City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 11, 2019, 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 Hannah Stone 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Hammill 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 Hammill. Roll Call Present: Council President Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member April Barker, First Ward Council Member Gene Knutson, Second Ward Council Member Pinky Vargas, Fourth Ward Council Member Terry Bornemann, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, At-Large Presentation 22237 1. Recognition of Chief Bill Newbold, Bellingham Fire Chief Brian Heinrich, Deputy Administrator, acknowledged the contribution of Fire Chief, Bill Newbold. He will retire this month. The Mayor has appointed Bill Hewett as the Interim Fire Chief. Public Hearing 22238 1. Public Hearing for Resolution Authorizing Relinquishment of a Portion of Utility Easement Located on the North Right-of-Way Boundary of Barkley Boulevard Between Unimproved Rimland Drive and St. Clair Street that is Surplus to the City's Needs City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 7 3/11/2019 Minutes  Ted Carlson, Public Works Director, outlined the area where the request for partial relinquishment of utility easement is located. The map showed the area at 2421 Barkley Boulevard. Council President Hammill opened the Public Hearing. Adam Morrow, with Pacific Surveying and Engineering, representing Talbot Real Estate made himself available to answer any questions about the request. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Gene Knutson / Pinky Vargas moved final approval of Resolution #2019-08. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Lisa Papp, spoke of her experience with volunteering with Homes NOW! She feels the City should make more of an effort to help those who are unsheltered in the community. Michael Plummer, shared a video of habitat in Whatcom Creek to demonstrate the need for protection of the creek. He objects to the location of the School District's bus barn because of the proximity to Whatcom Creek. Dana Briggs, explained that climate change is a concern and advertised the Climate Strike, that will be held on Friday. Students are expected to walk out of their schools in protest. Markis Dee, believes it is the government's job to house the unsheltered in the community. Lynnette Allen, agreed with remarks by other speakers that support helping the homeless. Jennifer Mansfield, feels that some persons experiencing homelessness are being penalized for life sustaining activities. Don Dexter, relayed his experience volunteering at a shelter during the cold weather a few weeks ago. Amy Glasser, relayed news that two homeless individuals died recently. She believes both tragic deaths could have been prevented if adequate help were available. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 3/11/2019 Minutes  Janie Belland, began that she accepted a place in assisted living even though she feels that was not a good fit for her. She relayed that she became part of the System and the System needs improvement. Susan, also described her experience with homelessness. She said that there is no cookie-cutter response to homelessness. The Mission isn't adequate, and the City does not have a shelter. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Planning and Community Development April Barker, Chair Terry Bornemann, Michael Lilliquist 22239 1. Presentation on Insights and Innovations to Address Homelessness and Affordable Housing Presentation during Committee. Research students from Western Washington University Human Services Department provided insights and innovations to address homelessness and affordable housing within the community. They advocated for a Homeless Bill of Rights. They also suggested the City of Bellingham remove the Rule of Three which mandates that no more than three unrelated individuals live within a single-family home. They suggested it could be changed to allow up to six individuals instead of three. Information only. Parks and Recreation Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Pink Vargas 22240 1. Presentation of 2019-2023 Greenways Program Strategic Plan Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to adopt the Greenways Program Strategic Plan. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22241 2. An Ordinance Amending BMC 2.20.010 Reducing Membership on the Greenways Advisory Committee From Eleven to Nine Members Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Lilliquist supports the change in number from eleven to nine members of the Committee. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 3/11/2019 Minutes  Council Member Barker asked if exit interviews are being conducted to find out why people are leaving the Committee. Leslie Bryson, Parks Director, explained that people leave for a variety of reasons. Council Member Vargas explained that she feels the change is a good decision, especially considering the recent cancellation of last meeting due to a lack of a quorum. 22242 3. Parks Presentation on Capital Projects Presentation during Committee. The Plan includes a community park, and neighborhood park in the Cordata neighborhood, rerouting utilities at Boulevard Park and a pump track and a restroom will be added to the Birchwood neighborhood park. Information only. 22243 4. Bid Award for Cordata Park Phase One, Bid #7B-2019 Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved to award Bid No. 7B-2019 for Cordata Park Phase One to Strider Construction Company Inc. of Bellingham, 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 $6,247,499.89, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22244 5. Surplus Property Proposal for Sportsplex Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to schedule a Public Hearing to consider surplusage of the building. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole Daniel Hammill, Chair April Barker; Gene Knutson; Pinky Vargas; Terry Bornemann; Michael Lilliquist, Hannah Stone 22245 1. Discussion of Financial Guidelines A briefing during Committee on the City's Financial Guidelines with an emphasis on public safety. Information only. 22230 2. Shelter Update and City Response City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 3/11/2019 Minutes  Daniel Hammill / Gene Knutson moved the proposal to add a new sub-committee as requested by the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee and add a Tribal Member to the Committee. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Approval of Minutes Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved approval of the February 25, 2019 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Old/New Business During Committee, the City Council voted 7-0 to approve drafting a joint letter of support, with the Mayor, for House Bill 1590. The bill would provide 4.7 million dollars for housing, mental health services and substance uses disorders. The letter will go out tomorrow. April Barker / Dan Hammill moved to direct the Council President, work with the Mayor's office to develop a resolution acknowledging that the month of April is Sikh Awareness and Appreciation month. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Vargas gave an update regarding the Alaska Ferry Terminal. She stated that the Port of Bellingham will be sending a representative to the Alaskan Legislature to discuss the importance of the ferry terminal to Bellingham. Tomorrow the Port will host a Public Hearing where the Public can attend and gain more information. Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. 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. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 3/11/2019 Minutes 22246 1. Mayor's Appointment of Rick Nishi, Michael Maghakian and Daniel Weiland to the Greenway Advisory Committee (Approval) Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved the Mayor's appointment of Rick Nishi, Michael Maghakian, and Daniel Weiland to the Greenway Advisory Committee. This is the first of their terms, which will expire on March 11, 2022, at which time they may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22247 2. Mayor's Appointment of Chris Roselli to the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence (Information) The Mayor appoints Chris Roselli to the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence. This will be his first term, which will expire on January 31, 2023, at which time he may be reappointed. Information only. 22248 3. Mayor's Reappointment of Daniel Austin to the Bellingham Housing Authorities Board of Commissioners (Information) The Mayor reappoints Daniel Austin to the Bellingham Housing Authorities Board of Commissioners, which will be his second term, and will expire on April 18, 2024. At that time he may be reappointed. Information only. 22249 4. Mayor's Reappointment of Maggi Kriger and Janice Carmichael to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Information) The Mayor reappoints Maggi Kriger and Janice Carmichael to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Maggi Kriger will serve her first full term, which will expire on February 11, 2022, at which time she may be reappointed. Janice Carmichael will serve her final term, which will expire on March 29, 2022. 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. 22250 1. Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Bellingham and Whatcom Council of Governments to help fund the Whatcom Smart Trips Program 22251 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments for the Period of February 1 - February 15, 2019 22252 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 22, 2019 22253 4. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued March 1, 2019 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 3/11/2019 Minutes  Gene Knutson / Pinky Vargas moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 22225 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2019-2020 Biennial Budget, Adding One Position and Increasing Appropriations and Estimated Revenues in the Medic One Fund 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: Hammill, Barker, Knutson, Vargas, Bornemann, Lilliquist, Stone NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2019-03-007. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM. Daniel Hammill, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: 3/25/2019 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 7 3/11/2019 Minutes