City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 30, 2024, 7:00 PM Mayor: Kimberley Lund 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 Jace Cotton Call to Order The City Council Regular meeting was called to order by Council President Pro Tempore Huthman at 7:00pm. Announcements & Upcoming Meetings: Bellingham City Council meets all requirements of the State of Washington Open Public Meetings Act. 1. Land Acknowledgement Statement Before we begin, we acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish and Semiahmoo People who have cared for and tended this land since time immemorial. Truth and acknowledgment are critical to building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. We begin this effort to acknowledge what has been buried by honoring the truth. We pay respect to their elders past and present. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today. And please join us in uncovering such truths at any and all public events. 2. Language Access The Bellingham City Council provides Spanish interpretation at all regular evening meetings. Interpretation can be accessed by in-person attendees by utilizing the headsets located at the front of the room. Remote viewers can log on to cob.org/cczoom and click on the "Language" icon at the bottom of the screen to listen in Spanish. 3. Public Hearing for a Bellingham Police Department Grant Application The Bellingham City Council will hold a public hearing on October 7, 2024 to take public comment on the Bellingham Police Department's application for a grant through the Department of Justice, BJA FY24 Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant (JAG). The Police Department would like to purchase six WRAP Restraint Systems and add four new team members and equipment to the Bike Response Team (BRT). 4. Public Hearing Regarding the 2025 Budget The Bellingham City Council will hold a Public Hearing on October 7, 2024 to take public comment on the Proposed 2025 Budget. The Proposed 2025 Budget has been filed with the City Clerk and is available to view online at: https://www.cob.org/gov/budget. Hard copies are available to view in the Finance Department at City Hall. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes Roll Call Present: 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 Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Excused Council President Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24247 1. Mayor's Reappointment to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission p. 7 (Information) Mayor Lund reappointed Jake Charlton to the Neighborhood Advisory Commission as the Happy Valley Neighborhood Primary Representative to his final term, which will expire on September 19, 2026. 24248 2. Mayor's Reappointment to the Bellingham Arts Commission (Approval) p. 10 Mayor Lund reappointed Amy Chaloupka to her final term on the Bellingham Arts and Commission, which expire on October 24, 2028. Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of Amy Chaloupka to her final term on the Bellingham Arts and Commission, which expires on October 24, 2028. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Mayor Lund recapped her presentation on the 2025 Budget at the Committee of the Whole meeting this afternoon and expressed a commitment to strategic investments for the City while ensuring long-term fiscal responsibility. Mayor Lund shared how she and other leaders from the City recently traveled to attend a national Equity Summit in Atlanta, Georgia hosted by PolicyLink. Mayor Lund expressed gratitude for the partnership with City Council to lead through difficult decisions. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes Council Standing Committee Meetings: Committee of the Whole - Executive Session 8:50 AM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Kraham, approx. 10 min.) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved to approve the real estate purchase described in the City’s executed purchase and sale agreement with the property owner, Pacific Northwest Credit Union, with a purchase price of $1,260,000 and with closing to occur on or before November 10, 2025. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 2. Potential Property Acquisition (Marriner, approx. 10 min.) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Lisa Anderson / Jace Cotton moved to approve the purchase of the 3.4 acre parcel located at 1492 Telegraph Road described in the City’s executed purchase and sale agreement with the property owner, Leeanna Newlin, with a purchase price of $1,600,000. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 3. Labor Relations: Discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy (Sullivan, approx. 10 min.) Staff provided information on a labor relations matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 4. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 5 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. 5 min.) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. Public Works and Natural Resources 9:30 AM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes 24249 1. Approval of an Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County for Lake Whatcom Forestp. 12 Management Plan Partnership Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, Renee LaCroix, Assistant Director Natural Resources, and Mike Parleskin, Natural Resources Field Operations Manager, presented an interlocal agreement (ILA) with Whatcom County for a Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan partnership. The Public Works Department is seeking to partner with the Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department to develop a Forest Management Plan for the Lake Whatcom Watershed. The plan will serve as a long-range tool for the coordinated management of City and County-owned forestland. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County to create a coordinated Forest Management Plan for the Lake Whatcom Watershed. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 24250 2. A Resolution Adopting Elements of the 2024 Fiber Network Comprehensive Plan in p. 19 Order to Improve Fiber Network Redundancy and Resiliency and to Support the City's Needs in the Future Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, Steve Haugen, Superintendent of Traffic, Fiber, and Parking, and John Gaven, Fiber Optic Network Engineer, presented a resolution adopting elements of the 2024 Fiber Network Comprehensive Report and creating a Fiber Network plan. The report included a long-term City fiber needs map and necessary infrastructure upgrades to support existing and future network needs. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Michael Lilliquist moved final approval of Resolution #2024-23 as amended during the Public Works and Natural Resources Committee meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. Community and Economic Development 10:20 AM Jace Cotton, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman 24251 1. Old Town Base Camp Presentation by Lighthouse Mission Ministries p. 190 Hans Erchinger-Davis, President and CEO of Lighthouse Mission Ministries, Brittany Hargrove, Chief Program Officer at Lighthouse Mission Ministries, and Tara Sundin, Community and Economic Development Manager, provided an overview of the new enhanced shelter services located in Old Town at the new Lighthouse Mission facility. The new facility will offer a comprehensive array of services for up to 300 guests, providing support to individuals at various stages of life and recovery. Council Members discussed the new facility and services and asked questions. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes Committee Of The Whole 1:00 PM Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24252 1. Presentation of the 2025 Proposed Budget p. 221 Mayor Lund and Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, presented an overview of the proposed 2025 budget. For the next month, staff will present their budget priorities and needs to Council. The full budget proposal is available online. Council Members discussed the budget proposal and asked questions. 24253 2. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham Relating to Landlord Tenant Relations, p. 225 Adopting a New Chapter in Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Prohibiting Landlords from Charging Tenants Unfair or Excessive Fees in Residential Rental Agreements and Leases Council Member Jace Cotton, Iris Nott, Legislative Policy Analyst, Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, and James Erb, Deputy City Attorney, presented the draft ordinance relating to landlord tenant relations by prohibiting excessive fees in residential rental agreements and leases. The proposed ordinance seeks to address junk fees in Bellingham, including defining fees that qualify as “unfair or excessive,” establishing fines and other civil penalties, and prohibiting retaliation against individuals attempting to exercise their rights. Council Members discussed the draft ordinance and asked questions. This item will return for additional discussion at a future meeting. 24254 3. An Ordinance Related to Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Relations, p. 270 Adopting a New Chapter in Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Prohibiting Landlords from Charging Unfair or Excessive Fees in Manufactured/Mobile Home Lease Agreements Council Member Jace Cotton, Iris Nott, Legislative Policy Analyst, Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, and James Erb, Deputy City Attorney, presented the draft ordinance relating to landlord tenant relations by prohibiting excessive fees in manufactured/mobile home lease agreements. The proposed ordinance seeks to address junk fees in Bellingham, including defining fees that qualify as “unfair or excessive,” establishing fines and other civil penalties, and prohibiting retaliation against individuals attempting to exercise their rights. Council Members discussed the draft ordinance and asked questions. This item will return for additional discussion at a future meeting. 24267 4. Renewal of Interlocal Agreement for Inmate Housing at South Correctional Entity p. 291 (SCORE) Police Chief Mertzig presented the renewal of an interlocal agreement (ILA) for inmate housing at the South Correctional Entity (SCORE). The ILA allows the Bellingham Police Department to continue transporting arrestees that will not be booked in the local jail to SCORE for correctional services. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes  Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the Interlocal Agreement for inmate housing at the South Correctional Entity. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. ABSTAINED: Jace Cotton 24255 5. Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) Program Evaluation p. 310 Blake Lyon, Planning and Community Development Director, Scott Pelton, Manager at the Whatcom Housing Alliance, and Cadence Petros, Jennifer Cannon, and Mackenzie Visser from Eco Northwest, presented a summary of the current Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) Program and requested Council's feedback on how to modify the program. Council Members discussed the presentation, provided feedback, and asked questions. 24256 6. A Resolution Directing the Administration to Create a Limited Term Keep p. 373 Washington Working Act (KWW) Advisory Work Group to Study the Act, Advise the City on Compliance, and Recommend Related Policy Considerations Council Member Stone presented the resolution to create a limited term Keep Washington Working Act (KWW) Advisory Work Group to study the act, advise the City on compliance, and recommend related policies. The work group would include community members with lived experience and/or connections to the immigrant community in Bellingham and training in specified fields relating to the goals and requirements of the KWW. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved final approval of Resolution #2024-24 as amended during the Committee of the Whole meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 24257 7. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Dissolving the Immigration p. 406 Advisory Board and Repealing Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.26 Council Member Stone presented the draft ordinance dissolving the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) and repealing Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.26. In response to the City creating the Keep Washington Working Act (KWW) Advisory Work Group, the proposal dissolves the IAB and allows members to apply to participate on the KWW working group, another City advisory group, or lend their support to the community in other ways. Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 4-2. OPPOSED: Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes 24258 8. All-City Climate Workplan 2025 p. 410 Seth Vidaña, Climate and Energy Manager, presented the 2025 Climate Workplan. The City first adopted a Climate Protection Action Plan in 2007 and revised the plan again in 2018. Council Members discussed the work plan and asked questions. 9. Old/New Business Council Member Stone highlighted BTV's recognition by the National Association of Council Telecommunications Officers and Advisors for their local government programming. Telecom Council Member Anderson recapped her request during this afternoon's Old/New Business to Council request the administration to review the Emergency Powers section of the Bellingham Municipal request Code (BMC) to ensure the City is not in conflict with federal or state laws. The administration plans Code (B to address this as part of a larger review and clean-up of the BMC. to addre 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. 24259 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated August 16, 2024 to August 31, p. 422 2024 24260 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 06, 2024 through September 12, p. 423 2024 24261 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 13, 2024 through September 19, p. 424 2024 24262 4. Contract Award for 2024 Crack Seal Program, Bid No. 36B-2024 p. 425 24263 5. The Bellingham Police Department's Intent to Apply for the BJA FY24 Edward Byrne p. 436 Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 24265 6. Inter-Agency Agreements with Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) to p. 487 Sponsor Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Members for Restoration and Conservation Work 24266 7. An Interlocal Agreement between Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to p. 505 Provide Parking for the Bellingham Senior Activity Center 24264 8. Approval of the 9/16/2024 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 510 Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes Final Consideration of Ordinances 24235 1. An Ordinance Establishing a Shelter Protection Area Immediately Adjacent to the p. 522 Way Station Located at 1500 N State Street within which Certain Activities that Adversely Affect the Operations and Residents of the Way Station and the Adjacent Area are Prohibited in Public Spaces Lisa Anderson / Michael Lilliquist 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, Huthman, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: Hammill MOTION CARRIED 6-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2024-09-025. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from 28 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 8:55pm. Hollie Huthman, Council President Pro Tempore ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 10/21/2024 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 9/30/2024 Minutes