City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 4, 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. Roll Call Present: Council President Daniel Hammill, Third 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 Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Public Hearing 24306 1. Public Hearing and Resolution on the Proposed Relinquishment of a Surplus Utility p. 6 Easement Encumbering 701 and 705 N State Street City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 7 11/4/2024 Minutes  Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, provided a summary of the resolution, which reqlinquishes a surplus utility easement that encumbers real property on 701 and 705 North State Street so that the property owner can facilitate development. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Council President Hammill opened the public hearing. One individual provided testimony. Council President Hammill closed the public hearing Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved final approval of Resolution #2024-31. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24307 2. Second Public Hearing on the 2025 Budget p. 18 Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, and Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, returned to review the proposed 2025 Budget. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. Council President Hammill opened the public hearing. Three 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. 24308 1. Mayor's Reappointment to the Historic Preservation Commission (Approval) p. 32 Mayor Lund reappointed Kolby LaBree to a third term on the Historic Preservation Commission, which will expire on November 5, 2027. Hollie Huthman / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval of Kolby LaBree to a third term on the Historic Preservation Commission, which will expire on November 5, 2027. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor Lund shared two upcoming opportunities for community members to engage in the City's future, • Long-term planning for the Civic Field Complex. Learn more about upcoming opportunities to engage online. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 11/4/2024 Minutes  • Bellingham Plan Open Houses throughout November. Learn more about upcoming opportunities to engage online. Mayor Lund highlighted the suspension of public comment while measures to improve Council Chambers security are evaluated. The City is striving to balance keeping City Hall open and accessible while addressing concerns that have been raised by employees, labor union leaders, and members of the public. Mayor Lund thanked City leaders and City Council for their collaboration to develop the 2025 budget. 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 10:30 AM Daniel Hammill, Chair Hannah Stone, Hollie Huthman, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24309 1. Budget Work Session p. 34 Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, reviewed the memo in the packet to discuss proposed 2025 budget modifications. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the following modifications to the 2025 budget, Errata & Corrections • Human Resources Department - correct budgeted positions table to 3.6 FTE Human Resource Analysts from 2.4 FTE. • Library – correct budgeted positions table to remove 0.8 FTE Library Assistant. • Add revenue and expense in fleet fund associated with new fleet vehicle purchases ($182,000; Fleet Fund). • Recognize medic student training costs and revenue from Whatcom County ($649,800; General Fund – Offsetting Revenue) New Operational Proposals • Add to Public Facilities District budget to support professional services ($100,000; Public Facilities District Fund). • Information Technology Services Department - remove 1.0 FTE Technical Services and Support Specialist and replace with 1.0 Systems Analyst 1 ($11,000; IT Services Fund) • Police Department - remove 1.0 Traffic Officer and replace with 1.0 Sargent ($17,000; General Fund). • Move 3.5 FTE Security & Information Attendants to the Facilities Division of the Public Works Department and increase by 0.5 FTE. This change allows Facilities to offer civic City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 11/4/2024 Minutes  campus security as a central service and provides additional hours to existing positions to support security at City Hall ($20,000; General Fund). • Transfer $30,000 from Police Department to Fire Department for mental health services to the Fire Department. • Add 1.0 Environmental Coordinator and 4.0 FTE crew to manage the extensive property holdings in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. ($732,000; Watershed Acquisition Fund). • Stormwater Fund vehicle replacement upgrade ($75,000; Stormwater Fund). New and Modified Capital Projects • Feasibility, planning and design for proposed new skate park under the Bay Street Bridge ($100,000; REET 1). • Feasibility, planning and design for remodel of Federal Building ($250,000; REET 1). • Padden Creek Fish Passage Project Modification ($675,000; Stormwater Fund– Grant Supported). • Harris Avenue Multimodal Improvements ($820,000; Transportation, Water and Wastewater Funds). • Edgemoor Sewer Improvements ($2,367,000; Wastewater and Stormwater Funds). • Sewer System Annual Improvements ($1,000,000; Wastewater Fund). • Lower Padden Creek Water Quality ($223,989; Stormwater Fund– Grant Supported). • Lower Squalicum Creek Enhanced Treatment ($23,679; Stormwater Fund– Grant Supported). • Little Squalicum Creek Water Quality Retrofits, Phase 3 ($769,638; Stormwater Fund – Grant Supported). MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Tami Bennett, Court Director, provided an overview of the 2024 Municipal Court's achievements, and the proposed 2025 budget and work plan. Council Members discussed the court's accomplishments, proposed budget, and asked questions. 2. Executive Session Litigation: City of Bellingham v. Fang Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 24310 3. Annual Report from the Hearing Examiner p. 37 Sharon Rice, Hearing Examiner, provided her annual report to Council, which reviewed the administration's land use policies and regulatory ordinances, and made several recommendations for improvement. Council Members discussed the presentation and recommendations and asked questions. 24311 4. An Ordinance of the City of Bellingham, Washington Relating to the Levy of Taxes p. 49 and Establishing the Amount to be Raised in 2025 on the Assessed Valuation of the Property within the City City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 11/4/2024 Minutes  Forrest Longman, Deputy Administrator, presented the draft ordinance, which increases the 2025 property tax levy by the statutorily allowed one percent. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24312 5. A Resolution Supporting Increased Funding for the Bellingham Food Bank in the p. 53 Mayor’s 2025 Budget Council President Hammill presented the resolution, which offers support for increased funding at the Bellingham Food Bank in the current 2025 budget proposal and affirms Council's commitment to addressing food insecurity. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved final approval of Resolution #2024-29. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24313 6. A Resolution Setting the Dates and Times of the 2025 City Council Meetings p. 56 Council President Hammill presented the resolution, which sets the 2025 City Council meeting schedule. Council Members discussed the schedule and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved final approval of Resolution #2024-30. MOTION CARRIED 6-1. Opposed: Jace Cotton 7. Old/New Business Council Member Stone requested the Council discuss public comment and safety measures prior to the new leadership beginning in 2025. Public Works and Natural Resources 1:55 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist 24295 1. Recycling and Single-Use Plastics Update p. 60 Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, Mike Olinger, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Sean ONeill, Sanitation and Solid Waste Manager, provided an update on the implementation of recycling and single-use plastics regulations, and ongoing data collection and education efforts within the community. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 11/4/2024 Minutes 24315 2. Eldridge Avenue Non-Motorized Pilot Project Update p. 81 Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, and Jessica Bennett, City Engineer, provided a status report on the Eldridge Avenue Non-Motorized Pilot Project, which was approved by Council on October 24, 2022. The project removed street parking to allow for bike lane installation as adopted in the Bicycle Master Plan. Staff presented initial data on the program and will return with additional findings in spring 2025. Council Members discussed the project 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. 24316 1. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued October 11, 2024 through October 17, 2024 p. 98 24317 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued October 18, 2024 through October 24, 2024 p. 99 24318 3. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated October 1, 2024 to October 15, p. 100 2024 24319 4. Community Tree Partnerships Program Interlocal Grant Agreement with the p. 101 Whatcom Conservation District to Increase Citywide Tree Canopy Cover 24320 5. Agreement Authorizing the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife p. 113 Temporary Access to City Owned Stormwater Ponds 24321 6. Approval of the 10/7/24 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 116 24322 7. Approval of the 10/14/24 City Council Special Meeting Minutes p. 126 24323 8. Approval of the 10/21/24 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 130 Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hollie Huthman moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24282 1. An Ordinance Relating to the Preservation of Landmark Trees and Extending the p. 150 Interim Development Regulations with Respect to Landmark Trees throughout the City Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson 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, Lilliquist, Cotton City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 11/4/2024 Minutes  NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2024-11-028. 24289 2. An Ordinance Amending the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget - Amendment No. 15 p. 165 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: Hammill, Stone, Huthman, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2024-11-029. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:53pm. Daniel Hammill, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 11/18/2024 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 7 11/4/2024 Minutes