City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 24, 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. 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 Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large (Attended Remotely) Public Hearing 24478 1. Public Hearing on an Ordinance Relating to Land Use and Zoning, Adopting an p. 6 Interim Zoning Ordinance Applying Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) 20.28 Infill City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 3/24/2025 Minutes  Housing in all Areas that are Zoned Predominantly for Residential Use, Except on Property Regulated by BMC Chapter 16.80, Lake Whatcom Reservoir Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, Kurt Nabbefeld, Planning Development Services Manager, and Chris Koch, Planner, provided a summary of the proposed ordinance modifying the infill housing toolkit. As proposed, the ordinance would allow for up to four units per lot with the potential for a fifth or sixth unit, if affordable, as defined by the state. Additional consideration will be given to the floor area ratios (FAR) associated with the state's Model Code. Council Members discussed the draft ordinance and asked questions. Council President Huthman opened the public hearing. Eleven individuals provided testimony. Council President Huthman closed the public hearing. Michael Lilliquist / Hannah Stone moved to amend the draft interim ordinance to use the State’s Middle Housing Model Code (section 7.G) regulations table for FAR and add the following language to the ordinance, “Where floor area ratios (FAR) are referenced in BMC Chapter 20.28, the stated ratio shall be replaced with the floor area ratio provided in the Middle Housing Model Ordinance Tier 1 and 2 Cities, specifically the Maximum Floor Area Ratio as listed in Section 7.G, or as otherwise amended.” MOTION CARRIED 5-2. OPPOSED: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson Daniel Hammill / Lisa Anderson moved for first and second reading as amended. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24479 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Planning and Development Commission (Approval) p. 23 Mayor Lund appointed Daniel Bloemker to his first term on the Planning and Development Commission, which will expire on April 1, 2029. Daniel Hammill / Hannah Stone moved to recommend approval of Daniel Bloemker to his first term on the Planning and Development Commission, which will expire on April 1, 2029. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. ABSTAINED: Lisa Anderson 24480 2. Mayor's Reappointment to the Greenways Advisory Committee (Approval) p. 26 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 3/24/2025 Minutes  Mayor Lund reappointed Dina Dickerson to a second term on the Greenways Advisory Committee, which will expire on March 11, 2028. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of Dina Dickerson to a second term on the Greenways Advisory Committee, which will expire on March 11, 2028. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor Lund encouraged the community to watch the discussion regarding emissions control at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plan during the Public Works & Natural Resources Committee. Mayor Lund shared an update on recent government to government meetings between City administration and Nooksack Tribal Council and leadership. Mayor Lund highlighted several new projects around the City including, • March 5th opening of the Northern Lights Park • March 6th Kulshan Land Trust groundbreaking in the Birchwood Neighborhood • March 14th groundbreaking for development construction in the Old Town District • March 17th opening of the YWCA shelter 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 10:00 AM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24481 1. Adoption of 2025-2035 Water Use Efficiency Goal and Measures p. 30 Mike Olinger, Interim Public Works Co-Director, Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, Mike Ol and Riley Grant, Public Works Communications & Outreach Manager, provided an overview of the and Rile water use efficiency program and proposed goals and measures for 2025-2035. State law requires water u the City to adopt these goals every six years or in alignment with updates to the Water System Plan. the City Council Members discussed the program and resolution and asked questions. Council Hannah Stone / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2025-06. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. ABSTAINED: Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 24482 2. Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant - Emission Control Upgrades Project p. 70 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 3/24/2025 Minutes  Mike Olinger, Interim Public Works Co-Director, Matt Stamps, Assistant City Attorney, and Casey Mike Ol Gish, Brown & Caldwell Project Manager, provided an update on the air quality upgrades project at Gish, Br the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will upgrade the plant’s sewage sludge Post Po incinerators with new air pollution control equipment to reduce emissions and ensure continued incinera regulatory compliance. The project is estimated to cost approximately $40 million and will take regulato approximately four years to complete. Council Members discussed the project and asked questions. approxi Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity 1:00 PM Daniel Hammill, Chair Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Michael Lilliquist 24483 1. Overview of Bellingham Police Department Wellness Program p. 266 Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig and Dr. Michael Earley presented an overview of wellness Police C programming for the Bellingham Police Department that began in June 2022. Council Members program offered praise for the program and asked questions. discusse 24484 2. GRACE Program Update p. 268 Ashley Smith, Whatcom County Health & Community Services GRACE Program Supervisor, and Ashley S Steve Larson, Bellingham Community Paramedic Captain, presented an update on GRACE program Steve La activities. Council Members discussed the program and asked questions. activitie Committee Of The Whole 2:25 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24485 1. Update on 2025 State Legislative Session and City Lobbying Activities p. 290 Janice Keller, Deputy Administrator, and City lobbyists, Luke Esser and Nick Federici, provided an Janice K update on the state legislative session. Council Members discussed the session and relevant update legislation. and ask 24486 2. Presentation on Public Engagement Regarding Proposed Rental Fees Ordinances p. 291 Iris Nott, Legislative Policy Analyst, and David Brauhn, Assistant Communications & Community Iris Not Relations Director, presented a summary of the public engagement process and feedback for the Relation draft rental fee ordinances. Council Member Hammill excused himself during Council discussions. draft re Council Members discussed the public engagement process and results and asked questions. Council 3. Old/New Business There were no discussion items for Old/New Business. Executive Session 4:00 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 3/24/2025 Minutes  1. Potential Property Acquisition (Stamps, approx. 3 min.) Staff provided information on a potential Lake Whatcom Watershed property acquisition totaling 3.3 acres with one potential development unit. 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 owner, the Arlene S. Barboza Trust, with a purchase price of $162,000. Closing is to occur on or around April 4, 2025. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. ABSTAINED: Daniel Hammill 2. Litigation: DeBruin et. al v. COB (Good, approx. 10 min.) Staff provided information on a litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. 3. Potential Litigation (Chaplin, approx. 15 min.) This item was removed from the agenda. 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. 24487 1. Approval of the 3/10/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 307 24488 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued February 28, 2025 through March 06, 2025 p. 322 24489 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued March 07, 2025 through March 13, 2025 p. 323 24490 4. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated February 16, 2025 to February p. 324 28, 2025 Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Michael Lilliquist moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. ABSTAINED: Daniel Hammill Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from nineteen individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 3/24/2025 Minutes Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:06pm. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 4/14/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 3/24/2025 Minutes