City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 9, 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. 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 22593 1. Update on Coronavirus from Bellingham Emergency Manager Bill Hewett, Fire Chief, introduced an update on the City's COVID-19 response. Lynn Sterbenz, Emergency Manager, distributed a handout to Council that included facts, prevention, and resources concerning the virus. Lynn provided specifics on the response by the City's Police, Fire, and Dispatch departments. Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes 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. The Mayor clarified that Senate Bill #2353 passed today in the State Senate. He also reflected on the freedom of speech that we enjoy during our Public Comment period. He appreciates and learns something from every comment made. 22594 1. Mayor's Appointment of Monika Cassidy to the Immigration Advisory Board (Approval) Daniel Hammill / Pinky Vargas moved approval of the Mayor's appointment of Monika Cassidy to her first two-year term on the Immigration Advisory Board, which will expire on March 9, 2022, at which time she may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22599 2. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Relating to Land Use Regulations; Declaring an Emergency; Adopting an Immediate Emergency Moratorium on the Processing of Applications for and the Construction of New Detached or Attached Single-Family Dwelling Units in Residential Multi- Family Zones; and Setting Twelve Months as the Effective Period of the Moratorium Rick Sepler, Planning & Community Development Director, introduced an ordinance for consideration relating to land use regulations. The ordinance declares an emergency; adopts an emergency moratorium on the processing of applications for and the construction of new detached or attached single-family dwelling units in residential multi-family zones; and sets twelve months as the effective period of the moratorium. A Public Hearing is required within 60 days of passage of the ordinance. Kurt Nabbefeld, Development Services Manager, explained that the moratorium prohibits any new detached or attached single-family development in multi-family zones or land divisions that create new detached single-family homes. Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved approval for third and final reading of the emergency ordinance. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Knutson, Stone, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes  NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Emergency Ordinance #2020-03-006. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Climate Action Hannah Stone, Chair Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas 22595 1. Discussion with Whatcom County PUD About Local Climate Action Council Member Stone reported that soon the Climate Action Committee could review a proposed, draft resolution that may declare a climate emergency. Some of the wording is yet to be determined. Presentation during Committee from Atul Deshmane, Whatcom County Public Utility District (PUD) Commissioner and Stephan Jilk, General Manager of the PUD, provided information on local energy supply options and feasibility of policy initiatives related to municipalization of services as outlined in the agenda packet. A work plan for moving forward is still being developed. Historically, the PUD was created as a power utility and would not need an initiative to the voters. It requires a vote of the commissioners and they could create their own recommendations. The PUD will investigate what a feasibility study would require and entail. Information only. Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 22596 1. Work Session to Discuss an Ordinance to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Waste in Bellingham and to Encourage Compostable or Reusable Alternatives Discussion during Committee. Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved that the draft ordinance be filed with the City Council office for written public comment and a Public Hearing be held on March 23, 2020. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman 22597 1. Modification to Interlocal Jail Facility Use Agreement Presentation during Committee. A modification to the Interlocal Jail Facility Use Agreement was presented for consideration. The modification changes how overflow inmates from the Whatcom County Jail will be housed. Previously, the City of Bellingham contracted with Yakima County for inmate housing. This modification provides that Whatcom County will coordinate housing and transportation for the City of Bellingham inmates who will be housed at the Kittitas County Jail in Ellensburg in the event there is insufficient capacity in Whatcom County Jail. Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved approval for the Mayor to enter into a modification of the interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for correction services . MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Finance and Economic Development Pinky Vargas, Chair Lisa Anderson, Hollie Huthman 22598 1. A Presentation by Western Washington University's Small Business Development Center on the Organization's 2019 Accomplishments Presentation during Committee. CJ Sietz, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), gave a report on 2019 accomplishments. The City has an Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County and the Port of Bellingham and funds are directed to support the Development Center. Information only. 22600 2. A Presentation by the Regional Economic Partnership on 2019 Accomplishments and 2020 Work Program Presentation during Committee by Don Goldberg, Economic Development Manager with the Port of Bellingham for the Regional Economic Partnership on 2019 accomplishments and the 2020 work program. Information only. 22601 3. An Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Code Section 6.04.105 to Extend Indefinitely the City's Urban Village Phased Business and Occupations Tax Credit Pinky Vargas / Hannah Stone moved for first and second reading. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee of the Whole Gene Knutson, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Hollie Huthman 22602 1. Consideration of an Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Concerning Amendments to County-Wide Planning Policies Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County concerning amendments to the County- Wide Planning Policies. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22603 2. Identify a City Councilmember to Participate on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) for the Public Health, Safety, and Justice Facility Needs Assessment The Council appoints Michael Lilliquist to serve on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) for the Public Health, Safety, and Justice Facility Needs Assessment. 3. Approval of Minutes Daniel Hammill / Pinky Vargas moved approval of the February 24, 2020 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Old/New Business Council Member Lilliquist proposed to modify the Council rules to allow Council Members to attend Council Meetings by telepresence. Criteria will need to be identified to modify the rules. Council President Knutson volunteered to work with staff to change the rules. Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff informed City Council that the City has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire a 9.39-acre property with three potential development units, owned by Charles E. and Maria L. Swift and located in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes  The purchase will be made in connection with the City's Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program in order to help protect the City's drinking water source. The purchase price is $507,000. Closing is scheduled for April 10, 2020. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the purchase of a 9.39-acre parcel for the appraised value of $507,000, with closing to take place on or around April 10, 2020. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Property Acquisition Staff informed City Council that the City has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire two parcels totaling a 1.4-acre property, owned by Christine Valentine and located in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. The purchase will be made in connection with the City's Lake Whatcom Watershed Property Acquisition Program in order to help protect the City's drinking water source. The purchase price is $250,000. Closing is scheduled for April 17, 2020. Pinky Vargas / Michael Lilliquist moved to authorize the purchase of two parcels totaling 1.4-acres for the listed price of $250,000, with closing to take place on or around April 17, 2020. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 5. Potential Property Acquisition Staff informed City Council that the City has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire for park purposes a 29-acre property, owned by the Bakerview Nursery Property, LLC and located south of East Bakerview Road. The purchase price is $2,310,000. Closing is scheduled for March 30, 2020. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes  Lisa Anderson / Hollie Huthman moved to authorize the purchase of a 29-acre parcel for the appraised value of $2,310,000, with closing to take place on or around March 30, 2020. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 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. 22554 1. A Resolution to Approve a Development Agreement Adopting an Alternative Street Standard for a Portion of E. Kellogg Road Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2020-10. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22604 2. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 21, 2020 22605 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued February 28, 2020 22606 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments for the Period Dated January 16 - January 31, 2020 Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 20767 1. An Ordinance Creating an Incentive Program for Innovative Affordable Low- income Homeownership Projects in Single-Family and Multi-Family Residential Zoning Districts by Establishing a New Chapter in the Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) Title 20 and Amending BMC Chapters 2.56 and 21.10 Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist 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: Knutson, Stone, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2020-03-005. Adjournment There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m. Gene Knutson, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 4/13/2020 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 3/9/2020 Minutes