City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 24, 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 Pinky Vargas, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, At-Large Excused Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Presentation 22593 1. Update on COVID-19 Response Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Department Director, explained that a milestone of 50% of the Whatcom County residents who have initiated vaccination has been met, as of last week. She relayed that there has been conflicting guidance and information from various sources, the Health Department is recommending that businesses keep up their mask policy. Additionally, the Health Department is working on a COVID-19 impact assessment. The hope is to capture stories and experiences surrounding the pandemic. It should be available in July. The assessment can be found at: bit.ly/3fwfZCL City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes  Last week, the Health Department hosted a Town Hall and spoke with Greg Winter (Opportunity Council), Anya Milton (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce), Jodi Joyce, CEO of Unity Care, and Dr. Sislena Ledbetter about impacts they are seeing in the community. The Town Hall can be viewed at their YouTube channel or Facebook site. Council Members asked questions. Public Hearing 22982 1. Public Hearing on an Ordinance Amending BMC Chapter 8.04 Regarding Parks and Trails and Providing New Rules for Electric-Assisted Bicycles on Trails, Prohibiting Drones and Smoking, Reducing Speed Limits, and Other Updates Nicole Oliver, Parks Department, gave a history on the limitation on ebikes. The City would like ebikes to be allowed on all the Parks trails. She provided an overview of the proposed changes that include reducing speed limits, providing rules that allow ebikes on trails and prohibit drones taking off and landing in parks, and clarifying outdated language in the existing code. Council Members asked questions. Council President Stone opened the public hearing. Public Comment was taken. There being no further comments, the public hearing is closed. The written record will remain open until the Council makes a final decision, per Resolution #2013-09. Gene Knutson / Pinky Vargas moved to send back to the Parks Committee for further study at a work session. Michael Lilliquist / Pinky Vargas amended the motion to send the topic back to Committee for further discussion on the drone and overnight camping portion of the ordinance. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. 22994 2. Public Hearing Regarding the Draft 2022-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Chris Comeau, Transportation Planner, provided recommendations by staff on present projects listed on the DRAFT 2022-2027 TIP. A work session is scheduled for June 7, 2021 for further review. Council President Stone opened the public hearing. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes  Public Comment was taken. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed. The written record will remain open until the Council makes a final decision, per Resolution #2013-09. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed. Information only. Mayor Fleetwood discussed the City's ongoing effort to resume in-person city services. The hope is to open offices on July 1. The administration is meeting regularly to discuss concerns and consider guidance from the CDC and Labor and Industries of Washington State. He will provide updates in the future. Tomorrow is May 25, the one-year anniversary of the death and tragedy of George Floyd in Minneapolis. A planning group, has worked to form a racial equity commission, in partnership with the County. 22995 1. Mayor's Appointment of Jennifer Miles to the Community Development Advisory Board (Information) The Mayor appoints Jennifer Miles to her first term to the Community Development Advisory Board, which will expire on May 5, 2024, at which time she may be reappointed. Information only. 22996 2. Mayor's Appointment of Barbara Plaskett to the Planning and Development Commission (Approval) Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to approve the Mayor's appointment of Barbara Plaskett to her first term, on the Planning and Development Commission, which will expire on May 24, 2025, at which time she may be reappointed. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. Public Comment Period Public Comment was taken. Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources Michael Lilliquist, Chair Gene Knutson, Lisa Anderson City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes 22979 1. James Street Preferred Arterial Standard Ordinance Presentation during Committee. The proposed alternative for James Street includes construction of a separated 10- to-12-foot-wide paved multi-use pathway on the west side of James Street. The separated path is in lieu of traditional sidewalks and bike lanes on each side of the roadway. Developers would be given the option of contributing funding towards City design and construction of the alternative standard instead of making traditional street improvements at the time of development. A public hearing on the ordinance was provided on May 10, 2021. The proposal design includes sidewalks on the east side of the street. Design is preliminary. Construction has yet to be approved. The revised arterial standard authorizes the improvements through ordinance. Staff recommends approval of the ordinance. Michael Lilliquist / Hollie Huthman moved to approve the alternative standard. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. 22997 2. Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Inter-Agency Agreement with the Department of Ecology for National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Funding for the Little Squalicum Estuary Project Presentation during Committee. An update on the project was adopted and creates an estuary at the mouth of little Squalicum Creek. It will increase juvenile salmon habitat into the stream and beach nourishment to replace sediment that has been lost along the beach. Michael Lilliquist / Gene Knutson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an Inter- Agency Agreement with the Department of Ecology for National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Funding for the Little Squalicum Estuary Project. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. 22998 3. Authorize Joint Resolution to Develop a County Wide Public Safety Radio System Discussion during Committee. The current radio frequency licenses are owned by the City and a private provider. WTA is moving towards acquiring the licenses from the private provider so that all of the licenses necessary to running a county-wide public safety radio system will be held in public ownership. The resolution is to confirm a commitment by all three of the policy boards. The next steps are to seek to negotiate a proposed interlocal agreement for consideration by the boards and councils of all three agencies outlining roles and City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes  responsibilities in the development and operation of a countywide public safety grade radio system. Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to adopt a joint resolution (Resolution #2021-12) to develop a County Wide Public Safety Radio System. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. 22999 4. Bid Award for Post Point Chlorine Gas Replacement, BID #2B-2021 Presentation during Committee. The Post Point chlorine gas system need to be replaced. The work includes layout and design activities, furnishing of equipment, construction of ancillary improvements, and startup and testing of the new system. The City received four bids which were publicly opened on March 11, 2021. Hawk Mechanical of Monroe, Washington was the responsible bidder who submitted the lowest responsive bid of $2,795,644, including any applicable Washington State Sales or Use Tax. The replacement project will enable the City to create on site hypochlorite as needed which is safer to store and more cost effective to use. Michael Lilliquist / Hollie Huthman moved to award Bid No. 2B-2021 for Post Point Chlorine Gas Replacement to Hawk Mechanical of Monroe, Washington 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 $2,795,644, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. Public Health, Safety, and Justice Daniel Hammill, Chair Gene Knutson, Hollie Huthman 23001 1. Community Paramedic Program Update Presentation during Committee. Staff provided a review of the challenges of the program, the Community Paramedic Program. Information only. Community and Economic Development Hollie Huthman, Chair Pinky Vargas, Michael Lilliquist 23000 1. Consideration of Interim Housing Strategies (i.e. Shelter) for Those Experiencing Homelessness City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes  Presentation during Committee. Staff sought Council's acceptance for recommendations that were approved but need approval of long-term strategy implementation. Recommendations include short and long-term. The short term include: • No families living in cars, need to provide motel stays for families with children. • Establish an overflow shelter, starting in November through March which allows for 30 more spots, rather than beginning in December through February as in past winter emergency shelters. • Continuation of current specialty shelters. Long-term include: • Relocation of Base Camp to a permanent home. • Establish shelter and services for people who are medically fragile. • Interim housing units for families with children as an alternative to motel stays. Hollie Huthman / Gene Knutson moved to adopt the strategies. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. 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. 23002 1. Discussion of City Priorities Discussion during Committee. Administration affirms the work plan that was adopted in the 2021-2022 biennial budget. The goals adopted in the biennial budget include: 1. Addressing social justice issues. 2. An unarmed 9-1-1 response. 3. Climate change. 4. Expand trails, parks, and open space. 5. Improve City infrastructure. Information only. 23003 2. American Rescue Plan Act Overview City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes  Discussion during Committee. The City will receive $21 million in federal funds. The City has until 2024 to program funds and outline the process of spending. The County will be receiving almost twice the amount. Information only. 23004 3. Library Service in the Time of COVID-19 Presentation during Committee. The Central Library will reopen on June 7, 2021, for limited, in-person service, with occupancy capacity limit of 50%, with updated state and local library guidance. Information only. 4. Approval of Minutes Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved approval of the May 10, 2021 minutes of the regular City Council meeting as corrected. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. 5. Old/New Business Council President Stone shared that this afternoon, a community blessing event took place to bless the Red Road to Washington D.C. Totem Pole Journey. This is the 20th Anniversary for Totem Pole journeys sponsored by the House of Tears carvers. Executive Session – Report and Action only. 1. Litigation: Bianchi v. City of Bellingham, et al. Gene Knutson / Michael Lilliquist moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with outside legal counsel to assist the City Attorney's Office in representing the City employee named in this lawsuit. MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. 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. 23005 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated April 16, 2021 to April 30, 2021 23006 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued April 30, 2021 through May 06, 2021 Gene Knutson / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED 6-0-1, Dan Hammill excused. Final Consideration of Ordinances 22985 1. An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds Hollie Huthman / 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, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: Hammill MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2021-05-022. 22596 2. An Ordinance to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Waste in Bellingham and to Encourage Compostable or Reusable Alternatives 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, Vargas, Anderson, Lilliquist, Huthman NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: Hammill MOTION CARRIED and was thereafter named Ordinance #2021-05-023. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:26 PM. Hannah Stone, Council President ATTEST: Elisabeth Oakes, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 6/7/2021 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 5/24/2021 Minutes