City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 5, 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 May 19, 2025, the City Council will hold a public hearing to consider an ordinance relating to amendments to the Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program. More details can be found at meetings.cob.org five days prior to 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 Council Member Jace Cotton, At-Large City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 6 5/5/2025 Minutes Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24538 1. Mayor's Appointment to the Greenways Advisory Committee (Approval) p. 6 Mayor Lund appointed Kathy Furtado to a first term on the Greenways Advisory Committee, which will expire on May 5, 2028. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. “Skip” Williams moved to recommend approval of Kathy Furtado to a first term on the Greenways Advisory Committee, which will expire on May 5, 2028. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor Lund provided an update on the North Haven Tiny Home Village planned to open soon in the Birchwood neighborhood. The village consolidates two existing tiny home villages currently located on other City Property. Mayor Lund shared that she attended the First Friday Artwalk downtown immersive experience project opening. Downtown buildings now display window art designed by local artists. This project supports Downtown Forward goals, and she expressed appreciation to all involved in bringing the project to fruition. Mayor Lund said she recently attended a portion of the Future Women in Fire and EMS workshop, which is a two-day event dedicated to giving guidance and training to women interested in serving our community as firefighters. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Planning 9:00 AM Michael Lilliquist, Chair Hannah Stone, Lisa Anderson 24530 1. Work Session on Shifting From Neighborhood Plans to Citywide Planning Processes p. 13 Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, presented information on a strategic shift from neighborhood-based to citywide land use planning to ensure consistent land use rules across the City and adequate housing opportunities. Council Members discussed the proposal and asked questions. 24531 2. Work Session to Discuss Approach for Changes to Residential Zoning p. 32 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 5/5/2025 Minutes  Chris Behee, Long Range Planning Manager, presented information on how to implement state law allowing for multiple middle housing units on all residential lots and the required residential zoning changes necessary. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. Committee of the Whole - Executive Session 10:50 AM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: 1. Potential Property Acquisition (Marriner, approx. 5 min.) Staff provided information on a potential property acquisition. For information and discussion. No action taken. 2. Potential Litigation (Chaplin, approx. 30 min.) Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. For information and discussion. No action taken. Committee Of The Whole 1:00 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24539 1. Annual Update on the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission on Sexual and p. 62 Domestic Violence Susan Marks, Bellingham Whatcom County Commission on Sexual & Domestic Violence Director, Informa provided the annual update to outline the commission's work and education on the impacts of domestic violence in the community. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. 24501 2. Work Session on an Ordinance Relating to Landlord Tenant Relations, Adopting a p. 81 New Chapter in Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Prohibiting Landlords from Charging Tenants Unfair or Excessive Fees in Residential Rental Agreements and Leases At the April 14, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council provided additional feedback on the draft ordinance relating to excessive rental fees. Council Member Cotton provided additional revisions and Council requested further time to review the proposals. The work session provided Council a chance to further discuss the ordinance, suggest amendments, and provide direction on how to move forward. During the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier in the day, Council Members discussed the ordinance and made several amendments. 24502 3. Work Session on an Ordinance Related to Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord p. 102 Tenant Relations, Adopting a New Chapter in Title 6 of the Bellingham Municipal Code Prohibiting Landlords from Charging Unfair or Excessive Fees in Manufactured/Mobile Home Lease Agreements City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 5/5/2025 Minutes  At the April 14, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council provided additional feedback on the draft ordinance relating to excessive fees in manufactured/mobile homes. Council Member Cotton provided additional revisions and Council requested further time to review the proposals. The work session provided Council a chance to further discuss the ordinance, suggest amendments, and provide direction on how to move forward. During the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier in the day, Council Members discussed the ordinance and approved a motion to adopt a version of the ordinance as a working draft. 4. Old/New Business Council Member Stone shared that on May 1, there was an opportunity for members of the local Bar Association chapter to reaffirm their oath and commitment to the Washington State constitution and the United States constitution. All different types of legal professionals came to unite around that purpose. Council Member Huthman noted that the Procession of the Species was held this past weekend after a six-year hiatus. She thanked the Parks & Recreation Department for coordinating the event. Parks and Recreation 3:10 PM Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Chair Hannah Stone, Jace Cotton 24532 1. 2024 Greenways Program and Park Impact Fee Fund Annual Report p. 121 Nicole Oliver, Parks & Recreation Director, and Laine Potter, Parks Design & Development Manager, presented the annual report for the Greenways Program, which includes accomplishments, revenue and expenditures, and project updates. Council Members discussed the presentation and asked questions. Community and Economic Development 3:55 PM Jace Cotton, Chair Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 24533 1. A Resolution Adopting the 2025 HUD Consolidated Action Plan p. 150 Samya Lutz, Housing & Services Program Manager, presented the draft resolution adopting the 2025 Housing & Urban Development (HUD) consolidated action plan. The action plan is required by the Federal Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), which identifies activities to be funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) during the July-June program year. Council Members discussed the action plan, resolution, and asked questions. Jace Cotton / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2025-07. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. ABSTAINED: Lisa Anderson City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 5/5/2025 Minutes 24534 2. North Haven Tiny House Village Project Update p. 167 Tara Sundin, Community & Economic Development Manager, provided an update on the North Haven Tiny House Village Project located at 3300 Northwest Avenue. 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. 24535 1. Sale of Surplus Swift Haven Tiny Homes to United Way of Skagit County p. 170 24536 2. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated April 1, 2025 to April 15, 2025 p. 176 24537 3. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued April 18, 2025 through April 24, 2025 p. 177 Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24511 1. An Ordinance Amending the 2025 Adopted Budget Reconciling the Differences p. 178 Between Estimated 2025 Beginning Reserve Balances and Actual 2025 Reserve Balances Daniel Hammill / Michael Lilliquist 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 #2025-05-005. 24512 2. An Ordinance Amending the 2025 Budget Increasing Appropriation Authority in p. 182 Various Funds to Pay for Goods and Services Authorized in the Previous Budget Cycle 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) City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 5/5/2025 Minutes  MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-05-006. 24513 3. An Ordinance Amending the 2025 Budget - Amendment No. 1 p. 186 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 #2025-05-007. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from six individuals. To access the recording visit Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:52pm. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 5/19/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 5/5/2025 Minutes