City Council - Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingBellingham, WA · July 25, 2022
Minutes
City of Bellingham
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 25, 2022, 7:00 PM
Mayor: Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org
Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org
Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Lisa Anderson, https://cob.org/council
Michael Lilliquist and Kristina Michele Martens All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at
210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted.
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 7:00pm.
Announcements & Upcoming Meetings:
Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public
Meetings Act.
1. The originally scheduled Public Hearing for July 25 at 7:00PM has
been cancelled and is tentatively rescheduled for August 29, 2022 at
7:00PM.
2. On August 1, 2022 at 7:00PM there will be a Public Hearing to address
the following: The Bellingham Police Department is applying for a
Department of Justice Assistance Grant and would like to use the
grant for recruitment of new officers through print m
Roll Call
Present:
Council President Hannah Stone, First Ward
Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward
Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward
Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward
Council Member Kristina Michele Martens, At Large
Excused
Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward
Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward
Mayor's Report
Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed.
Information only.
City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 5
7/25/2022 Minutes
23401 1. Mayor's Appointment of Melissa Morin to the Bellingham Public p. 6
Library Board of Trustees (Approval)
The Mayor appointed Melissa Morin to the Bellingham Public Library Board of
Trustees to her first partial term, which will expire on February 12, 2023, at which time
she may be reappointed.
Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
23402 2. Mayor's Reappointments of Dunham Gooding and Brent Walker to p. 12
the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District (Approval)
The Mayor reappointed Dunham Gooding to his sixth term and Brent Walker to his
fifth term on the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District. Both terms will expire
on July 30, 2026.
Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Kristina Michele Martens moved to recommend approval.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
23403 3. Mayor's Reappointment of Anna Sorich to the Mayor's Neighborhood p. 13
Advisory Commission (Information)
The Mayor reappointed Anna Sorich to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory
Commission as the Sunnyland Primary Representative. This is her first full term, which
will expire on August 16, 2024, at which time she may be reappointed. Information
only.
Mayor Fleetwood announced the City is seeking residents to serve on the Salary
Commission, which will establish salaries for the City Council. In order to participate,
individuals must be registered to vote and a citizen of Bellingham. Contact the Mayor's
Office or visit, https://cob.org/gov/public/bc/salary-commission, for more
information.
Mayor Fleetwood and Councilmember Lilliquist highlighted the City received a $60k
grant through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission to assist
with recruitment of bilingual police officers and provide incentives to applicants and
employees who help recruit new officers.
Mayor Fleetwood and Chief Mertzig announced that as part of a one-year pilot,
effective August 1, 2022, the City of Bellingham Police Department will eliminate the
Associate of Arts (AA) Degree requirement for applicants. The current pay scale
City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 5
7/25/2022 Minutes
provides an increase for those with a degree and the department is examining how to
support professional advancement for officers that include college education.
Mayor Fleetwood shared the transition to the new 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,
which provides free and confidential 24/7 assistance to those in crisis.
Council Standing Committee Meetings:
Committee Of The Whole 1:00 PM
Hannah Stone, Chair
Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist,
Kristina Michele Martens
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.
23404 1. Update on Development Process, Community Engagement and p. 14
Structure of Proposed Whatcom Racial Equity Commission
In partnership with the Chuckanut Health Foundation (CHF), the City of Bellingham and
Whatcom County are funding, participating in, and supporting a community-led
process to create recommendations for a county-wide Racial Equity Commission.
Heather Flaherty and Shu Ling Zhao, Chuckanut Health Foundation, provided an
update on the community engagement process and summary of their work to-date.
The proposed commission is modeled after the Bellingham-Whatcom County
Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence. The Commission will develop and
recommend actions for local government and community groups. They are currently
gathering feedback, revising recommendations, and plan to introduce an ordinance to
the Whatcom County Council this fall. Next the City of Bellingham will vote to adopt an
Interlocal Agreement.
Councilmembers expressed gratitude and support for work completed to-date and
look forward to the formal creation of the commission this fall.
23405 2. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Declaring an p. 21
Emergency, and Amending the Bellingham Municipal Code in Order to
Adopt by Reference Updated Sections of the Revised Code of
Washington Regarding Antiharassment Orders and No Contact Orders
Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading of
the emergency ordinance.
The MOTION CARRIED 5-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2022-07-020.
City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 5
7/25/2022 Minutes
23382 3. Overview of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy Plan p. 26
Bill Hewett, Fire Chief, returned to Council to provide an update on the Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) levy. On July 12, 2022 the Whatcom County Council
reintroduced the ordinance to place a renewal of the EMS Levy on the ballot at a rate
of $.295 per $1000 of assessed value as recommended by the EMS Oversight Board
(EOB). If the County Council approves the ordinance on July 26th, Chief Hewett will
return to Council on August 1st seeking support of a resolution for the levy. This
resolution is needed for the County to place the issue on the ballot for the general
election.
Chief Hewett also provided a high-level overview of how the planning committee
intends to utilize EMS funding outlined in the 2023-2028 EMS Levy Plan.
23391 4. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes p. 84
Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the July 11, 2022
minutes of the regular City Council meeting as submitted.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5. Old/New Business
Councilmember Martens thanked the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and
community members who attended the Pride Parade and Festival. She also thanked
library staff who are working diligently to address the recent data breach.
Councilmember Martens requested an update on the Immigration Advisory Board and
Resource Center. Brian Heinrich, Deputy Administrator, shared an update can be
provided at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting on August 1st.
Council President Stone highlighted the upcoming single-use plastic ban effective July
31st. The City is committed to education and support for businesses during this
transition. If individuals or businesses have questions, contact askpw@cob.org. The
City now needs to evaluate the number of and use of compostable bins.
Executive Session
No Executive Session.
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 4 of 5
7/25/2022 Minutes
23406 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated June 16, 2022 to p. 104
June 30, 2022
23407 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued July 01, 2022 through July p. 105
07, 2022
23408 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued July 08, 2022 through July p. 106
14, 2022
23409 4. Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Interlocal Cooperative p. 107
Purchasing Agreement (ICPA) Between the City of Bellingham and
Puget Sound Educational Services District (PSESD)
23410 5. Modification to Interlocal Agreement with US Geological Services for p. 111
the PS - Coastal Storm Modeling System
23411 6. Grant From Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission p. 115
for $60,000
Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of the Consent
Agenda in its entirety.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:31pm.
Hannah Stone, Council President
ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED: 8/1/2022
City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 5
7/25/2022 Minutes
Agenda
City of Bellingham
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
July 25, 2022, 7:00 PM
Mayor: Seth Fleetwood Contact: (360) 778-8100, mayorsoffice@cob.org
Council Members: Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Contact: (360) 778-8200, ccmail@cob.org
Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. “Skip” Williams, Lisa Anderson, https://cob.org/council
Michael Lilliquist and Kristina Michele Martens All meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers at
Legislative Assistant: Nalini Margaitis 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA, unless otherwise noted.
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 not required at this time. Council meetings are streamed live via the City’s website at
https://cob.org/meetings and on the City’s YouTube channel at https://cob.org/btv. Meetings
are also 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
listen to the meeting via telephone. Members of the public who would like to listen 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: 919 5742 8832
Password: 9
Advance Public Hearing testimony, and general Public Comment, can always be presented to
the Council:
by mail (210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225)
online
o for a public hearing: https://cob.org/publichearing
o for general public comment: https://cob.org/ccpubliccomment
by telephone (360-778-8200)
Members of the public are also invited to provide live testimony during all Public Hearings. The
topic of each Public Hearing is published in advance. Testimony provided by members of the
public must be on topic. Pre-registration through the sign-up link (https://cob.org/ccsignup) is
encouraged but not required. To testify live during a Public Hearing, speakers can join the
remote meeting at the following link: https://cob.org/cczoom
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.
1. The originally scheduled Public Hearing for July 25 at 7:00 PM has
been rescheduled and will be held on August 29, 2022 at 7:00 PM.
2. On August 1, 2022 at 7:00 PM there will be a Public Hearing to
address the following:
The Bellingham Police Department is applying for a Department of
Justice Assistance Grant and would like to use the grant for
recruitment of new officers through print media, radio, buses, social
media, billboards, and banners. This public notice is a requirement by
the Department of Justice Grants Program that states the grant
application is to be made public and an opportunity to comment is
provided to citizens and neighborhood or community organizations.
Roll Call
Mayor's Report
Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor, if needed.
Information only.
23401 1. Mayor's Appointment of Melissa Morin to the Bellingham Public p. 6
Library Board of Trustees (Approval)
23402 2. Mayor's Reappointments of Dunham Gooding and Brent Walker to p. 12
the Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District (Approval)
23403 3. Mayor's Reappointment of Anna Sorich to the Mayor's Neighborhood p. 13
Advisory Commission (Information)
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:
Committee Of The Whole 1:00 PM
Hannah Stone, Chair
Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist,
Kristina Michele Martens
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.
23404 1. Update on Development Process, Community Engagement and p. 14
Structure of Proposed Whatcom Racial Equity Commission
23405 2. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Declaring an p. 21
Emergency, and Amending the Bellingham Municipal Code in Order to
Adopt by Reference Updated Sections of the Revised Code of
Washington Regarding Antiharassment Orders and No Contact Orders
23382 3. Overview of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Levy Plan p. 26
23391 4. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes p. 84
5. Old/New Business
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.
23406 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated June 16, 2022 to p. 104
June 30, 2022
23407 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued July 01, 2022 through July p. 105
07, 2022
23408 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued July 08, 2022 through July p. 106
14, 2022
23409 4. Authorize the Mayor to Enter into an Interlocal Cooperative p. 107
Purchasing Agreement (ICPA) Between the City of Bellingham and
Puget Sound Educational Services District (PSESD)
23410 5. Modification to Interlocal Agreement with US Geological Services for p. 111
the PS - Coastal Storm Modeling System
23411 6. Grant From Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission p. 115
for $60,000
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://cob.org/meetings. 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 at https://cob.org/btv 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://cob.org/meetings 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, August 1, 2022
Deadline to submit material for any public hearing for inclusion in the published agenda
packet is 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the meeting.
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