City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 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 Public Hearing On March 24, 2025, the Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance relating to land use and zoning, adopting interim zoning regulations to permit and encourage construction of middle housing by allowing infill housing (BMC 20.28) citywide in all areas that are zoned predominately for residential use, including urban village residential transition areas. More information can be found at meetings.cob.org five days before the meeting. 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 7 3/10/2025 Minutes  Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24469 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission p. 6 (Information Only) Mayor Lund appointed Chelsea Bodamer as the Barkley Neighborhood Representative on the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission to a first full term, which will expire on March 10, 2027. 24470 2. Mayor's Appointment to the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board (Approval) p. 13 Mayor Lund appointed Kelsey Klevenberg to a first full term on the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board, which will expire on March 10, 2028. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of Kelsey Klevenberg to a first full term on the Whatcom Museum Foundation Board, which will expire on March 10, 2028. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24471 3. Mayor's Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (Approval) p. 17 Mayor Lund appointed Deron Belt to a first full term on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, which will expire on March 10, 2028. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of Deron Belt to a first full term on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, which will expire on March 10, 2028. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor Lund recognized Marty Gray, Superintendent of Maintenance, for his 30 years of service to the City of Bellingham. Mayor Lund highlighted upcoming construction projects across the City and encouraged the public to visit the City’s website for additional information about upcoming projects and impacts. Mayor Lund reported that she recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kulshan Community Land project to build 18 permanently affordable homes in the Birchwood Neighborhood. Mayor Lund encouraged the community to celebrate St. Patrick's Day safely after an increase in DUI arrests. The City will hold a parade and race over the weekend. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 3/10/2025 Minutes  Mayor Lund congratulated the Lummi boys’ basketball team for winning the state championship and Lynden girls’ basketball team for their win in back-to-back state championships. 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 24463 1. Contract Award for Pacific Street Operations Center Warehouse Re-Roof (EF-161), p. 20 Bid #8B-2025 Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Carol Rofkar, Superintendent of Communications, Facilities, and Fleet, provided a summary of the Pacific Street Operations Center re-roof project. The project will repair the failing roof and mitigate water damage. Council Members discussed the contract and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to award contract No. 8B-2025 for the Pacific Street Operations Center warehouse re-roof to Queen City Sheet Metal & Roofing, Inc as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of $343,997.46, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24464 2. Authorization to Retain Outside Legal Counsel to Help the City Obtain Federal Clean p. 26 Energy Tax Credits for Qualifying Projects Matt Stamps, Senior Assistant Attorney, provided a summary of the request to retain outside legal counsel to pursue federal clean energy tax credits. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 established a clean energy tax credit program allowing tax exempt entities to receive direct payments from the IRS for qualifying clean energy projects. The Washington Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program connects local governments with law firms with expertise in the tax credit program at no cost. Council Members discussed the program and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Michael Lilliquist moved to authorize the Mayor to retain Avisen Legal PA to assist the City with accessing clean energy tax credits. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24465 3. Discussion of Water Quality Retrofit Options for Private Properties in the City's p. 28 Portion of the Lake Whatcom Watershed City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 3/10/2025 Minutes  Mike Olinger, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Jason Porter, Surface and Stormwater Utility Manager, provided an update on current programmatic efforts to clean and protect the Lake Whatcom watershed and considerations for future changes to existing programs. Council Members discussed watershed protection efforts and asked questions. Parks and Recreation 1:40 PM Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Chair Hannah Stone, Jace Cotton 24468 1. Contract Award Bid# 3B-2025 for the Storybrook Park Phase One and W. Maplewood p. 31 Sidewalk Improvements Project (P0069 and ES5811610C) Nicole Oliver, Parks & Recreation Director, Laine Potter, Park Design & Development Manager, and Jonathan Schilk, Landscape Architect, presented the contract award for the Storybrook Park Phase One and West Maplewood Sidewalk Improvements Project. The project includes park-related improvements such as temporary erosion control, clearing and grubbing, site clean-up, installation of a playground and plaza, trail improvements, wayfinding and signage, landscape and wetland mitigation fence and planting, water and electrical services, and a sewer tap for Phase Two. The street improvements along the west edge of W Maplewood Ave include adding a striped bike lane, curb gutter, sidewalk, on-street pocket parking, retaining walls, street trees, mailbox relocation, utility pole relocation, and driveway reconstruction. Council Members discussed the project and asked questions. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Hannah Stone moved to award contract No. 3B-2025 for the Storybrook Park and West Maplewood Sidewalk Improvements Project to Premium Services, Inc. as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of $1,983,491.62, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Budget and Finance 2:10 PM Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24466 1. 2024 Financial Year End Review p. 81 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, provided an update on the City's financial position at the end of 2024. The presentation is available here and the financial report is available here. Council Members discussed the City's financial outlook and asked questions. Committee Of The Whole 3:00 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 3/10/2025 Minutes 24467 1. Work Session on Proposed Updates to BMC 17.82 Multi-Family Tax Exemption p. 100 Program Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager. and Chris Koch, Planner, presented proposed modifications to Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) section 17.82 Multi-Family Tax Exemption program. Staff will return in April for a public hearing and approval of a revised ordinance. Council Members discussed the proposed BMC changes and asked questions. 2. Old/New Business Council President Huthman provided an update from the internal lobbying team. Council will receive an update from the City's lobbyist at the next Council meeting on March 24, 2025. Council Member Anderson encouraged the community to shop locally as we face an uncertain economic outlook. Executive Session 4:15 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Labor Relations: Review Contract Proposal for Bellingham Police Guild (Sullivan, approx. 5 min.) Staff provided information on the proposed 2025-2026 collective bargaining agreement between the City and the Bellingham Police Guild. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved to ratify the agreement reached with the following general terms: DURATION: January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 WAGES & COMPENSATION: • Effective January 1, 2025 – 4.5% COLA • Effective January 1, 2026 – 3.75% COLA • Effective January 1, 2025 – Increase educational incentive by 0.5%, increase bilingual premium by 1%. • Effective upon ratification – Increase premiums for Range and Training Officer assignments by 0.5%, increase Field Training Officer premium by 2% while training, increase longevity pay by 1% for officers with 15 or more years of service, implement new 0.5% premium for instructors and 1% premium for lead instructors MEDICAL INSURANCE: • No change to medical coverage premium cost sharing City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 3/10/2025 Minutes  OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES: • Effective January 1, 2026 – In lieu of take-home vehicles, the City will contribute $125 per month into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement Voluntary Employee Benefit Association (HRA VEBA) for each employee who is not assigned a take home vehicle. 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. 24472 1. Approval of the 2/24/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 138 24473 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated February 1, 2025 to February 15, p. 153 2025 24474 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued February 14, 2025 through February 20, p. 154 2025 24475 4. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued February 21, 2025 through February 27, p. 155 2025 24476 5. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lake Samish Boat Launch Temporary p. 156 Use Permit 24477 6. Modification to Contract # C2401145- Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan p. 161 Partnership Interlocal Agreement with Whatcom County Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24442 1. An Ordinance Relating to the Preservation of Landmark Trees and Extending the p. 164 Interim Development Regulations with Respect to Landmark Trees Throughout the City Daniel Hammill / 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: Huthman, Stone, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-03-004. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 3/10/2025 Minutes Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from seven individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:58pm. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 3/24/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 7 3/10/2025 Minutes