City Council - Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingBellingham, WA · January 11, 2021
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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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