City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 6, 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 November 20, the Council will hold a Public Hearing to take comment on the Proposed 2023-2024 Biennial Budget Adjustment. The proposed adjustment has been filed with the City Clerk and is available to view online at: https://www.cob.org/gov/budget. Roll Call Present: Council President Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Kristina Michele Martens, At Large Public Hearing 23915 1. First Public Hearing on the 2023-2024 Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustment p. 5 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, provided an overview of the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget Adjustment, which changes revenues, expenses and positions throughout the City budget. President Lilliquist opened the Public Hearing. Two individuals provided testimony. President Lilliquist closed the Public Hearing Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates and reports to Council by the Mayor. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 11/6/2023 Minutes  There were no items for the Mayor's Report. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Public Works and Natural Resources 1:00 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Kristina Michele Martens 23916 1. Bicycle Master Plan Update p. 12 Eric Johnston, Public Works Director, Joel Pfundt, Assistant Director of Transportation, and Addie Candib, Chair of the City's Transportation Commission, provided an update on the Bicycle Master Plan. The Bellingham Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) was adopted by City Council in October 2014 with the purpose of identifying how to create a safe, connected bicycle network and programs to encourage biking in our community. A cross-departmental staff team, consultants, and the Transportation Commission are working to develop a draft update to the BMP using community feedback that can be integrated into the City's Comprehensive Plan. The BMP will return for Council review in February 2024. Council Members discussed and asked questions. Committee Of The Whole 2:00 PM Michael Lilliquist Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Kristina Michele Martens 23917 1. Budget Work Session p. 28 Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, highlighted additional items for the mid-biennial adjustment including,  Recognizing $1 million of extraordinary sales tax revenue received in 2023 from a taxpayer audit performed by Washington State.  Re-budgeting $5.05 million of lapsed American Rescue Plan Act budget authority added in the 2022 budget.  Removing $2 million of General Fund budget authority for the Library Remodel capital project that was related to a grant the City did not receive.  Cleaning-up incorrectly budgeted positions in Library, Finance, Police, and Public Works departments (-$313,500).  Adjusting Medic One Fund revenue ($1,890,000) and expense ($640,000), consistent with recently approved inter-local agreements and expected 2024 service agreement with Whatcom County.  Correcting pay to a number of e-team positions to ensure parity with equivalent unionized positions ($79,000). City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 11/6/2023 Minutes   Recognizing grant revenue ($509,000) and budget grant expense ($109,000) for Police Department grants received.  Recognizing revenue and budget expense for Whatcom County’s contribution to the winter shelter program ($250,000). Fire Chief Bill Hewett, presented a high-level summary of the mid-biennium adjustments for the Fire Department including,  Revenue corrections consistent with new Medic One contract amounts totaling $2.8 million.  Adjustments for EMS contracts that were completed in October.  One new firefighter to offset Juneteenth holiday.  Additions to ambulance fleet for new BLS units.  PFAS-free personal protective equipment.  Funding for department wide Cultural Climate Assessment.  Replacement of air bottle filling station and compressor.  Replacement of burn room at Britton Loop training facility.  Expense adjustments to align budget with actual department expenses, includes aligning fleet budget with charges, increases in costs for initial and ongoing medical/physicals, increased costs for uniforms, protective equipment, maintenance, and fuel. Council Members discussed and asked questions on the modifications. 23921 2. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington Relating to the Levying of Taxes p. 35 and Establishing the Amount to be Raised in 2024 on the Assessed Valuation of the Property within the City Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Forrest Longman, Deputy Finance Director, presented on the draft ordinance, which will increase property taxes by the statutorily allowed one percent for 2024. City Council held a public hearing on the 2024 revenue projections on October 30, 2023. Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Old/New Business Council Member Martens reiterated her request for the administration to review the draft ordinance regarding penalties for rental property owners/operators in Bellingham found to be out of compliance with Washington State warranty of habitability standards and the international property maintenance code that she introduced at the October 30, 2023 meeting. The administration anticipates returning for additional discussion in December. Executive Session 2:30 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 11/6/2023 Minutes  1. Potential Property Acquisition (Marriner, approx 30 min) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Litigation (Kraham, approx 15 min) Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 4. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 5. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 6. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 7. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 8. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx 3 min) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. Consent Agenda City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 11/6/2023 Minutes 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. 23918 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated October 01, 2023 to October 15, p. 40 2023 23919 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued October 20, 2023 through October 26, 2023 p. 41 23920 3. Interlocal Jail Facility Use Agreement for 2024 p. 42 Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 23909 1. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington Amending the Fee Schedule for p. 46 the Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program. Daniel Hammill / Hollie Huthman moved approval for third and final reading. Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend the ordinance to include, "Section 2, The fee schedule adopted by this ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2024." MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Upon amendment approval, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: AYES: Lilliquist, Stone, Huthman, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Martens NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2023-11-031. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comment from three individuals. To access the recording, visit the Public Comment Period Recordings page. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:36pm. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 11/6/2023 Minutes Michael Lilliquist, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 12/4/2023 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 11/6/2023 Minutes