City Council - Regular Meeting

City of Bellingham City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 25, 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 7:00 p.m. 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 Public Hearing 24635 1. A Public Hearing for an Ordinance Amending Bellingham Municipal Chapter 20.15 p. 6 (Temporary Shelters) to Delete Shelter Guest Maximums, Extend Permit Duration for City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 1 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes  all Shelter Types, Modify Permit Renewal Requirements, and Clarify Operational and Infrastructure Requirements Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, and Sara Ullman, Planner, presented on the ordinance, which amends Bellingham Municipal Code 20.15 Temporary Shelters to remove barriers restricting temporary shelter operations and ensure compliance with state law. Council Members discussed the ordinance and asked questions. Council President Huthman opened the public hearing. One individual spoke at the public hearing. Council President Huthman closed the public hearing. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Mayor's Report Standing time for briefings, updates, and reports to Council by the Mayor. 24636 1. Mayor's appointment to the Civil Service Commission (Approval) p. 27 Mayor Lund appointed Mimi Turin to fill a partial term on the Civil Service Commission, which will expire on January 1, 2028. Michael Lilliquist / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to recommend approval of Mimi Turin to fill a partial term on the Civil Service Commission, which will expire on January 1, 2028. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24637 2. Mayor's Appointments to the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission p. 34 (Information) Mayor Lund made the following appointments to the Neighborhood Advisory Commission: • John Kane-Ronning to a first term as the Silver Beach Neighborhood Representative, which will expire on August 25, 2027. • Katie Herson-Horvath to a first term as the Birchwood Neighborhood Representative, which will expire on August 25, 2027. • Lindsey Payne Johnstone to a first full term as the City Center Neighborhood Representative, which will expire on February 24, 2027. • William Beer to a second and final term as the Edgemoor Neighborhood Representative, which will expire on February 24, 2027. City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 2 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes  Mayor Lund highlighted the City's budget challenges with a $10 million anticipated shortfall in the General Fund. The Mayor will share her proposed budget with Council on September 29, 2025. Regular Meeting and Committee Sessions The following are heard in both Committee sessions and Regular Meeting in order below: Council Standing Committee Meetings: Budget and Finance 10:15 AM Lisa Anderson, Chair Daniel Hammill, Michael Lilliquist 24640 1. 2025 Second Quarter Financial Review p. 46 Andy Asbjornsen, Finance Director, Eric Johnson, Budget & Treasury Manager, and Forrest Longman, Deputy City Administrator, provided an overview of the City's financial position through June 2025. The presentation is available online. Council Members discussed the financial report and outlook and asked questions. 24648 2. A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor To Take All Steps Necessary To Prepare an p. 65 Ordinance or Resolution for Council Consideration that Imposes a Sales Tax of One- Tenth of One Percent As Authorized by Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2015, Adopted by the State Legislature on April 22, 2025 Forrest Longman, Deputy City Administrator, presented the resolution which authorizes the Mayor to prepare for Council's consideration a one-tenth of one percent sales tax increase for criminal justice spending. The State Legislature authorized a fund increase via House Bill 2015 if the City meets the requirement of the Local Law Enforcement Grant Program. Council Members discussed the resolution and asked questions. Lisa Anderson / Daniel Hammill moved final approval of Resolution #2025-17. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Public Works and Natural Resources 11:20 AM Hannah Stone, Chair Lisa Anderson, Jace Cotton 24638 1. Reject All Bids for Bellingham Police Department Envelope Repairs Project (EF-153), p. 71 Bid #41B-2025 Carol Rofkar, Public Works Internal Services Assistant Director, presented the request to reject all bids for the Bellingham Police Department Envelope Repairs Project (EF-153), Bid #41B-2025. The project was initiated to address water infiltration occurring on the exterior of the police department building. Staff recommended rejecting all bids since the lowest responsible bid was significantly City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 3 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes  higher than the engineer's estimate. The project will be rebid after revisions to the scope. Council Members discussed the project and asked questions. Hannah Stone / Lisa Anderson moved to reject all bids for the Bellingham Police Department Envelope Repairs Project (EF-153), Bid #41B-2025. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Community and Economic Development 1:00 PM Jace Cotton, Chair Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams 24639 1. Presentation by the Port of Bellingham on the Whatcom County Industrial Lands p. 76 Study Tara Sundin, Community & Economic Development Manager, and Tyler Schroeder, Director of Economic Development at the Port of Bellingham, presented the industrial land study results, which focused on industrial land uses to identify priority areas for infrastructure investment, zoning changes, and policy recommendations. Council Members discussed the study results and asked questions. Committee Of The Whole 2:25 PM Hollie Huthman, Chair Hannah Stone, Daniel Hammill, Edwin H. "Skip" Williams, Lisa Anderson, Michael Lilliquist, Jace Cotton 24608 1. An Ordinance Relating to the Annexation of Approximately 146 Acres of p. 205 Unincorporated Property Located Adjacent to the Northern Boundary of the Bellingham City Limits and Commonly Known as the Britton Road / Northern Heights Annexation; Assigning City Land Use and Zoning Designations and Establishing Blake Lyon, Planning & Community Development Director, and Chris Behee, Long Range Division Manager, returned to Council to discuss the ordinance, which annexes 146 acres near the northern boundary of Bellingham City limits, known as the Northern Heights annexation. The City Council held a public hearing on July 21, 2025 and referred this item to the Committee of the Whole for further deliberation. Council Members discussed the annexation and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Lisa Anderson moved to deny the annexation proposal known as the Britton Road/Northern Heights Annexation. MOTION CARRIED 5-1. OPPOSED: Michael Lilliquist ABSTAINED: Jace Cotton 24641 2. Consideration of an Ordinance for the Vacation of a Portion of Donovan Avenue p. 224 Generally Between 35th and 36th Streets City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 4 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes  Alan Marriner, City Attorney, and Jack Bloss from AVT Consulting, presented the street vacation ordinance between Donovan Avenue and 35th and 26th street for development. City Council held a closed record hearing on October 11, 2004, and approved the vacation but did not approve a finalized street vacation ordinance. The proposed street vacation retains a public utility easement for the existing water main, instead of public and private utility easements over the entire vacated right-of-way. Council Members discussed the street vacation ordinance and asked questions. Hollie Huthman / Michael Lilliquist moved for first and second reading. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 24642 3. 2025 Carbon Mitigation Grant Updates p. 245 Seth Vidaña, Climate & Energy Manager, provided an update on the City's progress to lower carbon emissions via carbon mitigation grants. Council Members discussed climate action goals and policies and asked questions. 4. Old/New Business Council Member Hammill extended appreciation to the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) for allowing him to join a bike-ride-along and for their work serving the community downtown. Council Member Stone thanked BPD for a recent ride-along and acknowledged the communication and de-escalation skills demonstrated by the City’s law enforcement. Council President Huthman shared the need to appoint a member to attend the Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) Board Composition Review meeting. Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved to recommend approval of Council Member Williams to the Whatcom Transit Authority Board Composition Review meeting. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Council Member Stone shared a trip with Mayor Lund and City staff to review the Middle Fork Nooksack River Dam Removal Project. Council Member Stone highlighted the Community Court Food Drive, which will be ongoing through September 30, 2025. Collection areas are located at City Hall. Council President Huthman recognized BTV staff, Ben Skudlarek and Adam Grossberg, for receiving several awards from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers Association for their City Council and community coverage. Executive Session 4:05 PM Closed to the public. Report in the Regular Meeting only: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 5 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes  1. Potential Litigation (Erb, approx. 10 min.) Staff provided information on a potential litigation matter. Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Lisa Anderson moved to authorize the Mayor to execute all documents necessary for the City of Bellingham to participate in nine additional national opioid settlements that were recently announced by the Attorney General's Office with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family as well as eight generic opioid manufacturers including Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus. 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. 24643 1. Approval of the 8/11/2025 City Council Committee and Regular Meeting Minutes p. 262 24644 2. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 01, 2025 through August 07, 2025 p. 281 24645 3. Authorization of Payroll Labor Cost Payments Dated July 16, 2025 to July 31, 2025 p. 282 24646 4. Interlocal with United States Department of Justice Funded State and Local Task p. 283 Force Agreement 24647 5. Authorization of A/P Transactions Issued August 08, 2025 through August 14, 2025 p. 288 24649 6. A Resolution Setting the Date and Time for a Public Hearing Before the Hearing p. 289 Examiner to Consider a Street Vacation Petition for an Unimproved Portion of Burns Street within the Barkley Urban Village Become known as Resolution #2025-18. Daniel Hammill / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval of the Consent Agenda in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. Final Consideration of Ordinances 24634 1. An Ordinance Relating to the Preservation of Landmark Trees and Extending for an p. 293 Additional Six Months the Interim Development Regulations with Respect to Landmark Trees Throughout the City Michael Lilliquist / Daniel Hammill moved approval for third and final reading. Upon motion, said bill was placed on final passage and approved by the following roll call vote: City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 6 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes  AYES: Huthman, Stone, Hammill, Williams, Anderson, Lilliquist, Cotton NAYS: (None) EXCUSED: (None) MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-08-018. 24605 2. An Ordinance Relating to Land Use and Zoning, Amending the Bellingham p. 309 Comprehensive Plan, Amending the Barkley Neighborhood Plan, Including Land Use Areas 9, 13-20 And 25 and Amending the Land Use Development Code (Title 20) for the Purpose of Adopting the Barkley Urban Village Subarea Plan and Asso Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved approval for third and final reading. Hollie Huthman / Daniel Hammill moved to amend the ordinance to add the Barkley Village Land Use Areas map to Exhibit A. AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. 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) AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-08-019. 24606 3. An Ordinance Establishing the Barkley Village Planned Action Pursuant to the State p. 402 Environmental Policy Act, Adding a new Section to BMC 16.30, and Amending BMC 16.30.020 Edwin H. "Skip" Williams / Daniel Hammill moved approval for third and final reading. Lisa Anderson / Edwin H. "Skip" Williams moved to amend Exhibit A of the ordinance to add to the end of Section II.1.A a sub-section 1-2 reading “ Notification to Trans Mountain Pipeline is required for any project within 100 FEET of a right-of-way or utility easement containing a transmission pipeline. In accordance with RCW 19.122.033 the applicant shall notify and consult with the pipeline company prior to any excavation or digging activity. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the requirements for notification and consultation as noted in RCW 19.122.033. No additional mitigation measures are required." AMENDMENT CARRIED 7-0. 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) City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 7 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes  EXCUSED: (None) AMENDED MOTION CARRIED 7-0 and was thereafter named Ordinance #2025-08-020. Public Comment Period City Council heard public comments from four individuals. To access the recording visit, Public Comment Period Recordings - City of Bellingham. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Hollie Huthman, Council President ATTEST: Kelley Goetz, Deputy City Clerk APPROVED: 9/15/2025 City of Bellingham Regular City Council Meeting Page 8 of 8 8/25/2025 Minutes