City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 14, 2023, 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 Call to Order The City Council Regular meeting was called to order by Council President Lilliquist at 7pm. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 1. On September 11, 2023, the City Council will hold a public hearing to consider a comprehensive plan amendment to rezone a property located at 2825 Lindshier Ave. in Area 1 of the Irongate Neighborhood from Industrial, Planned to Residential, Single and adding the property to the Barkley Neighborhood. Roll Call Present: Council President Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Kristina Michele Martens, At Large Excused Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Public Hearing 23817 1. A Public Hearing to Consider a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Rezone Area 1 of p. 6 the Samish Neighborhood and Area 21 of the Puget Neighborhood from Commercial, Auto to Commercial, Planned Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, and Anya Gedrath, Planner 2, presented on the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to rezone Area 1 of the Samish Neighborhood and Area 21 of the Puget Neighborhood from Commercial, Auto to Commercial, Planned. The proposal will rezone all remaining Commercial, Auto subareas to a Commercial, Planned zoning designation that permits residential uses outright. The Bellingham Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 1, 2023 and voted 6-0 in support of the staff recommended zoning for the property. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 8/14/2023 Minutes  President Lilliquist opened the Public Hearing. One individual provided testimony. President Lilliquist closed the Public Hearing. Council Members discussed the rezones and the draft ordinance and asked questions. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Lisa Anderson moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 23818 1. Mayor's Reappointment to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission p. 91 (Information) Mayor Fleetwood reappointed Christopher Grannis as the South Neighborhood Primary Representative on the Neighborhood Advisory Commission, to his final term, which will expire on August 17, 2025. 23819 2. Mayor's Reappointment to the Community Development Advisory Board p. 93 (Information) Mayor Fleetwood reappointed Shannon Laws to her first full term on the Community Development Advisory Board, which will expire on August 21, 2026, at which time she may be reappointed. Mayor Fleetwood shared that the City is field testing climate tools, including assisting homeowners convert to electric appliances. You can learn more about this program and others online. Mayor Fleetwood shared that August 30th is Overdose Awareness Day and a community event will be held from 12pm to 6pm at the Lee Memorial Park lawn (behind the Bellingham Public Library at 210 Central Avenue). Mayor Fleetwood recognized the tragedy on Maui and how the City is focusing on learning and preparing for such an event locally. City Council Special Meeting 1:00 PM 23820 1. Closed Record Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Regarding the Street Vacation for p. 98 the Westerly 10-Feet of 10th Street Abutting Lots 1-4, Block 1 and Lot 1 and South Half of Lot 2, Block 2, Town of Bellingham Boiler Works LLC petitioned the City to vacate a portion of the westerly 10-feet of 10th Street and Fillmore Avenue west of 10th Street in exchange for portions of the petitioner’s privately owned City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 8/14/2023 Minutes  aquatic tidelands, in order to facilitate a future development project. The Hearing Examiner held a public hearing on June 28, 2023 and recommended approval of the vacation. Council voted to accept the Hearing Examiner's recommendations, approved $46, 400 in compensation for the right-of-way, and moved the street vacation ordinance for first and second reading. 23821 2. Closed Record Hearing to Consider an Ordinance Relating to a Street Vacation for the p. 123 Platted Alley within Block 299 of the Plat of Supplemental Map of the Town of Whatcom, Whatcom County, Washington The Bellingham School District petitioned the City to vacate a 4,000 square foot platted alley traversing the Columbia Elementary School north to south within Block 299, Supplemental Map of the Town of Whatcom, to clear title prior to the redesign of the Columbia Elementary School. The Hearing Examiner held a public hearing on the School District's petition on July 12, 2023 and recommended approval of the vacation. Council voted to accept the Hearing Examiner's recommendations, waived compensation for the right-of-way, and moved the street vacation ordinance for first and second reading. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Planning 1:30 PM Lisa Anderson, Chair Hannah Stone, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 23822 1. Discussion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Begin a Type VI Legislative p. 143 Review of a Proposed Amendment to Fairhaven Urban Village Standards Kurt Nabbefeld, Planning Development Services Manager, and Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, presented on the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin a Type VI legislative review of an amendment to the Fairhaven Urban Village standards. A contract purchaser of the property located generally at 1130 11th St (commonly referred to as the Pit) has requested the Planning and Community Development Director to initiate a text amendment to increase the allowed height on the subject property. The MOU will be formalized in a development agreement that Council will later approve. Dave Christensen, Architect, spoke in support of the project. Council Members discussed the draft MOU and asked questions. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 8/14/2023 Minutes Community and Economic Development 2:15 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Kristina Michele Martens 23823 1. Presentation on the 2023 Point in Time (PIT) Report p. 149 Tara Sundin, Community and Economic Development Manager, and Chris D’Onofrio, Housing and Homeless Services Supervisor at Whatcom County Health & Community Services Department, presented on the 2023 Point in Time (PIT) Report, an annual count of the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the community. The report reviewed past PIT reports, mechanics of the count, demographic trends, and how local trends align with statewide trends. Council Members discussed the report and asked questions. Committee Of The Whole 3:00 PM Michael Lilliquist Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Kristina Michele Martens 23824 1. Recreational Vehicle Parking p. 171 On July 24th, 2023, Mayor Fleetwood proposed Council review a draft ordinance related to safe recreational vehicle (RV) parking including prohibiting RV parking within 1,000 feet of schools and childcare centers in conjunction with soliciting safe parking operators. Council Members discussed the draft ordinance and asked questions. The administration will return to discuss the outcome of the RFP for operators and with a refined proposal in September. 2. Old/New Business President Lilliquist shared that during the afternoon meeting, Council Member Skip Williams was recommended to serve on the Whatcom County Opioid Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Group. Council Member Martens requested the Planning and Community Development Department respond to questions from residents of the Eleanor Apartments. Council Member Anderson expressed concerns about students returning to schools and added that the Mayor's Office is working on improving safe walking routes for students, specifically at Carl Cozier Elementary School and the Boys and Girls Club. Council Member Stone sought clarification on the safe parking zoning ordinance and possible conflicts with BMC 20.16, related to recreational vehicle parks. President Lilliquist shared that he and other Council Members attended an educational event for resident owned communities in manufactured home parks. The event seeks to inform residents of their legal rights if the park owner seeks to sell the property. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 8/14/2023 Minutes Executive Session 3:30 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 4. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 5. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 6. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 7. Potential Litigation (Stamps, approx. 10 min) Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Kenyon Disend law firm to provide legal advice and representation to the City on eminent domain matters. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 8/14/2023 Minutes 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. 23825 1. 2023 Washington State Department of Commerce STOP Grant p. 182 Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 23811 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget – Amendment No. 7 p. 225 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: Lilliquist, Stone, Huthman, Williams, Anderson, Martens NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: Hammill MOTION CARRIED 6-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2023-08-023. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comment from eight individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham (cob.org). Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:13pm. Michael Lilliquist, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 9/11/2023 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 8/14/2023 Minutes