only. 21893 4. Mayor's Appointment of Ellen Howard and John Blethen to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (Information) The Mayor appoints Ellen Howard and John Blethen to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; Ellen Howard to her first partial term, which will expire on November 22, 2018, at which time she may be reappointed and John Blethen to his first partial term, which will expire on July 1, 2018, at which time he may be reappointed. 21894 5. Mayor's Appointment of Jean Ryan to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (Information) The Mayor appoints Jean Ryan as the York Neighborhood Primary Representative to her first term on the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission, which will expire on February 9, 2020, at which time she may be reappointed. 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. 21895 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated January 26, 2018 - February 09 2018 21896 2. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 9, 2018 21897 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 16, 2018 Dan Hammill / Terry Bornemann moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 21778 1. Ordinance Adopting Protections for Residential Tenants City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes  Dan Hammill / Michael Lilliquist 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, Hammill, Vargas, Bornemann, Lilliquist NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2018-02-004. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. Roxanne Murphy, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: 3/12/2018 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 9 of 9 2/26/2018 Minutes