City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 14, 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. On September 28, 2020 there will be a Public Hearing on The City of Bellingham’s draft Water Use Efficiency Program for the 2020-2025 period, as required by the Washington Department of Health. The City seeks to adopt one (1) goal and nine (9) measures that will guide utility efforts for efficient management of this resource. 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 COVID-19 Response Council President Knutson acknowledged that nineteen years ago on September 11, 2001 our nation experienced a terrible tragedy that we all remember. He also recognized a former City Council Member, George Drake, who passed away last week. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes  He was on City Council from 1974 - 1978 and was instrumental in helping to develop two City departments, the Planning & Community Development Department as well as the Parks and Recreation Department. He helped start the Sister Cities program. Additionally, a couple months ago we lost Ralph Thacker, a community member who did a lot of work in the Fairhaven neighborhood and the waterfront. Council President Knutson led the meeting in a moment of silence to honor them. Mayor Fleetwood, thanked Council President Knutson for leading the meeting in a moment of silence. He announced that the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center reopened today with strict precautionary measures in place. The Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher facility is reopening on Saturday, September 19, also with strict measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The budget will be presented to City Council on October 1 as required per City Charter. The Mayor has received a request to declare that racism is a public health crisis in Whatcom County, and the Mayor will work on a declaration related to local data. There has been a new round of funding from the CARES ACT that will distribute another $1.4 million from the Department of Commerce. Tara Sundin, Economic Development Manager, announced that our deadline for spending the funds from the grant is December 1, 2020. We have not received the funds yet, but we plan to focus them on food recovery, childcare, rental assistance, response to homelessness, aid in behavior health services, and business assistance. Sabah Randhawa, President of Western Washington University, shared that the classes start up again on September 23, 2020. About 15,000 students are enrolled in almost all online courses will be delivered remotely. Starting next week, they expect to have less than 2,000 students on campus during any given day. Dr. Sislena Ledbetter, also reviewed the WWU's program to keep students safe from spreading the COVID-19 virus. Their program to encourage practices that include washing hands, wearing masks, and watching distance in social settings. The students are holding each other accountable. The University has no fraternities, sororities, and no football team. Testing is required of students 5-7 days before they come to campus, when they move in to on-campus residences they are tested, and pool testing for students who live off campus. Dr. David Hansen, spoke about the isolation and quarantine programs and how they have developed a special health screening tool for students. Council Members asked questions. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes Public Hearing 22746 1. Public Hearing to Consider a Draft Ordinance Amending BMC Title 20 to Establish Regulations for Electronic Message Center Signs in Public Land Use Designations Chris Koch, Planner, explained the draft ordinance amending the Bellingham Municipal Code Title 20 to establish regulations for electronic message center signs in public land use designations. The amendments only apply in public zones. He shared a map to show where these changes would take effect. The Planning Commission recommends approval of the draft ordinance. President Knutson opened the Public Hearing. No citizens spoke and the Public Hearing was closed. Daniel Hammill / Pinky Vargas moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22747 2. A Public Hearing to Consider the First Amended and Restated Development Agreement Between Parberry and the City of Bellingham Tara Sundin, Economic Development Manager, introduced Kevin Moore, CEO of Parberry Inc. They have decided to sell the business rather than move their facility. They are looking for a third-party buyer to buy and hope that the same level of service would continue to the city and residents of Bellingham. Council President Knutson opened the Public Hearing. Frank Chmelik, not happy about the devastating impacts of the low barrier shelter. He stated that no one wants to renew leases near the low barrier shelter on Cornwall Avenue. He reported that no businesses want to stay in downtown despite the efforts of the City staff, the Lighthouse Mission and the Bellingham Police Department. He feels the silver lining, assume that the Parberrys work with the City staff and the Lighthouse Mission, and the shelter will go back into Old Town under the current agreement. Michael Chiavario, noted that the most important language in the agreement that the City supports a wide range of affordable housing in the area. He is pleased to see the downtown shelter and encourages more shelters in other neighborhoods. John Crews, thanked Tara for clarifying the current agreement. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes  Council Members asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist referred the agenda item back to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. 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. 22748 1. Mayor's Appointment of So Youn Park and Jeffrey Eastman to the Bellingham Sister Cities Board (Information) The Mayor appoints So Youn Park to her first term on the Bellingham Sister Cities Board which will expire on August 26, 2023, at which time she may be reappointed. Information only. The Mayor appoints Jeffrey Eastman to his first partial term on the Bellingham Sister Cities Board which will expire on January 24, 2021, at which time he may reappointed. Information only. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 22749 1. Request for Sewer Service at 856 Marine Drive Request was presented during Committee. Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved to approve the exemption and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with the residents of 856 Marine Drive for retail sewer service as allowed under Bellingham Municipal Code 15.36. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22741 2. Continue Discussion on the Draft 2020 Surface and Stormwater Comprehensive Plan Update City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes  Discussion during Committee. Recommendations included holding the small, medium, and larger footprint customer's sewer and stormwater rates steady for the next few years with small increases for larger footprint customers in the coming years. Small increases will bring them up to the same rate as the other customers. Discussion to continue. Recommendation by staff to come back in October with a new ordinance that would reflect those rates for implementation in January 2021. Information only. 22007 3. Public Works Conduit Policy Discussion during Committee. Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved to request the City administration to develop changes to the current Public Works conduit policy to take community needs and economic development needs into consideration. MOTION CARRIED 5-2. Opposed: Gene Knutson, Daniel Hammill Planning and Community Development Hollie Huthman, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 22750 1. Local Economic Development and Business Assistance Agencies and Their Response to Assist the Business Community with the Impacts of COVID-19 Presentation during Committee. An update on how agencies are assisting with economic stabilization and recovery by utilizing the CARES ACT funds. 26 childcare providers/agencies received funds. Last week, 148 Bellingham businesses were awarded funds as well. Contracts are going out today. Committee heard from the Port's Economic Development Director, representative from the Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Board, and the Director of Western Washington University's Small Business Development Center. Information only. Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman 22723 1. Presentation on GRACE, Crisis Stabilization and Co-Responder Programs Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved to direct the City administration to create a budget proposal for Council’s consideration that funds the creation and development of a 911 co-responder program that, when operational will, specifically address behavioral health 911 calls through an unarmed response that will include designated City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes  crisis responders, nurses and community health professionals or other similar health professionals. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22373 2. Continued Discussion on Join Hands Against Hate Council Member Stone announced that it was a continued discussion that started a year ago. They revisited a portion of that. Next steps include to come back to the Committee to pursue creation of a Task Force that would explore a new vision for community policing and public safety, that elevate issues of racial justice and equity, and possibly an Ombudsperson / Racial Equity Officer. Parks and Recreation Lisa Anderson, Chair Hannah Stone, Michael Lilliquist 22751 1. Lease with Whatcom County for Boulevard Park Restrooms Discussion during Committee. A lease is required by Whatcom County to so in order to build a new restroom building, a lease is required for that purpose. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Whatcom County. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22752 2. Update on Parks Operations and Recreation Time did not allow. Will return at a later meeting. Climate Action Hannah Stone, Chair Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas 22616 1. Climate Policy Approval Process, First Filter #2 Report Presentation during Committee. Five items have policy recommendations. They are: the City of Bellingham Carbon Fund, Bellingham Clean Energy Fund, Encourage Statewide Ban on Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), Promote Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, and Support Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing (PACE). Information only. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes Committee of the Whole Gene Knutson, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Hollie Huthman 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. 22753 1. City Council Training Proposal - Multicultural Organization Development and Integrating Diversity & Inclusiveness into Your Systems Presentation during Committee. Gene Knutson / Hannah Stone moved approval of the Council, Mayor, and Administrative staff to attend the proposed training. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22357 2. Overview of Citywide Complaint Policies Presentation during Committee. Brian Heinrich, Deputy Administrator, reviewed the citywide complaint policy in Committee and the Safe Spaces program. To date, the Safe Spaces program has been operational for nearly four months. There have been two reports, and both have been resolved. 22754 3. Review of City Demographic Information Presentation during Committee. Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved to request a briefing on police certification or the status of a national database that tracks officers that have been let go due to serious misconduct. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22665 4. An Update on the Partnership with Lighthouse Mission Ministries Base Camp Program and the City of Bellingham Presentation during Committee. Gene Knutson / Hollie Huthman moved to direct staff to return at a later council meeting with an ordinance consistent in principle with parking restrictions and modification as outlined in the Committee meeting. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Old/New Business Council President Knutson announced that there is a vacancy on the Homeless Strategic Workgroup. Council Member Stone volunteered to fill that position. Mayor Fleetwood, asked if Council Members would be interests in scheduling some off Monday work sessions to review the 2021-2022 budget. If interested, he asked that Council Members relay their interest with Council President Knutson. As Council Member Vargas is the chair of the Finance Committee, the Council President will work for her to schedule any work sessions. The Mayor relayed that some ongoing research into the naming of Pickett Road that was identified as linked to the Confederacy by the Southern Poverty Law Center. A review and research have been underway to determine if the name Pickett was named after General George Pickett, but has been inconclusive. 6. Approval of Minutes Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved approval of the August 31, 2020 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on the potential acquisition of 125 acres of property owned by Chris and Nancy Secrist and the Oeser Company, located in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. The purchase will be made in connection with the City's Lake Whatcom Watershed in order to help protect the City's drinking water source. The properties are appraised at $1,805,000. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved to authorize the purchase of 125 acres for the appraised value of $1,805.000, with closing to take place on or around October 30, 2020. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Potential Litigation City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes  Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. 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. 22755 1. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 21, 2020 Through August 27, 2020 22756 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 28, 2020 Through September 03, 2020 22757 3. Authorize the Interlocal Agreement for the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District and the City for Emergency Intertie Between Water Systems Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m. Gene Knutson, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 9/28/2020 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 9 of 9 9/14/2020 Minutes