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City Council - Regular Meeting

Regular Meeting

Bellingham, WA · January 11, 2021

AgendaMinutesPacketVideo Recording

Minutes

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 11, 2021, 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. Deputy City Clerk Elisabeth Oakes Please note the doors to City Hall unlock at 6:30 PM. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Council President Stone 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 Stone. Roll Call Present: Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Gene Knutson, Second 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 22864 1. Staff Presentation Recognizing Steve Crooks for His Service on the Planning Commission Council Members thanked Steve Crooks for his contributions and service on the Planning Commission. He served two full terms on the Commission beginning in April 2013 to December 2020. 22593 2. Update on COVID-19 Response Amy Hockenberry and Cindy Hollinsworth, with the Whatcom County Health Department gave an update on the status of vaccines in our community. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes Information only. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 22865 1. Mayor's Reappointments to the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence (Approval) Hannah Stone / Gene Knutson moved to approve the Mayor's reappointment Ken Levinson to his second term, Beth Boyd to her first full term, and Mary Welchi to her second term on the Bellingham - Whatcom County Commisison on Sexual and Domestic Violence. All terms will expire on January 31, 2025. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22866 2. Mayor's Appointment of Victor Crosetti to the Planning and Development Commission (Approval) Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of Victor Crosetti to his first term on the Planning and Development Commission, which will expire on January 11, 2025, at which time he may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22867 3. Mayor's Appointments to the Greenway Advisory Committee (Approval) Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved approval of Lauren Staley to her first term on the Greenway Advisory Committee, which will expire on January 11, 2024, at which time she may be reappointed. Mayor appoints Kate Galambos to her first partial term on the Greenway Advisory Committee, which will expire on July 9, 2021, at which time she may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22868 4. Mayor's Appointment of Maggie Bates to the Design Review Board (Approval) Gene Knutson / Hannah Stone moved approval of Maggie Bates to her first term, on the Design Review Board, which will expire on January 11, 2025, at which time she may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes 22869 5. Mayor's Appointments of Members of the Broadband Advisory Group (Approval) Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to approve Maximillian Carper, Linda Fels, Don Gischer, Kristopher Keillor, Michelle Koptcha, Milissa Miller, Spencer Moore, Steven Spitzer, and Russell (RB) Tewksbury to serve as community representatives of the Broadband Advisory Group. MOTION CARRIED 6-1. Opposed: Lisa Anderson Mayor Fleetwood, expressed that the administration is still working to create the conditions to end the encampment on the lawn of City Hall. Public Comment Period Public Comment was taken. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 22870 1. Bid Award for the State-Ellis Bridge Replacement Project, BID # 31B-2020 Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to award Bid No. 31B-2020 for the State-Ellis Bridge Replacement Project to Razz Construction, Inc of Bellingham 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 $3,195,889.73, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22871 2. Donation of 60-Acre Parcel in the Lake Whatcom Watershed Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22872 3. Donation of a Conservation Easement Over 0.87-Acres of Real Property Located in the Lake Whatcom Watershed Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes Committee of the Whole Hannah Stone, Chair Gene Knutson, 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. 1. Approval of Minutes Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved approval of the December 14, 2020 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Old/New Business Council President Stone reported out on last week's Special Meeting held on January 4, 2021. An emergency ordinance authorizing temporary use of public and private facilities to provide COVID-19 related vaccinations, testing, and medical services was passed. The reorganization meeting included election of officers of the City Council. Hannah Stone, Council President Michael Lilliquist, Council President Pro Tempore Pinky Vargas, Mayor Pro Tempore The Finance Committee was rolled into the Committee of the Whole. A singular committee titled, Community and Economic Development, was created that will be chaird by Council Member Huthman. Pinky Vargas and Michael Lilliquist will also sit on the Community and Economic Development Committee. The Committees listed below were filled with the following Council Members: Public Works & Natural Resources: 1. Michael Lilliquist (Chair) 2. Gene Knutson 3. Lisa Anderson Parks & Recreation: 1. Gene Knutson (Chair) City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes 2. Pinky Vargas 3. Lisa Anderson Planning & Community Development: 1. Lisa Anderson (Chair) 2. Hollie Huthman 3. Dan Hammill Public Health, Safety, and Justice: 1. Dan Hammill (Chair) 2. Hollie Huthman 3. Gene Knutson Climate Action: 1. Pinky Vargas (Chair) 2. Dan Hammill 3. Michael Lilliquist Ex-Officio and Other Council Assignments Bellingham International Airport Advisory Committee 1. Lisa Anderson Bellingham School District/Higher Education 1. Gene Knutson (K-12) 2. Dan Hammill (Higher Ed) Bellingham / Whatcom County Tourism Board 1. Pinky Vargas Chamber of Commerce 1. Lisa Anderson Downtown Bellingham Partnership 1. Hollie Huthman EMS Oversight Board 1. Gene Knutson Fire Pension Board 1. Hannah Stone Franchise Working Group 1. Dan Hammill City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes 2. Michael Lilliquist Homeless Strategies Workgroup 1. Michael Lilliquist 2. Gene Knutson Incarceration Prevention Task Force 1. Dan Hammill 2. Michael Lilliquist (Proxy) Immigration Advisory Board Liaison 1. Hannah Stone Lake Whatcom Policy Group 1. Michael Lilliquist 2. Gene Knutson Library Board of Trustees 1. Hollie Huthman Mt. Baker Theatre Board 1. Pinky Vargas Museum Foundation Board 1. Lisa Anderson Open Space Committee – Joint City / County 1. Lisa Anderson 2. Hollie Huthman 3. Dan Hammill Opportunity Council 1. Hannah Stone Parks & Recreation Advisory Board 1. Gene Knutson Police Pension Board 1. Hannah Stone Port Marina Advisory Committee 1. Lisa Anderson Sister Cities Advisory Board City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes 1. Pinky Vargas Sustainable Connections 1. Hollie Huthman Tourism Commission / LTAC 1. Pinky Vargas WHAT-COMM Admin Board 1. Dan Hammill Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) 1. Pinky Vargas 2. Michael Lilliquist Whatcom Transportation Authority 1. Michael Lilliquist 2. Hollie Huthman Working Waterfront 1. Lisa Anderson She announced that there will be an event to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., at noon, next Monday on the Federal Holiday. More information can be found at www.cob.org Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Litigation Claim #2020-44 Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved to authorize the City Attorney's Office to hire the Cascadia Law Group to represent the City of Bellingham in the lawsuit arising from this claim, Bornstein Seafoods v. City of Bellingham. 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. 22873 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated November 16, 2020 to November 30, 2020 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes 22874 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated December 1, 2020 to December 15, 2020 22875 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 04, 2020 through December 10, 2020 22876 4. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 11, 2020 through December 17, 2020 22877 5. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 18, 2020 through December 23, 2020 22878 6. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 24, 2020 through December 31, 2020 22879 7. Interlocal Agreement with Bellingham Housing Authority 22880 8. Renew Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Parks Department Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Adjournment Council Member Anderson announced that next Saturday, the Dockside Market, on January 23, will be selling fresh seafood from the dock at Gate 5, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 PM. 1/23/21 fresh seafood from the docks, at Gate 5 from 10 - 2:00 PM. Council Member Knutson commended Council Member Stone on her leadership as the new Council President. There being no further comments, the meeting adjourned at 9:03 PM. Gene Knutson, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 1/25/2021 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 1/11/2021 Minutes

Agenda

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Agenda January 11, 2021, 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. Deputy City Clerk Elisabeth Oakes Please note the doors to City Hall unlock at 6:30 PM. Council members will participate in this meeting remotely through an online web-based meeting platform. Per Washington State Proclamation 20-28, in-person attendance at meetings is prohibited at this time. Council meetings are streamed live via the City’s website at meetings.cob.org and on the City’s YouTube channel. Meetings are broadcast in high definition on BTV on Comcast channel 321, and in standard definition on Comcast channel 10. Members of the public who do not have cable or Internet access may contact the City Council office to receive phone numbers in order to listen to the meeting via telephone. Anyone wishing to comment during the public hearing or during the regular public comment period is invited to do so. Advanced testimony by mail, email, and telephone is accepted and strongly encouraged by sending comments to the Council Office, 210 Lottie Street, ccmail@cob.org, or (360) 778-8200. Anyone wishing to testify live can do so by joining the remote meeting at the following link: https://www.cob.org/cc011121. This link can be used before the meeting to pre-register or during the meeting to register and immediately join the meeting to testify. Pre-registration is encouraged. Those who would like to listen in by phone can do so using any of the following phone numbers:  (253) 215-8782  (346) 248-7799  (669) 900-6833  (301) 715-8592  (312) 626-6799  (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 920 6879 8262 Password: 9 The following items are heard in the Regular Meeting only: Call to Order Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Meetings Act. Roll Call Presentation 22864 1. Staff Presentation Recognizing Steve Crooks for His Service on the p. 6 Planning Commission 22593 2. Update on COVID-19 Response p. 8 Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 22865 1. Mayor's Reappointments to the Bellingham-Whatcom County p. 9 Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence (Approval) 22866 2. Mayor's Appointment of Victor Crosetti to the Planning and p. 10 Development Commission (Approval) 22867 3. Mayor's Appointments to the Greenway Advisory Committee p. 14 (Approval) 22868 4. Mayor's Appointment of Maggie Bates to the Design Review Board p. 23 (Approval) 22869 5. Mayor's Appointments of Members of the Broadband Advisory Group p. 26 (Approval) Public Comment Period The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Open to the public to attend. Note: there is generally no public comment period for Committee sessions. Standing Committee Members receive reports and information, ask questions and, when appropriate, vote on a recommended action for consideration by the full Council at the Regular Meeting. The notice of Committee Meetings identified below also serves as notice of Special Meetings of the City Council at the times identified as Council Members who are not members of the committee routinely attend and participate in the Committee Meetings. Committee Chairs give a report of the Committee Meeting at the Regular Meeting in the evening prior to deliberation and formal vote in the order shown below: Public Works and Natural Resources 1:00 PM Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 22870 1. Bid Award for the State-Ellis Bridge Replacement Project, BID # 31B- p. 53 2020 22871 2. Donation of 60-Acre Parcel in the Lake Whatcom Watershed p. 59 22872 3. Donation of a Conservation Easement Over 0.87-Acres of Real p. 67 Property Located in the Lake Whatcom Watershed Committee Of The Whole 1:15 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Gene Knutson, 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. 1. Approval of Minutes 2. Old/New Business Executive Session 1:30 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Litigation Claim #2020-44 (Kraham, approx. 10 min) 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. 22873 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated November 16, p. 74 2020 to November 30, 2020 22874 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated December 1, p. 75 2020 to December 15, 2020 22875 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 04, 2020 through p. 76 December 10, 2020 22876 4. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 11, 2020 through p. 77 December 17, 2020 22877 5. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 18, 2020 through p. 78 December 23, 2020 22878 6. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued December 24, 2020 through p. 79 December 31, 2020 22879 7. Interlocal Agreement with Bellingham Housing Authority p. 80 22880 8. Renew Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Parks p. 87 Department Adjournment Agenda Information: Council Committee and Regular Meeting agendas and agenda packets, which contain the supporting documentation for agenda items, are available to the public Wednesday afternoon prior to the meeting. They are posted at https://meetings.cob.org. A hard copy of the agenda packet is available for review from the reference desk at the Central Library or the Finance office at City Hall. Live Broadcast Information: The Bellingham City Council Committee Meetings are broadcast live on BTV Bellingham at the times listed on the Agenda. Committee session start times between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM are estimated. A specific Committee may start later than the time published but will not begin earlier than its published time. BTV can be found on cable systems as follows: Comcast channels 10 (standard) and 321 (high definition), and CenturyLink channels 40 (standard) and 1040 (high definition). The meetings are also streamed live on the internet as they occur. Online viewers will see exactly what cable customers would see. The Bellingham Public Library also has DVD’s available for checkout. Video and audio files are available on the Internet at https://meetings.cob.org within 5 business days following each meeting. BTV Council Meeting Rebroadcast Schedule: Tues. 12 PM: Repeat broadcast of Monday afternoon Committee meetings Tues. 7 PM: Repeat broadcast of Monday night regular meeting Wed. 8 AM: Repeat broadcast of Monday night regular meeting Sat. 12 PM: Repeat broadcast of Monday afternoon Committee meetings Sat. 7 PM: Repeat broadcast of Monday night regular meeting Accessibility: The Council Chambers is fully accessible. Elevator access to the second floor is available at City Hall’s west entrance. Hearing assistance is available, and a receiver may be checked out through the Deputy City Clerk prior to the evening session. For additional accommodations, contact the Legislative Assistant at 778-8200 in advance of the meeting. Thank you. Next City Council Meeting Monday, January 25, 2021 Deadline to submit material for any public hearing for inclusion in the published agenda packet is 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the meeting.

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