City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 28, 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 (Attended remotely) Council Member Michael Lilliquist, Sixth Ward Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. Mayor Pro Tempore Lilliquist provided the Mayor’s Report. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 7 4/28/2025 Minutes 24515 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual p. 6 and Domestic Violence (Information) Mayor Lund appointed Therese Horan to her first full term on the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence, which will expire on January 31, 2029. 24516 2. Mayor's Appointment to the Community Development Advisory Board (Information) p. 10 Mayor Lund appointed the following individuals to the Community Development Advisory Board, • Nina Rommelmann to a first term, which will expire on 4/28/2028; • Lola Thompson to a first term, which will expire on 9/10/27; and • Matthew Main to a first term, which will expire on 4/28/2028. 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 1:15 PM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24517 1. Washington State Department of Commerce Grant Acceptance - New What-Comm p. 26 911 Dispatch Center Building (EF-183) Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Mike Wilson, Assistant Director of Engineering, presented the $970,000.00 grant award from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the new WhatComm 911 Dispatch Center Building. The project constructs a new 8,000 square foot dispatch center building and will be bid in the fall of 2025 with completion anticipated in December of 2026. Council Members discussed the grant funding and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of the $970,000.00 grant funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce for the new WhatComm Dispatch Center Building (EF-183). MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24518 2. Washington State Transportation Improvement Board Grant Acceptance – James p. 63 Street Multimodal Improvements Segments 3 and 4 (ES565) Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Mike Wilson Assistant Director of Engineering, presented the $950,000.00 grant award from the Washington State Department of Transportation for the James Street Multimodal Improvements Segments 3 and 4 Project. The project will install a multi-use path on the west side of James Street from Telegraph Road to King Avenue, followed by bike lanes and sidewalks to Gooding Avenue. Construction will be incorporated into the ongoing City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 4/28/2025 Minutes  James and Bakerview roundabout project. Council Members discussed the grant funding and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to recommend approval of the $950,000.00 grant funding from the Washington State Department of Transportation for the James Street Multimodal Improvements Segments 3 & 4 (ES565) Project. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24527 3. Reject All Bids for Federal Building Re-Roof Project (EF-179), Bid #15B-2025 p. 73 Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Carol Rofkar, Superintendent of Communications, Facilities, Fleet, presented the contract award for the Federal Building Re-Roof Project. The project was initiated to replace the aging roof and prevent water damage. Since the lowest responsible bid was significantly higher than the engineer's estimate of $323,833.55, staff recommended rejecting all bids. The project will be rebid once adjustments are made to the scope and budget. In the interim, City staff will continue to patch and repair the roof. Council Members discussed the contract award and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to reject all bids for the Federal Building Re-Roof Project No. 15B-2025. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24529 4. Contract Award for Annual Alley Grading Equipment Rental and Services, #16B-2025 p. 77 Joel Pfundt, Interim Public Works Co-Director, and Brandon Brubaker, Superintendent of Maintenance, presented the contract award for the Annual Alley Grading Equipment Rental and Services Project, which will be performed under an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Council Members discussed the contract award and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to award contract No. 16B-2025 to J. Ritter Dirt and Asphalt of Everson, Washington for a three-year term, as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of $42,250.00, and not to exceed 375,000.00, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Community and Economic Development 1:40 PM Jace Cotton, Chair Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 24519 1. A Presentation by Western Washington University's Small Business Development p. 81 Center City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 4/28/2025 Minutes  Tara Sundin, Community & Economic Development Manager, and CJ Seitz, Executive Director of Western Washington University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC), presented an overview of 2024 SBDC activities and accomplishments. The SBDC is funded collaboratively through an Interlocal Agreement with the Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the City as part of the Port's Regional Economic Partnership. Council Members discussed the SBDC and partnership, and asked questions. 24520 2. Presentation by the Port of Bellingham's Regional Economic Partnership Staff p. 97 Tara Sundin, Community & Economic Development Manager, and Tyler Schroeder, Port of Bellingham Economic Development Director, presented an update on the Port of Bellingham's Regional Economic Partnership (REP) activities, strategic goals, and 2025 workplan. The REP is funded by an Interlocal Agreement with the Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the City. Council Members discussed the SBDC and partnership, and asked questions. Parks and Recreation 2:50 PM Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Chair Hannah Stone, Jace Cotton 24528 1. Contract Award Bid #13B-2024 for the Sunset Pond Loop Trail Project p. 116 Nicole Oliver, Director of Parks & Recreation, and Gina Austin, Parks Project Engineer, presented the contract award for the Sunset Pond Loop Trail Project. The project will connect three neighborhoods to a regional trail and park destinations in alignment with the Parks & Recreation Open Space Plan. Council Members discussed the project, asked questions, and thanked staff for their work. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Jace Cotton moved to award contract No. 13B-2024 for the Sunset Pond Loop Trail Project to Faber Construction, as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with them for the amount of $3,730,404.00, which includes any applicable WSST. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Budget and Finance 3:05 PM Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24511 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2025 Adopted Budget Reconciling the Differences p. 122 Between Estimated 2025 Beginning Reserve Balances and Actual 2025 Reserve Balances Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, returned to Council to discuss the draft ordinance amending the 2025 reserve and actual balances. Per the City's Financial Policy, at the beginning of each budget cycle, the City must update the budget with City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 4/28/2025 Minutes  actual beginning reserves and estimate new ending reserves. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24512 2. An Ordinance Amending the 2025 Budget Increasing Appropriation Authority in p. 130 Various Funds to Pay for Goods and Services Authorized in the Previous Budget Cycle Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, returned to Council to discuss the draft ordinance, which reappropriates unused budget authority of $104,570,732 in expenses and $10,131,421 in revenue from the 2023-2024 biennium. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend the ordinance, so the total revenue column reads $10,131,421, from the 2023-2024 biennium. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading as amended. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24513 3. An Ordinance Amending the 2025 Budget - Amendment No. 1 p. 142 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, and Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, returned to Council to discuss the draft ordinance, which amends the 2025 budget to correct budgetary errors, adjust appropriation authority to provide positive estimated ending reserve balances for all City funds, and adds budget authority for items missed during budget development or materialized after adoption. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Committee Of The Whole 3:35 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24521 1. Consideration of a Major Modification to the Interlocal Agreement for Facilities p. 148 within the Waterfront District Between the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham Tara Sundin, Community & Economic Development Manager, presented the revision to the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham for Facilities City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 4/28/2025 Minutes  within the Waterfront District in order for the City to develop a Skatepark under the Roeder Avenue Bridge. Council Members discussed the ILA and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Michael Lilliquist moved to recommend approval of the modification to the Interlocal Agreement between the Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham for Facilities within the Waterfront District. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 2. Old/New Business Council Member Lilliquist highlighted the International Worker's Memorial Day event in the City honoring those who have lost their lives due to work related injuries. Executive Session 3:55 PM 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. 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. 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. 24522 1. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued April 11, 2025 through April 17, 2025 p. 156 24523 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued April 04, 2025 through April 10, 2025 p. 157 24524 3. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated March 16, 2025 to March 31, p. 158 2025 24525 4. Approval of the 4/14/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 159 24526 5. Interlocal Agreement with Washington State DNR for forest land response. p. 174 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 4/28/2025 Minutes  Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from 51 individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:08pm. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 5/19/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 7 4/28/2025 Minutes