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City Council - Regular Meeting

Regular Meeting

Bellingham, WA · February 8, 2021

AgendaMinutesPacketVideo Recording

Minutes

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 8, 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 Presentation 22593 1. Update on COVID-19 Response The Mayor introduced Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Department Director, for an update on COVID-19 response and vaccine update. Erika Lautenbach, announced that as of last week, there are 34 enrolled provider sites that offer vaccines. This week, Whatcom County has received 3,275 doses of vaccine. Last Thursday, she moderated a Town Hall session with PeaceHealth, Family Care Network, Unity Care Northwest, and SeaMar Community Health Centers. It was broadcast by Facebook Live and about 1,400 people attended the live event. It was also live streamed on KGMI. The Health Department aims to provide virtual townhalls twice monthly to stay on top of new information and provide it to the community in a timely manner. Another virtual Town Hall with Cindy Hollinsworth, Communicable Disease Manager with the Health Department, and Whatcom County District 42 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 2/8/2021 Minutes Representatives, Sharon Shewmake and Alicia Rule, is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2021, to talk about vaccines. Next week, on February 16, another Town Hall is scheduled with the business community to discuss unique challenges and opportunities to make sure their employees get vaccinated. On Friday, February 12, we are expected to know if, as a region, if the Governor will move us into Phase II of the Road Map to Recovery. Fire Chief, Bill Hewett, announced that Liz Coogan, has been promoted as the City's new Emergency Manager. Council Members asked questions. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 22903 1. Mayor's Reappointment of Jeffrey Eastman and Stephen Racich to the Bellingham Sister Cities Board (Information) The Mayor reappoints Jeffrey Eastman to his first full term, which will expire on January 24, 2024 and Stephen Racich to his third term, which will expire on January 1, 2024, at which time they both may be reappointed. Information only. Public Comment Period Public Comment was taken. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 22905 1. Noise Variance - Grandview North LLC Permit #BLD2018-1036 Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the noise variance to Grandview LLC for work to be done between 4:00 a.m. through 7:00 PM on two different days. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 2/8/2021 Minutes 22906 2. Transportation Commission Update and Associated Role in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Updates Information Only. Parks and Recreation Gene Knutson, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 22907 1. Resolution to Establish Greens Fees for the Use of Lake Padden Golf Course Gene Knutson / Lisa Anderson moved final approval of Resolution #2021-01. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Gene Knutson, Hollie Huthman 22904 1. Presentation by Whatcom County Health on Serving the Homeless Presentation during Committee. Information only. Climate Action Pinky Vargas, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 22505 1. 2021 Implementation Plan for Climate Action Plan Update during Committee. Information only. 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. 22908 1. Introduction of New Legislative Assistant Introduction of Nalini Margaitis, Legislative Assistant. 22909 2. Discussion Regarding Public Comment Period City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 2/8/2021 Minutes Discussion during Committee. Information only. 22910 3. City Hall Encampment Discussion Discussion during Committee. Information only. 4. Approval of Minutes Gene Knutson / Pinky Vargas moved approval of the January 11, 2021 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Lisa Anderson/Gene Knutson moved approval of the January 11, 2021 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Old/New Business Council Member Huthman introduced an emergency ordinance to temporarily suspend removal of homeless encampments, like the one at Geri Field. Council Members discussed. Hollie Huthman/Dan Hammill moved to submit the draft ordinances into the Public Record and direct the administration to review for feedback. MOTION CARRIED 4-0-3, Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson & Pinky Vargas abstained. Council Member Anderson asked if the meetings for the Broadband Workgroup could be recorded. Lisa Anderson/Michael Lilliquist moved to prepare a resolution that stipulates that video meetings may be recorded and provided online. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Potential Litigation Claim No. 2020-42 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 2/8/2021 Minutes Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Litigation: King v. City of Bellingham Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Litigation 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. 22911 1. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 15, 2021 through January 21, 2021 22912 2. Joint Funding Agreement Between the City of Bellingham and US Department of Interior / US Geological Survey (USGS) for Water Resources Investigation Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Gene Knutson excused. Final Consideration of Ordinances 22887 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Increasing Appropriations in the Wastewater Fund Michael Lilliquist / 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, Hammill, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: Knutson MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance 2021-02-006. Adjournment City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 2/8/2021 Minutes There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:49 PM. Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 2/22/2021 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 2/8/2021 Minutes

Agenda

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Agenda February 8, 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/cc020821. 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: 998 6099 7014 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 22593 1. Update on COVID-19 Response p. 6 Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. 22903 1. Mayor's Reappointment of Jeffrey Eastman and Stephen Racich to the p. 7 Bellingham Sister Cities Board (Information) 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 11:00 AM Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 22905 1. Noise Variance - Grandview North LLC Permit #BLD2018-1036 p. 8 22906 2. Transportation Commission Update and Associated Role in the Bicycle p. 13 and Pedestrian Master Plan Updates Parks and Recreation 11:30 AM Gene Knutson, Chair Pinky Vargas, Lisa Anderson 22907 1. Resolution to Establish Greens Fees for the Use of Lake Padden Golf p. 16 Course Public Health, Safety, and Justice 1:00 PM Daniel Hammill, Chair Gene Knutson, Hollie Huthman 22904 1. Presentation by Whatcom County Health on Serving the Homeless p. 24 Climate Action 2:00 PM Pinky Vargas, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 22505 1. 2021 Implementation Plan for Climate Action Plan p. 30 Committee Of The Whole 2:30 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. 22908 1. Introduction of New Legislative Assistant p. 42 22909 2. Discussion Regarding Public Comment Period p. 43 22910 3. City Hall Encampment Discussion p. 44 4. Approval of Minutes 5. Old/New Business Executive Session 3:35 Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Litigation Claim No. 2020-42 (Brady approx. 15 min) 2. Litigation: King v. City of Bellingham (M. Good approx. 15 min) 3. Potential Litigation (Ruffatto, approx. 30 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. 22911 1. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 15, 2021 through p. 45 January 21, 2021 22912 2. Joint Funding Agreement Between the City of Bellingham and US p. 46 Department of Interior / US Geological Survey (USGS) for Water Resources Investigation Final Consideration of Ordinances 22887 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Increasing p. 51 Appropriations in the Wastewater Fund 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, February 22, 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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