City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 24, 2020, 7:00 PM Mayor Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org Council Members Hannah Stone, Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill, www.cob.org/council Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist and All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at Hollie Huthman 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted. Please note the doors to City Hall unlock at 6:30 PM. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Knutson at 7:00 p.m. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 1. The March 9, 2020 City Council meetings will be held in the Whatcom County Council Chambers on the first floor of the Whatcom County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225 Pledge of Allegiance Led by Council President Knutson. Roll Call Present: Council President Gene Knutson, Second Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Pinky Vargas, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, At-Large Presentation 22579 1. A Presentation Honoring Certified Municipal Clerk Elisabeth Oakes Council President Knutson honored Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk, in her achievement of earning her certification as a Certified Municipal Clerk, by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 7 2/24/2020 Minutes Public Hearing 20767 1. Public Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Creating an Incentive Program for Innovative Affordable Low-income Homeownership Projects Kurt Nabbefeld, Development Services Manager, introduced the ordinance that would establish incentives for development of owner-occupied housing for low-income households with restrictions on resale. The incentive program was first approved in 2004 and included a sunset clause unless affirmatively renewed by the City Council. Based on discussion with Kulshan CLT and past public comment, staff recommended three changes to the latest ordinance: One, modify the 75% affordability requirement to 51%, Two, eliminate the requirement to be located within one quarter mile walking distance to transit or urban villages, Three, expand the allowed areas the program can be utilized to include urban village residential transition zones. Staff recommends the Council pass the ordinance as proposed to ensure the program is readily available for Kulshan CLT's upcoming project and to help stimulate the production of affordable low-income housing. Council President Knutson opened the Public Hearing. Public Comment was taken. There being no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Daniel Hammill / Pinky Vargas moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 15-Minute Public Comment Period Public Comment was taken. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Eric Johnston, Interim Public Works Director, spoke to a concern that was raised about blue-green algae in Lake Whatcom during the Public Comment period. He emphasized City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 2/24/2020 Minutes  that not all blue-green algae have not been found to be toxic. From our researcher's evidence, there have been no toxic species of blue-green algae found in the lake. He also addressed concerns about 5G and small cell installations. The City has not received any applications from any cellular provider. 22580 1. Mayor's Appointment of Jahn Zuniga Escobar, Ada Rumford, Rick Qualls, Liz Darrow, Bridget Reeves, Katie Winkelman, Danielle Siedlecki, Rev. Seth Thomas, Maria Isabel Cortes-Zamora and Ramon Barba Torres to the Immigration Advisory Board (Approval) Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved to approve the Mayor's appointments of Jahn Zuniga Escobar, Ada Rumford, Rick Qualls, and Liz Darrow to one year terms on the Immigration Advisory Board, which will expire on February 24, 2021, at which time they may be reappointed, as well as the Mayor's appointments of Bridget Reeves, Katie Winkelman, Danielle Siedlecki, Rev. Seth Thomas, Maria Isabel Cortes-Zamora and Ramon Barba Torres to two year terms on the Board, which expire on February 24, 2022, at which time they may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22581 2. Mayor's Reappointment of Kelly Hart to the Tourism Commission (Information) The Mayor reappoints Kelly Hart to her fourth term on the Tourism Commission, which will expire on December 31, 2022, at which time she may be reappointed. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman 22582 1. Pipeline Safety in Washington State and Bellingham Presentation during Committee. Carl Weimer, Executive Director of Pipeline Safety Trust, gave an overview of pipeline safety in Washington State. Information only. 22583 2. Discussion of Committee Priorities Discussion during Committee. The Committee laid out the priorities and workplan for 2020. Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 2/24/2020 Minutes 22584 3. Sequential Intercept Model Presentation Presentation during Committee. Anne Deacon, Whatcom County Health Department Human Services Manager, explained the Sequential Intercept Model. It is a tool to identify points of prevention, intervention, treatment, aftercare, and re-integration. Information only. Executive Session – Report and Action only. Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Labor Relations: Discuss Bargaining Strategy Staff provided information on a labor relations matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Litigation: State of Washington vs. Madrona Bay Real Estate Investments, LLC, et al. Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Litigation Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 22585 1. Report from the February 5, 2020 Lake Whatcom Policy Group Meeting Discussion during Committee. Council Member Lilliquist explained that because there are some new members on the Group, and they met to review and discuss the purpose of the Policy Group. It is not a decision-making group. It is made up of members from Lake Whatcom watershed neighborhoods, County Council and Bellingham City Council to serve as an unofficial sounding board and provide feedback for staff on emerging policy issues. Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 2/24/2020 Minutes 22586 2. Lake Whatcom Management Program 2020-2024 Work Plan Discussion during Committee. The Committee reviewed the draft management plan. The Comment Period is currently open until the Joint County Councils Meeting which will be held on March 25th. Finance and Economic Development Pinky Vargas, Chair Lisa Anderson, Hollie Huthman 22587 1. Adoption of a Resolution Setting the Fee for Type III-A Interim Housing Land Use Permits Pinky Vargas / Michael Lilliquist moved final approval of Resolution #2020-06. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Parks and Recreation Lisa Anderson, Chair Hannah Stone, Michael Lilliquist 22564 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Update the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Chapter (PRO Plan) Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading with an amendment that included an addition of two restoration projects, Little Squalicum Estuary and Bakerview Telegraph Neighborhood Park, and a word change from "pursue" to "explore" on page 192 of the City Council agenda packet. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22588 2. A Resolution Adopting the 2020 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan (PRO Plan) Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2020-07 as necessary to report to the State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office by March 1, 2020. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 2/24/2020 Minutes Climate Action Hannah Stone, Chair Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas 22401 1. Update Regarding Development of a City-Wide Shared Micromobility Pilot Program Presentation during Committee. Council Member Stone shared that during Committee, staff provided an update on the program development. Micromobility includes bicycles, e-bicycles, and e-scooters and could be used in the City right-of-way. The City is looking to work with one operator and possibility launch the pilot program in late spring or June of this year. Information only. Committee of the Whole Gene Knutson, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Hollie Huthman 22589 1. Draft Resolution in Support of the Local Options Bill Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2020-08. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22530 2. Draft Resolution in Support of a State Bank Owned by and for the People of Washington State Gene Knutson / Hannah Stone moved final approval of Resolution #2020-09. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Approval of Minutes Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the February 10, 2020 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Old/New Business Council Member Stone reported that last weekend, she attended a Black History Month celebration event at the YWCA. She relayed that at the event, she learned City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 2/24/2020 Minutes  more effort could be made towards creating a welcoming and inclusive culture within Bellingham. Council Member Lilliquist would like to bring forth an agenda item possibly in April to address issues on electric vehicle charging stations. 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. 22590 1. Bid Award for Annual Alley Grading Equipment Rental and Services Bid #83B- 2019 22591 2. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 07, 2020 22592 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 14, 2020 Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Adjournment The next meeting will take place on March 9, 2020 at the Whatcom County Courthouse in the County Council Chambers. The afternoon committee meetings and evening meeting will both take place at the County facility. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Gene Knutson, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 3/9/2020 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 7 2/24/2020 Minutes