City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025, 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 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. Upcoming Special Meeting On February 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM, the Bellingham City Council will hold a Special Meeting to conduct a closed record hearing to consider a street vacation petition for the full width of a north-south oriented 20-foot-wide alleyway. More information can be found on meetings.cob.org five days prior to the meeting. This closed record hearing is open for the public to observe either online or in-person. Roll Call Present: Council President Hollie Huthman, Second Ward Council Member Hannah Stone, First Ward Council Member Daniel Hammill, Third Ward Council Member Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Fourth Ward Council Member Lisa Anderson, Fifth Ward Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 5 2/10/2025 Minutes  Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. Mayor Lund highlighted a recent meeting of the Whatcom Racial Equity Commission. Mayor Lund recapped the all-City staff meeting held to celebrate employees and spotlight the "One City" vision for how to deliver excellent local government. Mayor Lund shared that work is underway to evaluate the City Council agenda process to improve communication and engagement. Mayor Lund thanked Public Works staff and first responders for their work during recent adverse weather events. 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, Jace Cotton 24433 1. 10-Year Fiber Network Comprehensive Plan Adoption p. 6 Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and John Gaven, Fiber Optic Network Engineer, presented the 10-Year Fiber Network Comprehensive Plan. The plan will improve fiber network redundancy and resiliency and the City’s future fiber network needs. Council Members discussed the plan and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the 2025-2035 Fiber Network Comprehensive Plan. Lisa Anderson / Michael Lilliquist moved to lay the motion on the table. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Michael Lilliquist / Lisa Anderson moved to request to reconvene members of the Broadband Workgroup to address digital equity and affordability of quality broadband. Jace Cotton / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to lay the motion on the table. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 2/10/2025 Minutes 24434 2. An Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Chapter 9.12 to Align with Updated Waste p. 35 Management Practices, State Legislation, and the City's Climate Action Plan Mike Olinger, Interim Public Works Co-Director, Sean O’Neill, Sanitation & Solid Waste Manager, and Ted Carlson, General Manager at Sanitary Service Company (SSC), presented the draft ordinance, which amends BMC 9.12 to align updated waste management practices, state requirements, and the City's Climate Action Plan. Council Members discussed the draft ordinance and asked questions. Council requested further discussion on standardizing rate discounts. Hannah Stone / Daniel Hammill moved for first and second reading the ordinance as amended during the Public Works Committee. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Parks and Recreation 2:15 PM Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Chair Hannah Stone, Jace Cotton 24435 1. Overview of the Process to Update the 2026 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan p. 46 (PROS Plan) Nicole Oliver, Parks & Recreation Director, Laine Potter, Park Design & Development Manager, and Peter Gill, Planning & Development Coordinator, presented the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan. The PROS Plan prioritizes improvements to the City’s parks, facilities, open spaces, trails, and recreation programs. Council Members discussed the plan, public engagement process, and asked questions. Committee Of The Whole 2:50 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24436 1. Study Session Regarding Modifications To and an Extension of the Interim Landmark p. 62 Tree Ordinance Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, and Renee LaCroix, Assistant Director of Natural Resources, presented proposed modifications and extension of the interim landmark tree ordinance. The proposed changes refine development regulations, provide further clarity, and extend the interim ordinance for a further six months to allow for time to go through the Type VI legislative process. Council Members discussed the proposed ordinance changes, provided feedback, and asked questions. 2. Old/New Business Council Member Hammill thanked the work of first responders, including EMS staff, and expressed gratitude for the return of bike patrols downtown. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 2/10/2025 Minutes  Council President Huthman recapped the work of the City lobbying team which includes Council Member Stone, Council Member Hammill, herself, City leadership, and City staff. The City's lobbyists will be presenting to Council in the near future. Executive Session 3:45 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Cybersecurity (Burdick, approx. 5 min.) Staff provided information on a cybersecurity matter. 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 (Marriner, approx. 5 min.) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved to authorize the Mayor to close the real estate transaction described in the City’s executed purchase and sale agreement with the property owners, Tal Property LLC, Mickey and Carole Ghio, and Cal and Bernetta Leenstra to purchase approximately 66 acres on Samish Crest, with a purchase price of $4,000,000 and a closing date on or around March 7, 2025. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5. Potential Litigation (Marriner, approx. 5 min.) ITEM ADDED 2/7/25 Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 6. Litigation: Bellingham Police Guild / McGinty Grievance (Chaplin, approx. 10 min.) ITEM ADDED 2/10/25 Staff provided information on a litigation matter. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 2/10/2025 Minutes  Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a settlement agreement with the following terms: withdrawal of grievance and waiver of all related claims for a payment to the grievant of $140,000. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 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. 24437 1. Approval of the 1/27/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 80 24438 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated January 01, 2025 to January 15, p. 98 2025 24439 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 17, 2025 through January 23, 2025 p. 99 24440 4. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued January 24, 2025 through January 30, 2025 p. 100 Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from ten individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40pm. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 2/24/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 2/10/2025 Minutes