City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 25, 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. 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 Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Mayor Fleetwood, provided an update from the Whatcom County Health Department. A statement by Erika Lautenbach, the Whatcom County Health Department Director was read into the Record: The Health Department has heard from many residents and understands the frustration regarding the pace of vaccine delivery. With the Governor’s announcement last week, there are now somewhere between 60,000 and 80,000 residents eligible for vaccine. There are 27 providers that are enrolled and able to order and administer vaccine, but there is very little vaccine coming to our county. In order to vaccinate everyone now eligible with the recommended two doses, we would need 120,000 – 160,000 doses and to date, our county has only received 13,500. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes  There are examples from other counties where they set up mass vaccination sites and had five-hour lines and were only able to vaccinate for an hour or two before they ran out. There are also examples of places that received far more vaccine than they needed in order to vaccinate everyone eligible. These inconsistencies are frustrating and are occurring all over the state. The Whatcom County Health Department is working with our enrolled providers, once there is more vaccine available, to create a coordinated and easily accessible range of options and sites for people to receive vaccine. We are also working to ensure that those who are vulnerable or lack a healthcare provider or transportation will have access to vaccine as well. In the meantime, we ask for your patience. There will be more vaccine, more options, and more communication soon. Everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be able to do so, but this will take months not days. We all look forward to getting back to pre- COVID life, but please be patient as we overcome this final hurdle in having sufficient vaccine for everyone in our county. The Mayor addressed the events surrounding the protest of the 210 Lottie Encampment from last Friday. To watch his statements, the video can be viewed here: https://meetings.cob.org/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=2369&doctype=1 The Mayor introduced Congressman, Rick Larsen, who represents the 2nd Congressional District in Washington. He reviewed some of the President's Executive Orders, which included ramping up of manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, testing and supplies, and PPE. He authorized FEMA to work with state and local partners to set up 100 additional vaccination sites. The Department of Defense announced today that they will end the ban on transgender troops in the armed forces as well as in the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. The Federal Government will now reimburse the states for the use of the National Guard during the COVID-19 response at a rate of 100%. The America Rescue Plan, which is a COVID-19 relief bill, is a package that is being introduced in Congress that will include $69 billion for COVID-19 vaccine and equitable distribution. There is a new vaccine from Johnson and Johnson that will be available soon. Council Members asked questions. 22882 1. Mayor's Reappointment of Denise Snyder to the Bellingham Arts Commission (Approval) Daniel Hammill / Pinky Vargas moved to approve the Mayor's reappointment of Denise Snyder to a special one-year extension to her sixth term on the Bellingham Arts Commission, which will expire on January 1, 2022. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes 22883 2. Mayor's Appointment of David Heck to the Design Review Board (Approval) Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved to approve the Mayor's appointment of David Heck to his first term, on the Design Review Board, which will expire on January 25, 2025, at which time he may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22884 3. Mayor's Reappointment of Jeff Daffron to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board (Approval) Lisa Anderson / Gene Knutson moved to approve the Mayor's reappointment of Jeff Daffron to his second term, on the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board, which will expire on January 22, 2024, at which time he may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22885 4. Mayor's Appointment of Yin-Ho Lai and Christopher Pasquale to the Community Development Advisory Board (Information) The Mayor appoints Yin Ho Lai to his first term, on the Community Development Advisory Board, which will expire on January 19, 2024, at which time he may be reappointed. The Mayor appoints Christopher Pasquale to his first partial term, on the Community Development Advisory Board, which will expire on October 1, 2021, at which time he may be reappointed. Information only. 22886 5. Mayor's Reappointment of Robert Hendricks to the Citizens' Transportation Advisory Group (Information) The Mayor reappoints Robert Hendricks to his seventh term, on the Citizens' Transportation Advisory Group, which will expire on February 3, 2022, at which time he may be reappointed. Information only. Public Comment Period Public Comment was taken. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 22887 1. An Ordinance Increasing Appropriations in the Wastewater Fund Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22888 2. Bid Award for Whatcom Creek Trunk Main (EU-0182), BID #62B-2020 Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to award Bid No. 62B-2020 for Whatcom Creek Trunk Main to Allied Trenchless of Chelan, 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 $6,088,694.63, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22329 3. Draft Ordinance for Apprenticeship Program on Bellingham Contracts Discussion during Committee. Additional work need to be completed on the draft ordinance. Council provided feedback to staff and they will bring back to Council at a later date. 22889 4. Update on the City of Bellingham Urban Forestry Management Plan Presentation during Committee. Information only. 22890 5. Residential Solid Waste Collection Overview Presentation during Committee. Information only. Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Gene Knutson, Hollie Huthman 22891 1. Interlocal Agreement with North Whatcom Fire and Rescue for Transfer of Paramedics Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County Fire Protection District #21. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22892 2. Community Paramedic ILA Amendment Daniel Hammill / Gene Knutson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an amendment to an interlocal contract between the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County for the EMS levy for a Community Paramedic previously funded by the City. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Parks and Recreation Gene Knutson, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 22893 1. Bid Award to Tiger Construction for the Boulevard Park Restroom Improvement Project, Bid No. 61B-2020 Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved to award Bid No. 61B-2020 for the Boulevard Park Restroom Improvement Project to Tiger Construction of Everson, 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 $631,388.39, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22894 2. Bid Award to KCDA, Contract #AEPA 020-A, for Joe Martin Mound Conversion Field Turf Gene Knutson / Lisa Anderson moved to award Contract #AEPA 020-A for Joe Martin Mound Conversion Field Turf to KCDA 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 $71,054.85, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 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. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes 22895 1. WWU Presentation on 2020 City Residential Survey Presentation during Committee. Information only. 22896 2. Approve Interlocal Agreement for the Donation of Whatcom County Personal Property to the City of Bellingham (Tiny Homes) The shelters will be deployed for the immediate use at the emergency encampment ("Swift Haven") established in response to the current housing emergency in Whatcom County and will be used for the future deployment of temporary shelters at additional Whatcom County locations beyond the existing emergency location. This interlocal will transfer ownership of 25-50 Tiny Homes to the City of Bellingham. Hannah Stone / Michael Lilliquist authorized the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham for the donation of of Whatcom County personal property to the City of Bellingham. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Recused: (None)</recused_text 3. Approval of Minutes No minutes were presented. At the February 8, 2021 meeting, the Council will review a double set of meeting minutes from January 11, 2021 and January 25, 2021. 4. Old/New Business Council Member Lilliquist reported from the Broadband Advisory Work Group. The Public Utility District (PUD), shared that they would prefer their representative and commissioner, Atul Deshmane, represent the PUD. They further requested that he be a voting member rather than a non-voting member. The City's resolution on the Broadband Advisory Group excludes elected officials from membership on the board. The PUD plans to meet on Tuesday, January 26 and Council Member Lilliquist is confident that will work through this issue to find a resolution. Council President Stone, indicated that she has heard from members who are concerned about capacity and infection spread of COVID-19 at Base Camp. After consulting with the director of Base Camp, she assured all that social distancing is provided for those who wish to utilize the facility. COVID-19 testing is also provided at Base Camp. 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. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes 22897 1. Amendment #1 to Inter-Agency Agreement 2018-0624 with the Department of Ecology for Additional Grant Funding for the Meridian Street Water Quality Improvements Project (EV-0162) 22898 2. Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County (2019 - 0638) for Payment of Costs Associated with the U.S Geological Survey Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) Collaborative Agreement 22899 3. Authorization for the Mayor to Enter Into an Inter-Agency Agreement with the State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services 22900 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated December 16, 2020 to December 31, 2020 22901 5. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 01, 2021 through January 07, 2021 22902 6. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 08, 2021 through January 14, 2021 Daniel Hammill / Gene Knutson moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 22853 1. An Ordinance to Adopt the 2018 International Fire Code with Local Amendments Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill 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: Stone, Knutson, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance 2021-01-002. 22854 2. Ordinance to Adopt the 2018 Washington State Building Code with Local Amendments City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes  Daniel Hammill / Gene Knutson 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: Stone, Knutson, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance 2021-01-003. 22871 3. An Ordinance Accepting the Donation of 60 Acres of Real Property and Improvements from Neal and Ann Koblitz Known as Lake Whatcom Watershed Acquisition WS-0089 Pinky Vargas / Lisa Anderson 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: Stone, Knutson, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance 2021-01-004. 22872 4. An Ordinance Accepting the Donation of a Conservation Easement Over a 0.87 Acre Tract of Real Property Owned by Neal and Ann Koblitz Known as Lake Whatcom Watershed Acquisition WS-0089 Lisa Anderson / Hollie Huthman 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: Stone, Knutson, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance 2021-01-005. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:16 PM. Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 2/8/2021 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 9 of 9 1/25/2021 Minutes