City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 22, 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. The Mayor announced that this week is Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week and highlighted the City's work in preventing the spread of invasive species. Invasive species are non-native plants, animals, and pathogens that can displace and outcompete native species and disrupt the entire food webs and damage infrastructure. The City and Whatcom County collaborate to protect the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. He commented that the Small and Simple Grants will soon be made available for 2021. The Small and Simple Grant Program provides funding for neighborhood led projects that make positive improvements and encourage community engagement. Applications submitted by the May 1, 2021 deadline will be considered for funding through a competitive process conducted by the Mayor's office. Past projects funded City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 2/22/2021 Minutes  by Small and Simple Grants include street trees, neighborhood signs, murals, community gardens, structures, supplies, and other projects. All City recognized neighborhood associations are encouraged to apply. More details are posted on the City's website. A good conversation surrounding efforts being made towards homelessness was conducted today during the Committee of the Whole meeting. That conversation can be viewed at https://meetings.cob.org Public Comment Period Public Comment was taken. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson 22007 1. Broadband Advisory Workgroup Meeting Recording Council Member Lilliquist reported that during Committee, the issue of recording the Broadband Advisory Workgroup meetings was discussed. The original resolution did not allow for the recording of the meetings. The modified resolution brought forth for consideration, is to require the Zoom meetings are recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved final approval of Resolution #2021-02 as corrected. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22913 2. Public Launch of SeeClickFix Request Management Software Discussion during Committee. The City is utilizing a new software, SeeClickFix, that provides a portal for non-emergency repairs to be reported. Information only. 22329 3. Ordinance for Apprenticeship Program on Bellingham Public Contracts Presentation during Committee. The ordinance is based on a similar Whatcom County ordinance that adopts apprenticeship programs. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 2/22/2021 Minutes  Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22890 4. Residential Solid Waste Collection Overview #2 Discussion during Committee. This was part two of a three-part discussion residential solid waste collection overview. Northwest Recycling is closing and no longer accepting recyclables. SSC, our current servicer, has secured a new recycling service provider to accept the recyclable material as required under their contract. Information only. 22914 5. Habitat Restoration and Stewardship in Lower Whatcom Creek Corridor Presentation during Committee. Several different departments presented on the stewardship and protection efforts on the Lower Whatcom Creek. Restoration projects that have happened in the last few years. Due to time constraints, the presentation was cut short but will return for further discussion at the next meeting. Information only. Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Gene Knutson, Hollie Huthman 22915 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Increasing Appropriations in the General Fund During Committee, the ordinance was introduced by Bill Hewett, Fire Chief. He explained that the City received a grant allowing replacement of 130 self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) to be used by firefighters. Daniel Hammill / Gene Knutson moved for first and second reading. 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 3 of 6 2/22/2021 Minutes 22910 1. Analysis of Proposed BMC Amendments for Tent Encampments and Camping in Public Places Presentation during Committee. Draft ordinances were submitted to staff and administration for analysis. A series of presentations will be coming forward from the Community and Economic Development Committee that will provide information about on-going work for the homeless. There are existing parameters within the Bellingham Municipal Code that allow for temporary tent encampments encouraging operators to partner with the City to provide services. Information only. 22430 2. Proposed Revisions to Ordinance #2019-11-033 Establishing an Immigration Advisory Board The ordinance was brought forth with three changes that would allow for alternates, residential requirements to extend to Whatcom County, and co-facilitators on monthly meetings. Hannah Stone / Michael Lilliquist moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 22916 3. Report on 2020 CARES Act Economic and Business Response Presentation during Committee. Information only. 4. Approval of Minutes Gene Knutson / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the February 8, 2021 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Old/New Business Council Member Vargas requested that the new program, SeeClickFix Management Software, be posted to all the neighborhood associations and NextDoor type applications. She also requested that administration look to see if efforts on a state level are being made towards recycling options. Many recyclers are closing. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 2/22/2021 Minutes  Council Member Anderson explained that she had a ZOOM meeting with the union representative from Central Laborers Union where they discussed grocery store workers’ conditions. She is doing some research on what other states and cities are working on and will provide an update later. Council Member Hammill announced that currently there is House Bill 1590 that provides cities the opportunity to implement a sales tax that could raise up to $3 million dollars per year for affordable housing and provide services for those experiencing homelessness. During Committee, the Council voted to 6-0-1, (Gene Knutson excused) to hold a public hearing on March 8 to consider an ordinance imposing a one tenth of one percent sales and use tax for affordable housing and related services. The Council also voted 6-0-1 (Gene Knutson excused) to hold a special meeting on March 15 for the Council's consideration of an ordinance imposing one tenth of one percent sales and use tax for affordable housing and related services. Lastly, the Council voted 6-0-1 (Gene Knutson excused) to direct staff to prepare a draft ordinance imposing a one tenth of one percent sales and use tax for affordable housing and related services. Council Member Stone announced that Birchwood Neighborhood continues to struggle with food access. The Salvation Army has opened a food distribution center at the old thrift store, across from the old Albertson's location. They have drive thru as well as walk up service that distributes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 PM. Food boxes include canned goods, fresh produce, frozen meats, protein, dry goods, and dairy. There are No-Cook Bags to those who do not have access to kitchen or cooking facilities. She also announced that last weekend, Bellingham Unity Committee hosted a virtual event in celebration of Black History Month, that was facilitated by the Bellingham Library. The video can be found online at the Bellingham Unity Committee and Bellingham Library's website. Executive Session 2:05 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. 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. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 2/22/2021 Minutes 22917 1. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 22, 2021 through January 28, 2021 22918 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 29, 2021 through February 04, 2021 22919 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued February 05, 2021 through February 11, 2021 22920 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated January 01, 2021 to January 15, 2021 22921 5. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated January 16, 2021 to January 31, 2021 Gene Knutson / Daniel Hammill moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:29 PM. Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 3/8/2021 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 2/22/2021 Minutes