City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 23, 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 October 7, 2019 in the City Council Chambers, there will be a public hearing to consider amendments to the Waterfront District subarea plan and related documents submitted by the Port of Bellingham. The Council will consider a package of amendments to the subarea plan, development regulations, design standards, planned action ordinance, development agreement and interlocal facilities agreement. Council Member Knutson shared that the City of Bellingham lost a great leader, former City Council Member Pat Rowe, who passed at age 75 on September 3, 2019. Former Council Member Rowe served from 1994 to 1999. He was a great person, a great Council Member and a great community leader. He led the City through the initial days of the Pipeline Disaster as Mayor Pro-Tempore in the Mayor’s absence. He took control and led the community through the disaster until all of the other agencies got together. A moment of silence was taken. 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 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 9/23/2019 Minutes Public Hearing 22425 1. Public Hearing on Relinquishment of Portions of a Surplus Utility Easement on Laurel Street The Public Works Department has determined that the easement portion is surplus to the City’s needs and is not required for the provision of the public utility services. Staff recommends the easement be relinquished. Council President Hammill opened the Public Hearing. Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas moved final approval of Resolution #2019-26. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22426 2. Public Hearing on Relinquishment of a Surplus Utility Easement Located on Taylor Avenue The Public Works Department has determined that the easement portion is surplus to the City’s needs and is not required for the provision of public utility services. Staff recommends the easement be relinquished. Council President Hammill opened the Public Hearing. Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved final approval of Resolution #2019-27. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Mayor Linville responded to the comments made during the Public Comment Period regarding the heron colony. She said she appreciates the advocacy of those trying to protect the herons. The City made a fair market offer to the property owner of the area near the heron colony, but the property owner rejected the offer. There is nothing going on with that piece of property at this time, so Mayor Linville believes any other proposals that come forward could be reviewed. Mayor Linville reported that the City has been reviewing its complaint policy. It now reflects current practices and continues with the goal of having complaints resolved at City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 9/23/2019 Minutes  the lowest level possible. It introduces a new customer concern complaint form that is available in all City offices and on the City’s website. Mayor Linville read the Mayoral Proclamation declaring Climate Action Week September 23rd through September 29th, 2019. Mayor Linville said it gives her hope to see how our young people in our community are stepping forward. She appreciates the fact that our community joined in on the Climate Strike and it was an event that made her proud of our young people. Mayor Linville reported that she was a judge for the salmon tasting at SeaFeast this past weekend. She gave a founder’s award to Debbie and Pete Granger who organized and catalyzed the maritime interest group that started this event. She looks forward to what the next signature event will be. Mayor Linville reported that she participated in the Whatcom Museum listening session on Saturday night with Ed Bereal, Damani Johnson, and Police Chief David Doll, facilitated by Moonwater. There were very productive comments from the audience in reaction to the art exhibit that is now at the Whatcom Museum titled WANTED: Ed Bereal for Disturbing the Peace. 22427 1. Mayor's Reappointment of Mary Rossi to the Historic Preservation Commission (Approval) Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved the Mayor's reappointment of Mary Rossi to her third term on the Historic Preservation, which will expire on October 14, 2022, at which time she may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Standing Committee Meetings: 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. 22428 1. Bellingham Police Behavioral Health Officer Presentation during Committee. Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 9/23/2019 Minutes 22429 2. Climate Action Update Presentation during Committee. Information only. 22430 3. Worksession to Develop an Immigration Advisory Group to Facilitate Ongoing Community Participation Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved to direct staff to work with Councilmember Stone to bring forward this proposal, with any modifications that are deemed necessary, as an ordinance for full consideration. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Approval of Minutes Gene Knutson / Pinky Vargas moved approval of the September 9, 2019 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Old/New Business Council Member April Barker reported that the WTA Board is looking at two fair rate changes. Once is going to be towards the end of the year, which will include a proposal to allow youth ages 18 years and younger free ridership. There will be a second rate survey that will be a longer study, as rates haven’t been raised in 10 years. Council Member April Barker was reminded that Council asked the Historic Preservation Commission to put the Picket Bridge conversation on their docket so the City can look at historical monuments and the process for name changes. Mayor Kelli Linville said they have a date set in October to meet. Council Member Daniel Hammill would like to ask the Council’s permission for something he would like to continue working on. He’s been working on a single use plastics ban for the past 9-10 months with Policy Analyst Mark Gardner. They have met with the Whatcom County Health Department, Resources for Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Connections and Western’s Sustainability Department and talked with them about their practices. This would be a future ban on Styrofoam containers and plastic cutlery. He wants to work closer with the business community to get their opinions. He wants to have a concrete piece of legislation he can bring to people for discussion. There was no objection from Council. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 9/23/2019 Minutes Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on potential property acquisitions. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Litigation Staff provided information related to potential litigation. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Property Acquisition 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. 22431 1. Washington Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network Interlocal Agreement 22432 2. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued September 06, 2019 22433 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued September 13, 2019 Gene Knutson / Terry Bornemann moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 22414 1. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Code Title 20 to Allow On- Premise Accessory and Incidental Alcohol Service at Eating Establishments by Amending BMC 20.08.020, BMC 20.16.020, and Various Other Applicable Sections of the Land Use Development Code Terry Bornemann / Pinky Vargas moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 9/23/2019 Minutes  AYES: Hammill, Barker, Knutson, Vargas, Bornemann, Lilliquist, Stone NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2019-09-028. 22415 2. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Code Title 20 to Allow Recycling Collection and Processing Centers in Certain Industrial Zones and Modify Special Requirements for Such Uses by Amending BMC 20.08.020, BMC 20.16.020, and Various Other Applicable Pinky Vargas / 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 #2019-09-029. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. Daniel Hammill, Council President ATTEST: Monea Kerr, Legislative Assistant APPROVED: 10/7/2019 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 9/23/2019 Minutes