City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 8, 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. 1. On May 6, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, there will be a Public Hearing on proposed amendments to the 2009 Samish Way Urban Village Subarea Plan. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Council President Hammill. Roll Call Present: Council President Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Gene Knutson, Second Ward Council Member Terry Bornemann, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, At-Large Excused Council Member April Barker, First Ward Council Member Pinky Vargas, Fourth Ward Public Hearing 22267 1. Public Hearing to Consider the Bellingham School District's Petition for Relinquishment of Two Public Utility Easements that Encumber Portions of the Sunnyland Elementary School Property Ted Carlson, Public Works Director, presented an area map of the easements that the school district is requesting to be relinquished. The easement is surplus to the City's needs. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 5 4/8/2019 Minutes  President Hammill opened the public hearing. Adam Morrow, with Pacific Surveying and Engineering representing the Bellingham Public School District, made himself available to Council in case they had any questions about this project. This easement is for Sunnyland Elementary, the last of three schools to be rebuilt. This is part of the planning stages and includes title clean-up. There are no utilities in the easement areas. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved final approval of Resolution #2019-09. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Shawn Clarke, addressed issues about the intersection near the new Granary building. He relayed concerns the traffic flow and feels the intersection is not safe, especially for bike riders. The intersection needs to be reworked. Jim Peterson, President of HomesNow!, thanked City employees for giving up their parking lots during the winter for Winter Haven. He reported that HomesNow! has housed 4 persons. They have moved all tents from Winter Haven and moved to Safe Haven. He reported that they will not be applying for anymore tent encampment permits. They are working on an application to create a space for tiny homes by December. Joseph McDonald, expressed concerns about the broken bathroom facilities at Boulevard Park. Kevin Clark, brought attention to the potential moratorium on building within the Lake Whatcom watershed. He also expressed concerns about a moderate drought and would like to bring attention to conservation efforts. He recommends working with Lake Whatcom Water District before the summer gets here. Doug 'Yoshe' Revelle, believes a climate crisis it is a moral and spiritual issue. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. The Mayor reported that Pinky Vargas is attending an event for electric charging station on her behalf. She was happy to report that she was able to open the Bellingham Farmer's Market with the annual Cabbage Toss this past Saturday. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 4/8/2019 Minutes 22270 1. Mayor's Appointment of Stephen Gockley and Dave Finet to the Bellingham Housing Authorities Board of Commissioners (Information) The Mayor appoints Stephen Gockley and Dave Finet to the Bellingham Housing Authorities Board of Commissioners. This will be Stephen Gockley's first partial term, which will expire on April 18, 2021, and Dave Finet to his first term, which will expire on April 18, 2024, at which time they may be reappointed. 22271 2. Mayor's Reappointment of Abe Lloyd and Allan Richardson to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board (Approval) Gene Knutson / Terry Bornemann moved the Mayor's reappointment of Abe Lloyd and Allan Richardson to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board. Abe Lloyd and Allan Richardson will serve their second terms, which will expire on April 11, 2022, at which time they may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 5-0, April Barker and Pinky Vargas excused. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Committee Of The Whole Daniel Hammill, Chair April Barker; Gene Knutson; Pinky Vargas; Terry Bornemann; Michael Lilliquist, Hannah Stone 22269 1. 2018 Financial Year End Review Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, gave a summary of the City's financial position for the period ending December 31, 2018. Highlights included economic indicators, investment returns, and revenues and expenses at the Citywide level. Details on special revenue funds, enterprise funds, internal service funds and the general fund were all discussed. General Fund departments stayed within their budget authority. Overall the City ended the year in a stronger economic state, with actual revenues exceeding budget projections and expenses staying within budgeted amounts. This presentation and additional financial information is available on the City's website. Information Only. 2. Approval of Minutes Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved approval of the March 25, 2019 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 4/8/2019 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED 5-0, April Barker and Pinky Vargas excused. 3. Old/New Business Council Member Hannah Stone reported that the Whatcom Museum had applied for an art grant. The Museum was awarded the grant and received from the Smithsonian. Hannah also sits on the Board for the Opportunity Council. The Council performed a diversity survey to gain more information on how they can be more representative of the clientele they serve. She reported for Council Member Barker that the Library Board members are trying to make themselves more available to the public. Council Member Michael Lilliquist announced that the County Council has proposed a resolution in support of the month of April celebrating Sikh Awareness. He asked if Council would like to pass a resolution of their own in a similar gesture of support. Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition, Marriner Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 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. 22272 1. Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Grant Agreement Between the City of Bellingham and the Washington State Department of Ecology for the Water Quality Infrastructure Prioritization Assessment (EV-0166) 22273 2. Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Fire Protection District #7 for Communications Maintenance and Repair Services 22274 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued March 22, 2019 22275 4. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued March 29, 2019 22276 5. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments for the Period of March 1 - March 15, 2019 Gene Knutson / Terry Bornemann moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 5-0, April Barker and Pinky Vargas excused. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 4/8/2019 Minutes Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. Daniel Hammill, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: 4/22/2019 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 4/8/2019 Minutes