City Council - Regular Meeting

Name: City Council - Regular Meeting — Bellingham, WA
Start: 2024-10-07T19:00:00
End: 2024-10-07T21:00:00
Location: Bellingham, WA

Regular Meeting

Bellingham, WA · October 7, 2024

Agenda Minutes Packet Video Recording

Minutes

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 7, 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 Hammill 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. Upcoming Budget Work Sessions The Bellingham City Council will hold a series of Special Meetings to conduct 2025 Budget Work Sessions. Special Meetings are planned for October 14th and October 28th. An additional Special Meeting may be held on November 12th if necessary. Budget Work Sessions will also be held during the regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole meetings on October 21st and November 4th. Agendas and details for all meetings may be viewed at meetings.cob.org. 4. Public Hearing Regarding the 2025 Revenue Forecast The Bellingham City Council will hold a Public Hearing on October 7, 2024 to take public comment on the 2025 Revenue Forecast, including the 2025 property tax levy. Roll Call Present: Council President Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 10/7/2024 Minutes Council Member Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward (Attended remotely) Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Public Hearing 24268 1. Public Hearing for the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) as p. 6 a Public Notice Requirement Police Chief Mertzig presented a summary of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) application. The Bellingham Police Department is applying for a grant through the Department of Justice, BJA Fiscal Year 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant to purchase six WRAP Restraint Systems and add four new team members and equipment to the Bike Response Team (BRT). The public hearing is a requirement by the Department of Justice Grants Program. Council Members discussed the grant and asked questions. Council President Hammill opened the public hearing. No individuals provided testimony. Council President Hammill closed the public hearing. 24269 2. First Public Hearing for the 2025 Budget p. 8 Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, and Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, provided a summary of the proposed 2025 Budget. Council President Hammill opened the public hearing. No individuals provided testimony. Council President Hammill closed the public hearing. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24275 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Information) p. 24 Mayor Lund appointed Holly Miller to her first term on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which will expire on September 30, 2027. Mayor Lund invited the community to attend an Indigenous People's Day Celebration on October 14th from 5-8pm at the Lummi Nation School. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 10/7/2024 Minutes Mayor Lund highlighted several street construction projects that are near completion including, • Holly Street and the reopening of another driving lane • Restriping on Elwood and 32nd Street and Samish overpass • Telegraph Road improvements • Meridian and West Illinois roundabout and crossings Mayor Lund expressed appreciation for staff who contributed to these projects and the community at-large for their patience during construction. Mayor Lund encouraged the community to watch the Community & Economic Development Committee meeting to learn more about the housing pipeline for low-to-moderate income households. Mayor Lund acknowledged the anniversary of the October 7th attack and the struggle for peace around the world. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Committee Of The Whole 9:00 AM Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24270 1. Budget Work Session p. 30 Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, outlined permanent and temporary revenue changes for the proposed 2025 budget. Police Chief Mertzig provided an overview of the 2024 Bellingham Police Department achievements, and the proposed 2025 budget and work plan. Council Members discussed the department’s accomplishments and proposed budget and asked questions. Fire Chief Hewett provided an overview of the 2024 Bellingham Fire Department achievements, and the proposed 2025 budget and work plan. Council Members discussed the department’s accomplishments and proposed budget and asked questions. 24271 2. Economic Development Investment (EDI) Interlocal Grant Agreement with Whatcom p. 31 County for Construction of the Bellingham Mitigation Bank - Bear Creek Corridor Site Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Analiese Burns, Habitat and Restoration Manager, presented the interlocal agreement with Whatcom County for construction of the Bellingham Mitigation Bank. The Economic Development Investment Grant provides key funding to City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 10/7/2024 Minutes construct the first site within the mitigation bank, the Bear Creek Corridor. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval of the Economic Development Investment Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County for construction of the Bellingham Mitigation Bank Bear Creek corridor site. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3. Old/New Business Council Member Stone thanked Mayor Lund for her remarks related to Rabbi Samuel's comments. Council Member Stone asked if the Council would support resolutions encouraging voters to reject the state initiatives 2066, 2109, 2117, and 2124. Council Members expressed support for passing resolutions. Alan Marriner, City Attorney, stated that Council will need to hold a public hearing for each resolution. Council Member Huthman shared that Council needed to provide a representative to serve on the Whatcom County Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee. Hollie Huthman / Jace Cotton moved to recommend the appointment of Council President Hammill to serve on the Whatcom County Justice Project Oversight and Planning Committee. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Lilliquist shared that work continues on the junk fee ordinances with stakeholders and planning for public engagement. Executive Session 11:10 AM 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. Community and Economic Development 1:00 PM Jace Cotton, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman 24272 1. Low-to-Moderate Income Affordable Housing Production Pipeline p. 75 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 10/7/2024 Minutes Tara Sundin, Community and Economic Development Manager, welcomed community partners to discuss their housing projects as part of the community’s low-to-moderate income affordable housing pipeline. Community partners included, • Adrienne Wyld, Housing Development Manager, Opportunity Council • Ellen Lohe, Associate Director of Real Estate Development, Mercy Housing Northwest • Andrew Calkins, Executive Director, Bellingham & Whatcom Housing Authority • Rose Lathrop, Executive Director, Kulshan Community Land Trust • Marcelo Pratesi, Director of Advancement and Communications, Habitat for Humanity • Jeanne Le Duc, Director of Real Estate, Catholic Community Services; Director of Housing at Catholic Housing Services • Paul Schissler, Madrona Community Development Council Members discussed the projects and asked questions. 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. 24273 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated September 1, 2024 to p. 94 September 15, 2024 24274 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 20, 2024 through September 26, p. 95 2024 Hollie Huthman / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24257 1. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Dissolving the Immigration p. 96 Advisory Board and Repealing Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.26 Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 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: Hammill, Stone, Huthman, Williams, Anderson NAYS: Lilliquist, Cotton EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 5-2 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2024-10-026. OPPOSED: Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton Public Comment Period City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 10/7/2024 Minutes City Council heard public comments from 24 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 8:34pm. Daniel Hammill, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 11/4/2024 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 10/7/2024 Minutes

Agenda

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Agenda October 7, 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 Legislative Manager: Jackie Lassiter Watch Council Meetings Live The City Council Regular meetings are conducted in a hybrid setting: both in-person and online. In Person: All meetings are held in Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, unless otherwise noted. The doors unlock at 6:30 PM for the 7:00 PM meeting. Live on YouTube and Comcast: 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 on BTV: Comcast channels 321 and 10. Via Telephone: Members of the public who do not have cable or internet access may listen to the meeting via telephone by calling (253) 215-8782 and entering Meeting ID: 820 8245 2733 and Password: 9 Language Access: Spanish interpretation will be available at the Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM. In-person attendees will have interpretation headsets available to them. Remote attendees can navigate to www.cob.org/cczoom to login via Zoom, then select the interpretation channel at the bottom of the screen. Those wishing to offer public comment in Spanish will be able to do so and their comments will be interpreted into English. Provide your Input During a Meeting: To speak during a Public Hearing or Public Comment Session, advance registration is required. Sign-up sheets will be available outside the Council Chamber doors starting at 6:30 PM the evening of the meeting. Registration closes when the meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Please note: Public comment is currently available only to in-person attendees. In light of recent hate speech incidents across the state, the Bellingham City Council will not be offering public comment via Zoom until further notice. The City may provide accommodation for individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in City Council’s public comment period, including virtual participation options. Please contact the Council Office at (360) 778-8200 or ccmail@cob.org to request an accommodation no later than 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting. Public comment is always welcome via e-mail, phone, or mail. Before or After a Meeting: Advance written Public Hearing testimony and general written Public Comment can be presented: • By mail addressed to: City Council, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 • Electronically: o For a public hearing: https://cob.org/publichearing o For general public comment: E-mail all Council Members at ccmail@cob.org. Regular Meeting 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 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. Upcoming Budget Work Sessions The Bellingham City Council will hold a series of Special Meetings to conduct 2025 Budget Work Sessions. Special Meetings are planned for October 14th and October 28th. An additional Special Meeting may be held on November 12th if necessary. Budget Work Sessions will also be held during the regularly scheduled Committee of the Whole meetings on October 21st and November 4th. Agendas and details for all meetings may be viewed at meetings.cob.org. 4. Public Hearing Regarding the 2025 Revenue Forecast The Bellingham City Council will hold a Public Hearing on October 21, 2024 to take public comment on the 2025 Revenue Forecast, including the 2025 property tax levy. Details will be available on meetings.cob.org five days prior to the meeting. Roll Call Public Hearing 24268 1. Public Hearing for the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) as a p. 6 Public Notice Requirement 24269 2. First Public Hearing for the 2025 Budget p. 8 Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24275 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Information) p. 24 Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions 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 Committee Meetings identified below also serves as notice for Special Meetings of the City Council as Council Members routinely attend and participate in Committees they are not a member of. 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 9:00 AM Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24270 1. Budget Work Session p. 30 24271 2. Economic Development Investment (EDI) Interlocal Grant Agreement with Whatcom p. 31 County for Construction of the Bellingham Mitigation Bank - Bear Creek Corridor Site 3. Old/New Business Executive Session 11:10 AM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) Community and Economic Development 1:00 PM Jace Cotton, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman 24272 1. Low-to-Moderate Income Affordable Housing Production Pipeline p. 75 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. 24273 1. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated September 1, 2024 to September p. 94 15, 2024 24274 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued September 20, 2024 through September 26, p. 95 2024 Final Consideration of Ordinances 24257 1. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington, Dissolving the Immigration p. 96 Advisory Board and Repealing Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 2.26 Public Comment Period Advance sign-up is required for participation. Sign-up sheets will be available starting at 6:30 PM the evening of the meeting. Registration closes when the meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Each speaker will have three minutes. Oral public comment is currently only available to in-person attendees. Remote public comment via Zoom has been suspended until further notice. Exceptions for those requiring an accommodation for disability may be made. Please see the first page of the agenda for further details. Video of the public comment session will be available by visiting, https://cob.org/commentrecordings. 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 Finance Office at City Hall. Meeting Live Broadcasts and Recordings 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. Television: 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). Meetings are rebroadcast on the following 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 Online Streaming: The meetings are streamed live at https://cob.org/btv. Online viewers will see exactly what cable customers would see. Video: Video recordings of each meeting are available on the Internet at https://cob.org/meetings within five business days following each 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 Council Office at (360) 778-8200 in advance of the meeting. Next City Council Meeting Monday, October 21, 2024 Deadline to submit material for any public hearing for inclusion in the published agenda packet is 10:00 AM. on Wednesday prior to the meeting.

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