City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 13, 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 Mayor Seth Fleetwood. 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 Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. The Mayor expressed his honor to work with mayoral staff, Whatcom Unified Command, department heads, and members of the community that have helped during the pandemic. Presentation 22593 1. Update on COVID-19 from Bellingham Emergency Management David Doll, Police Chief, provided an update on the daily COVID-19 Operations group. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 5 4/13/2020 Minutes  Rebecca Judd, Library Director, gave an update on stand-by employees. Nicole Oliver, Interim Parks Director, shared expectations from the Health Department on social distancing in local parks. She urged residents to keep moving through the parks and not linger. The Department has responded to many calls and questions. Bill Hewett, Fire Chief, explained that the City will open a quarantine and isolation facility on Byron Street for those who cannot safely isolate. The City's team is also working to identify a site that could be used as a medical surge facility if needed later. Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Department Director, discussed the current iteration model. The model changes daily. She expressed that a long-term process of re-entry may be needed. Charles Prosper, Chief Executive of PeaceHealth St. Joseph's Hospital, thanked all who stay home and relayed that the hospital has enjoyed relative success. To date, there have been 348 acute care in-patients but those were negative for the COVID-19 virus. They provided care for 36 patients who tested positive for the virus. The hospital has the capacity of 251 beds and could increase the capacity by 50 - 60 beds. Testing results are turning around quickly due to local laboratories. Dr. Greg Baker, Superintendent of Bellingham Public School District, reported that most staff are working from home, they have partnered with the Light House Mission to utilize a portion of the Bellingham High School as a drop-in center and shelter for unsheltered residents. They are partnering with local childcare providers to provide services for first responders. They are also providing meals to kids and families. Senior graduation will likely be remote. Council Members asked questions. Council Member Lilliquist presented a draft letter for Council's consideration that is addressed to our congressional delegation to ask for federal emergency assistance. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval of the letter to be sent. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City Agenda Bill Items 22617 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2019-2020 Biennial Budget, Increasing Appropriations in the General Fund for Expenses Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 4/13/2020 Minutes  Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, explained that the ordinance is to authorize funds to be used for supplies, staffing, and support of Whatcom Unified Command if needed. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22619 2. Bid Award to Matia Contractors, Inc., for Cordata Park Phase One Planting, Bid No. 24B-2020 Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to award Bid No. 24B-2020 for Cordata Park Phase One Planting, to Matia Contractors, Inc. of Ferndale, WA as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of their bid, which is $364,721.11, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22620 3. Bid Award to RAM Construction for Julianna Park, Bid No.1B-2020 Lisa Anderson / Hollie Huthman moved to award Bid No. 1B-2020 for Julianna Park to RAM Construction of Bellingham, WA as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of their bid, which is $1,396,204.98, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22536 4. Extension of Sales and Use Tax Levy for Transportation Improvements and Mobility Choices Eric Johnston, Interim Public Works Director, explained that the Transportation Benefit District is not a renewal of the district but an extension of sales and use tax levy. Information only. 22621 5. A Resolution of the Bellingham City Council Calling on the Federal and State Governments to Respond to the COVID-19 Emergency by Enacting Immediate Rent and Mortgage Payment Relief Council Member Hammill explained that the draft resolution calls on the federal and state governments to extend eviction moratoria and provide suspension of rent and mortgage payments and to create a grant-based rent relief program to provide longer- term relief. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 4/13/2020 Minutes  Pinky Vargas / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2020-11 as amended to include assistance for undocumented individuals and adult college students who are not eligible for cash or rental assistance because they are claimed as dependents on their parent's tax returns. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22618 6. 2019 Financial Year End Review Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, provided an overview of the 2019 Financial Year End Review. Information only. 7. Approval of Minutes Hammill / Huthman moved approval of the March 9, 2020 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Hammill / Lilliquist moved approval of the March 23, 2020 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 8. Old/New Business Council Member Vargas reminded everyone of the Robert's Rules of Order that encourages members to ask one question at a time, wait for an answer and move to the next question. 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. 22622 1. Joint Funding Agreement Between City of Bellingham and US Department of Interior/US Geological Survey for Water Resources Investigation 22623 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments for the Period Dated March 1 - March 15, 2020 22624 3. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued March 20, 2020 22625 4. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued March 27, 2020 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 4/13/2020 Minutes 22626 5. Authorization of A/P Checks Issued April 03, 2020 Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Second Reading of Ordinances 22617 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2019-2020 Biennial Budget, Increasing Appropriations in the General Fund for Expenses Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:44 PM. Gene Knutson, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 4/27/2020 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 4/13/2020 Minutes