City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 1, 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 July 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, there will be a Public Hearing on consideration of an emergency ordinance imposing a one- year moratorium on the redevelopment or change of use in any of the ten mobile/manufactured home parks in Bellingham 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 Public Hearing 22349 1. Public Hearing and Resolution Authorizing Relinquishment of a Surplus Utility Easement Located in the Vacated Southerly 10 Foot Portion of the Adams Avenue Right-of-Way, Between 14th and 15th Streets Ted Carlson, Public Works Director, presented a staff evaluation of the retained utility easement. A property owner sent a request that the easement be relinquished. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 5 7/1/2019 Minutes  Staff reviewed the request and recommended relinquishment of the easement. Council President Hammill opened the Public Hearing. No citizens spoke and the public hearing was closed. Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved final approval of Resolution #2019-21. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Doug Revelle, aka "Yoshe," feels a climate crisis is at the root of human problems and that it encompasses all other problems. He believes it is ultimately a spiritual issue. Bill Angel, spoke about climate concerns. Bob Burr, cited a report from the U.N. that states that the actions are needed to combat a climate emergency. He provided a template for a resolution that recognizes a climate emergency. Dana Briggs, feels that the City needs to declare it itself a Sanctuary City. He encouraged the administration to push back against the Federal Government. Marcus Dee, spoke about the state law regarding the open carry law in a crowd. He says that state law that isn't being enforced. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Gene Knutson, Chair Terry Bornemann, April Barker 22350 1. Proposed Ordinance Accepting Donation of Ruston Way Stormwater Facility Terry Bornemann / April Barker moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 7/1/2019 Minutes 22351 2. Approve An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Granting Verizon Wireless a Franchise to Operate and Maintain Small Cell Facilities in the City Rights-of- Way for the Provision of Wireless Telecommunications Services Michael Lilliquist spoke about federal law regarding the franchise stating that the City cannot deny the application. He feels the Federal Government should review any health risks from 5G transmissions. Terry Bornemann / Gene Knutson moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 6-0, Michael Lilliquist abstained. Planning and Community Development April Barker, Chair Terry Bornemann, Michael Lilliquist 22324 1. Follow-up Discussion Regarding the University of Washington (UW) Graduate Research Team's Assessment in the City's Eastern Urban Growth Areas Presentation during Committee. Committee supports the staff's recommendations which included: one, continue with an information campaign and outreach efforts in the Alderwood area. Second, continue outreach efforts in the area west of Britton Road. Third, as resources become available initiate outreach efforts in the N. Yew Street area and continue to work with Whatcom County to evaluate the current UGA boundary including the reserve areas. If areas currently within the UGA boundary are proposed to be removed (or placed on "permanent hold awaiting state legislations") the location of additional replacement capacity should be identified. This will include consideration of the northern UGA Reserve Area (commonly referred to as the "Caitac Property"). Lastly, Geneva neighborhood is happy with the current situation. Annexation is not supported by most of the residents who participated in the meetings and survey. Reevaluate the area when Whatcom County updates their Comprehensive Plan and UGA boundaries beginning in 2021. The Council suggested staff consider messaging to broaden understanding for those who own and rent that have expressed no interest in annexation because of City's rental registration, expenses for inspection and increased rental protections. Also included a recommendation to work on getting out more information to all owners, not just the sample size. Finally, bring back more information on unintended and intended consequences of taking an urban area like the Geneva neighborhood out of the UGA. 22293 2. An Ordinance Amending the Samish Way Urban Village (SWUV) Subarea Plan and Corresponding Development Regulations City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 7/1/2019 Minutes  April Barker / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the changes to the ordinance which includes the following: on page 88, change #1B to read "safety for people walking or on bicycles should be a priority and should be maintained or enhanced should this future retrofit occur." on page 126, the second new bullet to read, "If parking demand and commercial activity warrants over time, add on-street metered parking to one side of Samish Way, provided safety for people walking or on bicycles should be a priority and should be maintained or enhanced. Install parking meters in this area, utilizing revenue to form a Parking Benefit District for maintenance and improvements." MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22039 3. Housing/Equity Assessment - Update Presentation during Committee. The Council gave next steps to staff and asked questions such as, "How can Bellingham provide affordable housing and balance housing opportunities? And where to place housing with less environmental impacts?" Information only. Committee Of The Whole Daniel Hammill, Chair April Barker; Gene Knutson; Pinky Vargas; Terry Bornemann; Michael Lilliquist, Hannah Stone Please be advised that if the City Council is ahead of schedule, they may start with old/new business before the official Committee of the Whole meeting time. 22352 1. Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Site Update Presentation during Committee. Information only. 2. Approval of Minutes April Barker / Gene Knutson moved approval of the June 17, 2019 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Old/New Business Council Member Stone reported that there will be a workgroup created during the Justice Committee to discuss existing immigration laws and to review the language of City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 7/1/2019 Minutes  the immigration ordinance. She also reported that Sumas Dispatch will be joining WhatCOMM. Council Member Vargas reported that the fireworks are illegal within the City of Bellingham, but a public and safe viewing will be at held at Squalicum Harbor the evening of July 4th. Council Member Barker reported that the International Market in the Birchwood Neighborhood was highly successful. The Mayor reported that there was an agreement between the City of Ferndale and the Lummi Nation to provide water at the fueling station. The tribe will pay the regular water rate at the truck stop. Dan Hammill thanked Michael Lilliquist for running the meeting while he went to Philadelphia to accept an award on the City’s behalf. The award was for incarceration prevention. 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. 22353 1. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued June 14, 2019 22354 2. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued June 21, 2019 22355 3. Bid Award for 2019 Crack Seal Program RE-BID, RFP #43B-2019 22356 4. Memorandum of Understanding Between State of Washington Department of Transportation and the City of Bellingham for Installation and Maintenance of Automated Bike and Pedestrian Counters Gene Knutson / April Barker moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Daniel Hammill, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, City Clerk Representative APPROVED: 7/15/2019 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 7/1/2019 Minutes